Michael Majalahti is a straightforward and sometimes even controversial personality who was born in Canada but is influential in many different fields in Finland. In the world of professional wrestling, he is known as “The Rebel” StarBuck and has, over his 30-year career, built a name for himself in 22 countries, reaching as far as Japan. We had the opportunity to sit down with him and delve into his colorful story. The discussion covered, among other things, Michael’s journey in the pro wrestling world and the future of Finnish professional wrestling, as well as the essence of Finnish identity.
Michael Majalahti is also known as The Rebel StarBuck, which is his nickname in professional wrestling. He practically is the pioneer of Finnish pro wrestling, and started coaching Finnish professional wrestlers in 2003. StarBuck is the founding member of FCF Wrestling and SLAM! Wrestling Finland.
An Exciting Life in Pro Wrestling
Since 1992, Michael Majalahti has been involved in the world of professional wrestling. After working in Canada as a ring announcer and commentator, the opportunity soon arose for him to train as a wrestler himself. Now, three decades later, the man’s international wrestling career continues to this day.
After eventually arriving in Finland, Michael was already involved in building a foothold for professional wrestling within Finnish culture in 2003. Along the way were organizations such as Valhalla Pro Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Finlandia, Fight Club Finland, and finally SLAM! Wrestling Finland. SLAM! organizes events in Finland and Estonia, and conducts continuous and active coaching in the field. Outside of wrestling, Michael is also a personal trainer and a musician.
Michael Majalahti considers the numerous trips to Japan during the years 2010–2014, where he worked for the SMASH promotion and Wrestling New Classic (WNC), to be the highlights of his career. Right now, at the time of writing, he is returning to Japan to wrestle in September 2024.
Over the decades, “The Rebel” StarBuck has held the following championship titles.
- SMASH
- WNC Wrestling New Classic
- EuroStars
- DWA Deutsche Wrestling Allianz
- EWA European Wrestling Association
- FCF Wrestling (Fight Club Finland)
- SLAM! Wrestling Finland
- Frank Andersson Nordic Wrestling Championship
- TopCatch
- I Miti del Wrestling
- IWS Italian Wrestling Superstar
- EPW European Professional Wrestling
- BWA British Wrestling Alliance
Sound, Face, and Art
Michael also has a number of bands, of which the most active at the moment are The Crossfyre and Stoner Kings—both of which have toured across Europe. Along the way, there have been bands like Angel Of Sodom and Overnight Sensation, and it’s impossible to list all the various smaller contributions here.
Many Finns have surely at some point heard Michael’s voice or seen the man in TV commercials over the years. Michael Majalahti is one of the most sought-after voice-over talents in the commercial sector, and there’s also a long list of TV appearances. He also served as a commentator on Eurosport for WWE broadcasts from 2009 to 2015.
Michael’s hand has also brought life to a pencil and brush. Many people may not know that the popular Hevisaurus characters were also Michael’s handiwork. In addition, of course, there are album covers, posters, logos, cartoon characters, T-shirt prints, and more.
The person, the brand, and Finnish culture
Is there truly a line that separates Michael from “The Rebel” StarBuck? Where does the man end and the performer begin? Michael has often said that you have to just take your own personality and then switch into turbo gear. The man has built a name for himself in Finland as a straightforward person who says things out loud that others don’t dare to. For Finns, that hasn’t always been very agreeable, and Michael Majalahti can sometimes split peoples opinions 50–50.
After moving to Finland, he immediately encountered the differences between the quiet Finnish identity and the openness of North America. Either because of these differences or in spite of them—Michael Majalahti stands out and makes himself heard, as he is a professional wrestler and, true to his nickname, a “Rebel.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did StarBuck have his first pro wrestling match?
“The Rebel” StarBuck (Michael Majalahti) first stepped into the wrestling ring on January 7, 1994, in Calgary. His opponent was Lance Storm, who had also served as StarBuck’s trainer.
Where is StarBuck most active these days?
StarBuck’s home pro wrestling promotion is SLAM! Wrestling Finland, founded in 2018. They promote pro wrestling shows in Finland and Estonia.
When did StarBuck enter the Finnish pro wrestling scene?
Michael “StarBuck” Majalahti has been coaching wrestlers in Finland since 2003. That same year marked the beginning of modern pro wrestling in Finland, powered by local talent.
What are some of Michael Majalahti’s bands?
His most well-known bands are Stoner Kings and The Crossfyre. Stoner Kings leans heavily towards metal music, while The Crossfyre focuses on blues rock. Both bands have toured extensively across Europe. Previous bands include Angel Of Sodom and Overnight Sensation.
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