Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Young wrestler to face ring star

Caelan’s one-on-one bout with Grado at the Pavilion

- IAN BUNTING

An Airdrie schoolboy’s dream of becoming a wrestler is finally set to come true after he was challenged to faceoff with one of Scotland’s biggest squared-circle stars.

Caelan Mcfaulds will take on Grado at the River City and Scot Squad star’s Big Family Wrestling Bash in the Glasgow Pavilion Theatre.

A date for the much-anticipate­d event is yet to be finalised.

Tollbrae Primary pupil Caelan, eight, captured Grado’s imaginatio­n – and competitiv­e juices – when he appeared with him on GO Radio to discuss his fundraisin­g for the NHS.

Last year caring Caelan, or Captain Chaos as he prefers to be known, turned his dream of one day butting heads with the superstars of World Wrestling Entertainm­ent (WWE) into a money-making scheme to treat nurses at Monklands Hospital.

The creative kid penned his own book, called ‘The Main Event of Wrestleman­ia,’ chroniclin­g his goal of becoming a grappler all the way to a showdown with WWE’S Scottish mega star, Drew Mcintyre.

The book captured the imaginatio­n of some of the biggest names in wrestling, with Mcintyre and WWE icon, and executive vice president of global talent strategy and developmen­t, Triple H, tweeting their approval and posting photos of them proudly displaying Caelan’s work.

Caelan – who has converted his trampoline into a ring to train for his dream job - raised more than £2300 for the Monklands Hospital team who cared for him after he injured himself playing football.

And during his radio appearance discussing his fabulous fundraisin­g, Grado issued Captain Chaos with an exciting challenge.

Caelan’s dad Stevie, 33, said: “Caelan couldn’t believe it when Grado asked to wrestle him oneon-one at his Big Family Wrestling Bash in the Glasgow Pavilion Theatre.

“Captain Chaos has been keeping in shape doing online sessions with Ultimate Fitness in Airdrie and Braveheart­s Gym in Hamilton, so he will be more than ready for the challenge when the date is confirmed.

“Hopefully, when the show takes place, Covid restrictio­ns will be lifted to the extent that fans will be in attendance as the atmosphere for this showdown would be outstandin­g.”

Parents Stevie and Zara took budding grappler Caelan to see some of his squared circle heroes in action for the first time in Manchester in 2019 and he was pictured with superstars including Drew Mcintyre, Becky Lynch and Kevin Owens.

Stevie said: “We took him to his first live show in Manchester for his seventh birthday, where he managed to meet some of his heroes.

“He regularly watches the WWE Network and is a genuine superfan, with Zara and I having to decorate the home for each pay-per-view event!”

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Legendary endorsemen­t WWE icon, and executive vice president of global talent strategy and developmen­t, Triple H gives Caelan’s book The Main Event of Wrestleman­ia his seal of approval
Legendary endorsemen­t WWE icon, and executive vice president of global talent strategy and developmen­t, Triple H gives Caelan’s book The Main Event of Wrestleman­ia his seal of approval
 ??  ?? Challenge accepted Grado and Captain Chaos will clash at the Big Family Wrestling Bash in Glasgow
Challenge accepted Grado and Captain Chaos will clash at the Big Family Wrestling Bash in Glasgow
 ??  ?? Dream opponent Caelan with his hero, WWE’S Scottish superstar Drew Mcintyre
Dream opponent Caelan with his hero, WWE’S Scottish superstar Drew Mcintyre
 ??  ?? Training regime Caelan, pictured with his book, is preparing for his bout with Grado
Training regime Caelan, pictured with his book, is preparing for his bout with Grado

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom