Is the world ready for a Jasmin St. Claire action figure? Even if it isn't, the world may not have much of a choice.
After nearly a year's worth of negotiations, Extreme Associates' Rob Black has finalized a deal with the ECW [Extreme Championship Wrestling] that will bring the adult video business not only to the doorstep of professional wrestling, but allows it to play in wrestling's backyard, too. Black's deal also opens the door for a potential new line of porno action figures, as well.
Black and ECW owner Paul E. Dangerously came to terms on the deal in February after a 15-hour marathon session. The deal, essentially, will offer cross-promotional opportunities for the two companies. Ads for Black's new T&A line will appear on 60-second commercial spots during ECW telecasts and on ECW video releases, while ads for ECW will appear on Black's Extreme Video line. And there's more.
Jasmine St. Claire also plays an important part in the overall scheme of things and is said to have been the linchpin in the whole deal. St. Claire will begin appearing as a character in the Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday night ECW broadcasts that air on the MSG [Madison Square Garden], Sunshine and Empire networks as well as DirecTV.
In the storylines, St. Claire will be playing a "heel" [the wrestling term for bad guy]; and Francine, an ECW cupcake staple will switch roles and become a "baby face" [the term for good guy]. St. Claire will be a roving reporter and will feud with Francine. Jasmin will develop into the most hated woman in wrestling, if all plays out as it should.
"That's me, naturally," St. Claire said. Also included in the Black/ECW package is a distribution deal allowing ECW tapes to get in the Brazilian market. Black's recent business jaunt to Brazil helped set that situation up.
"We'll also be doing live wrestling shows in Brazil," said Black. "I'll be the Brazilian ECW representative."
One of the more intriguing aspects of the Black-ECW deal is the inclusion of the action figures concept among which will be, besides St. Claire's, a Tom Byron doll. The Byron doll will complete with a miniature porno set. The ECW deal will also have Black entering the softcore field with the production of the Tom Byron "casting call" tapes that will be advertised on ECW programming.
"This is bigger than what anyone's done in the adult business," said Black. "I'm finally validated. Maybe I'll win the AVN marketing award - finally."
