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Joe Rogan Inks New Spotify Podcast Deal, Reportedly Worth $380m - Feb 2024

Controversial podcaster Joe Rogan (above) has renewed his deal with Spotify, reportedly worth up to $US250 million ($AU383 million), a significant improvement on his previous deal.

Importantly, this new deal means that The Joe Rogan Experience is no longer exclusive to Spotify and allows his podcast to be distributed to YouTube, Apple and other podcasting platforms. His previous deal was reported to be worth between $US100-200 million ($AU153-$AU301 million).

The news marks a big change in strategy for Spotify, too. Four years ago, Rogan signed his first exclusive deal with the audio platform, during a blitz of similar deals with other podcasters. As such, Rogan’s podcast could only be enjoyed through the platform.

With this new deal allowing Rogan to post wherever he may, it marks the end of Spotify’s exclusivity efforts. Call Her Daddy became widely available earlier this week and Spotify launched a new show with Trevor Noah last year without exclusivity rights.

“The Joe Rogan Experience debuted in 2009, has been a Spotify exclusive since 2020, and we’re just getting started,” Spotify wrote in a blog post.

“Today we announced our new multiyear partnership deal with JRE. There’s so much more ahead, including that the show will soon be available on additional platforms. JRE remains podcasting’s king, consistently ranking as the most-listened-to podcast globally and our users have ranked the show as Spotify’s Wrapped top podcast each year since 2020”.

Google Releases Super Bowl Spot Teaser Created By Blind Director - Feb 2024

Google has released a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at its Super Bowl commercial which has been directed by Adam Morse, a “filmmaker who happens to be blind”.

 The video explains how Morse was able to direct the advert using Google’s AI-powered Guided Frame feature that emits audio cues to tell the users what is in the frame.

Meta Ad Revenues Jump Nearly A Quarter, Amazon Also Sees Big Ad Revenue Climb - Feb 2024

Meta’s advertising revenues jumped by 24 per cent year-on-year to $US38 billion ($AU58.8 billion) in the three months ended 31 December.

The number of ad impressions across all of Meta’s apps increased by more than a fifth and the average price per ad climbed by two per cent. Overall, the company’s revenue jumped by 25 per cent in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the same time in 2022.

“We had a good quarter as our community and business continue to grow,” said Mark Zuckerberg, Meta founder and CEO. “We’ve made a lot of progress on our vision for advancing AI and the metaverse.”

As a result of those bumper earnings, Meta’s stock price surged by 14 per cent in extended trading — despite Zuck’s bruising appearance in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee which accused the American businessman of ignoring the severity of of child exploitation on his company’s apps.

Its Reality Labs division, which is responsible for creating the metaverse, saw its losses grow a further nine per cent in the last quarter for just over $US4.6 billion ($AU7 billion).

Meanwhile, Amazon saw its ad revenues climb by 27 per cent year — though it is operating in an entirely different universe to Meta’s soaring ad money.

In Q4 2023, it brought in $US14.6 billion ($AU22.2 billion), up from $US11.5 billion ($AU17.49 billion).

“This Q4 was a record-breaking Holiday shopping season and closed out a robust 2023 for Amazon,” said Andy Jassy, Amazon CEO.

“While we made meaningful revenue, operating income, and free cash flow progress, what we’re most pleased with is the continued invention and customer experience improvements across our businesses… AWS’s continued long-term focus on customers and feature delivery, coupled with new genAI capabilities like Bedrock, Q, and Trainium have resonated with customers and are starting to be reflected in our overall results; our Advertising services continue to improve and drive positive results; our newer businesses are progressing nicely, and along with our more established businesses, collectively making customers’ lives easier and better every day”.

BlackRock Now Holds Whopping 52,025 BTC For its Spot Bitcoin ETF; Solana (SOL) And InQubeta (QUBE) Eye Significant Price Jump

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has been making incredible strides in the spot Bitcoin ETF market. Following the SEC decision on Bitcoin ETFs on January 10, the market has been growing at an incredible pace. And yes, BlackRock has been at the forefront.

The asset manager now holds a staggering 52,052 BTC, worth over $2.18 billion—depending on Bitcoin’s valuation—for its spot Bitcoin ETF. Recently, following Google’s policy update, its spot Bitcoin ETF was one of the first to be advertised on the platform, which continues its quest to capture a large share of the market.

At the same time, Solana (SOL) and InQubeta (QUBE) appear primed for a significant price jump. With a strong bullish wave to surf, these are the best cryptos to invest in.

InQubeta (QUBE): Potential 70x Jump After Launch

InQubeta (QUBE) has been creating a stir in the crypto scene, and for the right reasons. It recently soared past $8.6 million in its ongoing presale, with sights set on breaking the $10 million fundraising milestone. That isn’t all; its innovative concept has been hailed as one of the most bullish narratives, propelling the massive demand in its ICO stage.

Its unique offering will be a crypto-based crowdfunding platform for AI tech startups and an NFT marketplace. This will assist in its vision of reshaping the fast-rising AI market, particularly in areas relating to fundraising and market accessibility. Given the critical role it will play, analysts tip it as the best new crypto to invest in.

BlackRock: 52,052 BTC in Spot Bitcoin ETF

Investor sentiment post BTC ETF has been on the rise, and BlackRock has been adding to its Bitcoin holdings in the process. BlackRock, the largest asset manager in the world, now has a whopping 52,052 BTC for its spot Bitcoin ETF after a recent purchase. It has been one of the top gainers in the BTC ETF market, receiving a huge chunk of inflows.

With further purchases anticipated in the coming days, the price of BTC is expected to soar. This makes its current price a good entry point, especially if you wish to ride the market’s current bullish wave.

Since the launch of the spot Bitcoin ETF market on January 11, it has been growing at a remarkable pace. Currently, it is the second-largest ETF commodity after flipping silver in just a week of trading, with the rivalry now being Bitcoin ETF vs. gold.

Solana (SOL): Aiming for $150

The Bitcoin ETF market effects have been largely bearish so far, causing a market downturn, with Solana (SOL), one of the top altcoins, declining. However, the market has been on the rise, and Solana has been mirroring the upward trajectory.

According to forecasts, following the reclaiming of the $100 support, SOL’s next stop is $150. This significant jump will be on the back of rising adoption and demand, which makes the coming days exciting and SOL a good crypto to buy.

Given the above, Solana is one of the most promising plays not to miss out on. To avoid the fear of missing out (FOMO), we recommend holding some of the tokens in your portfolio.

Conclusion

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, now boasts 52,025 BTC for its spot Bitcoin ETF. Meanwhile, Solana and InQubeta have been making waves, primed for a significant upward trajectory, especially InQubeta.

How to watch the halftime show at the 2024 Super Bowl

Sin City’s Super Bowl 58 will have the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers facing off in a sold-out Allegiant Stadium full of roaring fans, some award-worthy commercials and a can't-miss performance by Usher at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.

In an interview with Vogue, the "Yeah" singer revealed that he wants his halftime show performance to “a celebration for everybody, for all of us, from the beginning up until this point.” Usher also explained that he plans to have “R&B take the main stage” and has invited some special guests to join him onstage who represent “not just R&B music, but R&B performance, R&B connection, R&B spirit.” The R&B and pop legend has previously performed during a Super Bowl halftime show as a guest of The Black Eyed Peas, who headlined the performance during Super Bowl XLV.

So whether it's the Ravens vs. 49ers, the Chiefs vs. the Lions, or some other 2024 Super Bowl lineup, we know who the star (of halftime, at least) will be. Are you ready to tune into the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show? Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch Usher perform at Super Bowl 58.

When is the 2024 Super Bowl?

Super Bowl 58 is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.

What time is the Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show

Usher's halftime show performance will start at, well, halftime on Game Day.

What channel is the Super Bowl on in 2024?

Super Bowl 58 will air live on CBS, and the alternative, family-friendly telecast will air live on Nickelodeon.

How to watch the 2024 Super Bowl without cable:

Want to tune into the Usher halftime show and Super Bowl, but don't have live TV? You can watch all the Super Bowl 58 action with the help of a TV antenna, Paramount+ subscription or live TV streaming service. Here's what we recommend for ways to watch the Super Bowl in 2024.

Paramount+ has two subscription tiers: a $6/month ad-supported tier and a $12 ad-free premium tier that includes Showtime and live access to your local CBS channel. In addition to NFL games on CBS, Paramount+ offers a host of other live sports, hit shows and new and classic movies. Unlike a lot of other streaming services, Paramount+ still offers a one-week free trial, so new subscribers can sign up to watch this week's NFL games on CBS and check out the rest of the Paramount+ library totally free for seven days.

Record year for Amazon

February 2, 2024

Amazon has reported that net sales increased 12 per cent to $574.8 billion in 2023, compared with $514 billion in 2022. Excluding the $0.1 billion unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the year, net sales increased 12% compared with 2022.

North America segment sales increased 12 per cent year-over-year to $352.8 billion.

International segment sales increased 11 per cent year-over-year to $131.2 billion.

AWS segment sales increased 13 per cent year-over-year to $90.8 billion.

“This Q4 was a record-breaking Holiday shopping season and closed out a robust 2023 for Amazon,” said Andy Jassy, Amazon CEO. “While we made meaningful revenue, operating income, and free cash flow progress, what we’re most pleased with is the continued invention and customer experience improvements across our businesses. The regionalization of our US fulfillment network led to our fastest-ever delivery speeds for Prime members while also lowering our cost to serve; AWS’s continued long-term focus on customers and feature delivery, coupled with new genAI capabilities like Bedrock, Q, and Trainium have resonated with customers and are starting to be reflected in our overall results; our Advertising services continue to improve and drive positive results; our newer businesses are progressing nicely, and along with our more established businesses, collectively making customers’ lives easier and better every day. As we enter 2024, our teams are delivering at a rapid clip, and we have a lot in front of us to be excited about.”

Focusing on Prime Video, Amazon highlighted:

Increased total viewership for the second season of Thursday Night Football (TNF) on Prime Video by 24 per cent year over year, and had double-digit growth (14 per cent) for the second consecutive season in the hard-to-reach 18–34-year-old demographic, according to Nielsen. The November 30th Seahawks-Cowboys game attracted 15.3 million viewers, becoming Prime Video’s most watched TNF game ever, according to Nielsen.

Released 16 films and series from Amazon MGM Studios, including the second season of Reacher, which was the No. 1 title on Nielsen’s Top 10 Originals Streaming chart for the week it debuted and had the highest number of minutes viewed for any Prime Video title during a single week in 2023 according to Nielsen; second season of Invincible, the most-viewed animated series ever on Prime Video globally; holiday comedy Candy Cane Lane, one of the top 10 most-watched worldwide film debuts ever on Prime Video; thriller Saltburn, which had the highest week-over-week audience growth of any film on Prime Video in 2023; dramedy American Fiction; and sports drama The Boys in the Boat. This awards season, Amazon MGM Studios earned 16 Golden Globe nominations, 68 Emmy nominations and nine wins, and 21 Critics Choice Award nominations for content such as American Fiction, Saltburn,Daisy Jones & The Six, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,andThe Boys. For the upcoming Oscars, the studio earned five nominations for American Fiction, including for Best Picture.

Grew Prime Video’s international slate of content with more than 60 local Amazon Originals, including Mr. Dressup:The Magic of Make-Believe(Canada), which was winner of the 2023 People’s Choice Award for Documentary at the Toronto International Film Festival; Sayen: La Ruta Seca (Chile), the action-packed sequel to the most watched Latin American Original movie ever on Prime Video; Operación Triunfo (Spain), Prime Video’s first weekly live entertainment show; and 007: Road To A Million (UK), the world’s first James Bond television format, which was No. 1 on Prime Video in 27 countries worldwide on its launch weekend.

Expanded Prime Video’s global sports programming with the debut of the Amazon Original sports documentaries Kelce, chronicling Philadelphia Eagles captain Jason Kelce’s 2022 season,and Bye Bye Barry, the story of Barry Sanders’ decision to retire at the height of his NFL career. In live sports, Prime Video added new broadcast rights for NASCAR, the National Women’s Soccer League, and Premier Boxing Champions in the U.S.; ICC Cricket in Australia; and Wimbledon tennis in Austria and Germany.

Announced AWS European Sovereign Cloud, an independent cloud for Europe, to give public sector customers and those in highly regulated industries more choice to meet stringent compliance mandates in the EU and achieve the operational independence they require without compromising on the broadest and deepest cloud services.

Dan Goman, CEO and Founder of Ateliere Creative Technologies, commented: “Amazon’s technology-driven success gives it a considerable edge in the streaming market, exemplifying the challenges traditional media and entertainment companies face against tech giants entering the content space.

The tech advantage essentially creates an uneven playing field, with companies like Amazon and Netflix enjoying a massive advantage.

Essentially, it’s like comparing a car race where legacy media companies are behind the wheel of a Buick Skylark, while companies like Amazon and Netflix are speeding ahead in Ferraris. It’s hardly a fair contest, and the losses for the slower contenders will continue. Merely merging companies won’t solve the issue; after all, two Buicks won’t outpace a Ferrari.

Amazon’s strategic focus on enhancing Prime Video the last several years has transformed it into a leading streaming service, significantly broadening its business model. This shift has evolved to Prime Video offering a wide range of entertainment options and revenue streams, rather than a mere add-on to an Amazon subscription. This move has not only bolstered customer loyalty but also positioned Amazon as a formidable competitor in the streaming wars, especially as Amazon has been able to take hold of Thursday Night Football, and other major streaming moments.

While many streaming services are introducing ad-supported tiers as an option, Amazon is taking a unique approach by making ads the default for Prime Video viewers, with an option to pay extra for ad-free viewing. This strategy could differentiate Amazon in the crowded streaming market by potentially increasing ad revenue while also catering to those who prefer a premium, ad-free experience (and willing to pay more).

This move aligns with broader industry trends increasing monetisation and driving profitability for streaming platforms. The introduction of ads on Amazon Prime Video is expected to have upwards a 5 billion dollar impact on Amazon’s earnings over the next several months.”

India: JioCinema to stream 10th Celebrity Cricket League

February 2, 2024

JioCinema has announced a partnership with Celebrity Cricket League (CCL) that will se the India streaming platform exclusively live-stream Celebrity Cricket League Season 10.

Spread over four weekends, and with 20 matches that appeal to a wide audience cohort beyond cricket fans, the tournament will stream from February 23rd, exclusively on JioCinema.

Launched in 2011, Celebrity Cricket League has evolved to become one of India’s most-watched sport and entertainment event. The previous season of Celebrity Cricket League reached out to over 250 million viewers across India. Comprising eight teams representing India’s major film industries including Hindi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam, CCL Season 10 will bring together over 200 film celebrities.

Ferzad Palia, Business Head, JioCinema, commented: “JioCinema is loved by users across the spectrum and is home to the best of sports and entertainment content. The unparallel viewership we enjoy is a testimony to that. Celebrity Cricket League brings the best of both these worlds, and we are happy to partner with them to entertain India.”

Vishnu Induri, Founder of Celebrity Cricket League (CCL), added: “Celebrity Cricket League has become a cultural phenomenon, and we’re delighted to partner with JioCinema to elevate the reach of our 10th season. The combination of sports and entertainment on this scale is unparalleled, and we look forward to engaging fans across the nation.”

Business class and no extra stop: Roosters’ ritzy Vegas special treatment revealed - Feb 5, 2024

In a move sure annoy rival NRL clubs, the Sydney Roosters will have a superior travel schedule to the other Las Vegas bound clubs via a luxurious flight.

The Daily Telegraph reported Roosters players will travel business class directly to the US, while the Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs and Broncos have a stop-over in Fiji on route to America.

The Roosters were chosen to fly on a Boeing’s 787-9 Dreamliner, an aeroplane which offers revolutionary lower cabin altitude, less turbulence, new filtration, better humidity and less fatigue.

The NRL had previously confirmed they would be responsible for booking squad travel arrangements to the USA, with one club flying on United Airlines in a non-stop flight.

The remaining clubs would be required to travel with Fiji Airlines under a new partnership between the NRL and the airline, however, that flight would involve a stop-over in Nadi, Fiji.

The Roosters have since been informed that they will be the club travelling directly from Sydney to Las Vegas without a stop-over on one of the world’s most comfortable aircraft.

The 787, which has multiple variants, is used for long-haul travel, with the 9 variant first brought into service on September 17, 2013.

The plane promises smoother travel, more personal space than other aircraft, and better air features to help passengers experience less fatigue. ‘

The 787 was the cheaper-to-run, smoother alternative to a number of Airbus long-haul aircraft, and has also helped to replace the Boeing 747, which for many decades was the king of the skies.

The decision to give the best flight itinerary to the Roosters is understood to be simply luck of the draw.

All four teams competing in the Las Vegas 2024 season opener fly out approximately a week before the double-header in Sin City.

The first game sees the South Sydney Rabbitohs clash with the Manly Sea Eagles (Sunday, March 3, 1:30pm AEDT), before the Roosters take on the Brisbane Broncos at 3:30pm (AEDT).

Clubs will reportedly begin working with players on sleep schedules and pre-flight activities from this week in an effort to minimise the effects of travel to Las Vegas and back in the unique start to the season.

All four clubs travelling will depart the USA the day after the games, arriving back in Australia with a week off before their Round 2 fixtures.

(FOX Sports)

Elon Musk weighs in on the economic impacts of illegal immigration

Musk said that the illegal immigration crisis is contributing to the lack of affordable housing in the US

Billionaire Elon Musk weighed in on the economic impacts of illegal immigration in a series of posts on social media as he criticized the Biden administration’s handling of the border crisis.

Musk took to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter which he acquired and rebranded, to call out a variety of services and benefits that illegal immigrants have access to in the U.S. and argue they’re contributing to the housing affordability crisis.

"A few other things you probably don’t know: illegals in America can get bank loans, mortgages, insurance, driver’s licenses, free healthcare (California & New York) and in-state college tuition," Musk wrote. "What’s the point of being a citizen if an illegal gets all the benefits, but doesn’t pay taxes or do jury duty?"

"If you’re wondering why housing is so expensive, this is a major contributor," Musk added.

Housing prices in the U.S. hit a new record high in November amid an ongoing shortage of inventory. Mortgage rates are near the highest level in two decades due to the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation, which has made sellers locked into low-rate mortgages reluctant to sell.

Not only are homebuyers struggling in the current housing market, but burdens on renters are rising as well. Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found that the number of American renters considered "cost burdened" by their monthly housing payment in 2022 hit an all-time high of 22.4 million. Renters are considered burdened if they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities, and the 22.4 million total amounts to roughly half of U.S. tenants.

Musk, a legal immigrant to the U.S. who was born and raised in South Africa and then moved to Canada at the age of 18 before later becoming a naturalized American citizen, emphasized that he supports legal immigration pathways despite his opposition to illegal immigration.

"As a reminder, I am very much PRO increasing legal immigration significantly," Musk added. "I’m not anti-immigration, I’m just against a massive number of unvetted people flooding into America, which any rational person should be."

Musk said that President Biden and lawmakers in Congress who’ve pushed for a border security bill could make progress on resolving the southern border crisis without enacting a new law if the administration simply puts forward an executive order reforming asylum policies.

"No laws need to be passed," Musk wrote. "All that is needed is an executive order to require proof before granting an asylum hearing. That is how it used to be."

Last week, Biden told reporters that he has done "all I can do" using the executive authority at his disposal to secure the border.

Musk also agreed with Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor David Sacks who wrote last week that the border is broken "because this administration refuses to enforce the laws we already have." Musk responded by writing, "exactly."

(FOX Business)

Google parent Alphabet sees AI investment providing long-term opportunities

Google expected to release its most advanced generative AI model, Gemini Ultra, this year

For Google and other tech titans, the rise of artificial intelligence remains a big focus for investors as the emerging technology reshapes the tech landscape, transforming the business of search, cloud and advertising, but it also comes with a cost. 

Shares of Google parent Alphabet fell more than 7% on Wednesday, a day after the company reported quarterly results. Despite beating expectations on many key metrics, the company said capital spending will jump in 2024 as it continues to invest in AI to improve its services.

"We do remain very committed to investing in the AI opportunity across Google DeepMind, Google services, Google Cloud," Ruth Porat, the tech giant’s chief financial officer, told FOX Business' Susan Li. "Capex was up in the fourth quarter to $11 billion, and that was overwhelmingly the investment in our technical infrastructure."

There are serious questions about how AI could impact Google’s ad business. Advertising remains a powerhouse for Alphabet, accounting for more than 50% of its total revenue. YouTube’s ad revenue grew 16% year over year, but overall ad spending has seen a pullback as advertisers rein in spending.

Alphabet’s ad revenue for the fourth quarter rose to $65.5 billion from $59 billion in the same period a year ago, just shy of analysts’ estimates, also adding to the selling pressure. Shares are marginally lower this year, compared to the Nasdaq Composite's modest 1% gain.

However, Porat says evolving AI technology could contribute to success across Alphabet’s spectrum of services, including cloud computing, which earned its first-ever quarterly profit in 2023.

"The results reflect spreads across industry sectors; there is an increasing contribution from AI," Porat said. "This is clearly an extraordinary time."

Google is expected to release its most advanced generative AI model, Gemini Ultra, later this year.

(FOX)

Can Crown Sydney’s style refresh win back the high rollers? - Feb 2024

Crown Sydney has reopened one of its gaming floors in the hope that a refurbishment will attract foreign and local punters to its VIP-only casino after poor foot traffic resulted in more than 200 job cuts and reduced operating hours just one year into operations.

The Barangaroo tower’s boss Mark McWhinnie said he was confident the revamped Mahogany Room would attract gamblers from Australia and overseas.

He stressed he believed the business model would prevail regardless of whether Chinese tourists, who formerly propped up the bottom line of all Australian casinos, returned to Australia.

“I’m not overly concerned [by the absence of Chinese tourists] because we’re not just hanging our hats on China. It’s quite the opposite. We’re focused on developing awareness and demand on a number of countries in South-East Asia,” McWhinnie said.

Inbound tourism to Australia has picked up over the last year, with the latest ABS data revealing international arrivals increased to 75 per cent of pre-pandemic levels as of September last year.

McWhinnie said Crown was “quite bullish about what the international market will represent in the future”.

This masthead revealed in August that Crown had been forced to close the Mahogany Room – which was originally designed with private salons for top high rollers – due to poor visitation. It also reduced its hours of operation and made more than 200 staff redundant.

The Mahogany Room has since been redesigned to have a mix of tables and private booths to attract all kinds of punters to the same floor. Crown said it planned to reopen its second floor, known as the Crystal Floor, but did not commit to a timeline. As a VIP-only facility, Crown Sydney has no poker machines. A minimum bet of $20 applies.

Private equity giant Blackstone purchased Crown Sydney and the broader Crown Resorts business for $8.9 billion in June 2022 after the casino group was disgraced by extensive breaches of anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws. The breaches culminated in the loss of its casino licences in the three states in which it operates.

Crown Sydney opened one month after Blackstone formally took the reins of the business and overhauled its original strategy, which was based around attracting junket-driven, overseas high rollers.

The company has spent $71 million in anti-money laundering and counterterrorism compliance measures since 2021, discontinued all junket tour operations and is transitioning to cashless gaming.

Crown Sydney is currently operating under a conditional licence. The NSW Independent Casino Commission will decide later this year whether its investment and strategy change has been enough to reinstate its full licence.

Regardless of whether Crown regains it, investors and industry analysts have long questioned whether the state is big enough for two casinos.

US-based Blackstone investors told this masthead in December they were concerned that the Crown takeover was a bad call. Rumours have also intensified about whether a long-touted merger between Crown and Star Entertainment is finally on the cards, as casinos face challenges from the high cost of living, increased taxes and regulatory hurdles.

But McWhinnie dismissed the idea that the business model of the $2.2 billion Barangaroo precinct wasn’t sustainable, or too reliant on casino visitation.

“If you look at the fabric of what we offer we’re not just about a casino experience. We’re a well-rounded entertainment space,” he said.

Travis Kelce Taylor Swift Proposal Super Bowl Prop Bet - Feb 5, 2024

BetOnline is honoring Taylor Swift's iconic 1989 album by offering 89 Taylor Swift Super Bowl props.

Swift of course is madly in love with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and vice versa.  She'll be flying into this year's Super Bowl to watch him play fresh off a tour in Japan.

So does he pop the question?

It's not if, but where he proposes, as far as BetOnline is concerned.

Vacation is the favorite and only non-game location offered.

"The Taylor Swift Effect is real as we felt it throughout the NFL season, and now at an exponential level leading up to Super Bowl LVIII," BetOnline Sportsbook Manager Adam Burns said. "It truly feels like the Swift storylines have become bigger than the game itself, which is just crazy considering this is the most watched event in the world every year. But if anyone can set a new bar, it's Swift, and we wanted to do the same with our props menu."

(Gambling911)

NASCAR has strong start on Netflix - Feb 2024

NASCAR’s new Netflix documentary has already started making the Top 10 shows list in nearly 20 countries since launching earlier this week, according to streaming tracking site FlixPatrol. The five-part documentary around the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs debuted Tuesday.

Blame the Internet for Sports Illustrated’s Fall, Not Private Equity

Sports Illustrated reportedly gut much of its staff after parent co. –Arena Group Holdings– had the publishing license to the label revoked. Brand licensor Authentic Brand Group pulled the company’s print and digital rights after Arena withheld a $3.75 million quarterly payment.

Longtime fans and former employees of the once powerful publication have been quick to lament private equity’s role in SI’s fall from grace. But the blame is misguided. It belongs with the internet. 

“This isn’t about [ABG or] Arena Group. It’s about the depreciation of the value of the written word,” one well-placed media executive said. Long-form content no longer pays the bills, and “journalists simply can’t grapple with the reality their ASME winning stories aren’t helping their employers keep the lights on in a post TikTok digital world…Even in ’24, they choose to ignore how this business works.”

The relationship between ABG and Arena Group seemed to be working fine on both sides until Manoj Bhargava's Simplify Inventions took majority control of Arena Group in August ’23. The 5-Hour Energy founder subsequently let go of senior personnel, established himself as interim CEO (a position he has since resigned), and Arena defaulted on the loan payment.

That decision drove ABG to place Arena into breach of contract, and to terminate its publishing licensing agreement. 

Bhargava subsequently sent a letter to the SI Union informing its members of their tenuous future. The move sparked outrage amongst the journalism community, led to a public funeral for the brand on social channels, and spawned the narrative that PE killed Sports Illustrated.

But SI isn’t dead. 

It is currently operating, and even if Arena is unable to reobtain the license, the publisher is obligated to continue running it for some time. ABG would almost certainly have another publisher in place before the grace period expires. 

SI has gone through ownership changes before. The label was sold from Time to Meredith in 2018 and then from Meredith to Authentic Brands Group a year later.

But unlike Time and Meredith, ABG is a brand management company. Its expertise is in licensing and merchandising, not publishing. So, the holding co. licensed SI’s print and online publishing rights to Maven (now Arena Group).

The SI brand was two decades past its prime when ABG took it over. Any suggestion it or Maven/Arena is solely to blame for tarnishing its once pristine reputation is misleading. 

There’s an argument to be made ABG could have elected a better steward for the media property. Maven/Arena has made some highly controversial decisions (see: use of independent contracts, accusations of AI generated articles). 

But it’s difficult to fault the publisher for emphasizing clicks and traffic over investigative and long-form journalism. It’s happening across the digital landscape. Legacy brands are doing what is needed to survive and appeal to today’s consumer.

SI also still employs some of the industry’s best writers (see: Pat Forde, Jon Wertheim). So, while the overall product is not as good as it once was, the business is profitable and remains viable within the marketplace.

Authentic Brand Group (think: Reebok, Brooks Brothers) controls SI’s licensing rights. 

It purchased the company from Meredith for $110 million in May ’19 and had a 10-year $15 million/year publishing agreement in place with Maven before the end of the June. So, its starting point on Sports Illustrated is profitable.

And because Arena employs all the content creators, its overhead is lower and margins are much higher than they would be for a traditional publishing co.

ABG has since introduced an SI branded sportsbook, ticketing platform, premium hospitality concept, and it is reportedly working on several hotel projects (including: Ann Arbor, Michigan). 

Those efforts do not even have to pan out for them to be worth ABG’s involvement. Licensing companies typically structure deals to include minimum guarantees (there may be success-based kickers to create upside opportunity).

ABG is building a high-end ticketed events business with the SI brand too.  

“They’re literally doing what Meredith, Conde Nast, Hearst, and most digital publishers have been trying to do for 20 years and haven’t been able to figure out,” the media executive said.

ABG has seemingly cracked the code on how to extract maximum value from a brand in a business that is in secular decline–minimizing the content side of the house from business decisions. Arena is solely responsible for writing, editing, publishing, and distribution.

“They don’t get a seat at the table for licensing deals, events, [partnerships], or any of the other things they get to weigh in on at other places that they have no expertise to weigh in on,” the media executive said.

ABG handles all the omni-channel opportunities demanded by today’s consumer as the licensor. 

The only issue with ABG’s model is that it is reliant on a publisher, which it does not employ, to uphold the brand’s editorial product and to manage the team who produces the content and sells the ads. And contract stipulations can only ensure so much. 

Licensors will often factor the loss of control into their models, but asset quality still needs to remain at sufficient levels for the brand to expand into ancillary categories.

Up until this point, Arena had upheld its end of the bargain. Its recent decision to skip a payment, and the subsequent fallout, may have changed the calculus for ABG. 

It’s hard to understand what Arena’s end game was/is. But it’s nearly impossible to believe a billionaire bought a majority stake in the company only to unload its biggest asset within a matter of weeks. One must assume Bhargava has a plan for SI moving forward. 

Whether ABG can or wants to trust him to operate the publication is another discussion. 

“If you’re degrading the value of the brand, you’re degrading the partnership or its potential impact [for the licensor],” the media executive said.

ABG does not need the next publisher to re-establish SI as the ‘Porsche’ of sports media to build a lucrative licensing business. But it can’t get to ‘Honda’ levels, either. The next SI publisher simply needs to come in and churn out quality content. 

Junior Bridgeman, Vox, and Penske Media are among those who have reportedly expressed interest in taking SI over should ABG choose to go in another direction.

(JohnWallStreet)

What will be on the Sphere in Las Vegas during Super Bowl LVIII?

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Many people are curious about what will be projected on the massive Sphere in Las Vegas during the upcoming Super Bowl. On Sunday, we received a sneak peek of what to expect from the newest addition to the city’s skyline.

The collaboration with the NFL is scheduled to kick off on Monday, Feb. 5. On Sunday, Sphere Entertainment Co. previewed what will be displayed on the Sphere’s exterior, celebrated as the largest LED screen in the world.

During the game, CBS’s coverage of Super Bowl LVIII will be broadcast on the landmark display. Content on the Sphere will respond in real-time to the action on the field between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Additionally, officials say the Sphere will be the focus of two curated moments during the game broadcast on CBS.

There’s no immediate word on whether or not the adorable Sphere emoji will make an appearance during the big game, but the little guy is usually up to something, so that’s worth keeping an eye on as the game approaches.

In the week leading up to the Super Bowl, the Sphere will project NFL-related content, including a countdown clock and a graphic highlighting Sunday’s matchup.

Additionally, all 57 Super Bowl rings will be displayed on the Sphere in the lead up to the NFL championship game, providing football fans in the “entertainment capital of the world” a unique photo opportunity to represent their favorite team.

“In celebration of Super Bowl LVIII, Sphere Studios created custom content that will run throughout the week,” a news release from Sphere Entertainment Co. stated. “This includes, as part of its ongoing XO/Art program, commissions from legendary street artists to create custom art for the Exosphere that will run at various times this week.”

The Sphere’s exterior is the largest LED screen on Earth, consisting of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks spaced eight inches apart. Each puck contains 48 individual LED diodes.

SPHERE AND NFL COLLABORATE ON CUSTOM SUPER BOWL CONTENT FOR THE EXOSPHERE CREATED EXCLUSIVELY BY SPHERE STUDIOS

Exosphere Content To Be Broadcast During The Game on CBS And Run Throughout Super Bowl Week

Both Interior and Exterior of Sphere to be Showcased 

LAS VEGAS , Feb. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) and the NFL today announced a collaboration that will see custom Super Bowl LVIII content, created exclusively by Sphere Studios, displayed on Sphere's fully programmable LED exterior – the Exosphere – throughout Super Bowl Week. As part of this, Sphere will also be featured in CBS Sports' coverage of Super Bowl LVIII on CBS and Paramount+.

"We welcome Super Bowl LVIII to Las Vegas, which continues to reinforce its place as a destination for the biggest events in sports and entertainment," said Joel Fisher, Executive Vice President, Marquee Events and Operations for MSG Entertainment, who oversees marquee events for Sphere. "As a new Las Vegas landmark, Sphere is recognized worldwide for its dynamic visuals, and we're proud to collaborate with the NFL on content that will captivate audiences both in Las Vegas and watching on CBS."

"The Super Bowl and Sphere are two globally recognized brands, and together will showcase the power of this unparalleled digital canvas to bring fans together around Super Bowl LVIII," said Guy Barnett, Senior Vice President Brand Strategy & Creative Development, Sphere Entertainment. "The custom Super Bowl-themed content our Sphere Studios team created for the Exosphere will surprise and delight fans, adding a one-of-a-kind element to the first ever Las Vegas Super Bowl, and to the game broadcast."

"In the short amount of time since its opening, Sphere has established itself as one of the most recognizable landmarks in Las Vegas and we're thrilled about this collaboration in the lead up to Super Bowl LVIII," said Peter O'Reilly, Executive Vice President, Club Business, League Events & International at the NFL. "There won't be a better place for the League and our family of official NFL partners to display their creative and message the thousands of fans descending upon Las Vegas for the biggest annual sports event in the world."

Super Bowl Week in Las Vegas officially kicks off tomorrow, as does a slate of custom Exosphere content that will run throughout the week. Working in collaboration with the NFL, Sphere will display content including: a countdown clock leading up to kick-off on Sunday; a welcome visual that will serve as a beacon for the hundreds of thousands of people expected to descend on Las Vegas; and key graphics highlighting the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. In celebration of Super Bowl history, Sphere will showcase all 57 Super Bowl rings, giving fans on the ground in Las Vegas an opportunity to pose in front of their team's ring. Throughout the game, content on the Exosphere will run live, in real time in response to action on the field.

During the game, the CBS Sports' broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII will showcase Sphere. Both the Exosphere and the interior of Sphere will be featured as part of two curated moments in custom, one-of-a-kind videos filmed at the venue that showcase the immersive capabilities of Sphere's 16K x 16K resolution interior display plane.

In celebration of Super Bowl LVIII, Sphere Studios created custom content that will run throughout the week. This includes, as part of its ongoing XO/Art program, commissions from legendary street artists to create custom art for the Exosphere that will run at various times this week.

In addition to custom NFL and Super Bowl content, some of the world's largest brands will have advertisements displayed on the Exosphere throughout Super Bowl Week.

The largest LED screen on Earth, the Exosphere consists of approximately 1.2 million LED pucks, spaced eight inches apart. Each puck contains 48 individual LED diodes, with each diode capable of displaying 256 million different colors – creating a vivid landmark on the Las Vegas skyline.

About Sphere:

Sphere is a next-generation entertainment medium that is redefining the future of live entertainment. A venue where the foremost artists, creators, and technologists create extraordinary experiences that take storytelling to a new level and transport audiences to places both real and imagined. The venue hosts original Sphere Experiences from leading Hollywood directors; concerts and residencies from the world's biggest artists; and premier marquee events. The first Sphere venue opened in Las Vegas in September 2023, and is a new Las Vegas landmark, powered by cutting-edge technologies that ignite the senses and enable audiences to share experiences at a never-before-seen scale. More information is available at thespherevegas.com.

About Sphere Entertainment Co.

Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) is a premier live entertainment and media company. The Company includes Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium powered by cutting-edge technologies to redefine the future of entertainment. The first Sphere venue in Las Vegas opened in September 2023. In addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming product, MSG+, delivering a wide range of live sports content and other programming. More information is available at sphereentertainmentco.com.

The King of Vegas: Legendary Hall of Fame oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro has a story for you - Feb 5, 2024

LAS VEGAS — When you spend nearly five decades working in Las Vegas, you have stories to tell. Jimmy Vaccaro would run out of time before he'd run out of stories.

Vaccaro is one of the legends in Las Vegas sports betting history, one of the first to manage a sports book and a fixture in the city who has been setting odds since the 1970s. When the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame was formed in 2023, Vaccaro was part of the 10-person inaugural class. He's one of the legendary oddsmakers in Las Vegas history.

"He’s one of the most famous now," said South Point sports book director Chris Andrews, a decades-long friend of Vaccaro. "How do you rate them? It's like, who’s the best guitar player in the world? Everyone has their opinion on it. He’s certainly in the conversation."

Vaccaro isn't unfamiliar with fame and attention. His brother, Sonny, was played by Matt Damon in the movie "Air," the story of Sonny Vaccaro convincing Nike to sign Michael Jordan.

Vaccaro has stories to tell, and he'll often interrupt himself to start one.

"I was on 'The Simpsons,'" Vaccaro said. "You didn’t know that?"

"The Simpsons"? Like Homer, Marge and Bart, those Simpsons?

"Want to punch it up? You can punch it up," Vaccaro said, turning to a computer near him, almost egging you to search for him on the internet.

Vaccaro said Alan Feldman, then the marketing director for The Mirage casino in Las Vegas, came to him with the opportunity to be on the popular show in 1995.

"I didn’t know what 'The Simpsons' were," Vaccaro said. "Now, my two kids did because that was in their zone. I said, 'Yeah, whatever.'"

He explained how he had to find a different color shirt (other than white) because of how it would look on camera, how he gave the fake betting odds on who shot Mr. Burns and even how royalties work after you've been on a TV show. He laughed at how classmates heard that his kids' dad had been on "The Simpsons," and that became a thing at school.

"So, I was on 'The Simpsons,'" he said.

This is what a visit with Vaccaro is like. This one took place in mid December, about six weeks before Vaccaro's beloved Las Vegas played host to the Super Bowl this week. Most days, he is hanging around the South Point sports book, about a 15-minute drive from the south end of The Strip, advising the oddsmaking team there, wearing his comfortable sweatshirt and always willing to share a story.

When you're one of the most famous figures in Las Vegas gaming history, you have plenty of stories to tell.

The glory days of Vegas' big boxing matches

Super Bowl LVIII will be played in Las Vegas. It's not the first time the city has hosted a big sporting event.

The big boxing matches are what Vaccaro remembers most fondly from his career. Muhammad Ali's last big fight, against Larry Holmes at Caesars Palace in 1980, stands out. And here comes another Vaccaro story, this one about the time he had a customer from Detroit, with a woman on each arm, come in wanting to bet on Tommy Hearns in a big fight. Vaccaro asked him how much he wanted on Hearns.

"He says, ‘I don’t know. What do you think, girls?’ They’re giggling," Vaccaro said. "He says, ‘How about $40,000?’

"You can only imagine how long it would take to count out $20 bills for $40,000. I’ll never forget it."

Back in the glory days of big boxing matches in Las Vegas, there weren't nearly as many sports books in the city as there are now. There were only a handful, which is part of what makes Vaccaro such a big figure in sports betting history. He ran multiple sports books through the years, starting at Barbary Coast and eventually moving to The Mirage, MGM Grand and Golden Nugget. When the fights came to town, people wanted to bet, and Vaccaro's sports book was one of their only options.

"The boxing was incredible," Vaccaro said. "We went through about 15 years where every four or five months was a monster fight. Forget this UFC garbage."

Sitting nearby in a side office as he listens to Vaccaro tell his old stories, Andrews chimed in: “We had like three or four extra Super Bowls a year with these fights.”

"The fights were incredible," Vaccaro continued. "And I loved them. Never stopped loving 'em."

A memorable fight led to Vaccaro's most famous moment. Want to hear a story?

42-to-1

Vaccaro loved putting up odds on boxing matches, even a 1990 mismatch between the seemingly invincible Mike Tyson and a no-name such as Buster Douglas.

"I was putting up odds on all those fights because I enjoyed it," Vaccaro said. "So now here it is, it’s like, ‘Wow.’ Nobody would book the fight because the odds were too high. So I said, ‘I’ve got to do this because I’ll be the only one.’"

In a previous Tyson fight, Vaccaro opened Michael Spinks as an 8-to-1 underdog, and so many people bet Tyson that the odds moved to 15-to-1. Tyson won in 91 seconds.

For the Douglas fight? Vaccaro's sports book at The Mirage was the only one to set a line. He set it at 27-to-1.

"That was the opening line," Vaccaro said. "A guy I know pretty well, he was a bettor every day, he laid the 27. He laid $54,000 to win $2,000. Because he thought it was just a pickup. You know, 10 minutes later, I’m going to get my money.

"I changed it to 31-to-1. Another one of my big boxing bettors from L.A. came to town. 'Jimmy, I heard you had this fight.’ It’s 31-to-1. He bet $93,000 to win $3,000 at 31-to-1 or whatever it was. Then people started to hear about it. It just didn’t stop. I got to 42-to-1."

In 2018, ESPN made a documentary on the Tyson-Douglas fight as part of its "30 for 30" series. The title was "42 to 1."

"You’ll like this," Vaccaro said. "The number is 42-to-1. This is the day of the fight. Guy came in, he was a customer at The Mirage. He laid $420,000 at 42-to-1 to win $10,000. I’ll never forget.

"Somebody was standing there, I think it was a newspaper guy. I said, ‘He thought he was going to pick up $10,000 in about five minutes, when they rang the bell.’"

Well, Tyson lost in one of the biggest upsets in sports history. Vaccaro said he didn't believe the ticker when it said Tyson lost the fight, which was in Tokyo. He didn't pay out the bets on Douglas until news stations such as ESPN started reporting it.

Then Vaccaro went home, and at about 5 a.m., he started getting calls from The Mirage saying they were receiving multiple interview requests. The Mirage, thanks to Vaccaro, was the only sports book that had a line on Tyson vs. Douglas. He came back in to do all the interviews.

"So you can only imagine the vibration through the whole freaking world," Vaccaro said. "Now remember, if Tyson would have won, there would have been nobody calling us."

Soon, 42-to-1 became part of the lore of one of the most famous fights in boxing history.

"I'll live with that one for a long time," Vaccaro said. "It’s a good feeling. Nobody else did it."

How Vaccaro built his name in Vegas

Got time for another story? Sure you do.

"I was the first one to make overs and unders on season win totals," Vaccaro said as soon as he finished the Tyson-Douglas story.

In 1989, he had customers in from Texas who wanted to know how many wins Vaccaro thought the Dallas Cowboys would get with new head coach Jimmy Johnson. He thought about it a while, and he set a line: 5.5 wins. One of the bettors wanted the over. His wife had a purse on her shoulder.

"She turned her purse over, and all these wrapped $10,000 of bills are in there," Vaccaro said. "He bet $38,500 to win $35,000 on the over."

The Cowboys went 1-15, but that started the trend of sports books posting season win totals for teams. Today, it's one of the most popular markets in sports betting.

The stories don't stop. One time, when Vaccaro was running the sports book at The Mirage, the book had a terrible day and lost $1.4 million. Vaccaro got a call from casino/resort owner Steve Wynn.

"I walk in there, and he says, ‘What the hell did you do?’ I said, 'We have good days, too, Steve,'" Vaccaro said, perhaps unaware that not many people have to answer to their boss after losing more than a million dollars. "He said, ‘Go back, and do what you’re doing, and keep doing it.’"

The stories go all the way back to his origins in Las Vegas. He first drove to Vegas from Trafford, Pennsylvania, when he was 18. After he turned 21, he'd go to Vegas "every time I had a little bit of money" and go home when he was broke. After a few years, a friend remarked that he should just stay in Vegas. And in 1975, he did. He went to see casino owner Michael Gaughan and asked for a job. Gaughan said he could become a blackjack dealer; it just took $250 to go to a dealer school that Gaughan owned.

"I had, like, $40, I think," Vaccaro said.

Gaughan let Vaccaro pay him back when he had the money.

You won't be surprised to hear that Vaccaro also has a story about how he got into the sports betting business in which he became a legend. One day, Gaughan called him up to his office.

"If I live to be 10 million years old, this is what he said, because it changed my life," Vaccaro said. "He said, ‘Do you know how to run a sports book?’ I said, ‘No!’ I was just a kid like him, betting, but never running a sports book.

"He said, ‘Good, neither do I.’"

Vaccaro was put in charge of a little sports book at the Royal Inn, which was imploded in 2015. There were only a few other sports books in Las Vegas at the time. That grew until practically every casino had one. Then a Supreme Court decision in 2018 allowed states to legalize sports gambling. Legal sports betting exploded afterward. Sports betting going mainstream is likely part of the reason the Super Bowl is in Las Vegas. That explosion traces back, at least in part, to Vaccaro setting lines for Ali-Holmes, taking $40,000 bets on Tommy Hearns, making the first win total odds for the 1989 Cowboys and giving sports betting invaluable exposure with the Tyson-Douglas line.

There are many more stories from his lifetime of oddsmaking, such as the time legendary poker player Stu Ungar was being treated in his office after having a heart attack but still wanted to bet ("‘Where’s Jimmy? I want the Cowboys for $30,000!’" Vaccaro said. "Everybody was staring. I said, ‘You’re going to f***ing die!’ He said, ‘Jimmy, give me the bet!’") or the time his was the first sports book to take a big bet from from Mattress Mack, the owner of the Gallery Furniture chain in Houston who has become famous in the betting world for massive wagers, which are sometimes eight figures and usually on Houston teams ("He’s a gentleman," Vaccaro said. "We have nothing but good things to say about each other.").

Along the way, Vaccaro played his part in bringing sports betting to the mainstream.

"I was probably the only one who said, ‘We ain’t seen nothing yet,’ way back when it started," he said. "We’re not geniuses. We just left the door open for a little bit."

(Yahoo!)

Elon Musk's X to hire 100 content moderators in Austin this year - January 28, 2024

The Elon Musk-owned X social media platform announced a new content moderation push

Elon Musk’s X is in the process of hiring 100 content moderators for a new office in Austin, Texas, that will focus on fighting child abuse online on the social media platform, an executive said on Saturday.

X, formerly known as Twitter, announced a new "Trust and Safety center of excellence" in a blog post by CEO Linda Yaccarino on Friday. The new initiative comes as part of the company’s efforts to combat child sexual exploitation (CSE) on the social media platform.

"While X is not the platform of choice for children and minors – users between 13-17 account for less than 1% of our daily U.S. users – we have made it more difficult for bad actors to share or engage with CSE material on X, while simultaneously making it simpler for our users to report CSE content," Yaccarino wrote.

She added that the platform is "improving our detection mechanisms to find more reportable content on the platform to report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)."

The post noted that X suspended 12.4 million accounts for violating the platform’s CSE policies in 2023 – a dramatic uptick from 2.3 million account suspensions in 2022. 

The company also referred 850,000 reports to NCMEC in 2023, including through X’s first ever fully-automated report. 

The company said that was over eight times more than what Twitter referred to NCMEC in 2022 before it was acquired by the Elon Musk-led ownership group.

Following Musk’s 2022 takeover of Twitter, he has faced criticism for the content moderation policy changes to the social media site, which caused some advertisers to reconsider their spending on the platform.

X is in the process of hiring content moderation staff for the new Trust and Safety center of excellence in Austin, Texas.

"The team is currently being built," said Joe Benarroch, X’s head of business operations, about the Austin office. He added that the goal to fill the positions by the end of the year is dependent on finding the right talent.

The company added that the new Austin facility will also help X fight other types of harmful social media content.

(FOX)

Sports News

Rudd, Hockey on hand to turn NRL’s Las Vegas play into reality - January 25, 2024

The NRL’s Las Vegas season-opener is expected to go ahead as planned, with executives at the sport’s governing body planning to lean on the expertise of three former politicians to expedite a visa process for players.

The four NRL clubs that will travel to the United States to compete in the Las Vegas double-header on March 2 have been at loggerheads with the Australian Rugby League Commission over delays to crucial matters such as accommodation, visas and funds for offshore training camps.

But an urgent meeting on Thursday between the clubs, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo and Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys ended with an agreement to hand the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters, Manly Sea Eagles and the Brisbane Broncos $700,000 each in funding for pre-season training camps and unlimited insurance for serious injuries. They have also been given assurances that all visas and accommodation issues will be resolved.

“We’ve got the comfort and satisfaction that we needed to make sure that it’s going to be a success. From now on, it’s full steam ahead,” Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said. “What Peter and Andrew said today is they’re very confident that all players will get access to the US, which is really important to the game. We want to see the best players on the field.”

The NRL’s Las Vegas play is the brainchild of Mr V’landys and is based on concerns the game can’t sustain revenue growth by relying on local broadcast revenue, advertising sponsorship and wagering turnover.

But the process has been arduous and expensive. The Sydney Morning Herald reported earlier this week that the four clubs had written to Mr V’landys expressing concerns about a lack of information regarding visas, medical insurance, Las Vegas training venues and fast rising costs.

“There was a degree of frustration about some of the things and issues we were raising and couldn’t get a resolution,” Mr Solly said on Thursday. “Peter understood our concerns, and he understood some of the challenges Andrew has faced, and he was able to bulldoze through them.”

The NRL initially told the clubs players could travel to the US with visa waiver available for Australian travellers. Clubs were concerned about players being stopped by US customs, particularly those who had been arrested in Australia such as Payne Haas, Latrell Mitchell and Reece Walsh.

Mr V’landys will rely on Australian Turf Club chairman Peter McGauran, a friend and former Howard government minister, to expedite the visa process. Mr McGauran is a former consul-general and senior trade investment commissioner to Texas and currently works for Bondi Partners, the advisory and investment firm run by former treasurer Joe Hockey.

The NRL also plans to lean on Kevin Rudd, the Australian ambassador in Washington DC, and Mr Hockey to expedite the process.

Mr Solly said the clubs had received assurances that players would be able to get visas approved. Players who have not been arrested previously will enter the US on a waiver, while the others will apply for a visitor visa.

“They’re working with the consulate and government to make sure that process is expedited as quickly as can be,” he said. “Based on what we agreed today, we should be fine to sign the [final] agreement and get on with it.”

To make sure players are prepared to play in US conditions, the four clubs will base themselves in Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas for more than a week before kick-off. The NRL agreed on Thursday to provide $175,000 per club towards the cost of that week.

“This is an investment right now for the future,” Mr Abdo said.

“Having said that, we’re not approaching this expecting massive losses. We’ve already started building revenue streams, we’ve got investment from sponsors, we’ve sold a number of tickets.”

(AFR)

Can the tech giants live up to all the AI hype? - January 29, 2024

Investors will be closely watching to see if Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple and Meta can report a rise in earnings that would  justify the surge in their share prices.

The mania surrounding generative artificial intelligence (AI) has propelled the US sharemarket to record levels, but this week’s earnings reports from the five US tech giants will test whether the hype has been overdone.

In particular, investors will be questioning whether the tech giants – Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple and Meta – can report a rise in earnings that would justify the huge surge in their share prices. (So far this year, the US blue chip S&P 500 has risen 2.5 per cent, and the tech sector is up by close to 6 per cent).

The question about monetising generative AI is a difficult one for the big tech giants.

This month, Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, and Sam Altman, the high-profile head of OpenAI, took to the stage together at Davos to discuss their partnership, and the potential of generative AI, which enables computers to generate sophisticated text, images and computer code at a level comparable to humans.

Nadella was upbeat, saying the world was nearing a “magical moment” similar to the introduction of the personal computer.

But then the moderator posed an awkward question about their AI efforts: “Do you guys make money?”

Although both Nadella and Altman avoided giving a direct answer, the question is very pertinent – especially now that Microsoft boasts a market capitalisation of about $US3 trillion ($4.6 trillion) and is vying with Apple for the title of the world’s most valuable company.

Since ChatGPT was released at the end of November 2022, Microsoft’s share price has soared 66 per cent, or roughly three times the rise in the overall market.

Underpinning this share price surge, however, are investor expectations that generative AI will result in a huge increase in revenue and profits.

There’s no doubt that Microsoft’s partnership with Altman’s OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT, has allowed it to leapfrog Google, which has been working on AI for years.

Microsoft first invested $US1 billion in OpenAI in July 2019, and then committed a further $US10 billion a year ago. When the OpenAI board ousted Altman last year, it was Nadella’s support that led to his reinstatement.

But Microsoft is still in the early stages of embedding OpenAI’s technology into its offerings, such as its coding platform GitHub, its Azure cloud business and its software business, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

And there are also questions about the speed with which its customers will embrace AI.

Risk of disillusionment

This means there’s a risk that investors will become disillusioned if the AI hype fails to quickly translate into stronger revenues.

Interestingly, Altman seems to have recognised this risk. On stage at Davos, he played down hopes that AI technology would radically change the world in the short term. Instead, he said it would inexorably improve over a longer period and eventually have a significant impact.

“The world had a two-week freakout with GPT4”, Altman said, referring to the launch last March of OpenAI’s latest version of its chatbot. “And now, people are like, ‘Why is it so slow?’”

Given the US market’s rally has been driven by a handful of big tech stocks, the risk is that investors show a similar impatience. That’s why this week’s earnings updates from the five US tech giants are so important.

In particular, investors will be keen to hear from Microsoft on its progress in embedding the latest AI models in its offerings.

And while they’ll be keen to hear from Google parent Alphabet on the outlook for online advertising revenues, they’ll also be waiting for an update on the company’s progress in developing its own AI models, which it plans to commercialise through its Google Cloud business.

Meanwhile, investors will be watching closely to see how Amazon performed during the holiday retail season, and whether it has been able to improve margins in its e-commerce business. But they’ll also be looking for signs that its cloud business is continuing to benefit from the growth in AI workloads.

Apple’s results will be scrutinised for signs that its Chinese sales of the iPhone have suffered because of stronger competition from rivals such as Huawei. But investors will also be keen to hear from Apple boss Tim Cook on its plans to incorporate generative AI on its devices.

Finally, investors will be paying close attention to Meta’s results, both to get a read on the health of the online advertising market and for an update on the company’s aggressive AI plans.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has signalled that the company is now focused on building an artificial general intelligence (AGI) system, which can carry out tasks at a level of intelligence that equals or exceeds that of humans.

(AFR)

Nine’s bankers asked private equity if they were interested in Domain - January 29, 2024

Nine Entertainment’s bankers canvassed major private equity firms to gauge their interest in the company’s controlling stake in Domain, the ASX-listed property sales platform which is valued at more than $2 billion.

Nine owns 60 per cent of Domain, which listed in 2017. Nine’s position in the major residential and commercial property listing platform makes up around 38 per cent of the media group’s $3.2 billion valuation.

Sources close to the discussions, who asked for anonymity to speak openly about the matter, confirmed Jefferies’ Michael Stock canvassed both KKR and TPG around the middle of last year and discussed whether they were interested in looking at a deal relating to Domain.

While no deal eventuated, the discussions demonstrate that Nine – the publisher of The Australian Financial Review – has been considering how to make one of its major growth investments work harder. Among options for Nine could be taking Domain private with a third party, or selling all or part of its position in the company.

KKR and TPG declined to comment, as did Jefferies, Domain and Nine.

There are two key challenges going forward for Nine, which owns the Nine Network, free streaming platform 9Now, paid streaming service Stan, radio stations like 2GB and 3AW, and some of the country’s largest publishing assets including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

First, the television advertising market is largely flat. Advertisers are pulling back in a cost-of-living crunch, and there is more competition with streaming platforms – Amazon Prime Video will start running ads in Australia in the middle of this year. Television advertising made up 53 per cent of earnings in the last financial year. Domain added 11 per cent.

The second challenge is with Domain. The real estate platform is a key area for future growth for Nine, but it has not performed on par with $24 billion giant REA Group, which is 61 per cent owned by News Corporation.

REA’s share price is up 142 per cent over the five years from January 2019 – Domain is up 39 per cent over the same time. Assuming dividends are reinvested, total shareholder return over those five years for Domain has been 53 per cent; for REA, it has been 163 per cent.

Domain’s most recent trading update in November was weaker than analysts expected. UBS’ Lucy Huang told her clients that there was a “significant underperformance in [property] volumes” at Domain, despite REA reporting 4 per cent growth nationally. That could be due to strong growth in Western Australia and Queensland, she said.

Due to Domain’s historic strong presence in newspapers in Sydney and Melbourne, it is more competitive in those cities. There is also some competition from former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano’s View Media, which took $50 million in investment from ANZ early last year.

Nine’s chief executive, Mike Sneesby, and chief product officer Rebecca Haagsma both sit on Domain’s board, which is chaired by former Fairfax Media chairman Nick Falloon. Mr Falloon stepped down from Nine’s board, where he was deputy chairman under Peter Costello, in November 2022.

While trailing REA, several brokers expect a solid first half result for Domain this year, with greater activity in NSW and Victoria. Macquarie’s Darren Leung told his clients earlier this month that the focus would be on “the difference in listings growth between Domain and REA, in our view”.

“The spread between REA and Domain valuations is at record highs and Domain’s multiple is implying dwelling price declines – against our view of likely increases,” he said, upgrading his recommendation on the stock.

Private equity has long seen value in property and classifieds businesses, including in Domain.

In 2017, TPG spent a month looking at Fairfax Media’s books after mounting a $2.8 billion takeover offer for the company. It would have owned The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Financial Review, but it was a deal primarily aimed at securing control of Domain.

TPG withdrew from the auction. Fairfax instead demerged and listed Domain after that, in late 2017, and merged with Nine the following year.

(AFR)

Media Man Biz Terms

Disruptor: a company or form of technology that causes radical change in an existing industry or market by means of innovation. 

"the company is becoming a major disruptor in the media, ad and PR industry" 

"Logan Paul radically disrupted both the pro wrestling and sports/energy drink sector"

"Jake Paul, Logan Paul and KSO proved to be disruptors in the boxing industry including with the Misfits Boxing promotion. Jake Paul was elevated to such a level he was signed on both PFL, backed by the Saudis, further disrupting professional combat sports"

"Rebel News hard hitting and no B.S approach to news media journalism without corporate monetary kickbacks proved to be a massive disruptor in the Canadian and Australian news media sector causing significant headaches for politicians and helped amplify the voice of the community at large. Rebel News also encouraged citizens to become citizen journalists and podcasts, and they further threw light on situations that some mainstream news media outlets were not covering".

Nikola Telsa  (10 July [O.S. 28 June] 1856 – 7 January 1943 was an early disruptor of the energy, engineering and utilities industry. So much so that many dirty corporate and government tricks and tactics were used against him to prevent the wide distribution of free energy for the citizens of the United States.

NETFLIX TO BECOME NEW HOME OF WWE RAW BEGINNING 2025

Long-Term Deal Brings Weekly Live Sports Entertainment to Netflix

STAMFORD, Conn., January 23, 2024 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base."

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms.

###

About WWE

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sport, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in approximately 165 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with over 247 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, expected programming and viewer benefits under the multi-year domestic media rights partnership with and NBCUniversal. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from what is expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in TKO’s final prospectus on Form 424(b)(3) filed with the SEC on September 19, 2023, as any such factors may be updated from time to time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required under applicable law, neither TKO nor WWE undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise

Investors and others should note that TKO announces material financial and operational information to its investors using press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts, as well as its Investor Relations site at investor.tkogrp.com. TKO may also use its website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about TKO, UFC and WWE when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Investor Email Alerts” option under the Resources tab on investor.tkogrp.com.

Wrestling News

WWE

Cody Rhodes and Bayley win the Royal Rumble Matches to earn the right to headline WrestleMania

At the 2024 Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes and Bayley both outlasted 29 other Superstars to win their respective Royal Rumble Matches and earn the right to challenge a World Champion at The Showcase of the Immortals. Plus, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns successfully defended his title against Randy Orton, AJ Styles and LA Knight in a Fatal 4-Way Match, and Kevin Owens accidently got himself disqualified in a United States Title Match against Logan Paul.

Wrestling News

Cody Rhodes Addresses Never Crossing Paths With CM Punk In AEW

Cody Rhodes is surprised he never crossed paths in any real way with CM Punk during their respective runs in AEW.

   “The American Nightmare” spoke about this during the WWE Royal Rumble 2024 post-show press conference on Saturday night.

“It’s funny that we meet back here,” Cody said of himself and Punk. “Really. When we were at AEW, I thought we would encounter one another there. It didn’t happen. For whatever reason, it didn’t happen.”

He continued, “I think both him and I had different personal experiences. Don’t believe anything that Wade Keller put out about why I left or anything like that. The truth is, nobody knows. Personal thing. Probably a personal thing for Punk. That happens. People come. People go. It’s not a huge thing.”

Rhodes also spoke about reuniting with The Miz, Kofi Kingston and Punk and it feeling like his first run in WWE.

“To see [CM Punk] tonight. To see Miz. To see Kofi. Those were my guys,” he said. “First OVW show I walked into, Brent Albright vs. CM Punk was the main event and Punk was also running the whole show, maybe set up the ring. To see that, sometimes you want another person who you admire and respect to stop looking at you as the kid and look at you and see who you are now. I think he got to see who I am now. That means a lot to me. He’s amazing, could have gone either way, I look forward to what he does in WWE.”

Wrestling News and Streaming News

Image credit: WWE/Netflix

Netflix to become new home of WWE Raw beginning 2025

STAMFORD, Conn., January 23, 2024 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago. 

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025. 

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base." 

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple  H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. 

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms.

Netflix  to Become New Home of WWE Raw Beginning 2025

01/23/2024

Long-Term Deal Brings Weekly Live Sports Entertainment to Netflix

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago.

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base."

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms.

About WWE

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sport, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in approximately 165 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. Additional information on WWE can be found at http://wwe.com and http://corporate.wwe.com.

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with over 247 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, expected programming and viewer benefits under the multi-year domestic media rights partnership with and NBCUniversal. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from what is expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in TKO’s final prospectus on Form 424(b)(3) filed with the SEC on September 19, 2023, as any such factors may be updated from time to time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required under applicable law, neither TKO nor WWE undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investors and others should note that TKO announces material financial and operational information to its investors using press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts, as well as its Investor Relations site at http://investor.tkogrp.com. TKO may also use its website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about TKO, UFC and WWE when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Investor Email Alerts” option under the Resources tab on http://investor.tkogrp.com.

(Sources: Netflix, WWE/TKO Group and Business Wire)

Image credit: Netflix and WWE)

Streaming News

Netflix to stream WWE’s Raw starting next year in its biggest jump into live entertainment - January 28, 2024

Netflix and TKO Group Holdings said Tuesday that the streaming platform will air the WWE’s flagship program Raw starting next year.

Netflix is trying to drive revenue by cutting down on subscription sharing and pushing viewers toward its ad-tier membership.

The streaming platform is making its first major foray into live sports, while WWE will get access to Netflix’s roughly 250 million global subscribers.

Netflix and TKO Group Holdings said Tuesday that the streaming platform will air WWE’s flagship program “Raw” starting next year, in Netflix’s first major foray into live sports.

The 10-year deal is valued at more than $5 billion, according to a company filing. Netflix will have the option to exit the deal after five years and to extend it for another decade. The streaming platform will be able to stream “Raw” globally, and will start the agreement with exclusive rights to it in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America. Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including “SmackDown” and “NXT” as well as “WrestleMania,” “SummerSlam” and “Royal Rumble.”

TKO shares spiked more than 20% following the news and a separate announcement that actor and former wrestling superstar Dwayne Johnson would join its board of directors. Netflix shares rose less than 1%, hours before the company was set to report earnings after the bell Tuesday.

Netflix, which is trying to drive revenue by cutting down on subscription sharing and pushing viewers toward its ad-tier membership, has made few attempts at live programming in its history. Adding “Raw,” which currently airs on USA Network and produces three hours of live programming per week year-round, to its programming lineup will be a boon to the platform and a significant historical shift for Netflix.

“This is a super game changer,” said TKO President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro in an interview. “When you look back at the chapters of sports media history, new chapters are driven by extraordinary new paradigms. ESPN and Turner bringing NFL to cable in 1987. Rupert Murdoch bringing football to Fox in 1994. When new histories are written, Raw on Netflix will be such a chapter starter.”

Netflix has dabbled in sports recently with documentary-type series about Formula One and professional golf, tennis and football. This deal will allow Netflix to tap into WWE intellectual property for similar projects. With WWE permission, Netflix could even develop movies or series around WWE characters, a person familiar with the matter said.

For TKO, the parent company of WWE, striking a deal with Netflix brings WWE wrestling to about 250 million global subscribers. WWE President Nick Khan has had Netflix on his radar as a potential landing spot for “Raw” for several years.

He discussed the world’s largest streamer on a WWE earnings call in the first quarter of 2022, referencing how Netflix has showed openness to changing long-held stances, such as rejecting advertising and cracking down on password sharing. As recently as December 2022, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said at the UBS Global TMT Conference that Netflix had not “seen a profit path to renting big sports.”

“Netflix is willing to make adjustments and reverse positions when it identifies an issue,” Khan said back in 2022.

Choosing Netflix

TKO held discussions with other media companies but zeroed in on Netflix in December, according to people familiar with the matter.

Netflix’s global footprint, which outreaches every other streaming service, was a key draw for WWE, Shapiro said.

“This is one of the greatest entertainment platforms in the world,” Shapiro said of Netflix. “It has marketing you can’t even comprehend. It has positioning that’s unparalleled in terms of what they do on their front page.”

Netflix announced earlier this month it had 23 million monthly active users for its advertising tier, which the company launched in November 2022. Matches will be scripted around commercial breaks to satisfy ad-free customers, who will see continued action from live matches that aren’t important to the outcome, such as a wrestler in a sustained headlock, according to a person familiar with the matter.

“Raw” is the top program on the USA cable network, drawing 17.5 million unique viewers per year, the companies said. Shapiro said Amazon’s ability to stream “Thursday Night Football” this season without a glitch and Peacock’s recent success streaming a National Football League playoff game gave him confidence Netflix will be technologically sound streaming “Raw,” even if it hasn’t done anything like this on a consistent basis yet.

Disclosure: Comcast NBCUniversal, CNBC’s parent company, owns USA Network.

Clarification: This story was updated to reflect that Netflix said it had 23 million monthly active users for its advertising tier.

TKO APPOINTS DWAYNE JOHNSON TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Johnson Granted Full Ownership of Trademarked Name, “The Rock”

NEW YORK (January 23, 2024) – TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) (“TKO”), a premium sports and entertainment company, has appointed Dwayne Johnson to its Board of Directors, effective today.

Johnson, one of the most decorated WWE Superstars in company history and the most followed American man globally on social media platforms, brings decades of experience in live entertainment and sports to the Board. Through his expansive business portfolio, which includes Seven Bucks Productions, Teremana Tequila, ZOA Energy, Project Rock, and the recently combined spring football league, the United Football League (UFL), Johnson has significant experience identifying and cultivating revenue generating media rights, live events, sponsorship, licensing, and social media opportunities. The appointment of Johnson reflects TKO’s commitment to delivering long-term value and strong performance for shareholders through strategic growth initiatives across both UFC and WWE.

Vince McMahon, Executive Chairman of the Board, TKO, said: “Very few people on the planet understand the convergence of sports, entertainment, media, and business like Rock. We are proud to have him join the TKO board to help take our company to new heights.”

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, said: “My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come. Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me. A table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle. At my core, I’m a builder who builds for and serves the people, and Ari is building something truly game changing. I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment — while proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day putting in the hard work with their own two hands to make their dreams come true and deliver for our audiences. I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”

Ariel Emanuel, CEO, TKO, said: “I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to TKO’s Board. Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for TKO.”

WWE has also entered into a services and merchandising agreement with Johnson that provides for his promotional, licensing, and other services, and an intellectual property assignment agreement pursuant to which Johnson has secured ownership of the trademarked name, “The Rock”. The name is derived from his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, who was the first Black champion in WWE history (alongside partner Tony Atlas). Johnson’s grandfather, Peter Maivia, a Samoan-American professional wrestler, was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

The addition of Johnson, as well as today’s appointment of Brad Keywell to TKO’s Board of Directors, will increase TKO’s board from 11 to 13 members.

Dwayne Johnson Background

Dwayne Johnson is a global entertainer and entrepreneur who manages a diverse and ever-expanding media and business portfolio. Johnson serves as the co-founder and CEO of Seven Bucks Companies, a multi-platform global enterprise crossing all entertainment and creative verticals with an audience-first mentality. A third-generation performer, Johnson began his WWE career in 1996 and remains one of WWE’s preeminent WWE Superstars in the organization’s history.

Johnson develops, produces, and stars in all forms of entertainment content via his production company, Seven Bucks Productions, LLC, which he co-founded in 2012. In addition to Seven Bucks Productions, LLC, Johnson has founded multiple business ventures, including Teramana Tequila, the fastest-growing tequila brand in history, and co-founded ZOA Energy, LLC, an energy drink company in partnership with Molson Coors. In 2020, Johnson co-led a consortium to acquire the XFL, a professional American football league, which re-launched in 2023 before merging with the USFL to form the UFL. Johnson also maintains several prominent brand partnerships. Alongside Under Armour, Inc., Johnson founded and developed a line of fitness apparel under the “Project Rock” brand. In 2016 and 2019, Johnson was named by TIME as one of the world’s most influential people.

A dedicated philanthropist, Johnson serves as a National Celebrity Wish Ambassador for Make-A-Wish and has been granting wishes with the organization for over 20 years. In 2008, the United States Congress and the United States Joint Leadership Commission recognized Johnson with the prestigious Horizon Award, the U.S. Congressional Award given to an individual in the private sector who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and provided opportunities for youth nationwide. Johnson graduated from the University of Miami, where he earned a football scholarship and became NCAA National Football Champions.

Johnson has been a client of Endeavor’s WME agency for nearly 13 years.

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

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Twitter Strikes Deal With BetMGM to Feature Odds, Allow Bets to Be Taken From Platform - January 26, 2024

Kylie Robison of Fortune broke the news late Friday that X (formerly known as Twitter) has entered into a deal with BetMGM to integrate sports betting statistics into the platform.

While the specific financial terms of the collaboration could not be learned, the intention is to introduce a feature for X soon that will showcase betting odds and provide a direct link to BetMGM, allowing users to place bets.

X reportedly lost a significant number of high paying advertisers including Disney, NBC parent company Comcast as well as Fox Sports after Media Matters for America discovered ads displaying along side racist posts. 

X owner Elon Musk responded by calling Media Matters of America "pure evil".

Best selling author and CBR Chair in Politics, Censorship, and Free Speech at the University of Austin, Michael Shellenberger, questioned the Media Matters of America findings at the time.

"The media say X is placing Apple, IBM, and other ads near pro-Nazi content, but it's not. We tried various ways to replicate Media Matters' research and couldn't. The real goal of Media Matters isn't to fight antisemitism. It's to destroy X as a free speech platform."

Despite premature reports of Twitter's demise, Gambling911.com now touts the platform as its second biggest referral source after Google.

BetMGM had a market share of 17 percent in U.S. online sports betting in December and has the third largest market share in the US sports betting industry behind DraftKings and FanDuel.

The BetMGM site is a partnership between MGM and Ladbrokes parent company Entain.

Nic Nemeth Reveals How He Got In Contact With New Japan Pro Wrestling

Fresh off his NJPW and TNA debut, Nic Nemeth (former WWE star Dolph Ziggler) appeared on Talk Is Jericho to talk about WWE and what is next for him in wrestling.

Nic Nemeth on how he got into New Japan:

"I'm not close friends with a lot of people, but a long time ago when Shinsuke came up from NXT, at the time it was when I was doing the thing where everybody who shows up wrestles me and I was doing the thing, it was like nine years in a row, whatever, but I'm doing that thing and I didn't really know him. I don't watch Japanese wrestling. I don't watch our wrestling. I famously don't watch wrestling and I hate everything, but I love my job doing what I do."

"So right after WrestleMania, Shinsuke comes up, does whatever he does, and we're overseas doing that two weeks we used to do before COVID times. We bounced around in buses and things and him and I had to stay to do the dark match after TV and everyone else went on. So him and I are just in this car sitting next to each other. We put a couple of matches together, but I'm not really outspoken. We're just sitting there looking at our phones. I had requested a big bottle of Jack Fire whiskey and we had that for the ride and it's like, 'Hey, you want a sip' He's like, 'Yea' and then we start talking. Then we had a couple of whiskies and we were buddies. It was so great because he's the biggest sweetheart in the world and he's like an ass kicker and like it's so great. He's so nice. We had a good bond and I really liked wrestling him."

"It reminds me of his first pay-per-view match with us. I even offered, I go, 'He's a strong style guy', like, I don't know what the hell is going on. I go, 'Should we have him like MMA style me up and we start having a wrestling match and he cracks me and hits me with a knee and I'm out cold and throw it out or something?' They go 'No, we don't want that.' Vince wanted a very WWE style match.' All right, great. So we did that."

"A long time ago I was like every time a contract comes up I'm like, alright, I'm gonna get out of here. I have nothing left to do. I was kind of just sitting on the bench. I go, 'I'm gonna get out' and he goes, 'If you ever get out of here, I got some connections and I would like to help you out.' I'm like, 'Well, that's so cool. I don't know anybody or anything.' So years and years go by and I sent an email to the boss, Vince. At the time we were not sure actually what's going on, but I sent Vince an incredibly long email, 90% thankful, 'Oh my God. You guys are so great. You've taught me to do all this stuff.' 10%, 'This is messed up. I gotta get the hell out of here. There is no purpose for me to be getting paid millions of dollars to sit on the bench or be in a three minute match like a local.' I go, 'Pay locals to do this. There's no reason for me to be here.' I didn't hear anything back for two weeks and then I found out that I was released. I’m sorry. I sent that (letter) to a few different people. I don’t want to name names. but I sent it to very important people. Vince was the only one who wrote back instantly, and was like, 'This is a lot to unpack. Let's talk about it further.' I said, 'Sir, if you want me to fly to Stanford tomorrow, I will be on a flight' and he said, 'Thanks. We'll think about it', and then two weeks later, I was released or whatever. So a couple weeks later."

"So the first thing I want to do is like man, I've never done independents. I haven't gone out of the country, except for with WWE all those times, all these places. I go, well, I'm still friends with Shin. 'Hey Shin. Do you think I'm so good at wrestling?' and he laughed. I was like, 'What do you think about Japan?' and he's like, 'I got you.' Then put a couple pieces together and get to Rocky Romero, who is the go between, and luckily for me, they were happy and excited to have me. That was one of the first things I did when I got released. The first week this goes back and forth. It's set up and I'm not saying a word and no one's going to know and everyone thinks I'm retired or doing comedy, but sure as hell not going to Japan. Nobody sees this coming and I go, 'This is so great.' So we kept it very secretive, got everything done back and forth, and then even snuck in there and snuck out and nobody knew and everyone was kind of blown away.

(Talk Is Jericho/Web Is Jericho)

TNA Hard To Kill Drew Solid PPV Buys for a Loaded Show With Several Surprises - January 26, 2024

The numbers are in

TNA Wrestling officially returned earlier this month as the promotion rebranded at the Hard to Kill pay-per-view event that was a hit through the way of PPV buys from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The show

The show featured several debuts, including former WWE stars Dana Brooke, Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler), and Xia Brookside.

Alex Selley lost the World Heavyweight Title against Moose in the main event of the show. Trinity lost the Knockouts title to Jordynne Grace on the show as she is expected to return to WWE soon and has since finished up with the promotion.

PPV buys

While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted the show likely did its biggest PPV buys since AEW's Kenny Omega beat Rich Swann to win the Impact World Title at the 2021 Rebellion. The final numbers are expected to be out in two weeks. 

“The TNA Hard To Kill show did great. Right now, this is basically a week and a half out, so this number will grow. But it was at 8,000 on television, which is a really good number for TNA. I'm sure it's the biggest number that they've done since the Rich Swan-Kenny Omega match. And it actually has a fairly decent shot, I don't know about beating that one. But being in the same realm as that one. And it's possible that it could be the biggest since the Spike days, certainly already the third biggest since Spike days. The fact that they did this on a night that was against the NFL playoffs against [NJPW] Battle in the Valley, although they were not head to head completely with Battle in the Valley like the last hour, I think of TNA in the first hour of Battle in the Valley, we're head to head, but they were completely head to head with [AEW] Collision. So, to do a number that big against that football game and Collision and Battle in the Valley. I think that’s great. There's no other way to put it. That's great." Meltzer stated.

(Wrestling Observer/Figure 4)

Wrestling News

High-Flying Wrestling Fan Fest To Land In Ballarat

01 December 2023

The Allan Labor Government is backing a major boost to Ballarat’s events calendar, with the global professional wrestling convention Starrcast Downunder, headed for the Goldfields region from 10-14 April 2024.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today announced Ballarat will host the first Starrcast pro wrestling event staged outside the United States, attracting fans from across the state, Australia and overseas to regional Victoria.

Held over five days, Starrcast will feature fan events, signing sessions, stage shows, and interactive panels across Ballarat Mining Exchange and Civic Hall alongside wrestling events at Selkirk Basketball Stadium – set to delight thousands of local and visiting fans.

The event has been made possible by the Regional Events Fund via Visit Victoria.

Legendary WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, and six-time WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James have signed on to lead the cadre of international wrestling stars to take part in the action.

Joining Hart and James at Starrcast Downunder will be a handful of soon-to-be-announced legends, alongside 30 Australian and international wrestlers who will put on three action-packed nights of wrestling throughout the event.

This will include an international wrestling show, an Australian showcase and Empowerr, the groundbreaking all-female wrestling show created by Mickie James in 2021.

The wrestling events will be streamed internationally from Selkirk Basketball Stadium, showcasing Ballarat to wrestling fans around the world.

It marks the most recent addition to Ballarat’s packed 2024 calendar of events, alongside the Road National Championships in January, two Western Bulldogs AFL matches at Mars Stadium, and the recently announced White Night Ballarat, which will take over the city in June.

For more information about the event, including future updates and tickets, visit oceaniaprowrestling.com.

Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos

“We’re proud to support Starrcast Downunder – not just for the boost it will deliver to the region’s tourism sector, but because it joins the packed calendar of events bringing Ballarat to life for everybody to enjoy.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“This international exclusive event will bring pro wrestling fans up close to their favourite legends right here in Ballarat, adding to our already jam-packed events calendar.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“Starrcast Downunder will attract pro wrestling fans from across Victoria – and further afield – to Ballarat for an incredible five days of action, supporting local hospitality, hotels and keeping the economy booming.”

Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“From stage shows, interactive panels and fan events, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at Starrcast Downunder. It’s going to be fantastic to see Ballarat’s local buildings and stadiums come alive with fans and wrestling legends from near and far.”

Five-day pro wrestling convention coming to Ballarat in 2024

Ballarat will be beamed across screens around the world when global professional wrestling convention Starrcast Downunder arrives in 2024.

It’s the first Starrcast pro wresting event to take place outside the USA, and will be in region from 10-14 April 2024.

Attracting fans from across Australia and overseas, the five-day event will include stage shows, signing sessions and interactive panels at the Ballarat Mining Exchange and Civic Hall, alongside wrestling events at Selkirk Basketball Stadium which will be streamed internationally.

Legendary WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and six-time WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James have signed on to lead the cadre of international wrestling stars to take part in the action.

Announced by the Victorian Government on Friday 1 December, this event has been made possible by the Regional Events Fund via Visit Victoria.

For more information about the event, including future updates and tickets, visit oceaniaprowrestling.com

Wrestling Events Announced For Starrcast

News : 12-Jan-2024

The first two wrestling events of Starrcast Downunder have been announced!

Hall of Famer Bret Hart is set to curate Australian Stampede, the flagship event of Starrcast Downunder. The wrestling icon will showcase a thrilling card featuring top-notch international talent and Australia's own homegrown stars on Saturday, April 13th in Ballarat. 

On the preceding day, Friday, April 12th, women's wrestling pioneer Mickie James will present H.E.R, a groundbreaking women's wrestling event at the heart of Starrcast Downunder in Ballarat. This event, following in the footsteps of Empowerr, will feature an unparalleled lineup with international sensations and Australia’s brightest talents. H.E.R promises to highlight the heart, athleticism, and drive of its trailblazing competitors. 

Don't miss out on two massive nights of action– tickets will be available at the end of January.

HITMAN | A SUNDAY WITH BRET HART

Sunday April 14 2024

Civic Theatre, Ballarat

Starrcast Downunder invites fans on an unforgettable journey into the storied career of the legendary WWE Hall of Famer, Bret "The Hitman" Hart. This exclusive event promises an intimate and immersive experience as fans get up close and personal with one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Step into the world of the Hitman as he takes the audience on a captivating exploration of his iconic career, sharing unique anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections that have shaped his illustrious journey in the world of sports entertainment. From his early days in the legendary Hart family wrestling dynasty to his rise as a global superstar, Bret Hart's narrative will provide a unique and genuine insight into the challenges and triumphs that defined his remarkable career.

The day will feature a special watchalong of Bret's legendary match with his brother Owen Hart at Wrestlemania X as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of that unforgettable match. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch the match alongside the man himself, gaining a deeper understanding of the in-ring psychology and artistry that set Bret Hart apart.

But the excitement doesn't end there – HITMAN will also include a highly anticipated Q&A session. Fans will have the chance to pose their burning questions directly to the Hitman, creating an interactive and engaging experience that adds a personal touch to the event.

To make the day even more special, special guests may make appearances, providing additional perspectives and anecdotes that add layers to the already rich tapestry of his professional journey. Whether it's fellow wrestlers, managers, or iconic personalities, these surprise guests will contribute to the nostalgic atmosphere of the event.

HITMAN is a must-attend for wrestling enthusiasts, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate the legacy of a true icon. Join us for an day filled with passion, nostalgia, and the unparalleled charisma of Bret "The Hitman" Hart – an event that will leave a lasting impact on fans and wrestling history alike.

Oceania Pro Wrestling

A Pro Wrestling Event Company holding events in the Oceania Region that will have as many non-exclusive partnerships locally and internationally in delivering pro wrestling events

With an emphasis on showcasing professional wrestling through our quality broadcasting and highly engaging fan experience model at events, with leadership by an experienced sporting executive with Australian and International connections, OPW will become a destination wrestling company for fans, promotions and commercial partners.

OPW Pro Wrestling

June 2023

IMPACT Wrestling

Global Wrestling phenomenon Impact Wrestling provided plenty of action both inside and outside of the ring with their tour down under thrilling crowds at the Equex Centre in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.

The event broadcast live on pay-per-view featured three title matches, including a rematch from Against All Odds in the main event as Alex Shelley defeated Steve Maclin to retain the IMPACT World Championship. 

Shelley defeated Maclin for the gold on June 9 and The Motor City Machine Gun kept ahold of the gold at Down Under night one after he countered a KIA attempt into Shellshock.

Night 1 Results:

• Slex def. Adam Brooks

• Gisele Shaw def. Erika Reid

• Joe Hendry (c) def. Eddie Edwards - Digital Media Championship

• Killer Kelly def. Aysha

• Chris Sabin (c) def. Frankie Kazarian & Robbie Eagles - X-Division Championship

• ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) def. Moose & Brian Myers

• Deonna Purrazzo def. Steph De Lander

• Alex Shelley (c) def. Steve Maclin - IMPACT World Championship

The second and final show of the Down Under Tour at the Equex Centre in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales saw three title matches with Slammiversary implications.

Joe Hendry defeated Moose to retain the IMPACT Digital Media Championship, Ace Austin & Chris Bey ended their one-year programme with The Motor City Machine Guns with a win for the IMPACT World Tag Team Champions, and Deonna Purrazzo picked up the win against Gisele Shaw in their Knockouts World Tag Team Title match. 

Night 2 Results:

• Adam Brooks def. Robbie Eagles - Oceania Pro Wrestling World Championship

• The Natural Classics def. The Velocities

• Joe Hendry (c) def. Moose - IMPACT Digital Media Championship

• Eddie Edwards def. Slex

• Steph De Lander def. Killer Kelly

• Frankie Kazarian def. Brian Myers

• ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (c) def. The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) - IMPACT World Tag Team Championships 

• Deonna Purrazzo (c) def. Gisele Shaw - IMPACT Knockouts World Championship

TNA iMPACT! on AXS TV Results: January 25, 2024

Results / January 25, 2024 / by IMPACT Wrestling Staff

A loaded episode of TNA iMPACT! comes to you from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada!

Tonight’s iMPACT! is dedicated to the memory of Frank Caiazzo. RIP.

Chris Bey w/ Ace Austin vs Kevin Knight

Two of TNA’s most spectacular in-ring performers dazzle in a display of astounding athleticism. Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees is seen at ringside. Bey emerges victorious with the Art of Finesse.

Chris Bey def Kevin Knight

The Grizzled Young Vets jump ABC from behind after the match, lay out Chris Bey with the Grit Your Teeth and stake their claim to the TNA World Tag Team Titles.

Undeniable. Irresistible. Unforgettable. She is Ash By Elegance.

Frankie Kazarian addresses his shocking actions from last week. He will explain himself next week but Rich Swann attempts to reason with Frankie. AJ Francis comes in and offers to be Rich Swann’s backup against Joe Hendry in an upcoming match.

Dirty Dango and Oleg Prudius vs Damian Drake and Dante King

Dirty Dango informs us that he hates pro wrestling. Dirty Dango takes a seat on the ramp as Prudius demolishes the competition. Dango takes the pin over Drake.

Dirty Dango and Oleg Prudius def Damian Drake and Dante King

Zack Gibson and James Drake state earlier tonight was a statement of intent. ABC look for a piece of GYV before Santino Marella makes a Best of 3 Series between the two teams for the TNA World Tag Team Titles starting next week.

Gia Miller speaks to Kazuchika Okada and The Motor City Machine Guns. They’re ready for The System in the main event.

Jordynne Grace vs Trinity for the Knockouts World Championship

This is Trinity’s contractual rematch after losing the championship at Hard To Kill. A handshake shows the respect between the competitors but Trinity takes the fight straight to Grace. After a series of back and forth pin attempts, Jordynne Grace uses the momentum of Trinity’s attempt to lock in Star Struck to score a quick pinfall victory.

Jordynne Grace def Trinity to retain the Knockouts World Championship

Gisele Shaw, Savannah Evans and Jai Vidal attack both Trinity and Jordynne Grace, leaving them laying as Gisele’s Ultimate X victory gives her a future Knockouts World Title shot.

The System discuss tonight’s main event – the system works and tonight it goes worldwide against the Guns and Okada.

Josh Alexander addresses the return of TNA and his victory over Will Ospreay last week. Alan Angels interjects and offers the Walking Weapon a spot on the premiere edition of his brand new talk show The Sound Check. After some insistence from Angels, Alexander agrees.

Nic Nemeth vs Zachary Wentz

Nic Nemeth competes in a TNA ring for the very first time. Wentz feigns an injury to distract the referee allowing Trey Miguel to grab Nemeth’s leg as Wentz takes control. Nemeth connects with Danger Zone for the victory.

Nic Nemeth def Zachary Wentz

Trey Miguel tries to get a piece of Nemeth after the match and eats a Danger Zone too. Steve Maclin jumps Nemeth and looks for the KIA but Nemeth connects with one more Danger Zone and stands tall.

Crazzy Steve addresses his recent Digital Media Title win at Countdown To Hard To Kill but is interrupted by Rhino. Rhino shoves Steve as Steve laughs maniacally.

Decay discuss their resurrection and Knockouts World Tag Team Title victory at Hard To Kill.

Dani Luna and Jody Threat vs MK Ultra

MK Ultra drop Threat with their tandem piledriver to return to winning ways after their title loss at Hard To Kill. MK Ultra also piledrive Luna after the match to assert their dominance.

MK Ultra def Dani Luna and Jody Threat

Next week on iMPACT!: Nic Nemeth vs Trey Miguel, we hear from Frankie Kazarian, Brian Myers vs Kevin Knight plus ABC vs GYV in the first match of the TNA World Tag Team Title Best of 3 Series.

The System (Eddie Edwards, Moose and Brian Myers) vs The Motor City Machine Guns and Kazuchika Okada

Kazuchika Okada makes his entrance to rapturous applause as he returns to TNA for the first time since 2011. Okada connects with the iconic Rainmaker on Brian Myers allowing Alex Shelley to follow up with Shellshock for the victory. Okada and The Guns celebrate their monumental victory.

The Motor City Machine Guns and Kazuchika Okada def The System (Eddie Edwards, Moose and Brian Myers)

After the credits, Mustafa Ali addresses TNA Wrestling.

TNA IMPACT! goes off the air.

(Credit: TNA Wrestling)

Google to tweak crypto ad policy, amplify Bitcoin ETF visibility - January 28, 2024

Google, a subsidiary of tech conglomerate Alphabet, is on the verge of a significant policy update set to take effect on Jan. 29, which could alter the landscape of cryptocurrency advertising.

Now that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approved 11 spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETFs on Jan. 10, Google is expected to amend its rules and enable asset managers to advertise these products to a broader U.S. audience.

This move follows Google’s recent decision to broaden its cryptocurrency and related products’ policy, now providing advertisers with specific guidelines for promoting what it calls “cryptocurrency coin trusts.”

Advertisers eager to capitalize on Google’s platform, renowned for its expansive reach and high search volume, will now require certification to ensure compliance with the tech giant’s stringent requirements.

The significance of this development is highlighted by the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) converting to a spot Bitcoin ETF, coupled with the sanctioning of 10 other institutions to include spot BTC ETFs in their investment portfolios.

Crypto analysts are optimistic about the ramifications of this policy change on the digital currency sphere, as Google processes around 8.55 billion searches daily, according to DemandSage.

Can Google Ads tip the scales for Bitcoin ETFs?

The crypto community speculates that the heightened visibility of Bitcoin ETFs through Google’s ad platform may drive substantial awareness and investment in the space.

As such, companies operating within the spot Bitcoin ETF market could potentially witness a significant influx of interest from new segments of the public — not just from seasoned day traders or investors.

The update could also signal a shift in how cryptocurrency products are advertised, ensuring that ads meet legal requirements and are responsibly presented to an engaged audience.

Google’s policy change arrives at an opportune moment. The crypto market has seen fluctuating investor sentiment toward spot Bitcoin ETFs over the past week.

On Jan. 24, Bitcoin ETFs saw an influx of approximately $270 million, counterbalanced by significant withdrawals — most notably from Grayscale Investment’s Bitcoin ETF—totaling a net outflow of around $153 million. 

The trend did not improve, with Jan. 25 witnessing a continuation of the withdrawal streak, marking a fourth consecutive day of net outflows over the last week, totaling up to $80 million, specifically from the funds recognized by the SEC.

Despite these challenging dynamics, crypto commentators feel Google’s policy shift could potentially open doors to a flood of new investors. The increased visibility and imposed certification could counterbalance the recent outflows from the spot Bitcoin ETFs, signaling a possible rebound as we edge closer to the Jan. 29 policy implementation date.

UFC 298 CARD FILLS OUT WITH FOUR INTRIGUING BOUTS - January 27, 2024

UFC’s Return To Anaheim Receives A Quartet Of Fascinating Bouts

For UFC’s first visit to California since August 2022 for UFC 298: Volkanovski vs Topuria, the Anaheim fans will receive a treat of a card top to bottom. While most eyes will be trained toward Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight title defense against the undefeated Ilia Topuria as well as Robert Whittaker’s bout against Paulo Costa. Fun fights are abundant in the organization’s second pay-per-view of 2024, including four more just added to the slate.

Road to UFC winner Rinya Nakamura returns for his second official UFC bout against Carlos Vera. The Japanese bantamweight tallied six of his eight wins via finish and hopes to pick up his first official UFC stoppage after his decision win over Fernie Garcia in Singapore. Carlos Vera comes into the organization having just competed on the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter during which he lost to eventual tournament winner Brad Katona. He steps in hoping to have a successful UFC debut. 

Welterweights Josh Quinlan and Danny Barlow feature on the card as well. Quinlan, a Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus split his first two UFC bouts to Jason Witt and Trey Waters, and after injuries and a cancelled bout kept him out of the Octagon since his lost to Waters, he hopes to get a bounce back win over Barlow. A fellow DWCS alumnus, Barlow earned his contract with a first-round knockout of Raheam Forest In September 2023. The undefeated Barlow racked up four knockouts and one submission on his climb to the organization, and he hopes to stretch his undefeated record to 8-0 on February 17.

Another welterweight contest goes down as Oban Elliott and Val Woodburn lock horns. Woodburn is hoping to bounce back after suffering a knockout loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 290, which was his first professional loss in mixed martial arts. Meanwhile, Elliott aspires to become one of the best Welsh mixed martial artists after competing on at Cage Warriors and Dana White’s Contender Series, the latter of which he won a fight via majority decision in August 2023. “The Welsh Gangster” has proven durable, and the two are surely desperate to get their hands raised in Anaheim. 

Finally, two middleweights hoping to finally get their breakout moment square off as DWCS alumnus AJ Dobson and The Ultimate Fighter graduate Tresean Gore are set to fight. Dobson came into the organization with high expectatioins, and after dropping his first two bouts, he earned his first UFC win over Tafon Nchukwi in August 2023. The Ohio-bred grinder believes he now has the right things around him and in place to climbt he division’s ladder. He’ll be hard pressed against Gore, however. One of the highest touted prospects on his season of The Ultimate Fighter, Gore couldn’t parlay that into wins in his first two trips to the Octagon. That said, he bounced back with a viscious submission win over Josh Fremd in October 2022. He was originally slated to fight Bo Nickal at UFC 290 before injuries prevented that matchup, so he is in search of momentum ahead to once again chase his championship aspirations.

Stay tuned to UFC.com for any updates or changes to all events.

Search Engine News

Google lays off hundreds of employees in advertising sales team

Google is laying off hundreds of employees in its advertising sales team, the Alphabet-owned Google opens new tab company said on Tuesday, marking the latest cuts at the search giant.

The move adds to signs that job cuts will continue this year, as companies look to adopt artificial intelligence software and automation to lighten workloads.

Last week, Google said it would lay off several employees in its Voice Assistant units, hardware teams responsible for Pixel, Nest and Fitbit, as well as in its augmented reality team.

Google's customer solutions unit, which serves medium-level advertiser clients, will be the core team for growth moving forward, the company said.

Business Insider first reported the news earlier in the day.

Amazon opens new tab also said last week that it would lay off several hundred employees in its streaming and studio operations and 500 workers at its video streaming platform, Twitch.

Last month, Google - once touted as a leader in spurring AI research - unveiled its long-awaited AI model Gemini, as the company attempts to catch up to Microsoft, opens new tab in the AI race.

In January 2023, Alphabet announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs, or 6% of its global workforce.

(Wires, X, Alphabet, News and AI!)

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Social Media Platform News

Elon Musk's X receives money transmitter license in Utah

Elon Musk's social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday received a money-transmitter license from Utah, the 15th U.S. state to grant approval as the company explores offering payment features.

Utah granted the approval on Friday, according to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry, opens new tab, an online database.

It grants the company the ability similar to PayPal's, opens new tab Venmo, to facilitate money transfers and makes way for the company to allow users to send money to one another.

The push into payments could help X diversify its business beyond digital advertising, which has suffered setbacks since Musk took ownership.

Some major advertisers paused their spending or fled the platform after Musk last year agreed with an X user who espoused an antisemitic conspiracy theory. 

Speaking at a New York Times DealBook event later that month, the billionaire CEO made a profane comment about brands that had suspended their ads on X.

Since acquiring Twitter in October 2022, Musk has said he envisions remodeling the company into the purveyor of an "everything app" similar to popular Chinese app WeChat, which lets users send messages but also hail a taxi or pay merchants.

The company received its first state money-transmitter license in New Hampshire in June last year and also got approved by Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Maryland and Michigan.

(Sources: X, Wires, News and A.I!)

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Big Tech News

Mark Zuckerberg to be deposed in Texas multibillion-dollar suit targeting Meta for ‘secretly harvesting’ facial recognition without customer consent

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg will be called for a deposition in a lawsuit accusing Meta of “secretly harvesting” biometric data from its users.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg will be deposed as part of a Texas lawsuit accusing the Facebook and Instagram parent of using facial recognition technology without customer consent.

A Texas state appeals court upheld a lower court’s decision requiring Zuckerberg to give testimony in the case.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2022, accused Meta of “secretly harvesting” biometric data from its users in violation of state law.

The decision was a blow to Meta, which had sought to avoid having its boss deposed. Meanwhile, Texas argued Zuckerberg should be compelled to sit because he has “unique personal knowledge of discoverable information relevant to its claims,” the filing said.

Meta did not immediately return a request for comment on the court ruling.

Bloomberg was first to report on the decision.

The Texas lawsuit alleged that Meta gleaned the biometric data from photos and videos uploaded by users, shared the information with others and then “failed to destroy collected identifiers within a reasonable time.”

Texas is said to be seeking hundreds of billions of dollars in civil penalties – with fines of up to $25,000 for every violation of applicable state laws.

Meta has described the suit as “without merit.”

When the lawsuit was filed in February 2022, Texas Attorney General Ken Patton accused the company of attempting to “take advantage of people and their children with the intent to turn a profit at the expense of one’s safety and well-being.”

In November 2021, the Facebook parent said it would shut down its facial recognition program and proceeded to delete related data for more than a billion users.

(Wires, X, AI)

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Aussie Crypto Biz News

Some of Australia's largest retail brokers are working to allow local investors access to bitcoin spot price ETFs launching in the United States after they were approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Local exchanges reported that trading volumes for bitcoin and other currencies had more than doubled on Thursday, although the price remained steady.

The SEC decision means major financial institutions – including BlackRock, Grayscale, VanEck, Franklin Templeton, Fidelity and six others – will be allowed to issue securities that will be linked to the price movements of the 15-year-old cryptocurrency. The new spot ETFs are set to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq on Thursday night.

The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and Cboe Global Markets have all received permission to list the spot-bitcoin ETFs. BlackRock, Fidelity and Grayscale have already announced their fee plans for investors, marking the start of a fierce battle to attract investor money to the new asset class.

Australia is set to allow a local spot bitcoin ETF in the first half of this year.

(Sources: X, Wires, Google Finance, Yahoo and A.I)

(Image: A.I)

#Bitcoin #BitcoinETF #BitcoinEFTs #bitcoinetfapproval  #crypto #cryptonews #cryptocurrencies #CryptoCommunity #CryptocurrencyNews #SEC #Blackrock #Grayscale #VanEck #Franklin #Templeton #Fidelity #NYSE #Nasdaq #CBOE #fintech #asset #Assets #biz #biznews #mediabiz #prbiz #bitcoinnewsmedia #trends #trending #buzz #hype #PR #AI #X #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

Pro Wrestling

WWE NXT

January 16, 2024

Let's go ringside with Vic Joseph @VicJosephWWE and Booker T @BookerT5x for the call of the action!

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams vs. Edris Enofé & Malik Blade: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FrWJ0jtn_s&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

"Big splash. Into the cover. Hook of the leg to advance" Vic Joseph

"You asked the question - are these two on the same page. Looking at 'em right now man, they look like they are totally, totally, in-sync. I'm talking about working as a well oiled machine man" Booker T

"That's part of the game for these two as there's been a lot of questions"... VJ

Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker brainstorm team names: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOePeuR2FLo&ab_channel=WWE

The LWO is focused on winning the Dusty Cup: WWE NXT exclusive, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEhyWSts1Sw&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

Lyra Valkyria & Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice & Elektra Lopez: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7be7suMtaeA&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE

FULL MATCH – Women’s No. 1 Contender Battle Royal – Fatal 4-Way Finale: Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHUupf-ojiM&ab_channel=WWE

Trey Bearhill vs. Dijak: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pORRSZ5VcOA&ab_channel=WWE

JBL gives Josh Briggs some advice: NXT highlights, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1S67B1PeLg&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

Dijak is going to show Joe Gacy what crazy looks like: WWE NXT exclusive, Jan. 16, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_0cYYtOqZU&ab_channel=WWE

and more via the award winning official WWE YouTube Channel 

www.youtube.com/wwe

Media Man: Very solid. Loving the Wolf Dogs. Need to see much more of the farm or any other venues with Fallon Henley and Tiffany Stratton. From squared circle to paddock to bull riding, best of show and beyond. Yee Haw! Let's see some gold on Lexis King. King of his own domain. Future King Of The Ring. WWE legend JBL with great advise: "I want you to show NXT, WWE, who you are"!

#WWENXT #NXTDustyClassic #DustyClassic #NXTWomen #CarmeloHayes #TrickWilliams #WolfDogs #BronBreakker #BaronCorbin #LexisKing #King #kingmaker #JoshBriggs #JBL #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #USANetwork #broadcast #broadcasting #YouTube #YT #trends #trending #buzz #X #media 

Image credit: WWE NXT

Mixed Martial Arts

UFC @ufc 297

Strickland vs du Plessis - Bad Blood | UFC 297

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwA8DrO4XMk&t=20s&ab_channel=UFC

"When your about to go fight a man, whatever thoughts, doubts, fear, hesitation, you know, that's all just the coward in your brain".. Sean Strickland @SStricklandMMA 

FULL EPISODE | UFC 297 Countdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OES8O0YAEzo&t=11s&ab_channel=UFC

"In the annuals of UFC history, dominant UFC title holders were crowned." Narrator

"One of the most diverse fighters in the history of the sport" Joe Rogan

STRICKLAND vs DU PLESSIS | UFC 297 Countdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7iBEKaxLAE&t=8s&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYo2BJyVYi8&ab_channel=UFC

"Ah, so right now, Sean's going to teach me how to fight"... Nina Drama

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na8VB9SvTxw&t=4s&ab_channel=UFC

"We're going in my buddy's gun shop"... Sean Strickland

PENNINGTON vs BUENO SILVA | UFC 297 Countdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrfIwSTASv0&ab_channel=UFC

and much more history, story, highlights and moments via the award winning UFC YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com

Media Man: SS for the win. Cheers legend.

#UFC297 #UFC #SeanStrickand #duPlessis #BadBlood #UFCMiddleweight #NinaDrama #MMA #mixedmartialarts #combatsports #video #highlights #history #moments #story #YouTube #entertainment #popculture #legends #AndStill #sportsbiz #sportsnews #sportsmedia #PPV #PayPerView #streaming #trends #trending #buzz #X #media 

Image credit: UFC

Pro Wrestling

WWE 

Raw’s most shocking moments: Raw highlights, Jan. 15, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiqwQ-gpCyU&t=937s&ab_channel=WWE

"Do you remember the last match I had before I returned to WWE?  It was with you.  And I remember what you told me after that match. Do you remember? You said I was going to be a future world champion. And I've done it twice".. Drew McIntyre

"Since we're talking about stepping up, A assure you Drew, this is not an act"... Cody Rhodes

Media Man: Loving the storylines and in-ring promos built on actual history. The ups and downs of the pro wrestling industry and life in general. The story backed up by the amazing in-ring history makes the best version of professional wrestling. Master storytelling as we approach the Royal Rumble in just a few short weeks. Big thumbs up.

#WWERaw #WWE #DrewMcintyre #CodyRhodes #AmericanNightmare #JudgementDay #SethRollins #JinderMahal #RoyalRumble #prowrestling #wrestling #USANetwork #YouTube #YT #broadcast #broadcasting #moments #video #entertainment #popculture #trends #trending #buzz #TV #X #media 

Image credit: WWE

Report: Brands face marketing challenges in an AI world - January 17, 2024

After a challenging 2023, WARC Media predicts global advertising spend will double its growth in 2024 with spend expected to top $1 trillion for the first time. Just five companies – Alibaba, Alphabet, Amazon, Bytedance and Meta – are forecast to attract over half (51.9 per cent) of global advertising spend this year as their ad revenues rise by 10.7 per cent.

Key to this growth is the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). However, the growth of AI raises challenging questions about media quality and the future of advertising on the open internet.

With concerns around media quality affecting all aspects of media planning and buying, The Future of Media 2024 report takes a look at platform power in the era of AI, the current state of linear TV, the future of attention measurement, and the growth of in-game advertising.

Paul Stringer, Managing Editor, Research & Insights, WARC, commented: “As marketing budgets rebound in 2024, uncertainty swirls around where best to direct investments in media, the role of AI in planning, and how to assess media quality. And as politics temporarily engulf culture with impending elections in several major economies, and the threat of low-quality AI generated content looms large, media environments that can offer suitable guarantees around brand safety will take on extra value. With this report we aim to provide insights and data enabling marketers to be better equipped to make informed decisions and plan for success in the year ahead.”

Key trends outlined in The Future of Media 2024 are:

AI-based advertising solutions grow but force advertisers into trade-offs

Walled garden platforms are expanding their reach and influence in advertising, thanks in part to the adoption of new AI-based capabilities, such as Meta’s Advantage+ and Google’s Performance Max.

While this has generated a fair deal of excitement among advertisers, these trends have also prompted fresh concerns about advertising transparency and increased speculation about the future of advertising on the open web.

For agencies and brands, transparency should be prioritised when working with AI-based tools, AI-generated content is a threat to media quality and brand safety, and brands should take steps to protect their investments in open web advertising.

Linear TV consumption continues its gradual decline but age matters 

Linear TV (broadcast and cable) consumption has been in gradual decline over the last decade, particularly with young audiences. Despite remaining the most trusted medium, there is a sense that this decline has accelerated over the last year.

According to WARC data, global Linear TV ad spend decreased by 5.4 per cent in 2023 and data from WARC’s 2024 Marketer’s Toolkit shows that only 18 per cent of marketers worldwide plan to increase their investment in linear TV this year, while 39 per cent plan to withdraw spend.

However, actual time spent consuming TV only declined on average by 3 minutes daily (2.7 per cent) in 2023. WARC Media forecasts global linear TV consumption to decline by a further 2 minutes per day (1.9 per cent) in 2024, meaning people will continue to spend more time with linear TV than streaming video, streaming music, or listening to podcasts.

Dave Campanelli, EVP/Chief Investment Officer, Horizon Media, says: “We hear a lot about ‘linear is dead’. People are still watching linear TV. They tend to be older, but they are still watching linear TV. And it’s 50 per cent of this whole pie. Our budgets need to represent that, depending on your age segment and who you’re going after.”

Attention measurement at a crossroads

An increasing number of brands and agencies are embracing attention measurement as a means of assessing creative and media quality. However, a lack of common standards and substantial evidence are two potential barriers to attention measurement achieving widespread adoption and legitimacy.

A common criticism of attention measurement is that it is strongly biased towards visual media. The top tools used across all companies are eye tracking (50 per cent), survey-based ad recall (46 per cent), tuning duration/dwell time (42 per cent) and facial coding (42 per cent).

The need to understand how attention works across different media channels and formats is resulting in more research and the building of new models of media quality. Brands and agencies should scrutinise vendor tools and methods, conduct their own experiments into attention to determine its value to their advertising, and prove the business effects of attention.

Karen Nelson-Field, Founder and CEO, Amplified Intelligence, said: “It’s clear that the industry needs more robust evidence [for attention measurement] to convince CFOs and procurement teams that low-cost media doesn’t necessarily equate to efficiency. When we focus on business effects and align with the goals of CFOs, the industry as a whole will benefit.”

The growth of in-game advertising

With a global audience of over 3 billion, gaming has developed into one of the most popular and pervasive forms of entertainment in the world, but remains a largely untapped opportunity for brands. Research by IAB estimates that gaming accounts for 5 per cent of advertiser budgets.

Offering increasing amounts of ad inventory and a highly engaged and diverse audience, there are shifts taking place across the wider gaming industry that signal the potential for further growth:

(1) major acquisitions such as Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of Activision and Sony’s purchase of Bungie and Savage Game Studios; (2) the continual leveraging of gaming IP in new TV and movie releases; (3) the growth of cloud-based game streaming services; (4) investment from new entrants such as Netflix, Amazon and Bytedance.

PWC estimates that video game advertising revenues will be worth $91 billion in 2024, meaning gaming would be the fifth largest channel by advertising spend, behind search, social media, linear TV and retail media.

According to WARC’s Marketer’s Toolkit Survey 2024, more than half (51 per cent) of advertisers plan to increase their investments in gaming next year, but authenticity and integration are key to success.

(Advanced Television)

MMA News

Mixed Martial Arts Media World and Fans respond well to announced PFL @PFLMMA card line-up

"And you know I'm always curious as well as to how the fans feel about news and whatno, especially when I'm hearing about things a couple of weeks out, and I have to say, and I think you know this to a degree, when your not the UFC the fans, especially on Twitter and social media can be a little harsh right because they've been supporting the UFC for so long. I was kind of blown away by the response yesterday"... - Ariel Helwani

"We held nothing back for fans" Donn Davis

"Current fans, skeptical or not yet a fan..said, You moved up two or three notches as far as interest and certainly respect" DD

"..All we're trying to tell fans is MMA is big. There's 650 million fans out there" Donn Davis

"UFC puts on a great product. We put on a different and  unique, great product. Check it out" Donn Davas, PFL (Professional Fighters League)..

"It ain't either or. This ain't Coke or Pepsi. PLF's doing a whole different thing".."and we're doing a whole different thing for fans and a whole different thing for fighters, and I think yesterday people started to get that vibe".. "So we're delighted on how it all came together" Donn Davis 

"Mega Event" DD

Videos

Donn Davis Takes Shot at UFC, Talks PFL vs. Bellator Fight Card | The MMA Hour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BiKNaHe3to&ab_channel=MMAFightingonSBN

PFL MMA YouTube Channel

PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions is OFFICIAL for Feb 24th!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_XpqxZJtUI&ab_channel=PFLMMA

Riyadh Season has revealed that the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) will host an unprecedented pay- per-view mega event – PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions – from the state-of the-art Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 24. This unprecedented Champions vs Champions fight card features four co-main fights of current PFL Champions vs current Bellator Champions. In addition, the card features two compelling match-ups of previous PFL title challenges vs previous Bellator title challengers. (Credit: PFL)

More great PFL history, profiles, news and developments via their official YouTube channel

www.youtube.com/@PFLMMA

Media Man: Stronger than average interview and fight card. Credit where credit is due. Mixed martial arts world buzz continues.

PFL vs Bellator fight card

Feb. 24, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 3 p.m. ET):

Renan Ferreira vs Ryan Bader

Impa Kasanganay vs Johnny Eblen

Magomed Magomedkerimov vs Jason Jackson

Jesus Pinedo vs Patricio Pitbull

Bruno Cappelozza vs Vadim Nemkov

Thiago Santos vs Yoel Romero

Clay Collard vs AJ McKee

Prelims (ESPN News/ESPN+ at 12:30 p.m. ET):

Gabriel Braga vs Aaron Pico

Biaggio Ali Walsh vs Chris Morris

Claressa Shields vs Kelsey DeSantis

Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs Edukondal Rao

Malik Basahel vs Vinicius Pereira

Image credit: PFL

#PFL #ProfessionalFightersLeague #DonnDavis #quote #quotes #MMAFighting #ArielHelwani 

#RenanFerreira #RyanBader #Ferreira #Bader #FerreiraBader #RiyadhSeason #interview #PFLChampions #Bellator #BellatorChampions #PFLBellator #combatsports #sportsbiz #sportsmedia #sportsnews #sportsmarketing #PPV #PPVS #PayPerView #megaevent #specialevent #specialevents #livesports #liveentertainment #trends #trending #buzz #hype #X #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

All Elite Wrestling @AEW 

Samoa Joe’s FIRST AEW World Title defense! Joe vs FTW Champ Hook! | 1/17/24, AEW Dynamite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M98j3dB9SQI&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

"Managed Joe years ago. Joe knew Hook when he was little" Taz

"Not little any more"

"A wild right hand and he's got the champion on his hands and knees"

"That can certainly be an advantage. I mean Hook has grown as a professional wrestler watching Samoa Joe. Watching his win titles"

"See that right hand. In front of our desk here" Taz

Media Man: Great match between Joe and Hook. Both legit bad asses. Hook, Hook, Hook!  One of our favourite AEW pro wrestling matches ever! Hook mania running wild! FTW vs AEW lockerroom and beyond. Hook tipped as future world champ. Shoots and hooks matter. This ain't ballet folks. Those who can wrestler. Those who can't or fittest days are past are media, fans or both!

Much world class pro wrestling via the official AEW YouTube Channel 

www.youtube.com/AEW 

#AEW #AEWDynamite #AEWTitle #SamoaJoe #Hook #JoeHook #FTW #Taz #prowrestling #wrestling #dreammatch #dreammatches #combatsports #entertainment #music #showbiz #feature #highlights #YouTube #trends #trending #buzz #TV #X #media

Image credit: AEW

"Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings." - John F. Kennedy

Best Quotes Of The Day (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/best_quotes.html

"The Man In The Arena" (spoken by JFK). Video

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dTx-12tWdKA

#JFK #JohnFKenny #quote #quotes #problems #man #human #humanbeings #TheManInTheArena #poltiics #USA #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

The Cycle

Meditation

Visualization

Frequently 

Energize

Exercise 

Action

Interaction

Light 

Listening

Sound

Patience

Transaction 

Flow

Reflection 

Be

Zen

Rest

Repeat 

Mind, Body and Spirit (Media Man Int)

Wrestling News Media

Nick Aldis on wrestling for WWE: 'I'll cross that bridge if I come to it' Aldis isn't closing the door on competing in a WWE ring - January 2024

Though he's having a blast in his current role, Nick Aldis isn't ruling out the possibility of wrestling in WWE.

Aldis joined WWE as a producer last summer and has now been working as an on-screen character for three months. He was introduced as the new SmackDown general manager on October 13.

Aldis has been involved in a power struggle with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline on WWE television, leading some fans to speculate that a Reigns vs. Aldis match could happen one day. Aldis told the Daily Mail that he's grateful for the fans who want to see him compete in a WWE ring. Aldis is fully committed to his GM role right now but believes that anything is possible in WWE.

Anything is possible in the WWE. I deeply appreciate all of the fans who keep me alive in that regard, who want to see me in the ring with this person or that person. Since my interaction with Roman, that started a whole different conversation in that regard.

I'm just grateful that there's an interest in it. At the same time, I'm fully committed to being the best general manager of all time, so I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.

When Aldis departed the NWA, he knew that he wanted to end up with some kind of a job in WWE. Aldis wanted the chance to contribute in the big leagues.

I've been having a blast. I've come in blessed with the gift of managed expectations. I had sort of made peace with the idea that maybe WWE was never going to be on the cards for me at all. So I certainly have come in with a level of gratitude that I perhaps wouldn't have had as a guy in his 20s.

I came in on a on a day rate, try out as a producer behind the scenes, which I, again, had fully made peace with the idea of if that's going to be my job, then that's going to be my job, and I'll do that job to the best of my ability, because I decided that at this point in my life and my career, I wanted to contribute to the big leagues.

That may be because I put in my 10,000 hours, I felt like I had done enough and had enough experience, enough expertise and my own unique sort of philosophy and my own track record of success in the wrestling business that I was ready to work at the top level. I felt one way or another that my skill set as a professional was best suited to be contributing to the number one company.

I finished up with the NWA. And at that time, I decided that if there was any kind of opportunity whatsoever with WWE, that was where I wanted to be. I felt like I'd done everything I could do at a place with limited resources and just decided one way or another that I wanted a chance to contribute there.

Aldis was a two-time Worlds Heavyweight Champion while with the NWA. He's also a former TNA World Champion.

On SmackDown two weeks ago, Aldis announced that Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Randy Orton, LA Knight, and AJ Styles in a fatal four-way match at the Royal Rumble. Aldis made the announcement after The Bloodline disrupted an Orton vs. Knight vs. Styles number one contender's match.

Nic Nemeth On Why He Chose To Confront Moose at TNA Hard to Kill

In an interview for TNA’s Instagram (via Fightful), Nic Nemeth explained why he chose to confront Moose for his TNA debut at this past Saturday’s Hard to Kill PPV. Nemeth will appear on tonight’s Impact on AXS TV to explain his actions.

He said: “I wasn’t focused on Moose [at TNA Hard To Kill], and I wasn’t even focused on the championship, which I have thought about non-stop for a long time. Like I said, I go, where can I pinpoint the moment where people will make it the most memorable? I did 20 years in one company. I get one chance to make a second impression here on the world. That will be the biggest possible moment and the most talked-about, I think. I really think that helps myself and the company. I didn’t have a plan. Moose is in my target, I got him. I was watching that title match going, whoever wins, I’m sliding in there and going, ‘Here I am, let’s go.’ So I don’t exactly know what my focus is, other than, I have earned everything that I’ve worked for, to a point where I go, I don’t want to stroll in here and be like, ‘Hey, I showed up through the crowd so you gotta give me a title shot,’ or, ‘I’m famous, so I get a ….’ No, I wanted to make my mark there, and now I focus on, where can I fit in? Where can I start building blocks to make myself to where I’m not presenting it, but the world goes, this should be the number one contender, and here’s why. Then, when that happens, I’ll know that I’ll be able to sleep at night going, I have proven myself worthy of a title shot. Okay, now let’s focus on the champion. No, I’m not hand-picking anything: I’m here, and I said, I am lucky to be here, I’m happy to be here. If I get some more eyes on TNA, hell yeah, that rocks. Let me know where I start, and I’m coming in with my lunchbox and ready to go. I’m gonna prove it in the ring every single night that says, we need to do something else. We need to get this guy in the title picture, he has earned it. But I gotta put in the time first and the effort. I’m not all show and all talk. I’m gonna earn it, but I want the TNA locker room and the audience to be going, this is the guy. He deserves a shot. Not me walking in and saying, ‘Hey, give me a shot.’ Hell no. I would never do it that way the rest of my life. There’s no way I’ll do it now. I want to make this count. I want it to be special.“

TNA Wrestling: TNA Champion Moose Says TNA Wrestling now in "Hot Spot" - 18th January 2024

"Even though he took me out, which I'm going to get mine back when the time is right, but let's leave that alone. Talking about Nic coming into the company, I think it's huge for TNA. Obviously, I'm a huge fan of his. He's a superstar. He's done everything in professional wrestling, he's been World Champion, he's been a tag team guy, he's won every single title you can think about. He's been all over the world. He has a huge buzz going right now. For him to pick TNA over AEW and New Japan or any other company, that shows that TNA is a hot spot right now. I'm happy he's part of the team, I'm happy I get to do something down the road with him. I'm happy that TNA is starting to be a spot where people want to come. Same thing with Ash By Elegance, her picking us over other companies out there, I'm happy she is part of the team and I can't wait to see what the future brings with Nic and Ash.”

Kazuchika Okada to leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling - January 19, 2024

Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Kazuchika Okada will be leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling after the conclusion of his contract on January 31 2024. 

We apologise to fans for the abrupt nature of this announcement, but join them in wishing Okada the very best in his future. 

As the New Beginning series begins this weekend, Okada will appear on February dates on February 11 in Osaka, and February 23 and 24 in Sapporo. Changes will be made to forthcoming cards with an announcement to follow. 

We appreciate your understanding and continued support. 

Kazuchika Okada statement:

I have nothing but gratitude for having been a part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since 2007, and for NJPW bringing me from a 19 year old kid off the plane in Mexico to the Rainmaker I am today. Thank you to the best of companies in NJPW, to the best of opponents that I’ve been able to face here, and to the best of fans that have cheered and booed over the years. I promise to make it rain in every match I have left, so keep watching.  

WWE

SmackDown preview, Jan. 19, 2024: Huge Contract Signing for Royal Rumble set

Don't miss SmackDown, this Friday at 8/7 C on FOX!

Next week on SmackDown, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, LA Knight and AJ Styles will be in the ring to sign the contract for their monumental title match at Royal Rumble. 

The last time all four men shared the ring, utter bedlam erupted as The Bloodline attacked Styles, Orton and Knight while they were competing in a Triple Threat Match to determine who would challenge Reigns at Royal Rumble. 

What will happen when these four dynamic Superstars participate in what seems certain to be a volatile contract signing? 

Don’t miss SmackDown, next week at 8/7 C on FOX! 

"The Kevin Owens Show" to welcome U.S Champ Logan Paul

A special edition of "The Kevin Owens Show" is coming to Friday Night SmackDown as the No. 1 Contender to the United States Title welcomes the champion, Logan Paul.

Owens earned the right to face The Maverick after winning the United States Title Tournament by defeating Santos Escobar in the finals, a result that clearly bothered Paul. 

The last time the two Superstars came face-to-face, Owens knocked out the champion with a brutal punch from his casted right hand, so there's no telling what will happen they meet again live on Friday at 8/7 C on FOX!

The LWO to take on Santos Escobar, Angel and Humberto in Six-Man Tag Team action

Carlito, Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro will represent The LWO against their bitter rivals Santos Escobar, Angel and Humberto in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.

Since Escobar turned his back on The LWO, WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, Carlito, Wilde and Del Toro have been waiting for their chance at payback, and it will finally come on Friday Night SmackDown.

With the numbers not in his favor, Escobar brought Angel and Humberto from NXT to form Legado World Order.

Don't miss this Six-Man Tag Team Match live on Friday Night SmackDown at 8/7 C on FOX!

(WWE)

Wrestler Grayson Waller’s defiant response to Sunrise controversy - January 19th, 2024

An Aussie wrestler isn’t backing down after he caused chaos live on Sunrise this week, threatening to punch a crew member.

By Nick Bond

Australian wrestling champ Grayson Waller has shared a simple public response to the controversy over his chaotic appearance on Sunrise earlier this week.

Waller was appearing on Tuesday’s episode of Sunrise alongside US wrestler LA Knight, and lost his temper when hosts Natalie Barr and Matt Doran attempted to goad them into showing off some of their moves on a willing crew member.

“I don’t think you understand – if I come over there right now, we’re going to have the police here, cos I’m not going to give you some fake punch. I’m going to punch you straight in the jaw,” Waller said, as Doran struggled to contain him while the crew member quickly scarpered from the set.

To the average viewer, it was a shocking outburst – but as the clip circulated online, wrestling fans were quick to praise Waller. They insisted his trash-talk had actually diffused the situation, and was a better option than what the Sunrise hosts were suggesting he do: Potentially hurt a member of their staff.

Waller posted a photo to his Twitter account yesterday that would’ve been cryptic to many, but one that meant something to wrestling fans:

The photo in question is from an infamous 1988 encounter between wrestler David Schultz and reporter John Stossel, who was at the time working on an ‘expose’ on the world of professional wrestling.

“I think this is fake,” Stossel told the wrestler, which got an immediate – and violent – response.

‘You think this is fake?” Schultz asked, before smacking the reporter across the face, leaving him cowering on the ground.

“You think that’s fake? What the hell’s wrong with you? That’s an open-hand slap, huh?”

Schultz continued, before walloping Stossel again, leaving him to flee down the corridor.

The wrestling faithful knew exactly what Waller was referencing just from the screenshot of Schultz – and applauded him for standing his ground on Sunrise.

“That was awesome. Good on you for sticking up for wrestling. They were totally disrespectful,” wrote one follower.

“I saw you in a different light today, Grayson. Good on you,” said another.

“My respect for you has risen tenfold,” another fan tweeted.

After footage of Waller’s outburst went viral on social media – one clip alone has been viewed more than 1.5 million times – fans praised him his respect for “kayfabe”, a wrestling term used to describe the convention of presenting staged performances as genuine or authentic.

“That was absolutely f**king brilliant from Waller there. He protected kayfabe, he protected Knight. He was so sharp and on the ball. I was already a fan of his but my respect for him just grew a lot from this,” gushed one fan.

Waller’s face might be familiar to reality TV fans: He was a controversial contestant on the 2019 season of Australian Survivor, where he proved divisive among his fellow contestants and viewers due to his aggressive nature in challenges.

Teammate and former AFL player Abby Holmes dubbed him an “actual idiot,” but Farrelly, who is also a high school teacher when he’s not wrestling, soon embraced the epithet, selling “ACTUAL IDIOT” T-shirts at his wrestling matches.

“I had a feeling that most of my airtime was probably going to be me yelling and screaming, and I’m OK with that,” he told news.com.au after his elimination from the show.

(News Corp)

Wrestling Media

Update

Wrestling Media (Media Man Int)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_media.html

Wrestling News, including flashbacks and retro via social media channels (Media Man Int)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_news.html

A collaboration between Media Man, Wrestling News Media @wrestlingnewsm and Australian Sports Entertainment @austsportsent 

#wrestlingmedia #wrestlingnews #wrestlingnewsmedia #prowrestling #prowrestlingnews #sportsentertainment #WWE #SmackDown #TKO #KO #TNAWrestling #TNA #AEW #NWA #UFC #PFL #MMA #grappling #combatsports #champions #worldchampion #Goat #rankings #wrestlingnewsmedia #australiansportsentertainment #popculture #blog #blogs #blogging #onlinenews #promotions #wrestlingpromotions #wrestlingpromoters #interviews #OP #ED #gonzo #mainstream #alt #trend #trends #newsmedia #buzz #TV #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

Reigns, Knight, Orton and Styles set for Contract Signing: WWE Now, January 19, 24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS4t3oMLL2E&t=15s&ab_channel=WWE

Watching the live broadcast!

and more world class pro wrestling, action and drama via the award winning WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

Media Man: This ain't going to be any normal contract signing folks! This isn't 'Succession' or 'Billions'. This is the world of the WWE! #SmackDown #WWE2K24 

#SmackDown #RoyalRumble #HeadOfTheTable #prowrestling #wrestling #wrestlingnews #wrestlingmedia #TheBloodline #PaulHeyman #RomanReigns #RandyOrton #AJStyles #LAKnights #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #LWO #LatinoWorldOrder #NickAldis #wrestlingcontract #contract #contractsigning #combatsports #fight #fighters #entertainment #popculture #broadcast #broadcasting #FOX #PLE #PPV #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media 

Image credit: WWE

Aussie Sports Pay-Per-View News

UFC - Foxtel Group Pay-Per-View Partnership

January 2024

Kayo Sports (part of The Foxtel Group), out of Australia, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) @UFC have officially commenced a new multi-year agreement from January 1, 2024, which sees Main Event @MainEventTV – available only on Kayo Sports and Foxtel – become the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View events down under in Australia aka Terror Australis! The readership knows we like media on the edge, so we've got to slip the Aussie slang in every now and again to suit the theme right.

The first Pay-Per-View (PPV) exclusive event will see UFC middleweight Champion Sean "Tarzan" Strickland make his virgin title defence against South African Dricus "Stillknocks" Du Plessis as they marquee UFC 297 direct from Toronto on January 21.

This partnership casts Main Event as the undisputed home of PPV in Australia, with a prized tradition of showcasing the biggest UFC fights across the globe, as well as being a key part of seeing up and coming top range fighters climb to the top since 2008.

Under the terms of the new agreement, fans looking to hit up a buy of a UFC PPV will be redirected to Foxtel and Kayo Sports’ Main Event platform for exclusive access to world class matches. UFC Fight Pass will continue to broadcast live UFC fights, including the Preliminary bouts to UFC PPV events and each UFC Fight Night event in its entirety, in addition to live and on-demand combat sports and unforgettable archived bouts from around the world.

In addition to all the UFC PPV events, sports fans can expect a full menu of UFC content, including UFC Fight Nights, UFC Pay-Per-View Prelims, UFC Countdown, DC & RC, plus selected titles from UFC’s Fight Library on ESPN, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.

Ahead of the UFC’s first PPV event in 2024, Australian foodie critic, MasterChef Australia judge and self-confessed fanatic Melissa Leong will host UFC Fight Week on Wednesday, January 17, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Melissa will be joined by panellists Tyson Pedro and Dan Hooker as they break down UFC 297 and interview Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. The show will be replayed daily leading up to the event.

UFC’s popularity has boomed since it was first broadcast in Australia in 2008. There are now in excess of 700 million UFC fans across the globe. In Australia and New Zealand, UFC counts more than 4.3 million fans and features the youngest fan base of any professional sport in Australia with 48 per cent aged between 18-39. These stats are gold to the business of sports marketing, sports media and other associated business arms.

“We’re excited to strengthen and expand our relationship with the UFC, the fastest growing sport in the world, and 2024 will deliver a line-up of epic battles, kicking on January 21 with UFC 297,” said Rebecca McCloy, executive director of commercial sport at Foxtel Group.

“Foxtel and Kayo Sports are the best sports broadcasters in the country and they have backed UFC in Australia since the beginning. Together, we will continue to grow UFC in Australia and they will be the destination for the biggest and baddest fights we put on year-round,” said UFC president Dana White.

It will be a full UFC schedule on Main Event in 2024. Following UFC 297, all eyes will turn to Australia’s fan-favourite UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski for his much-anticipated title defence against Georgian Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 in California on February 18.

Media Man: Combat sports PPVs certainly have boomed in Australia since circa 1996 to 2000 when we most closely collaborated and cross promoted with Main Event while working for Optus Vision/Communications in a full-time capacity. The UFC continued to build upon the earlier success of pro boxing and pro wrestling on pay-per-view. The YouTube and social media based features are great, but there's nothing quite like a main event MMA match on PPV for those who live and breath combat sports. Many fighters and former fighters these days even have their own channels across the internet. Exciting times for combat sports fans as well as for those who work in and around the industry. Another chance to ground and pound and KO with the best of them thanks to the UFC, Kayo Sports and Main Event.

Videos To Help Get Casual and Hardcore Fans Up To Speed on UFC 297

(Sources: UFC, Main Event and News)

UFC Official YouTube

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G8qz_UVusA&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=virYgBbiSog&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 297: Final Faceoffs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ipEXK1tHQA&ab_channel=UFC

Main Event Official YouTube

Dana White: New Home of the UFC l Main Event

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaKiSNkC6cM&ab_channel=mainevent

Chael Sonnen Official YouTube

The Rise of Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis | UFC 297

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR8DxSWk3Tc&t=53s&ab_channel=ChaelSonnen

Daniel Cormier Official YouTube

Sean Strickland WARNS Du Plessis: "Bring that s*** up, and it's ON SIGHT!" | Daniel Cormier Check-In

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gieWHG_Q2yU&ab_channel=DanielCormier

#UFC297 #UFC298 #UFC300 #UFCAustralia #KayoSports #MainEvent #UFC #UFCNews #UFCMedia #PPV #PayPerView #PayPerViews #SeanStrickland #Strickland #DricusDuPlessis #DuPlessis #DanaWhite #quote #quotes #combatsports #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsmarketing #sportsbiz #broadcast #broadcasting #OTT #OverTheTop #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Image credit: UFC

Search Engine Journal

SEO structures Geo

SEJ's Motoko with an insightful and interesting article about the global nature of the internet based business. Numerous valid points. We started with one basic website and a basic blog. Then we expanded with a range of dotcoms and dotcomdotaus and numerous social media platforms and challenges. Cast the net far and wide and adapt to the cycles and frequently changes in the industry. Business models can and generally should be changed and improved from time to time to adapt. In and around sports news media and sports and pop culture media business there are frequent changes and developments. New websites can be created for a minimum budget. Exposure can be gained in numerous ways including the trending algorithm and getting indexed on Google and the like. Having a local, state, national and international approach helps plug into go-ahead areas one may otherwise miss. Geo stories in far away lands can really take off and create great opportunities. My biggest deal ever was involving one brand in three counties and we adpated it to the different geo zones. Business is not a sprint, it's a marathon and there's always more work to do. Last but not least, enjoy the journey as it's part of the bigger picture. 

MMA

UFC @ufc 

The UFC, the world's leading mixed martial arts promotion continues to produce world beating videos to further fuel new and old fight fans; In-Octagon action plus storylines, features, moments and more!

Videos

UFC 297: Strickland vs du Plessis Cold Open

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZAaHe3H-94&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 297 Free Fight Marathon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7IyI84DbNg&t=209s&ab_channel=UFC

UFC 297 Embedded: Vlog Series - Episode 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=virYgBbiSog&t=2s&ab_channel=UFC

Media Man Int

UFC 2024 (Media Man Int)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/ufc_2024.html

PPV News (Media Man Int)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7IyI84DbNg&t=209s&ab_channel=UFC

Sean Strickland (Media Man Int)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/sean_strickland.html

MMA living legend Chael Sonnen offers more insight and colourful commentary

The Rise of Sean Strickland & Dricus Du Plessis | UFC 297

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR8DxSWk3Tc&t=62s&ab_channel=ChaelSonnen

"Oh, we got a good one this weekend guys" CS

"This is one of the incredible studies in a microcosm in the world of marketing"...

"Luck is very real, but what does it mean"? CS

Fellow MMA Living Legend Michael Bisping offers insight and tips

BISPING: UFC 297 Strickland vs Du Plessis | FINAL PREDICTIONS & PRESS CONFERENCE REACTION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvO-mgcp01U&t=265s&ab_channel=MichaelBisping

Daniel Cormier, Last But Not Least Media Man Fav Grapples With The Situation

Dricus Du Plessis GOES IN ON Sean Strickland: "That excuse has EXPIRED" | Daniel Cormier Check-In

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tpuivuKdkw&ab_channel=DanielCormier

"Look man, this is as personal as its going to get, and in personal fights, ya boy always shows up" DC

News

Aussie Sports Pay-Per-View News: UFC - Foxtel Group Pay-Per-View Partnership

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/aussie_sports.html

Media Man: Tarzan vs Stillknocks isn't going to go the full distance. Both are there to fight. DP stats 3 rounds or less. Plenty of stand-up and it may go to the ground if one of both get hit hard enough. If it goes to the ground expect ground and pound to "the death" (almost), as both shook hands on at the presser! SS once again talked fight fans into the arena. Big personalties and big hits to match. Going viral and to trend off the charts to say the least. Someone is going to get hurt. It's put up or shut up. Let's F'N go!

Final Thought: "Everyone's got a plan until they get punched in the face" - Mike Tyson

Image credit: UFC

#UFC297 #Strickland #duplessis #SticklandDuPlessis #Tarzan #Stillknocks #UFCCanada #UFCTitl #UFCMiddleweight #UFC #UFCNews #UFCMedia #MMA #mixedmartialarts #combatsports #YouTube #YT #videos #PPV #PayPerView #TKO #TKOGroup #ppvnews #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsbetting #wager #trends #trending #buzz #hype #X #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

All Elite Wrestling @AEW

COPE OPEN! Dante Martin steps up to Adam Copeland’s open challenge! | 1/20/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmYbXArA7us&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

TWO HEAVY HITTERS! A returning Jon Moxley takes on Shane Taylor! | 1/20/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmbkA6nRVD8&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Bang Bang Scissor Gang? AEW Trios Champs & ROH 6-Man Champs Together? | 1/20/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko50hxGfvek&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Thunder Rosa returns to singles competition! Rosa vs Queen Aminata! | 1/20/24 AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LGwOH4VI38&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Adam Copeland's Open Challenge Continues + Mox Returns! | AEW Control Center: St. Louis, 1/20/24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZSUs7T0g94&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

MUST SEE REMATCH! Could Darby Allin & Jeff Hardy top their last meeting? | 1/19/24, AEW Rampage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1Rl4SOBpH4&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Media Man: Better than solid solid show. The Bang Bang Gold has added some new spark and entertainment value to the AEW shows. Switchblade is on fire. Great to have Thunder Rosa back. Change is in the wind. Rumbling's of a big Japanese signing coming up, but nothing is ever 100 percent until it happens. TK keeps up the good fight while providing more options for pro wrestlers and fans across the globe.

#AEWRampage #AEWCollison #AEWRevolution #AdamCopeland #RatedRSuperstar #BangBangGang #JaySwitchblade #JonMoxley #Mox #ThunderRosa #Sting #prowrestling #wrestling #TNA #TBS #broadcast #broadcasting #entertainment #popculture #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media 

Image credit: AEW

MMA 

UFC 297

Media Man: UFC, ESPN MMA, TNT Sports, The MAC Life and others release interviews, clips, media footage and more, plus more to follow. Insiders expecting strong Pay-Per-View buy rates in Canada, U.S, Australia and elsewhere. Sold out crowd starts anti-Candian PM chants impossible to ignore. Politics and sports don't really mix, but tend to get bundled together for better or worse. Emotionally charged crowd and fighter interviews. "Stillknocks" and "Tarzan's" eyes battered! UFC top Brass Dana White thinks SS won!

UFC Official YouTube

UFC 297: Post-Fight Press Conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ2G1M4M4rQ&ab_channel=UFC

UFC YouTube Live Streams

https://www.youtube.com/@ufc/streams

TNT Sports YouTube

New UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis on fighting Israel Adesanya at UFC 300!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA7yCVDbaQE&ab_channel=TNTSports

ESPN MMA YouTube

Dricus Du Plessis recaps his win vs. Sean Strickland at UFC 297 | ESPN MMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHTPdR0J7xc&t=6s&ab_channel=ESPNMMA

Immediate Reaction to the scoring of Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis | UFC 297

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7GC4e7wS78&ab_channel=ESPNMMA

UFC 297 Post Show debates if Sean Strickland or Dricus Du Plessis won | ESPN MMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ko3bR3wVG0&t=4s&ab_channel=ESPNMMA

The MAC Life YouTube

Dricus Du Plessis: “I look like a cauliflower”; Israel Adesanya at UFC 300? | UFC Press Conference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0kaXpMOzUM&ab_channel=TheMacLife

Dana White: ‘I thought Sean Strickland won'; UFC 300 main event to be announced next week

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwJAL8HI29s&t=215s&ab_channel=TheMacLife

Daniel Cormier YouTube Channel

Daniel Cormier REACTS to Dricus Du Plessis defeating Sean Strickland in CLOSE decision at UFC 297 (*notify me)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C11BaCVuDBU&ab_channel=DanielCormier

Image credit: UFC  

#UFC297 #Strickland #duplessis #SticklandDuPlessis #Tarzan #Stillknocks #AndNew #DanaWhite #quotes #interview #interviews #ufcnews #ufcmedia #ufcpress #pressconference #UFCCanada #UFCMiddleweight #UFC #UFCNews #UFCMedia #MMA #mixedmartialarts #combatsports #YouTube #YT #videos #PPV #PayPerView #TKO #TKOGroup #ppvnews #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsbetting #wager #trends #trending #buzz #hype #X #media #mediaman

Pro Wrestling

All Elite Wrestling @AEW 

Media Man: And even more great pro wrestling action from the world's current leading challenger brand promotion!

Continental Crown Champ, Kingston, & Ortiz vs BCC’s Danielson & Castagnoli! | 1/20/24 AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfzxx7MQOlQ&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong vs former GenNext teammate Matt Sydal! | 1/20/24 AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WNV3F76xrI&t=5s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

After last week’s attack, Daniel Garcia gets HOB’s Buddy Matthews 1-on-1! | 1/20/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI59spwoK2s&t=7s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Two tag team specialists go 1-on-1! Penta El Zero Miedo vs Anthony Henry! | 1/19/24, AEW Rampage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLF9Xzp5x_Q&t=6s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Will the Young Bucks be the ones to end the Icon Sting’s career at Revolution?| 1/17/24 AEW Dynamite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilvU7g2X6w4&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

The Virtuosa Deonna Purrazzo makes her AEW Dynamite in-ring debut vs Anna Jay!| 1/17/24 AEW Dynamite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUD4yK0c2e4&t=5s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Stat & Stoke? Statlander (w/ Hathaway) takes on Queen Aminata! | 1/19/24, AEW Rampage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD3xT-2tTRs&t=6s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

and more!

AEW Official YouTube Channel  

www.youtube.com/AEW 

#AEWRampage #AEWDynamite #ChrisJericho #MattSydal #TNT #prowrestling #wrestling #broadcast #broadcasting #YouTube #video #entertainment #PopCulture #YouTube #video #trends #trending #TV #media   

Image credit: AEW

Wrestling News and Streaming News

Netflix to become new home of WWE Raw beginning 2025

STAMFORD, Conn., January 23, 2024 – WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago. 

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025. 

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base." 

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple  H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. 

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms.

Netflix  to Become New Home of WWE Raw Beginning 2025

01/23/2024

Long-Term Deal Brings Weekly Live Sports Entertainment to Netflix

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago.

Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.

“This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”

“We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”

“In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base."

With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.

The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms.

About WWE

WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sport, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in approximately 165 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. Additional information on WWE can be found at http://wwe.com and http://corporate.wwe.com.

About Netflix

Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services with over 247 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, expected programming and viewer benefits under the multi-year domestic media rights partnership with and NBCUniversal. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from what is expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in TKO’s final prospectus on Form 424(b)(3) filed with the SEC on September 19, 2023, as any such factors may be updated from time to time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and, except as may be required under applicable law, neither TKO nor WWE undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investors and others should note that TKO announces material financial and operational information to its investors using press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts, as well as its Investor Relations site at http://investor.tkogrp.com. TKO may also use its website as a distribution channel of material information about the Company. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about TKO, UFC and WWE when you enroll your email address by visiting the “Investor Email Alerts” option under the Resources tab on http://investor.tkogrp.com.

(Sources: Netflix, WWE/TKO Group and Business Wire)

Image credit: Netflix and WWE)

Streaming News

Netflix to stream WWE’s Raw starting next year in its biggest jump into live entertainment - January 28, 2024

Netflix and TKO Group Holdings said Tuesday that the streaming platform will air the WWE’s flagship program Raw starting next year.

Netflix is trying to drive revenue by cutting down on subscription sharing and pushing viewers toward its ad-tier membership.

The streaming platform is making its first major foray into live sports, while WWE will get access to Netflix’s roughly 250 million global subscribers.

Netflix and TKO Group Holdings said Tuesday that the streaming platform will air WWE’s flagship program “Raw” starting next year, in Netflix’s first major foray into live sports.

The 10-year deal is valued at more than $5 billion, according to a company filing. Netflix will have the option to exit the deal after five years and to extend it for another decade. The streaming platform will be able to stream “Raw” globally, and will start the agreement with exclusive rights to it in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America. Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including “SmackDown” and “NXT” as well as “WrestleMania,” “SummerSlam” and “Royal Rumble.”

TKO shares spiked more than 20% following the news and a separate announcement that actor and former wrestling superstar Dwayne Johnson would join its board of directors. Netflix shares rose less than 1%, hours before the company was set to report earnings after the bell Tuesday.

Netflix, which is trying to drive revenue by cutting down on subscription sharing and pushing viewers toward its ad-tier membership, has made few attempts at live programming in its history. Adding “Raw,” which currently airs on USA Network and produces three hours of live programming per week year-round, to its programming lineup will be a boon to the platform and a significant historical shift for Netflix.

“This is a super game changer,” said TKO President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro in an interview. “When you look back at the chapters of sports media history, new chapters are driven by extraordinary new paradigms. ESPN and Turner bringing NFL to cable in 1987. Rupert Murdoch bringing football to Fox in 1994. When new histories are written, Raw on Netflix will be such a chapter starter.”

Netflix has dabbled in sports recently with documentary-type series about Formula One and professional golf, tennis and football. This deal will allow Netflix to tap into WWE intellectual property for similar projects. With WWE permission, Netflix could even develop movies or series around WWE characters, a person familiar with the matter said.

For TKO, the parent company of WWE, striking a deal with Netflix brings WWE wrestling to about 250 million global subscribers. WWE President Nick Khan has had Netflix on his radar as a potential landing spot for “Raw” for several years.

He discussed the world’s largest streamer on a WWE earnings call in the first quarter of 2022, referencing how Netflix has showed openness to changing long-held stances, such as rejecting advertising and cracking down on password sharing. As recently as December 2022, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said at the UBS Global TMT Conference that Netflix had not “seen a profit path to renting big sports.”

“Netflix is willing to make adjustments and reverse positions when it identifies an issue,” Khan said back in 2022.

Choosing Netflix

TKO held discussions with other media companies but zeroed in on Netflix in December, according to people familiar with the matter.

Netflix’s global footprint, which outreaches every other streaming service, was a key draw for WWE, Shapiro said.

“This is one of the greatest entertainment platforms in the world,” Shapiro said of Netflix. “It has marketing you can’t even comprehend. It has positioning that’s unparalleled in terms of what they do on their front page.”

Netflix announced earlier this month it had 23 million monthly active users for its advertising tier, which the company launched in November 2022. Matches will be scripted around commercial breaks to satisfy ad-free customers, who will see continued action from live matches that aren’t important to the outcome, such as a wrestler in a sustained headlock, according to a person familiar with the matter.

“Raw” is the top program on the USA cable network, drawing 17.5 million unique viewers per year, the companies said. Shapiro said Amazon’s ability to stream “Thursday Night Football” this season without a glitch and Peacock’s recent success streaming a National Football League playoff game gave him confidence Netflix will be technologically sound streaming “Raw,” even if it hasn’t done anything like this on a consistent basis yet.

Disclosure: Comcast NBCUniversal, CNBC’s parent company, owns USA Network.

Clarification: This story was updated to reflect that Netflix said it had 23 million monthly active users for its advertising tier.

Media Man Web Tips

The Complete Guide to Local SEO and How it Can Help Your Business Grow

Local SEO is also called Local Search Engine Optimization, or SEO.

Introduction: What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is a type of search engine optimization that focuses on getting a website to rank higher in the search results for searches related to geographic areas.

Local SEO is also called Local Search Engine Optimization, or SEO. It is a type of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) that focuses on getting a website to rank higher in the search results for searches related to geographic areas.

Local SEO services typically target specific cities, towns, and neighborhoods where they live or work. Local SEO Expert helps businesses rank high in Google Maps and Google Business listings.

How to Perform a Mobile Ranking Check and Best Practices for Local SEO

Mobile devices have surpassed desktop in usage, and this trend will only continue.

Local SEO is a key part of any successful marketing strategy. It’s important to know how to perform a mobile ranking check and best practices for local SEO.

To start, you need to find out what the major search engines are looking for by visiting the following sites: Google’s Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide, Bing’s Local SEO Guide, and Yahoo’s Small Business Site Setup Guide.

A good place to start with your mobile ranking check is by downloading Google’s Mobile-Friendly Tool. This tool will tell you if your site is mobile-friendly or not. You can also use it to see how your site compares against other sites in terms of loading speed or if it has any errors.

3 Steps to Boosting Your Local Business with Search Marketing

Optimize your website

Optimize your content

Optimize your social media

Local businesses are at a disadvantage when it comes to online marketing because they don’t have the resources that larger companies do.

However, there are a few things you can do to boost your local business with search marketing: optimize your website, optimize your content, and optimize your social media.

Importance of Local SEO for businesses

Local SEO has been trending for the past few years and it is not going anywhere. It is a great way for businesses to stay relevant in their local communities.

Local SEO is a powerful tool that can help your business rank higher on search engines and attract more customers to your site. Local SEO helps you rank higher on search engines, increase your visibility and get more customers through the door.

Conclusion and Recap

As more and more consumers switch to search engines as their primary source for finding local businesses, it’s important for businesses to have a strong presence in the search rankings.

Local SEO is an important part of building a strong presence in the search rankings because it promotes a business to the first page of results on Google, Yahoo, and Bing.

Local SEO has been trending for the past few years and it is not going anywhere. It is a great way for businesses to stay relevant in their local communities.

Local SEO is a powerful tool that can help your business rank higher on search engines and attract more customers to your site. Local SEO helps you rank higher on search engines, increase your visibility and get more customers through the door.

(Sources: Google/Alphabet, News and AI)

Media Man Int

News

Google wins Media Man 'Search Engine Of The Month'

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/google_wins.html

Google News via Media Man

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/google_news.html

Flashback

Google Doodles wins Media Man 'Creative Of The Month' award

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/google_doodles.html

#Google #GoogleNews #GoogleSearch #SEO #LocalSEO #searchnews #localbusiness #localnews #localbiz #searchengineoptimization #geo #bing #rank #ranking #searchengineoptimisation #webtips #webbiz #index #topten #GoogleBusiness #onlinemarketing #onlinebiz #results #performance #popculture #sportsbiz #localpr #localads #adbiz #biz #technews #digitalnews #media #mediaman #mediamanint

Image credit: Google

Movie Box Office (North America)

1.  Mean Girls - $11.7 million

2. The Beekeeper - $8.5 million

3. Wonka - $6.4 million

4. Anyone But You - $5.4 million

5. Migration - $5.3 million

6. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - $3.7 million

7. ISS - $3 million

8. Night Swim - $2.7 million

9. The Boys in the Boat - $2.5 million 

10. Poor Things - $2 million

Media Man: Well done to all. Given our love and appreciation of the pro wrestling/sports entertainment genre, we noticed that 'The Iron Claw' has slipped out of the Top 10, previously grappling into number 6 position about 3 weeks back. It's our belief that 'The Iron Claw' is a modern classic and much like say for example 'Max Mad', over time its stock will go up and it will continue to make much more money after its initial release and its legend will continue to grow. Some movies have what you may call a short short shelf or run life, while others live on forever. There's also plenty of talk of an Iron Claw documentary, and much like the movie and the true story of the Von Erich family, there will be dozens of times with nothing but pure joy and other times where it is nothing but tragedy. This is life, but the famous Texas bred wrestling family found their moments amplified to say the least. The Iron Claw has the public and even news media in it its grasp, and we haven't heard the last of them. Keep wrestling with boxing office numbers, life and give it your all.

#boxoffice #showbiz #movienews #MeanGirls #TheBeekeeper #Wonka #AnyoneButYou #Migration #AquamanAndTheLostKingdom #ISS #NightSwim #TheBoysInTheBoat #PoorThings #PoorThingsFilm #IronClaw #VonErich #VonErichs #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE

CM Punk and Cody Rhodes are set for face-to-face on Raw: WWE Now, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQfqCYa-T_8&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man: CM Punk & Cody Rhodes set for a war of words. Wrestling punk vs Sports Entertainer showman + + + 

Seth Rollins’ address to the WWE

Drew McIntyre vs Damian Priest. Scottish Warrior is a walking weapon. No sword required. Priest may make harsh Judgement upon his Scottish nemesis. Potential numbers advantage for DP.

Cody Rhodes likely wants to talk about his story, CM Punk, and the Royal Rumble for starters.

Ivy Nile vs Valhalla. Pocket size feisty fighter vs Viking Warrior. Who will the gods favor?

and much more including those famous WWE surprises that are good for some and very bad for others!

Legendary WWE broadcaster Michael Cole may be ducking for cover for this one. High risk, high reward! Danger money in order.

Catch up with the stories, history, moments and highlights via the award winning WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

#WWERaw #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #RoyalRumble #SethRollins #DrewMcIntyre #DamianPriest #JudgementDay #RheaRipley #IvyNile #Valhalla #Viking #Vikings #entertainment #popculture #USANetwork #broadcast #broadcasting #showbiz #stories #storylines #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media #mediaman 

Image credit: WWE

Hundreds More Google (Alphabet) Staff Set To Be Terminated

Some disgruntle ex Google's say "Don't BE Evil" and "What about family"

More Big Tech To Terminate

A.I Considered One Of Many Factors

Internet Saturated Market

Amazon: It's a jungle out there

Facebook: "Break things" re Hacker Way

Silicon Valley: Sand Castles collapsing!

Man vs Machine; Machine vs Human...

Wall Street Silver tipping more disruptions in fin, banking and a host of sectors

Domino Effect 

Happening On Watch Of That President

Likely To Get Worse Before It Gets Better

#Google #googlesearch #googlenews #bard #searchengine #searchnews #SEO #GoogleAI #AI #ads #onlineads #adbiz #adnews #ArtificialIntelligence #technews #biznews #biz #siliconvalley #HR #digitalnews #trends #trending #buzz #media

Movie Scribes

'The Iron Claw'  

Modern classic depicts harsh reality of a pro wrestling based family business; Highest of highs to almost unbelievable tragedy and low points; Kevin Von Erich emerges a champion of life.

A hard movie to give a star rating to due to the sensitive material based on real life occurrences, however we're going with 4.95 out of 5.

Recipe for both worldwide success, legendary status and  maybe the strangest story in wrestling.

Too much material to work with; Filmmaking Masterclass.

Scribes may differ considerably to some other more "polished" or "professional" reviews.

A first draft, done on the fly with no "cheat notes", so take it easy on us. Eventually we'll do a more typical review, if we see the need to ok. 

Some of my own life experiences being involved with family business, combat sports, pro wrestling and showbiz (mainly corporate creative arts and management - some with former long-term girlfriend), as well as a restaurant business for a number of years (with ex wife) saw me reflecting and getting flashbacks of own life and that of some family members.

This is also an opportunity for me to share a bit more about the family businesses I've been involved in, as well as some (key word) aspects of working around (more than in) the pro wrestling and combat sports industry. Read on and you will see the dots joining. Some fodder may even one day find it's way into a book I've been working away on for years. This X installment is a very small sample of my own story, with some modest parallels to the Von Erich story. Long now, I know, but there's much more to still put into the public domain via the Internet or other ok.

Some sequence of events from personal experiences, and again, not in a typical professional type review but from my perspective as fan of  pro wrestling,  a media business owner for over two decades and as a family business participant (truck driver/offsider, property manager and assistant artist and corporate arts and entertainment project manager). Oh, about three decades ago I attended a couple of pro wrestling training classes and while I was fit, strong and largely skilled enough my back was already in agony thanks in part to an existing injury I suffered as a construction worker on the Sydney Water Board (a year or two before I became sales, marketing, bundling and PPV specialist for Optus Vision (Australian subscriber television). Too much material in my own story also.

3 years old

I'm watching pro wrestling matches on the TV with Mum and Dad at Newport, Pittwater, in Sydney. Dad has started to build his truck, prime mover, transport and property business. Dad was already spending a lot of time on the road, on mining sites, as well as the Sydney Waterfront and some interstate runs. Truck driving is less than an ideal family business or a business that is a good foundation for family life..It made Dad a multi-millionaire but there was a very high price to pay. Mum was a surf girl, model and ultra talented artist and poet who would later go on to become an art teacher in schools (which only a small percentage of people ever get to accomplish).

Fast Forward to 8 years old. Living in Brisbane's Western Suburbs including 5 acres at Brookfield in the 4 story Cape cod as well as the modest 3 bedroom home at Chapel Hill, a few suburbs away. Breakdown of the traditional family unit with Mum and Dad had already been occuring. They tried to patch it up a number of times..Dad had accumulated about 5 properties, 4 trucks and a dozen trailers (40 footers). Container trailers, livestock trailers and other. I'd already attended about 3 primary schools by this stage.

Aged 15 or so

I'd earned myself a one way ticket back to Sydney after playing up and throwing some kind of tantrum while at the Brookfield average. home headquarters of Leo Marcus Swimming Pools Australia. Yes, Henry Marcus of NWA promoting fame is in the family tree. Nana Elvie Marcus (Mum's Mum) and journalist Mike Mooneyham confirmed it for me. 

"I want to be with my Dad" I screamed out and much of Mum's side of the family heard. Brisbane Airport to Sydney Airport express. The $40 cash in my pocket got me from Sydney Airport to 376 Barrenjoey Rd,. Newport Beach. The property Dad (Ric), his brother (Alan) and their Dad, Eric Frazer Cameron Tingle owned. McDonald's has offered us 2 million for the property back then, but we politely declined.

So Dad, his Dad and I reconnected. Trips to the beach (Palm, Avalon, Mona Vale, Narrabeen - you name it, as well as to the 24 acre farm at Kurrajong, plus a range of sports clubs frequently including Bayview, Mona Vale Bowling Club and a few other establishments I won't get into, at least not at this stage.

Aged 20 years approx

I joined and excelled at both touch football and later Rugby Union. Even made it to left wing with the Warringah Rats and we won the premiership in 1987. A year later won "Most Improved Recruit" and "Fittest" with the Australia Army Reserve. We did beach wrestling/grappling to submission. I even started my own version of Fight Club. I would invite sports mates to my place at Pittwater for most of the bouts. I enjoyed a 95 percent winning record and I am not *ullshitting. Most wins within 5 minutes. Usually face locks, body scissor with a version of triangle. Sometimes my own variation of a kimura lock (before I knew that was the name of the hold).

In the huge lounge room of the Newport Beach home Dad had explaining to me that some of the holds and moves that the great Harley Race and Terry Funk used in the NWA pro wrestling promotion would work in a real life fight or self defense situation. Those moves along with fists and forearms. About a year later I found this to be absolutely true. My school fighting record at Pittwater High is two wins out of two official fights, and perhaps borrowing from some Bruce Lee and Sun Tzu strategy, I walked my way out of a couple of potential fights also. I later joined the Sydney Water Board as a construction worker at Avalon and Claireville Beach, after about a year as a shipping clerk for the ANL (Australian National Line). Seeing the millions in shipping containers and manifests drove me crazy. Dad kept on encouraging me about "government jobs". Dad later introduced me to his truck driving mates including George Barnes ("The Balmain Tiger") who just also happened to be a pro wrestler about once or twice a week. I still recall Barnes taking a piledriver from Con Iakovidis at Manly Warringah Leagues Club circa 1988. I was really starting to figure out this pro wrestling business, well, at least I thought so. I also worked out it was high risk and very "dangerous *shit"...I had started to bring in NTSL and VHS tapes wrestling and martial arts from Japan, USA, Canada and Europe. Pancrase Japan with Ken Shamrock really impressed me. About three decades later I got to meet my hero in Sydney, as well as Dan Severn and even Hulk Hogan who I'd seen wrestle legendary Antonio Inoki in Japan. Later I traveled to Austria and Hannover, Germany and grappled with pen pals, tape traders, and we ever got to see JBL fight under the name Justin Bradshaw I believe. We waved and said G'day to Otto Wanz. Memories to last a lifetime. 

Time kept ticking along and I noticed Dad taking many pills throughout the day. He has gotten cancer. I blame poor diet, less exercise than before and too much stress. Dad lived a couple more years and it was tough of me and us. When he told me it was terminal that was the saddest day of my life.

Around this time I met my future wife Susie at a restaurant at Avalon and she actually helped solidify my vision of working in combat sports media (PPV and bundling for Optus TV. "Use your mind as much as you use your body and muscles Greg darling" was part of her words of encouragement to me. She was a hundred percent on the money with that advice. I later bought a restaurant for Susie to call her own at Leichhardt, and that really was the beginning of the end of our marriage. Family business stress lessons here. She put up with my wrestling (hand to hand combat sports and VHS tape trading and selling business endeavors. 

At Optus I was paid very well in my sales, marketing and consultant role. Paid to promote WrestleMania, boxing and even Hulk Hogan vs Flair, Vader and how about Sting at Starrcade 1987. Talk about a dream job. After close to five years I joined the big guns at Telstra and the money and staff gym was great, but the job itself wasn't as enjoyable. Then I discovered ID Media, WaveCam and dotcom websites and webcasting. 

Circa 2000

Working at Telstra helped get me Tech Support and IBM Surf Shack Media at Sydney Olympic Games!

Divorce proceedings on horizon.. Discovered internet dating (3 times was enough),. Community TV Casting Couch and authentic journalism at Petersham TAFE. Met another long-time friend or two via the Media education and entertainment connections. Not releasing names at this stage.

Circa 2001 Media Man (Australia) was up and running. Got to interview many wrestlers and wrestling personalities including Harley Race, Les Thatcher, Jake Roberts, Amy Action, TNT, Steve Rackman, Bill Behrens, Ric Drasin, Bill Apter, Killer Kowalski, Malia Hosaka and too many more to list here! 

I'm getting carried away with my own story too - I know, but it's all connected..The pro wrestling business is a bit like a secret society. At least that's my interpretation. I trained, interviewed,.sold and promoted Pay-Per-Views (and still do), did some broadcasting announcing (even at Green Valley with Bob Blassie), photography and photoart, ring crew (putting up and taking down the ring), truck driving the ring to events, SEO (search engine optimization) campaigns and even a few "ghost" type projects I can't disclose details of. Oh, Pancrase Wrestling Australia for Chris DeVeaver was awesome also. Again, too many things to list.

Pro wrestling is more of a lifestyle and less of a job, if you follow. The vast majority of the time you absolutely love it. In the very rare occasion you might hate it - be it for a few seconds,. minutes or ours, but like the Australian fabulous Kangaroo/s one returns, seeking out another victory for self or vicariously via ones heroes such as Shamrock, Lesnar, Hogan, Jericho, Logan Paul, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lasley, Nic Nemeth, Moose,. Kenny Omega and the Von Erich Bros, Ross and Marshall. Enough name drops today, we hear you booing with some cheering from the rafters to the back office and booking office. 

As the late Bray Wyatt penned, "Wrestling is a love story".

Love is the most beautiful thing in the world and it can also cut like a knife or blade. It may hit like Triple H's sledgehammer once in a while or tie you up in knots like Billy Robinson or Karl Gotch. If over-thinking this unique form of combat sports meets performance art it may catch you off guard in The Iron Claw.

Kevin Von Erich is a hero to me. The ability to overcome the odds, fight off adversity, live to fight another day and to share some of his story to the world. One that we can draw strength from as well as learn valuable life lessons from.

On pro wrestling the story seldom never ends. New chapters keep getting written. Many stories almost write themselves.

Do expect more updates and interpretations from our experiences in and around the business of pro wrestling. Sometimes I think family based media, art or trucking may be tougher than pro wrestling - but then I reflect and think again.

For my money pro wrestling is the toughest and possibly the most competitive business in the world. 

Those who can - wrestle. Those who can't are fans. Pro wrestling and the Von Erichs' forever have us in their grasp. Kevin's got me in the iron claw! 

Media Man Int

Wrestling News (in progress)

http://mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_news.html

#TheIronClaw #IronClaw #GregTingle #VonErich #VonErichs #VonErichFamily #familybusiness #prowrestling #wrestling #WCCW #WorldClass #TingleFamily #MarcusFamily #LeoMarcus #HenryMarcus #NWA #truckingbusiness #swimmingpools #mediabusiness #showbiz #combatsports #fightclub #popculture #life #journalism #agency #RandwickRitz #TheRitz #EasternBeaches #boxoffice #newsmedia #Texas #Aussie #media #mediaman #mediamanint

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE RAW

FULL SEGMENT – CM Punk and Cody Rhodes’ war of words: Raw, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVpoENtTFOg&ab_channel=WWE

Raw’s wildest moments: Raw highlights, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-6BiKEhRXM&ab_channel=WWE

Drew McIntyre uses R-Truth against Damian Priest in victory: Raw highlights, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF5PRC58F9M&ab_channel=WWE

Damian Priest tells R-Truth to stay out of his way: Raw highlights, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzetQU8UlKM&ab_channel=WWE

Gunther vows to break Seth “Freakin” Rollins: Raw highlights, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_7I0P1Onl8&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE

#DIY help The Miz fight off The Judgment Day: Raw highlight, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uttrKNwegI8&ab_channel=WWE

Becky Lynch, Bayley and Nia Jax get into a pre-Royal Rumble scuffle: Raw highlights, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-Xs17MBkPQ&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE

The dawn of Hulkamania: Raw highlights, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrRSynjNsBw&ab_channel=WWE

and more moments and highlights being added to the award winning WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/WWE

Media Man: Strong thumbs up. Just catching up now after finally seeing the full screening of 'The Iron Claw' @ironclawmovie today.  CM Punk and Cody Rhodes together sharing the mic is magic. The both have their own stories... don't we all. Judgement Day is becoming more judgemental! Who is in? Who is out? Royal Rumble and WrestleMania may have a shuffle of the deck under Mummy's leadership. We believe that Hulk-A-Mania will live forever. Still remember the first time Hogan hit our screen. Mid 1984 vs Paul Orndorff at New York's Madison Square Garden. This was broadcast onto Channel Nine's Wild World Of Sports show on Channel Nine (Australia) at the time. Hooked. WWE remains on fire. We've got Royal Rumble and WrestleMania Fever.

#WWERaw #RoyalRumble #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #HulkHogan #HulkAMania #WrestleMania #WrestleMania40 #JudgementDay #DamianPriest #DrewMcIntyre #RheaRipley #DirtyDom #RTruth #SethRollins #Gunther #Miz #AdamPearce #entertainment #popculture #prowrestling #wrestling #USANetwork #broadcast #broadcasting #highlights #moments #YouTube #video #videos #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media 

Image credit: WWE

Wrestling Business News

TKO APPOINTS DWAYNE JOHNSON TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

01.23.24

Johnson Granted Full Ownership of Trademarked Name, “The Rock”

NEW YORK (January 23, 2024) – TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) (“TKO”), a premium sports and entertainment company, has appointed Dwayne Johnson to its Board of Directors, effective today.

Johnson, one of the most decorated WWE Superstars in company history and the most followed American man globally on social media platforms, brings decades of experience in live entertainment and sports to the Board. Through his expansive business portfolio, which includes Seven Bucks Productions, Teremana Tequila, ZOA Energy, Project Rock, and the recently combined spring football league, the United Football League (UFL), Johnson has significant experience identifying and cultivating revenue generating media rights, live events, sponsorship, licensing, and social media opportunities. The appointment of Johnson reflects TKO’s commitment to delivering long-term value and strong performance for shareholders through strategic growth initiatives across both UFC and WWE.

Vince McMahon, Executive Chairman of the Board, TKO, said: “Very few people on the planet understand the convergence of sports, entertainment, media, and business like Rock. We are proud to have him join the TKO board to help take our company to new heights.”

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, said: “My grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson, would’ve never thought this day would come. Which is why I’m very humbled to have a seat at the table that has decades of history and family legacy for me. A table that my family helped to build. Being on the TKO Board of Directors, and taking full ownership of my name, ‘The Rock’, is not only unprecedented, but incredibly inspiring as my crazy life is coming full circle. At my core, I’m a builder who builds for and serves the people, and Ari is building something truly game changing. I’m very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses as the worldwide leaders in sports and entertainment — while proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day putting in the hard work with their own two hands to make their dreams come true and deliver for our audiences. I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”

Ariel Emanuel, CEO, TKO, said: “I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to TKO’s Board. Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognized consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for TKO.”

WWE has also entered into a services and merchandising agreement with Johnson that provides for his promotional, licensing, and other services, and an intellectual property assignment agreement pursuant to which Johnson has secured ownership of the trademarked name, “The Rock”. The name is derived from his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, who was the first Black champion in WWE history (alongside partner Tony Atlas). Johnson’s grandfather, Peter Maivia, a Samoan-American professional wrestler, was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.

The addition of Johnson, as well as today’s appointment of Brad Keywell to TKO’s Board of Directors, will increase TKO’s board from 11 to 13 members.

Dwayne Johnson Background

Dwayne Johnson is a global entertainer and entrepreneur who manages a diverse and ever-expanding media and business portfolio. Johnson serves as the co-founder and CEO of Seven Bucks Companies, a multi-platform global enterprise crossing all entertainment and creative verticals with an audience-first mentality. A third-generation performer, Johnson began his WWE career in 1996 and remains one of WWE’s preeminent WWE Superstars in the organization’s history.

Johnson develops, produces, and stars in all forms of entertainment content via his production company, Seven Bucks Productions, LLC, which he co-founded in 2012. In addition to Seven Bucks Productions, LLC, Johnson has founded multiple business ventures, including Teramana Tequila, the fastest-growing tequila brand in history, and co-founded ZOA Energy, LLC, an energy drink company in partnership with Molson Coors. In 2020, Johnson co-led a consortium to acquire the XFL, a professional American football league, which re-launched in 2023 before merging with the USFL to form the UFL. Johnson also maintains several prominent brand partnerships. Alongside Under Armour, Inc., Johnson founded and developed a line of fitness apparel under the “Project Rock” brand. In 2016 and 2019, Johnson was named by TIME as one of the world’s most influential people.

A dedicated philanthropist, Johnson serves as a National Celebrity Wish Ambassador for Make-A-Wish and has been granting wishes with the organization for over 20 years. In 2008, the United States Congress and the United States Joint Leadership Commission recognized Johnson with the prestigious Horizon Award, the U.S. Congressional Award given to an individual in the private sector who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and provided opportunities for youth nationwide. Johnson graduated from the University of Miami, where he earned a football scholarship and became NCAA National Football Champions.

Johnson has been a client of Endeavor’s WME agency for nearly 13 years.

About TKO

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

(Source: TKO Group)

Image credit: TKO Group

#TKO #TKOGroup #DwayneJohnson #TheRock #WWE #WWERaw #SmackDown #WrestleMania #VinceMcMahon #ArielEmanuel #UFC #EndeavorGroup #Endeavor #wrestlingnews #wrestlingmedia #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsmarketing #sportsbusiness #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Pro Wrestling

WWE NXT @WWENXT 

Lexis King remains our top guy. King Maker.

Videos via the award winning WWE YouTube Channel

Trey Bearhill vs. Lexis King: NXT highlights, Jan. 23, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DV5RVMkdRk&t=34s&ab_channel=WWE

"Geronimo is probally rolling over in his grave right now" Booker T

Media Man: "A bear in the hand is worth two in the bush". Flashback to classic TV shows 'Daniel Boon' and 'Grizzly Adams'. Can we get an actual bear to join Bearhill at ringside? Maybe for a PLE special or a backstage or in the field promo. It worked for the late Roddy Piper once or twice wrestling folklore says. And, how about a bird? Not "Frankie", but perhaps "Eagle"?! Country boy meets the big smoke city slicker. Only when the last tree is fell man will know he can not eat or drink money!

Dragon Lee vs. SCRYPTS: NXT highlights, Jan. 23, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhqKQCP86ig&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

"Dragon Lee trying to get a bounce back in his step, and he goes up and over" - Vic Joseph

Media Man: Can the Warrior Spirit break the code. Lucha vs The Matrix glitch!

Dragon Lee is going to show Oba Femi who he is at Vengeance Day: WWE NXT exclusive, Jan. 23, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPWEF_bBtFE&ab_channel=WWE

FULL MATCH – Axiom & Nathan Frazer vs. Bron Breakker & Baron Corbin: NXT highlights, Jan. 23, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqsRFjcvHJs&t=7s&ab_channel=WWE

"Some would say this is a miss-match" Vic Joseph

"Yeah, like one of my favourite tag teams back in the day, The Rock N Roll Express. They weren't the biggest guys but they got speed, timing, accuracy, that's what its gunna take" Booker T

More great NXT highlights and moments via the award winning WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

And a few teasers for the WWE Royal Rumble.

Media Man Int

More news

The WWE @WWE Royal Rumble is coming up this weekend (January 27, U.S) - (January 28 for Australia)! Aussie's to dominate?!  

Media Man: We're working away on some big projects related to this combat sports - sports entertainment space. Flashbacks to glory days of Australian subscriber TV industry where PPV, bundling, biz dev and retention was a major focus for us. 

Streaming took the place of cable TV in many regards, including in the combat sports space. Exciting times. 

LinkedIn profiles for us are changing a little with exciting developing situation. Big conversations with some power players today!

#prowrestling #wrestling #WWE #WWERaw #Netflix #WWENXT #LexisKing #King #KingMaker #TreyBearhill #DragonLee #WarDogs #BaronCorbin #BronBreakker  #RoyalRumble #PLE #highlights #moments #YouTube #video #TV #streaming #GregTingle #trends #trending #buzz #TV #Aussie #media #mediaman

Movie News

Nominationa for 2024 Razzies

(This is not a Media Man list or selection). We are just publishing the Razzies nominations, and we do not agree with a number of these). Media Man Ed.

WORST PICTURE

The Exorcist: Believer

Expend4bles

Meg 2: The Trench

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey

WORST ACTOR

Russell Crowe / The Pope’s Exorcist

Vin Diesel / Fast X

Chris Evans / Ghosted

Jason Statham / Meg 2: The Trench

Jon Voight / Mercy

WORST ACTRESS

Ana de Armas / Ghosted

Megan Fox / Johnny & Clyde

Salma Hayek / Magic Mike’s Last Dance

Jennifer Lopez / The Mother

Dame Helen Mirren / Shazam! Fury of the Gods

WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Kim Cattrall / About My Father

Megan Fox / Expend4bles

Bai Ling / Johnny & Clyde

Lucy Liu / Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Mary Stuart Masterson / Five Nights at Freddy’s

WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR

Michael Douglas / Ant Man & The Wasp: Quantumania

Mel Gibson / Confidential Informant

Bill Murray / Ant Man & The Wasp: Quantumania

Franco Nero (as “The Pope”) The Pope’s Exorcist

Sylvester Stallone / Expend4ables

WORST SCREEN COUPLE

Any 2 “Merciless Mercenaries” / Expend4bles

Any 2 Money-Grubbing Investors Who Donated to the $400 Million for Remake Rights to The Exorcist

Ana de Armas & Chris Evans (who flunked Screen Chemistry) / Ghosted

Salma Hayek & Channing Tatum / Magic Mike’s Last Dance

Pooh & Piglet as Blood-Thirsty Slasher/Killers(!) in Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey

WORST PREQUEL, REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL

Ant Man & The Wasp: Quantumania

The Exorcist: Believer

Expend4bles

Indiana Jones and The Dial of … Still Beating a Dead Horse

Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey

WORST DIRECTOR

Rhys Frake-Waterfield / Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey

David Gordon Green / The Exorcist: Believer

Peyton Reed / Ant Man & the Wasp: Quantumania

Scott Waugh / Expend4bles

Ben Wheatley / Meg 2: The Trench

WORST SCREENPLAY

The Exorcist: Believer

Expend4bles

Indiana Jones and the Dial of … Can I go home now?

Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Winnie the Pooh: Blood & Honey

This year’s Razzies will take place on March 9, the day before the Academy Awards.

#Razzies #razzieawards #movienews #boxoffice #EntertainmentNews #entertainment #showbiz #popculture #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Search Engine Land

Ad Fraud

SEL's Nicola on fraud in relation to brands. Fraud is a big subject and problem in business, especially in relation to say the adveritsing, PR, medical and political arena. Numbers can be manipulated. So can people. One lie travels from a politician to a corrupt media, to a corrupt big tech, and so it goes on. Or, remeber the old tobbaco ads from say four decades ago. No health issues there - yeah, right! Canbridge Analytica for big tech. People voting 2 times of more ala ballot fraud. Attempted ID fraud by fake LinkedIn and FB profiles, and we could go on all day. Good on Search Engine Land for shining extra light on the topic. (The real) Greg Tingle signing off from the front line.

Wrestling Media Blog

'The Iron Claw' movie review by Greg Tingle

'The Iron Claw' movie trailer

'The Iron Claw'  

Modern classic depicts harsh reality of a pro wrestling based family business; Highest of highs to almost unbelievable tragedy and low points; Kevin Von Erich emerges a champion of life.

A hard movie to give a star rating to due to the sensitive material based on real life occurrences, however we're going with 4.95 out of 5.

Recipe for both worldwide success, legendary status and  maybe the strangest story in wrestling.

Too much material to work with; Filmmaking Masterclass.

Scribes may differ considerably to some other more "polished" or "professional" reviews.

A first draft, done on the fly with no "cheat notes", so take it easy on us. Eventually we'll do a more typical review, if we see the need to ok. 

Some of my own life experiences being involved with family business, combat sports, pro wrestling and showbiz (mainly corporate creative arts and management - some with former long-term girlfriend), as well as a restaurant business for a number of years (with ex wife) saw me reflecting and getting flashbacks of own life and that of some family members.

This is also an opportunity for me to share a bit more about the family businesses I've been involved in, as well as some (key word) aspects of working around (more than in) the pro wrestling and combat sports industry. Read on and you will see the dots joining. Some fodder may even one day find it's way into a book I've been working away on for years. This X installment is a very small sample of my own story, with some modest parallels to the Von Erich story. Long now, I know, but there's much more to still put into the public domain via the Internet or other ok.

Some sequence of events from personal experiences, and again, not in a typical professional type review but from my perspective as fan of  pro wrestling,  a media business owner for over two decades and as a family business participant (truck driver/offsider, property manager and assistant artist and corporate arts and entertainment project manager). Oh, about three decades ago I attended a couple of pro wrestling training classes and while I was fit, strong and largely skilled enough my back was already in agony thanks in part to an existing injury I suffered as a construction worker on the Sydney Water Board (a year or two before I became sales, marketing, bundling and PPV specialist for Optus Vision (Australian subscriber television). Too much material in my own story also.

3 years old

I'm watching pro wrestling matches on the TV with Mum and Dad at Newport, Pittwater, in Sydney. Dad has started to build his truck, prime mover, transport and property business. Dad was already spending a lot of time on the road, on mining sites, as well as the Sydney Waterfront and some interstate runs. Truck driving is less than an ideal family business or a business that is a good foundation for family life..It made Dad a multi-millionaire but there was a very high price to pay. Mum was a surf girl, model and ultra talented artist and poet who would later go on to become an art teacher in schools (which only a small percentage of people ever get to accomplish).

Fast Forward to 8 years old. Living in Brisbane's Western Suburbs including 5 acres at Brookfield in the 4 story Cape cod as well as the modest 3 bedroom home at Chapel Hill, a few suburbs away. Breakdown of the traditional family unit with Mum and Dad had already been occuring. They tried to patch it up a number of times..Dad had accumulated about 5 properties, 4 trucks and a dozen trailers (40 footers). Container trailers, livestock trailers and other. I'd already attended about 3 primary schools by this stage.

Aged 15 or so

I'd earned myself a one way ticket back to Sydney after playing up and throwing some kind of tantrum while at the Brookfield average. home headquarters of Leo Marcus Swimming Pools Australia. Yes, Henry Marcus of NWA promoting fame is in the family tree. Nana Elvie Marcus (Mum's Mum) and journalist Mike Mooneyham confirmed it for me. 

"I want to be with my Dad" I screamed out and much of Mum's side of the family heard. Brisbane Airport to Sydney Airport express. The $40 cash in my pocket got me from Sydney Airport to 376 Barrenjoey Rd,. Newport Beach. The property Dad (Ric), his brother (Alan) and their Dad, Eric Frazer Cameron Tingle owned. McDonald's has offered us 2 million for the property back then, but we politely declined.

So Dad, his Dad and I reconnected. Trips to the beach (Palm, Avalon, Mona Vale, Narrabeen - you name it, as well as to the 24 acre farm at Kurrajong, plus a range of sports clubs frequently including Bayview, Mona Vale Bowling Club and a few other establishments I won't get into, at least not at this stage.

Aged 20 years approx

I joined and excelled at both touch football and later Rugby Union. Even made it to left wing with the Warringah Rats and we won the premiership in 1987. A year later won "Most Improved Recruit" and "Fittest" with the Australia Army Reserve. We did beach wrestling/grappling to submission. I even started my own version of Fight Club. I would invite sports mates to my place at Pittwater for most of the bouts. I enjoyed a 95 percent winning record and I am not *ullshitting. Most wins within 5 minutes. Usually face locks, body scissor with a version of triangle. Sometimes my own variation of a kimura lock (before I knew that was the name of the hold).

In the huge lounge room of the Newport Beach home Dad had explaining to me that some of the holds and moves that the great Harley Race and Terry Funk used in the NWA pro wrestling promotion would work in a real life fight or self defense situation. Those moves along with fists and forearms. About a year later I found this to be absolutely true. My school fighting record at Pittwater High is two wins out of two official fights, and perhaps borrowing from some Bruce Lee and Sun Tzu strategy, I walked my way out of a couple of potential fights also. I later joined the Sydney Water Board as a construction worker at Avalon and Claireville Beach, after about a year as a shipping clerk for the ANL (Australian National Line). Seeing the millions in shipping containers and manifests drove me crazy. Dad kept on encouraging me about "government jobs". Dad later introduced me to his truck driving mates including George Barnes ("The Balmain Tiger") who just also happened to be a pro wrestler about once or twice a week. I still recall Barnes taking a piledriver from Con Iakovidis at Manly Warringah Leagues Club circa 1988. I was really starting to figure out this pro wrestling business, well, at least I thought so. I also worked out it was high risk and very "dangerous *shit"...I had started to bring in NTSL and VHS tapes wrestling and martial arts from Japan, USA, Canada and Europe. Pancrase Japan with Ken Shamrock really impressed me. About three decades later I got to meet my hero in Sydney, as well as Dan Severn and even Hulk Hogan who I'd seen wrestle legendary Antonio Inoki in Japan. Later I traveled to Austria and Hannover, Germany and grappled with pen pals, tape traders, and we ever got to see JBL fight under the name Justin Bradshaw I believe. We waved and said G'day to Otto Wanz. Memories to last a lifetime. 

Time kept ticking along and I noticed Dad taking many pills throughout the day. He has gotten cancer. I blame poor diet, less exercise than before and too much stress. Dad lived a couple more years and it was tough of me and us. When he told me it was terminal that was the saddest day of my life.

Around this time I met my future wife Susie at a restaurant at Avalon and she actually helped solidify my vision of working in combat sports media (PPV and bundling for Optus TV. "Use your mind as much as you use your body and muscles Greg darling" was part of her words of encouragement to me. She was a hundred percent on the money with that advice. I later bought a restaurant for Susie to call her own at Leichhardt, and that really was the beginning of the end of our marriage. Family business stress lessons here. She put up with my wrestling (hand to hand combat sports and VHS tape trading and selling business endeavors. 

At Optus I was paid very well in my sales, marketing and consultant role. Paid to promote WrestleMania, boxing and even Hulk Hogan vs Flair, Vader and how about Sting at Starrcade 1987. Talk about a dream job. After close to five years I joined the big guns at Telstra and the money and staff gym was great, but the job itself wasn't as enjoyable. Then I discovered ID Media, WaveCam and dotcom websites and webcasting. 

Circa 2000

Working at Telstra helped get me Tech Support and IBM Surf Shack Media at Sydney Olympic Games!

Divorce proceedings on horizon.. Discovered internet dating (3 times was enough),. Community TV Casting Couch and authentic journalism at Petersham TAFE. Met another long-time friend or two via the Media education and entertainment connections. Not releasing names at this stage.

Circa 2001 Media Man (Australia) was up and running. Got to interview many wrestlers and wrestling personalities including Harley Race, Les Thatcher, Jake Roberts, Amy Action, TNT, Steve Rackman, Bill Behrens, Ric Drasin, Bill Apter, Killer Kowalski, Malia Hosaka and too many more to list here! 

I'm getting carried away with my own story too - I know, but it's all connected..The pro wrestling business is a bit like a secret society. At least that's my interpretation. I trained, interviewed,.sold and promoted Pay-Per-Views (and still do), did some broadcasting announcing (even at Green Valley with Bob Blassie), photography and photoart, ring crew (putting up and taking down the ring), truck driving the ring to events, SEO (search engine optimization) campaigns and even a few "ghost" type projects I can't disclose details of. Oh, Pancrase Wrestling Australia for Chris DeVeaver was awesome also. Again, too many things to list.

Pro wrestling is more of a lifestyle and less of a job, if you follow. The vast majority of the time you absolutely love it. In the very rare occasion you might hate it - be it for a few seconds,. minutes or ours, but like the Australian fabulous Kangaroo/s one returns, seeking out another victory for self or vicariously via ones heroes such as Shamrock, Lesnar, Hogan, Jericho, Logan Paul, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lasley, Nic Nemeth, Moose,. Kenny Omega and the Von Erich Bros, Ross and Marshall. Enough name drops today, we hear you booing with some cheering from the rafters to the back office and booking office. 

As the late Bray Wyatt penned, "Wrestling is a love story".

Love is the most beautiful thing in the world and it can also cut like a knife or blade. It may hit like Triple H's sledgehammer once in a while or tie you up in knots like Billy Robinson or Karl Gotch. If over-thinking this unique form of combat sports meets performance art it may catch you off guard in The Iron Claw.

Kevin Von Erich is a hero to me. The ability to overcome the odds, fight off adversity, live to fight another day and to share some of his story to the world. One that we can draw strength from as well as learn valuable life lessons from.

On pro wrestling the story seldom never ends. New chapters keep getting written. Many stories almost write themselves.

Do expect more updates and interpretations from our experiences in and around the business of pro wrestling. Sometimes I think family based media, art or trucking may be tougher than pro wrestling - but then I reflect and think again.

For my money pro wrestling is the toughest and possibly the most competitive business in the world. 

Those who can - wrestle. Those who can't are fans. Pro wrestling and the Von Erichs' forever have us in their grasp. Kevin's got me in the iron claw! 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE Releases More World Class Video Features To YouTube And Additional Social Media Channels Adding Fuel To The Fire For Royal Rumble; Fans And Media Pumped For This Weekend

Cody Rhodes addresses CM Punk's "pipebomb": Raw highlights, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L54Ed-5n_ms&t=40s&ab_channel=WWE

"I want to talk about your dad. And I don't know if you know this story. I've never told. I know they don't know it. 2007, your father calls me on the telephone and he tells me he's sending his youngest son Cody to Ohio Valley Wrestling to start his journey as a professional wrestler, and he tells me I want you to keep any eye on my kid"... "because on Saturday I feel like I'm breaking a promise"... CM Punk

Gunther, Dom Mysterio and more WWE Superstars react to 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble Match: WWE Playback

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbB6vJxukNw&t=161s&ab_channel=WWE

Sheamus vs. Randy Orton — WWE Title Match: Royal Rumble 2010

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cl6KqodFCzA&ab_channel=WWE

Will Seth "Freakin" Rollins miss WrestleMania?: Raw highlight, Jan. 22, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbxA2mqMNLI&t=11s&ab_channel=WWE

FULL MATCH — Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley — WWE Title Match: Royal Rumble 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaLFd5LHi9M&ab_channel=WWE

Drew McIntyre’s quest to reclaim the gold (2022-24): WWE Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiNZhwuadWc&ab_channel=WWE

FULL MATCH FACTS: 2008 Royal Rumble Match: Royal Rumble 2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N72U6lgWoM&ab_channel=WWE

Royal Rumble Kickoff: Jan. 27, 2024 *notify me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svBJpOp3OT4&ab_channel=WWE

#RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #AmericanNightmare #Pipebomb #WWE #prowrestling #wrestling #kickoff #entertainment #popculture #video #videos #YouTub #YT #PLE #trend #trends #buzz #media 

Image credit: WWE

FOX News Digital ends 2023 as top news brand with multiplatform views

FOX News @FoxNews Digital closed out calendar year 2023 as the top-performing news brand with multiplatform views and minutes, while seeing 9% growth with views and 6% growth with minutes year-over-year, according to Comscore.

For the year, FOX News Digital secured 20.2 billion multiplatform views, over 36.9 billion multiplatform minutes and averaged 93.7 million monthly multiplatform unique visitors. CNN and The New York Times both saw year-over-year decreases across these key performance indicators. The FOX News mobile app finished 2023 averaging 6.1 million monthly unique visitors.

FOX News was also the most engaged news brand on social media throughout 2023, according to Emplifi, reaching over 315 million social media interactions. FOX News drove 81.6 million Facebook interactions, 34.2 million X interactions and 198.9 million Instagram interactions. On YouTube, FOX News drove over 2.3 billion views, finishing first in the news competitive set, according to Shareablee.****

FOXBusiness.com also accomplished a record year with multiplatform views. The business network earned 1.9 billion multiplatform views in 2023, its highest ranking since its launch in 2007. It also saw increases over the prior year, while the majority of business news brands experienced decreases.*** Additionally, FOXBusiness.com secured 3.2 billion multiplatform minutes and averaged 23.2 million monthly multiplatform unique visitors for the year, while surpassing various other brands with views including CNN Business, MarketWatch.com and Forbes.com FOX Business was number one on YouTube in the business news competitive set in 2023, driving 748 million views, according to Shareablee. *****

2023 (January-December) FOX NEWS DIGITAL VS. CNN.COM AND NYTIMES.COM

Multi-Platform Total Views

FOX News Digital – 20,160,000,000 (up 9 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

CNN.com – 14,885,000,000 (down 13 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

NYTimes.com – 15,765,000,000 (down 8 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

Multi-Platform Total Minutes

FOX News Digital – 36,927,000,000 (up 6 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

CNN.com – 23,164,000,000 (down 19 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

NYTimes.com – 16,402,000,000 (down 2 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

Average Monthly Multi-Platform Unique Visitors

FOX News Digital – 93,652,000 (up 13 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

CNN.com – 121,033,000 (down 3 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

NYTimes.com – 76,520,000 (down 14 percent vs. Jan-Dec 2022)

#FoxNews #FoxNewsDigital #FoxBusiness #FOX #Comscore #newsmedia #NewsCorp #news #newsmedia #onlinenews #socialmedia #platforms #platformnews #newsbrand #brands #newsbiz #digitalnews #newsapp #apps #media 

Image credit: FOX News Digital

Surfing Industry News

WSL Welcomes New and Returning Partners to 2024 Championship Tour

January 24, 2024

The World Surf League (WSL) is thrilled to announce its new and returning partners ahead of the 2024 Championship Tour (CT) season.

“Backed by the strongest partnership presence on record, the WSL is poised for a great year of excitement and growth,” said Cherie Cohen, WSL Chief Revenue Officer. “Working with innovative and authentic partners allows us to elevate the sport as well as drive real value by enhancing brand visibility through engaging fan activations and mutually beneficial marketing campaigns.”

Celebrating More Ways to Watch with ESPN+ and Global Broadcast Partners

ESPN

New for 2024, the WSL has announced a rights agreement in the United States with ESPN. For the first time, fans can watch all ten WSL CT events, as well as the US Open of Surfing Challenger Series event, live on ESPN+. In addition, 11 episodes of WSL: Inside Pro Surfing, an all-access deep dive into the CT and its character-driven storylines, will be aired on ESPN2 throughout the year. The deal will allow WSL to bring the sport to more viewers and new audiences in the US via ESPN’s digital subscribers as well as on linear television.

Seven Network + Foxtel Group In Australia 

The WSL and the Seven Network announced a fifth-consecutive year of partnership for the 2024 season with Seven continuing as the official free-to-air broadcaster of the WSL in Australia. The partnership extension will see all WSL CT events and Australian Challenger Series events broadcast live on 7plus, as well as the WSL Finals being broadcast live on a Seven free-to-air channel. 2024 will also see the continuation of the Bells Beach Longboard Classic on 7plus programming, with the event also going live and on demand.

Australian viewers will also be able to catch WSL content and all CT events on Fox Sports Australia and Kayo Sports for a sixteenth consecutive year, thanks to a new one-year deal between Foxtel Group and the WSL. In addition to this, all Challenger Series events, as well as the Bells Beach Longboard Classic, will be streamed live on Kayo Sports along with Foxtel, scheduling permitting. Fans can also enjoy WSL-produced feature shows and highlights from all events on demand on Kayo Sports.

GLOBO

The WSL will continue offering Brazilian fans access to event coverage through GLOBO, one of the world’s leading broadcasters, sharing the excitement and passion of professional surfing with millions of fans in Brazil.

Eurosport

Eurosport, owned by Discovery, remains the WSL’s European distribution partner and this year is also the European rights holder for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Eurosport will broadcast the WSL: Inside Pro Surfing series on its television channels and will also livestream CT events in their entirety via Discovery+ in the territory.

Introducing New Global and Title Partners: Lexus, Eventbrite, Bonsoy

Lexus

Lexus joins the WSL CT as the Title Partner of the Lexus Pipe Pro and an official automotive partner of the Sunset Pro. The leading luxury car brand will also join as an official partner of the annual WSL Awards, celebrating surfers’ exceptional achievements from the 2023 season. Lexus will introduce its latest vehicle, the 2024 Lexus GX 550, through engaging on-site activations throughout the WSL’s Hawaii competitions from January 29 through February 22, 2024. In collaboration with Complex Networks, fans will have the opportunity to explore the vehicle through on-beach displays, providing an up-close look at the cutting-edge design features that define the Lexus brand. Lexus and Complex will also curate an elevated dining experience at the Lexus Pipe Pro for VIPs and athletes to highlight and celebrate the culinary expertise and mastery of local chefs. Complex and First We Feast will also spotlight the experience on its social channels throughout the 2024 kickoff.

Eventbrite

2024 will see Eventbrite, a global events marketplace, step into the role of exclusive ticketing partner for women’s surfing on the CT and the US Open of Surfing. To celebrate the partnership, Eventbrite will launch a WSL-inspired collection offering top event picks happening across the US during the WSL CT kickoff, in addition to further collections highlighting curated ticketed experiences in and around the US Open of Surfing and the WSL Finals. The WSL and Eventbrite will also collaborate on a visual content-driven marketing campaign to bring the surfing community to Eventbrite’s unique events and experiences.

Bonsoy

Bonsoy has expanded its partnership with the WSL from events in the APAC region to globally with the Championship Tour, Challenger Series and Longboard Tour. The new global deal will see Bonsoy become the Official Milk and Coconut Water of the WSL. 2024 will also see Bonsoy become the title partner for the Gold Coast Pro Challenger Series event while continuing as the presenting partner of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and Sydney Surf Pro Challenger Series event.

Thanks to its continued success in previous seasons, the Bonsoy Caddy Program will continue across three major events in Australia. The Bonsoy Athlete Area will activate at the US Open Challenger Series event as well as both Challenger Series events in Australia. Bonsoy is also excited to announce that WSL Commentator Kaipo Guerrera will become a Bonsoy ambassador in 2024, featuring in broadcast integrations and branded content.

Returning Partners Apple Watch, Red Bull Bring Athlete Performance to New Heights for 2024 CT

Apple Watch

For the second year, Apple Watch will be the official wearable equipment of the WSL. This season the elite CT athletes will continue to get access to the WSL Surfer app on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, which syncs with the WSL Scoring System in real-time to give them all the information they need while in the water during competition, including scores, wave priority, and time in the heat. Apple Watch is uniquely suited for this task due to its large bright screen, durable design, and cellular connectivity.

Red Bull

Red Bull has joined for its sixth year of global partnership. In their relentless pursuit to support peak performance, Red Bull’s athlete-first approach will continue during the 2024 season, with enhancements planned for the Red Bull Athlete Zones at each CT stop. This year, fans will also be able to experience every heart-pounding moment of the Big Wave competitions live, courtesy of Red Bull TV.

Vissla Shaper Rankings

The Vissla Shaper Rankings will also return this year. The season-long battle to determine the best high-performance surfboard shapers tracks the performance of the best surfers in the world via combined men’s and women’s rankings, counting Quarterfinal-or-better finishes at each of the 9 CT stops this season. These rankings determine the winner after the regular-season CT events, ahead of the WSL Finals. There are 13 shapers who provide surfboards for all the CT competitors this year, and by bringing these performance-driven individuals to the forefront, Vissla and the WSL continue to honor the heritage and progression of the sport.

Welcoming Key Title Partners and Global Sustainability Partners

SHISEIDO

SHISEIDO continues its partnership with the WSL as the Official Suncare of the WSL, a Global WSL CT partner, and a Global Sustainability Partner of the WSL and WSL One Ocean. SHISEIDO will be the Title Partner for Stop No. 6 on the CT, the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, scheduled for May 22 – 31, 2024. SHISEIDO will host on-site activations, including sunscreen and suncare stations where fans can sample and purchase products, as well as the production of co-branded in-broadcast vignettes designed to promote sustainability throughout the season.

Corona

Corona and the WSL have struck a partnership for the eighth consecutive year. As the esteemed Title Partner for the return of the Fiji Pro, Corona further solidifies its commitment to the world of professional surfing. 

Corona will also build on the 2023 season’s release of “Corona Lay Days,” a behind-the-scenes look at what the CT surfers do on their days off from competition. 

Corona plans to highlight the breathtaking locations and extraordinary experiences that can be found at each event through engaging original content featuring the beautiful and diverse locations that play host to the CT.

This year, Corona’s steadfast commitment to sustainability takes center stage with its continued work alongside WSL One Ocean, furthering the shared mission to protect and preserve the world’s oceans for generations to come. Together, the WSL and Corona are set to deliver unparalleled fan experiences and foster a deeper connection between surf enthusiasts and the natural world.

YETI

The WSL and YETI are proud to continue their second year of partnership after a very successful first season.

YETI will kick off its 2024 partnership with an elevated position as the Presenting Partner of the prestigious Pipe Pro. YETI will be activating onsite at ʻEhukai Beach Park, offering custom engraving with proceeds benefiting the Mauka to Makai Makaha Foundation. In addition, YETI will be promoting the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI in their new flagship Honolulu store, offering official merchandise in support of their WSL CT Athlete, John John Florence.

YETI also continues its commitment to sustainability as a Global Sustainability Partner of WSL One Ocean, integrating sustainability into its core operations and aligning with the WSL One Ocean initiatives.

Mananalu Water

The WSL is pleased to announce a new partnership with Mananalu Water – actor Jason Momoa’s aluminum-bottled water brand on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics. As an Official Canned Water Partner, Mananalu will be the exclusive canned water onsite at the World Surf League’s North American events, including the US Open of Surfing, the WSL Finals, the Lexus Pipe Pro, and more. Mananalu will also be an Official Partner of WSL PURE, the league’s 501(c)(3), which runs an annual grant program to support global non-profit organizations focused on improving the health of global ocean ecosystems.

805 Beer

805 Beer will also continue its partnership with the WSL, with the quality brewed beverage having become a cornerstone of the WSL live event experience (for fans aged 21 and over). The WSL and 805 Beer are excited to expand the partnership in a way that authentically embodies the essence of surfing and its community. In addition to the partnership extension, Firestone Walker and the WSL are excited to extend their collaborative apparel line celebrating their partnership that promotes “Drinking Local. Surfing Global” (for fans aged 21 years and over), available online and in surf shops across the country.

Pura Vida

Pura Vida returns for a third year as the Presenting Partner of WSL Rising Tides, continuing their commitment to empowering young girls in local communities through the transformative power of surfing. WSL Rising Tides provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for girls to connect with their surfing heroes, inspiring them to chase their dreams in and out of the water. Pura Vida’s partnership goes beyond local activations; they’ll be weaving inspiring content into the WSL’s live broadcasts and social media platforms, showcasing the stories of young surfers and the impact of Rising Tides on a global scale.

Continuing Regional Partnerships

WSL APAC is excited to continue partnerships with mophie and Bailey Ladders in 2024, thanks to new contract extensions with each organization. In addition to the Tahiti Pro, mophie has expanded its partnership to include the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and the Fiji Pro in 2024. Bailey Ladders will include their Weather Guard product as part of the deal for the Gold Coast Pro. WSL APAC has announcements of several more partners coming through the 2024 season.

WSL LATAM region continues its partnerships with leaders of top-tier corporations such as TV Globo, Vivo, Banco do Brasil, Natura, Unilever, and governmental support from the Rio de Janeiro State Government and the City of Saquarema.

The first stop on the 2024 WSL Championship Tour is the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI, opening on January 29, 2024, and holding a competition window through February 10. The event will broadcast LIVE on www.WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. 

Check out all the new ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

For more information, please visit  www.WorldSurfLeague.com

About the WSL

The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.

#WSL #WorldSurfLeague #WSLInsideProSurfing #WSLAPAC #InsideProSurfing #surfing #surfingindustry #CherieCohen #ESPN #ESPNPlus #Seven #SevenNetwork #AppleWatch #RedBull #RedBullTV #Foxtel #Lexus #Corona #Shiseido #RipCurlPro #FujiPro #TVGlobo #TV #broadcast #broadcasting #livesports #app #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsmarketing #pressrelease #mediarelease #media 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE Royal Rumble 

Location - St. Petersburg, Florida

Live Date - January 27, 2024

WWE SmackDown is January 26 (one day before the Royal Rumble). Main Event: Solo Sikoa vs LA Knight

Royal Rumble Betting News, Odds

Favs are CM Punk + 125 (44.4 percent) and Cody Rhodes + 200 (33.3 percent)

Previous Royal Rumble Winners

2023 Royal Rumble Winners

Men's Royal Rumble Winner:  Cody Rhodes

Women's Royal Rumble Winner: Rhea Ripley

2022 Royal Rumble Winners

Men's Royal Rumble Winner: Brock Lesnar

Women's Royal Rumble Winner: Ronda Rousey

2021 Royal Rumble Winners

Men's Royal Rumble Winner: Edge

Women's Royal Rumble Winner: Bianca Belair

2020 Royal Rumble Winners

Men's Royal Rumble Winner: Drew McIntyre

Women's Royal Rumble Winner: Charlotte Flair

2019 Royal Rumble Winners

Men's Royal Rumble Winner: Seth Rollins

Women's Royal Rumble Winner: Becky Lynch

2018 Royal Rumble Winners

Men's Royal Rumble Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura

Women's Royal Rumble Winner: Asuka

WWE YouTube, to help get you ready!

Why CM Punk took the hard path back to WWE: Royal Rumble 2024 Vlog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9y1E7nbBMU&ab_channel=WWE

Videos via the WWE Official YouTube Channel

FULL MATCH FACTS: 2008 Royal Rumble Match: Royal Rumble 2008

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N72U6lgWoM&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man Int

Bet On Anything (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/bet_on.html

PLE News (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/ple_news.html

Flashback:

WWE betting via Bet America (via Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/wwe_betting.html

Wrestling Betting (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_betting.html

#RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #SmackDown #RandyOrton #LAKnight #BrockLesnar #DwayneJohnson #TheRock #TheBloodline #BronsonReed #BobbyLashley #AOP #AuthorsOfPain #KarrionKross #DirtyDom #GraysonWaller #GWEffect #JohnCena #NickAldis #AdamPearce #PaulHeyman #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #PLE #PPV #YouTube #YT #video #wrestlingnews #liveentertainment #livesports #sportsnews #odds #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Image credit: WWE

Combat Sports

“First of all, I don’t give anybody a leash. A leash? Free speech” ... “To control what people say and to tell people what to believe – I don’t tell any other *ucking human being what to say, what to think and there’s no leashes on any of them..”

“It’s ridiculous to say I give somebody a leash. Free speech, brother. People can say whatever they want and they can believe whatever they want.” - Dana White, UFC @UFC

Media Man Int

Combat Sports (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/combat_sports.html

PPV News (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/ppv_news.html

#DanaWhite #quote #UFC297 #UFC #MMA #freedom #FreeSpeech #combatsports #mmanews #sportsnews #sportsmedia #politics #trend #trends #buzz #media #mediaman 

Media and Political News

FOX And The Hounds?! : Media Man

Gonzo Satire and/or News as Comedy?

Does GG and FOX smell blood?

Gutfeld: This is kind of embarrassing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WrJBWupKMs&t=25s&ab_channel=FoxNews

"Happy Wednesday...HaHaHaHa.. so, last night New Hampshire clarified a few things. First that Donald Trump will probally be the republican nominee for 2024. Alright. True. That's a lock as much as President Biden making up a new word" - Greg Gutfeld

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WrJBWupKMs&t=25s&ab_channel=FoxNews

#Gutfeld #GregGutfeld #FOX #FoxNews #Biden #PresidentBiden #Trump #DonaldTrump #PresidentTrump #AndNew #foxandthehound #popculture #satire #comedy #alt #YouTube #YT #politics #politicsnews #trends #trending #buzz #TV #USA #media 

Wrestling and Pop Culture News

Living Legend Of WWE @WWE Pro Wrestling Aka Sports Entertainment And Rising Movie Star John Cena...

This past Tuesday, the 46-year-old living legend discussed his plans to retire from the WWE with ET's Nischelle Turner. 

Cena - who was present to help promote his new action flick, Argylle, in London - stated he intends to retire from wrestling soon. 

"That's not a maybe. That time is gonna come and it's gonna come soon".

Cena notably made his WWE debut 22 years ago in 2002. Gimmicks and themes of JC have included the rapper based "Word Life", "Hustle, Loyality and Respect" and "Never Give Up".

"I made a promise to the consumer early on, to WWE fans, 'cause I know how tough it is to be a fan. You gotta come out of pocket - and WWE has a ton of content -- it takes a lot to be a passionate fan and our fanbase is passionate and global. I never wanted to go out there just for the sake of going out there. And I'm gonna be 47 this year. I feel great. So inside I feel great, but I know what it takes to be a WWE performer night in and night out and I don't ever wanna just go out there and do it to do it. I wanna have the passion -- the same passion as the fanbase -- and I wanna give them exactly what they give me. The miles on the speedometer say, 'Hey, that's gotta be done before 50.'"

The Argylle actor will be turning 47 on April 23 and he says that's "the timeline I've put on myself."

"It's tough to juggle both because, you know, when you're filming Argylle, Matthew [Vaughn] won't let you go do anything else because of insurance," he joked. "So as long as the phone keeps ringing and we've had some good opportunities here, I'll kind of preserve that for as long as I can. But even coming back for these one-at-a-time things or short three-month periods, it takes its toll more and more and I've just had an incredibly fortunate run with my health. I feel great. I just want to continue to feel great the rest of my life."

When asked if he plans to dip his toes back into wrestling after he retires, similar to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Cena noted that he's "had at least one match every year in WWE for the past 23 years."

He added, "I've never missed a year, and as long as I can perform, I don't intend to miss a year."

WWE's big WrestleMania @WrestleMania event is coming up in April, and Cena teased the possibility of him attending. 

"I don't know if I'll be free that weekend, but it is a weekend and movies don't shoot on the weekends," he said. "But when I say I'm done -- in WWE, they say never say never and a lot of people retire and come back - I'm just being honest with myself. There's such a great new generation now as well. It's time to pass the electric energy on to the folks that can be there every day."

Entertainment Tonight Official YouTube Channel

John Cena Addresses Rumors About His WWE Retirement (Exclusive)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSWrG5j1ivM&ab_channel=EntertainmentTonight

Media Man Int

John Cena On His Instagram Posts Being ‘Interpretive Art" - April 2019

www.mediamanint.com/articles/john_cena61.html

#JohnCena #quote #quotes #WWE #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #WrestleMania40 #TheRock #DwayneJohnson #Argylle #ET #popculture #boxoffice #movienews #legend #PLE #sportsentertainment #Superstar #acting #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Pro Wrestling

TNA @TNA Keeps Positive Momentum

Kazuchika Okada returned to a TNA Ring!

The Palm @Palms and TNA Wrestling Partnership Continues To Deliver Win-Win-Wins For Fans, Wrestlers  and Promoter. Sports and entertainment right on the money!

World class pro wrestling from TNA showcased via their official YouTube Channel

Kazuchika Okada RETURNS to TNA in ALL-STAR 6-Man Tag | iMPACT! Jan. 25, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUzuAY1oHos&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

The System (Eddie Edwards, Moose and Brian Myers) vs The Motor City Machine Guns and Kazuchika Okada

"These guys have one hell of a tag team partner"

"A two time IWGP world heavyweight champion. A five time IWGP heavyweight champion. Okada have finally returned to a TNA ring"..

"It has been more than a decade in a TNA ring"..

"They thoughy it was a thing... a moment that would never happen, but here we are"..

"This is just another sign"...

"Is blowing my freaking mind"...

"Thank you TNA!" Kazuchika Okada's EXCLUSIVE Post-Match Comments | iMPACT! Jan. 25, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKS6VTCeDII&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

TNA iMPACT! Cross the Line Intro 2024 | iMPACT! Jan. 25, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYwPd3CRF7k&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

MUST-SEE MOMENTS from TNA iMPACT! for January 18, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRu3j_JcX4&t=14s&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

"TNA - it's back and it's never, ever going away!" | iMPACT! Jan 18. 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crgM2K2n358&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

MUST-SEE MOMENTS from TNA iMPACT! for January 18, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRu3j_JcX4&t=14s&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

and more great footage being added to the TNA YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/@tnawrestling

Media Man: Wow. TNA feels fresh, super exciting and the right sort of nostalgic all at the same time. At this rate we see TNA gaining more fans - both fans from other pro wrestling promotions and more new fans of pro wrestling. Top notch wrestling, awesome crowd participation, improved production, new lines of merch, mainstream media and wrestling news media enthusiasm and more. As celebrated business entrepreneurs such as X Corp's Elon Musk and others have said on business, "It's like baking a cake. You've got to have all of the right ingredients". And the legendary P.T Barnum, "Without promotion something terrible happens - nothing". And final thought from us, "This is wrestling" and "TNA Wrestling has once again got the IT Factor back and is standing out from the pack for all the right reasons" - Greg Tingle, Media Man Group

Media Man Int

TNA Wrestling (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/tna_wrestling.html

#TNAWrestling #TNAIMPACT #TNACrossTheLine #TNA #TNATNATNA #prowrestling #wrestling #ThePalms #PalmsCasino #Okada #IWGP #NicNemeth #EddieEdwards #AlexShelley #ChrisSabin #MotorCityMachineGuns #TheSystem #ZacharyWentz #Moose #JordynneGrace #Trinity #entertainmentnews #popculture #sportsnews #casinonews #broadcast #broadcasting #YouTube #YT #trends #trending #buzz #promotion #quote #quotes #VegasNews #vegascasino #casinonewsmedia #wrestlingnewsmedia #LasVegas #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

January 26, 2024

LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa. Night of glory or disaster?

Carlito vs Santos Escobar. LWO vs Fantasma!

Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits vs The Final Testament. Profits future being authored by biblical warlocks from another world! God bless to all. Read the good book - last opportunity?

Kayden Carter & Katana Chance vs The Kabuki Warriors

Carmelo Hayes vs Austin Theory. NXT come WWE upstarts vs Japanese living legends. Titles in grave danger.

Media Man: The clock is ticking. Wrestling fans are going nutso as we head towards to Royal Rumble. Will a future wrestling legend or two from "the other promotion"/s be setting foot in a WWE ring for the very first time?! Don't bet against it. Can Roman Reigns once again beat the odds despite some of the powers that be conspiring against him. SmackDown GM Nick Aldis better have eyes in the back of his head. Does RR know Aldis is a former NWA champion? Is Bloodline "Wise Man" Paul Heyman telling Reigns everything he really needs to know? Are the likes of WWE legends including Booker T, Kurt Angle, JBL and Eric Bischoff pulling strings behind the scences, that could alter the course of the WWE forever? This is must see TV and PPE.

Get a taste of past, present and future events and major happenings via the award winning WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

such as... wait for it...

Roman Reigns’ challengers prepare for Royal Rumble showdown: WWE Now, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCooqkevpxY&ab_channel=WWE

Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight — Road to Royal Rumble 2024: WWE Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M01ywIgPoxo&ab_channel=WWE

#SmackDown #RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #RomanReigns #SoloSikoa #TheBloodline #LAKnight #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #LoganPaul #RandyOrton #JudgementDay #AOP #FinalTestament #KarrionKross #BobbyLashley #StreetProfits #Carlito #SantosEscobar #Fantasma #DelFantasma #lucha #AustinTheory #CarmeloHayes #KabukiWarriors #Asuka #Sane #tagteam #prowrestling #wrestling #Entertainment #popculture #YouTube #YT #video #broadcast #broadcasting #PPV #PayPerView #PLE #liveentertainment #livesports #story #storytelling  #trend #buzz #XWrestling #TV #media 

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

Miami, Florida

Carlito vs Santos Escobar

"This is sure to be an epic battle... personal animosity... Carlito collides with a former friend, now enemy" Michael Cole @MichaelCole 

Background to this epic feud via the official WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

#SmackDown #Carlito #SantosEscobar #LWO #LatinoWorldOrder #ZelinaVega #FWO #DelFantasma #lucha #luchalibre #prowrestling #wrestling #Fox #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

Miami, Florida

Randy Orton, LA Knight & AJ Styles vow to defeat Roman Reigns: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSbrc9a8nU4&ab_channel=WWE

Eladio Carrión introduces Randy Orton: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imTbkbT-ESw&ab_channel=WWE

Final Testament take down Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txcLDBugMEs&ab_channel=WWE

The Kabuki Warriors win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfODnL3WH9w&ab_channel=WWE

Paul Heyman suggest Jimmy Uso should win the Royal Rumble: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S79aaxm_DJg&ab_channel=WWE

Carlito, Theory and Waller pick their Royal Rumble numbers: SmackDown exclusive, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irGjUqhfHmc&ab_channel=WWE

Elektra Lopez debuts by helping Santos Escobar defeat Carlito: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99DkNheeddc&ab_channel=WWE

Trick Williams saves Carmelo Hayes from a A-Town Down Under: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvVYyX2q4Kc&ab_channel=WWE

The Bloodline’s beatdown of Styles, Orton and Knight backfires: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBeXJ4Ct2DU&t=7s&ab_channel=WWE

Background to this epic feud via the official WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

Media Man: Strong and hot SmackDown show on the lead in to the Royal Rumble. Paul Heyman may be dancing with the devil. Karriion Karrion, AOP - Final Testament dominating. Biblical and mighty beat down! Anything can and does happen in the WWE! Clock ticking on Roman's title reign?! 

#SmackDown #RoyalRumble #EladioCarrion #RandyOrton #LAKnight #AjStyles #PaulHeyman #TheBloodline #SoloSikoa #Carlito #SantosEscobar #LWO #LatinoWorldOrder #ElektraLopez #ZelinaVega #LWO #DelFantasma #lucha #luchalibre #RTruth #NickAldis #prowrestling #wrestling #Fox #broadcast #broadcasting #highlights #moments #YouTube #YT #video #AndNew #trends #trending #buzz #TV #XWrestling #X #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown. Miami, Florida

Final Testament take down Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024 https://youtube.com/watch?v=txcLDBugMEs&ab_channel=WWE

"Behold. There is no fear in Karrion Kross" Paul Ellering

"Gentleman, Mr Ellering speaks the truth. You know, every time I look at you three all I see is frustration. All I see is desperation and look, I get it".. Karrion Kross @realKILLERkross 

"Over 600 pounds of pure destruction" Corey Graves @WWEGraves 

"Complete beat down" Michael Cole @MichaelCole 

Media Man: This crowd better be careful. KK and his clan don't suffer fools. Final Testament striking fear into the WWE locker room and beyond. Politics are gone and the new era is upon us! Keep reading the good book. The power that only a select few will know. Amen.

Background to epic feuds via the official WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

#SmackDown #AOP #FinalTestament #KK

Credit: WWE

Wrestling News via Media Man

www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_news.html

PPV News

www.mediamanint.com/articles/ppv_news.html

WWE @WWE SmackDown and Royal Rumble lead up on fire

TNA Wrestling @ThisIsTNA with world class product

AEW @AEW has fans, media and industry on edge

Okada hot agent!

Most Wanted Man sets TNA on fire

MJF Buzz

Fatu Buzz with Booker T history in Reality Of Wrestling

Von Erich movie 'The Iron Claw' continues with rave reviews

WWE - WWE NXT @WWENXT and AJPW @alljapan_pw deal going well

Netflix deal next year will take WWE to the next level and grow business by approx 30 percent says former Optus PPV and subscriber TV exec via Media Man

OPW and AWF wrestling promotions lighting a fire in Aussie pro wrestling; Starrcast buzz continues

#wrestlingnews #wrestling #prowrestling #SmackDown #RoyalRumble #EliminationChamber  #WWENXT #Netflix #TNA #AEW #AJPW #OPW #AWF #Starrcast #streaming #combatsports #Aussie #AustralianWrestling #wrestlingpromotion #wrestlingpromotions #wrestlingpromoter #wrestlingpromoters #wrestlingnewsmedia #entertainment #popculture #PPV #PLE #livesports #liveentertainment #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

(Images: Credit to each individual wrestling promotion featured)

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown. Miami, Florida

SmackDown’s most chaotic moments: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvog3aaEadg&ab_channel=WWE

"You gotta a receipt coming" AJ Styles

And much

The Final Testament brawl with Lashley and Street Profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txcLDBugMEs&t=7s&ab_channel=WWE

"Behold. There is no fear in Karrion Kross" Paul Ellering

"Gentleman, Mr Ellering speaks the truth. You know, every time I look at you three all I see is frustration. All I see is desperation and look, I get it".. Karrion Kross @realKILLERkross

"Over 600 pounds of pure destruction" Corey Graves @WWEGraves

"Complete beat down" Michael Cole @MichaelCole

Media Man: Hot crowd and hot show. This crowd better be careful. KK and his clan don't suffer fools. Final Testament striking fear into the WWE locker room and beyond. Politics are gone and the new era is upon us! Keep reading the good book. The power that only a select few will know. Amen.

Background to epic feuds. Past, present and future via the official WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

#SmackDown #RoyalRumble #AJStyles #RandyOrton #LAKnight #TheBloodline #PaulHeyman #AOP #FinalTestament #KarrionKross #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #trends #trening #buzz #TV #media 

Credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown. Miami, Florida

SmackDown’s most chaotic moments: SmackDown highlights, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rvog3aaEadg&ab_channel=WWE

"You gotta a receipt coming" AJ Styles

And much

The Final Testament brawl with Lashley and Street Profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txcLDBugMEs&t=7s&ab_channel=WWE

"Behold. There is no fear in Karrion Kross" Paul Ellering

"Gentleman, Mr Ellering speaks the truth. You know, every time I look at you three all I see is frustration. All I see is desperation and look, I get it".. Karrion Kross @realKILLERkross

"Over 600 pounds of pure destruction" Corey Graves @WWEGraves

"Complete beat down" Michael Cole @MichaelCole

Media Man: Hot crowd and hot show. This crowd better be careful. KK and his clan don't suffer fools. Final Testament striking fear into the WWE locker room and beyond. Politics are gone and the new era is upon us! Keep reading the good book. The power that only a select few will know. Amen.

Background to epic feuds. Past, present and future via the official WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

#SmackDown #RoyalRumble #AJStyles #RandyOrton #LAKnight #TheBloodline #PaulHeyman #AOP #FinalTestament #KarrionKross #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #trends #trening #buzz #TV #media 

Credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE Releases More World Class Videos To Fuel Hype From Fans, Media, Et Al

WWE Royal Rumble 2024 cold open

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKDbOIvL2y8&ab_channel=WWE

CM Punk trains with NXT Superstars: Royal Rumble 2024 Vlog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdlaGAddwLg&ab_channel=WWE

Full Royal Rumble Preview: WWE Now, Jan. 27, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q04xgdEw1Kk&t=76s&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man: CM Punk remains out top pick for the win, followed closely by Cody Rhodes. This may change as extra intel comes to light.

#RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #RomanReigns #TheBloodline #JimmyUso #SoloSikoa #PaulHeyman #WWERoyalRumble2024 #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #HulkHogan #RandyOrton #LAKnight #AJStyles #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #TKOGroup #KarrionKross #AOP #BobbyLashley #StreetProfits #LexisKing #King #KingMaker #GraysonWaller #AustinTheory #DragonLee #AJLee #BeckyLynch #TiffanyStratton #LWO #WWENXT #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #YouTube #PLE #trends #trending #buzz #media  

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

Top 10 Friday Night SmackDown moments: WWE Top 10, Jan. 26, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWpMryVt9XQ&ab_channel=WWE

"And Theory taking his time getting back in the ring. And Carmelo was taken out by Theory. Waller with a cheap shot right here in front of us" Michael Cole

"The line of succession as to who is truely the Tribal Heir all starts at the Royal Rumble" Paul Heyman

Trouble is brewing for The O.C.: SmackDown exclusive, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZk8mPcg3rk&ab_channel=WWE

Damage CTRL are on top: SmackDown LowDown, Jan. 26, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b19Cjzrd6Gs&ab_channel=WWE

#SmackDown #RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #prowrestling #wrestling #moments #highlights #YouTube #YT #video #entertainment #popculture #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media

Image credit: WWE

Streaming Business News

Netflix Streaming Service Riding High Once Again

Netflix @netflix spruiks record breaking subscriber numbers after account sharing crackdown; Consumer backlash appears over

Global streaming giant Netflix added a record number of new subscribers in the fourth quarter, driven by strong demand for programs such as the long-running royal drama ‘The Crown’.

Just 5 days ago Netflix and world's leading pro wrestling promotion, WWE @WWE advised the popular WWE RAW show will be carried by Netflix for numerous countries (U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America) from January 2025.

The streaming platform has reached approx 260 million subscribers and added just over 13 million of those in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The spike in subscriber count is partly attributed to Netflix’s crackdown on account sharing during the past 12 months.

The company said in a media release they believe they have successfully "cracked down" on all accounts.

The news comes are more unofficial sports and entertainment PPV based websites hit the web. Those with a well trained eye can notice the tell tale sales on the pirate based streaming sites. Due it its popularity the combat sports sector is seeing a number of bad actors arise, but many are being shut down very quicky advised the Media Man Group agency. Over the past number of decades Media Man has helped officially promote a number of official streaming and online PPV sites including TrillerTV (formally FITE), WWE Network, Netflix and Ring Divas.

Netflix posted an impressive yearly revenue of $US8.8 billion last year, exceeding analysts' forecasts.

Media Man: Netflix is riding a way of momentium and will be certainly renewing our subscription again soon, especially as the WWE, wrestling and combat sports programming continues to ramp up. Sports content with a pop culture edge sells and draws in the numbers. It's also possible that Netflix Games may eventually add some extra WWE themed games to the existing portfolio which features 'Escape The Undertaker'.

Mark Down: Drive To Survive (F1), upcoming MMA based movies (rumours of Dwayne Johnson input), and more WWE related content, now that the ink is dry for the official start of WWE RAW on Netflix next year.

#Netflix #NetflixNews #NetflixUS #streamingnews #streamingmedia #streamingbusiness #streamingbiz #streamingentertainment #DriveToSurvive #WWERAW #WWE #prowrestling #MMA #extremesports #combatsports #TheRock #DwayneJohnson #SevenBucks #content #contentnews #contentcreation #broadcast #broadcasting #sub #Subscription #subscribers #PPB #showbiz #trend #trends #TV #buzz #media #mediaman 

Podcasting News

(In case you missed it)

Podcasters are the Most Trusted Media Personalities Among US Consumers, New Acast Research Finds

PRESS RELEASE - October 18, 2023

Acast, the world’s largest independent podcast company, today released the results of a new research study that shows podcasts are a highly trusted medium among US consumers. According to the study of US consumers, 64% of podcast listeners actively seek out podcasters and create time for their content -the most of any other tested media personality - making the time spent with podcasts highly engaging and intentional.

These findings come at a time when trust in US media has hit an all time low, with half of Americans reported to believe that national news organizations deliberately mislead them, according to research from Gallup and the Knight Foundation. In this era of skepticism and misinformation, podcasters are emerging as the trustworthy figures of the media industry.

In fact, according to Acast’s research, half of podcast listeners trust podcasters, the most of any other tested medium. The second most trusted is YouTubers, with 44% of YouTube consumers saying they trust these media personalities. Notably, with YouTube emerging as a leading platform for podcast consumption, many of these sought-after YouTube personalities are also podcasters.

“Trust in US media has been deteriorating in recent years as a result of socio-political unrest and conflicting coverage by news outlets on the same events. As US consumers have lost confidence in traditional media, they have increasingly turned to podcasters as a source of truth,” said Acast Director of Research and Insights Tommy Walters. “During times of hardship and uncertainty - like the start of the pandemic and the beginning of the war in Ukraine - at Acast we have consistently seen audiences flock to podcasts for deep conversations and analysis over clickbait headlines. When it comes to product endorsements, we have also seen audiences be more trusting of podcaster recommendations than any other form of media.”

For advertisers, podcasting is ripe with opportunity as US consumers say they seek out podcasters above all other media personality types when looking for product endorsements. According to this study, 75% of podcast listeners say they have listened to a podcaster for a product endorsement, compared to the 62% of social media users who have sought out social media creators and just 55% cable viewers who have considered cable TV personalities.

Importantly, this study also revealed that podcasters give quality product and brand endorsements. According to the research, 73% of US consumers who have acted on a podcast endorsement said the podcaster gave a good endorsement and they were happy with what they received.

Media Man Int

Multimedia (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/multimedia.html

Podcasts: Profiles Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/profiles/podcasts.html

Wrestling Podcasts (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_podcasts.html

Podcast Favourites (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/podcast_favourites.html

Media and Marketing News (Media Man Int

www.mediamanint.com/articles/media_and.html

Online News (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/online_news.html

83 Weeks wins Media Man 'Wrestling Podcast Of The Month' award

www.mediamanint.com/articles//83_weeks.html

#podcastingnews #podcasts #podcasting #Gallup #KnightFoundation #podcasters #mediapersonality #mediapersonalities #newsmedia #usmedia #usnews #digitalnews #digitalmedia #mediabiz #mediabusiness #popculture #newsbiz #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE 

Royal Rumble Kickoff: Jan. 27, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svBJpOp3OT4&ab_channel=WWE

"The last man and woman standing win a championship opportunity at WrestleMania" Michael Cole

"I am number one when it comes to getting his hands on Roman Reigns" AJ Styles

"I'm going to take everything away from you" Randy Orton

"I'm not done till I own the WWE Championship" LA Knight

"I'm levels above everybody" Roman Reigns

"For three and a half years Roman Reigns has been champion" Michael Cole

"The Bloodline has made a lot of enemies" Michael Cole

"Tonight the heavy hitting, knockout match-up of the new year throws down" Narrator

"Your days as U.S champion are numbered" Kevin Owens

"Six seconds is five more than I need to KO you" Logan Paul

"It's going to be wild" Narrator

#RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #RomanReigns #TheBloodline #WWERoyalRumble2024 #RoyalRumbleKickOff #KickOff #WWE #wrestling #prowrestling #RomanReigns #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #RandyOrton #LAKnight #AJStyles #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #HulkHogan #TheRock #NickAldis #AndStill #AndNew #PLE #entertainment #popculture #streaming #broadcast #broadcasting #hype #liveentertainment #livesports #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE 

Full 2024 Royal Rumble highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOdPKrHNTBU&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE

"Oh, I'm feeling it" Pat McAfee

"Our first surprise of the night" Michael Cole

"Guys, she's back" MC

Cody Rhodes outlasts everyone to win Men's Royal Rumble Match: Royal Rumble 2024 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqD5D00FDIg&t=9s&ab_channel=WWE

Press Conference clips

Triple H discusses ground-breaking Netflix deal: 2024 Royal Rumble Press Conference highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZu8vha3Ej4&ab_channel=WWE

Cody Rhodes answers a question from DDP: 2024 Royal Rumble Press Conference highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29e4uVYE6uY&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE

And much more!

Pat McAfee explains himself: 2024 Royal Rumble exclusive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44btA7GrEeU&ab_channel=WWE

Bron Breakker is not finished with The Judgment Day: 2024 Royal Rumble exclusive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLUy0AgcBi8&t=5s&ab_channel=WWE

Andrade can't wait to show everyone who he is: 2024 Royal Rumble exclusive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tYrwSHxmFc&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE

Jordynne Grace makes an impact: Royal Rumble 2024 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3tjl9omKw4&ab_channel=WWE

Jade Cargill put the whole locker room on notice: 2024 Royal Rumble exclusive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPP0btDeXcY&t=5s&ab_channel=WWE

Jade Cargill makes her debut at the Royal Rumble!: 2024 Royal Rumble highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GY6L-34XFg&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

EVERY entrant in the 2024 Women's Royal Rumble: Royal Rumble 2024 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWhE6pJLaYo&t=5s&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man: Super hot show. Stories, action and surprises matter in top line pro wrestling. Early contender for 'Wrestling PPV/PLE Of The Year'. Massive thumbs up to Triple H and the whole team at WWE and associates for putting on a great and most enjoyable supercard.

#RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #WWE #highlights #moments #RomanReigns #CodyRhodes #CMPunk #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #JadeCargill #JordynneGrace #Naomi #Andrade #BronBreakker #TripleH #PaulLevesque #PatMcAfee #wwenews #wwemedia #wwepress #pressconference #mediaconference #wrestlingnews #wrestling #prowrestling #PLE #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Image credit: WWE

Wrestling News

WWE @WWE Royal Rumble post-match comments/interview by Kevin Owens

WWE YouTube offers excellent highlights, moments and interviews covering red hot Royal Rumble PLE

Kevin Owens vows that he's not done with Logan Paul: 2024 Royal Rumble exclusive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orM5yKtsQYQ&ab_channel=WWE

"I hope Logan Paul knows, I'm coming for a rematch. There's no way things can end this way. First of all, he brought in the brass knuckles. In French, that's called a 'poing américain' which literally translates meaning American Fist, which is appropriate because he's the United States Champion. Doesn't do anything by the book, brings in American Fists, in trying to retain the US title"

"I'm a Canadian. It's probally when I got caught"...

"Next time I get Logan Paul in the ring and that title is on the line, I'm winning that championship. I should be champion."

"Do you"?

"You see where I'm going"?

"Yep" media

"Your doing the whole impartial journalist thing"?

"At least, I put him through a table. You know what that's called? A moral victory."

Logan Paul vs. Kevin Owens — United States Title Match: Royal Rumble 2024 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxrr2DG7LJY&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man: What a great feud, match and post match interview. This is pro wrestling and sports entertainment. Millions of fans are likely awaiting a rematch between Paul and Owens. A couple of the best in the world at what they do. 

#RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #LoganPaul #TheMaverick #Prime #USTitle #interview #quote #quotes #interview #video #highlights #AndStill #rematch #journalist #wrestlingmedia #wrestlingnews #entertainment #popculture #socialmedia #trends #trending #buzz #X #XWrestling #media 

Image credit: WWE

Wrestling News

WrestleMania @WrestleMania Season ignites discussion about who should be in the next round for the WWE @WWE Hall Of Fame

Current Names Attracting Buzz Under The Watercooler

Lex Luger, Jim Cornette & Sable have all got solid to strong support, including from WWE NXT @WWENXT commentator and Hall Of Fame podcast personality, Booker T @BookerT5x "Oh Yes"! as Booker would say.

Additional names drawing in discussion include Cyndi Lauper (who Media Man pitched a number of times over the past almost decade)! Who is the mongrel in the WWE blocking it? Perhaps they won't be blocked any longer in today's WWE?! Ken Shamrock is long overdue. Lex Luger and Daniel Bryan (current wrestling elsewhere, are also under discussion).

Tag Teams, The Nasty Boys and Demolition and wrestling personality Jim Cornette has been known to pitch tag teams he managed to greatness decades ago. Have a listen to Corney's podcast if you care. NSFW is often the case with Mr Cornette, and don't even start us on his politics! (real politics, not wrestling politics). 

Managers - Paul Heyman, your time may be now sir!

Debate is open for Brock Lesnar, Gangrel, Doink The Clown (choose 1 or 2) and Outback Jack. Ok, some satire. Remember, entertainment value and fan response is also a factor. Pro wrestling aka sports entertainment is subjective in nature and a reminder that pro wrestling is not a pure sport, however most of the top wrestlers over the past decade plus have been very technical.

Under the Media Man watercooler is was discussed that there's a couple of pro wrestlers who may have been strong draws for 5 to 10 years but they known for hurting opponents through clumsiness, poor training or whatever the case. Mistakes can and do happen in pro wrestler, but they are a couple who should be disqualified from even being seriously considered. No names, but the industry knows who they are.

Ending on a high note, enjoy today's Royal Rumble and the upcoming WrestleMania and Hall of Fame. Oh, CM Punk for the win (and also for serious consideration for the WWE Hall of Fame).

#wrestling #wrestlingnews #prowrestling #HallOfFame #WWEHOF #WWEHallOfFame #BookerT #legends #wrestlinglegends #sportsentertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #Goats #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE Continues To Release World Class Footage From Royal Rumble 2024 onto their award winning YouTube Channel and additional social media platforms

Royal Rumble Results and Highlights: WWE Now, January 27, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqqA99fmNbA&t=11s&ab_channel=WWE

EVERY entrant in the 2024 Men's Royal Rumble: Royal Rumble 2024 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv7p-Brp1h0&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE

Royal Rumble Rundown: WWE's The Bump, Jan. 28, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRBfQ7VYkpc&t=5s&ab_channel=WWE

Top moments from Royal Rumble 2024: WWE Top 10, Jan. 27, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bALt6dkP_k8&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man: Tremendous pro wrestling aka sports entertainment. Action, drama, surprises and much more. Massive thumbs up.

#RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble2024 #RomanReigns #TheBloodline #AndStill #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #JadeCargill #prowrestling #wrestling #PLE #WWE #TNA #TNAWrestling #TNAChampion #WWETNA #broadcast #broadcasting #streaming #popculture #EntertainmentNews #entertainment #YouTube #YT #Highlights #moments #video #trends #trending #buzz #socialmedia #X #XWrestling #media 

Media Man Biz Terms

Disruptor: a company or form of technology that causes radical change in an existing industry or market by means of innovation. 

"the company is becoming a major disruptor in the media, ad and PR industry" 

"Logan Paul radically disrupted both the pro wrestling and sports/energy drink sector"

"Jake Paul, Logan Paul and KSO proved to be disruptors in the boxing industry including with the Misfits Boxing promotion. Jake Paul was elevated to such a level he was signed on both PFL, backed by the Saudis, further disrupting professional combat sports"

"Rebel News hard hitting and no B.S approach to news media journalism without corporate monetary kickbacks proved to be a massive disruptor in the Canadian and Australian news media sector causing significant headaches for politicians and helped amplify the voice of the community at large. Rebel News also encouraged citizens to become citizen journalists and podcasts, and they further threw light on situations that some mainstream news media outlets were not covering".

Nikola Telsa  (10 July [O.S. 28 June] 1856 – 7 January 1943 was an early disruptor of the energy, engineering and utilities industry. So much so that many dirty corporate and government tricks and tactics were used against him to prevent the wide distribution of free energy for the citizens of the United States.

Media Man Int

Disruptors Of The Month

www.mediamanint.com/articles/disruptors_of.html

#disruptor #disruption #disruptors #JakePaul #LoganPaul #Misfitsboxing #PFL #boxing #celebrityboxing #combatsports #RebelNews #Tesla #NikolaTesla #market #ads #pr #SEO #mediabiz #mediadistuptor #newsdisruptor #newsmedia #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

Movie Box Office (U.S)

The Beekeeper - $7.4 million from 3,337 theaters

Mean Girls $7.3 million from 3,544 locations

 

Mean Girls

U.S tally: $60.8 million 

Worldwide tally: 22.6 million globally for a worldwide cumulative sum of $83.4 million

The Beekeeper

$100 million approx globally

U.S: $42.3 million and $61.9 million globally for an approx global tally of $104.2 million

Wonka

Weekend Gross: $5.9M

Total Gross: $195M

Migration

Weekend Gross: $5.2M

Total Gross: $101M

Anyone But You

Weekend Gross: $4.8M

Total Gross: $71M

Poor Things

2,300 theatres

$3 million for the weekend

$24.8 million

Global tally: $26.3 million

Total $51.1 million

American Fiction - $2.9 million U.S for $11.8 million sum. 1,702 cinemas

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - Weekend Gross: $2.8M. Total Gross: $118M

The Zone of Interest. $1.1 million U.S. Global tally of $3 million.

The Boys In The Boat. Weekend Gross: $2.2M

Total Gross: $47M

#movienews #boxoffice #TheBeekeeper #MeanGirls #WonkaMovie #MigrationMovie #AnyoneButYou #PoorThings #AmericanFiction #AquamanAndTheLostKingdom #TheZoneOfInterest #TheBoys #EntertainmentNews #popculture #moviebiz #showbiz #trends #trrending #buzz #media

Five-day pro wrestling convention coming to Ballarat in 2024

Ballarat will be beamed across screens around the world when global professional wrestling convention Starrcast Downunder arrives in 2024.

It’s the first Starrcast pro wresting event to take place outside the USA, and will be in region from 10-14 April 2024.

Attracting fans from across Australia and overseas, the five-day event will include stage shows, signing sessions and interactive panels at the Ballarat Mining Exchange and Civic Hall, alongside wrestling events at Selkirk Basketball Stadium which will be streamed internationally.

Legendary WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, and six-time WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James have signed on to lead the cadre of international wrestling stars to take part in the action.

Announced by the Victorian Government on Friday 1 December, this event has been made possible by the Regional Events Fund via Visit Victoria.

For more information about the event, including future updates and tickets, visit oceaniaprowrestling.com

High-Flying Wrestling Fan Fest To Land In Ballarat

01 December 2023

The Allan Labor Government is backing a major boost to Ballarat’s events calendar, with the global professional wrestling convention Starrcast Downunder, headed for the Goldfields region from 10-14 April 2024.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today announced Ballarat will host the first Starrcast pro wrestling event staged outside the United States, attracting fans from across the state, Australia and overseas to regional Victoria.

Held over five days, Starrcast will feature fan events, signing sessions, stage shows, and interactive panels across Ballarat Mining Exchange and Civic Hall alongside wrestling events at Selkirk Basketball Stadium – set to delight thousands of local and visiting fans.

The event has been made possible by the Regional Events Fund via Visit Victoria.

Legendary WWE Hall of Fame wrestler, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, and six-time WWE Women’s Champion Mickie James have signed on to lead the cadre of international wrestling stars to take part in the action.

Joining Hart and James at Starrcast Downunder will be a handful of soon-to-be-announced legends, alongside 30 Australian and international wrestlers who will put on three action-packed nights of wrestling throughout the event.

This will include an international wrestling show, an Australian showcase and Empowerr, the groundbreaking all-female wrestling show created by Mickie James in 2021.

The wrestling events will be streamed internationally from Selkirk Basketball Stadium, showcasing Ballarat to wrestling fans around the world.

It marks the most recent addition to Ballarat’s packed 2024 calendar of events, alongside the Road National Championships in January, two Western Bulldogs AFL matches at Mars Stadium, and the recently announced White Night Ballarat, which will take over the city in June.

For more information about the event, including future updates and tickets, visit oceaniaprowrestling.com.

Quote attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos

“We’re proud to support Starrcast Downunder – not just for the boost it will deliver to the region’s tourism sector, but because it joins the packed calendar of events bringing Ballarat to life for everybody to enjoy.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“This international exclusive event will bring pro wrestling fans up close to their favourite legends right here in Ballarat, adding to our already jam-packed events calendar.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“Starrcast Downunder will attract pro wrestling fans from across Victoria – and further afield – to Ballarat for an incredible five days of action, supporting local hospitality, hotels and keeping the economy booming.”

Quote attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett

“From stage shows, interactive panels and fan events, there will be something for everyone to enjoy at Starrcast Downunder. It’s going to be fantastic to see Ballarat’s local buildings and stadiums come alive with fans and wrestling legends from near and far.”

Netflix's Commitment To Live Sports Spells Doom For ESPN

By JOE POMPLIANO

Netflix has announced a deal with TKO Group, the holding company for the UFC and WWE, that will bring WWE’s flagship program “Raw” to the streaming service next year, marking Netflix’s first real foray into live sports entertainment.

The deal is $5 billion over ten years, according to a TKO Group SEC filing. Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including SmackDown, NXT, WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. WWE will still be in charge of event production, providing Netflix about 150 hours of content annually.

This announcement, combined with the appointment of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to the company’s board of directors, sent TKO shares soaring. The holding company opened up more than 20 percent on Tuesday, adding ~$1 billion to its market cap.

This is a huge deal because no one saw it coming. Sure, Netflix has built its name in sports through original documentaries like F1 Drive to Survive, the Untold series, The Last Dance, Beckham, Full Swing, Break Point, and more. But the world’s biggest streaming service has always said live sports rights were too expensive for its taste.

However, we’ve now reached a point where it makes sense for both parties.

Netflix has 80.1 million subscribers in the United States and Canada. That gives WWE more distribution than it had on cable television (77.87 million) while also providing it access to 180 million additional international subscribers on Netflix.

The $500 million annual deal represents a roughly 30% increase in payment, depending on how you calculate international rights, and Netflix gave itself the option to either cancel the deal after five years or extend it another ten after completion.

Tribute To Henry Marcus

Charleston Post and Courier – May 24, 1998

By Mike Mooneyham

Downtown Charleston may be filled with the sights and sounds of Spoleto, but next weekend at 1000 King Street, professional wrestling will be the order of the day.

The King Street Palace, site of the former County Hall, will be the stage for the biggest pro wrestling reunion ever held in this area. “The Night the Legends Return: A Tribute to Henry Marcus” will be a long-overdue tip of the hat to one of the sport’s great promoters, along with a recognition of the past stars of the Mid-Atlantic area.

Sponsored by Low Country Wrestling, the weekend events will feature a “meet and greet” session with the legends from 1-4 p.m. and an awards show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Several matches will be included on the evening program, but they will simply provide a backdrop for a ceremony honoring some of the sport’s legendary performers.

Adding a special touch to the weekend is that the two major activities will be held at the King Street Palace – the building once known as County Hall where thousands of fans made their weekly pilgrimage every Friday night. Wrestling is one of the most colorful of all professions, and many of its legendary characters have graced the hallowed hall at which some of those same performers from the past will gather to relive memories of a tradition-rich sport that, like a fine wine, only grows better with age.

For nostalgia lovers and followers of the glory days of Mid-Atlantic wrestling, it’s a must-see event. And even for fans who believe wrestling started with the Hulk Hogan era, it will provide a refreshing look at the past and the stars who paved the way and laid the groundwork for the Hulk Hogans, Steve Austins and Stings of today.

The event holds even greater significance for many of the honorees themselves. Many who traveled the road together and teamed up have not seen each other in years.

Two decades have passed since Rip Hawk and Swede Hanson, one of the greatest teams in wrestling history, have been together in the same ring. George and Sandy Scott, a team which Hawk and Hanson encountered in many a bloodbath during the ’60s and ’70s, will join their old rivals in that same ring on Saturday.

It’s been even longer since the paths of Wahoo McDaniel and Johnny “The Champ” Valentine have crossed, but the memories of their torrid feud remains fresh in the minds of many longtime wrestling fans. Some of the greats of the Mid-Atlantic era have since passed on. The list includes names like Skull Murphy and Brute Bernard, Aldo Bogni, Homer O’Dell, Haystacks Calhoun, Gene Anderson, Rufus R. Jones, Billy and Jimmy Hines (The Masked Red Demons), Luther Lindsay, J.C. Dykes, Jimmy “Rocky” Smith (The Inferno), Larry “Missouri Mauler” Hamilton, Boris “The Great” Malenko, Luke “Big Boy” Brown, Dick Murdoch and, sadly, others too numerous to mention. Many stars shaped their careers here.

George Scott, who was booking the Carolinas for the late Jim Crockett Sr., brought in two youngsters fresh out of Verne’s Gagne’s Minnesota wrestling camp during the early ’70s – Richard Fliehr and Richard Blood. Blood, an amateur standout out of Tampa, would be billed as Ricky Steamboat – “nephew” of Sam Steamboat, an area favorite who at the time teamed with Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods). Fliehr was brought in as “nephew” and protege of Rip Hawk and was billed as “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, a ’70s version of “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers.

Shortly thereafter Flair would join with the infamous “Minnesota Wrecking Crew” (Gene, Lars and Ole Anderson) as their cousin from Minnesota, setting the stage for the ’80s formation of the original Four Horsemen – Flair, Ole Anderson, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard.

The rest, as they say, is history. And much of it was shaped right here in Charleston, under the Jim Crockett territorial banner and the local promotion of Henry Marcus.

A little-known fact is that Arn Anderson, some years before before the formation of the Horsemen, enjoyed some of his fondest memories as young Marty Lunde growing up in Rome, Ga., hurling insults and objects at those same Anderson Brothers at the local wrestling shows. A number of surprise guests also have made plans to attend the festivities and pay tribute to a man who promoted wrestling for nearly half a century.

LEGEND NOTES

Promoter Henry Marcus turned 87 last Thursday…Referees for the evening matches will range from Tommy Young, longtime NWA senior official who presided over some of Ric Flair’s greatest matches during the ’70s and ’80s, and Ron West, a popular NWA official in the Carolinas, Georgia and Mid-South area, to present-day refs Charles Robinson and Mark Curtis (Brian Hildebrand)…Commemorative T-shirts will be available at the afternoon event…Radio station 98 Rock, which will be airing updates on the show throughout the week, will do a live remote from the King Street Palace noon-2:30 p.m. Saturday.

One of the honorees, Burrhead Jones, is a Moncks Corner native whose infamous TV angle with Black Jack Mulligan in the mid-’70s ranks as one of the most memorable in Mid-Atlantic history. Burrhead, cousin of the late Rufus R. “Freight Train” Jones, suffered a lopsided thrashing at the hands of Mulligan that led to Rufus’ crown (he billed himself as the “king of wrestling” after being presented a crown by Greensboro fans) being stomped to pieces at the hands of Gene and Ole Anderson, Flair and Mulligan.

Sports Illustrated lays off 'significant' amount of staff after license revoked, owner vows to continue brand

Sports Illustrated was sold to Authentic Brands Group in 2019

A significant number of Sports Illustrated staff members were notified by the outlet's publisher that they would be laid off. The move puts the future of the iconic sports publication that has been widely considered the gold standard of sports journalism for nearly seven decades in jeopardy.

The Arena Group, which operates Sports Illustrated and related properties emailed employees on Friday, notifying them that Authentic Brands Group has revoked its marketing license.

"As a result of this license revocation, we will be laying off staff that work on the SI brand," the email said.

Sports Illustrated’s employee union said in a statement that the layoffs would be a significant number, and possibly all, of the NewsGuild workers represented.

"We have fought together as a union to maintain the standard of this storied publication that we love, and to make sure our workers are treated fairly for the value they bring to this company. It is a fight we will continue," Mitch Goldich, NFL editor and unit chair, said in a statement.

The guild’s statement also called for Authentic Brands Group to "ensure the continued publication of SI and allow it to serve our audience in the way it has for nearly 70 years."

The Arena Group acquired publishing rights from ABG in 2019 for at least 10 years. The group’s stewardship of SI has had many hurdles since then. In December, it fired chief executive officer Ross Levinsohn when the magazine’s alleged use of AI-generated stories drew public backlash.

Pat Forde who covers college sports, the Olympics and horse racing for Sports Illustrated, according to his published bio, reacted to the news on social media and clarified that the "entire staff" did not receive termination notices.

"The entire staff was not laid off. There still is a website and a magazine. That said: Ugly, brutal day with many layoffs," Forde wrote on X, the company formerly known as Twitter.

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital on Friday, Authentic Brands Group confirmed that Arena Group’s license was terminated.

"Yesterday, The Arena Group’s license to serve as the publisher of Sports Illustrated was terminated as a result of the company’s failure to pay its quarterly license fee despite being given a notice of breach and an opportunity to cure the breach," the statement read.

Authentic Brands Group also said the Sports Illustrated brand will continue.

"Authentic is here to ensure that the brand of Sports Illustrated, which includes its editorial arm, continues to thrive as it has for the past nearly 70 years. We are confident that going forward the brand will continue to evolve and grow in a way that serves sports news readers, sports fans, and consumers. We are committed to ensuring that the traditional ad-supported Sports Illustrated media pillar has best in class stewardship to preserve the complete integrity of the brand’s legacy."

The iconic sports brand has had a rough six years. It was acquired by Meredith Publishing in 2018 as part of the purchase of Time Inc., which started the magazine in 1954.

Less than a year later, Meredith sold the magazine’s intellectual property to Authentic Brands Group for $110 million. ABG owns the intellectual property of many brands and stars, including Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Muhammad Ali and Reebok.

Wrestling/Streaming News

WWE @WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque on the Netflix @netflix deal to the press at the WWE Royal Rumble Media Conference: 

"My reaction to that deal is holy *hit. It's amazing. How will it change sports and entertainment is actually the better phrasing of the question. I think the world sees a shifting ecosystem when it comes to where people consume and view things. In a moment when you see a lot of people dipping their toe in the water of streaming services and trying different things. Since the beginning, WWE has been the ground-breakers and first movers."

"Everybody will be watching this, everybody. Hopefully, everybody will be watching the shows, but they will be watching to see what takes place here. We are once again in front of that. It is an incredible feeling. When you talk about a deal that is 10 years, $5 billion, it is hard not to be excited about this. This is an incredible week." 

Video via the official WWE YouTube Channel

Royal Rumble Post-Show Press Conference: Jan. 27, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry9cZwTTO9c&ab_channel=WWE

#TripleH #quote #RoyalRumble #RoyalRumble2024 #Netflix #WWERaw #wwenews #wwemedia #wwepress #pressconference #mediaconference #YouTube #YT #video #broadcast #broadcasting #streamingindustry #streamingbusiness #streamingbiz #streamingcontent #TKO #TKOGroup #platforms #platformnews #OTT #overthetop #entertainmentnews #popculture #audience #audiences #contentnews #contentbusiness #bizdev #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediabusiness 

Wrestling/Streaming News

January 26, 2024

WWE 

Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque on the Netflix deal to the press at the WWE Royal Rumble Media Conference: 

"My reaction to that deal is holy *hit. It's amazing. How will it change sports and entertainment is actually the better phrasing of the question. I think the world sees a shifting ecosystem when it comes to where people consume and view things. In a moment when you see a lot of people dipping their toe in the water of streaming services and trying different things. Since the beginning, WWE has been the ground-breakers and first movers."

"Everybody will be watching this, everybody. Hopefully, everybody will be watching the shows, but they will be watching to see what takes place here. We are once again in front of that. It is an incredible feeling. When you talk about a deal that is 10 years, $5 billion, it is hard not to be excited about this. This is an incredible week." 

Royal Rumble Post-Show Press Conference: Jan. 27, 2024

"This has been an incredible week. You talk about the streaming services, so let's talk about The Rock joining the board for TKO. An amazing opportunity for us to have the biggest celebrity, the biggest star in the world, and the biggest box office attraction in the world to be a part of that board and help us. He's an expert on branding, he's an expert on marketing, he's an expert on all of those things, so to help with that. But what I love about it is he is also a guy who while on a board at an extremely high level can communicate with them, I can have shorthand with him about what WWE needs." Paul Levesque (Triple H)

Wrestling News

“The landscape of the WWE @WWE Women’s division was altered last night. The connections that these three have with the WWE Universe is undeniable… and I have a feeling their momentum will be unstoppable” - Triple H

#RoyalRumble #TripleH #quote #JadeCargill #Naomi #LivMorgan #JordynneGrace #wwewomen #wwewomens #womensdivision #womenswrestling #WWERaw #SmackDown #prowrestling #wrestling #PLE #liveentertainment #livesports #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #media 

Image credit: WWE

OPW and Major League Wrestling forge international partnership

17 January 2024

This collaboration between the two organizations marks a significant step forward in expanding the global reach and impact of both promotions.

[NEW YORK, USA / MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA] – In an exciting move that promises to break barriers in interpromotional collaborations, Major League Wrestling (MLW) and Oceania Pro Wrestling (OPW) have officially announced a partnership. 

This collaboration between the two organisations marks a significant step forward in expanding the global reach and impact of both promotions.

“We are thrilled to team with Oceania Pro Wrestling,” said MLW CEO Court Bauer, “The fans down under are some of the most passionate and we can’t wait to bring them something special as two organisations team-up for some exciting opportunities. Buckle up, we’re going to give you an unforgettable experience.”

“We have some exciting broadcasting announcements to come for 2024 that will involve the MLW and OPW relationship,” said OPW owner Cam Vale. ““This is a truly unique partnership by two innovative wrestling companies, to have OPW champions recognised by MLW as their regional champions and to bring MLW to Australia in 2024 and beyond. OPW wrestlers will show MLW fans how good we are down under, and who knows what that will mean for MLW in the future.”

The partnership between MLW and Oceania Pro Wrestling is set to bring about a myriad of collaborations, showcasing the best of both worlds in professional wrestling. From championships to innovative content creation, fans can expect a thrilling array of fights and entertainment that transcends geographical boundaries.

MLW has been on an impressive trajectory of growth in recent times. The addition of renowned wrestler and MMA fighter Matt Riddle to its roster has fueled excitement among fans, adding a new dynamic to MLW’s already stacked lineup. MLW programming has now expanded its reach to 60 countries, solidifying its position as a global wrestling phenomenon.

The highly anticipated launch of MLW’s action figure line with Boss Fight Studio is just around the corner, promising fans the opportunity to own a piece of their favorite MLW stars. MLW has also been making waves by expanding its 2024 tour schedule to include: Tampa, Chicago, and New York City, bringing MLW’s signature fusion of wrestling styles to audiences nationwide.

Oceania Pro Wrestling has distinguished itself in the wrestling world hosting a diverse range of wrestling experiences in the Oceania region, including the highly acclaimed Starrcast Down Under and marquee wrestling events.  

Stay tuned for more updates as OPW and Major League Wrestling prepare to unveil the first of many projects.

Movie Box Office (U.S)

January 26, 2024

The Beekeeper - $7.4 million from 3,337 theaters

Mean Girls $7.3 million from 3,544 locations

 

Mean Girls

U.S tally: $60.8 million 

Worldwide tally: 22.6 million globally for a worldwide cumulative sum of $83.4 million

The Beekeeper

$100 million approx globally

U.S: $42.3 million and $61.9 million globally for an approx global tally of $104.2 million

Wonka

Weekend Gross: $5.9M

Total Gross: $195M

Migration

Weekend Gross: $5.2M

Total Gross: $101M

Anyone But You

Weekend Gross: $4.8M

Total Gross: $71M

Poor Things

2,300 theatres

$3 million for the weekend

$24.8 million

Global tally: $26.3 million

Total $51.1 million

American Fiction - $2.9 million U.S for $11.8 million sum. 1,702 cinemas

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom - Weekend Gross: $2.8M. Total Gross: $118M

The Zone of Interest. $1.1 million U.S. Global tally of $3 million.

The Boys In The Boat. Weekend Gross: $2.2M

Total Gross: $47M

Jim Morrison

Biography

“Nothing else can survive a holocaust, but poetry and songs. No one can remember an entire novel. No one can describe a film, a piece of sculpture, a painting. But so long as there are human beings, songs and poetry can continue.”

– Jim Morrison

I think the self-interview is the essence of creativity. Asking yourself questions and trying to find answers. The writer is just answering a series of unuttered questions. I guess I see myself as a conscious artist plugging away from day to day, assimilating information.

I think around the fifth or sixth grade I wrote a poem called “The Pony Express.” That was the first I can remember. It was one of those ballad type poems. I never could get it together, though. I always wanted to write, but I always figured it’d be no good unless somehow the hand just took the pen and started moving without me really having anything to do with it. Like, automatic writing. But it just never happened. I wrote a few poems, of course.

Like, “Horse Latitudes” I wrote when I was in high school. I kept a lot of note books through high school and college and then when I left school for some dumb reason — maybe it was wise — I threw them all away. There’s nothing I can think of I’d rather have in my possession right now than those two or three lost notebooks. I was thinking of being hypnotized or taking sodium pentathol to try to remember, because I wrote in those books night after night. But maybe if I’d never thrown them away, I’d never have written anything original — because they were mainly accumulations of things that I’d read or heard, like quotes from books. I think if I’d never gotten rid of them I’d never been free.

*******************************************************************************

Pro Wrestling

TNA Wrestling @ThisIsTNA Remains On Fire with The Palms @Palms Las Vegas connection, TNA Knockouts appearing in WWE Royal Rumble and TNA Impact broadcast

Media Man: In ring action, new blood, compelling stories and worldwide buzz. Nic Nemeth lit a fire, Moose, Jordynne Grace, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Kazuchika Okada and others set wrestling world ablaze. Japan, Australia, Canada...the world taking notice! Win-Win-Win for fans, wrestlers, media, promoters and all continues!

TNA Powers That Be Add World Class Content To YouTube

MUST-SEE MOMENTS from TNA iMPACT! for January 25, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0rdnYQ-agw&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

Nic Nemeth's TNA In-Ring DEBUT vs. Zachary Wentz | iMPACT! Jan. 25, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haAvoYTzaZ8&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

MVP vs. Bobby Roode (FULL MATCH) | IMPACT Nov. 5, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Qn0IG4tUM&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

Jordynne Grace Wins Call Your Shot Gauntlet (FULL MATCH) | Bound For Glory 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxY3SerPcBs&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

Jordynne Grace's HISTORY MAKING Moments

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seCi7WA5BRQ&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

Xia Brookside vs. Tasha Steelz (FULL MATCH) | iMPACT! Jan. 18, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCJPeS_z9DE&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

#TNA #TNAWrestling #TNAiMPACT #TNAHistory #TNAKnockouts #NicNemeth #Moose #JordynneGrace #AlexShelley #ChrisSabin #Okada #TNAChampion #prowrestling #wrestling #ThePalms #wrestlingnews #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #casinonews #broadcast #broadcasting #streaming #ASX #YouTube #YT #trends #trending #buzz #TV #LasVegas #VegasNews #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE Raw preview, January 29, 2024

Gunther vs Kofi Kingston - WWE Intercontinental Title

Jey Uso vs faces “Big” Bronson Reed. Island Of Relevancy squad member vs Terror Australis. Tsunami heading straight for Jeys' island patch!

Cody Rhodes. Fresh off his Royal Rumble victory Rhodes wants to talk about? Does the WWE locker room want to listen?

Bayley to address WWE Universe fresh off her Royal Rumble victory. Any party poopers?!

Judgment Day vs DIY. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match. Will fans also get R-Truth vs JD McDonagh or Truth vs Priest? Ripley vs clan egos?

Get up to speed with everything you need to know in preparation for WWE Raw via the official WWE YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/wwe

#WWERaw #Gunther #KofiKingston #JeyUso #BronsonReed #Tsunami #CodyRhodes #AmericanNightmare #CMPunk #JudgementDay #RheaRipley #Bayley #AdamPearce #prowrestling #wrestling #USANetwork #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #broadcast #broadcasting #trend #trending #buzz #TV #XWrestling #media 

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

Should or do pro wrestling promotions already have a punishment type policy in place for wrestlers who injury their opponents, be it by accident or potentially on purpose, in an attempt to climb up the card while taking out their opponents? Part satire and part not! Hidden policy already in place?!

#RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #WWERaw #Wrestlemania #WrestleMania40 #EliminationChamber #prowrestling #wrestling #combatsports #shoot #shooters #squash #injury #wrestlingpromoter #wrestlingpromoters #OHS #replay #trend #trends #buzz #sportsnews #sportsmedia #PLE #TV #media #mediaman 

Cryptocurrency News

Crypto has retreated from the lows, but no rush for growth

Market picture

Crypto market capitalisation at around $1.62 trillion is less than 1% higher than it was seven days ago, thanks to a growth spurt on Friday. Bitcoin has added 3% in the same period and continues to be the driving force behind crypto volatility. The sentiment is gradually returning to greed territory, taking the corresponding index to 55 after lows of 48 in the middle of last week.

Bitcoin has stabilised near $42K over the past three days. The 50-day moving average at $42.8K has acted as local resistance for short-term gains. This curve changed direction from rising to falling last week, which looks to be an additional short-term negative factor.

Ethereum, as the flagship cryptocurrency, has pulled back from local lows but is in no hurry to gain altitude, trading near $2270.

The two major cryptocurrencies have started stabilising and rebounding higher than we expected. But we assume that the current calm is a local trap for bulls, and the decline will continue after some pause. The trigger for the decline may be volatility in equities ahead of the reports of giant corporations, the results of the Fed meeting and the employment report.

News background

The US Department of Justice has filed a notice to sell another batch of crypto assets confiscated from the criminal trading platform Silk Road. A total of 2,934 BTC worth $115 million is to be sold.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is likely to approve an ETF based on the spot price of Ethereum in the summer of 2024, Grayscale expects.

According to cryptocurrency payment operator BitPay, XRP has become one of the most used crypto asset for making payments, with the number of payment transactions up 42%. Bitcoin topped the top 10, followed by Litecoin and Ethereum.

According to Flipside, the Polygon project has equalled Ethereum in terms of new users. For 2023, Polygon recorded 15.24 million new accounts, compared to 15.4 million for Ethereum.

Matthew Schultz, co-founder of mining firm CleanSpark, believes that unless Bitcoin shows significant growth, 11 major mining companies will be unprofitable after the halving.

Source: Alex Kuptsikevich, the FxPro

#crypto #cryptocurrency #cryptonews #cryptocurrencynews #FxPro #Bitcoin #BitcoinNews #bitcoinbiz #cryptobiz #cryptomedia #bitcoinmedia #BTC #BTCETF #XRP #Polygon #fintech #markets #exchange #biznews #cryptobulls #cleanspark #mining #miningnews #cryptomining #cryptominer #CryptoMining #win #xcrypto #index #mediabulls #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE RAW

Pat McAfee joins Michael Cole on Monday Night Raw announce team: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRcER7hcCzk&t=14s&ab_channel=WWE

"Ladies and gentleman. Pat McAfee here with us at ringside" Michael Cole @MichaelCole 

"I can't wait. I'm lucky to be sitting here next to the Goat one more time at least and let's enjoy this ride, baby. Monday Night Raw live on USA. It's an honor to be in this regim. An era of Monday Night Raw as well"... Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow 

FULL SEGMENT – CM Punk confirms he’ll miss WrestleMania: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HplT6ysM9Uc&ab_channel=WWE

Seth “Freakin” Rollins to Cody Rhodes: “Challenge me at WrestleMania”: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec4lVtZD-mQ&ab_channel=WWE

"Do you want the Hollywood title? The Hulk Hogan title"?! SethRollins

The Judgment Day lay siege to Awesome Truth: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CrUElPOBjw&ab_channel=WWE

The Judgment Day vs. #DIY in a title showdown: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yWbbsltfsY&ab_channel=WWE

Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32IsXL8LwKc&ab_channel=WWE

Jey Uso takes on “Big” Bronson Reed: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5bkZbBYSl0&ab_channel=WWE

And more world class pro wrestling - sports entertainment history, moments and highlights been added to the official WWE YouTube Channel  

www.youtube.com/wwe

Media Man: Great to have Pat back. Love his edge and wit and embracement of pro wrestling WWE style. All worked hard. Can't wait to Punk to get redemption. WWE shakeups on the road to WrestleMania.

#WWERaw #WrestleMania #JeyUso #BronsonReed #tsunami #CodyRhodes #AmericanNightmare #CMPunk #SethRollins #UniversalTitle #JudgementDay #RheaRipley #Gunther #KofiKingston #Bayley #AdamPearce #PatMcAfee #MichaelCole #prowrestling #wrestling #USANetwork #EliminationChamber #prowrestling #wrestling #moments #highlights #YouTube #YT #video #entertainment #popculture #combatsports #broadcast #broadcasting #Hollywood #showbiz #trend #trending #buzz #TV #XWrestling #Aussie #media   

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE Raw

Raw’s most explosive moments: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXvooRxtYkY&t=171s&ab_channel=WWE

"You won the battle but you didn't win the war" Drew McIntyre

FULL SEGMENT – CM Punk confirms he’ll miss WrestleMania: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HplT6ysM9Uc&t=74s&ab_channel=WWE

"Well ladies and gentleman. You see CM Punk making his way out to the ring tonight. The right arm in a sling. Pat, there has been rumours all over social media over the past 48 hours of an injury by an injury sustained this past Saturday night in the Royal Rumble match" Michael Cole

"And we saw an incredible performance by CM Punk. Final two, only loosing to Cody".. Pat McAfee

Seth “Freakin” Rollins to Cody Rhodes: “Challenge me at WrestleMania”: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec4lVtZD-mQ&t=10s&ab_channel=WWE

"Do you want the Hollywood title. The Hulk Hogan title? The one for poses and frauds? The title for people who politic their way to the top"?!... Seth Rollins

#WWERaw #CMPunk #DrewMcIntyre #CodyRhodes #SethRollins #DustyRhodes #PatMcAfee #MichaelCole #TheRock #HulkHogan #WorldTitle #WorldChampionship #WWETitle #UniversalTitle #wrestling #prowrestling #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #WrestleMania40 #entertainment #popculture #broadcast #broadcasting #YouTube #YT #video #highlights #moments #socialmedia #socialmedianews #socialmediatrends #trends #TV #media

Image credit: WWE

MMA

UFC @UFC Vegas 85 aka Fight Night

Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC Apex

February 3, 2024

UFC Vegas 85. Main Card

Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov

Renato Moicano vs. Drew Dober

Randy Brown vs Muslim Salikhov

Viviane Araujo vs. Natalia Silva

Aliaskhab Khizriev vs. Makhmud Muradov

Gilbert Urbina vs. Charles Radtke

Preliminary Fights

Molly McCann vs. Diana Belbita

Azat Maksum vs Charles Johnson

Themba Gorimbo vs. Pete Rodríguez

JeongYeong Lee vs. Blake Bilder

Luana Carolina vs. Julija Stoliarenko

Landon Quiñones vs. Marquel Mederos

Thomas Petersen vs. Jamal Pogues

Video Promo

UFC Vegas 85: Dolidze vs Imavov - February 3 | Fight Promo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vN2lnIVaH8&ab_channel=UFC

Media Man In News

UFC 2024: News (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/ufc_2024.html

#UFCVegas85 #UFCVegas #UFC #UFCFightNight #FightNight #RomanDolidze #NassourdineImavov #RenatoMoicano #DrewDober

#RandyBrown #MuslimSalikhov #MMA #mixedmartialarts #combatsports #sportsnews #sportsmedia #promo #YouTube #YT #video #LasVegas #VegasNews #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman 

Image credit: UFC

MMA

UFC @UFC Vegas 85 aka Fight Night

Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC Apex

February 3, 2024

UFC Vegas 85. Main Card

Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov

Renato Moicano vs. Drew Dober

Randy Brown vs Muslim Salikhov

Viviane Araujo vs. Natalia Silva

Aliaskhab Khizriev vs. Makhmud Muradov

Gilbert Urbina vs. Charles Radtke

Preliminary Fights

Molly McCann vs. Diana Belbita

Azat Maksum vs Charles Johnson

Themba Gorimbo vs. Pete Rodríguez

JeongYeong Lee vs. Blake Bilder

Luana Carolina vs. Julija Stoliarenko

Landon Quiñones vs. Marquel Mederos

Thomas Petersen vs. Jamal Pogues

Video Promo

UFC Vegas 85: Dolidze vs Imavov - February 3 | Fight Promo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vN2lnIVaH8&ab_channel=UFC

Media Man In News

UFC 2024: News (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/ufc_2024.html

#UFCVegas85 #UFCVegas #UFC #UFCFightNight #FightNight #RomanDolidze #NassourdineImavov #RenatoMoicano #DrewDober

#RandyBrown #MuslimSalikhov #MMA #mixedmartialarts #combatsports #sportsnews #sportsmedia #promo #YouTube #YT #video #LasVegas #VegasNews #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman 

Image credit: UFC

James Bond News

In 2021, Daniel Craig played James Bond for the fifth and final time in 'No Time to Die'.

Over two years later, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli still have not announced who will be getting the keys to the Aston Martin for the next 007 blockbuster.

The vast majoriy of 007 fans across the globe want a 007 who represents the traditional Bond they have come to know and love.

Who Is Bond?

The James Bond film series is a British series of spy films based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond, "007", who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. There have been twenty-five films in total released between 1962 and 2021 and produced by Eon Productions, which now holds the adaptation rights to all of Fleming's Bond novels. 

Bond has been portrayed in these films by six actors: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.

James Bond: Flashback (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/james_bond.html

#JamesBond #Bond #JamesBond007 #movienews #entertainmentnews #DanielCraig #PierceBrosnan #TimothyDalton #RogerMoore #GeorgeLazenby #SeanConnery #movie #showbiz #popculture #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE NXT @WWENXT

January 30, 2024

NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams come face-to-face before Vengeance Day Title Match

WWE NXT Adds World Class Card Highlights To YouTube and Social Media Channels

Lyra Valkyria breaks her silence to Tatum Paxley: WWE NXT exclusive, Jan. 30, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9blrKKZzyyw&ab_channel=WWE

Trick Melo Gang vs The LWO in the Dusty Cup Semis'

Roxanne Perez vs Tatum Paxley

Trick Melo Gang vs The LWO in the Dusty Cup Semis

Noam Dar vs Von Wagner for the NXT Heritage Cup. We're picking VW for the upset victory "And New".

Lola Vice vs Elektra Lopez. Cuban - South American Connection. The wrestling wars have once again gone to North America, primarily to NXT Headquarters.

Media Man: Very solid. WWE and NXT powers that be including Shawn Michaels state that Bron Breakker will still also be appearing at NXT events (for the meantime).

Per Battleground Podcast Michaels stated:

“Well, look, he may feel like that’s his home but he’s still got work here in NXT to do whether he likes it or not.

“Strange enough — that’s our job. Our job is to lose talent but I got to tell you, I’m going to have trouble letting him go. I can assure you that there is more left for Bron Breakker here in NXT one way or another.

“He’s an incredibly talented, very gifted young man. As far as I’m concerned, he’s young and, as we say, full of piss and vinegar. If he wants to double-time it he can certainly do it but I’m not letting him go that easy.”

Video clip post WWE @WWE Royal Rumble

Bron Breakker is not finished with The Judgment Day: Royal Rumble 2024 exclusive

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLUy0AgcBi8&t=7s&ab_channel=WWE

#WWENXT #NXTVengeanceDay #VengeanceDay 

#IljaDragunov #MadDragon #TrickWilliams #BronBreakker #BaronCorbin #WolfDogs #DustyClassic #DustyRhodes #DustyCup #ShawnMichaels #JBL #NXTWomen #LyraValkyaria  #LWO #LatinoWorldOrder #LolaVice #ElektraLopez #RoxannePerez #TatumPaxley #TrickMeloGang #NoamDar #VonWagner #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #entertainmentnews #highlights #moments #YouTube #TY #video #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #TV #buzz #media 

Image credit: WWE NXT

Pro Wrestling News

Around The Wrestling Ring

Mat fans, there's been so much pro wrestling news going on lately... its hard to keep up.

We're going to showcase some of our our fav YouTube videos and the like that have hit the web.

Wrestling, Combat Sports, Showbiz, Business and Life Isn't always smooth sailing all the time, and sometimes a "dark cloud" (Cody Rhodes term from RR press conference) or two can happen. In most cases life and business move forward, things are improved, and its back to business - Greg Tingle, Media Man Group

In case you were sleeping, WWE @WWE WrestleMania 40 plans have had a "monkey in the wrench" or two thrown in. It's worldwide news, both the storylines and the real life. On storyline meets real life, wrestling legend CM was injured in the Royal Rumble while interacting with Drew McIntyre. As fellow legend Booker T has pointed out via his Hall of Fame podcast, it's likely father time catching up, and nothing untoward from McIntyre, not an actual mistake from Punk. As one gets older... repeat injuries are part of life, be it a tricep or other.

Booker T talking CM PUNK INJURY (Hall of Fame)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho_eORftJnI&t=600s&ab_channel=RealityOfWrestling

"Punk 45 years old, just time catching up". "I just think its father time catching up" Booker T

WWE Official YouTube Channel

Pat McAfee joins Michael Cole on Monday Night Raw announce team: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRcER7hcCzk&t=14s&ab_channel=WWE

Bayley wins 2024 Women's Royal Rumble Match: Royal Rumble 2024 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAsIuqg2P8I&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE

Ridge Holland vs. Lexis King: NXT highlights, Jan. 30, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QraTTmsXroI&ab_channel=WWE

Ilja Dragunov & Trick Williams exchange words ahead of Vengeance Day: NXT highlights, Jan. 30, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N0A-RBfTNM&t=30s&ab_channel=WWE

Royal Rumble Post-Show Press Conference: Jan. 27, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry9cZwTTO9c&t=8s&ab_channel=WWE

The Pat McAfree Show YouTube

Pat McAfee On His Decision To Leave The Royal Rumble Without Being Eliminated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f1ic72w-tk&t=9s&ab_channel=ThePatMcAfeeShow

UpUpDownDown YouTube

Bayley, LA Knight, Big E, Chad Gable, Maxxine Dupri & Akira Tozawa | Shootin' the Breeze

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DDc1N9CJko&ab_channel=UpUpDownDown

New York Stock Exchange YouTube

The Rock, TKO, UFC, WWE at NYSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir_qqOzCoD0&ab_channel=NewYorkStockExchange

TNA Wrestling YouTube

MUST-SEE MOMENTS from TNA iMPACT! for January 25, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0rdnYQ-agw&t=17s&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

83 Weeks Official YouTube

ERIC BISCHOFF: "This is exactly how important the BLOODLINE storyline is to WWE"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecxA1B9wo7w&t=312s&ab_channel=83Weeks

Chael Sonnen Official YouTube (MMA and combat sports podcast, with occasional pro wrestling references and promo style)! If you know, you know!

Fans WANT Sean Strickland vs Du Plessis Rematch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkUgFXiDY5s&t=490s&ab_channel=ChaelSonnen

UFC 297. Crowd (Media Man Int YouTube) *for educational and some entertainment purposes!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8vPTkoGM04&ab_channel=mediamanint

Phone A Friend. Gif/Meme. Interpretative,

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gX4ggNt1_Ko

Media Man: Final thoughts. Blessed to be able to catch up with fav sports and entertainment. Enjoy the journey on the ride to the destination. Health is wealth. The world is but a stage. Art reflects life and life reflects art. Focus on positives. The speed of light and the speed on thought. Life can be one giant wrestling match. Life is more like wrestling than dancing. Zen. 

#WrestlingNews #wrestling #prowrestling #RoyalRumble #WWERaw #SmackDown #CMPunk #DrewMcIntyre #SethRollins #CodyRhodes #BookerT #PatMcAfee #entertainment #popculture #combatsports #YouTube #YT #video #trend #trends #buzz #media #mediaman 

Wrestling and Streaming Biz

Pro Wrestling Media War Afoot In Australia

What Are The Rules; No Holds Barred?!

TKO including WWE vs FOX And The Hound?

WWE @WWE New Tag Team Partner Is Netflix

WWE Elimination Chamber at Optus Stadium, Perth, West Australia February 24.

World's leading pro wrestling promotion and content creator/producer WWE is due to bodyslam down under Australia at the end of the month however there may be a problem that requires fixing. Maybe a special ref could be in order! Don't want to involve the Australian government more and more than at the basic level right?!

Don't worry fight fans of the performance art genre. It's not an in-ring problem, but on the business side of things as TKO has announced its new streaming partner for numerous countries (5 +) will be Netlix (but Aussie's get their WWE Raw (and SmackDown) via The Foxtel Group (Foxtel, BINGE or Kayo Sports).

Confussed already? That's what we thought. The bean counters don't want to be confussed any futher, as they already have a lot of files to go though from decades gone past. If you know, you know, as UFC top brass Dana White is known to say. Or, how about on a need to know basis. WWE admin is extremly busy at present, and we're not going to repeat the most serious global headlines here.

Last week world's leading streaming company Netflix announced a $5 billion deal with the pro wrestling king of of the mountain, advising it had snatched (legally) the exclusive rights to WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, in the USA, Canada, UK, and Latin America, from January 2025.

In a statement issued to all and sundry , TKO Group (parent of WWE), confirmed that Netflix will “become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the US as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events”, throwing in “additional countries and regions” will be “added over time”. How long is  piece or string or a bullrope in a match? Hardcores flashback to the late, great, Dusty Rhodes and Terry Funk.

Foxtel Group’s “multi-year partnership” with WWE, which was inked in 2022, was understood to mean that Aussie WWE fans would not be impacted by the news, that has now changed.

At time of publication Netflix Oz has not confirmed when the change-over/migration the streaming service will take place. That's akin to changing tag team partners!

Australia based WWE fans can still sleep well knowing WWE is on the way and that one way or another they will continue to get their RAW and SmackDown.

Late last year FOX's Lachlan Murdoch did make a statement regarding FOX not going to renew WWE media rights, and so WWE became pro active in securing another partner and obviously hit the jackpot on a global scale. Pro wrestling challenger brand has been having talks with WBS.  But, will rising tides lift all boats? Media execs are always crunching numbers and look at things such as ratings and return on investment.

The Netflix b2b nears closer to a final conclusion for punters as WWE prepares to wow Perth at the end of the month. Elimination Chamber is the premium live event special leading right into WrestleMania season.

Is pro wrestling real? Stupid question. Are movies real? When stuntmen and stunt women perform is that real? When MMA (mixed martial artists) get hurt in sparring and training sessions before stepping in an UFC Octagon or the like, is that real?! There are rules of engagement and every industry has its secrets. A number of WWE wrestlers are currently recoving from injuries endured in the heat of battle. Some keep on stepping in the squared circle, while others are rehabbing away from the ring and other roster members from the prime WWE rooster as well as WWE NXT step up. Superstars or today, legends of tomorrow.

There's only one WWE and its the hottest ticket in town. WWE is the star, and the world beater has a stacked roster of stars. Together they may just present the greatest show on earth. P. T. Barnum would be proud and WWE's Triple H continues to take the business of show business to the next level. Game On for Aussies and sports entertainment fans the world over.

#WWERaw #SmackDown #Netflix #EliminationChamber #WrestleMania #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #EntertainmentNews #popculture #streaming #streamingbiz #streamingindustry #liveentertainment #livesports #broadcast #broadcasting #sportsbiz #showbiz #boxoffice #trend #trends #buzz #Aussie #newsmedia #media #mediaman

Pro Wrestling News

Wrestling Legend Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Makes TKO Group Board Of Directors.. just in case you blinked and missed it...

WrestleMania @WrestleMania Dream Match vs Roman Reigns Nears Closer

Tells FOX Of Family Connection To Industry

FOX News @FoxNews YouTube

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson: Both parties have approached me about running | Will Cain Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5r28L5pQlQ&ab_channel=FoxNews

"Alright Dwayne, Rock, I said. What do I call you? I call you Dwayne, I call you The Rock. You said, now that I own it, I can call you Rock"  media

"Yes, I own it. Now you can call me The Rock"

"Congratulations on that by the way" media

"Thank you man, I appreciate it very much" The Rock

"It's a big moment for you, personally, and obviously for the company TKO" media

"A very big moment".. The Rock

Social Media Buzz And Trends via Elon Musk's X

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson via X @X on 30 January 2024

My honor to join @TKOGrp Board of Directors  (parent co who owns @WWE @UFC)  An historic day of big business with deep and personal “life comes full circle” significance for me.   I have the privilege now to sit at the table, that my grandfather and my dad helped to build.   Now the fun part - we go to work.   We build.   Thanks to all you guys out there for your support and hype.   And thank you to my TKO/WWE partners-   Ari Emmanuel  Mark Shapiro Nick Khan  Paul “Triple H” Levesque

More Wrestling News

Cody Rhodes, this years winner of the Royal Rumble, will think about Seth Rollins pitch for the "American Nightmare" to challenge for the "blue collar" title at this years WrestleMania.

Video via official WWE YouTube Channel

Seth “Freakin” Rollins to Cody Rhodes: “Challenge me at WrestleMania”: Raw highlights, Jan. 29, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec4lVtZD-mQ&t=41s&ab_channel=WWE

"Do you want the Hollywood title"? Rollins to Rhodes

Flashback

Elon Musk and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson bromance via Twitter; Musk gets some cool factor - March 2019

www.mediamanint.com/articles/elon_musk4.html

Flashback

The Rock vs "The World's Most Dangerous Man" Ken Shamrock

www.mediamanint.com/articles/ken_shamrock8.html

Many insiders, fans and media have been calling for Shamrock to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for years. This may be his year with fresh management, some of which enjoys strong respect and history with the former UFC champion and legit MMA living legend.

and more legendary coverage of "The Great One"

The Rock Promo SmackDown 2/6/03

www.mediamanint.com/articles/the_rock5.html

Flashback

Reigns vs Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson op ed

www.mediamanint.com/articles/reigns_vs2.html

The Rock vs. Kurt Angle (SmackDown)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/the_rock7.html

Wrestling Dream Matches (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_dream.html

News (Media Man Int)

Netflix to Become New Home of WWE 'Raw' Beginning 2025

www.mediamanint.com/articles/netflix_to.html

#TheRock #DwayneJohnson #NickKhan #TripleH #TKOGroup #TKO #WWE #WrestleMania #WrestleMania40 #WrestleManiaXL #RomanReigns #Netflix #Fox #FoxNews #WillCain #NYSE #NewYorkStockExchange #interview #YouTube #video #sportsnews #sportsmedia #entertainmentnews #entertainment #wrestling #prowrestling #wrestlingnews #streaming #streamingindustry #StreamingNow #streamingbiz #streamingnews #streamingentertainment #PLE #broadcast #showbiz #boxoffice #storytelling #history #legends #biznews #trend #trends #buzz #TV #X #media 

Image credit: WWE

Mixed Martial Arts Provides Outlet For Great Sports Artists

World's leading mixed martial arts promotion the UFC @UFC remains fav subject fodder of choice for many of world's greatest artists

UFC/MMA fighters are in the mix of big fans and frequent customers

Fudailat and Dosbrak tie this month for Media Man 'Sports Artist Of The Month' award; Based on merit. No politics. Who will be next to step up?!

Profiles

Mojahed Fudailat @MojahedFudailat

One of the world's greatest animation artists in our view. 

Mojahed Fudailat Official YouTube

Strickland's angry at Dricus for cheating

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXA_Wjo21Jg&ab_channel=MojahedFudailat

"Guys, the headbutt kinda sucked but **** Life is good. Thank you everybody"

Dosbrak @dosbrak

World beater podcast and MMA figure Joe Rogan knows about the Dosbrak creative arts magic

Dosbrak Official YouTube

SPEED PAINTING OF JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ9NH41SBv8&ab_channel=dosbrak

Media Man: Fight fans, we can expect more great MMA art as the year rolls along. UFC 300 set for April 13 in Paradise, Nevada remains highly anticipated and these kind of mega events are known for their merch, collectables and such. Indy type artists often offer a more unique and less corporate offering that the UFC machine. The fight and art fans win as the collector can search the world online for creations that capture their imagination, or they can show up in Vegas, fighter Paradise or wherever else in search of the holy grail of sports art. When you make contact with the artists and sellers keep in mind some of the tactics that former U.S president Donald Trump penned in 'The Art Of The Deal'! Oh, Trump NFT's are available on the web also, but that's showcasting another fight with different strakes. Art reflects life. Here's to the winning mindset.

#MMAArt #UFCArt #sportsart #sportsartist #MojahedFudailat #Dosbrak #creativearts #artistofthemonth #creativeofthemonth #creativity #creative #UFC300 #merch #NFT #NFTs #video #sportsnews #sportsmedia #mmanews #media #mediaman 

Social Media Wars Heat Up

Meta Gets Grilled By U.S Congress

Meta and Facebook can't stay out of the news

We didn't get Zuck vs Musk in an UFC Octagon, or even via backyard broadcast via X, but we do get Zuck vs Congress and indi news media across the world is pleased to share it...

Mark Zuckerberg’s apology doesn't impress New Mexico AG!

Mr Zuckerberg has apologised to the parents of online child sexual abuse victims during a senate probe, but the apology was flatly dismissed by one of the state attorney generals suing the big tech bully boy who made his name for rating dorm girls on the web. Ah, the foundation of some of these big tech firms, and you wondered why some of the tech biz firms are so screwed up.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg’s stunning apology to the parents of online child sex abuse victims during a Senate hearing was “too little, too late,” according to one of the state attorney generals currently suing the embattled social media giant.

New Mexico attorney general Raúl "The Teminator" (our term, not hers) Torrez, whose office has sued Meta for exposing kids to adult sex content and alleged child predators, was on Capitol Hill on this past Wednesday as a "Zoo" (meme from the www) Zuckerberg told parents he was “sorry for everything you have all been through.”

“Mr. Zuckerberg has appeared before Congress numerous in the past, and its not because he's going a good or great job. He has given assurances on the safety of his platforms many times before,” Torrez told The Post. “It seems that once the spotlight fades, they go right back to doing business as usual.”

Senate Republicans, including Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, each dismissed Meta’s pitched safety measures as ineffective during harsh exchanges and barbs with Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg, who surprised the hearing’s attendees by standing up from his podium and speaking directly to the audience, told parents that “no one should go through the things that your families have suffered.”

Earlier, Zuckerberg testified that his company had spent $5 billion on safety last year. ZB shows that throwing money at some problems doesn't always work.

Torrez dissed Zuckerberg’s apology.

“It was clear to me that members of the committee have lost any faith in the leadership of these companies – particularly Mr. Zuckerberg,” he said. “I think the American people are skeptical and parents remain deeply concerned about the kind of content we uncovered in our investigation.”

Lawmakers from both parties argued that tech firms should lose liability shields, such as Section 230, that protect them from directly being sued by victims. Torrez said Section 230 was “enacted in a totally different era” and should either be eliminated or “severely” restricted.

The Facebook founder’s apology also scored a zero with Fairplay, an advocacy group that supports the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, which would impose a “duty of care” on social media platforms and other tech firms to protect minors from dangerous content.

“If anybody still thought Meta was capable of self-regulation, today’s hearing should have disabused them of that notion,” Fairplay executive director Josh Golin told The Post.

“Zuckerberg’s tone-deaf evasions and mumbled half-hearted apologies make clear that Congress needs to act and pass the Kids Online Safety Act.”

MZ is personally named as a defendant in New Mexico’s suit, which is based on findings of a lengthy probe in which state investigators set up test accounts for four fictional children.

The accounts were allegedly bombarded with disturbing messages, including “pictures and videos of genitalia” and horrific sexual propositions from adult users.

“He needs to not think about these decisions simply as a business executive. He’s a parent – start acting like it,” Torrez said.

“Place the same kind of safeguards and protections that he would demand for his own children and apply them to his business. If he did that, we’d all be in a better place.”

Meta did not immediately return a request for comment.

As media reported, an unredacted version of the suit cited an internal 2021 Meta presentation that found “100,000 children per day received online sexual harassment, such as pictures of adult genitalia.”

The complaint included communications among Meta staffers discussing problems with online sex exploitation on the platform, with one worker describing the company’s inaction as “really, really upsetting.”

The attorney general’s office alleged Meta “knew about the huge volume of inappropriate content being shared between adults and minors they did not know” – and that Zuckerberg made business decision that placed children at risk.

Meta and Facebook remain in the top tier of the world's most embatted and distructed brands, in company to the likes of Disney and in the news media sector, The New York Times.

(Source: X, Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, FOX News, Wires, New York Post and tip offs)

Videos

The Social Network

Official Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB95KLmpLR4&ab_channel=SonyPicturesEntertainment

The Social Dilemma | Official Trailer | Netflix

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaaC57tcci0&ab_channel=Netflix

Silicon Valley: Season 6 | Official Trailer | HBO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYHp-5h1y5o&ab_channel=HBO

#Meta #Facebook #MarkZuckerberg #bigtech #socialmedia #socialmedianews #socialmediatrends #socialmediaplatform #socialmediaplatforms #SiliconValley #digitalnews #society #technews #Video #popculture #onlinenews #trends #trending #buzz #newsmedia #media #mediaman 

Media Man Int Multimedia Updated

YouTube Updated

www.youtube.com/mediamanint

Multimedia (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/multimedia.html

Interviews (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/interviews.html

Wrestling Podcasts (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/wrestling_podcasts.html

News

Streaming News (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/streaming_news.html

#YouTube #video #videos #streaming #streamingmedia #popculture #culture #entertainment #entertainmentnews #combatsports #prowrestling #wrestling #MMA #music #onlinenews #meme #memes #gifs #creativity #interview #interviews #podcasts #agent #agency #ads #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman #mediamanint 

"Try Not! Do or do not, there is no try." - Yoda

#Yoda #quote #trynot #popculture #mindset #attitude #mbs #mindbodyspirit #universe #world #media 

Pro Boxing

Historic Boxing Title Fight Coming Up

Expected To Break Some Pay-Per-View Records

Media And Hype Similar To Fury vs Francis Ngannou

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk

February 17, 2024

Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Both undefeated!

Fury is the WBC titlist and Usyk, formerly an undisputed cruiserweight champion, is the unified WBO, WBA and IBF champion

Billed as the 'Ring of Fire' fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and is the biggest fight that can be made in pro boxing.

Together Fury and Usyk hold all four of the major heavyweight world titles, making this the most anticipated fight in 25 years. At least according to many, but other argue that Furty vs Ngannou was bigger, and don't start us on the knock down that happended, nor the scorecards etc.

The winner will become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis beat Evander Holyfield back n November 1999.

Usyk, like Fury, has never lost a professional bout. Since Usyk completed his second victory over Anthony Joshua in 2022 to defend his unified WBO, WBA and IBF championships, the hype and anticipation to see him fight Fury, the WBC heavyweight titlist, has continued to grow.

The winner of their bout in Riyadh will be boxing's first undisputed heavyweight champion in over two decades and the first of the four-belt era.

The undercard includes Jai Opetaia v Mairis Briedis for the IBF Cruiserweight title and Joe Cordina v Anthony Cacace for the IBF super-featherweight title.

Road to Fury vs Usyk

The UK's born and bred Fury first became a unified world champion when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.

He never lost those titles in the ring but they became vacant when he didn't box for more than two years.

Fury made an impressive return in 2018 and drew in a suss bout with Deontay Wilder that year. Fury beat Wilder in a rematch to win the WBC title and won again in a great 2021 trilogy fight.

The following year he headlined two big stadium fights in London, stopping both Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora to defend his title.

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk, a former undisputed cruiserweight champion, further established himself alongside Fury at the top of the heavyweight rankings.

An Olympic gold medallist at London 2012, he ripped through the cruiserweight division, winning the World Boxing Super Series as well as going undefeated.

He stepped up a call to heavyweight division and in 2021 dethroned Anthony Joshua to win the IBF, WBO and WBA titles.

The Ukrainian defended the belts with another impressive win over Joshua last year and beat Dubois in his only bout of 2023 in Poland, the closest he could get to a homecoming bout with the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Usyk became somewhat of a celebrated global figure after returning to his Ukrainian homeland when Russia invaded in February of 2022 and he continued to represent his country on a global stage when he returned to his boxing career. You know what they say about politics and sports, so let's get off that. All war is bad full stop.

In October Fury navigated his way through an unexpectedly suss non-title bout with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

Now, on February 17 live Fury and Usyk are set decide who is the legit No 1 in the division and boxing will finally get its first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

Whatever happens February 17 we've got to words for you, "That's Boxing"!!!

Video

DAZN Boxing YouTube

The Best Trailer Ever?! Watch Fury vs. Usyk Live GLOBALLY on DAZN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1IiX9Yw_6s&ab_channel=DAZNBoxing

TNT Sports Boxing YouTube

Press Conference: Ring of Fire | Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk | Feb 17 #RiyadhSeason

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S-3LAErE9s&ab_channel=TNTSportsBoxing

TNT Sports Boxing YouTube

FURY AND USYK BROKEN APART! The heated 'Ring of Fire' face-off between Tyson Fury & Oleksandr Usyk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTPdzrGDhfM&ab_channel=TNTSportsBoxing

DAZN Boxing YouTube

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh Interview: Making The Biggest Fights & Creating New Boxing Fans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVBFxDQq214&ab_channel=DAZNBoxing

and a bonus for Media Man readers

Top Rank Boxing YouTube

Highlights from The Champions Gala Dinner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTcqLPudVdE&ab_channel=TopRankBoxing

#TysonFury #GypsyKing #OleksandrUsyk #Usyk #FuryUsyk #RingOfFire #RiyadhSeason #Riyadh #WBC #WBC #WBA #IBF #boxing #boxingnews #combatsports #PPV #PayPerView #video #YouTube #YT #entertainment #popculture #legends #Goat #Goats #sportsnews #sportsmedia #livesports #liveentertainment #hype #promo #promotion #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Boxing News

Tyson Fury -Oleksandr Usyk Fight Postponded After Fury Suffers Cut In Sparring

The undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been postponed after Fury suffered a “freak cut” in sparring, promoters announced Friday.

The fight was scheduled to take place on Feb. 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia but will now be postponed until later in the year after Fury sustained a cut below his right eyebrow which required “urgent medical attention and significant stitching,” according to a statement from Queensbery Promotions, which co-promotes Fury with Top Rank.

“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition,” said Fury (34-0-1, 24 knockouts), The Ring’s No. 1-rated heavyweight and WBC titleholder, in a statement.

“I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed. I can only apologize to everyone affected, including my own team, Team Usyk, the undercard fighters, partners and fans as well as our hosts and my friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Media Man: As we've said over the decades, That's Boxing!!!

Video (now somewhat out of date)!

DAZN Boxing YouTube  The Best Trailer Ever?! Watch Fury vs. Usyk Live GLOBALLY on DAZN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1IiX9Yw_6s&ab_channel=DAZNBoxing

(Sources: Ring Magazine, Queensbery Promotions, Top Rank, Wires, WBC and X)

#TysonFury #GypsyKing #OleksandrUsyk #Usyk #FuryUsyk #RingOfFire #RiyadhSeason #Riyadh #WBC #WBC #WBA #IBF #boxing #boxingnews 

#Queensbery #TopRankBoxing #TopRank #combatsports #PPV #PayPerView #video #YouTube #YT #entertainment #popculture #legends #Goat #Goats #sportsnews #sportsmedia #livesports #liveentertainment #hype #promo #promotion #promoter #trends #trending #buzz #media

Pro Wrestling and Pop Culture News

WWE @WWE Contracted Wrestler Logan Paul Not Shy To Speak On Merits via his home grown Impaulsive @impaulsive Podcast

Quotes For LP via his ultra popular podcast...

"He’s (Kevin) ruthless man I’ll be honest with you. He’s good, he’s very good. I made fun of him frequently, I called him all sorts of things, the ‘Humpty Dumpty of WWE,’ Called him a 40-year old schoolboy because he dresses like a teenager. I underestimated him and I’m in a little bit of pain”

“I did retain my title against all odds for the first time in WWE, and that’s all it takes, title defense at a time. Who knows? With this rate, I could be the next Roman Reigns.”

Logan Paul is set to appear on WWE SmackDown this Friday night. 

The WWE website currently reads:

Logan Paul journeys to SmackDown following Royal Rumble controversy

Moments after he got disqualified for using the brass knuckles that Logan Paul introduced during an intense United States Title Match at Royal Rumble, an irate Kevin Owens responded by powerbombing the arrogant titleholder through the announce table after the match. 

This Friday, Logan is set to make his return to the blue brand after his controversial victory, and KO will likely be looking to get another piece of the outspoken titleholder. 

Don't miss all the action of SmackDown, this Friday at 8/7 C on FOX. (Credit: WWE)

Videos

Impaulsive Podcast

Our Ex Co-Host Is BACK! Life After IMPAULSIVE, Meeting Jesus, Logan Addresses WWE Injury - EP. 408

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5RJFngZcGU&t=1362s&ab_channel=IMPAULSIVE

The John Cena Interview - IMPAULSIVE EP. 407

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3PEqQxG6j4&t=3203s&ab_channel=IMPAULSIVE

WWE Official YouTube Channel

Logan Paul vs. Kevin Owens — United States Title Match: Royal Rumble 2024 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxrr2DG7LJY&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

"What a cross body by Logan Paul" Michael Cole

"But not just that" Pat McAfee

"And he turns it into the cross moon combo. Cover!" MC

"Owen's has Logan's arms hooked. Could be thinking about a backslide. Uh oh" PM

"Yikes" PM

"Right to the back of Logan Paul's head" MC

"Kevin Owens is ticked off, and I don't blame him" MC

"And now Owens returning the favor" PM

"KO got screwed here tonight" MC

"And Kevin Owens now... through the table".. MC

Media Man: How can one not be hyped up for their next clash on SmackDown. If you wanting fighting, skills, drama and knockout action, these are your guys. Oh, right now we see Logan Paul as futher WWE and/or Universal/World Champion. Sorry haters. The prme heel you love to hate!

#LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #AndStill #Impaulsive #USTitle #WWEUS #Prime #PaulOwens #SmackDown #RoyalRumble #prowrestling #wrestling #RomanReigns #PaulHeyman #video #videos #YouTube #YT #highlights #moments #Goat #legends #FOX #popculture #entertainment #entertainmentnews #podcasting #podcastnews #viral #hype #socialmedia #socialmedianews #socialmediamegastar #primeheel #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman 

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

TNA Wrestling @ThisIsTNA 

Nic Nemeth LAID OUT by Steve Maclin | iMPACT! Feb. 1, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H96iiQnO4Q&ab_channel=TNAWrestling

"Following the surprise of Jordynne Grace in WWE's Royal Rumble match, tonight TNA Wrestling is back in it's old stomping grounds of Orlando, Florida"..

Media Man: TNA maintains its edge and freshness. TNA's Scott D'Amore and Nic Nemeth, with the WWE connection are best for business! Win-Win-Win!

and more great action and drama via the official TNA YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/tnawrestling

#TNAWrestling #TNAIMP #TNA #NicNemeth #MostWanted #MostWantedMan #SteveMaclin #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #YouTube #YT #video #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling and Pop Culture News

WWE @WWE Contracted Wrestler Logan Paul Not Shy To Speak On Merits via his home grown Impaulsive @impaulsive Podcast

Quotes For LP via his ultra popular podcast...

"He’s (Kevin) ruthless man I’ll be honest with you. He’s good, he’s very good. I made fun of him frequently, I called him all sorts of things, the ‘Humpty Dumpty of WWE,’ Called him a 40-year old schoolboy because he dresses like a teenager. I underestimated him and I’m in a little bit of pain”

“I did retain my title against all odds for the first time in WWE, and that’s all it takes, title defense at a time. Who knows? With this rate, I could be the next Roman Reigns.”

Logan Paul is set to appear on WWE SmackDown this Friday night. 

The WWE website currently reads:

Logan Paul journeys to SmackDown following Royal Rumble controversy

Moments after he got disqualified for using the brass knuckles that Logan Paul introduced during an intense United States Title Match at Royal Rumble, an irate Kevin Owens responded by powerbombing the arrogant titleholder through the announce table after the match. 

This Friday, Logan is set to make his return to the blue brand after his controversial victory, and KO will likely be looking to get another piece of the outspoken titleholder. 

Don't miss all the action of SmackDown, this Friday at 8/7 C on FOX. (Credit: WWE)

Videos

Impaulsive Podcast

Our Ex Co-Host Is BACK! Life After IMPAULSIVE, Meeting Jesus, Logan Addresses WWE Injury - EP. 408

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5RJFngZcGU&t=1362s&ab_channel=IMPAULSIVE

The John Cena Interview - IMPAULSIVE EP. 407

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3PEqQxG6j4&t=3203s&ab_channel=IMPAULSIVE

WWE Official YouTube Channel

Logan Paul vs. Kevin Owens — United States Title Match: Royal Rumble 2024 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxrr2DG7LJY&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

"What a cross body by Logan Paul" Michael Cole

"But not just that" Pat McAfee

"And he turns it into the cross moon combo. Cover!" MC

"Owen's has Logan's arms hooked. Could be thinking about a backslide. Uh oh" PM

"Yikes" PM

"Right to the back of Logan Paul's head" MC

"Kevin Owens is ticked off, and I don't blame him" MC

"And now Owens returning the favor" PM

"KO got screwed here tonight" MC

"And Kevin Owens now... through the table".. MC

Media Man: How can one not be hyped up for their next clash on SmackDown. If you wanting fighting, skills, drama and knockout action, these are your guys. Oh, right now we see Logan Paul as futher WWE and/or Universal/World Champion. Sorry haters. The prme heel you love to hate!

#LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #AndStill #Impaulsive #USTitle #WWEUS #Prime #PaulOwens #SmackDown #RoyalRumble #prowrestling #wrestling #RomanReigns #PaulHeyman #video #videos #YouTube #YT #highlights #moments #Goat #legends #FOX #popculture #entertainment #entertainmentnews #podcasting #podcastnews #viral #hype #socialmedia #socialmedianews #socialmediamegastar #primeheel #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman 

Image credit: WWE

Wrestling

WWE NXT @WWENXT 

Top 10 WWE NXT moments: WWE Top 10, Jan. 30, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4WjpvKp67w&t=13s&ab_channel=WWE

"Looking for that knockout blow. Boom. Right to the back of the neck" Vic Joseph

"Was that legal"? Booker T

"Yes it was legal Book VJ

#WWENXT #NXTVengeanceDay #TV #wrestling

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

Pro Wrestling fans can't miss this SmackDown says Media Man; History will be made one way or another!

Roman Reigns begins The Road to WrestleMania: WWE Now, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiFuJ-Y7PV8&ab_channel=WWE

Roman Reigns face to face With Cody Rhodes!

Does The Rock or Seth Rollins get a mention?

What's The Bloodlines' take on the situation?

Can Paul Heyman be trusted under all the pressure?

You can bet that The Rock, head of TKO is watching on!

Logan Paul, with or without brass knux?

Kevin Owens still has Logan Paul in his sights and the table bump is not the end of the story!

WWE announcers should be cautious while broadcasting from their broadcast table, especially when KO and Logan Paul are in the building!

Bayley on WrestleMania

Media Man: This is going to be a very hot and volitile happening. FOX and The Hound? Who is really Head Of The Table?

#SmackDown #RomanReigns #TheBloodline #HeadOfTheTable #TribalChief #PaulHeyman #TheSamoans #CodyRhodes #SethRollins #TheRock #DwayneJohnson #CMPunk #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #Bayley #Wrestlemania #EliminationChamber #wrestling #prowrestling #FOX #broadcast #broadcasting #YouTube #entertainment #popculture #legends #Goat #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Image credit: WWE

GUTFELD

Can we please never stop talking about Taylor Swift?: Gutfeld

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRLcwV79A2U&ab_channel=FoxNews

"HaHaHa. For tabloid fodder shes a keeper, what what if Taylor's stories went much deeper. Welcome to Part 1 of our 56 Part series. 'Can We Please Never Stop Talking About Taylor Swift'...

Gutfeld: Can this save Bud Light?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpn4zyF4tmI&ab_channel=FoxNews

These boys ripped down a tampon dispenser in their high school bathroom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpn4zyF4tmI&ab_channel=FoxNews

Media Man Int

Entertainment News (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/news4.html

Pop Culture (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/pop_culture.html

#Gutfeld #GregGutfeld #FOX #FoxNews #TaylorSwift #NFL #SuperBowl #entertainmentnews #popculture #satire #comedy #tabloid #broadcast #YouTube #YT #trend #trends #buzz #news #newsmedia #media 

Image credit: FOX News

Crown reopens floor and rolls the dice on ‘Swifties’

Crown Sydney has reopened one of its gambling floors and says it won’t be encouraging gambling and plans to phase out cash.

(The Australian)

#Crown #CrownSydney #gambling #entertainment #EntertainmentNews #swifties #casino #casinonews #gaming #gamingnews #gamesbiz #popculture #showbiz #liveentertainment #cash #money #fintech #currency #tourism #tourismindustry #businessnews #biznews #newsmedia #Aussie #media 

The Chaser vs ITV

They’re notorious for high-profile stunts and news satire, but the people behind The Chaser are in a fight of their lives to keep their 25-year legacy alive – defending their brand in court against British broadcast giant ITV Studios. Full story via The Australian Financial Review @FinancialReview 

#TheChaser #TheChase #BeatTheChasers #ITV 

#CharlesFirth #AFR #FinReview #news #newsmedia #comedy #satire #IP #showbiz #popculture #broadcast #broadcasting #newsbiz #newsbusiness #mediabiz #mediabusiness #media

Motorsport: F1

Lewis Hamilton shocks F1 @F1 with jump to rivals Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton shocked the motorsports world on Thursday (Friday AEDT) when the seven-time Formula One champion said he will leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari, which had tried to land Hamilton before he signed his latest contract extension with the Silver Arrows.

Hamilton only finalised a two-year extension with Mercedes at the end of August. Mercedes said on Thursday the 39-year-old British driver has activated a release clause in that new deal that will allow him to join Ferrari in 2025.

“I have had an amazing 11 years with this team and I’m so proud of what we have achieved together. Mercedes has been part of my life since I was 13 years old,” Hamilton said in a team statement.

“It’s a place where I have grown up, so making the decision to leave was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. But the time is right for me to take this step and I’m excited to be taking on a new challenge.”

Hamilton moved from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013 and won six of his seven titles with the Silver Arrows. His 103 race victories are an F1 record, but his last win was in the penultimate race of the 2021 season, as Mercedes has struggled to get its new car up to speed against rival Red Bull.

News first broke early on Thursday about Hamilton’s move, but it took the remainder of the day for the teams to address the speculation.

Mercedes, with comment from both Hamilton and team principal Toto Wolff, finally said Hamilton was leaving and moments later Ferrari posted a team statement that said simply “Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract.”

Hamilton will finish his run at Mercedes alongside current teammate George Russell. He will be teammates at Ferrari with Charles Leclerc, who in December agreed to a long-term extension.

Hamilton will be 40 when he moves into a red and black uniform to represent Ferrari. His last championship was in 2020. In 2021, he was en route to a record-breaking eighth title in the season finale until a controversial finish gave the title to Max Verstappen, who has since gone on to win three consecutive titles as Red Bull has surpassed Mercedes as the top team in F1.

Ferrari, meanwhile, has not won a driver’s title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

The Hamilton move is stunning, even after prolonged negotiations on the extension he signed last year led to speculation he was considering a move to another team. During one news conference last season, Leclerc was asked about the rumours of a new teammate at Ferrari and turned to Hamilton, laughed, and said “Hello, Lewis.”

Still, Hamilton signed the Mercedes extension and insisted he wanted to end his career with his current team because of “unfinished business” and a desire to help Mercedes rebuild its struggling team.

Instead, Wolff said both sides knew their relationship “would come to a natural end at some point, and that day has now come”.

“In terms of a team-driver pairing, our relationship with Lewis has become the most successful the sport has seen, and that’s something we can look back on with pride,” Wolff said.

Mercedes won only one race in 2022 – and it was a Russell win – as the team admitted to poor design in its new car. Mercedes has spent the past two years trying to improve the car and was winless last season, although Hamilton finished third in the driver standings with six podium finishes.

Leclerc ended last season with three podiums in the last four races as Ferrari began to show signs of being able to contend with Red Bull.

There had been reports for much of last season that Hamilton was being personally courted by Ferrari chairman John Elkann, but former Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said on Thursday the Hamilton signing was “unexpected”.

F1’s preseason testing begins in Bahrain on February 21 and the first race is in Bahrain on March 2.

Video via the official F1 YouTube Channel

Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari: The Inside Story | F1 Nation Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AusWXmcISM&ab_channel=FORMULA1

Toto Wolff On Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes Exit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5TB2nECP3I&ab_channel=FORMULA1

#F1 #Formula1 #FormulaOne #F1Nation #motorsport #LewisHamilton #Ferrari #Mercedes #McLaren #GeorgeRussell #CharlesLeclerc #RedBull #RedBullRacing #JohnElkann #LucaCordero #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsbusiness #sportsbiz #sportsmarketing #brands #branding #sponsorship #Video #YouTube #news #newsmedia #media 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE

Behind the scenes of CM Punk’s emotional week: Royal Rumble 2024 Vlog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYW7nQa-rkI&t=20s&ab_channel=WWE

"Everybody gets hurt. It's inevitable. I could have been an accountant, but this is the business that I chose.. maybe the business chose me".. CM Punk

"Gosh, how did we get here" CM Punk

Media Man: Amazing Vlog and storytelling from CM Punk and the WWE team. Art reflects life and life reflects art. The best wrestling stories are based on real life.

#CMPunk #RoyalRumble #WWERoyalRumble #WrestleMania #Vlog #YouTube #YT #video #WWE #DrewMcIntyre #CodyRhodes #RomanReigns #BehindTheScenes #prowrestling #wrestling #PLE #WWERaw #SmackDown #WWEPC #entertainment #combatsports #PopCulture #quotes #interview #sportsentertainment #sportsbusiness #sportsnews #sportsmedia #career #rehab #media 

Image credit: WWE

Combat Sports

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship @bareknucklefc

57 Countdown Show & Live Free Prelims!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCLYiMw1QJQ&ab_channel=BareKnuckleFightingChampionship

Friday, February 2nd, 2024 starting at 8PM EST! In the main event, Luis Palomino will face Austin Trout for the world welterweight world championship.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship makes its return to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, February 2nd, 2024! 

In the main event, Luis Palomino (9-0) - the world's #1 ranked pound-for-pound champion will face former Boxing World Champion Austin "No Doubt" Trout (1-0) for the welterweight world championship! 

In the co-main event, Bryce Henry (3-0) is set to square off against Robbie Peralta (3-0) in an electrifying lightweight bare-knuckle showdown!  

✩BKFC 57 FIGHT CARD✩ - Luis Palomino (9-0) vs. Austin Trout (1-0):  Welterweight Championship - Bryce Henry (3-0)  vs. Robie Peralta (3-0) - Jomi Escoboza (8-1) vs. Issac Doolittle (3-1) - Bryan Duran (5-0) vs. Louis Lopez (3-2) - Alberto Blas (3-0) vs. Daniel Alvarez (1-1) - Chris Garcia (2-0) vs. Albert Inclan (1-1) - Leonardo Perdomo (2-0) vs. Bobby Brents (debut) - Christine Vincens (2-0) vs. Sydney Smith (1-1) - Justin Ibarrola (2-0) vs. Landon Williams (0-1) - Edgard  Plazaola (1-0) vs. Darrick Gates (1-4)  - Ryan Reber (4-0) vs. Derek Perez (2-1) - Stephen Townsel (3-3) vs. Leo Brecier (3-1) - Matt Russo (2-0) vs. Justin Street (debut)

Videos via BKFC Official YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/@BKFC

#BKFC57 #BKFC #BareKnuckle #BareKnuckleFightingChampionship #LuisPalomino #AustinTrout #BryceHenry #RobbiePeralta #combatsports #fighting #fightbiz #PPV  #PayPerView #SeminoleHardRockHotel #Seminole #HardRock #TrillerTV #casinonews #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsstreaming #streamingsports #livesports #liveentertainment #video #YouTube #promo #trend #trends #buzz #media 

(Credit: BKFC)

(Image credit: BCFC)

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

Tiffany Stratton slaps Michin: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sInqe-WlJeY&ab_channel=WWE

Legado del Fantasma will end Rey Mysterio's LWO: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCyyD7r5aJw&ab_channel=WWE

Jade Cargill & Bron Breakker hear out Nick Aldis & Adam Pearce: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE82sjAe1O8&ab_channel=WWE

Bayley challenges IYO SKY at WrestleMania?!: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kg-EfULKk08&ab_channel=WWE

Kevin Owens is not finished with Logan Paul: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awXP40ISeMg&ab_channel=WWE

Kevin Owens uses brass knuckles to beat Austin Theory: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnyc9JS7lAU&t=15s&ab_channel=WWE

"I gotta tell ya. I'm impressed your even here tonight Logan Paul after the beating you took at the end of that match up " Wade Barrett @StuBennett

"Clear the deck, Cannonball" Corey Graves @WWEGraves

#SmackDown #WrestleMania #TiffanyStratton #Michin #JadeCargill #WWEWomen #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #Prime #NickAldis #AdamPearce #delFantasma #Fantasma #LWO #LatinoWorldOrder #AustinTheory #Hitman #FOX #USTitle #highlights #video #YouTube #prowrestling #wrestling #Entertainment #PopCulture #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media  

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown Exceeds Expections Says Media

Great action, drama, production, behind the scenes, team effort shows in end result

WWE Official YouTube showcases numerous moments and highlights of a stacked blockbuster show

FULL SEGMENT: The Rock steps to Roman Reigns on Road To WrestleMania: SmackDown, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58PpN0_VzQg&t=155s&ab_channel=WWE

"This is aura. God mode engaged tonight on Friday Night SmackDown and Wade, you have to imagine the Tribal Chief is riding high after a dominant win this past Saturday at the Royal Rimble" Cory Graves

"Well it is Groundhod Day every single day for the challengers of Roman Reigns as the bodies continue to stack up on the island of relevancy"... Wade Barrett

SmackDown’s jaw-dropping moments: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH0uwcEsv_g&ab_channel=WWE

Tiffany Stratton wins WWE debut match: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7G2JV9U_1w&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE

Kevin Owens uses brass knuckles to beat Austin Theory: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnyc9JS7lAU&ab_channel=WWE

Austin Theory and Grayson Waller would never use brass knuckles: SmackDown exclusive, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-43GtcH1bQ&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE

B-Fab aligns with Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gdLMxc2OBk&t=6s&ab_channel=WWE

Naomi is ready to bring the glow to Friday nights: SmackDown exclusive, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGA7limcveE&ab_channel=WWE

Jade Cargill & Bron Breakker hear out Nick Aldis & Adam Pearce: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE82sjAe1O8&t=5s&ab_channel=WWE

#SmackDown #WrestleMania #LoganPaul #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #Prime #RomanReigns #TheRock #DwayneJohnson #TheBloodline #HeadOfTheTable #CodyRhodes #NickAldis #AdamPearce #delFantasma #Fantasma #LWO #LatinoWorldOrder #AustinTheory #Hitman #BronBreakker #GraysonWaller #AustinTheory #AOP #TiffanyStratton #Michin #JadeCargill #Naomi #Glow #WWEWomen #FOX #USTitle #highlights #video #YouTube #prowrestling #wrestling #Entertainment #PopCulture #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media 

Image credit: WWE

'Rocky,' 'Mandalorian' star Carl Weathers passes at 76

February 2, 2024

Actor Carl Weathers died Tuesday at age 76. Deadline confirmed the news via a statement from Weathers' family Friday and Variety with Weather's manager.

The family stated that Weathers "died peacefully in his sleep."

Weathers appeared in the first four Rocky movies as Apollo Creed. Apollo was Rocky's (Sylvester Stallone) opponent in the first two, trainer in the third and his death at the hands of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) motivated Rocky's fourth bout.

The Creed films follow Apollo's son, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan). The Drago family challenged Adonis in Creed II.

A diverse career spanned action movies like Predator and Action Jackson, comedies like Happy Gilmore and drama in TV's Chicago Justice.

Weathers recently appeared in and directed episodes of The Mandalorian. Weathers also voiced Combat Carl in the Toy Story franchise.

His movie career began with an uncredited appearance in the 1973 Dirty Harry sequel Magnum Force. He began directing with a 1995 episode of Renegade.

Sylvester Stallone is paying tribute to his longtime friend and Rocky co-star Carl Weathers, who died this week at the age of 76.

"We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching," Stallone wrote on Instagram Friday.

Weathers played fictional boxer Apollo Creed to Stallone's Rocky Balboa in four Rocky movies.

Weathers is also known for his roles in The Mandalorian, Predator, Action Jackson, Chicago Justice and the Toy Story animated franchise.

Adam Sandler said on X of his Happy Gilmore co-star: "A true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always.

"Smart as hell. Loyal as hell," Sandler added. "Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything. What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him. Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend."

Pascal posted, "Words fail," alongside a broken heart emoji and photo of Weathers on Instagram.

Jesse Ventura, actor, wrestlers and truth teller + via X: We lost an icon. Carl Weathers was a phenomenal talent, a true professional, and a dear friend. All my sympathies and love to his family. I loved working with him on Predator and then celebrating that film with him at various conventions in the ensuing years.  Thank you, Carl.

Weathers' life and death has been a topic of conversation not just in and around showbiz - the movie and television industry, but also in combat sports circles and in society at large. Rocky was likely his most famous work, but his body of work grew to be outstanding. He had a beautiful vibe about him and this resonated through the lens across the world - Media Man

#CarlWeathers #carlweathersrip #RIP #trbute #tribes #apollocreed #Rocky #Predator #ActionJackson #TheMandalorian #showbiz #entertainment #movienews #TVNews #legend #legends #trending #mbs #mindbodyspirit #thankyou #media #mediaman

Search Engine Journal

Google Content News

SEJ's Roger quizes Google's John M on the syndicated content. Answers inluding canonical elements and more. Talk about opening up another Pandora's Box, just when you thought you had just about figured out the business of the web, SEO, linking strategy, shared and syndicated contact and such. I'm not certain if that gave more clariy, or if I'm more confused than ever about the secrets of Google and the Holy Grail of the web. An answer to the questions is generally better than none. Thanks SEL and Google for the extra intel. 

Search engine Journal

Sentence Level Semantic Internal Links

SEJ's Roger with a great feature on sentence level semantic internal links. This article has sparked us to ramp up more of this strategy. We are doing it for our combat sports coverage and gaming coverage. For example: Combat Sports - wrestling. MMA - boxing. Gaming - online games, casino games and hotels, casinos and resorts. In web terms you can call it usability of a website. Not that ours are set up perfectly, but we strive for an achieve results and the Google search engine and readers across the globe keep discovering our coverage, so a few things are certainly working. Cheers SEJ. 

Wrestling News

WWE @WWE 

The Rock and Roman Reigns set for iconic face-off at WrestleMania XL Kickoff!

STAMFORD, Conn., February 3, 2024 – WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns will face off at an open-to-the-public fan and media event – WrestleMania XL Kickoff – live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Thursday, February 8 at 4 p.m. PT.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. PT.This non-ticketed event, delivered by Pizza Hut, is free for all to attend.

Fans and media will hear from both The Rock and Roman Reigns, as well as WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Onsite interview opportunities for media will immediately follow the event with both participants, Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley.

Building on the anticipation for the already-record-breaking WrestleMania XL, Thursday’s event will be hosted by Monday Night Raw commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee, and stream live on WWE social and digital channels as well as Peacock.

VIP experiences for WrestleMania XL Kickoff through exclusive partner On Location are available for purchase at https://onlocationexp.com/wrestlemaniaxlkickoff

WrestleMania XL takes place across two nights on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. ET live from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and stream live on Peacock in the U.S.

(Source/Credit: WWE)

#TheRock #RomanReigns #WrestleManiaXLKickOff #WrestleManiaKickOff #WrestleMania #WrestleMania40 #WrestleManiaXL #CodyRhodes #SethRollins #BiancaBelair #RheaRipley #MichaelCole #PatMcAfee #faceoff #pressconference #mediaconference #prowrestling #wrestling #history #legends #entertainment #PopCulture #broadcast #trend #trends #trending #buzz #wrestlingnews #TMobileArena #LasVegas #VegasNews #sportsnews #entertainmentnews #showbiz #newsmedia #media  

Image credit: WWE

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson appears set for WWE return in WrestleMania 40 dream match with Roman Reigns - Feb 2, 2024

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is heading to WrestleMania and has Roman Reigns in his sight.

WWE made the match all but official Friday night on SmackDown as the two cousins came face to face for the first time during Reigns’ historic 1,200-plus day world championship reign. 

The two didn’t say a word, but WWE teased a WrestleMania 40 press conference for Thursday in Las Vegas. 

It’s a dream encounter, as the two have never had a match together and now likely will main event Night 2 of the two-night WrestleMania at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on April 6-7.  

It wasn’t immediately announced if Reigns’ championship will be on the line. 

The Rock was a surprise for SmackDown, which advertised back-to-back Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes making his decision about who he will face at WrestleMania — either a rematch from last year’s show with Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal champion, or World Heavyweight champion Seth Rollins.

Rhodes, who pointed to Reigns after winning the Royal Rumble last week, had some doubt planted in his mind by Rollins earlier this week on Raw.

Rollins told him he should go after his title —  the workhorse title that his dad, Dusty Rhodes, had won.

Rhodes said one of the people he sought council with over his decision was The Rock, whose music then hits.

It allowed WWE to have Rhodes in the storyline graciously bow out of facing Reigns and make it seem like this was all his idea to the fans who wanted to see him beat The Tribal Chief and “finish the story” by winning the title his dad never won. 

It’s unclear if this was an audible WWE called after Rollins’ rumored opponent, CM Punk, tore his right triceps during the Royal Rumble and will have to miss WrestleMania. 

But WWE felt on this path with Reigns and Rock after the Hollywood star asked if he should “sit at the head of the table” on SmackDown in January. 

The 51-year-old Rock, who just became a board member of WWE’s parent company TKO, hasn’t wrestled a true match since he lost to John Cena at WrestleMania 29 at MetLife Stadium in 2013.  

He and Reigns have a history in Philadelphia. 

The Rock raised Reigns’ hand after he won the Royal Rumble at the Wells Fargo Center in 2015 in an ill-received segment during Reigns’ failed babyface push.

All of this is happening during a tumultuous two weeks for WWE after a bombshell civil suit was filed against former boss Vince McMahon with ex-company employee, Janel Grant, accusing him of sexual assault and sex trafficking

After news of the lawsuit broke, McMahon resigned his role as executive chairman of TKO’s board, and he is also under a federal investigation over the allegations, according to the Wall Street Journal.

(NY Post)

Pro Wrestling Dream Match

Fantasy Booking. Can it become reality?

Logan Paul @LoganPaul vs Cody Rhodes @CodyRhodes 

#dreammatch #dreammatches #LoganPaul #CodyRhodes #AmericanNightmare #AmericanDream #PrimeHeel #TheMaverick #RhodestoWrestleMania #TeamRhodes #TeamLogan #PeoplesChoice #prowrestling #wrestling #fantasybooking #DFS #FantasySports #entertainment #popculture #wrestlingnews #wrestlingmedia #disruptor #disruptor #prime #primewrestling #trend #trending #trending #buzz #socialmedia #socialmediamegastar #media #mediaman 

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling Dream Match

Santos Escobar vs Rey Mysterio vs Dominic Mysterio. Special ref: Dragon Lee. Special enforcer: Nick Aldis

Winner sets Double Date Stipulation, or loosing luchadores partner must wear a mask for a week! (Part satire). WWE creative, over to you... Maybe a storyline for a potential Netflix special series WWE After Dark.

in a WWE @WWE Ring

#SantosEscobar #ReyMysterio #DominicMysterio #DirtyDom #ZelinaVega #ElektraLopez #dreammatch #dreammatches #fantasybooking #WrestleMania #lucha #LuchaLibre #AdamPearce  #delFantasma #Fantasma #LWO #LatinoWorldOrder #trend #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman 

Image credit: WWE

Pro Wrestling

AEW @AEW 

All Elite Wrestling ups their game again; Action, drama and new faces (and masks) and more storylines playing out says Media Man. Strong thumbs up.

Great matches, highlights and moments added to the official AEW YouTube Channel.

Technical Wizardry! Bryan Danielson takes on CMLL’s Hechicero! | 2/3/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6nVrx24Nng&t=3s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Bryan Danielson v Hechicero + Who Sits Atop the Rankings? | AEW Control Center: Edinburg, 2/3/24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuVrWZmZ4IQ&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Continental Crown Champ Eddie Kingston takes on Bounty Hunter Bryan Keith! | 2/3/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPMVgKsquBE&t=27s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

HUGE Trios match! FTR & Garcia vs TNT Champ Christian Cage & The Patriarchy! | 2/3/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnyEsRzjqkQ&t=14s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Third time's a charm! Swerve Strickland calls his shot against Hangman Page! | 2/3/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1Tdpd-NHkE&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

After last week's attack, Mark Briscoe calls out the House of Black! | 2/3/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIJifxU-q_I&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

FTW Champion, HOOK, test his mettle in a 2-on-1 match vs The Outrunners! | 2/3/24, AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBg63mEl3Hg&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Exclusive post match comments from FTR + Daniel Garcia issues a challenge!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jvyyiGv-Lk&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

This is so much more via AEW. Catch the broadcast and/or check out their official YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/AEW

#AEWCollision #AEW #BryanDanielson #Hechicero #CMLL #luchalibre #luchador #EddieKingston #BryanKeith #BountyHunter #Hook #Outrunners #FTR #DanielGarcia #ChristianCage #ThePatriarchy #SwerveStrickland #HangmanPage #TNT #broadcast #broadcasting #YouTube #YT #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #popculture #trends #trending #buzz #TV #Edinburg #Texas #media 

Image credit: AEW

World Missing Carl Weathers

Video tributes; Official and unofficial flooding web states media, insiders

Rocky, MGM YouTube Channels Hit By Emotional Fans

The Best of Apollo Creed | MGM Studios (video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqkN_VlK9sY&ab_channel=MGM

Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) was the undefeated champion until Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) changes that. These are the best moments he shares with us in the Rocky films.

(Credit: MGM)

Rocky Balboa Trains with Apollo Creed | ROCKY III

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WDb2NkcZBg&ab_channel=OfficialRockyBalboa

Motivating Moments: Apollo Creed's Best Moments | Compilation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zle3QDYPpw&ab_channel=OfficialRockyBalboa

New York Post Official YouTube

Carl Weathers dead: ‘Rocky’s’ Apollo Creed and ‘Predator’ star was 76

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_C2N_RSMdE&ab_channel=NewYorkPost

#ApolloCreed #CarlWeathers #Rocky #Rocky2 #SylvesterStallone #MGM #YouTube #highlights #moments #video #tribute #carlweathersrip #entertainment #popculture #legend #legends #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Boxing News

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk title fight rescheduled for May 18

Re-matches and dream matches have been pub, watercooler and township talk since as about as long as organised fighting has been around.

Add in talk of an injury, and its quite the Pandora's Box.

This covers boxing as well as MMA (mixed martial arts), and we could even include professional wrestling aka sports entertainment - the performace art. Let's include it, since we're now in WrestleMania Season, and "We Want Cody" is trending on X, partly thanks to boxer - wrestler cross over fighter Logan Paul. Trust LP to help us out with the peg-on, segway, and all that.

Pro fighting is a dangerous business and as is well documented, injuries frequently happen in training, be it sparring, or whatever other type of preparation.  Every fight or even training session may be the last (forever). Sometimes the validity and seriousness of the injury gets called into question by fans, other fighters, media and the public at large.

Pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartio called B.S on the "heart attack" story Buddy Rogers went with circa May 1963.

Back to boxing, Fury's enjoy injury (cut) looks serious and many fight fans have now seen the leaked/distributed footage. Nasty! Some speculated Fury organised to get cut to delay or call off the right. Others said it, we didn't - just to clarify folks.

The Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight championship bout has been rescheduled for May 18 in Saudi Arabia, the chairman of the kingdom's general entertainment authority, Turki Alalshikh, announced Saturday on "The MMA Hour." = affiliated/associated with somewhat embattled sports media powerhouse, ESPN.

Fury and Usyk were set to square off Feb. 17 in the Kingdom's capital, Riyadh, before the bout was postponed Friday after Fury suffered a deep cut over his right eye while sparring. The footage was in the trending type region on social media such as X and YouTube Shorts.

The rescheduled date was announced by Alalshikh as Fury sat alongside him; Usyk and manager extraordinaire Egis Klimas also joined the news media announcement from Spain.

"I arranged to spar 12 rounds with four different guys," Fury said on the program. "In Round 5, I got an elbow in the eye - a split eye - and obviously I've been to the hospital and have the 11 stitches.

"They have the medical reports, they have everything. Have a look at the eye. .. Nothing much anybody can do about getting a cut. ... I've never had one before (while sparring). First time for everything."

Alalshikh promptly promptly advised that if either boxer withdraws from the May 18 bout, he must forfeit $10 million from his purse; and also that one of them would still fight on that date. Saudi super sports promoters don't.. what's that saying - suffer fools. A cuz to Mr. T's "I pity the fool". Boxing franchise 'Rocky' has been back in the news if you missed it. Unfortunately regarding the recent dealth (Feb 2) of Carl Weathers who played Apollo Creed.

Addressing serious doubts from Usyk's team, news media and from social media keyboard warriors and others about the veracity of the injury, Alalshikh said he has a "special camera" that gives him access to Fury's training camp in Riyadh. He confirmed there was a serious cut that emerged from an accident in sparring.

Usyk said he simply smiled when he was informed of the postponement and proceeded to train.

Manager Klimas claimed on the show that Fury is "scared" and that he didn't want to fight Usyk.

"Why would I not want to fight for the biggest payday in my life and put 10 weeks in the training camp?" Fury responded.

On Saturday's line-up, Alalshikh also offered heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic a fight on the March 8 undercard of Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. He mentioned 6 possibilities: Daniel Dubois, Jared Anderson, Frank Sanchez, Agit Kabayel, Jarrell Miller and Martin Bakole.

Hrgovic advised media on Friday that he was willing to step up and replace Fury on Feb. 17.

Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) and Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) were due to fight in two weeks in the most highly anticipated heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson in 2002. Of course the world knows Fury vs former UFC/MMA figher Francis Ngannou got strong buzz, however many media commentors and pundits state that it did very average PPV (Pay-Per-View) numbers. UFC Dana White wasn't too kind to that  particular "giimmicky" fight.

Fury-Usyk was originally planned for December 23 before Fury has a very tough night in the boxing ring vs Ngannou in October in Riyadh. Fury was cut over the forehead and the left eye, ending in a split decision over Ngannou, who was making his professional boxing debut.

"Gypsy King" was knocked down (not out) Round 3, the 7th knockdown of his career. Fury and Usyk inked contracts for their long-awaited battle for the heavyweight throne weeks before Fury stepped through the ropes to battle Ngannou in a 10-round non-title bout.

Usyk, 36, is an Olympic gold medalist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion. The Ukraine native holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, belts he snatched from Joshua in 2021. Usyk retained the titles in the rematch with another decision over Joshua last summer in Saudi Arabia.

Usyk last fought in August, when he scored a ninth-round KO of Dubois in Poland. The UK's Fury fought twice in 2022, both TKO wins at soccer (football) stadiums in London (in April vs. Dillian Whyte and December vs. Derek Chisora).

This is Fury's second title reign. He bested another Ukrainian, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2015 for three heavyweight titles via decision in an upset. Fury never defended those titles and instead was out of the ring for two and a half years due to depression, sometimes called that "Black Dog" and substance abuse. He was up to 400-plus pounds during that time which is almost hard to believe. 

After Fury returned from the long break from the ring he established himself as one of boxing's top stars with a classic heavyweight title trilogy with Deontay Wilder, whom he stopped twice after a draw in the first meeting. Fury's third fight with Wilder was ESPN's 2021 Fight of the Year and KO of the Year.

The Fury-Usyk deal contains a two-way rematch clause, virtually ensuring two consecutive fights between the pair for millions of dollars.

PPV price on DAZN: $69.99

Betting Odds: Tyson Fury is the -125 favorite, while Oleksandr Usyk is the +110 underdog.

The Tale Of The Tape:

Tyson Fury record and bio

Nationality: British

Born: August 12, 1988

Height: 6-9

Reach: 85 inches

Total fights: 35

Record: 34-0-1 with 24 wins via knockout

Oleksandr Usyk record, bio

Nationality: Ukrainian

Born: January 17, 1987

Height: 6-3

Reach: 78 inches

Total fights: 21

Record: 21-0 with 14 wins via knockout

#TysonFury #Usyk #OleksandrUsyk #FuryUsyk #boxing #boxingnews #RingOfFire #combatsports #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsbusiness #PPV #PayPerView #sportsbetting #wager #popculture 

#GeneralEntertainmentAuthority #GEA #SaudiArabia #news #newsmedia #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Boxing News

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk title fight rescheduled for May 18

Re-matches and dream matches have been pub, watercooler and township talk since as about as long as organised fighting has been around.

Add in talk of an injury, and its quite the Pandora's Box.

This covers boxing as well as MMA (mixed martial arts), and we could even include professional wrestling aka sports entertainment - the performace art. Let's include it, since we're now in WrestleMania Season, and "We Want Cody" is trending on X, partly thanks to boxer - wrestler cross over fighter Logan Paul. Trust LP to help us out with the peg-on, segway, and all that.

Pro fighting is a dangerous business and as is well documented, injuries frequently happen in training, be it sparring, or whatever other type of preparation.  Every fight or even training session may be the last (forever). Sometimes the validity and seriousness of the injury gets called into question by fans, other fighters, media and the public at large.

Pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartio called B.S on the "heart attack" story Buddy Rogers went with circa May 1963.

Back to boxing, Fury's enjoy injury (cut) looks serious and many fight fans have now seen the leaked/distributed footage. Nasty! Some speculated Fury organised to get cut to delay or call off the right. Others said it, we didn't - just to clarify folks.

The Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight championship bout has been rescheduled for May 18 in Saudi Arabia, the chairman of the kingdom's general entertainment authority, Turki Alalshikh, announced Saturday on "The MMA Hour." = affiliated/associated with somewhat embattled sports media powerhouse, ESPN.

Fury and Usyk were set to square off Feb. 17 in the Kingdom's capital, Riyadh, before the bout was postponed Friday after Fury suffered a deep cut over his right eye while sparring. The footage was in the trending type region on social media such as X and YouTube Shorts.

The rescheduled date was announced by Alalshikh as Fury sat alongside him; Usyk and manager extraordinaire Egis Klimas also joined the news media announcement from Spain.

"I arranged to spar 12 rounds with four different guys," Fury said on the program. "In Round 5, I got an elbow in the eye - a split eye - and obviously I've been to the hospital and have the 11 stitches.

"They have the medical reports, they have everything. Have a look at the eye. .. Nothing much anybody can do about getting a cut. ... I've never had one before (while sparring). First time for everything."

Alalshikh promptly promptly advised that if either boxer withdraws from the May 18 bout, he must forfeit $10 million from his purse; and also that one of them would still fight on that date. Saudi super sports promoters don't.. what's that saying - suffer fools. A cuz to Mr. T's "I pity the fool". Boxing franchise 'Rocky' has been back in the news if you missed it. Unfortunately regarding the recent dealth (Feb 2) of Carl Weathers who played Apollo Creed.

Addressing serious doubts from Usyk's team, news media and from social media keyboard warriors and others about the veracity of the injury, Alalshikh said he has a "special camera" that gives him access to Fury's training camp in Riyadh. He confirmed there was a serious cut that emerged from an accident in sparring.

Usyk said he simply smiled when he was informed of the postponement and proceeded to train.

Manager Klimas claimed on the show that Fury is "scared" and that he didn't want to fight Usyk.

"Why would I not want to fight for the biggest payday in my life and put 10 weeks in the training camp?" Fury responded.

On Saturday's line-up, Alalshikh also offered heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic a fight on the March 8 undercard of Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. He mentioned 6 possibilities: Daniel Dubois, Jared Anderson, Frank Sanchez, Agit Kabayel, Jarrell Miller and Martin Bakole.

Hrgovic advised media on Friday that he was willing to step up and replace Fury on Feb. 17.

Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) and Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) were due to fight in two weeks in the most highly anticipated heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson in 2002. Of course the world knows Fury vs former UFC/MMA figher Francis Ngannou got strong buzz, however many media commentors and pundits state that it did very average PPV (Pay-Per-View) numbers. UFC Dana White wasn't too kind to that  particular "giimmicky" fight.

Fury-Usyk was originally planned for December 23 before Fury has a very tough night in the boxing ring vs Ngannou in October in Riyadh. Fury was cut over the forehead and the left eye, ending in a split decision over Ngannou, who was making his professional boxing debut.

"Gypsy King" was knocked down (not out) Round 3, the 7th knockdown of his career. Fury and Usyk inked contracts for their long-awaited battle for the heavyweight throne weeks before Fury stepped through the ropes to battle Ngannou in a 10-round non-title bout.

Usyk, 36, is an Olympic gold medalist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion. The Ukraine native holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, belts he snatched from Joshua in 2021. Usyk retained the titles in the rematch with another decision over Joshua last summer in Saudi Arabia.

Usyk last fought in August, when he scored a ninth-round KO of Dubois in Poland. The UK's Fury fought twice in 2022, both TKO wins at soccer (football) stadiums in London (in April vs. Dillian Whyte and December vs. Derek Chisora).

This is Fury's second title reign. He bested another Ukrainian, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2015 for three heavyweight titles via decision in an upset. Fury never defended those titles and instead was out of the ring for two and a half years due to depression, sometimes called that "Black Dog" and substance abuse. He was up to 400-plus pounds during that time which is almost hard to believe. 

After Fury returned from the long break from the ring he established himself as one of boxing's top stars with a classic heavyweight title trilogy with Deontay Wilder, whom he stopped twice after a draw in the first meeting. Fury's third fight with Wilder was ESPN's 2021 Fight of the Year and KO of the Year.

The Fury-Usyk deal contains a two-way rematch clause, virtually ensuring two consecutive fights between the pair for millions of dollars.

PPV price on DAZN: $69.99

Betting Odds: Tyson Fury is the -125 favorite, while Oleksandr Usyk is the +110 underdog.

The Tale Of The Tape:

Tyson Fury record and bio

Nationality: British

Born: August 12, 1988

Height: 6-9

Reach: 85 inches

Total fights: 35

Record: 34-0-1 with 24 wins via knockout

Oleksandr Usyk record, bio

Nationality: Ukrainian

Born: January 17, 1987

Height: 6-3

Reach: 78 inches

Total fights: 21

Record: 21-0 with 14 wins via knockout

#TysonFury #Usyk #OleksandrUsyk #FuryUsyk #boxing #boxingnews #RingOfFire #combatsports #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsbusiness #PPV #PayPerView #sportsbetting #wager #popculture 

#GeneralEntertainmentAuthority #GEA #SaudiArabia #news #newsmedia #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Combat Sports

UFC @UFC Fight Night

February 3, 2024

Apex Arena. Enterprise, Nevada

UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs Imavov Results

Nassourdine Imavov defeats Roman Dolidze by majority decision (49-44, 47-47, 48-46)

Renato Moicano defeats Drew Dober by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Randy Brown defeats Muslim Salikhov by TKO (strikes) at 3:17 of Round 1

Natalia Silva defeats Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Aliaskhab Khizriev and Makhmud Muradov declared a no contest (accidental eye poke) at 0:11 of Round 1

Charles Radtke defeats Gilbert Urbina by TKO (strikes) at 4:47 of Round 1

Molly McCann defeats Diana Belbita by submission (armbar) at 4:59 of Round 1

Charles Johnson defeats Azat Maksum by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Themba Gorimbo defeats Pete Rodriguez by TKO (strikes) at 0:32 of Round 1

JeongYeong Lee defeats Blake Bilder by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Luana Carolina defeats Julija Stoliaranenko by TKO (strikes) at 4:52 of Round 3

MarQuel Mederos defeats Landon Quinones by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jamal Pogues defeats Thomas Petersen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs Imavov Main Card Results

Charles Radtke defeats Gilbert Urbina by TKO (strikes) at 4:47 of Round 1

Aliaskhab Khizriev and Makhmud Muradov declared a no contest (accidental eye poke) at 0:11 of Round 1

Natalia Silva defeats Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Randy Brown defeats Muslim Salikhov by TKO (strikes) at 3:17 of Round 1

Co-Main Event: Renato Moicano defeats Drew Dober by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Main Event: Nassourdine Imavov defeats Roman Dolidze by majority decision (49-44, 47-47, 48-46)

Video via UFC Official YouTube Channel

UFC Vegas 85: DOLIDZE vs IMAVOV | COLD OPEN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKePynqL_DI&ab_channel=UFC

Dolizde vs Imavov - Something Wild Comes Out | UFC Vegas 85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLlxiv_cp8k&ab_channel=UFC

Moicano vs Dober - The Art of the Knockout | UFC Vegas 85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTQaVmiHrcA&ab_channel=UFC

Nassourdine Imavov Octagon Interview | UFC Vegas 85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f617ABwRLpc&ab_channel=UFC

Renato Moicano Octagon Interview | UFC Vegas 85

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmbmCvCMRJU&ab_channel=UFC

and more past, present and future via the official UFC YouTube Channel

www.youtube.com/ufc

Media Man: Who gets the W and who gets the L is just part of the story. Yes, winning matters without question, just as it did back in the schoolyard and school gym days for those who lived to tell that tale. The features and previews are the way to go. Getting to know the fighters. Why, how, who, the journey etc. Borrowing a page out of the pro wrestling playbook. There are so many fights these days, so getting to know the fighters and what drives them and the back story is more important than ever in many ways. Great teamwork from the UFC crew once again who put it all together for fight fans the world over.

Media Man Int

UFC 2024 (Media Man Int) *subject to change. In progress

www.mediamanint.com/articles/ufc_2024.html

#UFCVegas85 #UFCFightNight #NassourdineImavov #RomanDolidze #RenatoMoicano #DrewDober #ufcresults #MMA #mixedmartialarts #combatsports #mmanews #mmamedia #sportsnews #sportsmedia #VegasNews #LasVegas #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Image credit: UFC

Pro Wrestling

NXT @WWENXT Vengeance Day

Ilja Dragunov vs Williams - NXT Title

Valkyria vs Perez - Womens Title

Oba Femi vs Dragon Lee - North American Title

Corbin & Breakker vs Hayes & Williams – Dusty Cup

The Family & Adrianna Rizzo vs Nima, Price & Parker - 6 Person

Dijak vs Gacy - No DQ

Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams – NXT Championship: NXT Vengeance Day Hype Package

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTaS5PY8Yd8&ab_channel=WWE

NXT Vengeance Day 2024 Cold Open

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKo1PdfVPK8&t=13s&ab_channel=WWE

The Family vs. OTM - Six Person Tag Team Match: NXT Vengeance Day Hype Package

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iErI696R7es&t=11s&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man: Loving the back story with The Family. The story, charactures, backed up by strong in-ring action are key parts of the formula once again. Wolf Dogs favs for the Dusty Cup. Dijak vs Gacy is going to be a war.

Image credit: WWE NXT

#WWENXT #NXTVengeanceDay #MadDragon #TrickWilliams #ObaFemi #DragonLee #WolfDogs #TheFamily #LyraValkyria #RoxannePerez #Dijak #JoeGacy #prowrestling #wrestling #YouTube #Video #PLE #entertainment #liventertainment #livesports #popculture #AndStill #AndNew #trends #trending #buzz #media #mediaman 

NXT Vengeance Day

Ilja Dragunov vs Williams - NXT Title

Valkyria vs Perez - Womens Title

Oba Femi vs Dragon Lee - North American Title

Corbin & Breakker vs Hayes & Williams – Dusty Cup 

The Family & Adrianna Rizzo vs Nima, Price & Parker - 6 Person

Dijak vs Gacy - No DQ

#WWENXT  

Pro Wrestling

NXT @WWENXT Vengeance Day 2024 Cold Open

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKo1PdfVPK8&t=11s&ab_channel=WWE

The Family vs. OTM - Six Person Tag Team Match: NXT Vengeance Day Hype Package

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iErI696R7es&t=8s&ab_channel=WWE

#NXTVengeanceDay #TheFamily #OTM #prowrestling #wrestling #YouTube #Video #promo #entertainment

Wrestling

NXT @WWENXT Vengeance Day

Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams – NXT Championship: NXT Vengeance Day Hype Package

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTaS5PY8Yd8&ab_channel=WWE

#NXTVengeanceDay #MadDragon #TrickWilliams #NXTTitle #prowrestling #YouTube #Video #promo #entertainment #PLE 

Image credit: WWE NXT

Luxury brands ramp up VIP touches as they court big spenders

High-net-worth clients are increasingly being feted by brands keen to keep them happy – and spending – with private shopping, butlers and even tennis lessons.

Erin Deering is in many ways the ideal luxury customer. The co-founder of Triangl, a swimwear brand, she loves fashion and is a keen shopper. And, she says, she’s also “obsessed with customer-centric behaviour”.

“I absolutely love being appreciated by a brand, and as a [former] brand owner myself, I see this as absolutely crucial to the success and longevity of any brand, luxury or otherwise,” says Deering.

Globally, the top 2 per cent of luxury customers drove 40 per cent of sales in 2022, making ultra-high-net-worth clients particularly important to fashion and jewellery brands. Luxury brands are responding with significant investment in these VIPs, lavishing them with exclusive experiences and money-can’t-buy access, hosting them in private salons and even sending butlers armed with new collections to their homes for purchases.

Deering is one of these customers. Last year, she travelled with Italian fashion brand Bottega Veneta to Beijing to see the brand’s autumn/winter show, and was also hosted by Gucci in Singapore.

“It makes you feel very special,” says Deering, who will launch a new clothing label in September. “You are looked after from the minute you are picked up from home. You don’t pay for a thing.” On her birthday, Deering is sent flowers and gifts from brands where she is a top shopper, and has WhatsApp conversations with sales assistants.

“They send me pictures and I can order directly from them,” she says. “Sometimes I am offered made-to-order pieces.”

If Deering is too busy to visit the store herself, a courier will deliver a selection for her to choose from. “It’s about knowing that you are being thought of,” she says. “It’s not just about an assistant in the Melbourne store speaking to me – I know that they are talking about me, and customers like me, in the head office in Italy. That keeps me loyal. I feel so, so valued.”

As luxury becomes more democratised and accessible, courting VIP customers and making them feel special is more important than ever. Brands are taking note, particularly in Europe. Gucci opened a private boutique in Los Angeles last year called Gucci Salon, featuring the company’s most exclusive products, often retailing at more than €40,000 ($65,000). The concept was replicated in London and Tokyo.

Chanel and Brunello Cucinella are opening invitation-only boutiques for top spenders. Dolce & Gabbana has Alta Moda apartments in Milan and Paris, and French jeweller Boucheron has a private apartment above its store on the Place Vendôme. At the Dior flagship in Paris, top clients can rent a penthouse for €25,000 ($40,000) a night. A key to the store is included, and guests can shop any time they like.

But it’s not just international brands; Australia’s Zimmermann has had a dedicated team of VIP liaisons for many years, catering to its best customers.

Longevity and a brand name account for some loyalty, but service is still key, says GCQ Funds Management chief investment officer Doug Tynan.

“A century of heritage and a commitment to manufacturing all key products by hand mean the value of super-luxury brands are well-placed to increase over time,” he says. “But heritage and scarcity wouldn’t count for much without being matched by a superb customer experience.”

GCQ is an investor in super-luxury stocks including Richemont – the owner of Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels – and Hermes.

“As an investor, I want to see these brands always striving to take their superb customer experience to the next level,” Tynan says.

Camille Thioulouse, a luxury brand consultant who has worked with Cartier, Christian Louboutin and Louis Vuitton, says that for luxury brands, top clients are the highest priority and are heavily incentivised to spend big.

“These rewards are only for very top-tier clients,” she says.

“If you are invited to the Tiffany & Co Blue Book [high jewellery] event, you have likely spent more than seven figures that year.” Similarly, she says, brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton will take clients to international fashion shows, and sometimes even the rarefied couture shows. “That is a whole other level,” says Thioulouse. “There are absolutely top Australian spenders who would qualify.”

It’s not all private jets, though: personal touches like birthday and Christmas presents are common, as well as exclusive access. In December, Chanel invited top clients to a rehearsal of the Australian Ballet – of which it is a sponsor– and it frequently hosts private collection viewings, usually in luxury homes.

Shoe brand Jimmy Choo frequently invites top spenders to lavish dinners, most recently at Melbourne’s Reine. In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, jewellery brands such as Cartier and Tiffany & Co host catered events, inviting clients to schedule an appointment to shop and treating them to afternoon tea and cocktail hours.

Last week, travel group Marriott Bonvoy invited some of its VIPs to play tennis with Pat Rafter, Ash Barty and Dylan Alcott ahead of the women’s Australian Open final on Saturday, then whisked them away at match point during the game so they could be present on court as Aryna Sabalenka was handed her trophy.

“This is the stuff money can’t buy,” says Thioulouse. “It’s all very discreet, and it feels special and valuable. This is not an opportunity to post on Instagram. These are serious clients who spend big.”

(AFR)

Bookmakers desperate for a win from AUSTRAC audits

Low discretionary spend, advertising bans and credit card deposits have made margins tight for bookmakers. The financial crimes watchdog could make it a lot worse.

Punters may have backed Italian Janik Sinner to become the Australian Open men’s champion, but the odds they’ll be using the same local bookmaker to take that gamble this time next year are less likely by the day. And it’s not because Sinner won’t be around to defend his title.

Australia’s wagering sector is facing a multitude of challenges, all with the potential to cause cost cuts and consolidation.

The three major issues are an impending ban on credit card deposits, stricter federal government rules on gambling ads and increases to point of consumption tax.

But another lurking threat could upend Australia’s bookmaking sector, and it’s one that no company would want to bet on: the outcome of audits by the financial crimes watchdog, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), into potential breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism laws by three major bookmakers.

If AUSTRAC finds Ladbrokes, Sportsbet or Bet365 have weak compliance systems that allowed them to profit from the proceeds of crime, it will strain already tight margins and make it even more difficult to operate locally.

Critically, in the case of global companies Flutter (the owner of Sportsbet) and Ladbrokes’ owner, Entain, it could be difficult to continue to justify the business case for operating in Australia.

How did it come to this?

A little over one year ago, AUSTRAC commenced three separate investigations into compliance.

The first was an “enforcement” investigation into Entain, which was conducted by AUSTRAC after a $29 million fine was paid by the London-listed company to the UK Gambling Commission.

AUSTRAC then launched two separate external investigations intoSportsbet and Bet365.

Former AUSTRAC chief executive Nicole Rose said at the time the decision was made following a “deep investigation of transactions”.

“We have reasonable grounds to suspect that Sportsbet and Bet365 may have contravened or are contravening the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act,” she said in October 2022.

“Our work on the gambling sector in the last couple of years [shows] there’s certainly a common theme: that they don’t think enough about their money laundering and financial crime systems.”

The auditors were appointed at Sportsbet and Bet365’s expense. Sportsbet’s audit was conducted by KordaMentha and Bet365 hired KPMG to investigate its practices.

The final reports were issued to AUSTRAC last September. The outcomes of the investigations could be made public within weeks.

The gambling companies are bracing for the worst. AUSTRAC – which as of this week is under the leadership of Brendan Thomas – likes to make an example of companies with serious breaches and has issued more than $2 billion in penalties since 2015, when it hit Tabcorp with a $45 million fine for allowing customers to facilitate dirty money through their betting accounts.

More recently, it slapped Westpac and Commonwealth Bank with respective fines of $1.3 billion and $700 million for serious breaches of the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism act. Crown was ordered to pay $450 million following legal action by AUSTRAC last year, and Star Entertainment Group and Skycity – the two listed operators – are still in court.

Gambling insiders said that at least two operators – Entain and Sportsbet – were provided with a long list of potential problems and areas to improve on.

What happens next?

All signs point to at least one bookmaker facing civil proceedings after the audits.

If it is one operator or three, the potential penalties could be tens of millions of dollars. That could be the final straw for the three international operators.

Australia is fast becoming the lowest-margin market for international bookmakers. Once a mature market where bookmaking thrived, the sector is under pressure from different fronts.

The first is what Communications Minister Michelle Rowland decides to do with a long list of recommendations from the online gambling inquiry. That list includes a blanket ban on advertising, sponsorships, and inducements and changes to behavioural algorithms in gambling apps.

The most likely outcome is some form of gambling advertising ban, which would hurt wagering operators that rely heavily on sports events to promote inducements and smaller bookmakers that need ads for brand awareness.

Then there’s the proposed government legislation to ban credit card deposits for sports betting. This will be felt across all wagering operators, but Sportsbet and Tabcorp, which have the largest market shares, are likely to be most affected.

Queensland and Victoria are increasing point-of-consumption tax – fees paid to the government for customers’ use of bookmakers in the respective states. These keep rising, tightening margins and making it difficult for bookmakers to spend much elsewhere, such as on improving products and technology.

Sportsbet has lost market share to competitors and Entain, which also owns Neds, last year axed almost 10 per cent of local headcount.

Entain’s global CEO, Jette Nyaard-Andersen, abruptly stepped down in December, weeks after the betting group settled a bribery case for more than £585 million ($1.1 billion). She was under fire from investors for poor share price performance and several costly acquisitions.

Another factor that bookmakers are blaming for a decline in digital revenue and turnover is an overall slowdown in racing revenue, which is ultimately caused by macroeconomic conditions. People are spending less money on non-essentials like gambling because of rising interest rates and inflation.

These challenges are already inviting change: BetR and BlueBet have discussed some form of merger, and PointsBet has looked at potential buyers for its Australian business.

Best case, worst case

Auditors have already assessed if the three betting shops should adopt and maintain strong enough defences to identify, mitigate and manage money laundering; conduct thorough due diligence on their customers, and ensure senior management has proper oversight.

The maximum penalty for a single breach of the The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act is $22.2 million. More than one breach by any of the organisations could be a tipping point for drastic structural change in an organisation or consolidation across the sector.

In addition to penalties, they would need to spend a lot of money improving compliance programs to operate – that’s something that has significantly affected the bottom line of Star and Crown.

Best case is a slap on the wrist for one or two bookmakers, though that seems unlikely. Worst-case scenario is several million-dollar fines or the suspension of at least one bookmaking licence. The most drastic scenario is a situation where the international parent company can’t justify the local operation any more.

Pointsbet CEO Sam Swanell put it another way when speaking to investors this week: “The economic realities of operating businesses that can’t yield at the appropriate levels and can’t invest in responsible gambling will help a natural rationalisation of the market in time,” he said.

Bookmakers will be waiting.

(AFR)

Search Engine Journal

Has The Helpful Content Update Impacted SEO Content?

Social Media

Greg Tingle

SEJ's Adam on Google helpful content updates (via the LinkedIn interface). All interesting background. It's already out-of-date in many regards. Case in point. Google can and will make updates, both officially announced (and in secret) whenever they wish. Smart strategy by Google. Keep the algorithm a secret as much as possible and change it up. The secret to business is knowing something no one else knows! 

This Super Bowl ad brings together Knuckles, Master Chief, Hey Arnold, Peppa Pig, Sir Patrick Stewart, and many more stars

Sir Patrick Stewart takes matters into his own powerful hands to save a group of Paramount+ stars in this wacky Super Bowl ad for the streaming service.

The Super Bowl is approaching fast and with it the legendary advertisements that appear throughout the NFL grand final, and this year there is one that aims to be the most prominent. We’re talking about the newest Paramount+ ad in which a cast of emblematic characters like Knuckles from the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, Master Chief from Halo, Peppa Pig, and Arnold from ‘Hey, Arnold’ all appear together. Furthermore, actors of the caliber of Sir Patrick Stewart, known for playing Professor Charles Xavier in ‘X-Men’ and Jean-Luc Picard in ‘Star Trek’, as well as actress Drew Barrymore and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are also present, all topped by the artistic genius of, what else, Creed.

The ad presents us with a scenario in which all these actors, presenters, athlete,s and fictional characters are trapped on Paramount Mountain. How will they get out of it? There is no better idea than seeing Sir Patrick Stewart in a classic American football uniform deciding to throw Arnold to the top of the mountain, all with the band ‘Creed’ in the background. Does he succeed? There’s no better way to find out than to see it for yourself, but the ad is loaded with a good dose of dark humor.

The biggest game in American sports magnifies everything around it, and the same thing happens with the advertising. It is estimated that the cost of an advertising space in the Super Bowl ranges between 5 and 14 million dollars, depending on whether its duration is between 30 seconds and 1 minute. Tens of millions of people in the United States gather to watch the big game. Still, at the same time advertising is another important point for many of the spectators, and throughout the match, some of the most curious commercials of the year are broadcasted, as well as trailers and previews of some of the most anticipated series and movies, and even some games.

(MeriStation)

What is Local SEO, and How Does It Work?

Learn how Google works with local sites with this guide to local SEO and start optimizing your website for local search results to grow your business.

Local SEO is a search engine optimization (SEO) strategy that helps your business be more visible in local search results on Google.

Any business that has a physical location or serves a geographic area can benefit from local SEO. If you search Google for any important keywords related to your business and a map with 3 listings appears underneath it (also known as a map pack), then local SEO can help you grow your business.

But to understand local SEO, you need to know how Google works first.

How did search engines evolve?

In the early days of the internet, there were relatively few websites, so navigating the web was easy. Once the internet started to expand, however, search engines were created to allow users to find the sites they were looking for more easily.

If you typed a phrase into a search engine, that phrase was matched to websites that included the keywords in your search phrase. Google used this same approach, but it quickly dominated the other search engines when it became the first search engine to use links between sites as an indication of which websites were trusted and had authority.

Today Google looks at hundreds of factors both on and off your website to determine if it’s relevant to display as a search result. Factors form your “digital footprint,” and each factor has a different weight or value, which the search engine combines to return results. Your digital footprint determines whether or not you’re a top result to an inquiry that a user types into Google.

So how does Google work?

When you type a search phrase into Google, it checks the pattern of various website signals, or ranking factors, such as how relevant your site is, to return a list of sites that match your search.

Most people don’t realize that Google isn’t doing a live search of the entire internet every time someone types something into the search bar. It’s actually searching a stored copy of all of the sites that Google has discovered. This copy is called the Google Index.

To form the index, Google uses small programs called “spiders” to crawl the web. Each spider works the same way: It starts on a single page, then follows the links on that page, looking at content on the next pages, and so on.

As web content gets crawled, it’s stored in Google’s servers, and the index is built. The spiders work at a mind-blowing scale, constantly crawling trillions of pages at an incredibly fast pace. This ensures that the index is as up-to-date as possible and new sites and connections are discovered quickly.

How Google ranks search results

Google uses various processes to rank hundreds or thousands of sites in the blink of an eye. These processes are called algorithms. When you Google something, an algorithm checks the index and returns a list of websites that match your search in organic results. Those results are chosen and ranked based on relevance, prominence and popularity given by inbound links.

The algorithm looks at various on-site and off-site factors to determine which websites have something related to your search. All of the relevant sites are added to the list, which is then ranked by prominence. Again referring to the various on-site and off-site factors, the algorithm determines which sites best answer your search query, and those sites are listed at the top of the search results.

Improving your SEO influences both relevancy, prominence and link populrity factors for your website. If the right elements of your site’s digital footprint are optimized, your site shows up higher in more search results.

Local SEO is a different pattern

What about local organic search results? After analyzing the behavior of users during trillions of searches, Google figured out that people seeking certain types of businesses need results from their immediate area. That’s why Google’s local search algorithm includes a proximity factor, which is a fancy way of saying that Google takes your location into account when you search for a local keyword (a query with local intent). This happens even when the searcher doesn’t include a city name or "near me” in their search.

If you’re at work and want to get a pizza delivered for lunch, for example, Googling “pizza delivery” shows a list of locations near your office in its local SERPS (search engine result pages).

But if you try that same search at home, you’ll get an entirely different set of results. This makes sense, considering you need a pizza delivered from somewhere nearby.

Local search has been around for years, but it was limited due to people only using their desktop computers. With the recent growth in mobile internet access, however, mobile search has exploded, so local SEO has become hugely important for the success of any business offering local products or services and local marketers.

What matters for local SEO

What does this mean to search marketers? While the local map pack is displayed within the standard Google organic search listings, separate algorithms power the main Google search results for local rankings and the local map pack results. As a local business, you have the opportunity the appear within both the main organic search results and the local map pack at the same time.

If you’re new to marketing your business online, one of the main challenges is knowing what you should focus on to make your efforts as effective as possible.

Marketing analytics software company Moz posts its annual Local Search Ranking Factors survey, which includes the top 35 to 40 worldwide experts in local SEO. Its results provide the best insights into which factors influence local search visibility.

Localized content and local link popularity are factors, just as it is in Google’s traditional search algorithm, so it's important to build local landing pages for each of your locations- especially if you're a multiple location business-, where you should include not only your business name but also its details like address and phone as well as optimize their titles tags, meta descriptions, and follow SEO best practice. This should be taken into consideration as well in your content marketing and link building strategy.

Additionally, location-based factors like having a business listing in Google My Business, local citations from data aggregators, and review signals - that should be published by your local customers - are also taken into consideration in your local oriented seo rankings and as consequence you should also take them into consideration in your local SEO efforts.

It's also important to note that there are SEO tools focused on local search that can help you to develop local oriented SEO audits, from developing keyword research focused on your local audience, building citations, managing Google My Business listings, business profile and Google posts, and even monitor your inclusion in local packs.

Website content is a significant factor, just as it is in Google’s traditional search algorithm, but location-based factors like Google My Business, citations, and review signals are also included.

Start harnessing SEO

Now that you have a better understanding of SEO basics and how Google ranks local search results, you can start to concentrate on signals that will optimize your site’s digital footprint in the local oriented search ecosystem. This way your business can show up higher on the results page, which can lead to more potential customers finding your business.

There are many factors that influence your visibility in these searches, but keep in mind that local search continues to grow and change. To keep up with what signals are increasing and decreasing in importance, you can refer to Moz’s annual survey to form your strategy playbook. Once you start to improve each important signal area, you’ll be able to serve more people in your geographic region—and grow faster.

(A.I and Newfeeds)

The Rock and Roman Reigns set for iconic face-off at WrestleMania XL Kickoff!

STAMFORD, Conn., February 3, 2024 – WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns will face off at an open-to-the-public fan and media event – WrestleMania XL Kickoff – live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Thursday, February 8 at 4 p.m. PT.

Doors open at 2:30 p.m. PT.This non-ticketed event, delivered by Pizza Hut, is free for all to attend.

Fans and media will hear from both The Rock and Roman Reigns, as well as WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Onsite interview opportunities for media will immediately follow the event with both participants, Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley.

Building on the anticipation for the already-record-breaking WrestleMania XL, Thursday’s event will be hosted by Monday Night Raw commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee, and stream live on WWE social and digital channels as well as Peacock.

VIP experiences for WrestleMania XL Kickoff through exclusive partner On Location are available for purchase at https://onlocationexp.com/wrestlemaniaxlkickoff.

WrestleMania XL takes place across two nights on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 at 7 p.m. ET live from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and stream live on Peacock in the U.S.

NASCAR

ABOUT NASCAR

NASCAR, an acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. NASCAR has three national series that it sanctions for racing. Learn more about each series here

NASCAR Cup Series

In a historic shift for the sport, beginning in 2020 NASCAR’s premier series became known as the NASCAR Cup Series and featured four cornerstone brands as Premier Partners: Busch Beer, Coca-Cola®, GEICO and Xfinity. All four partners are prominently featured in multiple platforms across the sport, including integrations in broadcast, NASCAR digital and social channels, event entitlements, in-market promotions and at-track activations.

Thrilling Racing

NASCAR enhanced the on-track product starting in 2017 with the introduction of stage racing, which ensures more highlight-reel moments during a race, increases the sense of urgency and emphasizes aggressive racing and strategy. The battle on track also extends to Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota – who have reached a level of parity that all but guarantees the fight for the manufacturer championship will come down to the very end of the season.

The Next Generation of Stock Cars

Looking to the future, NASCAR is developing the Next Gen car — expected to hit the track in 2022. The new car is going to feature a redesigned body and under-the-hood enhancements to make NASCAR stock cars even more like the cars in showrooms across America.

Youth is Rising

The future stars of NASCAR are taking over the spotlight today as drivers such as Kyle Larson, William Byron, Tyler Reddick, Christopher Bell, Austin Cindric, Harrison Burton, and Chase Elliott are challenging for – and winning – races throughout the season. They battle established superstars like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Joey Logano, who continue to build their own legacies.

Global Reach

With international series in Mexico (NASCAR Mexico Series), Canada (NASCAR Pinty’s Series) and across Europe (NASCAR Whelen Euro Series), as well as, Cup Series broadcasts available in 195 countries and 29 languages, NASCAR’s global reach is felt far and wide. Most recently, Daniel Suárez (Mexico) and Alon Day (Israel) joined the ranks of NASCAR Cup Series drivers who got their start in NASCAR’s international circuits.

The Dawn of eNASCAR

Building on more than 70 years of on-track success, NASCAR raced into the future with the launch of the eNASCAR in 2018. Aimed at fostering fan engagement and driver development, eNASCAR is uniquely positioned to drive the sport forward through the use of gaming and esports. The various initiatives under the eNASCAR umbrella will see drivers, teams and the industry come together like never before with the goal of creating a brighter and stronger future for the sport.

From Stock Cars To Sports Cars With IMSA

Exotic cars, international stars and premier road course and street circuits define the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the top level of sports car competition in North America. A total of 14 manufacturers and championship drivers from NASCAR, open-wheel and international sports car competition compete for the top step on the podium at prestigious endurance events such as the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen and Petit Le Mans.

World's Best Surfers Honored at 2024 Lexus WSL Awards

WSL Impact Award Recognizes Carissa Moore, Kanoa Igarashi, and Puamakamae DeSoto

WSL

Monday, January 29, 2024

BANZAI PIPELINE, Oahu, Hawaii, USA (Sunday, January 28, 2024) - The world's best surfers were honored at the Lexus WSL Awards last night, celebrating the achievements of the 2023 season and welcoming the start of the 2024 WSL Championship Tour.

The evening commemorated the newly crowned World Champions across the Championship Tour, Longboard Tour and World Junior Championships. The best performances, ground-breaking moments, and profound accomplishments from the 2023 season were also recognized.

Lexus WSL Awards | 2023 World Champions, Winners, and Honorees:

WSL World Champions: Caroline Marks (USA) and Filipe Toledo (BRA)

WSL Longboard World Champions: Soleil Errico (USA) and Kai Sallas (HAW)

WSL World Junior Champions: Sierra Kerr (AUS) and Jett Schilling (USA)

Challenger Series Winners: India Robinson (AUS) and Cole Houshmand (USA)

2023 CT Rookies of the Year: Caity Simmers (USA) and Ian Gentil (HAW)

2023 VISSLA CT Shaper of the Year: Matt "Mayhem" Biolos

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Title, Largest Wave Surfed (Paddle) - Female: Laura Enever (AUS)

WSL Impact Award Recognizes Carissa Moore, Kanoa Igarashi, and Puamakamae DeSoto

The WSL Impact Award recognizes individual surfers who demonstrate the greatest impact and outstanding effort to inspire, educate, and empower the global surf community to protect our ocean.

The WSL Impact Award was awarded to Carissa Moore (HAW), Kanoa Igarashi (JPN) and Puamakamae DeSoto (HAW), who each received a traditional Hawaiian "Alaia" surfboard created by local native Hawaiian artist, Leleo Kinimaka, of the Royal Hawaiian Woodwork Company.

First Stop: Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI

The 2024 WSL Championship Tour will commence with the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI on January 29 and holds a competition window through February 10, 2024. The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeauge.com and the free WSL app. Check out more new ways to watch from the WSL's broadcast partners. For fans watching in the United States, coverage of the competition's Quarterfinals and beyond will continue on WorldSurfLeague.com and ESPN+.

(WSL)

Combat Sports

UFC 

@UFC

 Fight Night

February 3, 2024

Apex Arena. Enterprise, Nevada

UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs Imavov Results

Nassourdine Imavov defeats Roman Dolidze by majority decision (49-44, 47-47, 48-46)

Renato Moicano defeats Drew Dober by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Randy Brown defeats Muslim Salikhov by TKO (strikes) at 3:17 of Round 1

Natalia Silva defeats Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Aliaskhab Khizriev and Makhmud Muradov declared a no contest (accidental eye poke) at 0:11 of Round 1

Charles Radtke defeats Gilbert Urbina by TKO (strikes) at 4:47 of Round 1

Molly McCann defeats Diana Belbita by submission (armbar) at 4:59 of Round 1

Charles Johnson defeats Azat Maksum by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Themba Gorimbo defeats Pete Rodriguez by TKO (strikes) at 0:32 of Round 1

JeongYeong Lee defeats Blake Bilder by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Luana Carolina defeats Julija Stoliaranenko by TKO (strikes) at 4:52 of Round 3

MarQuel Mederos defeats Landon Quinones by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Jamal Pogues defeats Thomas Petersen by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs Imavov Main Card Results

Charles Radtke defeats Gilbert Urbina by TKO (strikes) at 4:47 of Round 1

Aliaskhab Khizriev and Makhmud Muradov declared a no contest (accidental eye poke) at 0:11 of Round 1

Natalia Silva defeats Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Randy Brown defeats Muslim Salikhov by TKO (strikes) at 3:17 of Round 1

Co-Main Event: Renato Moicano defeats Drew Dober by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Main Event: Nassourdine Imavov defeats Roman Dolidze by majority decision (49-44, 47-47, 48-46)

Media Man: Who gets the W and who gets the L is just part of the story. Yes, winning matters without question, just as it did back in the schoolyard and school gym days for those who lived to tell that tale. The features and previews are the way to go. Getting to know the fighters. Why, how, who, the journey etc. Borrowing a page out of the pro wrestling playbook. There are so many fights these days, so getting to know the fighters and what drives them and the back story is more important than ever in many ways. Great teamwork from the UFC crew once again who put it all together for fight fans the world over.

Pro Wrestling

AEW 

@AEW

 

Third time's a charm! Swerve Strickland calls his shot against Hangman Page!

2/3/24, AEW Collision 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=V1Tdpd-NHkE&si=D8i7S3tP6bC7ef6P

"The new rankings are out. With that in mind let's bring out the number one contender for the AEW World Title, along with Prince Nana here is Severe Strickland" Tony Schiavone

"Swerve's House" fans

"Comon' boys. Here we go" Prince Nana

"So Swerve Strickland is the number one contender.. right behind him at number two, Hangman Adam Page" Kevin Kelly

"Nigel, do you have a problem with the rankings? Do you agree with Swerve at one and Hangman at 2"

"Absolutely. How do you argue with mathematics? Swere Strickland's matches with Adam Page really took his star up to the next level".. Nigel McGuinness 

"Haha. Hey Tony. You know it's Black History Month right"? SS

Media Man. Love Swerve. Talk about the It Factor. He was a good get. Already seems like the champion.  A gold belt will just make it official. SS looks to be a huge part of the future of All Elite Wrestling. 

Boxing News

Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk title fight rescheduled for May 18

Re-matches and dream matches have been pub, watercooler and township talk since as about as long as organised fighting has been around.

Add in talk of an injury, and its quite the Pandora's Box.

This covers boxing as well as MMA (mixed martial arts), and we could even include professional wrestling aka sports entertainment - the performace art. Let's include it, since we're now in WrestleMania Season, and "We Want Cody" is trending on X, partly thanks to boxer - wrestler cross over fighter Logan Paul. Trust LP to help us out with the peg-on, segway, and all that.

Pro fighting is a dangerous business and as is well documented, injuries frequently happen in training, be it sparring, or whatever other type of preparation.  Every fight or even training session may be the last (forever). Sometimes the validity and seriousness of the injury gets called into question by fans, other fighters, media and the public at large.

Pro wrestling legend Bruno Sammartio called B.S on the "heart attack" story Buddy Rogers went with circa May 1963.

Back to boxing, Fury's enjoy injury (cut) looks serious and many fight fans have now seen the leaked/distributed footage. Nasty! Some speculated Fury organised to get cut to delay or call off the right. Others said it, we didn't - just to clarify folks.

The Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk undisputed heavyweight championship bout has been rescheduled for May 18 in Saudi Arabia, the chairman of the kingdom's general entertainment authority, Turki Alalshikh, announced Saturday on "The MMA Hour." = affiliated/associated with somewhat embattled sports media powerhouse, ESPN.

Fury and Usyk were set to square off Feb. 17 in the Kingdom's capital, Riyadh, before the bout was postponed Friday after Fury suffered a deep cut over his right eye while sparring. The footage was in the trending type region on social media such as X and YouTube Shorts.

The rescheduled date was announced by Alalshikh as Fury sat alongside him; Usyk and manager extraordinaire Egis Klimas also joined the news media announcement from Spain.

"I arranged to spar 12 rounds with four different guys," Fury said on the program. "In Round 5, I got an elbow in the eye - a split eye - and obviously I've been to the hospital and have the 11 stitches.

"They have the medical reports, they have everything. Have a look at the eye. .. Nothing much anybody can do about getting a cut. ... I've never had one before (while sparring). First time for everything."

Alalshikh promptly promptly advised that if either boxer withdraws from the May 18 bout, he must forfeit $10 million from his purse; and also that one of them would still fight on that date. Saudi super sports promoters don't.. what's that saying - suffer fools. A cuz to Mr. T's "I pity the fool". Boxing franchise 'Rocky' has been back in the news if you missed it. Unfortunately regarding the recent dealth (Feb 2) of Carl Weathers who played Apollo Creed.

Addressing serious doubts from Usyk's team, news media and from social media keyboard warriors and others about the veracity of the injury, Alalshikh said he has a "special camera" that gives him access to Fury's training camp in Riyadh. He confirmed there was a serious cut that emerged from an accident in sparring.

Usyk said he simply smiled when he was informed of the postponement and proceeded to train.

Manager Klimas claimed on the show that Fury is "scared" and that he didn't want to fight Usyk.

"Why would I not want to fight for the biggest payday in my life and put 10 weeks in the training camp?" Fury responded.

On Saturday's line-up, Alalshikh also offered heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic a fight on the March 8 undercard of Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. He mentioned 6 possibilities: Daniel Dubois, Jared Anderson, Frank Sanchez, Agit Kabayel, Jarrell Miller and Martin Bakole.

Hrgovic advised media on Friday that he was willing to step up and replace Fury on Feb. 17.

Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) and Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) were due to fight in two weeks in the most highly anticipated heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson in 2002. Of course the world knows Fury vs former UFC/MMA figher Francis Ngannou got strong buzz, however many media commentors and pundits state that it did very average PPV (Pay-Per-View) numbers. UFC Dana White wasn't too kind to that  particular "giimmicky" fight.

Fury-Usyk was originally planned for December 23 before Fury has a very tough night in the boxing ring vs Ngannou in October in Riyadh. Fury was cut over the forehead and the left eye, ending in a split decision over Ngannou, who was making his professional boxing debut.

"Gypsy King" was knocked down (not out) Round 3, the 7th knockdown of his career. Fury and Usyk inked contracts for their long-awaited battle for the heavyweight throne weeks before Fury stepped through the ropes to battle Ngannou in a 10-round non-title bout.

Usyk, 36, is an Olympic gold medalist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion. The Ukraine native holds the WBA, WBO and IBF titles, belts he snatched from Joshua in 2021. Usyk retained the titles in the rematch with another decision over Joshua last summer in Saudi Arabia.

Usyk last fought in August, when he scored a ninth-round KO of Dubois in Poland. The UK's Fury fought twice in 2022, both TKO wins at soccer (football) stadiums in London (in April vs. Dillian Whyte and December vs. Derek Chisora).

This is Fury's second title reign. He bested another Ukrainian, Wladimir Klitschko, in 2015 for three heavyweight titles via decision in an upset. Fury never defended those titles and instead was out of the ring for two and a half years due to depression, sometimes called that "Black Dog" and substance abuse. He was up to 400-plus pounds during that time which is almost hard to believe. 

After Fury returned from the long break from the ring he established himself as one of boxing's top stars with a classic heavyweight title trilogy with Deontay Wilder, whom he stopped twice after a draw in the first meeting. Fury's third fight with Wilder was ESPN's 2021 Fight of the Year and KO of the Year.

The Fury-Usyk deal contains a two-way rematch clause, virtually ensuring two consecutive fights between the pair for millions of dollars.

PPV price on DAZN: $69.99

Betting Odds: Tyson Fury is the -125 favorite, while Oleksandr Usyk is the +110 underdog.

The Tale Of The Tape:

Tyson Fury record and bio

Nationality: British

Born: August 12, 1988

Height: 6-9

Reach: 85 inches

Total fights: 35

Record: 34-0-1 with 24 wins via knockout

Oleksandr Usyk record, bio

Nationality: Ukrainian

Born: January 17, 1987

Height: 6-3

Reach: 78 inches

Total fights: 21

Record: 21-0 with 14 wins via knockout

Pro Wrestling News

Apparently WWE US Champion Logan Paul 

@LoganPaul

 is quite the Cody Rhodes fan!

Prime Heel Maverick crossing over to Prime Babyface organically with fans leaping on "We Want Cody" trend.

Paul and Johnson have some history and LP hasn't been shy about sharing some of it via his hit Impaulsive podcast channel, also recently visited by John Cena.

Media Man: Shades of a Reverse Viking from 'Succession' hit show meets 'Billions' where H schooled Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti character) in the art of the "double turn".

WrestleMania 40 as well as the press/fan conference out of Vegas continues to buzz and in media vet terms, LP has done quite the X viral peg-on. The "We Want" trend has now taken on a life of its own.

Reminding some of one or two Goldberg type situations in and around the ring. If you know, you know! Look up Bret Hart as well as a former WWE/UFC fighter situation and start joining the dots.

The high drama continues out of the ring. What exactly the WWE powers that be may do to counter or even further satisfy fans remains to be seen.

Numerous pro wrestling entities such as former WCW Executive Eric Bischoff (83 Weeks) have become more vocal on the matter at hand.

The Rock and Cody Rhodes both have their legions of fans, as does Roman Reigns and Logan Paul for that matter.

It appears some kind of social media records are going to be broken in the lead up, during, and after the WrestleMania main event/s, one way or another!

Gonzo Journalism Flashback: "We can do this the hard way or the easy way" (Bruno Sammartino to Buddy Rogers). Madison Square Garden, New York. May 17, 1963. Don't you just love Wikipedia, YouTube and WWE history books.

WrestleMania Season is in full gear and Cody-Mania and Logan-Mania are runnin' wild brother!

The current WrestleMania 40 main event remains Roman Reigns vs Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

All correct at time of publication!

'Rocky,' 'Mandalorian' star Carl Weathers passes at 76

February 2, 2024

Actor Carl Weathers died Tuesday at age 76. Deadline confirmed the news via a statement from Weathers' family Friday and Variety with Weather's manager.

The family stated that Weathers "died peacefully in his sleep."

Weathers appeared in the first four Rocky movies as Apollo Creed. Apollo was Rocky's (Sylvester Stallone) opponent in the first two, trainer in the third and his death at the hands of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) motivated Rocky's fourth bout.

The Creed films follow Apollo's son, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan). The Drago family challenged Adonis in Creed II.

A diverse career spanned action movies like Predator and Action Jackson, comedies like Happy Gilmore and drama in TV's Chicago Justice.

Weathers recently appeared in and directed episodes of The Mandalorian. Weathers also voiced Combat Carl in the Toy Story franchise.

His movie career began with an uncredited appearance in the 1973 Dirty Harry sequel Magnum Force. He began directing with a 1995 episode of Renegade.

Sylvester Stallone is paying tribute to his longtime friend and Rocky co-star Carl Weathers, who died this week at the age of 76.

"We lost a legend yesterday. My life was forever changed for the better the day I met Carl Weathers. Rest in power and keeping punching," Stallone wrote on Instagram Friday.

Weathers played fictional boxer Apollo Creed to Stallone's Rocky Balboa in four Rocky movies.

Weathers is also known for his roles in The Mandalorian, Predator, Action Jackson, Chicago Justice and the Toy Story animated franchise.

Adam Sandler said on X of his Happy Gilmore co-star: "A true great man. Great dad. Great actor. Great athlete. So much fun to be around always.

"Smart as hell. Loyal as hell," Sandler added. "Funny as hell. Loved his sons more than anything. What a guy!! Everyone loved him. My wife and I had the best times with him every time we saw him. Love to his entire family and Carl will always be known as a true legend."

Pascal posted, "Words fail," alongside a broken heart emoji and photo of Weathers on Instagram.

Jesse Ventura, actor, wrestlers and truth teller + via X: We lost an icon. Carl Weathers was a phenomenal talent, a true professional, and a dear friend. All my sympathies and love to his family. I loved working with him on Predator and then celebrating that film with him at various conventions in the ensuing years.  Thank you, Carl.

Weathers' life and death has been a topic of conversation not just in and around showbiz - the movie and television industry, but also in combat sports circles and in society at large. Rocky was likely his most famous work, but his body of work grew to be outstanding. He had a beautiful vibe about him and this resonated through the lens across the world - Media Man

Pro Wrestling

WWE 

@WWE

 SmackDown

Kevin Owens is not finished with Logan Paul: SmackDown highlights, Feb. 2, 2024

"And see on Saturday I didn't walk away with the title but I got to tell you Logan..it was a morale victory" Kevin Owens

"I was playing chess. You were playing Go fish son" Logan Paul

"I don't need brass knux to beat your dumb ass" KO

"Referee, if your back there. Fantastic work. You should be proud of yourself" KO

"I'm going to focus on whatever it is that I do that is amazing and I'm going to find. real challenger".. LP

Media Man: Excellent exchange between these two greats. Keen to see a rematch at some point. KO appears more keen than LP! 

Boxing News

Tyson Fury -Oleksandr Usyk Fight Postponded After Fury Suffers Cut In Sparring

The undisputed heavyweight championship fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk has been postponed after Fury suffered a “freak cut” in sparring, promoters announced Friday.

The fight was scheduled to take place on Feb. 17 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia but will now be postponed until later in the year after Fury sustained a cut below his right eyebrow which required “urgent medical attention and significant stitching,” according to a statement from Queensbery Promotions, which co-promotes Fury with Top Rank.

“I am absolutely devastated after preparing for this fight for so long and being in such superb condition,” said Fury (34-0-1, 24 knockouts), The Ring’s No. 1-rated heavyweight and WBC titleholder, in a statement.

“I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye has healed. I can only apologize to everyone affected, including my own team, Team Usyk, the undercard fighters, partners and fans as well as our hosts and my friends in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

Media Man: As we've said over the decades, That's Boxing!!!

Video (now somewhat out of date)!

DAZN Boxing YouTube  The Best Trailer Ever?! Watch Fury vs. Usyk Live GLOBALLY on DAZN

https://youtube.com/watch?v=t1IiX9Yw_6s&ab_channel=DAZNBoxing

(Sources: Ring Magazine, Queensbery Promotions, Top Rank, Wires, WBC and X)

Mind, Body and Spirit

The Wheels and Cogs Of The Universe

Purposes and Meaning

Combination of personal and professional interests

Sustainability of business and Mother Nature

Risk Management

Where The Mind Goes The Body Follows

Water Is Life

Everything is from the Earth/Universe Elements

Creation of own Universe and Domain

Information Receptors

Mindful of company kept

Formulas and Systems

Frequency with 3, 6 and 9

Gamification of business

Business endeavours for fun and enjoyment

Knowing one's worth

Adaption to world and creating own version and portal

Ancient knowledge shared via niche media

Self Sufficiency Mindsets

Think to become

Philosophy for enhancement of life

Higher Power

Martial Arts 

Self Development

University Of Life

Help and receive 

Network 

Goals dreams and aspirations

Meditation 

Ying and Yang

The Power Of Now and Being

Zen

Wrestling and Streaming Biz

Pro Wrestling Media War Afoot In Australia

What Are The Rules; No Holds Barred?!

TKO including WWE vs FOX And The Hound?

WWE  New Tag Team Partner Is Netflix

WWE Elimination Chamber at Optus Stadium, Perth, West Australia February 24.

World's leading pro wrestling promotion and content creator/producer WWE is due to bodyslam down under Australia at the end of the month however there may be a problem that requires fixing. Maybe a special ref could be in order! Don't want to involve the Australian government more and more than at the basic level right?!

Don't worry fight fans of the performance art genre. It's not an in-ring problem, but on the business side of things as TKO has announced its new streaming partner for numerous countries (5 +) will be Netlix (but Aussie's get their WWE Raw (and SmackDown) via The Foxtel Group (Foxtel, BINGE or Kayo Sports).

Confussed already? That's what we thought. The bean counters don't want to be confussed any futher, as they already have a lot of files to go though from decades gone past. If you know, you know, as UFC top brass Dana White is known to say. Or, how about on a need to know basis. WWE admin is extremly busy at present, and we're not going to repeat the most serious global headlines here.

Last week world's leading streaming company Netflix announced a $5 billion deal with the pro wrestling king of of the mountain, advising it had snatched (legally) the exclusive rights to WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, in the USA, Canada, UK, and Latin America, from January 2025.

In a statement issued to all and sundry , TKO Group (parent of WWE), confirmed that Netflix will “become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the US as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events”, throwing in “additional countries and regions” will be “added over time”. How long is  piece or string or a bullrope in a match? Hardcores flashback to the late, great, Dusty Rhodes and Terry Funk.

Foxtel Group’s “multi-year partnership” with WWE, which was inked in 2022, was understood to mean that Aussie WWE fans would not be impacted by the news, that has now changed.

At time of publication Netflix Oz has not confirmed when the change-over/migration the streaming service will take place. That's akin to changing tag team partners!

Australia based WWE fans can still sleep well knowing WWE is on the way and that one way or another they will continue to get their RAW and SmackDown.

Late last year FOX's Lachlan Murdoch did make a statement regarding FOX not going to renew WWE media rights, and so WWE became pro active in securing another partner and obviously hit the jackpot on a global scale. Pro wrestling challenger brand has been having talks with WBS.  But, will rising tides lift all boats? Media execs are always crunching numbers and look at things such as ratings and return on investment.

The Netflix b2b nears closer to a final conclusion for punters as WWE prepares to wow Perth at the end of the month. Elimination Chamber is the premium live event special leading right into WrestleMania season.

Is pro wrestling real? Stupid question. Are movies real? When stuntmen and stunt women perform is that real? When MMA (mixed martial artists) get hurt in sparring and training sessions before stepping in an UFC Octagon or the like, is that real?! There are rules of engagement and every industry has its secrets. A number of WWE wrestlers are currently recoving from injuries endured in the heat of battle. Some keep on stepping in the squared circle, while others are rehabbing away from the ring and other roster members from the prime WWE rooster as well as WWE NXT step up. Superstars or today, legends of tomorrow.

There's only one WWE and its the hottest ticket in town. WWE is the star, and the world beater has a stacked roster of stars. Together they may just present the greatest show on earth. P. T. Barnum would be proud and WWE's Triple H continues to take the business of show business to the next level. Game On for Aussies and sports entertainment fans the world over.

James Bond News

In 2021, Daniel Craig played James Bond for the fifth and final time in 'No Time to Die'.

Over two years later, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli still have not announced who will be getting the keys to the Aston Martin for the next 007 blockbuster.

The vast majoriy of 007 fans across the globe want a 007 who represents the traditional Bond they have come to know and love.

Who Is Bond?

The James Bond film series is a British series of spy films based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond, "007", who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. There have been twenty-five films in total released between 1962 and 2021 and produced by Eon Productions, which now holds the adaptation rights to all of Fleming's Bond novels. 

Bond has been portrayed in these films by six actors: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig.

Media Man Biz Terms

Disruptor: a company or form of technology that causes radical change in an existing industry or market by means of innovation. 

"the company is becoming a major disruptor in the media, ad and PR industry" 

"Logan Paul radically disrupted both the pro wrestling and sports/energy drink sector"

"Jake Paul, Logan Paul and KSO proved to be disruptors in the boxing industry including with the Misfits Boxing promotion. Jake Paul was elevated to such a level he was signed on both PFL, backed by the Saudis, further disrupting professional combat sports"

"Rebel News hard hitting and no B.S approach to news media journalism without corporate monetary kickbacks proved to be a massive disruptor in the Canadian and Australian news media sector causing significant headaches for politicians and helped amplify the voice of the community at large. Rebel News also encouraged citizens to become citizen journalists and podcasts, and they further threw light on situations that some mainstream news media outlets were not covering".

Nikola Telsa  (10 July [O.S. 28 June] 1856 – 7 January 1943 was an early disruptor of the energy, engineering and utilities industry. So much so that many dirty corporate and government tricks and tactics were used against him to prevent the wide distribution of free energy for the citizens of the United States.

Wrestling News

WrestleMania  Season ignites discussion about who should be in the next round for the WWE 

Hall Of Fame

Current Names Attracting Buzz Under The Watercooler

Lex Luger, Jim Cornette & Sable have all got solid to strong support, including from WWE NXT 

@WWENXT

 commentator and Hall Of Fame podcast personality, Booker T 

@BookerT5x

 "Oh Yes"! as Booker would say.

Additional names drawing in discussion include Cyndi Lauper (who Media Man pitched a number of times over the past almost decade)! Who is the mongrel in the WWE blocking it? Perhaps they won't be blocked any longer in today's WWE?! Ken Shamrock is long overdue. Lex Luger and Daniel Bryan (current wrestling elsewhere, are also under discussion).

Tag Teams, The Nasty Boys and Demolition and wrestling personality Jim Cornette has been known to pitch tag teams he managed to greatness decades ago. Have a listen to Corney's podcast if you care. NSFW is often the case with Mr Cornette, and don't even start us on his politics! (real politics, not wrestling politics). 

Managers - Paul Heyman, your time may be now sir!

Debate is open for Brock Lesnar, Gangrel, Doink The Clown (choose 1 or 2) and Outback Jack. Ok, some satire. Remember, entertainment value and fan response is also a factor. Pro wrestling aka sports entertainment is subjective in nature and a reminder that pro wrestling is not a pure sport, however most of the top wrestlers over the past decade plus have been very technical.

Under the Media Man watercooler is was discussed that there's a couple of pro wrestlers who may have been strong draws for 5 to 10 years but they known for hurting opponents through clumsiness, poor training or whatever the case. Mistakes can and do happen in pro wrestler, but they are a couple who should be disqualified from even being seriously considered. No names, but the industry knows who they are.

Ending on a high note, enjoy today's Royal Rumble and the upcoming WrestleMania and Hall of Fame. Oh, CM Punk for the win (and also for serious consideration for the WWE Hall of Fame)

Streaming Business News

Netflix Streaming Service Riding High Once Again

Netflix  spruiks record breaking subscriber numbers after account sharing crackdown; Consumer backlash appears over

Global streaming giant Netflix added a record number of new subscribers in the fourth quarter, driven by strong demand for programs such as the long-running royal drama ‘The Crown’.

Just 5 days ago Netflix and world's leading pro wrestling promotion, WWE 

@WWE

 advised the popular WWE RAW show will be carried by Netflix for numerous countries (U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America) from January 2025.

The streaming platform has reached approx 260 million subscribers and added just over 13 million of those in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The spike in subscriber count is partly attributed to Netflix’s crackdown on account sharing during the past 12 months.

The company said in a media release they believe they have successfully "cracked down" on all accounts.

The news comes are more unofficial sports and entertainment PPV based websites hit the web. Those with a well trained eye can notice the tell tale sales on the pirate based streaming sites. Due it its popularity the combat sports sector is seeing a number of bad actors arise, but many are being shut down very quicky advised the Media Man Group agency. Over the past number of decades Media Man has helped officially promote a number of official streaming and online PPV sites including TrillerTV (formally FITE), WWE Network, Netflix and Ring Divas.

Netflix posted an impressive yearly revenue of $US8.8 billion last year, exceeding analysts' forecasts.

Media Man: Netflix is riding a way of momentium and will be certainly renewing our subscription again soon, especially as the WWE, wrestling and combat sports programming continues to ramp up. Sports content with a pop culture edge sells and draws in the numbers. It's also possible that Netflix Games may eventually add some extra WWE themed games to the existing portfolio which features 'Escape The Undertaker'.

Mark Down: Drive To Survive (F1), upcoming MMA based movies (rumours of Dwayne Johnson input), and more WWE related content, now that the ink is dry for the official start of WWE RAW on Netflix next year.

Podcasting News

(In case you missed it)

Podcasters are the Most Trusted Media Personalities Among US Consumers, New Acast Research Finds

PRESS RELEASE - October 18, 2023

Acast, the world’s largest independent podcast company, today released the results of a new research study that shows podcasts are a highly trusted medium among US consumers. According to the study of US consumers, 64% of podcast listeners actively seek out podcasters and create time for their content -the most of any other tested media personality - making the time spent with podcasts highly engaging and intentional.

These findings come at a time when trust in US media has hit an all time low, with half of Americans reported to believe that national news organizations deliberately mislead them, according to research from Gallup and the Knight Foundation. In this era of skepticism and misinformation, podcasters are emerging as the trustworthy figures of the media industry.

In fact, according to Acast’s research, half of podcast listeners trust podcasters, the most of any other tested medium. The second most trusted is YouTubers, with 44% of YouTube consumers saying they trust these media personalities. Notably, with YouTube emerging as a leading platform for podcast consumption, many of these sought-after YouTube personalities are also podcasters.

“Trust in US media has been deteriorating in recent years as a result of socio-political unrest and conflicting coverage by news outlets on the same events. As US consumers have lost confidence in traditional media, they have increasingly turned to podcasters as a source of truth,” said Acast Director of Research and Insights Tommy Walters. “During times of hardship and uncertainty - like the start of the pandemic and the beginning of the war in Ukraine - at Acast we have consistently seen audiences flock to podcasts for deep conversations and analysis over clickbait headlines. When it comes to product endorsements, we have also seen audiences be more trusting of podcaster recommendations than any other form of media.”

For advertisers, podcasting is ripe with opportunity as US consumers say they seek out podcasters above all other media personality types when looking for product endorsements. According to this study, 75% of podcast listeners say they have listened to a podcaster for a product endorsement, compared to the 62% of social media users who have sought out social media creators and just 55% cable viewers who have considered cable TV personalities.

Importantly, this study also revealed that podcasters give quality product and brand endorsements. According to the research, 73% of US consumers who have acted on a podcast endorsement said the podcaster gave a good endorsement and they were happy with what they received.

Social Media Wars Heat Up

Meta Gets Grilled By U.S Congress

Meta and Facebook can't stay out of the news

We didn't get Zuck vs Musk in an UFC Octagon, or even via backyard broadcast via X, but we do get Zuck vs Congress and indi news media across the world is pleased to share it...

Mark Zuckerberg’s apology doesn't impress New Mexico AG!

Mr Zuckerberg has apologised to the parents of online child sexual abuse victims during a senate probe, but the apology was flatly dismissed by one of the state attorney generals suing the big tech bully boy who made his name for rating dorm girls on the web. Ah, the foundation of some of these big tech firms, and you wondered why some of the tech biz firms are so screwed up.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg’s stunning apology to the parents of online child sex abuse victims during a Senate hearing was “too little, too late,” according to one of the state attorney generals currently suing the embattled social media giant.

New Mexico attorney general Raúl "The Teminator" (our term, not hers) Torrez, whose office has sued Meta for exposing kids to adult sex content and alleged child predators, was on Capitol Hill on this past Wednesday as a "Zoo" (meme from the www) Zuckerberg told parents he was “sorry for everything you have all been through.”

“Mr. Zuckerberg has appeared before Congress numerous in the past, and its not because he's going a good or great job. He has given assurances on the safety of his platforms many times before,” Torrez told The Post. “It seems that once the spotlight fades, they go right back to doing business as usual.”

Senate Republicans, including Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham, each dismissed Meta’s pitched safety measures as ineffective during harsh exchanges and barbs with Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg, who surprised the hearing’s attendees by standing up from his podium and speaking directly to the audience, told parents that “no one should go through the things that your families have suffered.”

Earlier, Zuckerberg testified that his company had spent $5 billion on safety last year. ZB shows that throwing money at some problems doesn't always work.

Torrez dissed Zuckerberg’s apology.

“It was clear to me that members of the committee have lost any faith in the leadership of these companies – particularly Mr. Zuckerberg,” he said. “I think the American people are skeptical and parents remain deeply concerned about the kind of content we uncovered in our investigation.”

Lawmakers from both parties argued that tech firms should lose liability shields, such as Section 230, that protect them from directly being sued by victims. Torrez said Section 230 was “enacted in a totally different era” and should either be eliminated or “severely” restricted.

The Facebook founder’s apology also scored a zero with Fairplay, an advocacy group that supports the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act, which would impose a “duty of care” on social media platforms and other tech firms to protect minors from dangerous content.

“If anybody still thought Meta was capable of self-regulation, today’s hearing should have disabused them of that notion,” Fairplay executive director Josh Golin told The Post.

“Zuckerberg’s tone-deaf evasions and mumbled half-hearted apologies make clear that Congress needs to act and pass the Kids Online Safety Act.”

MZ is personally named as a defendant in New Mexico’s suit, which is based on findings of a lengthy probe in which state investigators set up test accounts for four fictional children.

The accounts were allegedly bombarded with disturbing messages, including “pictures and videos of genitalia” and horrific sexual propositions from adult users.

“He needs to not think about these decisions simply as a business executive. He’s a parent – start acting like it,” Torrez said.

“Place the same kind of safeguards and protections that he would demand for his own children and apply them to his business. If he did that, we’d all be in a better place.”

Meta did not immediately return a request for comment.

As media reported, an unredacted version of the suit cited an internal 2021 Meta presentation that found “100,000 children per day received online sexual harassment, such as pictures of adult genitalia.”

The complaint included communications among Meta staffers discussing problems with online sex exploitation on the platform, with one worker describing the company’s inaction as “really, really upsetting.”

The attorney general’s office alleged Meta “knew about the huge volume of inappropriate content being shared between adults and minors they did not know” – and that Zuckerberg made business decision that placed children at risk.

Meta and Facebook remain in the top tier of the world's most embatted and distructed brands, in company to the likes of Disney and in the news media sector, The New York Times.

(Source: X, Search Engine Land, Search Engine Journal, FOX News, Wires, New York Post and tip offs)

Wrestling and Streaming Biz

Pro Wrestling Media War Afoot In Australia

What Are The Rules; No Holds Barred?!

TKO including WWE vs FOX And The Hound?

WWE  New Tag Team Partner Is Netflix

WWE Elimination Chamber at Optus Stadium, Perth, West Australia February 24.

World's leading pro wrestling promotion and content creator/producer WWE is due to bodyslam down under Australia at the end of the month however there may be a problem that requires fixing. Maybe a special ref could be in order! Don't want to involve the Australian government more and more than at the basic level right?!

Don't worry fight fans of the performance art genre. It's not an in-ring problem, but on the business side of things as TKO has announced its new streaming partner for numerous countries (5 +) will be Netlix (but Aussie's get their WWE Raw (and SmackDown) via The Foxtel Group (Foxtel, BINGE or Kayo Sports).

Confussed already? That's what we thought. The bean counters don't want to be confussed any futher, as they already have a lot of files to go though from decades gone past. If you know, you know, as UFC top brass Dana White is known to say. Or, how about on a need to know basis. WWE admin is extremly busy at present, and we're not going to repeat the most serious global headlines here.

Last week world's leading streaming company Netflix announced a $5 billion deal with the pro wrestling king of of the mountain, advising it had snatched (legally) the exclusive rights to WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, in the USA, Canada, UK, and Latin America, from January 2025.

In a statement issued to all and sundry , TKO Group (parent of WWE), confirmed that Netflix will “become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the US as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events”, throwing in “additional countries and regions” will be “added over time”. How long is  piece or string or a bullrope in a match? Hardcores flashback to the late, great, Dusty Rhodes and Terry Funk.

Foxtel Group’s “multi-year partnership” with WWE, which was inked in 2022, was understood to mean that Aussie WWE fans would not be impacted by the news, that has now changed.

At time of publication Netflix Oz has not confirmed when the change-over/migration the streaming service will take place. That's akin to changing tag team partners!

Australia based WWE fans can still sleep well knowing WWE is on the way and that one way or another they will continue to get their RAW and SmackDown.

Late last year FOX's Lachlan Murdoch did make a statement regarding FOX not going to renew WWE media rights, and so WWE became pro active in securing another partner and obviously hit the jackpot on a global scale. Pro wrestling challenger brand has been having talks with WBS.  But, will rising tides lift all boats? Media execs are always crunching numbers and look at things such as ratings and return on investment.

The Netflix b2b nears closer to a final conclusion for punters as WWE prepares to wow Perth at the end of the month. Elimination Chamber is the premium live event special leading right into WrestleMania season.

Is pro wrestling real? Stupid question. Are movies real? When stuntmen and stunt women perform is that real? When MMA (mixed martial artists) get hurt in sparring and training sessions before stepping in an UFC Octagon or the like, is that real?! There are rules of engagement and every industry has its secrets. A number of WWE wrestlers are currently recoving from injuries endured in the heat of battle. Some keep on stepping in the squared circle, while others are rehabbing away from the ring and other roster members from the prime WWE rooster as well as WWE NXT step up. Superstars or today, legends of tomorrow.

There's only one WWE and its the hottest ticket in town. WWE is the star, and the world beater has a stacked roster of stars. Together they may just present the greatest show on earth. P. T. Barnum would be proud and WWE's Triple H continues to take the business of show business to the next level. Game On for Aussies and sports entertainment fans the world over.

Surfing Industry News

WSL Welcomes New and Returning Partners to 2024 Championship Tour

January 24, 2024

The World Surf League (WSL)  is thrilled to announce its new and returning partners ahead of the 2024 Championship Tour (CT) season.

“Backed by the strongest partnership presence on record, the WSL is poised for a great year of excitement and growth,” said Cherie Cohen, WSL Chief Revenue Officer. “Working with innovative and authentic partners allows us to elevate the sport as well as drive real value by enhancing brand visibility through engaging fan activations and mutually beneficial marketing campaigns.”

Celebrating More Ways to Watch with ESPN+ and Global Broadcast Partners

ESPN

New for 2024, the WSL has announced a rights agreement in the United States with ESPN. For the first time, fans can watch all ten WSL CT events, as well as the US Open of Surfing Challenger Series event, live on ESPN+. In addition, 11 episodes of WSL: Inside Pro Surfing, an all-access deep dive into the CT and its character-driven storylines, will be aired on ESPN2 throughout the year. The deal will allow WSL to bring the sport to more viewers and new audiences in the US via ESPN’s digital subscribers as well as on linear television.

Seven Network + Foxtel Group In Australia 

The WSL and the Seven Network announced a fifth-consecutive year of partnership for the 2024 season with Seven continuing as the official free-to-air broadcaster of the WSL in Australia. The partnership extension will see all WSL CT events and Australian Challenger Series events broadcast live on 7plus, as well as the WSL Finals being broadcast live on a Seven free-to-air channel. 2024 will also see the continuation of the Bells Beach Longboard Classic on 7plus programming, with the event also going live and on demand.

Australian viewers will also be able to catch WSL content and all CT events on Fox Sports Australia and Kayo Sports for a sixteenth consecutive year, thanks to a new one-year deal between Foxtel Group and the WSL. In addition to this, all Challenger Series events, as well as the Bells Beach Longboard Classic, will be streamed live on Kayo Sports along with Foxtel, scheduling permitting. Fans can also enjoy WSL-produced feature shows and highlights from all events on demand on Kayo Sports.

GLOBO

The WSL will continue offering Brazilian fans access to event coverage through GLOBO, one of the world’s leading broadcasters, sharing the excitement and passion of professional surfing with millions of fans in Brazil.

Eurosport

Eurosport, owned by Discovery, remains the WSL’s European distribution partner and this year is also the European rights holder for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Eurosport will broadcast the WSL: Inside Pro Surfing series on its television channels and will also livestream CT events in their entirety via Discovery+ in the territory.

Introducing New Global and Title Partners: Lexus, Eventbrite, Bonsoy

Lexus

Lexus joins the WSL CT as the Title Partner of the Lexus Pipe Pro and an official automotive partner of the Sunset Pro. The leading luxury car brand will also join as an official partner of the annual WSL Awards, celebrating surfers’ exceptional achievements from the 2023 season. Lexus will introduce its latest vehicle, the 2024 Lexus GX 550, through engaging on-site activations throughout the WSL’s Hawaii competitions from January 29 through February 22, 2024. In collaboration with Complex Networks, fans will have the opportunity to explore the vehicle through on-beach displays, providing an up-close look at the cutting-edge design features that define the Lexus brand. Lexus and Complex will also curate an elevated dining experience at the Lexus Pipe Pro for VIPs and athletes to highlight and celebrate the culinary expertise and mastery of local chefs. Complex and First We Feast will also spotlight the experience on its social channels throughout the 2024 kickoff.

Eventbrite

2024 will see Eventbrite, a global events marketplace, step into the role of exclusive ticketing partner for women’s surfing on the CT and the US Open of Surfing. To celebrate the partnership, Eventbrite will launch a WSL-inspired collection offering top event picks happening across the US during the WSL CT kickoff, in addition to further collections highlighting curated ticketed experiences in and around the US Open of Surfing and the WSL Finals. The WSL and Eventbrite will also collaborate on a visual content-driven marketing campaign to bring the surfing community to Eventbrite’s unique events and experiences.

Bonsoy

Bonsoy has expanded its partnership with the WSL from events in the APAC region to globally with the Championship Tour, Challenger Series and Longboard Tour. The new global deal will see Bonsoy become the Official Milk and Coconut Water of the WSL. 2024 will also see Bonsoy become the title partner for the Gold Coast Pro Challenger Series event while continuing as the presenting partner of the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and Sydney Surf Pro Challenger Series event.

Thanks to its continued success in previous seasons, the Bonsoy Caddy Program will continue across three major events in Australia. The Bonsoy Athlete Area will activate at the US Open Challenger Series event as well as both Challenger Series events in Australia. Bonsoy is also excited to announce that WSL Commentator Kaipo Guerrera will become a Bonsoy ambassador in 2024, featuring in broadcast integrations and branded content.

Returning Partners Apple Watch, Red Bull Bring Athlete Performance to New Heights for 2024 CT

Apple Watch

For the second year, Apple Watch will be the official wearable equipment of the WSL. This season the elite CT athletes will continue to get access to the WSL Surfer app on Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, which syncs with the WSL Scoring System in real-time to give them all the information they need while in the water during competition, including scores, wave priority, and time in the heat. Apple Watch is uniquely suited for this task due to its large bright screen, durable design, and cellular connectivity.

Red Bull

Red Bull has joined for its sixth year of global partnership. In their relentless pursuit to support peak performance, Red Bull’s athlete-first approach will continue during the 2024 season, with enhancements planned for the Red Bull Athlete Zones at each CT stop. This year, fans will also be able to experience every heart-pounding moment of the Big Wave competitions live, courtesy of Red Bull TV.

Vissla Shaper Rankings

The Vissla Shaper Rankings will also return this year. The season-long battle to determine the best high-performance surfboard shapers tracks the performance of the best surfers in the world via combined men’s and women’s rankings, counting Quarterfinal-or-better finishes at each of the 9 CT stops this season. These rankings determine the winner after the regular-season CT events, ahead of the WSL Finals. There are 13 shapers who provide surfboards for all the CT competitors this year, and by bringing these performance-driven individuals to the forefront, Vissla and the WSL continue to honor the heritage and progression of the sport.

Welcoming Key Title Partners and Global Sustainability Partners

SHISEIDO

SHISEIDO continues its partnership with the WSL as the Official Suncare of the WSL, a Global WSL CT partner, and a Global Sustainability Partner of the WSL and WSL One Ocean. SHISEIDO will be the Title Partner for Stop No. 6 on the CT, the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro, scheduled for May 22 – 31, 2024. SHISEIDO will host on-site activations, including sunscreen and suncare stations where fans can sample and purchase products, as well as the production of co-branded in-broadcast vignettes designed to promote sustainability throughout the season.

Corona

Corona and the WSL have struck a partnership for the eighth consecutive year. As the esteemed Title Partner for the return of the Fiji Pro, Corona further solidifies its commitment to the world of professional surfing. 

Corona will also build on the 2023 season’s release of “Corona Lay Days,” a behind-the-scenes look at what the CT surfers do on their days off from competition. 

Corona plans to highlight the breathtaking locations and extraordinary experiences that can be found at each event through engaging original content featuring the beautiful and diverse locations that play host to the CT.

This year, Corona’s steadfast commitment to sustainability takes center stage with its continued work alongside WSL One Ocean, furthering the shared mission to protect and preserve the world’s oceans for generations to come. Together, the WSL and Corona are set to deliver unparalleled fan experiences and foster a deeper connection between surf enthusiasts and the natural world.

YETI

The WSL and YETI are proud to continue their second year of partnership after a very successful first season.

YETI will kick off its 2024 partnership with an elevated position as the Presenting Partner of the prestigious Pipe Pro. YETI will be activating onsite at ʻEhukai Beach Park, offering custom engraving with proceeds benefiting the Mauka to Makai Makaha Foundation. In addition, YETI will be promoting the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI in their new flagship Honolulu store, offering official merchandise in support of their WSL CT Athlete, John John Florence.

YETI also continues its commitment to sustainability as a Global Sustainability Partner of WSL One Ocean, integrating sustainability into its core operations and aligning with the WSL One Ocean initiatives.

Mananalu Water

The WSL is pleased to announce a new partnership with Mananalu Water – actor Jason Momoa’s aluminum-bottled water brand on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics. As an Official Canned Water Partner, Mananalu will be the exclusive canned water onsite at the World Surf League’s North American events, including the US Open of Surfing, the WSL Finals, the Lexus Pipe Pro, and more. Mananalu will also be an Official Partner of WSL PURE, the league’s 501(c)(3), which runs an annual grant program to support global non-profit organizations focused on improving the health of global ocean ecosystems.

805 Beer

805 Beer will also continue its partnership with the WSL, with the quality brewed beverage having become a cornerstone of the WSL live event experience (for fans aged 21 and over). The WSL and 805 Beer are excited to expand the partnership in a way that authentically embodies the essence of surfing and its community. In addition to the partnership extension, Firestone Walker and the WSL are excited to extend their collaborative apparel line celebrating their partnership that promotes “Drinking Local. Surfing Global” (for fans aged 21 years and over), available online and in surf shops across the country.

Pura Vida

Pura Vida returns for a third year as the Presenting Partner of WSL Rising Tides, continuing their commitment to empowering young girls in local communities through the transformative power of surfing. WSL Rising Tides provides once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for girls to connect with their surfing heroes, inspiring them to chase their dreams in and out of the water. Pura Vida’s partnership goes beyond local activations; they’ll be weaving inspiring content into the WSL’s live broadcasts and social media platforms, showcasing the stories of young surfers and the impact of Rising Tides on a global scale.

Continuing Regional Partnerships

WSL APAC is excited to continue partnerships with mophie and Bailey Ladders in 2024, thanks to new contract extensions with each organization. In addition to the Tahiti Pro, mophie has expanded its partnership to include the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach and the Fiji Pro in 2024. Bailey Ladders will include their Weather Guard product as part of the deal for the Gold Coast Pro. WSL APAC has announcements of several more partners coming through the 2024 season.

WSL LATAM region continues its partnerships with leaders of top-tier corporations such as TV Globo, Vivo, Banco do Brasil, Natura, Unilever, and governmental support from the Rio de Janeiro State Government and the City of Saquarema.

The first stop on the 2024 WSL Championship Tour is the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI, opening on January 29, 2024, and holding a competition window through February 10. The event will broadcast LIVE on http://WorldSurfLeague.com and the free WSL app. 

Check out all the new ways to watch from the WSL’s broadcast partners.

For more information, please visit  http://WorldSurfLeague.com

About the WSL

The World Surf League (WSL) is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfing. The WSL oversees surfing’s global competitive landscape and sets the standard for elite performance in the most dynamic playing field in all of sports. With a firm commitment to its values, the WSL prioritizes the protection of the ocean, equality, and the sport’s rich heritage, while championing progression and innovation.

Combat Sports

'Tyrant Chatri is the best!' The $500 million dollar black ship arrived in Japan at ONE 165 - January 2024

Chatri Sityodong embraced every stereotype of Dana White and raised all sorts of hell. How will his enemies respond?

Chatri Sityodong unabashedly exhibits every stereotype Japanese fight fans believe when it comes to foreign promoters and politicians like Dana White & Donald Trump.

In his (con)quest to build Japan as a key destination for ONE, Chatri has managed to acquire some key business partners — and then has promptly trashed the quality of fighters in Japan while proclaiming that his company is bigger than the “club status” of domestic rivals who he may — or may not have — wanted to do business with. Even Chatri’s own long-time Japanese associates, like Shinya Aoki, are no longer holding back criticism — contractual provisions be damned.

he environment Chatri fostered in Japan for his major ONE 165 event this past Sunday at Ariake Arena with top kickboxing star Takeru was exactly the kind of nightmarish scenario PRIDE fans envisioned after Dana White & UFC purchased the PRIDE assets in 2007. The boorish outsider coming into a major market, wanting money from the Japanese fight fans while putting himself over at the same time as the leader of global martial arts. Throw in non-stop burying of the quality of domestic gyms and promoters as third-rate jokes. Imagine a marketing combination of a pick-up artist’s “negging” playbook married with old-school Sherdog message board shit-posting.

This attitude, combined with two key Japanese business partnerships — one with kickboxer Takeru and one with Yuji Kitano, the hyper-aggressive fight producer for TV-Asahi backed digital channel ABEMA — produced a combustible yet intoxicating can’t-miss content mix for ONE’s biggest show ever at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

Chatri’s bully pulpit, highlighted by his own admission of “over $500 million dollars” in venture capital backing, created a grand experiment in Asia’s biggest stage. How the ONE event played out reinforced the accuracy of an old fight adage: it’s better to be interesting and hated rather than be boring but loved...

(Bloody Elbow)

Movies: North American Box Office - Feb 4, 2024

Argylle, is No. 1 in North America, earning $18 million in receipts this weekend, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday.

Coming in at No. 2 is The Chosen: Season 4 Episodes 1-3 with $6 million, followed by The Beekeeper at No. 3 with $5.3 million, Wonka at No. 4 with $4.8 million and Migration at No. 5 with $4.1 million.

Rounding out the top tier are Mean Girls at No. 6 with $4 million, Anyone But You at No. 7 with $3.5 million, American Fiction at No. 8 with $2.3 million, Poor Things at No. 9 with $2.1 million and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom at No. 10 with $2 million.