Wrestlicious!
NEW TAMPA — The youngest Powerball winner ever has packed up his millions and moved to Tampa Bay, fulfilling his dream of working in the wrestling business with a wild new TV show. Combine beautiful women, professional wrestling, and part of a $17 million lottery payout, then stir — and you get the new TV show “Wrestlicious”.
“MAD TV + the WWE + Baywatch + Dave Chappelle = Wrestlicious,” explained Powerball winner Jay Vargas, who’s helping finance the show with his lottery loot.
Videos of the show posted on YouTube show a mix of pro wrestling, sketch comedy, and bikini photo shoots — all involving women in a variety of skin-tight outfits.
And one of the recurring characters on “Wrestlicious” is “J.V. Rich” — “The rapper-slash-owner of ‘Wrestlicious,’” Vargas said.
“J.V. Rich” is a mansion-dwelling, single 21-year old millionaire surrounded by ladies and spending cash like crazy. What’s that character have in common with the real Jay Vargas?
“Attractive and handsome — like myself,” Vargas said with a laugh that showed he wasn’t taking himself seriously.
Physical appearance is about all the two share. The real Vargas is normal — and pretty humble. After snagging a $17 million lump sum payment last year at age 19, becoming Powerball’s youngest-ever winner, Vargas vowed to spend his money smartly.
“I don’t have the temptation to go out and buy 15 cars or 50 houses, or a big mansion with 50-plus rooms… I just want to be comfortable,” he said.
He’s settled down with a wife and family in a nice, but not-over-the-top house in New Tampa. His money and his mind are totally devoted to his TV show-in-the making.
Since Tampa Bay’s home to so many wrestlers, Vargas made it his home, too. It’s a much better situation than the rumors he hears back home in South Carolina.
“I hear I’m dead every month,” Vargas said, repeating a rumor that he hears about when he talks to friend and family. “Ever since I won the Powerball.”
“They actually did a press conference saying that I was dead and that I was found in pieces or something like that. I think it’s sort of funny. ‘Cause I’m not dead at all,” he said with a big laugh.
Vargas said his producer is working with TV networks to find a home for the TV show, which has already filmed a pilot episode hosted by wrestling promoter Jimmy Hart.
