BRACKLA, BRIDGEND - The Total Wrestling Federation has announced that it has reached a deal that will see Roadrunner Records artist, Megadeth, perform live at the promotion's biggest event of the year, TWF Summer Break VIII, live on pay-per-view on August 18.
The Total Wrestling Federation made it's long awaited return to television in January 2007 after an absence of almost 18 months thanks to many issues that took place behind the scenes. Despite holding a one-off show in May 2006, there were doubts that Wales's number one wrestling organisation would return. But in December 2006, Managing Director and CEO Mr. BIG announced the company would return in January 2007 with a huge surprise: in high-definition. Although all the shows are now filmed in high-definition, they have yet to be shown in the new format.
Megadeth have been through a troubled spell themselves in recent years. Founded by guitarist Dave Mustaine after his ejection from Metallica in 1983, the band have sold over 20 million albums worldwide, including the two-times platinum "Countdown to Extinction", before disbanding in 2002 after Mustaine suffered an arm injury. However, after being petitioned by record company EMI for one final Megadeth record, Mustaine re-formed the band minus original bass player David Ellefson. The two filed counter-suits against each other which were settled out of court. Now, after reforming the band with new guitarist Glen Drover, his brother Shawn and bass player James Lomenzo, the band are currently touring in support of their latest release, United Abominations, which was the band's highest charting UK album in 13 years, reaching #23.
TWF Press Officer, James Hamilton, said of the band's appearance "Megadeth are a band that are certainly on the up. Their new record is performing extremely well and we understand that many of our fans are big followers of the band and their music. Hence we believe this is an excellent link-up both for us and for the band". The band will perform a track from their latest release, "Burnt Ice", which the company has selected as it's theme song for the big event. "I understand the wrestlers themselves had a major role in choosing which song from the album was chosen, and this was a popular one", Hamilton remarked.
Megadeth's founder, Dave Mustaine, has some bad experiences to do with professional wrestling performances. "In 1999, we appeared on WCW Nitro to perform "Crush'em" because at the time it was Bill Goldberg's theme. It was a terrible experience. It was a terrible crowd. But, I know for the fact that the TWF guys are big fans of the band. NJS and Mr. BIG have seen us live many times and although I haven't met them personally, yet, they always speak highly of the band and I'm thankful for that. I hope we can deliver an awesome performance for the droogs in August maybe win ourselves a new breed of fan".
The Total Wrestling Federation has it's headquarters at the famous TWF Towers in Brackla, Bridgend, which are the two tallest structures in Western Europe. The headquarters are situated next to their home arena, the TWF Arena, which was the first purpose-built venue for wrestling in the world. The company has prided itself on being ahead with technology. It's website, the TWF Web, was redesigned in January 2007 and it's discussion forums are among the most active on the internet.
Roadrunner Records was founded in 1980 in the Netherlands and originally called "Roadracer Records". In 1986, the company opened it's US offices in New York City and achieved it's first success with the legendary King Diamond. Further success followed with artists such as Sepultura, Life of Agony, Slipknot (the label's first band to reach platinum status), Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman and Type O Negative. In recent years, the band has signed established artists such as Megadeth, Black Label Society and Dream Theater to supplant it's base of young artists such as Trivium, Still Remains and DragonForce.