Dpes Wrestling Encourage Violence?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Shawn Crossen (715) 355-0895

Does Wrestling Encourage Violence?

(SCHOFIELD, Wisc.) In a country where pre-teens bring guns to school, parents today worry about more than just their children being harassed by bullies. Youth violence is increasingly becoming a major concern for parents and teachers alike, with violent video games, movies, and especially sports like professional wrestling becoming targets in the crackdown against youth violence. Today, parents are hesitant to let their kids watch professional wrestling, much less participate in unsupervised matches. But in the early 80s, a group of kids not only staged wrestling matches, they found a way to televise them weekly, stage sold-out live shows, and create a new wrestling league, the National Wrestling Federation (NWF), all before they could even get their driver’s licenses.

The idea began when a representative from Group W, the cable access channel in Anoka, Minn., came to the door of Shawn Crossen, the NWF’s creator. Shawn listened intently as the representative described the video production and editing classes the channel offered. Crossen, excited about the thought of having his own television show, took the classes. All he needed now was a show theme. Crossen and his best friend, Charley, had always loved wrestling, so when Crossen needed a show subject, wrestling seemed like a perfect fit. Thus, the NWF was born. The show was titled "The Kid’s Pro Wrestling Show" and was filmed in Crossen’s basement, using only mattresses as the wrestling ring. The wrestlers were volunteers, friends of Crossen’s and kids from the neighborhood. The wrestling was staged, but looked, as Crossen says, just like the pros in the World Wrestling Federation.

"The backyard wrestling leagues that exist today are really based on violence, blood, and pain. But back twenty years ago, the NWF was based on sportsmanship, teamwork, and showmanship" says Crossen.

"The Kid’s Pro Wrestling Show" was eventually syndicated and shown in cities across the nation, including Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas. The young kids behind it all were featured in several newspaper articles and they even held live shows in front of hundreds of fans, charging a $3.00 admission per person.

Shawn Crossen, the brains behind this remarkable venture, has waited 20 years to share the incredible story of a group of kids who started their own professional wrestling league and produced their own television show. He is the author of a new book, Pro Wrestling Kids’ Style (NWF Books, January 2005, ISBN: 1879000121, $16.99), which is an in-depth and personal look at the problems and obstacles Crossen encountered on the way to making the NWF a success. The book will inspire children and adults alike and shows just how far a kid with a dream can go.

As a source, Crossen can discuss:
· How children can start their own business and the skills they need to do it
· The creation and management of the National Wrestling Federation
· How the NWF kids were pioneers for the backyard wrestling leagues that exist today
· How wrestling differs today versus in the past
· How parents can support their children’s dreams
· Safety issues associated with wrestling and precautions to take while wrestling

Crossen currently resides in Schofield, Wisconsin, where he works as a computer programmer. Pro Wrestling Kids’ Style is his first book. For more information about Crossen, his book, and the NWF, visit www.nwfwrestling.net.

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To schedule an interview with Shawn Crossen, or to request a review copy of Pro Wrestling Kids’ Style, please contact Shawn Crossen at (715) 355-0895 or crusherc@aol.com.