The following was issued by TNA Wrestling.
Challenge and TNA Wrestling search for a new superstar in ‘British Boot Camp 2’
New series of TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp exclusively on Challenge
Challenge today announces the return of TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp, a new series searching for the UK’s next wrestling superstar. Commissioned with TNA Entertainment, this thrilling eight-part series will air exclusively on Challenge this Autumn and follow the search for aspiring professional wrestlers, who are trying to make it big in the ultra-competitive world of America’s TNA IMPACT WRESTLING.
Ambitious wrestlers from across the UK and Ireland will be invited by TNA to attend open wrestling try-outs filmed in the three announced locations of the 2015 TNA MAXIMUM IMPACT Tour; Glasgow, Manchester and London. The budding pros will have to demonstrate their prowess and wrestling skill levels to a panel of judges made up of three of TNA’s top personalities, who will be announced shortly.
Wrestlers auditioning for TNA British Boot Camp will have to prove themselves before the judges to progress in the competition, with the stakes getting higher with each progressing round. Wrestlers making it past the audition round will return to face off against one another in a ‘Best of Britain’ showcase, where the top competitors from the event will win the opportunity to travel to the US to continue in the series, meeting the stars of TNA and experiencing first-hand what it takes to be a member of the TNA IMPACT WRESTLING fraternity. The top finalists will go on to compete in New York City, in front of the toughest fans in the world.
The winner will receive a contract from TNA President Dixie Carter to become a full-time member of the TNA IMPACT WRESTLING roster. Three runners-up will also win a spot on TNA’s annual MAXIMUM IMPACT UK Tour, which will take place in January 2015 and be taped for global television.
The winner of the first series of British Boot Camp, the former Birmingham bank clerk turned wrestler, Rockstar Spud, is now a successful member of the TNA IMPACT WRESTLING roster, representing the company at events all over the world. Spud will be on hand to counsel and encourage this year’s contestants throughout the series.
“The first series of TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp was so successful that the winner has gone on to be a major star in America’s TNA IMPACT WRESTLING,” says Stephen Ladlow, Director of Challenge. “As Challenge is the UK home for TNA, it’s only fitting that we commission a series that invests in a new UK talent and inspires passionate TNA fans and Challenge viewers alike to the high pressure world of professional wrestling.”
“I am thrilled TNA is once again partnering with Challenge to bring season 2 of British Boot Camp to our incredible fans across the U.K. and Ireland,” says TNA President Dixie Carter. “The first season brought Rockstar Spud – my amazing Chief of Staff – to TNA and I anticipate discovering another incredible athlete and entertainer on this new season.”
British Boot Camp Executive Producer and TV presenter Jeremy Borash adds: “The number one question I always get from fans across the UK is ‘when will we get a second season of British Boot Camp?’ And with the first season’s popularity, combined with the incredible success of Rockstar Spud, we couldn’t be more excited with this news. Everything about season 2 will be bigger, more competitive and more exciting for our fans. If you loved the first season of Boot Camp, then fasten your seatbelt.”
TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp 2 will search for a UK superstar. Exclusive to Challenge, the series will follow the aspiring home-grown wrestlers as they pursue a professional wrestling contract with TNA Wrestling. TNA will be inviting wrestlers to try out for the show in televised trials, which will take place in Glasgow, Manchester and London in August 2014.
Any professional wrestlers who are over the age of 18, who would like to apply to be invited for trial, should email bootcamp@tnawrestling.com
TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp 2 was commissioned for Challenge by Chris Brogden, Acting Head of Sky Entertainment. It aims to compliment the burgeoning success of the TNA Impact series which is one of the top performing series on the channel. The series supports Sky’s commitment to increase its investment in home grown content to £600m.
For further information visit: www.challenge.co.uk
Notes to Editors
About Sky
Sky entertains and excites more than 10.4 million homes through the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky 1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Living pushes ahead with fresh and innovative entertainment formats; Sky Arts is the UK’s only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Atlantic is the home to HBO and other iconic drama and comedy, Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; Sky News remains a pioneer in television news; and Sky Movies is leading the way in High Definition and on-demand.
Sky also works with dozens of other broadcasters on the satellite platform, as well as online and on mobile through the ground-breaking Sky Go service. Sky has also led the UK into the age of high definition television, launched Europe’s first 3DTV channel, Sky 3D, and offers customer even more flexibility and choice through Sky Anytime+, its internet-delivered video on demand service. Since launching Sky Broadband and Sky Talk in 2006, the company has also been the UK’s fastest-growing home communications provider.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates, not least by increasing participation in, and access to, the arts, supporting grassroots sports, and taking positive action on the environment.
About Challenge
Challenge is the home of contest and the only UK TV channel of its type showing the biggest and best games shows from Britain and around the world. It offers cult shows, world famous quiz formats, innovative new game shows and superb TNA Impact Wrestling action. From original UK commissioned content to iconic classic shows, there’s something for everyone.
Challenge TV is available on Freeview channel 46, Sky channels 125 and 164, Virgin Media channel 13
About TNA Entertainment, LLC
TNA Entertainment, LLC, is a privately held sports entertainment company based in Nashville, Tennessee, specializing in events, products, numerous TV properties, merchandise and music, as well as, the management and promotion of professional wrestlers.
The roster features such greats as Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, MVP, Bobby Lashley, Eric Young, Magnus, James Storm, Bobby Roode, Austin Aries, Gail Kim, the lovely and lethal Knockouts and many more through its highly successful TNA IMPACT WRESTLING weekly broadcast.
In addition, TNA produces monthly PPV events and more than 100 live events a year. The product is the world’s most innovative experience in professional wrestling and is broadcast in more than 120 countries. For more information, please visit www.IMPACTWRESTLING.com