Various: Impact’s Parent Anthem Undergoes Restructuring, Superstar Billy Graham Update, Indies

Impact’s Parent Company Underwent Restructuring, Impact EVP Scott D’Amore Given Promotion

Impact Wrestling’s parent company Anthem Media announced that they recent underwent a restructuring process. It was announced that Lou D’Angeli was recently hired to become their new Vice President of Marketing and Richard Schaefer was recently hired to become their new President of Anthem Sports Group.

In regards to Impact, it was announced the Impact Executive Vice President Scott D’Amore was recently promoted to President of Impact.

Official press release:

RICHARD SCHAEFER NAMED PRESIDENT OF ANTHEM SPORTS GROUP

Scott D’Amore promoted to President of IMPACT Wrestling

Lou D’Angeli joins as Vice President of Marketing

Mike Pine’s Talon Partnerships joins as Strategic Advisors handling Brand Partnerships

LOS ANGELES, March 13, 2023 – Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc., a global, multi-platform media company, announced today that respected global combat sports executive Richard Schaefer has been named President of its sports properties, which are to be re-organized as a separate operating group under the name Anthem Sports Group Inc. (ASG). These properties include ASG’s iconic IMPACT Wrestling promotion, trailblazing all-female MMA organization Invicta Fighting Championships, and, Fight Network, the world’s premier 24/7 combat sports channel.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in the combat sports and boxing realm, Schaefer will oversee ASG and play a key role in building strategic partnerships and relationships with leading sponsors, brands, agents and athletes in the industry. The hiring of Schaefer is a testament to Anthem’s commitment to building global prominence of its events and broadcasts. Under Schaefer, ASG will aggressively pursue additional acquisitions in the combat sports and professional wrestling businesses. Schaefer’s wide-ranging background in professional boxing will also be leveraged to establish a boxing promotion platform.

“Richard Schaefer is a major force in the combat sports and boxing arena,” said Leonard Asper, Anthem President and CEO. “As one of the industry’s most respected executives, he leads with integrity and brings an unprecedented wealth of expertise—cultivated from more than two decades working alongside the sport’s biggest brands and most legendary fighters. Anthem is pleased to welcome him to our executive team as the President of Anthem Sports Group, and we look forward to reaching even greater heights as a global sports powerhouse under his guidance.”

Stated Schaefer: “I am beyond thrilled to be joining the Anthem team and ASG. Len Asper, Ed Nordholm, Scott D’Amore and Shannon Knapp have built a fantastic business, and I am honored to be working with them. Together, we will create a global destination which attracts the best talent and delivers the most exciting content across all aspects of combat sports. All of our assets under the ASG umbrella will create new and innovative synergies when dealing with distribution platforms, sponsors, venues and fan interaction.”

Schaefer brings a long track record of success to ASG, having served as the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, where he was integral in developing the platform into a key player in the sport. Over his 20+ years in the combat sports space, he promoted or advised some of the most iconic stars — from Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo Alvarez, to UFC Superstar Jon Jones. Helming over 527 promoted events, he is one of the leading all-time promoters in boxing and has generated record-breaking gate and pay-per-view revenues.

Anthem has also brought in two senior executives and promoted Scott D’Amore to President of IMPACT Wrestling to highlight its goal of growing the Sports Group. D’Amore and Shannon Knapp, the President of Invicta FC, will report to Schaefer.

“Scott has established himself as the leader of IMPACT Wrestling since joining us in 2018, re-establishing the promotion as one of the finest professional wrestling promotions in the world,” said Ed Nordholm, Chief Corporate Officer of Anthem.

Schaefer will be working with former WWE and Cirque du Soleil executive Lou D’Angeli, who has joined Anthem Sports Group as Vice President of Marketing. In this role, D’Angeli is overseeing all aspects of marketing, advertising, promotion, and public relations for ASG.

D’Angeli has more than 25 years of experience in event marketing and promotion, having served as Vice President of Marketing for Cirque du Soleil where he was responsible for all marketing, advertising, public relations, and digital media strategy for North America. Additionally, he served as Director of Marketing for WWE, developing and implementing all national advertising strategies, social media initiatives, and fan festivals and experiential events.

“In just a few months, Lou has been a leader in increasing awareness and attendance at both IMPACT Wrestling and Invicta FC events,” continued Nordholm. “With his past experience in event promotion and marketing at such iconic brands, we are very lucky to have Lou on the team and his expertise is already providing dividends.”

Anthem also announced that Mike Pine & Talon Partnerships have been retained by ASG as Strategic Advisors, focused on securing sponsorships and new revenue initiatives for IMPACT Wrestling and Invicta FC. While Pine & Talon’s initial emphasis will be placed on the Sports Group properties, Talon’s scope will also include Anthem’s diverse entertainment offerings.

Previously, Pine has held the Head of Global Sales/Chief Revenue Officer positions for four separate billion-dollar companies. Under Pine’s leadership, Talon has grown into a world-class organization with the singular purpose of delivering revenue for its high-profile clientele — ranging from renowned sports and entertainment properties and influencers to NCAA and professional athletes, and more.

“Mike is a true combat sports veteran, having worked with several world leaders in the MMA and professional wrestling industries,” added Nordholm. “In addition to his expansive knowledge, he comes armed with unparalleled insight and ideas that go outside the box—forming strategic partnerships and initiatives that fit the mission of each brand, while exponentially growing awareness and revenue. We are confident that the talented team that we have assembled under Mr. Schaefer’s leadership is well-positioned to expand our offerings in the combat sports arena, utilizing world-class IP directed at combat sports enthusiasts.”

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“Superstar” Billy Graham Health Status Update – Graham Undergoing Dialysis & Suffered Hearing Loss

As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer Superstar Billy Graham is currently dealing with a bone infection that has spread to his bone ears and portion of his skull. Graham was recently hospitalized for a second time over this health issue.

Graham’s wife Valerie recently provided a health update on Facebook stating that Graham recently began dialysis treatment for his acute renal failure health issues and he also recently suffered hearing loss due to the situation with his bone infection in his head.

“Greetings facebook friends and fans. Below is an update from Billy’s wife Valerie. God Bless you all, and thank you:

Update on Wayne;

First I want to apologize for not updating everyone before now…between the stress and concern for my husband along with me still recovering from Covid it’s been an incredibly challenging week.
Wayne is still in the hospital…He had dialysis on Monday and Wednesday…. tolerated it well…they’ve seen some slight improvement in his kidney function.

Still dealing with the congestion in his lungs and some heart concerns. But truthfully as far as what the doctors are saying the infection in his head seems to be the biggest issue and the most difficult to treat. (He’s also back to 100% deafness in both ears).

The need for prayers continues….my hope is in God…All things are possible with Him…..thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

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Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

New Japan Pro Wrestling recently announced that Hiromu Takahashi, Tetsuya Naito, and SANADA will be making an appearance at their Capital Collision 2023 event on April 15th in Washington, D.C. and Collision in Philadelphia 2023 event on April 16th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

NJPW also recently announced that lance Archer will be making an appearance for the company at their Collision in Philadelphia 2023 event on April 16th in Philadelphia.

MMAFighting.com reported that TBS did not renew their contract for a second season of Dana White’s Power Slap television series and this past Wednesday’s episode was the final one on the network. In regards to the future of the series, White stated during a recent interview with The Pat McAfee Show that he has already signed a deal with Rumble to air the next season of Power Slap on their streaming service.

Ring of Honor reportedly is currently rumored to be holding their next set of tapings for ROH TV during the weekend of March 25th, according to the Wrestling Observer. Dave Meltzer reported that ROH currently does not have a new episode of ROH TV scheduled to air on March 30th while both RUSH and Dralistico were recently pulled from Lucha Libre AAA’s event on March 25th in Saltillo, Mexico.

Former TNA Wrestling wrestler Crimson, real name Anthony Mayweather, reportedly was arrested on March 8th in Clarksville, Tennessee, according to Clarksville Today. It was reported that Crimson was charged with violating a a previous protection order against him following the discovery by police of recent text messages and phone calls threats he made towards his wife and juvenile son.

Former WCW and ECW wrestler Lance Storm reportedly will be inducted into the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame as a member of this year’s class on May 6th, according to Bay Today.

Absolute Intense Wrestling announced that indie wrestlers Dominic Garrini, Joshua Bishop, Derek Dillinger, and Marino Tenaglia were involved in a serious car accident while on route to their scheduled booking event this past Sunday. Garrini provided an update on Twitter on Monday stating that all four of them are currently feeling fine besides just some soreness.

Major League Wrestling recently announced that John Hennigan and Jimmy Lloyd are the next set of official competitors for the Battle Riot match at their Battle Riot V event on April 8th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

MLW also recently announced a new match for the card of their war Chamber 2023 event on April 6th in New York City, New York:

• Billie Starkz vs. B3CCA

Impact Wrestling recently announced a new match for the card of their co-promoted Impact x NJPW Multiverse United event with New Japan Pro Wrestling on March 30th in Los Angeles, California:

• Impact Knockouts World Championship Four-way match – Deonna Purrazzo vs. Gisele Shaw vs. Miyu Yamashita vs. Mickie James (c)