Latest news with #Wrestlers
The Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Netflix quietly axe ‘amazingly intimate' show with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score after just one series
NETFLIX have quietly axed an 'amazingly intimate' show which has an 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. The series aired one season on the streamer, but will not be returning for more. 4 4 4 Documentary series Wrestlers followed the Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) company. In particular, its promoter Al Snow - an accomplished wrestler with a decades-long career - as he worked to maintain OVW's future. But despite the series achieving a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Al has confirmed it will not be returning to Netflix. He told "There were certainly talks. "They had an option for a second season up until last September, and they just never took the option. "[It] just ticked past. There was no fanfare or anything of that nature. It just quietly moved on." Al wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) on and off from 1995 to 1998. He also had a long stint working for WWE, spanning 1998 until his departure in 2008. The legend continued by saying Wrestlers could possibly be brought back in a different form. Al said: "From what I understand, we have the option to do a second season, if we wish. Resident Alien Season 4 Official Trailer "We would just do it with a different streaming service than Netflix." Filmmaker Greg Whiteley both directed and executive produced Wrestlers. Writing online, one viewer said: "Greg Whiteley makes amazingly intimate portrayals that you can tell are authentic and not over-produced." Another penned: "This wrestling documentary is amazing! "It made me cry because I felt the hard work of all the wrestlers and everyone at OVW." While a third added: "There are heavy emotional moments in here as well as heavy bumps and hats off to [them], there are some real cinematic moments here too. "Greg Whiteley has created an absolute gem of a series that wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike will love." Wrestlers is streaming on Netflix. 4
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix quietly cancels 'gem of a series' with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A Netflix show fans hailed as 'amazingly intimate' and a show for the 'whole family' has quietly been scrapped after just one series. In late 2023, documentary maker Greg Whitely treated fans to Wrestlers, which gave an peek behind the scenes at how a professional wrestling company was really run. It still has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, but Al Snow – whose promotion OVW (Ohio Valley Wrestling) was the focus of the series – has exclusively told Metro that a second season is officially off the table for Netflix. 'There were certainly talks. They had an option for a second season up until last September, and they just never took the option,' he explained. '[It] just ticked past. There was no fanfare or anything of that nature. It just quietly moved on.' Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. The 62-year-old star heard on the grapevine that there had been some behind the scenes moves 'to do basically the same format with more established brands'. Indeed, filmmaker Whitely went onto work on series featuring the likes of the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, while Netflix launched WWE Unreal this week, which gives fans an intimate look behind the curtain of the worldwide juggernaut. Al, who wrestled for WWE from 1995 to 2008, insisted the new WWE series is 'good for everybody', while the door isn't shut on OVW reviving Wrestlers in another way. 'From what I understand, we have the option to have a second season, if we wish. We just would do it with a different streaming service than Netflix,' he added. Confirmation Wrestlers isn't returning to the streamer will be a blow to viewers, who had hoped for a second season after getting hooked on the original run. 'This wrestling documentary is amazing! It made me cry because I felt the hard work of all the wrestlers and everyone at OVW,' wrote Charish Herida on Google Reviews. 'Great show the whole family can watch together. Fantastic binge worthy series,' added Kelly iztheBest, while William Luckett said: 'Greg Whitely makes amazingly intimate portrayals that you can tell are authentic and not overproduced.' And Simon Manley said: 'There are heavy emotional moments in here as well as heavy bumps and hats off to [them], there are some real cinematic moments here too. Greg Whiteley has created an absolute gem of a series that wrestling fans and non-wrestling fans alike will love.' Thankfully for OVW fans, the company is still going strong after being bought out by UK-based sports agency Morley Sports Management (MSM), who are launching a new initiative to give athletes in football, rugby and other sports a launchpad into wrestling. More Trending MSM founder and CEO Rob Edwards said: 'We absolutely know the talent is there in the UK – particularly in football – and the opportunities we OVW provide could give so many sports people another chance.' But Al warned that he's seen lots of athletes come into wrestling without realising the 'physical exertion and amount of commitment' required. View More » He added: 'A lot of them are like, 'You know what? That's it. I'm done.'' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 7 films celebrating women in sport after the Lionesses win Euro 2025 MORE: Hulk Hogan's son shares heartbreaking tribute after dad's 'extremely difficult' death MORE: Major WWE SummerSlam match at risk with top star 'blocked from entering US'
Metro
5 days ago
- Business
- Metro
How football could produce wrestling's next big superstar
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A wrestling company famed for launching the careers of John Cena, Randy Orton and more is turning to UK sports to find the next great grappler. WWE legend Al Snow's Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), which was the subject of acclaimed Netflix docu-series Wrestlers, is launching a new initiative on our shores to discover sports entertainment's next superstar. The company is hoping to encourage footballers, rugby players and other athletes in the UK to chase a career in the ring, after stars from basketball, gymnastics, the NFL and more have made the transition in the US. Speaking exclusively to Metro, the 61-year-old star has a stark warning for anyone thinking it'll be an easy ride. 'It is far easier to be a player in the World Cup of the soccer team than it is to be on the main roster in WWE,' he insisted. 'Think of the number of players on the team. Think of the number of teams now, what are your odds? 'Think of the number of wrestlers that are on the main roster of WWE. Think of the number of people that wish to be in that place, and now think of the odds.' OVW was recently bought by UK-based sports agency Morley Sports Management (MSM), who also own Cymru Premier football club Haverfordwest County AFC, and they are looking to their take first UK intake of trainees from football and rugby in 2026. Rob Edwards, MSM founder and CEO, said: 'We absolutely know the talent is there in the UK – particularly in football – and the opportunities we OVW provide could give so many sports people another chance.' Anyone interested in training at the OVW Academy can apply here. They won't be the first, with former Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese and rugby league player-turned-WWE superstar Ridge Holland among those to make the transition. Tim failed to make an impact, while Ridge has had a rollercoaster career – but he came in as a fan with 'respect for the business'. 'That goes a long way,' he told Metro in 2022. 'Athletes tend to have some form of ego… You've been a top athlete in your chosen sport, and then you've gotta start at the bottom. 'You've got to just humble yourself, put your nose to the grindstone and listen, work hard and take each day as it comes.' So, what can the athletes expect? 'At the very beginning, really focusing on the fundamentals, just like any actual sport,' the former WWE European Champion explained. 'I can't emphasise enough how much that plays a role in their development and their overall performance and their consistency, and their ability to mitigate the possibility to the injury.' Al knows all about the physical impact of a career in wrestling, having had both knees replaced a few years ago to deal with a brutal amount of pain. 'I wake up every day in pain,' he explained. '[Before the replacements] it was so severe that sometimes I would be exhausted by the middle of the day, and I'd have to lay down to just get some rest.' Not everyone will be able to hack it, as Al recalled working with a 'kickboxer, a multi-black belt in Taekwondo' who also did some 'cross country biking' and other disciplines. 'He lasted a week,' he said. 'I've dealt with this for ages. I've been training people on different levels and watched athletes come from other sports.' People coming from outside the business often have preconceptions, only to quickly realise the 'physical exertion and amount of commitment' it takes. 'A lot of them are like, 'You know what? That's it. I'm done,'' he shrugged. He also dismissed the idea anyone except the wrestler themselves can be blamed for a lack of success. 'Wrestlers make themselves a star. I know wrestlers would love to make you believe that it's someone else's fault for their own shortcomings,' he laughed. 'They're more than willing to take credit when it's their success.' What will Al really be looking for when they start recruiting from football and rugby? 'You don't have to look like a bodybuilder. You just need to look like you make your living in a competitive combat situation. That's it,' he said. 'I don't think that's asking for much.' There's also the mental side, with personality being almost more important that having the right look, charisma or skills. 'If you're a cancer and you're going to be a detriment, trust me, you're not worth it,' he said bluntly. Al knows his stuff, having worked with former WWE Champions Cody Rhodes and The Miz early in their wrestling journeys, with the latter coming to wrestling through reality TV. More Trending 'They did not make it easy on him in the locker room,' he recalled. 'Everything he's gotten he's earned.' That doesn't mean training with OVW, or even making it to the bright lights of WWE, will make everyone happy. There'll be more work to be done. 'There are number of my kids that are still in WWE that if I were to pick up the phone right now, all you'd hear is them complain for two hours on the phone,' he said. 'They think once they get there, the work stops, and then they're happy. No! 'Now, the pressure, the stress – the real work begins.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Hulk Hogan's wife Sky Daily says she 'wasn't ready' for his death in heartbreaking tribute MORE: WWE star demonstrates how broken finger 'still won't bend from knuckle to tip' MORE: Hulk Hogan 'lost a lot of weight in final weeks before death'
Western Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Pembrokeshire football club owner moves into wrestling
Rob Edwards, owner of the football club, has taken over Kentucky's Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)—the promotion that launched the careers of stars John Cena, Randy Orton, and Brock Lesnar. Mr Edwards said: "I've got no idea how I ended up here, really. "In the blink of an eye, I was flying to Kentucky to watch wrestling shows with the view of taking over the running of OVW. "It's completely surreal, but honestly, it all comes from the same place. "I'm obsessed with sport and the impact it can have on communities. "I'm doing things I never imagined doing, but I'm enjoying every second and looking to create a legacy as I go." Mr Edwards' sports management group, MSM, now holds a controlling stake in OVW, which was recently featured in the Netflix documentary series Wrestlers. His journey into sports ownership began unexpectedly during lockdown when he came across a listing for a semi-professional football club for sale. Six weeks later, he became the owner of Haverfordwest County AFC. Under his leadership, the Pembrokeshire club has qualified for European competition twice in three years and recently achieved its highest league finish in two decades. Mr Edwards said: "Within three years, we had gone from an amateur side to playing in Europe." He now aims to replicate that success with OVW, expanding its reach beyond Kentucky and into Europe. Since taking over, Mr Edwards has launched a company-wide survey, restructured leadership, and implemented a 'fan-first' approach. He believes OVW can become the world's leading independent wrestling promotion. He said: "We're building something that can stand on its own. "A company where people want to stay, not just pass through. "We want OVW to be the best indie promotion in the world – and we want it to feel like home." Mr Edwards also sees OVW as part of a broader vision for MSM, which aims to build a portfolio of five to seven clubs across different sports.
Pembrokeshire Herald
06-06-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
From Haverfordwest to Kentucky: Rob Edwards relaunches iconic US wrestling brand
THE ENTREPRENEUR behind Haverfordwest County AFC's dramatic rise has now set his sights on the world of professional wrestling – by taking over one of America's most iconic promotions. Rob Edwards, who took control of the Pembrokeshire club in 2019 and steered it from the brink of collapse to European competition, has relaunched Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), the US-based promotion that helped launch the careers of John Cena, Batista, Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton. All Rights Reserved by the photographer, Steve Bainbridge. Any reproduction without prio consent is strictly forbidden. Tel:(+44)7887-982798 Email: info@ Edwards' London-based sports management company, MSM, has taken a controlling stake in OVW, which featured in the popular Netflix documentary Wrestlers. He plans to transform the promotion into what he calls the world's 'top independent wrestling company.' It marks an ambitious new chapter for Edwards, whose story began not with a sports background but with a wine business. Speaking to reporters this week, Edwards said the journey began during lockdown, when he was questioning the future of his company and clicked on a listing for a semi-professional Welsh football club – one with no staff, no players under contract, and gates under 100. Six weeks later, he owned Haverfordwest County. The club has since become one of Welsh football's most compelling success stories. It reached its highest league position in 20 years, secured its first-ever European win in 2023, and qualified again for Europe this year. The club's academy also claimed the FAW Youth Cup and a place in the UEFA Youth League. Now, Edwards is applying the same strategy in Kentucky. He told the Herald: 'It's completely surreal. But it all comes from the same place. I'm obsessed with sport and the positive impact it can have on people's lives. With OVW, I saw the same raw potential that Haverfordwest had when I first took over.' Under Edwards' leadership, OVW has already begun to change. A fan-first strategy has been introduced, a new leadership team put in place, and surveys rolled out to reconnect the brand with its audience. 'There's something visceral about live wrestling,' Edwards said. 'The energy, the storytelling, the crowd – it's all there. But OVW needed a new identity and a fresh plan. That's what we're building.' Comparisons have been drawn with the Hollywood-backed revival of Wrexham AFC, but Edwards is quick to distance himself from the celebrity-driven model. 'I was the first Rob to buy a football club in Wales,' he joked. 'But we're not Wrexham, and I'm not famous. This isn't about nostalgia or cameras. It's about real people, grassroots passion, and creating a lasting legacy through sport.' Edwards says MSM's long-term vision is to own five to seven clubs across different sports – each rooted in its community, with strong commercial backing. OVW, he says, is a cornerstone of that plan. 'We're not just bringing OVW back,' he said. 'We want to show the world what modern wrestling can be – and build something that lasts.'
