Wrestling at the Summit: WWE Talent Comes to Learn in Philly

Yes, we know CTAM’s Summit is using a boxing theme (‘the Thrilla in Philla’), but another ring-based sport certainly will have a presence, as a trio of WWE retired "Legends" and active talent will be on hand later this month in Philadelphia. But autograph seekers beware: the trip to the city of brotherly love will hardly be a promo tour for Sgt Slaughter and Hillbilly Jim and current wrestler Stacy Keebler. "They’re going as attendees, they’ll be at the tracks that are VOD related. They’re going to be trained, they’re going to learn," WWE svp Tom Barreca says. Slaughter and Hillbilly are members of WWE’s Legends, retired wrestlers who travel the country to promote VOD service WWE 24/7 among other WWE products (Cfax, 06/20). "You’ll see them at the breakout sessions, you’ll see them at the panels, they’ll be asking questions. They’re not going to be in the hallway in chairs signing press photos." You’ll have to work hard to miss this trio. ‘Sarge’ is a 6′ 6" four-time heavyweight champ, who wrestled at 320 lbs. Blond diva Keebler should have no trouble getting noticed; she’s WWE’s reigning ‘babe of the year,’ having captured 57% of the vote in Sept. And Hillbilly has a basso profundo that will be noticeable when he asks questions during the sessions, which he assures us he will. Beyond the sessions, Hillbilly’s looking forward to meeting cable ops during breaks. "I want to find out what we can do for them," he says. Hardly a cable neophyte, he’s met dozens of operators and CSRs over the years. "They couldn’t be nicer," he says. Glad to hear it-Hillbilly’s a strapping lad of 6’7" and 320 lbs.