A former estate agent from Swindon has made a remarkable career pivot, trading the world of property sales for the high-octane spectacle of Mexican lucha libre wrestling. Callum Aslantepe, 29, now performs as the flamboyant character 'Prince Phoenix' to thousands of enthusiastic fans across Mexico, a significant change from his previous life selling homes in Wiltshire.
Aslantepe, who grew up in Swindon, had established his own business, Aslan Real Estate, after entering the property sector straight from college. However, his lifelong passion for wrestling, which began with training between the ages of nine and 15 at a local school (now British Kingdom Pro Wrestling), ultimately led him to a different path. He returned to wrestling later in life, touring extensively across the South West and Wales, before a successful tour of Mexico in 2025 cemented his decision to relocate permanently.
In January of this year, Aslantepe wound down his estate agency operations to move to Mexico full-time. He now embraces the role of 'Prince Phoenix', a 'rudo' – the theatrical villain in lucha libre who often bends the rules, contrasting with the high-flying 'técnicos' or heroes. He describes his character as an amplified version of himself, stating that it's often easier to garner a reaction as a 'bad guy' in the ring.
The cultural significance of lucha libre in Mexico is vast, with arenas dotted across the country and its stars, particularly from the 1960s and 70s, achieving national celebrity status. Aslantepe highlights the stark difference in audience numbers compared to the UK, where a good wrestling show might attract a few hundred spectators, whereas in Mexico, he regularly performs to thousands. This fervent fan base means wrestlers, whether heroes or villains, are often mobbed by admirers, sometimes taking up to 30 minutes to reach their locker rooms after a show.
Nadia Sapphire, a promoter from British Kingdom Pro Wrestling, who knew Aslantepe from his teenage years, expressed her happiness for his new venture. She noted his lifelong obsession with wrestling and, despite the success of his estate agency business, acknowledged that he is now living his dream in a vibrant country. While his former life involved navigating the UK property market, with its fluctuating house prices and mortgage rates, his current career sees him immersed in a completely different kind of performance.