Real Pro Wrestling, PAX TV Debut Olympic Style-Wrestling
Real Pro Wrestling and PAX TV Debut Olympic Style-Wrestling League in February 2005 to National Audience
Sponsor Opportunities Still Available
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ — Real Pro Wrestling and PAX TV today announced the national television debut of the first Olympic style-wrestling league. Real Pro Wrestling will launch its national television debut on February 13, 2005 on PAX, the week following Super Bowl Sunday. Real Pro Wrestling and PAX have teamed to create a 15-week series, including 14 hour-long shows with the 15th final episode lasting two hours in duration.
The first 14 episodes will be aired nationwide starting Sunday, February 13, 2005 at 4-5 p.m. EST/PST and 3-4 p.m. CST. Wrestlers will compete for the championship and $250,000 in prizes and money and additional incentive based winnings. PAX network airs in 96 million or 88 percent of U.S. households, with 23 of their top-27 programs being sports-related events.
Each episode also will contain special segments designed for sponsors to better position their brand during the telecast. Opportunities are still available and include, Background Stories (reserved for Title Sponsor), 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 15 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 Real Pro Wrestling showcases the talents of the elite athletes combining Freestyle and Greco-Roman rules and techniques. Real Pro Wrestling 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.
Founded in 2002, Real Pro Wrestling is based in Ashland City, Tenn. and is the creation of two former Northwestern collegiate wrestling teammates, Toby Willis and Matt Case, and former Olympic hopeful Kenny Johnson.
“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), Cael Sanderson (2004 Olympic gold medallist), Cael’s coach 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. Real Pro Wrestling, the gimmick-free, script-free Olympic style-wrestling league, will be taped in front of a live studio audience on October 8-9 at the Los Angeles Center Studios.
Matches will take place atop a specially designed elevated circular wrestling mat in a 360-degree Roman colisseum-inspired arena. A total of eight cameras will capture 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.
The one-hour weekly episodes will be comprised of two complete matches of up to 10 minutes each in length and highlights from other matches. Special segments concerning the history of the sport, little known facts and explanations of the rules will also punctuate the time between matches, as well as the biographical vignettes.
Negotiations are underway for a team of commentators that will include a major television sports personality as well as a former world champion wrestler or coach for the color commentary.
For additional information about the league please visit
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, ext. 121 or ext. 108, kimberlym@bzapr.com or noahg@bzapr.com.
PAX TV Dates
2005 Season Sunday 4-5 p.m. EST
Week 1 February 13
Week 2 February 20
Week 3 February 27
Week 4 March 6
Week 5 March 13
Week 6 March 20
Week 7 March 7
Week 8 April 3
Week 9 April 10
Week 10 April 17
Week 11 April 24
Week 12 May 1
Week 13 May 8
Week 14 May 15
Week 15* May 22
* Two hour Championship episode
** Check with local provider for station information
SOURCE Real Pro Wrestling
