That announcement may very well echo through the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) arena in years to come as 26-year-old Nor Diana Khamaruzaman inches closer to the world’s most prestigious professional wrestling stage.
The Kuala Lumpur-born athlete has her sights set on following in the footsteps of icons like Chyna and Lita after being selected to compete in “Reality of Wrestling” (ROW), a promotional platform based in the United States.
ROW, founded by six-time world champion and WWE legend Booker T, works in partnership with WWE to train professional athletes for WWE Independent Development – a stepping stone to the global stage.
Diana made her debut at the Walker Texas Lawyer Arena in Texas on Feb 8.
“Nine years in this industry, and now being invited to ROW to perform on US television is a huge milestone. I’ll keep going until I reach the highest level.
“I can finally see the path to WWE. I’m more focused than ever,” she told FMT recently.
Standing at 155cm tall, Diana first made waves in 2019 when her hijab-wearing persona, coupled with her agility in the ring, captivated audiences.
She was also listed in Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Asia” 2020, which highlighted young entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers across the region.
Reflecting on her journey, Diana recalled almost giving up on her dream when the pandemic brought the world to a standstill.
With travel restrictions in place, wrestling events worldwide were halted, affecting her and her team under the Apac Wrestling banner.
“I’m hoping 2025 will bring good fortune. I want to expand my reach to Japan, the US and beyond, so that more people will know the name Nor ‘Phoenix’ Diana.
“I also want to inspire other hijab-wearing women to chase their dreams and never give up,” she added.
Coach Ayez Shaukat Fonseka, who has been training Diana since 2015, expressed immense pride in her achievements.
“This isn’t the first time ROW or WWE has noticed her talent. But now they truly believe in her ability,” said Ayez, who also competes in ROW wearing a traditional songket outfit and “tanjak” (headgear).
“We have the potential to become the biggest wrestling hub in Southeast Asia – but we need support,” he added, saying he hopes their success will pave the way for more backing from various parties.