Wrestling

Israeli MMA fighter Shimon Smotritsky earns unanimous decision win at 559 Fights 120 - interview

"When I fight like myself, freely, and without trying to entertain someone or try to hype the crowd up and do all this nonsense, I’m the best version of myself," Smotritsky says.

|BySAM HALPERN
Shimon Smotritsky (left) and James Porter at the weigh-ins ahead of their match at the 559 Fights 120 event in Porterville, California.
WrestleMania signage on display the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, US, February 1, 2025; illustrative.

WWE changes name of October 7 event after Israeli criticism for 'Invasion' name

WWE issued a public apology stating that they “had no knowledge of what was depicted. As soon as we learned, it was removed immediately. We apologize for this error." 

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
JOSEF LEVITIS has dedicated himself to practicing and teaching Shuai Jiao, a martial art once known as performative wrestling for ancient Chinese emperors.

Wrestling with history: Bringing ancient Chinese martial arts to Israel

In 2023, Josef Levitis founded the Israeli Shuai Jiao Association, which has since joined the European federation.

|ByJOANIE MARGULIES
WrestleMania signage on display the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, US, February 1, 2025; illustrative.

Disney subsidiary ESPN purchases WWE US streaming rights for $1.6b. over five year period

Netflix will maintain rights for WWE programming outside the US, and NBC's Peacock will maintain rights to "SmackDown," CNBC noted.

|ByJAMES GENN

Netanyahu’s speech about the Iranian wrestler touched important issue

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been the one politicizing sport and has used it to achieve political objectives.

DECEMBER 9, 2017ByRAMYAR HASSANI
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference in Jerusalem

WATCH: WWE signs first Arab woman wrestler

Shadia Bseiso, a Jordanian versed in jiu-jitsu, dreams of encouraging more Arab women to take up sports - and of one day maybe even crashing a metal chair over WWE mega-star John Cena.

OCTOBER 16, 2017ByREUTERS
Wrestlers perform at an all female wrestling event in London, Britain August 12, 2017

'Rage Megashow' wrestling event brings Israel into the ring

The largest pro-wrestling competition in Israel in over 20 years draws big-name athletes like Kevin von Erich and Tatanka.

JULY 10, 2017ByNICOLE BAUKE
The Rage Megashow at the National Sports Complex in Tel Aviv