Professional wrestling is now more popular than ever. In the last year, professional wrestling was featured on seven of the Top 10 cable television shows. Jay Leno of Tonight Show asked Shaquille o’Neal, NBA Superstar Shaquille what his favorite thing about TV was. Shaq quickly replied, « professional wrestling. »

The NBC Television Network has announced the results of a nationwide survey that it conducted in February. It identified the top viewed sports in America and listed them as:

1. National Football League
2. Professional Wrestling
3. Major League Baseball
4. National Basketball Association.

Professional wrestling can be enjoyed by all ages. Additionally, 35 million people tune in to professional wrestling every week. Millions more flock to sold out arenas to see it in person.

The World Wrestling Federation, led by Vince McMahan Jr., and Ted Turner-owned World Championship Wrestling (« WCW ») are the two most prominent pro wrestling organizations in the business.

TV Guide predicts that the WWF will earn $550 million and WCW $350 million in this year’s earnings. Vince McMahan made the WWF public in the first quarter and raised another $250 million. McMahan is making so much money that he recently announced that he was forming his own professional football league (The Extreme Football League) in attempts to compete with the National Football League.

There is a significant gap between the top pro wrestling organisations and all other organizations at this time. The closest to being third is a small group out of New York/Philadelphia calling itself Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). ECW fails to have mass appeal and profit potential because of its extremely violent and “hardcore” nature. ECW’s ratings for the weekly television program on Friday on The Nashville Network have been below 1.0, despite TNN promising their advertisers a 2.5 rating. IWA Championship Wrestling, (IWA), has as its goal and purpose to create a family-oriented television product. They also plan to host live events to increase the appeal of their products to advertisers, television viewers, sponsors, and anyone who is attending &#8220 ‘live’ events or paying for pay-perview.

The IWA aims to become the third-largest pro wrestling organization within three years. They also aim to make at least 10% of the current monies made by the #2 (WCW), or approximately $35 million annually. Projected costs are approximately one quarter of that amount. This will create a profitable and viable scenario for all involved.

1.1 Objectives

The following goals have been set by IWA Championship Wrestling for the first three years of expansion/growth:

1. Become the third most popular professional wrestling organization in the industry.
2. For a weekly, one-hour program, secure a contract with a national cable TV company.
3. Production of the weekly, one-hour professional wrestling program should be started.
4. Retain the best available talent and create new talent, writers, managers.
5. Distribute and syndicate television programming around the world.
6. Promote live events in areas that have television programming.

1.2 Mission

IWA Championship Wrestling plans to create a family-oriented television network for both domestic and international distribution. The television program will be supported by live events tours. Additional revenues will be generated from:

• Quarterly Pay-Per-View Events
• Sponsorships and advertising revenues.
• Merchandising souvenirs, concession items, as well as a selection of videos, via live events, mail-order, and the official IWA site.
• IWA Professional Wrestling School is created
• For IWA talent, personal appearance fees may apply.

The IWA will be recognized as the #1 professional wrestling organization within three years and a major player in the industry. Our programming will continue to receive TV ratings in between 2.0 and 2.5. We will use established stars to entice viewers to tune in and will also have outstanding new talent.

The IWA will have approximately $35 million in annual revenue and be in a strong position within five years to challenge WCW for the second most popular position.

The IWA will base its appeal on filling the major void currently existing in professional wrestling by providing “family oriented” and “family friendly” professional sports entertainment programming and live events. IWA will appeal more to the general public than to a few hardcore fans. The IWA will also strive to increase its visibility and profit by remaining committed to ‘#8220’ family values.

Currently, no such pro wrestling programming exists. WCW and WWF are the only available programming for pro-wrestling fans. These programs are practically identical in their format and design. As part of their weekly television programming, there is a strong emphasis on violence, vulgarity (disrespect of authority and women), nudity and the consumption of alcohol in the ring or locker room.

The only alternative to WWF and WCW programming currently is Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) which appears on the Nashville Network (TNN) and appeals to the hardcore, extreme fan only.

IWA fans can encourage their kids to follow our programming. Our role models will be strong, positive and family-oriented. The IWA will return ‘#8220;rasslin’ to professional wrestling and place more emphasis on talent, skill and ability than the twisted, demented stories currently in fashion with other organizations.

It makes strong business sense to appeal to the majority or masses of wrestling fans who range in age from 3 to 93, are 40% female, and very strong in the 21 to 49-year old male segment of the population. Pro wrestling is not just for kids or the extreme. By tapping into the “main stream,” the IWA will have a unique and very strong position within the industry that will yield maximum profit potential.