Dundee wrestling fans were given a treat this week with a special visit from grapple star Diamond Dallas Page.
The former World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment favourite was in the city to host a special workshop of his new fitness craze, DDP Yoga and make a guest appearance at Dundee’s local wrestling promotion SWE Scottish Wrestling Entertainment.
DDP Yoga is a unique blend of traditional yoga ethics mixed with resistance and cardio techniques.
News of the trend has swept over the internet thanks to the remarkable testaments of people who have used the programme, including a crippled American army veteran who claims that it helped him to ditch his crutches and walk properly again.
The workshop on Tuesday night attracted participants of all ages and abilities, including one person with cerebral palsy.
DDP told The Courier: “At the workshop I gave people the basics of DDP Yoga and I worked with them.
“We had all different levels of people at all different ages and being able to mix and match and have a workout that suits everybody – that’s what DDP Yoga is all about.
“I think that I have the ability to help people that really aren’t in the best physical shape. Arthur Boorman [a disabled American army veteran] would be the best example of that.
“There’s no one going to come in to any gym that I go into that will be in worse shape than he is. So if he could do it, my whole attitude is what could you do?
“Whatever you have to do to modify the position is fine and that makes you feel like you can still do this,” he added.
“I don’t want people to go, ‘God it’s too hard for me,’ because it’s not. When people are doing the DVDs I’m always saying ‘make the workout your own.’
“Don’t look at the person next to you or the people on TV. Take it for guidance but make it your own. It’s all about getting your heart rate in the fat burning zone but wear a heart monitor so that when you’re finished you do feel good at the end of the work out.”
Following the event, the now retired wrestler dusted off his ring boots for one last time and delighted fans by appearing at the Adler Complex on Thursday night for the SWE’s Uprising event.
A capacity crowd had gathered for a chance to see the self-titled “King of Bada-bing” in action and they were not left disappointed as he capped off his appearance by landing his trademark finishing move the Diamond Cutter on current SWE champ Mr News.
The wrestling legend also revealed a new title belt at the event and was praised by organisers for helping to raise the profile of the local promotion.