WRESTLING COMPANY TO PROVIDE NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Fans and community to benefit from new operation in Memphis area
WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. – A new professional wrestling venture will seek to bring a different style of the business to the Memphis region with a community-minded approach when New Experience Wrestling (NEW) presents a series of three weekly wrestling events beginning Friday, Oct. 10.
The organization is the creation of former wrestling great “Nightmare” Ken Wayne and his staff from the “Nightmare Ken Wayne School of Wrestling.”
“When I started my wrestling school a couple of years ago, I knew that my students would eventually reach a point to where they needed to learn a different side of the wrestling business,” said Wayne. “I have several students who are now ready to learn what it is like to perform on a television program. They have the basics down and have learned how to perform in front of audiences for independent wrestling companies in the area. Unfortunately, none of those companies have a television outlet for my students to learn that avenue of the business.”
According to Wayne, wrestlers who have either graduated from his school or are currently enrolled in it will compete along with other accomplished wrestlers who received their training in the years prior to the opening of Wayne’s school. The crew will film three weeks of live wrestling matches on consecutive Friday nights – Oct. 10, 17 and 24 – at Wayne’s school, located at 201 E. Jefferson St., Building No. 2, in West Memphis.
Wayne added that the events will teach his students more than just how to perform in front of a television camera. They will also receive hands-on production training by operating audio, video and computer equipment for the shows. The new venture will also showcase a new style of wrestling to fans in attendance.
“Today’s wrestling business on a national scale is centered on what is called ‘sports entertainment,’” said Wayne. “While that style has its positives, I firmly believe that many fans would enjoy a more competitive style. I think sports can be entertaining. We want to showcase the athletic abilities that our performers possess. That alone will be entertaining. You’ll see some characters come out too, but I can assure you if you see a guy who has an attitude in front of the camera, he pretty well has that same attitude in real life.”
Focused not only on the in-ring portion of the shows, Wayne hopes to offer something a little more to Memphis than just wrestling.
“We want to help provide top notch entertainment for the communities we will serve,” said Wayne. “Kids today need something to believe in and somewhere to go that is not harmful to them. This will be one of those places where a mother can be sure that her child is safe and having a good time at the same time.”
Following the first night’s event on Oct. 10, Wayne will speak to those in attendance to address any questions that may arise in regard to the new organization and its future goals. Community and business leaders in the area will be encouraged to help Wayne, and his staff, develop ways to make the new organization a success for not just the wrestlers, but the community as well. Several such community and business leaders have already confirmed their attendance for some or all of the events.
“We certainly have many goals in mind,” Wayne said. “This series of Friday night events is hopefully the first step toward something bigger and better. We would love to work with our local businesses and communities to make this something special in the future.”
Fans in attendance at the three events will see the first two graduates of Wayne’s school – “3G” Eric Wayne and Kid Nikels – plus currently enrolled students Greg King Jr. and Matt Justice.
For more information on New Experience Wrestling and the “Nightmare” Ken Wayne School of Wrestling, visit www.nightmarekenwayne.com or call 901-831-4198.
