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Onstage, he’s known as Liam Payne, but in the wrestling ring, the One Direction member dons a turquoise and gold bodysuit and mask to become “The Payne Train.”
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Payne opted for a wrestling “lesson” from Olympic gold medalist and professional wrestler Kurt Angle during Saturday’s 1D Day, a seven-hour livestream event that had the boys go behind the scenes with their creative team, play games and stop into a Doctor Who 50th-anniversary party and a taping of the UK’s X Factor.
Before the match began (complete with announced introductions), Payne noted that professional wrestling has been a dream of his since childhood, but opponent Angle teased, “By that wrestling suit, I don’t think he’s that much of a wrestler.”
“Usually Liam just gets beaten up on the tour bus!” joked fellow band member Zayn Malik, who remembered that Payne first showed him the boxing ring outfit last week, but as a party costume. But after a fight in which Payne floors Angle with a few fast tricks, Malik comments in shock, “It’s the first time I’ve seen him flip like that!”
Louis Tomlinson backed Payne, saying, “It was typically Liam, if I’m being honest — he looked strong and confident, and he really showed that throughout the fight.”
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As for a defeated Angle who lost to a boy bander, “It’s gonna haunt me the rest of my life.”
Watch the full segment below, or speed up to 4:40 for the surprisingly quick defeat:
Twitter: @cashleelee
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