The following press release was issued today:
NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE SIGNS EXCLUSIVE MEDIA & MERCHANDISING RIGHTS DEAL WITH BIG VISION ENTERTAINMENT
May 15, 2007 – Los Angeles, CA
The National Wrestling Alliance, the oldest and most respected organization in the professional wrestling industry, has signed an exclusive 5 year deal with Big Vision Entertainment, one of the fastest growing independent entertainment companies and the leader in independent wrestling distribution.
Big Vision CEO Houston Curtis said, “We pride ourselves on bringing the best quality content to our fans and consumers and for almost 60 years, the NWA has been the measuring stick for quality in pro wrestling. Growing up a fan and watching NWA superstars both on TV and live in person, it is with great excitement that we enter into this deal and look forward to taking the NWA brand to new heights.”
The deal, which comes on the heels of the NWA stripping the TNA Wrestling organization of the NWA titles and name, calls for Big Vision to act as the NWA’s media partner for home entertainment, Pay-Per-View, emerging technologies such as digital downloads and Video-On-Demand, and merchandising as well as television development and distribution.
Robert K. Trobich, Executive Director of the NWA, said of the deal, “I am tremendously excited to be launching this relationship with Big Vision Entertainment. The NWA has always been on the cutting edge of bringing forward the best talent in professional wrestling. Together with Big Vision as our media partner, we will deliver that talent to wrestling fans around the globe.”
The NWA has enjoyed continuous international exposure over the past 5 years as part of their agreement with the TNA organization. During this time, the NWA has continued, separately from TNA, to promote events across the world including in the United States, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Australia, and throughout Europe. NWA Pro Wrestling shows have been the most successful independent wrestling shows in the United States in 2007 drawing more fans and box office dollars than any other independent wrestling organization.
The first BVE/NWA project will be the upcoming tournament to crown a new NWA World Heavyweight Champion. The 16 man tournament will take place as part of NWA sanctioned events throughout North America beginning on June 2nd and conclude with the crowning of a new Heavyweight World Champion in September. Big Vision will release a Special Edition 2-disk set titled “Reclaiming The Glory: NWA World Title Tournament” in stores worldwide in January. Big Vision will also be releasing two recent major NWA Pro Wrestling events “Copa De Lucha” (street date September 25) and “Fiesta Lucha” (street date October 30) this fall.
In addition to acting as the NWA’s media partner, Big Vision will be looking to the NWA for development of talent for their current and upcoming professional wrestling projects including future seasons of Wrestling Society X.
ABOUT BIG VISION ENTERTAINMENT:
Big Vision Entertainment, founded in 2003 is the number one special interest home video label in the United States. BVE titles can be found in every major retail outlet in the US including, WalMart, Target and Best Buy. In addition to home video, Big Vision Entertainment is also a leading production company and creator of alternative programming across a variety of genres. Current shows include, The Ultimate Blackjack Tour on CBS, Wrestling Society X on MTV and Aruba Poker Classic on GSN. BVE has recently begun production on two new shows for Court TV and is finishing up a series pilot for G4.ABOUT THE NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE:
The National Wrestling Alliance is the oldest and most prestigious sanctioning body in the professional wrestling industry. Formed in 1948, the NWA and its members have promoted more wrestling matches before more wrestling fans than any other organization in the world. Truly international in its reach and influence, the NWA name and logo are familiar to wrestling fans in the United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, and virtually everywhere else professional wrestling matches are held.
