RealProWrestling cuts number of shows; Fire damages 60 percent of tapes from filming
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Kimberly Moran (Brener Zwikel & Associates Inc.)
01/21/2005
ASHLAND CITY, TN - January 20, 2005 - RealProWrestling, the first Olympic-style wrestling league, has reduced the number of episodes and changed the schedule for its national television debut on PAX TV and Fox Sports Net, it was announced. Originally set to launch in February, RealProWrestling has moved the start date of its series to March 27. PAX coverage will start Sunday, March 27 and will air on consecutive Sundays for 8 weeks at 4 p.m. EST. Fox Sports Net coverage begins Wednesday, March 30 and will air on consecutive weeks at 3 p.m. EST. Dates and times are subject to change. Please check local listings. The re-schedule of the launch and reduction of episodes was due in part to a $3.5 million fire on Dec. 26 that destroyed the suburban Nashville home and production offices of RealProWrestling founder Toby Willis. Willis, his wife and children were not injured. The fire consumed approximately 60 percent of the footage from the filming in October 2004. "The fire was an unfortunate situation and we are thankful that no one was injured," said Chris Chickering, vice president of RealProWrestling. "TheRealProWrestling staff has been working day and night to make sure the debut show is still a groundbreaking series even with the loss of some of the footage." 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. The league consists of eight teams representing areas from throughout the country made up of wrestlers in 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. RealProWrestling features today's top wrestlers and combines Freestyle and Greco-Roman rules and techniques. It provides wrestlers an opportunity to compete beyond collegiate and Olympic competition in a professional league. For additional information about the league please visit www.realprowrestling.com PAX TV Dates 2005 Season - Sunday 4-5 p.m. EST Week 1 March 27 Week 2 April 3 Week 3 April 10 Week 4 April 17 Week 5 April 24 Week 6 May 1 Week 7 May 8 Week 8* May 15 *Two hour Championship episode **Times subject to change. Check local listings. Fox Sports Net TV Dates 2005 Season - Wednesday 3-4 p.m. EST Week 1 March 30 Week 2 April 6 Week 3 April 13 Week 4 April 20 Week 5 April 27 Week 6 May 4 Week 7 May 11 Week 8 May 18 Week 9 May 25 **Times subject to change. Check local listings.