Malik Hussein: Brotherly Loveby Spiros Summers
12/2/18 Malik Hussein was an unlikely pick to become E3 Heavyweight Champion before the start of E3 Wrestling's seventh season. In only his second year of E3 action, Hussein has not only dominated his competition, but he's become one of the youngest champions in E3 history, claiming the Heavyweight belt at the ripe age of 27. There is, however, much more to Malik Hussein than just his rapid rise to the top of the E3 rankings and his Mr. Olympia physique; he's had a connection to E3 Wrestling since day one. It's a Friday morning in Philadelphia, PA. The air is crisp and the sun is glowing on the concrete jungle that is South Philly. A muscular man is sitting on some steps that lead up to a three-story brick building, looking at his phone with a large pair of headphones covering his ears. It's Malik Hussein, and he's responding to text messages of people congratulating him on his E3 Heavyweight Championship win in St. Louis at the 2018 S-Circuit Cup. Malik had a day off to rest, and he chose to come home. |
"Most people that come here or look at movies about the Southside are probably pretty uncomfortable seeing all this. Not me. This is home. This is my comfort zone."
Malik Hussein has a lot in common with his hometown. Both have a hard exterior and a bad reputation. And when it comes to "brotherly love," we've seen that first-hand.
"Malik has a drive I never had," says Sirius Hussein, matter-of-factly. "Malik strives to be the best person he knows. If he sees someone who has more muscle than him... if he sees someone who has more money than him... if he sees someone who has a championship that he doesn't have, he does everything in his power to go get that."
Sirius Hussein is the older brother of Malik Hussein. Nearly 7 years his senior, Sirius dedicated his life to looking out for his younger brother. "We had next to nothing growing up, which ain't uncommon around here. You fight to survive every single day. Violence is a part of your daily curriculum. That's why Malik is successful. He's not afraid a damn thing."
Malik Hussein has a lot in common with his hometown. Both have a hard exterior and a bad reputation. And when it comes to "brotherly love," we've seen that first-hand.
"Malik has a drive I never had," says Sirius Hussein, matter-of-factly. "Malik strives to be the best person he knows. If he sees someone who has more muscle than him... if he sees someone who has more money than him... if he sees someone who has a championship that he doesn't have, he does everything in his power to go get that."
Sirius Hussein is the older brother of Malik Hussein. Nearly 7 years his senior, Sirius dedicated his life to looking out for his younger brother. "We had next to nothing growing up, which ain't uncommon around here. You fight to survive every single day. Violence is a part of your daily curriculum. That's why Malik is successful. He's not afraid a damn thing."
It may seem to many E3 fans like Malik Hussein has come out of nowhere to capture E3's top prize, but Malik has been here since the beginning.
"Yeah, he was in the crowd at that first show: Level: Alpha. He was at a lot of those shows early on. He kept me out of trouble after the shows," remembers Sirius Hussein of his then-kid-brother.
Sirius Hussein was indeed a part of the first E3 show back in 2011; he's an E3 Original, and he knew his brother would one day be right there with him.
"It was never a question of 'Can he make it?' I knew he could make it, and I knew he would make it, and I knew I had to do everything to make sure that never got derailed. With him living here in South Philly and me being on the road a lot, I knew I was risking something happening to Malik. I knew I had to get him into the E3 Dojo down in San Antonio as quick as I could. When I finally did, the Dojo pretty much shut down."
Malik's Dojo opportunities were limited due to the inconsistent nature of the E3 Dojo running shows, but the cream rises to the top, and in October of 2016, Malik and 3 other Dojo trainees got a match on the big stage. Malik lost. However, all 4 men to compete in that match (Malik, Elevarse, Buddy Goodell, and Jayson Gordon) are currently on the Main Roster.
"Yeah, he was in the crowd at that first show: Level: Alpha. He was at a lot of those shows early on. He kept me out of trouble after the shows," remembers Sirius Hussein of his then-kid-brother.
Sirius Hussein was indeed a part of the first E3 show back in 2011; he's an E3 Original, and he knew his brother would one day be right there with him.
"It was never a question of 'Can he make it?' I knew he could make it, and I knew he would make it, and I knew I had to do everything to make sure that never got derailed. With him living here in South Philly and me being on the road a lot, I knew I was risking something happening to Malik. I knew I had to get him into the E3 Dojo down in San Antonio as quick as I could. When I finally did, the Dojo pretty much shut down."
Malik's Dojo opportunities were limited due to the inconsistent nature of the E3 Dojo running shows, but the cream rises to the top, and in October of 2016, Malik and 3 other Dojo trainees got a match on the big stage. Malik lost. However, all 4 men to compete in that match (Malik, Elevarse, Buddy Goodell, and Jayson Gordon) are currently on the Main Roster.
"I know not a lot of people didn't have a lot of faith in me besides my brother and me," says Malik. "The Dojo training staff and the E3 head honchos were all looking at other guys as the future of the company. Not that I minded. I don't need any special treatment. Just give me a ring to beat some ass and a ref to count the three. I'll get it done."
When asked what it was like to team with his brother for a few matches in E3, Malik had nothing but warm things to say on this cold morning in South Philly.
"That was a dream come true. Me and Sirius used to hit up the bingo hall whenever wrestling came around. Those were the best times. When I saw him wrestle in that same bingo hall against Sabu, it made me proud. When I finally got a chance to team with Sirius, though, that was when it all set in that I was a part of this world, too. It didn't last long, but who knows, it could happen again."
When asked what it was like to team with his brother for a few matches in E3, Malik had nothing but warm things to say on this cold morning in South Philly.
"That was a dream come true. Me and Sirius used to hit up the bingo hall whenever wrestling came around. Those were the best times. When I saw him wrestle in that same bingo hall against Sabu, it made me proud. When I finally got a chance to team with Sirius, though, that was when it all set in that I was a part of this world, too. It didn't last long, but who knows, it could happen again."
For now, however, Malik Hussein faces the biggest challenge of his life: Successfully defending the E3 Championship.
"I'm the main target. Every heavyweight on both tours are killing themselves to get at my title. But I'll be ready, cuz I'm always ready, and I'll always be ready... no matter what."
"I'm the main target. Every heavyweight on both tours are killing themselves to get at my title. But I'll be ready, cuz I'm always ready, and I'll always be ready... no matter what."