Wrestler of the Week - Ares

All photos credit Aurelien Foucault @wrestlographer

The Rise of Ares

If you haven’t heard of Ares before, I won’t blame you—you’re probably outside of Vietnam and haven’t seen one of wrestling’s best-kept secrets.

With his powerful, damage-inflicting move set, Ares has become one of Vietnam Pro Wrestling’s most popular acts in recent years. He may be shorter than some of his VPW peers, but he’s also twice as wide and at least five times as muscular. No one on the roster can launch opponents sky-high and send them crashing down quite like this Saigon powerhouse.

Debuting as Ares Pham, he graduated from the VPW Academy and entered the ring in a six-man tag match, teaming with Venom Shank. Their opponents—who suffered defeat in his first bout—were the babyface team of the Mystic Warriors and Sid Nguyen.

Clashing with VPW’s Best

After his dominant debut, Ares tore through the top names in VPW. He defeated Kira (VPW Burning Dawn 2023) and then won the Heart of Darkness Cup (Spring Bash 2023) by taking down Khoa Truong and Rocky Huynh in a single night. He followed that by decimating his now-bitter rival, Hy Draco, at Saigon Slam 2023.

However, his momentum slowed when the SEA dream team—Rocky Huynh, Hy Draco, and Paradise Sports Entertainment owner Sunny Z—overcame him and his one-night allies, Dokuga and An D. These results showed Ares hadn’t yet chosen a side in the locker room battle.

Though he flipped between being a hero and a villain, the fans backed him. His mix of speed and raw power set him apart in a roster dominated by junior heavyweights, making him an exciting force in VPW.

Losing the Title – and His Cool

At Rumble 2023, Ares faced his biggest challenge—both physically and mentally—when he fought Damien Wolfe for the VPW Openweight Championship. In a brawl for the ages, Ares overpowered Wolfe and raised the belt above his head, starting what many hoped would be a long and dominant reign.

It wasn’t meant to be. A month later, Rumble winner Rocky Huynh avenged his past losses to Ares by defeating him cleanly in the ring and claiming the coveted championship. One thing became clear: while Ares had the talent, his temper was his downfall.

The plucky VPW founder, Rocky, had spent 2023 refining his in-ring skills and learning wrestling psychology. His international experience helped him develop a smarter approach. Instead of taking Ares head-on, he used mind games to frustrate him into making critical mistakes—paving the way for victory.

Frustrated and full of rage, Ares went on a warpath like never before. He demolished all challengers, especially international ones. After taking down Sunny Z at Ultimate Collision 2023, he metaphorically knocked Rikyoh The Vinh out of VPW (who was later replaced by Jimmy AG). His next target? The high-flying Hy Draco, who had stepped in to defend comedian/manager Phuong Nam after an Ares spear.

Ares defeated Hy Draco once again, but this time, it was due to Phuong Nam’s shocking betrayal. The comedian aligned himself with Ares, becoming his obnoxious mouthpiece. From that moment on, Ares made his intentions clear—he didn’t care about fan support. He wanted one thing: to reclaim his VPW Openweight Championship.

Ares’ Warpath in 2024

As 2024 progressed, Ares unleashed even more destruction. He tore through heavyweight Michael Richards from New Zealand and obliterated half the VPW roster at the 2024 Rumble. But once again, his temper cost him. A minor head injury—caused by his own aggression—left him vulnerable, and Hy Draco capitalized, eliminating him and winning the match.

The story didn’t end there. At Brawl Hallows Eve, in front of a sold-out crowd, Rocky and Ares met for the third and final time. This time, Ares showed he had learned from his past mistakes. Keeping his cool and using his immense power, he dismantled Rocky’s offense and secured victory. He was VPW Champion once again.

But then, he made a crucial mistake.

Rather than celebrating with a crisp, refreshing Kurtz’s Insane IPA from Heart of Darkness, the hotheaded champ decided to send a message. As he continued attacking Rocky, the Sure Shot contract holder, Hy Draco, made the save. Using his speed against an exhausted, reckless Ares, Hy Draco cashed in his contract and snatched the VPW Openweight Championship in an instant.

What’s Next for Ares?

Since then, Ares has been on the warpath. He dismantled Venom Shank (At Immortal Glory)—who are struggling with their own losing streak—and now has his eyes set on a new international challenger: Aiden Rex. Fast, strong, and experienced, Rex is a former SPW Champion with global credentials. He won’t be an easy target.

Once the dust settles on Spring Bash 2024 (**tickets available here**), Ares’ path remains uncertain. He deserves a rematch for the VPW Openweight Championship, but he may have to wait while other challengers step up to face Hy Draco.

But on Feb 22nd, everything could change. Will Ares rise again—or let his temper take him down once more?

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