Tag: People

Michael ‘StarBuck’ Majalahti, a rebel and pro wrestling pioneer

Posted on by kkamppeet2023

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
Pro wrestler Michael "StarBuck" Majalahti in a wrestling match. A pioneer of Finnish pro wrestling and a pro wrestling trainer, StarBuck began coaching wrestlers in Finland in 2003. StarBuck was involved in founding the Fight Club Finland (FCF Wrestling) promotion, but is currently active in the SLAM! Wrestling Finland pro wrestling promotion. StarBuck is the most successful pro wrestler in the Nordic countries.
StarBuck in a pro wrestling match against Sam Gradwell, April 2024 (SLAM! Wrestling Finland)

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.

Michael Majalahti on stage with his rock band Stoner Kings in Helsinki in 2017. Stoner Kings has been active in Finland for over 20 years. Michael Majalahti is the frontman and vocalist of the band Stoner Kings.
Michael Majalahti performing with his band Stoner Kings.

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.”

Pro wrestler Michael Majalahti, known as The Rebel StarBuck, is a professional wrestler of international acclaim. Born in Canada, he later moved to Finland.

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.

Pekka Luodeslampi: Uncle Sam Patriot – Finnish Tiktok superhero

Posted on by kkamppeet2023

What do the following characters have in common: Uncle Sam Patriot and Y-Man? The answer is simple – both names belong to Pekka Luodeslampi from Vantaa. Pekka is a TikTok sensation, a YouTube veteran, and a multiple Guinness World Record holder. We sat down with the busy man for a moment and discovered what kind of person stands behind the Finnish legend.

Pekka Luodeslampi, also known as Uncle Sam Patriot, is a Finnish social media celebrity. Uncle Sam Patriot is one of Finland’s most followed social media personalities, and Pekka Luodeslampi is especially internationally popular on TikTok. Luodeslampi came up with the name Uncle Sam Patriot when he was an America fan. Pekka Luodeslampi holds several Guinness World Records.

Pekka’s journey to fame

Pekka would himself say he is specifically from Korso, so let’s get that straight first. The Kingdom of Korso is a great place to start conquering the world. Pekka’s neurological disorder has brought many challenges along the way, but the man pushes through all obstacles with sheer determination. While many others might have already been discouraged, Pekka turns challenges into victories, and has loads of fun doing it.

Pekka Luodeslampi started on YouTube in May 2007 and broke out with the so-called licorice pipe video, which has now received 6.9 million views. However, these figures were not enough for him, so he began making videos on TikTok, and by the summer of 2024, his videos have been viewed almost 80 million times, with some 3 million likes.

Pekka Luodeslampi (known as Uncle Sam Patriot) doing a Guinness world record for most chopsticks broken with a single martial arts strike, February 2024 in Helsinki, Finland.
Pekka Luodeslampi hitting another World Record – the most chop sticks broken with one strike.

Boxing as a path to success

Pekka is, to his very core, a boxing guy. He is known for his boxing-related videos, and his world records are all connected to that. As of writing, Pekka holds the following records, among others:

  • Fastest reaction time for a punch: 0,186 seconds
  • Most balloons broken by punching in a minute: 37
  • Most eggs smashed by punching in a minute: 100
  • Fastest time to punch ten 20 kg weights: 27 seconds
  • Most full range punches (to a punching bag) in three minutes: 209
  • Most chop sticks (stacked) broken with a single martial arts strike: 13
Pekka Luodeslampi (known as Uncle Sam Patriot) creating a Guinness world record for most full-length punches in three minutes, 2022 in Vantaa, Finland.
Pekka breaking a world record; most full range punches in three minutes.

Some other achievements include the Finnish Fitness Association’s walking competition, where Pekka racked up a modest 1.56 million steps (about 50,000 steps per day). In Wii Fit’s Free Joggings, Pekka also made it into the Guinness Gamer’s Edition record book. He likes to break various gaming records whenever he has some spare time. In 2008, Intel organized the Super Mario Boxing online video competition, and of course, Pekka’s video became the most viewed.

Pekka Luodeslampi (known as Uncle Sam Patriot) creating a Guinness world record for the fastest time to punch ten 20 kg weights, 2023 in Espoo, Finland.
Pekka Luodeslampi setting a new Guinness World Record; fastest time to punch 10 weights weighing 20 kg each.

A personal brand and media personality

Pekka has also appeared in numerous TV shows and had small acting roles. In the interview, Pekka lists many of them, including Ennätystehdas and Suomen hauskin tavis, but even forgot to mention others such as Kaiken Maailman Ennätykset, Tosh.O, Ridiculousness, and the upcoming Finnish movie Prinsessa Pikkiriikki. The full-length movie about Y-Man also promises to be good, so let’s keep an eye on that as well.

Although it might be fun to throw out the idea that Pekka would end up in a Marvel superhero movie swinging punches, he doesn’t actually need Marvel. Pekka is a REAL superhero and might answer Marvel’s calls if he feels like it. The man already has such a long list of achievements that he doesn’t even remember them all himself, but mark our words – Pekka’s world domination is just beginning.

Go check out Uncle Sam Patriot on Tiktok and enjoy the comedic Finnish madness in action.

Pekka Luodeslampi (known as Uncle Sam Patriot) breaking a Guinness world record for the most balloons broken by punching in one minute, 2023 in Vantaa, Finland.
Pekka Luodeslampi in action – most broken balloons by punching in one minute.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the famous aliases of Pekka Luodeslampi?

Pekka Luodeslampi is especially known in social media as Uncle Sam Patriot and the Y-Man.

When did Pekka Luodeslampi start on YouTube?

Pekka Luodeslampi started YouTubing in May 2007. In recent years, he has focused entirely on growing his TikTok channel and has gained almost 80 million views and 3 million likes on the platform.

What is Pekka Luodeslampi’s central nervous system disorder like?

Pekka Luodeslampi has a central nervous system disorder, which is categorized under Tourette’s syndrome. The exact cause is not known, as the symptom pattern does not fully match any previously known condition. However, the syndrome has given Pekka significantly faster reaction times than normal, and he holds a Guinness World Record for the fastest punch reaction time (0.186 seconds).

How many Guinness World Records does Pekka Luodeslampi have?

By June of 2024, Pekka Luodeslampi has six different world records in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Dustin – A Stroke Survivor’s Musical Journey To Health

Posted on by kkamppeet2023

This interview was really inspiring to us. We sat down with Dustin, a Finnish stroke survivor who has transformed his recovery journey into a unique mix of rock ‘n’ roll, hope, and resilience.

Years ago, Dustin’s life was forever changed by a stroke that posed significant challenges to his daily life and independence. Refusing to be silenced by adversity, he discovered solace and strength in the combination of therapy and music.

Dustin shares his story and the initial struggles he faced in the aftermath of his stroke, including difficulties with speech and mobility. In practical terms, he had to relearn everything and start over from a clean slate.

But, it was within these challenges that Dustin found his rhythm, turning to music and songwriting as therapeutic outlets. He discusses how integrating music into his rehabilitation not only improved his physical and emotional well-being but also, reignited his passion for life. He emphasizes the power of music to heal, communicate, and connect with others, highlighting its role as a universal language that transcends the barriers created by his stroke.

Dustin and his United Band continue to make new music and play shows. The only way in life is onwards and upwards.

An interview with professional wrestler Sam Gradwell

Posted on by kkamppeet2023

Do you even slam? Well, this guy sure does. We had a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the international world of pro wrestling. We sat down with British super talent, Sam Gradwell, and had a nice chat as he visited Finland for the SuperSLAM! wrestling event.

Sam Gradwell from Blackpool England, is a veteran in European professional wrestling. Sam Gradwell was a regular on the WWE NXT UK television programme. Starting his pro wrestling career in Grand Pro Wrestling, he has wrestled across the world now for 15 years. The Finland pro wrestling scene has greeted Sam Gradwell now on four occasions and Sam Gradwell is a one-time SLAM! Wrestling Finland champion.

Sam Gradwell was close to reaching the top level in Europe when WWE was running its NXT UK program on television. Right now, as of this writing, it seems that in 2024 WWE is planning to launch its new NXT Europe brand and will likely sign several top European talents again. Will we continue to see Sam Gradwell here in Finland, or only in WWE programs? Time will tell.

His wrestling career began in 2007, training at Grand Pro Wrestling’s wrestling school in Manchester. Johnny Brannigan took Sam under his wing and helped him along the way. After building a name for himself in the independent circuit for years, WWE started getting interested in him between 2017–2018. From 2020 onwards, he was already a regular in the NXT UK brand.

Sam Gradwell with SLAM Wrestling Finland championship belt
Sam Gradwell posing with his SLAM! Wrestling Finland championship in Helsinki.

Gradwell is a well-traveled and seasoned professional with a 15-year career. So far he has wrestled in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, China, Hong Kong, Poland, and now, of course, Finland on several occasions. In the Finnish pro wrestling scene, he is booked by SLAM! Wrestling Finland, an international wrestling organization operating in Finland.

On October 14, 2023, Sam Gradwell won the SLAM! Wrestling Finland championship from “The Wildman” Heimo in Helsinki, which is probably the reason for his highly confident appearance on camera. We should mention that on the same day we did the interview (Feb. 10, 2024), Gradwell lost the championship to “The Rebel” StarBuck in their rematch in Helsinki.

Check out the full interview and listen to what the guy has to say. The conversation touches on Finland, reindeer, and personal life as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sam Gradwell?

Sam Gradwell is a professional wrestler from Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Born on June 1, 1991, he began his wrestling career in 2009 and has competed in various promotions, including WWE‘s NXT UK.

When did Sam Gradwell make his pro wrestling debut?

He made his professional wrestling debut on February 20, 2009, under the ring name Ricky J. McKenzie with Grand Pro Wrestling.

What are some of Sam Gradwell’s career highlights?

Sam Gradwell has held several titles throughout his career, including the GPW Heavyweight Title and the SLAM! Wrestling Finland championship. He also participated in the inaugural WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament.