WWE Superstar Cesaro has been in the UAE this week to promote the WWE’s coming tour of Dubai, WWE Live Dune Bash, which takes place at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on April 14-15.
The 35-year-old Swiss wrestler popped into The National’s offices this morning to discuss the event, recovering from his injury, the WWE’s popularity overseas and Daniel Bryan’s retirement.
On the WWE returning to the UAE
“We are coming back to the UAE with WWE Dune Bash, on April 14 and 15 and tickets are available now at platinumlist.net, the UAE Exchange and we had an early bird ticket special which I think has already sold out. So tickets are going fast.”
Click here to see video clip from the interview
On the WWE live experience
“There is nothing like WWE live. So if you like it on TV you should definitely come to a live event. It is just like nothing else. It is so much fun. We are really looking forward to being here on April 14-15.”
The popularity of the WWE overseas
“I am always kind of surprised by it. In a positive way. I know the WWE is popular, but it is extremely popular here in the Middle East and the UAE. That is why we come here and bring shows here, the demand is so high and I guess the supply has not been so good lately so we are trying to make up for that and come back on a more regular basis.”
Read more:
A National conversation - paying tribute to Daniel Bryan
Dean Ambrose on memories of touring Abu Dhabi and the success of WWE overseas
Being injured
“Rehab is going really well. It is kind of up to the doctors opinion. It is a very bad time to be hurt, lets put it that way. I had a torn rotator cuff that I tried to work through, because I didn’t realise how bad it was and I had to get it fixed. They said four to six months, with six months being more likely so that will put me out for quite a bit.”
Getting hurt at a bad time
“I was enjoying it quite a bit and injuries never happen at a good time,” Cesaro off his spell on the sidelines coming after he had enjoyed entertaining rivalries with John Cena and Kevin Owens. “It was a good run but I hope I can take up where I left off when I come back. Two to three months would be a good target, hopefully sooner, but like I said, it is a case of how quickly I heal.”
On coping with the likelihood of missing WrestleMania 32
“It is very hard, but I am trying to stay positive and get through rehab and coming here to the UAE and seeing how enthusiastic the fans are has helped. I was also in Germany recently and seeing how supportive they were really helps keep a positive mindset.”
On Daniel Bryan’s retirement
“Yes, it was a definitely a shock. I was hoping it was not true at first. It makes you very sad as Bryan was a good friend of mine. I have known him for over 10 years and you do not want to see that happen to one of your friends. But I am very happy he was able to kind of end it on his terms.”
On if there is anyone in the WWE he has not faced yet that he would like to
“I think I have faced pretty much everyone that is in the WWE. AJ Styles is new and I think he is the only one since I got hurt to have arrived in the WWE that I have not stood in the ring with.” When asked about Brock Lesnar, he added: “I have not done a singles with Brock. It is definitely not mine [ambition, to face him] as I’d rather stand in the ring against someone is with WWE the whole time.”
On the physical demands of being a WWE Superstar
“You have to be extremely fit. It is a professional sport. We have five shows a week. In 2014 I had 220 matches, in 2015 I was on the way to a similar amount before I got hurt. It is a full-time lifestyle. It is very demanding.”
On any thoughts of trying to move into UFC later in his career
“UFC definitely not. I do not think that is a fit for me. I am looking forward to seeing CM Punk’s UFC debut and I hope he does really well. But it is not something that I want to do.”
Dean Ambrose, new Intercontinental champion Kevin Owens, United States champion Kallisto, The New Day, the WWE tag team champions, are among the superstars listed to be coming to Dubai.
Tickets for the event went on sale on Monday.
They can be purchased online from www.platinumlist.net and from UAE Exchange branches. Regular ticket prices start at Dh350.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was first created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Canada
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
Non-oil%20trade
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Read more about the coronavirus
TICKETS
Tickets start at Dh100 for adults, while children can enter free on the opening day. For more information, visit www.mubadalawtc.com.
Results
3pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,000m; Winner: Dhafra, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Al Ajayib, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
4pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Ashtr, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Falcon Claws, Szczepan Mazur, Doug Watson
5pm: Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Cup – Prestige Handicap (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Al Mufham SB, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Badar Al Hajri
5.30pm: Sharjah Marathon – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,700m; Winner: Asraa Min Al Talqa, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
UAE-based players
Goodlands Riders: Jamshaid Butt, Ali Abid, JD Mahesh, Vibhor Shahi, Faizan Asif, Nadeem Rahim
Rose Hill Warriors: Faraz Sheikh, Ashok Kumar, Thabreez Ali, Janaka Chathuranga, Muzammil Afridi, Ameer Hamza
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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FROM%20THE%20ASHES
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The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed
Power: 720hp
Torque: 770Nm
Price: Dh1,100,000
On sale: now
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
Quick%20facts
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
