New Wrestling Gym Bags and Mugs

Check out three new wrestling gym bags and mugs in the WrestleMen Gift Store. http://www.cafepress.com/wrestlemen

525 New WrestleMen Members

Well, not really. They've been there for sometime. But now all of the members who have yet to load a picture of themselves are now included in the search results. If you are one of those guys, we hope you'll take time to update your profile with pictures. We like to see our men! Don't be shy.

http://www.wrestlemen.com

Wrestling Documentary takes on ESPN, AOL, Youtube, and eBay

Washington DC (PRWEB) July 15, 2010

STRONGHOLD: In the Grip of Wrestling, which recently made its Hollywood premiere in the All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival, cites ESPN, AOL, Youtube, and eBay for their involvement in the dissolution of wrestling in America.

ESPN's website is noted for not having a dedicated page for college wrestling. "Go down a list of sports in search of wrestling, and it's probably not there," states the narrator. Though ESPN televises the NCAA wrestling finals, you won't find the sport listed under their College Sports page.

The documentary cites eBay's 2006 decision that "all amateur-made wrestling videos (those not shown on TV) must be listed under the Mature Audiences section—even if they contain no sexual content—because they are intended to arouse." Yet the filmmaker recalls a year later seeing dozens of listings of scantily-clad female catfight and mixed wrestling videos in the General Audiences categories: "So according to eBay, girl on girl wrestling, OK. Girl on guy wrestling, sure. Two guys wrestling? PORN."

Youtube is noted for either removing homemade wrestling videos, or warning that they are "not suitable for minors," no matter what the content. Even one of the film's trailers was removed from Youtube. As with all Youtube removals, a specific reason for what part of a clip violates their Terms of Service is never given to the uploader.

AOL also temporarily removed the filmmaker's online profile in 2005 for including a picture of himself in a standard wrestling singlet. According to the email sent by AOL, such photos "clearly outline male genitalia." In a screen graphic titled, Battle of the Bulge, eighteen states are listed where it is illegal to have an erection in public under clothing.

All of these examples are part of a segment on the often homophobic perception of wrestling in America, and subsequently, the acknowledgment of wrestling's homoeroticism. A 15-minute section of the documentary includes examples of wrestling homoeroticism in the arts, advertisements, and movies. Both gay and straight-identified men describe being sexually attracted to wrestling since childhood, either while watching early pro wrestling, or participating in it themselves. A psychologist attests to this as a normal part of sexual development. The question is presented to the viewers by the narrator, "Have we created a culture of fear and shame for how nature made us, how we are as men, that is ultimately hurting wrestling?"

The two-hour documentary also covers the history of wrestling, the effects of Title IX on amateur wrestling, and how WWE altered pro wrestling (Vince McMahon meets an untimely death in the film). The growing sport of Jiu-Jitsu is also examined as a much-needed outlet for grown men to grapple. The film takes you back stage at a pro indy show, inside amateur wrestling tournaments, a jiu-jitsu school, and several wrestling events specifically geared for adult men. Award-winning filmmaker, Victor Rook, even pulls strangers out of bars and truck stops to wrestle in a portion of the film noted as The Great Wrestling Road Trip.

For additional information and to order Stronghold: In the Grip of Wrestling on DVD or online Pay-Per-View, visit the film's official website at http://www.wrestlingfilm.com/

STRONGHOLD: In the Grip of Wrestling to screen in HOLLYWOOD at the All Sports LA Film Festival

Tickets now on sale! Reserve your seat!

I am honored to announce that our documentary, "STRONGHOLD: In the Grip of Wrestling," has been officially selected for the All Sports Los Angeles Film Festival in Hollywood, CA running July 10-11. That's right, we made it to Hollywood! The film will be screened at the famous Raleigh Studios across the street from Paramount Pictures.

STRONGHOLD follows both gay and straight adult male wrestlers as they pursue their passion for wrestling: amateur, pro, and submission. The film not only details wrestling history and why wrestling is such an underappreciated sport in America, but also speaks frankly about wrestling homoeroticism and homophobia. One reviewer described the film as "a story nobody, gay or straight, has previously had the nerve to tell—and this movie is all the more remarkable because it gets every bit of it absolutely right."

If you can't make it to Hollywood, the full-length Director's Cut is available to watch online or purchase on DVD at http://www.wrestlingfilm.com/. Tickets for 2010 All Sports Film Festival are available for purchase now at All Sports LA Film Festival.

About Raleigh Studios:
Raleigh Studios is the largest owner and manager of stages and studio facilities in the world. It was the filming site for such classic movies as "In the Heat of the Night," with Rod Steiger and Sidney Poitier (which won the Oscar for Best Picture of 1967), "The Best Years of Our Lives" (the Best Picture of 1946), "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane" (1962, with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford) and the original "A Star is Born" (1937) with Janet Gaynor. Early TV show classics such as "Gunsmoke" used the studios as well.

PHOTOPOURRI: Landscapes, Nature, Cities, and More (by Victor Rook)

Hey everyone. I just published a book of some of the best photos I've taken over the past 14 years. That's how long I've been running WrestleMen.com. I know this is not wrestling-related, but if you're a fan of Landscapes and Nature, plus panoramas, I think you will like having this book on your tabletop. You can page through a few of the pictures and order it in hardcover or softcover at the link below. Vic

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1170938

New BOOK on MALE LEGS

Ok guys, it's time that there was a real good tabletop book on men's legs. I'm putting it together, and I want your LEGS in it. Here's info on submitting your leg photos: http://www.wrestlemen.com/legs/

Download "Growing Up Wrestling" book

"Growing Up Wrestling" is now available as a digital download on Amazon!

1. Install Kindle for PC. (It's FREE)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/pc/download

2. Purchase book (Save $13 over print copy)
http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Wrestling-ebook/dp/B00328I2FW

3. Read full book. (Stays in your digital library)

130 MEN SHARE THEIR PERSONAL WRESTLING STORIES:
Men from around the world share their most personal wrestling memories from childhood to adulthood--a deep and intimate look at the homoerotic nature of wrestling and its cult-like grip on men of all ages. From being turned on watching pro wrestling on TV as a kid and not knowing why, to sneaking peeks at the amateur wrestling books to see the holds, these 130 stories reveal the universal attraction of wrestling for many men, regardless of sexuality. Guys candidly share their personal wrestling experiences with friends, cousins, uncles, classmates, bullies, and more. As seen in the STRONGHOLD documentary at http://www.wrestlingfilm.com/