TNA Hall of Famer Kurt Angle and Billy Baldwin are trying to keep wrestling in the Olympics. The two celebrities are partnering up with the Committee to Preserve Olympic Wrestling to host an auction that is set to benefit the “Keep Olympic Wrestling” movement. A press release was sent out Friday:

The Committee to Preserve Olympic Wrestling (CPOW) and actor Billy Baldwin today announced an auction to benefit the Keep Olympic Wrestling movement. The auction, hosted online by eBay, will feature various items from Hollywood celebrities, wrestling and MMA legends, and one-of-a-kind experiences.

On February 12, the executive board of the Olympic Committee recommended that wrestling not be a core sport of the Olympic Games beginning in 2020. In June, wrestling was named one of three finalists for the final provisional spot in the 2020 and 2024 Games. The final decision will be made by vote of the IOC General Assembly in September.

Baldwin, a former high school and college wrestler and 2003 inductee into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame has worked with CPOW since the IOC announcement in February and has been instrumental in getting Hollywood behind the Keep Olympic Wrestling movement. The proceeds will go CPOW’s efforts to Keep Olympic Wrestling and to promote the value of wrestling to young men and women worldwide.

VISIT THE AUCTION AT EBAY.COM/SAVEWRESTLINGM

“The values of work ethic, discipline and mental toughness that are instilled through training and competition transcend the sport of wrestling,” said Baldwin. “Later in life, when you are fighting your way through adversity, dealing with the challenges of being a husband and father, or in the pursuit of your career, they will come back to serve you well.”

The first of three auctions will launch this Friday, July 12th at www.ebay.com/savewrestling. Sign up now for an email reminder when it goes live!

Some of the items you will be able to bid on include:

• Rio 2016 Summer Games packages, including event tickets and VIP access
• Chris Weidman Premium MMA Experience
• Walk-on role on “Boardwalk Empire” and a meet and greet with Steve Buscemi
• Attend the premier of “Foxcatcher” starring Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum, and Sienna Miller
• One-hour training session with “The Natural” Randy Couture; includes 3 days/2 nights at the D Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas
• Meet Jay Leno at “The Tonight Show” and go backstage to the legendary green room.
• Spend the afternoon with Mario Lopez on the set of “Extra”
• Lunch with Tom Arnold
• Watch the Mike & Mike Show live at ESPN and have lunch with Mike Golic
• Ultimate VIP UFC package including tickets and gear
• Pre-fight experience with TNA IMPACT WRESTLING star and former Olympian Kurt Angle

ABOUT CPOW
The Committee for the Preservation of Olympic Wrestling (CPOW) was developed by USA Wrestling, whose mission is to insure that wrestling remains as a core sport of the Olympic Games. CPOW features many highly-respected leaders within the American wrestling, chaired by Bill Scherr of Glenview, Ill., a World champion and Olympic medalist in freestyle wrestling and a leader in the Olympic family.

About Kompolt
Since 2002, Kompolt has executed over 500 high-profile Cause Marketing campaigns. These campaigns, launched globally to large and diverse communities on eBay and social networks like Facebook and Twitter, have built brand awareness and goodwill for over 400 of the world’s best-known brands, celebrities, agencies and charities. Kompolt campaigns have raised over $40 million for causes worldwide, attracted billions of impressions and engaged millions of consumers in cause-driven transactions. Kompolt is a Causemedia Group company. Read more about current and campaigns at kompolt.com.

 

Follow Doug McDonald on Twitter

MORE IN WRESTLING

  • Impact Wrestling Results – July 11, 2013

    Live Coverage
  • Update: Liev Schreiber Will Not Be Portraying Chris Benoit in Upcoming Film

    News
  • WWE Performance Center is Officially Open

    News
  • Possible Locations for WrestleMania in 2015/2016

    News
  • Backstage News on The Shield vs. Usos, Dean Ambrose Match Cut

    News
  • Actor Liev Schreiber Set to Play Chris Benoit in “CrossFace”

    News
  • WWE May Open a Restaurant With Physical Hall of Fame in Orlando

    News
  • Backstage Update on the McMahons’ Role at WrestleMania XXX

    News
  • Backstage Plans For WWE’s SummerSlam PPV

    News
  • Vickie Guerrero May Manage Ryback Following Money In The Bank

    News