Dongo brothers selected for W.W.E

From the Hogestraat to the WWE: The Dongo Brothers Are Taking Over! 🇸🇷🤼‍♂️

By Shachem Lieuw | Story Time Productions

The Dongo brothers are holding the Surinamese flag in front of the W.W.E performance center in America.

Today, I’ve got some news that will make every Surinamese heart beat a little faster. I know I’m a bit late—my internet provider has been acting up again. If you live in Suriname, you know the struggle is real. But enough about that. Let’s talk about the Dongo Brothers.

Donovan and Leandro Dongo have proven that dreams aren't just for people in big countries. With enough grit and effort, you can make them real. Out of 30,000 applicants worldwide, the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) selected our local boys to represent Suriname. They didn't just survive the tryouts—they dominated them.

Donovan Dongo shared his journey with Storytime in a video recording. Since I have readers from all over the globe, I’ve translated his story into English so everyone can understand the magnitude of what they’ve achieved.

The Dongo Brothers, Donovan and Leandro, during their last W.W.E tryout

   The Brutal Reality of a WWE Tryout 🩺💪

The Dongo brothers posing with other W.W.E applicants during their last tryout

From April 23rd to the 29th, Leandro and Donovan were in the US for the final selection. Donovan broke down exactly what it takes to be a pro athlete at that level:

"It started in Miami before we flew to Orlando. First came the medical tests. This isn't just a quick check-up; they examine your cardio, your heart rhythm, and even your bones and muscles for old fractures. It is 100% professional. Once you pass that, you sign a waiver. People think pro wrestling is 'fake,' but believe me, there is nothing fake about the physical toll. The rolling, the bumps, the falls—it’s intense."

The Schedule:

• 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Non-stop training.

• 6 Hours: Pure physical conditioning daily.

• 1 Hour: The only real break (for eating).

The coaches didn't sugarcoat anything. Their introduction was: "We don’t need you. We have a line of athletes out the door. Show us why you belong here."

The Dongo brothers, Leandro and Donovan

The "Dongo Mentality": Crawling to the Finish Line 🦁

Donovan’s mindset is pure "killer instinct"—a trait he says he inherited from their father.

"Suriname didn't get a bad name; we put it on the map. Leandro is the more athletic one, but I have the raw strength from my powerlifting and Strongman background. My mindset is simple: Never give up. Even when I had to crawl, I finished everything. I never said 'I can't.'"

But it wasn't just about lifting heavy objects. The WWE tests your passion and character:

• The Written Test: Multiple-choice questions on pro wrestling history and the business.

• The "Promo": They give you a script and a character (a "gimmick"), and you have to perform it.

• The Dirty Work: After 9 hours of training, the athletes have to clean the six rings and the facility. The scouts are watching: Are you a team player, or are you just here for the fame and money?

The Road to NXT and Beyond 📺⭐

Don't expect to see them on SmackDown tomorrow. This is a marathon, not a sprint.

"People think you get a contract and you're immediately on TV. It doesn't work like that. We now have a developmental contract. Most pros train for 8 to 10 years before they reach the big stage. We will spend the next year or two at the WWE Performance Center and NXT (the training ground for superstars) before we ever hit the main roster."

The competition was fierce—they were up against NFL players, CrossFit champions, and Olympic wrestlers. But two boys from the Hogestraat in Frimangrong didn't blink. They dominated in power and conditioning.

"We didn't go for the 'experience.' F**k that. We went for the contract. And we got it."

A Proud Moment for the 597 🇸🇷

As a blogger, nothing makes me happier than seeing our local talent realize their worth on the world stage. The Dongo brothers are showing the youth of Suriname that we are talented enough to reach anywhere. They are heading back to train, and soon, we will see the Surinamese flag flying high on WWE NXT.

Storytime wishes Donovan and Leandro the best of luck. We’ll be watching!

If you want to keep up with the Dongo brothers' journey and more stories of Surinamese excellence, subscribe to Storytime!