"LUCHA UNDERGROUND" SIGNS AAA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION ALBERTO EL PATRÓN
January 17, 2015, Los Angeles - "Lucha Underground" has signed AAA World Heavyweight Champion Alberto El Patrón it was announced today by "Lucha Underground" the new Lucha Libre wrestling franchise from Emmy Award(R)-winning producer Mark Burnett, United Artists Media Group, Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures. The Mexican professional wrestler and mixed martial artist competed in his first match in Los Angeles today, January 17th. "Lucha Underground" airs Wednesday nights at 8:00pm on El Rey Network and on Saturdays at 4:00 pm in Spanish on UniM�s.
"We are thrilled to have Alberto El Patrón join 'Lucha Underground'" said Executive Producer and Showrunner Eric Van Wagenen. "He is a bold and exciting luchador who delivers attitude and skill. He is a very welcome addition to our roster."
Ancient tradition, extraordinary athleticism and a flare for theatrics combine in El Rey Network's hour-long wrestling series, "Lucha Underground". The riveting original series introduces American audiences to the high-flying aerial maneuvers, slingshot moves, dramatic masks, intricate, rapid-fire combinations and distinctive wrestling techniques of Lucha Libre, one of Mexico's most popular sports. Executive produced by Mark Burnett's United Artists Media Group in association with FactoryMade Ventures, fans will have a ringside seat as masked villains and heroes face off to battle for wrestling supremacy. Some of AAA's most legendary Luchadores-Blue Demon Jr., Sexy Star, Fenix, Drago and Pentagon Jr. join U.S. based wrestlers Chavo Guerrero Jr., Konnan, Johnny Mundo and Prince Puma and more to provide enthusiastic viewers with an incredibly visceral and explosive experience with a focus on the artistry, originality, intense action and over the top characters that has come to define this phenomenal fan-favorite. A celebration of lucha libre's long-standing Mesoamerican heritage and culture, dating back to 1863, this is programming that must be seen to be believed.
"Lucha Underground" is produced by United Artists Media Group in association with FactoryMade Ventures for El Rey Network. Executive producers are Mark Burnett, Eric Van Wagenen (also showrunner) and Brian Edwards of United Artists Media Group; Dorian Rold�n from Lucha Libre AAA; Alejandro Garcia and Antonio Cué S�nchez-Navarro; El Rey Network co-founder Robert Rodriguez; and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. The series will be distributed internationally by United Artists Media Group.
About El Rey Network
El Rey Network is a new 24-hour English language network founded by maverick filmmaker Robert Rodriguez. Curated by Rodriguez and his artistic collective, the network unites the most culturally diverse generation in history through fearless, badass and original content that awakens the renegade in everyone. The network's action-packed content is anchored by original signature dramas, feature films, grindhouse genre, cult classic action, and horror/sci-fi. El Rey Network LLC (www.elreynetwork.com) is jointly owned by Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures with a minority stake held by Univision Networks & Studios, Inc.
About United Artists Media Group
United Artists Media Group (UAMG) is a joint venture among MGM, Mark Burnett, Roma Downey and Hearst Corporation, focused on developing, producing and financing premium content across all platforms, including scripted and non-scripted television programs, motion pictures and digital content.
About Lucha Libre AAA
Lucha Libre AAA is a media and entertainment company founded in 1992 by Antonio Pena Herrada and manages the IP of the "AAA" brand and another 250 characters in its league. The company produces Lucha Libre events globally including venues such as Palacio de los Deportes, Arena Monterrey, HP Pavilion, Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles Sports Arena and Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to working with sponsors such as Corona, Hershey's, Comex and Unilever, the league has released an animated movie and videogame in the Mexican market. Lucha Libre AAA develops 5 hours of content per week that is aired on three television channels in Mexico: Galavision and Televisa Deportes Network.
About FactoryMade Ventures
FactoryMade is an incubator for entertainment businesses and was founded by John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. The company builds IP-based franchises and production and distribution platforms by leveraging its strong ties to the Hollywood creative community and partnering with global brands and investors. Its ventures include El Rey Network and Tres Pistoleros Studios with Robert Rodriguez and a joint venture with the leading Mexican wrestling league Lucha Libre AAA. In addition to working with corporate partners such as Telefonica and JCP, they previously spearheaded the creation of Hasbro's film business (Transformers, G.I. Joe, Battleship) and television business (Hasbro TV Studios, the Hub Network with Discovery Communications), and developed retail's first integrated digital gaming and commerce platform with HSN (HSN Arcade).
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