Whack, bam, kapow!

AMONG the many things I enjoyed about my four-year stay in the United States, where I did my undergraduate studies, was the fact that I could watch professional wrestling - my favourite indulgence - almost any time I wanted.

My friends would gather at someone's home every week - most of the time, I did the hosting since I was the most fanatical in the group - and we sat glued to the action on the television.

For three or even four hours at a stretch, we marvelled at larger-than-life characters such as Hulk Hogan, the Ultimate Warrior and the Undertaker as they pummelled one another with punches, dropkicks and bodyslams.