Popular paddock character Bruno was attacked by Claudio after taking the Swiss star on a high-speed lap of the circuit in Rome where the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship sees in a pair of races this weekend.
Bruno gave Claudio the full force of the FIA Formula E Safety Car around the 19-turn 3.385km Circuito Cittadino dell'EUR - one of the most daunting and challenging circuits on the Formula E calendar - at speeds of over 180kph.
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After a heavy lunch, the wrestler left just a little uncomfortable following his trip around the track with Bruno behind the wheel, and as the 6ft5" (195cm) athletic grappler gingerly exited the car to be interviewed on camera by Formula E pit lane reporter Radzi Chinyanganya, billed at 5ft6" and 170cm, Bruno struggled to hold back his amusement at Claudio’s discomfort - and let the wrestler know it.
Unsurprisingly, baiting a multiple pro wrestling title-winner is not the wisest idea, and Claudio reacted as only a wrestler could, surprising Bruno with a string of powerful, lightning-quick moves that left the driver flattened in front of a stunned Formula E paddock.
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Radzi, himself a former wrestling presenter in the UK, was able to step in just in time to talk Claudio down from delivering what would have been a devastating finishing move on the stricken driver. In response, the suave Swiss quickly composed himself and completed his TV interview.
The 2023 Hankook Rome E-Prix double-header takes places this Saturday and Sunday in the Eternal City. Just one point separates Jake Dennis (Avalanche Andretti Formula E Team) and rival Nick Cassidy (Envision Racing) at the top of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. After the battle on the streets in Rome, the World Champion will be decided in the Season 9 finale weekend at the 2023 Hankook London E-Prix on 29 & 30 July.
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Claudio Castagnoli is also set to appear as part of All Elite Wrestling’s debut in the UK capital on August 27 at AEW: All In London at Wembley Stadium. More than 65,000 wrestling fans have already secured their tickets to be part of the historic event. Tickets are currently on sale via Ticketmaster.