Rise of the Miniature Hulk Hogans

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

Rise of the Miniature Hulk Hogans
Former child entrepreneur tells the amazing story of the first kids’ pro wrestling league

(SCHOFIELD, Wisc.) The average teenager has to be goaded into getting away from the TV or Playstation and doing "something constructive." Today, many schools feature after-school programs designed specifically to keep kids busy and out of trouble until their parents get home from work. But what about kids who take the initiative themselves?

In 1984, most 14-year-olds were watching MTV or playing Atari videogames. Shawn Crossen, however, was not like most 14-year-olds. What began as a dream turned into reality when Crossen and his friends started their own professional wrestling league, the National Wrestling Federation (NWF). They also shot, edited, and produced a weekly cable television show called "The Kids’ Pro Wrestling Show," which was viewed by thousands of people each week in cities across the nation.

The idea began when a representative from Group W, the cable access channel in Anoka, Minn., came to the Crossen’s door. 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 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 maintained positive community support for the NWF. 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 guest, 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, Wisc. 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.