RESISTANCE Pro - Creative Director Billy Corgan's gift to wrestling fans everywhere

Aug. 15, 2011 - PRLog -- Look out WWE - professional wrestling has a new heir apparent and they have a rock star guiding them. Smashing Pumpkins founder Billy Corgan announced this past Saturday (at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con in suburban Rosemont, IL) that he and his partners (Jacques and Gabriel Baron) are getting in to the professional wrestling business. "I grew up a fan of professional wrestling during the glory years of the AWA," said Corgan, "and I really enjoyed watching many of the men who are now legends display the incredible talent and ability that made them household names. So in that way I am old school; in that if a wrestler has the almost undefinable 'it' factor that makes them a star, fans will follow them forever, because they invest emotionally in the person behind the gimmick. When I got fully into being a professional musician in my late teens, I stopped watching wrestling until I was drawn back by the Attitude Era, and my personal connection to ECW. I've gotten to know and befriend some of the greatest minds in the wrestling business, and I've learned a lot about the incredible sacrifices that everyone makes to entertain the fans. The opportunity to be a part of a different kind of independent company in RESISTANCE Pro was just too good for me to pass up."

    Partner Jacques Baron continued, "Just as Billy has always been a wrestling fan, so have my brother and I. We've been fans for over 25 years - since we were little kids - and have never stopped loving it. Other people who were fans during the 'boom times' of the 1980's and late 1990's try to dismiss it now because it's not as 'hip' as it was then. Everything in the world is cyclical and it's time for wrestling to be 'hip' again - that's where RESISTANCE comes in.". And wrestling's "hipness" will certainly be put to the test immediately. This November 25th - "Black Friday" - the day after Thanksgiving 2011, RESISTANCE will debut in front of a very passionate, very vocal audience at the legendary Excalibur night club in downtown Chicago (632 North Dearborn Street). "Excalibur is a historical Chicago landmark," Baron continued, "everyone knows the building, everyone knows it's reputation. To partner up with them for our debut event is a dream come true. There's tons of other independent wrestling promotions in the Chicagoland area - but we have something they don't. We have a venue in the heart of the greatest city in the world to debut a new era in this sport that will affect the entire industry. We also have one of the most creative minds in the entertainment field with Billy as our Creative Director. What he brings to the plate for us is immeasurable not only in name recognition, but in creativity as well."

    Corgan elaborated on his role as Creative Director of RESISTANCE, "My job in RESISTANCE Pro, if you can call it that, is to write the angles and set the tone for the future vision of the company. I believe I bring to the table a unique set of experiences from the music business that translate to how to engage a fan's deeper interest, whether it be in the ring or hopefully one day on television. I want RESISTANCE Pro to embrace what's great about the traditional values in the wrestling business, that can at the end of the day provide everyone involved with the a great opportunity for success, while not being shy about being at the forefront of where professional wrestling is headed into the 21st century. Whether it be in-ring style, new ways to run shows, or using technology and social media to create a fresh dynamic with fans, we will chase down what works best long term."

    In addition to all of the creativity and hours Corgan is putting in to separating RESISTANCE from it's more mainstream counterparts, any team is only as good as it's players. "We've had talent contact us from all over the USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan and everywhere in-between," said partner Gabriel Baron, "everyone in the business is buzzing about RESISTANCE. The greatest feeling as a promoter is for talent that we are fans of to contact us and say 'I've heard about what you guys are doing and I want in'. When some of the greatest athletes and performers in this business are asking to work for you - even before we've had our first show - it's the best encouragement we can ask for," Baron continued. "We see someone we want to work with and we know the fans want to see, we go after them. That was the case with Raven."

    Former ECW World Champion Raven is among the first confirmed talent for RESISTANCE's debut show on November 25th. Raven will be the agent for RESISTANCE working with talent on upping their game both inside and outside of the ring. Along with Raven, former WWE Tag Team Champion Harry Smith and cousin Teddy Hart will be in action as well as Chicago's own Jay Bradley. Baron continued "Harry and Teddy are from the most respected family in the wrestling business and are third generation superstars just starting to hit their stride. Jay is an amazing athlete that represents Chicago's hard work ethic and leaves it all in the ring. We couldn't be happier to have them on board for our debut!"

    Corgan continues "We have two clearly stated goals: one is the we want our young talent to get hired and to succeed at the highest levels in the business. We want to see young stars dreams come true. There will be no holding anyone back. Secondly, we want to encourage a safer in-ring product that balances incredible athleticism with storytelling. That doesn't mean that there won't be appropriate times for a drag down and out dirty brawl. But in my opinion it is time that the long term health of the wrestlers themselves is placed as a stated top priority, and it will be in our company. Our company will be a strong mix of veterans and young talent, because we want to make sure that the best traditions of the business are passed on. It should also be noted that we want a top-notch women's division, because there are some incredibly talented women out there who can, and will, draw."

    In addition to meeting with the fans and signing autographs, Corgan and company began selling tickets to the debut show at Excalibur on November 25th. "Twenty dollars is a great deal for what we already have lined up for our first show," said Jacques Baron. "Fans are going to get a few hours of some of the best wrestling in the world in a unique environment the likes of which sets us apart from every other promotion in the world. If you watch wrestling on TV, you see people sitting on their hands during some of the matches. We want our fans to be awake and excited, so we decided to have all tickets be general admission - first come, first served. And fans better get their early because we expect a sell-out crowd and it is standing room only." Tickets will also be available at the company's website (www.RESISTANCEpro.com) as well as at the door the day of the show. Doors open at 7:30pm and bell time is 8:00pm. Because of the venue and content of the show it is for those 21 and over only.

    "This is an exciting time to be a wrestling fan and an even more exciting time to be a jaded one," said Gabriel Baron. "With Billy's creativity, the roster of talent we're working with, and the best venue in the city November 25th is going to be one of the most memorable nights in wrestling history." Corgan elaborated on what fans should expect "Hopefully for fans, I won't go into business for myself! My plan is to stay out of the ring and spend my energy working behind the scenes to make us a company to watch in the coming years. I'm excited to invest in a business I have passion for, because I understand as well as anyone what it takes to succeed. My real desire is to help others succeed like I was given the opportunity to in music. I'm more than happy to talk about the company, and draw attention to it if it helps everyone else get over."

# # #

About RESISTANCE Pro:
RESISTANCE Pro is an independently owned and operated professional wrestling promotion based out of Chicago, IL. It was founded in 2011 by Creative Director Billy Corgan and co-owners Jacques and Gabriel Baron. Their first show will be taking place on Friday November 25th, 2011 at the legendary Excalibur night club in Chicago (632 North Dearborn Street). For further information on RESISTANCE Pro or to sponsor the event, please visit their website at www.RESISTANCEpro.com and via Twitter at @RESISTANCE_Pro.

Photo:
https://www.prlog.org/11618826/1