Wrestling Grand Prix

[Gambit]

For over 40 years, World Wrestling Entertainment was under the leadership of Vince McMahon, turning the company from a North Eastern American territory promotion into an international promotional juggernaut. It was, and still is, the industry leader. By the summer of 2022, Vince McMahon stepped down from his position as Chairman of the Board amid sexual assault allegations. Only to return and sell the company to Endeavor seven months later, thus ending a hundred plus years of a McMahon being a promoter of professional wrestling…

Or so they thought.


Shane McMahon, the son of Vince, announced in November of 2023 he would be opening his own promotion called Wrestling Grand Prix.


If his father would be known for “sports entertainment”, he would be going in a different direction. The Wrestling Grand Prix will be more sports based with a win/loss records and rankings, yet still maintain larger than life characters that made professional wrestling popular. Shane would also adopt business practices more conducive to his grandfather, Vincent James, approach- working with promotions rather than against them, forging relationships with various promotions across North American, UK, and Japan.


Wrestling Grand Prix operates on “smaller scale” compared to their counterparts in WWE and AEW, capturing a different atmosphere in more intimate settings. They even secured a deal with TrillerTV, airing Lion’s Den Tuesdays at 7pm central with replays on demand an hour later.



The Rules

Time limits
30 minute non championship bouts
60 championship bouts


Count outs
10 non-championship
20 championship

Falls: One (pin, submission, count out, knockout)

Notable Fouls

Closed fist (First offense warning/Second offense DQ)
Striking to the back of the head downed or standing


CONTENDER/RANKINGS

Bushido/Athena championship holder receives automatic title shot
#2 and #3 ranked contenders compete to crown a new champion upon current champion’s declaration to challenge the World champion​

 

[Gambit]

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

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NAME​	EVENT​	DEFENSES ​	NOTES​

BUSHIDO CHAMPIONSHIP

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NAME​	EVENT​	DEFENSES ​	NOTES​
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WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
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NAME​	EVENT​	DEFENSES​	NOTES​

ATHENA CHAMPIONSHIP
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NAME​	EVENT​	DEFENSES​	NOTES​

TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP​

 

[Gambit]

PRESS CONFERENCE


The press conference for The Wrestling Grand Prix took place in New York City. Jenn Sterger and Chris Van Vliet had hosting duties for the event. Shane McMahon announced the inaugural Lion's Den episode would will emanate from The Hammerstein Ballroom.

It's also announced the voice of Wrestling Grand Prix would be none other than Mauro Ranallo, the prolific and popular combat sports announcer, and Veda Scott providing color commentary.


The owner and chairman of Wrestling Grand Prix announced there would be three tournaments to determine the World champion, The Women's World champion, and Tag Team Championships.

The men's World title would be a sixteen man elimination tournament.

The Women's World title would be decided in an eight woman tournament

However, the Tag Team championship would be determined in a unique style of tournament.

Round One: Two Eight Man Tags
Round Two: Winning Eight Man team face other
Finals: Two teams remaining.

In a shocking turn of events, Shane announced one of the teams in this tournament would be a reunited All Night Xpress of Kenny King and Rhett Titus.


The brackets were also released.

On hand for the press conference was Nic Nemeth, who is also one of the sixteen men competing in the World Championship Tournament. Nemeth explained he's excited to be apart of The Wrestling Grand Prix, competing against some of the very best in the world and mentions how its been over ten years since he's last head a World championship title and hopes to change this.

Nemeth is interrupted by "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown, who despite his age appears to be in tremendous shape. The Alpha notes how many people regard him as a man who should have held the World Heavyweight championship when he was apart of TNA. He may have been gone and young lions may roam The Serengeti, but it's still the territory that belongs to The Alpha Male. When it's all said and done, Nic Nemeth would feel THE POOOOOOUNNNNCEEEE.... PERIOD!

Before Nic Nemeth could respond to Monty Brown's words, The Alpha Male smacks the former Dolph Ziggler in the forehead with the microphone. The two immediately begin to trade blows briefly before security pulls them apart. Monty Brown said he's beating Nic Nemeth and will eventually win the World Championship.

Marshall and Ross Von Erich, accompanied by their father Kevin, are out next. They express their excitement to be apart of the Wrestling Grand Prix, carrying on their family legacy. They hope they can work with Mason Madden and Mansoor, MxM, in order to advance to the second round of the Tag Title tournament and defeat them. Kevin Von Erich notes if there's one thing The Von Erich Family knows it's being a unit and winning. Kevin says complimentary words about all the talent in professional wrestling today before putting over the hard work of his sons, who he feels will be great Tag Team champions in The Wrestling Grand Prix.


Steph De Lander, the Duchess of Death Match, is joined by Matt Cardona, donning a gold Ribera jacket while his arm is in a sling. De Lander tells the media and audience, who have booed her and Cardona since they arrived, she doesn't care how she is received by them. Steph De Lander proclaims herself to be one of the hottest acts in professional wrestling, a true star where they feel like a rarity. Matt Cardona chimes in how he and De Lander will show the world that Sports Entertainment is the best style of professional wrestling, a sentiment that is ill-received by the crowd, Mauro Ranallo and the Chairman himself. Cardona chides that Shane should be embarrassed with himself on what he's doing to his father's legacy. The crowd is stunned and Shane McMahon appears none to happy about the remarks just made. It's at this moment Shane gets security to escort Cardona off of the stage. He protests and complains about being hurt and being man handled by security.

"The Warmaster" Josh Barnett, former UFC Heavyweight champion, takes the stage. Barnett answers questions about crossover from mixed martial arts to professional wrestling, noting his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling and being mentored by the late great Antonio Inoki. The Warmaster speaks about how MMA and Professional wrestling are practically the same in many respects. He also praises Alex Shelley's amazing technical wrestling ability while many from his years in TNA only think of him a high flying tag team specialist. Josh Barnett states he will be around for the long haul in The Wrestling Grand Prix ​

 

[Melbourne Made]

First off that World Championship is a thing of beauty
I like the overall presentation and I like the variety of the brackets