Kurt Angle And Ken Shamrock To Film A Movie Together This Weekend

– The following press release was sent out today…

INDIE HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING PIC BEYOND THE MAT PUMPED UP BY SOME LORDS OF THE RING

These days, the web buzz around Beyond The Mat, the high school wrestling drama starring John Wynn and Days of Our Lives’ hottie Mark Hapka, is steadily building into the roar of the crowd as the film is granted some extra heft from pro wrestlers Kurt Angle and Ken Shamrock. The Olympic Gold medalist and UFC champion, respectively, will be appearing in pivotal scenes in the indie pic based on the Tribeca fest-winning screenplay. The film, the feature directorial debut of Van Pham, is executive produced by L.A.-based Catch 22 Entertainment.

Angle, a six-time WWF champ and TNA Triple Crown winner, portrays a menacing coach to Dominic, the sinister opponent of our unlikely hero, Aaron (Wynn), whose pursuit of the ring is nearly derailed by his Hamlet-like quest to find himself while avenging a long-standing grudge.

Shamrock, a UFC Hall of Famer and four-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, who has headlined more than 15 main events in the UFC and Pride Championships, may be slightly overqualified for his role as an exuberant color commentator in Beyond The Mat’s key fight scenes, but his presence, and Angle’s, underscore the filmmakers’ commitment to tapping real-world wrestling sensibilities.

What’s more, the film has already garnered endorsements from USA Wrestling as well as the National High School Coaches Association.

To further burnish the film’s sports-world cred, Catch 22’s VP of Production Lorna Paul has secured the talents of editor Scott Conrad, best known for his masterful, Oscar-winning cut of Rocky, everyone’s favorite rags-to-riches-in-the-ring tale.