Launched on November 1st, WrestleConnex is a new innovation to help the wrestling community at large, by offering health and life insurance.
The people behind Wrestleconnex are former Cauliflower Alley Club executives Gloria Lovell (President), Howard T. Brody (Vice President, former President of the National Wrestling Association), Scott Hosey (Treasurer), and David Buckler (Secretary).
SlamWrestling.net had a chance to speak with WrestleConnex President, Gloria Lovell.
“WrestleConnex is an exclusive network of professionals comprised of those who work or perform in the professional wrestling industry. The goal of our organization is to provide its members with the information, tools, benefits and advice that will assist them in both their personal and professional development,” said Lovell.
The former CAC board members stayed in touch after cutting ties with the organization.
“Over time we wondered if there was something we could do to help those in the business, and after several conference calls, WrestleConnex is what we decided would be most beneficial to those in the industry. We began discussing it in late June of this year, so it all came together very quickly,” said the Colorado-based Lovell, who has a background in event planning, including time at Denver’s Pepsi Center.
To compliment the WrestleConnex powers are ambassadors, including James J. Dillon, Sgt. Slaughter, Rockin’ Robin Smith, “Cheerleader” Melissa Anderson and promoter David Marquez.
But what does an ambassador do?
“Our ambassadors will, first and foremost, spread the word,” explained Lovell. “In addition, we will host monthly webinars with an ambassador in order to help our members develop their persona, and advance their career. We are looking for folks who can advise in all areas of the business, including planning for their post wrestling life.”
Offering health and life insurance industry-wide — U.S. based — is ambitious.
“Our goal is to provide these benefits to anyone in the business who needs them. And, we hope to host events in different parts of the company, that will be an extension of what the ambassadors do, and provide the opportunity for networking in the industry,” she said.
Partnered with a major insurance carrier, WrestleConnex was created to help any wrestler that works over 20 hours a week by providing health and life insurance. In addition to group benefits and health insurance plans, the membership-based organization will offer Group Benefits for life, final expense and disability insurance along with financial planning and initial consultation on legal services.
Here is the full announcement:
Introducing WrestleConnex – A new non-profit organization for those in the Professional Wrestling industry
Aurora, CO – Founded by four former members of the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC) Executive Board, WrestleConnex, Inc. is a new non-profit corporation headquartered in Colorado designed to provide benefits for those who have previously been or are currently working in the professional wrestling industry.
Emboldened by their love of the business and understanding that the industry has had its share of challenges, WrestleConnex set out to create a stand-alone organization that, along with the help of various strategic partners, addresses some of the issues by offering group benefits to current and former participants.
Led by President Gloria Lovell, WrestleConnex is a membership-based organization whose providers offer WrestleConnex members specially discounted Group Benefit health insurance plans including medical, dental, vision and hospitalization. Group Benefits for life, final expense and disability insurance are also available. Additionally, provisions have been made for WrestleConnex members to receive a complimentary financial planning session and an initial consultation for legal services should the need arise.
In addition to these benefits, WrestleConnex has made arrangements with one of the world’s foremost discount and rewards programs to provide their members with discounts on thousands of products and services ranging from hotel rooms and rental cars to gym memberships, food delivery services, computers, apparel, movie and event tickets, and much more!
“Our motto of ‘Learn. Share. Connect.’ is derived from our mission statement,” said Lovell. “This is an exciting time for the professional wrestling industry and we’re proud to be doing something that should have happened long ago.”
In a relatively short period of time, WrestleConnex has gained support from several well-known and respected personalities in the professional wrestling industry, enabling the establishment of an advisory board. Members of the advisory board will serve as “Ambassadors” who will not only advise the organization, but will host or participate in monthly online seminars that will be geared toward assisting in the development of younger talent. James J. Dillon, Sgt. Slaughter, Rockin’ Robin Smith, “Cheerleader” Melissa Anderson and promoter David Marquez have been named the organization’s first five Ambassadors.
Lovell pointed out that despite the connection between the four founders of WrestleConnex being former CAC Executive Board members, the public should not misinterpret the formation of the new non-profit as an extension of CAC, nor as an attempt to replicate its mission. All four of the WrestleConnex founders continue to support CAC and are Lifetime Members.
“The CAC does a lot of good,” Lovell reminded us, stating that their Benevolent Fund has helped a lot of people over the years, “especially those who were retired and were in dire straits.” She also explained that WrestleConnex has more of a focus on those who are able to help themselves by enabling those who can afford to, get the benefits they need at group rates.
WrestleConnex officially launched on November 1, 2020 with the opening of its Website and social media pages.
Rounding out the WrestleConnex Board of Directors are founders Howard T. Brody (Vice President), Scott Hosey (Treasurer), and David Buckler (Secretary).
The organization’s mission statement reads: “WrestleConnex is an exclusive network of professionals comprised of those who work or perform in the professional wrestling industry. The goal of our organization is to provide its members with the information, tools, benefits and advice that will assist them in both their personal and professional development.”
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