Powerball winner backs Wrestlicious
BY SCOTT FISHMAN
Miami Herald Writer
The thousands who watched the introduction video to Wrestlicious on the all-girl promotion's website or YouTube know how addicting its theme song can be.
The company's main financier is 21-year-old Jay Vargas, who made headlines last year by becoming the youngest Powerball winner in history. He won a $35.3 million annuity but opted for a $17 million cash settlement.
Vargas believes these women's wrestling shows will garner even more interest.
``It's something new,'' Vargas said. ``It's not TNA. It's not WWE. It's new. It's a brand new fresh idea compared to what is on today.''
It resembles a modern-day version of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling that had TV ratings success in the late 1980s.
A pro wrestling fan since he was 3, Vargas even attended wrestling training camps in his teens to learn the ropes. The Tampa Bay resident joined forces with the legendary Jimmy Hart and GLOW veteran Johnny Cafarella to start the company.
Wrestlicious combines pro wrestling, eye candy and campy comedic sketches to present a total package in entertainment. The show has been shopped to networks.
``The feeling is exciting,'' said Vargas, who plays the on-screen owner/rapper J.V. Rich. ``It's about being involved in something new and your own brand. It's something you can put your all into. There is pride in what we have been doing from the ladies to the directors to me to everyone involved.''
Cafarella, the senior producer, is confident in Vargas and the show's concept.
``We think the name describes the product very well,'' Cafarella said. ``When you see Wrestlicious, you know what it is. When you saw the GLOW acronym in TV Guide, you didn't know what it was back in those days. That's if you don't take Wrestlicious as a Hulk Hogan cooking show.
``They certainly don't forget the name or the song we've created either. That's hard to get out of your head.''
The show's talent stems from various avenues of entertainment. A few notables including former WWE Diva Search runner-up Leyla Milani and current third generation TNA Knockout Lacey Von Erich had roles in the shows.
``Everyone has their own personality,'' Vargas said. ``Each girl is the character in some way. They are characters who were made for these girls. You can't have one without the other. For example, Cousin Cassie is perfect for that role. I couldn't see her playing Dracula. You want to make it for their personality.''
It's been a tremendous learning experience for Vargas, especially through Hart, a WWE Hall of Famer whose career spans decades.
``I learned a lot about patience,'' Vargas said. ``I would say just waiting to hear something is what I've learned most from Jimmy. You also have to deal with critics saying, `Oh look. He is spending all his money on some show. He put all his millions in his show.' That is definitely not true.
``Then you have others saying, `It's not going to air or be on for more than a season. Nobody likes the show.' That is on the contrary. Everybody loves the show. All the networks we pitched it to loved the show. I have fans on my Facebook telling me they can't get the song out of their head. I am confident.
``I also learned from Jimmy that if you want something and have a dream, you have to go for it. Days turn into weeks; weeks turn into months; and months turn into years. You keep waiting, and you're going to wait a lifetime to follow that dream. Once you have that dream in sight, you aim for it hard. You jump to the sky for it.''
Vargas is doing just that. In addition to making a television deal, the Wrestlicious owner wants the show at one of the big casinos in Las Vegas.
``The rumor that Jay Vargas spent all his $17 million and put it all into this wrestling show,'' he said, ``that is not what it took to start this wrestling company. I took less than 10 percent of that. If I turn it around, it will be a really good investment. It has so far.''
Catch clips of Wrestlicious on YouTube or visit Wrestlicious.com.
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