Tornado (wrestler)

Steve Debbes, better known by his ring name Tornado, is a South African professional wrestler performing for World Wrestling Professionals. He is the current 2-time WWP Heavyweight World Champion and the longest-reigning title holder in the championship's history.

Career

Early life

Steve Debbes was a former amateur wrestler and Judoka, starting his athletic career at the age of 11. He received Springbok Colours for his amateur wrestling achievements, becoming the youngest South African to do so at the time. He was trained by Don Charles and Wild Bill Murphy and at the age of 18 he turned professional, debuting under his real name in 1986.

All Stars Wrestling (1990-1999)

In the early 1990s, wrestling for All Stars Wrestling, he donned the Tornado II gimmick after Danie Brits, the original Tornado, passed it onto him. In his early career he traveled extensively overseas in order to gain experience. Some of the countries he toured included Mexico, USA, Japan and Russia. In 1994, he unmasked for the first time during a match against Steve Austin that took place at the Sun City Superbowl. In 1998, he took part in South Africa's first-ever barbed-wire match against Jacques Roque.