They’ll be competing for $250,000 in prize money on national TV
By Tom Reed
Beacon Journal staff writer
Markus Mollica and Joe Heskett are entering a world of professional wrestling void of turnbuckles, turncoats and turn-and-look-away referees.
The Walsh Jesuit High graduates will not wear capes, leap from top ropes or fear reprisal from Vince McMahon. In the new sport called “Real Pro Wrestling,” the pinfalls and takedowns are unscripted and unrehearsed.
The wrestling is legitimate, but will it translate into positive TV ratings? An anxious American wrestling community will find out starting today as Real Pro Wrestling debuts nationally on the Pax Network at 4 p.m.
Fifty-six of the nation’s top amateur wrestlers have been divided into eight teams representing different regions of the country. The wrestlers are vying for $250,000 in prize money and incentives. Mollica is a member of the California Claw, and Heskett, who reached the U.S. Olympic Trials finals last year, wrestles for a team called the Iowa Stalkers.
The eight one-hour shows will be broadcast alternately on Pax and Fox Sports Net. The matches were taped Oct. 8-9 in Los Angeles.
“The entire wrestling community has been supportive of this project at all levels,” USA Wrestling spokesman Gary Abbot said. “The real test will be the ratings.”
Amateur wrestling is no stranger to television, but its Nielsen ratings numbers have been superseded by its illegitimate professional cousin. The WWE is a billion-dollar empire based on fictional characters and bogus results.
Real Professional Wrestling was founded in 2002 by three former collegiate wrestlers. The goal is to showcase the sport using many of the country’s best wrestlers in a made-for-television format.
The wrestling is a blend of freestyle and Greco-Roman and takes place in a studio on an elevated circular stage surrounded by an audience.
Music is played throughout the matches that feature combatants in seven weight divisions.
There have been Hollywood elements added for effect, but Real Pro Wrestling spokesman Noah Gold said the sport’s integrity is not compromised. He said the broadcasts will promote family values and show wrestling in a positive light.
Abbot said seven members of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team are competing. Gold medalist Cael Sanderson and 2000 gold medalist Rulon Gardner are not among them, although Gardner serves as a commentator.
Abbot said the prize money does not endanger a wrestler’s Olympic status. Professional leagues in Iran and Germany already exist.
Mollica and Heskett are not the only wrestlers with Ohio ties. Brian Keck (of Parma) and Andy Hrovat (of Cleveland) also are competing.
The first season was scheduled to debut last month and include 15 episodes, but a fire at the home of co-founder Toby Willis wiped out seven hour-long segments.
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