After the Big Win: Young lottery winner stakes hopes on Wrestling show
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.
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