REALPROWRESTLING -OLYMPIC STYLE-WRESTLING LEAGUE TO DEBUT ON PAX TV AND FOX SPORTS NET IN MARCH 2005 TO NATIONAL AUDIENCE
LOS ANGELES (Dec. 29, 2004) – RealProWrestling announced their national television debut of the first Olympic style-wrestling league on PAX TV and Fox Sports Net. RealProWrestling will launch its national television debut on PAX TV on Sunday, March 27, 2005 at 4-5pm EST and on Fox Sports Net Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at 3-4pm EST (schedule subject to change).
The RealProWrestling league will be an 8-week series on PAX TV with the 8th final episode lasting two hours in duration and will be a 9-week series on Fox Sports Net with the last championship episode spread over two weeks.
Wrestlers will compete for the championship and $250,000 in prizes and money and additional incentive based winnings.
Each episode also will contain special segments designed for sponsors to better position their brand during the telecast. The special segments will include, Background Stories, Tale of the Tape, Tech Moment, Move of the Day, Official Drink, Official Apparel and Official Footwear. All special segments will air during each of the episodes.
Historically known as one of the most popular sports of the 20th century, wrestling is set to make its professional TV debut in the beginning of the 21st century as RealProWrestling showcases the talents of the elite athletes combining Freestyle and Greco-Roman rules and techniques. RealProWrestling provides wrestlers an opportunity to compete beyond collegiate and Olympic competition in a professional atmosphere comparable to leagues such as the NFL, MLB and NBA.
RealProWrestling Inaugural Season
Founded in 2002, RealProWrestling is based in Ashland City, Tenn. and is the creation of two former Northwestern collegiate wrestling teammates, Toby Willis and Matt Case.
“Finally, the world’s best wrestlers can earn a living at what they do best,” said Willis, co-founder and CEO. “Wrestling fans deserve to see their heroes compete against the best in the world.”
According to the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA), more than one million wrestlers participated in collegiate and high school programs in the United States in 2003 with an additional 20 million individuals currently living in America having participated in the sport of wrestling in the past. Studies by National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) show that wrestling is the sixth highest participant sport in America despite not having a professional league or marketing efforts.
The league consists of eight teams from around the country made up of seven different weight classes ranging from 55 kg/125 lbs. to 120 kg/250 lbs. Regional teams will include the New York Outrage, California Claw, Chicago Groove, Iowa Stalkers, Oklahoma Slam, Minnesota Freeze, Pennsylvania Hammer and the Texas Shooters. Team line-ups and coaches will be announced at a later date.
Fan favorite and 2004 Olympic bronze medallist Rulon Gardner will headline the cast of Olympic wrestlers, including Dan Gable (Wrestling legend and Olympic Gold Medallist), Bobby Douglas (Wrestling legend and Olympic coach), and Steve Abas (2004 Olympic silver medallist), as they gear up for the inaugural season of the first Olympic-style wrestling league. RealProWrestling, the gimmick–free, script-free Olympic style-wrestling league, was taped in front of a live studio audience on October 8-9 at the Los Angeles Center Studios.
Matches take place atop a specially designed elevated circular wrestling mat in a 360-degree Roman coliseum-inspired arena. A total of eight cameras captured the action on the mat to present the live audience and television fans alike the greatest viewing experience. Live heart pounding music will increase the already intense atmosphere surrounding the event.
For additional information about the league please visit www.realprowrestling.com http://www.realprowrestling.com. For additional information about the athletes, media or sponsorship opportunities please contact Kimberly Moran or Noah Gold with BZA at (818) 344-6195 *121 or *108 kimberlym@bzapr.com or noahg@bzapr.com.
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