Gold Coast wrestling prodigy Liam O’Donnell aka Zeke Andino could be next big thing

REMEMBER the name Zeke Andino – this Gold Coast wrestling prodigy could be the next big thing in American professional wrestling.

Liam O'Donnell, "Zeke Andino", recently returned from America where he spent four months training at the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy and touring America performing. Picture: Jerad Williams

REMEMBER the name Zeke Andino – this Gold Coast wrestling prodigy could be the next big thing in American professional wrestling.

The man behind the persona, Liam O’Donnell, has just returned from a four-month stint in the US where he trained at the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, learning all the tricks of the trade from WWE stars Seth Rollins and Marek Brave.

Liam O'Donnell, "Zeke Andino", recently returned from America where he spent four months training at the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy and touring America performing. Picture: Jerad Williams

Now the Burleigh Waters local is back on the Coast before heading off to participate in matches in Sydney and around Australia to raise his wrestling profile.

Mr O’Donnell wrestled across the Mid-West of the States, travelling to places in Illinois, Iowa, Indianapolis and a trip to New York where he trained for up to five hours a night, learning moves, how to warm up the crowd, camera angles and took part in “intense” workouts.

Liam O'Donnell, "Zeke Andino", recently returned from America where he spent four months training at the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy and touring America performing. Picture: Jerad Williams

“It was pretty intense but I learnt a lot about wrestling,” he said.

“We’d spend hours training and then do matches on the weekends.”

The wrestling fanatic has only been in the sport since March last year, but has his sights set on a career in the big leagues.

“Ultimately, I want to have a career in the WWE and make a living off wrestling on TV,” he said.

“That’s the dream. I want to get my name out there.”

Mr O’Donnell said his wrestling persona, Zeke Andino, was a “laid-back” surfer-type named after famous surfers Ezekiel Lau and Kolohe Andino but at 178cm and 76kg, he was considered one of the “underdogs”.

“He’s a cruisy, easygoing Gold Coast guy,” he said.

“But I’m on the smaller side than some of the guys so I guess I am considered a bit of an underdog.
“But size doesn’t really matter in wrestling. My technique is being quick.”