Three of the biggest names in US sports entertainment are making a fishing programme in Bermuda — but the Island is to be the star of the show.

Former WWE champions Shawn Michaels and John (Bradshaw) Layfield will take to the water next month along with the latter’s fellow WWE commentator Michael Cole.

The trio will be filmed trying to catch marlin for Michaels’ MRA programme on the Outdoor Channel. Their trip coincides with the Blue Marlin World Cup.

Michaels’ show is one of the highest rated on the channel and WWE is expected to promote the programme to its more than four million social media followers — a massive advertisement for Bermuda tourism.

Mr Layfield, who has a home on the Island, said: “Shawn Michaels is bringing his entire crew over to Bermuda but it’s not going to be just about fishing, it will be a travel channel-type show about the entire Bermuda experience.

“That’s the way I want to show it and that’s what they want — a nice piece showing more of Bermuda like Mr Barnes, the fairways of Mid Ocean Club . . . showing what a great place Bermuda is.

“I love the Island. I’ve no economic interest in this show, I just want to showcase the place I live and show what great a place it is.”

The trio will be on board Paradise One, a 54-foot catamaran helmed by experienced Bermudian fishermen Allan and Delvin Bean,

The brothers have more than 25 years of experience and Mr Layfield is confident they will help the WWE team catch a few marlin and highlight how good the fishing is in Bermuda’s waters.

He said: “It’s the best boat on the Island and Delvin is made for television. All they’ve ever done is fish and they’re a lot of fun to be around.”

Filming is due to begin on July 3 and continue on July 4, the day of the Blue Marlin World Cup.

Mr Layfield said: “Marlin fishing is tough so we’re going out the day before the tournament to have the ocean to ourselves and catch some fish — marlin, wahoo, tuna.

“But we’re going to do tons of filming on the Island too. Bermuda Tourism Authority has some HD helicopter footage they have offered us.”

Mr Layfield added that “there’s not enough praise” for the team at the Authority.

“They’ve been so helpful with the fishing show, handling work permits and so on, they made the process so simple,” he said.

Mr Michaels is a former WWE world champion, heavyweight champion and was inducted into the exclusive WWE Hall of Fame. His MRA show quickly became one of the most popular on the Outdoor Channel when it began in 2011. The episode in Bermuda will air in an upcoming season.

Mr Layfield and Mr Cole are watched by millions of wrestling fans as commentators for WWE Raw and Smackdown and host their own programme on WWE’s YouTube channel, The JBL and Cole Show.

Three years ago Mr Layfield helped to found the Beyond Rugby programme in Bermuda, which works with “at risk” youngsters. The project focuses on helping the students graduate through homework classes as well as giving them the stability, discipline and fun associated with team sports.

“What’s important is our young people, they’re great kids,” Mr Layfield said.