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ESS bids to take on WWE with TNA Wrestling
MUMBAI: Looks like World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on Ten Sports is finally going to have some serious competition. ESPN Star Sports (ESS) has announced that it is expanding its relationship with TNA Wrestling.
ESS today announced that it has entered into a three year deal with TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Entertainment to broadcast all TNA Wrestling programs on its channels in India and the rest of Asia. ESS will showcase the TNA shows – TNA Impact, TNA Xplosion and a special weekly programme from the archives of TNA Wrestling. In addition Star Sports will also feature a Monthly Special. This airs as a Pay Per View special in the US.
Currently TNA Wrestling airs in a one hour slot on Star World on Saturday at 8 pm.
This move should come as no surprise. Ratings data indicate that in the sports genre scripted wrestling is the most popular programme after India cricket. The TNA Monthly Specials kick off with Lockdown and will be followed with one special every month. Monthly Specials have innovative battle formats like a caged fight, an iron rod fight.
Speaking on the development ESS India MD R C Venkateish said, “Viewer interest in professional wrestling has been on the rise in India. Some of the big names from the world of professional wrestling have ardent fan following in the country. Our understanding of the viewers in India has lead us to believe that the viewers have a hunger for more and more of professional wrestling.
“TNA Wrestling is a leading wrestling property and is popular the world over. With big names and a very innovative format, it is bound to catch the viewers’ imagination. TNA will also be an attraction because it features an Indian wrestler too in Sonjay Dutt (not to be confused with Bollywood bad boy Sunjay Dutt). We plan to market and build the popularity of TNA wrestling across the country.
“The action and wrestling genre is attracting viewer interest. Our acquisition on action properties will continue and we will not stop at TNA and will continue to consolidate this aspect of programming on our channels. We are looking at developing a comprehensive and entertaining professional wrestling package on our networks.”
TNA Impact features the innovative six-sided ring, giving many more angles to the wrestler to catapult and attack his opponent. TNA Impact is fought for three titles: the NWA World Heavyweight Championship; the NWA World Tag Team Championship and the TNA X-Division Championship – a ‘high risk moves championship’ where mostly light weight wrestlers battle it out, though there is no upper weight limit on the X Division title.
TNA Xplosion is TNA’s one-hour weekly show featuring exclusive matches, interviews, news and rumors from TNA. In addition to footage from Impact, Xplosion features exclusive interviews with TNA superstars. Xplosion is a complete guide to everything happening in and out of the six-sided ring (TNA Impact). It also gives all the up-to-date lineups on the upcoming TNA Monthly Specials.
TNA wrestlers include the ‘King of The Mountain’ Jeff Jarrett, The ‘Fallen Angel’ Christopher Daniels – TNA X-Division Champion Titleholder since March, Jeff Hardy, Raven, Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman and DDP.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
