Media Man News

Saturday, December 16, 2023

Media Man News Blog: Wrestling, MMA and Pop Culture

Media Man News Blog

Wrestling, MMA, Sports Entertainment and Pop Culture


















Pro Wrestling Promotions


Media Man Top Promotions and Brands ranked from the top


*subjective in nature

*no financial inducements or favors involved in the ranking. Based on merit alone and decades of being a fan, keen observer (and sometimes campaign assistant), as well as independent (for the most part) sports writer.


WWE @WWE WrestleMania @WrestleMania 

WWE SmackDown

WWE RAW

NXT TV @WWENXT 

NXT PPVs

AEW (All Elite Wrestling) and NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) - tied 

GCW (Game Changer Wrestling)

Impact Wrestling (currently reverting back to TNA Wrestling)

Stardom 

Shimmer

AAA

AAA TripleMania

CMLL

MLW

ROH (Ring Of Honor)

PWG

IWA and AWF (tied)

Progress Wrestling 

NJPW (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)


*WWE, NXT (and UFC - MMA) are all part of TKO Group 


#WrestleMania #SmackDown #WWERaw #WWENXT

#prowrestling #wrestling #wrestlingpromotions #wrestlingpromoters #popculture #combatsports #livesports #liveentertainment #PPV #PLE #production #storytelling #entertainmentindustry #rankings #media #mediaman #mediamanint








MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Promotion Rankings by Media Man


*no financial inducements or favors involved

*based on merit alone

*subjective in nature

*based on decades of observation, being a fan, amateur fight club participant and independent (for the most part) sports writer.

*we have included Bare Knuckle rather than having to list yet another category at present.


These are our 2023 rankings keeping in mind there's still a few weeks to go to conclude the year of 2023.


UFC @UFC 

ONE Championship and PFL (tied). *PLF has absorbed Bellator MMA

Combate Global

CFFC

Valor Bare Knuckle 

BRAVE

Urban Fight Night (Australia specific region)

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships

RIZIN

Cage Warriors

Pancrase (much debate has endured for over a decade as to if/when shoot and "worked" - a cousin to professional wrestling!

*we are still researching Gracie Challenge type scenarios out of Brazil. The Gracie name and techniques are legendary in the industry. 


#mma #mixedmartialarts #mmarankings #mmapromotions #cagefighting #mmapromoters #rankings #sportspromotions #sportspromoters #promotions #sportsnews #sportsbusiness #sportsmarketing #ppv #premiumliveevents #sportsbroadcasting #sportsmedia #newsmedia #media #mediaman #mediamanaustralia #mediamanint



Pro Wrestling


SmackDown preview, Dec. 15, 2023: Roman Reigns returns to handle Tribal Business!



The Tribal Chief returns to handle some Tribal Business. 


With the Royal Rumble just around the corner, The Head of the Table will need to lock down his tribe and figure out how to navigate his Road to WrestleMania. 


Don’t miss SmackDown next week when Reigns returns at 8/7 C on FOX! 



Kevin Owens takes on Austin Theory with a broken hand



KO has been in the habit of punching Theory and his teammate Grayson Waller but he broke his hand during a battle with Waller two weeks ago. 


Despite the injury, Owens has continued to punch his enemies in the face.  


Can KO defeat Theory, progress in the U.S. Title Tournament and gain some payback for his broken hand? Find out next week at 8/7 C on FOX! 



U.S. Title Tournament continues with Carmelo Hayes taking on Grayson Waller



The first round of the United States Title Tournament wraps up next week when Carmelo Hayes faces Grayson Waller. 


Hayes was handpicked by Shawn Michaels to battle Waller, making this Hayes' SmackDown debut?


Can Waller get to the promised land, or will this Hayes score a monumental victory? 


Find out who prevails this Friday at 8/7 C on FOX! 




Combat Sports Deal Of The Year: Flashback


WWE @WWE - UFC @UFC - Endeavor @Endeavor news quote: 


“All the WrestleManias combined … doesn’t really equal to the magnitude of what we will do together.” - Vince McMahon #VinceMcMahon #quote #WWE #UFC #Endeavor #EndeavorGroup #TKO #TKOGroup  #combatsports #sportsbusiness #popculture #entertainmentnews #media #mediaman


News Flashback


Powerhouse': WWE, UFC merge to create $21b sporting giant - April 4, 2023 (Media Man Int)

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


WWE News (Media Man Int)

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


Combat Sports (Media Man Int)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/combat_sports.htm


PPV News (Media Man Int)

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


Best Quotes Of The Day (Media Man Int)

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







Sports Streaming Leader FITE Renamed TrillerTV


The best value in live streaming and the most reliable PPV and subscription platform, FITE is growing beyond its combat sports roots to offer fans even more action


New York, NY (December 11, 2023)--FITE is proud to announce its rebranding as TrillerTV, signaling the continuing addition of new sports categories and closer alignment with parent company Triller. The PPV platform, subscription channel, and FAST channel will all continue to deliver the same incredible action, with the same reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation. Now, the massive reach and resources of Triller will power FITE's continued growth through acquisitions and major sports rights licensing deals.




New York, NY (December 11, 2023)--FITE is proud to announce its rebranding as TrillerTV, signaling the continuing addition of new sports categories and closer alignment with parent company Triller. The PPV platform, subscription channel, and FAST channel will all continue to deliver the same incredible action, with the same reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation. Now, the massive reach and resources of Triller will power FITE's continued growth through acquisitions and major sports rights licensing deals.


Quote


"TrillerTV is everything you know and trust from FITE, but with doors open for even moresports," said Michael Weber, Co-Founder and COO of TrillerTV. "Our original name served us well, as have our loyal customers, promoters, and athletes to whom we are super grateful. The time has come to give even more to expand the experience we've built from the ground up to celebrate the passion and precision that makes us all love sports."

FITE was founded in 2015 using pioneering and proprietary AI tools to enhance the viewer experience. The platform has since grown, thanks to its hard-driving, sports-fanatic team, to serve 8 million registered users around the world, and to present blockbuster events with the biggest names in their fields.


Subscription services AEW Plus, FITE+, and the FAST channel, FITE 24/7 have all grown at an astounding rate, and now FITE+ becomes TrillerTV+, FITE 24/7 becomes TrillerTV 24/7, and AEW Plus keeps its name. Both TrillerTV+ and AEW Plus have newly enabled geo-tagged pricing, increasing their value proposition for international audiences.


Quote


"Now that we've proven FITE in 10s of thousands of live events from all over the world, it's time to expand to more content verticals under our new brand TrillerTV," Kosta Jordanov, Co-Founder and CEO of TrillerTV, said, "We will be adding new sports categories, more premium brand promotions, and continuing to improve our technology to give the best user experience in streaming sports and entertainment."

Quote


"We are thrilled to realize one of the core objectives of the acquisition of FITE," added Mahi de Silva, CEO of Triller. "The launch of TrillerTV is the culmination of the strategy of expansion from their combat sports roots to broader sports content and even broader entertainment verticals across the globe. TrillerTV is a great example of Triller's open-garden approach of delivering high quality entertainment on every platform; mobile phones, PCs, streaming devices, set-top-boxes and gaming consoles."

For more information contact: owen.phillips@fite.tv


About TrillerTV:

TrillerTV is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry's marquee PPV events to 8M registered users. Additionally, TrillerTV offers exclusive subscription packages such as AEW Plus in select regions, and TrillerTV+, the best value in sports, worldwide. Consumers can stream TrillerTV globally through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU and Amazon Fire TV apps. In addition, TrillerTV supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Virgin Media, Shaw Communications, Blue Curve IPTV, Foxxum, Chromecast, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD/ TiVO, Netgem TV, Comcast's Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex, as well as more than 7,000 models of Smart TVs. TrillerTV also offers a free ad-supported FAST channel called TrillerTV 24/7, both on and off platform. Visit TrillerTV online at www.TrillerTV.com. Follow us as TrillerTV powered by FITE on Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN, Facebook, and Threads.

TrillerTV is owned by Triller Hold Co LLC.




UFC ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NRL AS THE AUSSIE FOOTBALL CODE LAUNCHES VEGAS MISSION  




Ultimate Fighting Championship Joins Forces With World's Premier Rugby League Competition





Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has today joined forces with the world’s premier rugby league competition, National Rugby League (NRL) to launch the sporting organization’s first Las Vegas venture.


Four of the Australian competition’s flagship clubs - South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters - will play in the Vegas showpiece to kick-off the 2024 NRL Premiership season at Allegiant Stadium on March 2.


The historic NRL double-header fixture will be the first played on U.S. soil and today, UFC Senior Executive Vice President Lawrence Epstein, Executive Vice President Dave Shaw and Hall of Fame athlete Forrest Griffin welcomed NRL officials and star players from the four clubs to the fight capital of the world.


The new partnership will see UFC build upon its already strong links with NRL to reach thousands of potential new fans in the Asia Pacific region, where the sport of MMA continues to experience exponential growth. The NRL is hoping to tap into UFC’s pulling power in the U.S. market to expand its own global footprint.


UFC announces strategic partnership with NRL as the Aussie football code launches Vegas mission

“Las Vegas is on the fast track to becoming the sports capital of the world. All the major U.S. sports leagues will have a presence here soon, and of course, Las Vegas will host its first Super Bowl here at Allegiant Stadium in February,” said UFC Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Lawrence Epstein.


“International sports leagues are also recognizing the value Las Vegas can bring to their brand.  Just a few weeks ago we had the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which was a great success and set the stage for additional F1 events in the years to come.


“NRL fans are going to love coming to Vegas to watch these matches. We've been to all the great cities, and there's nothing like the infrastructure we have here in Las Vegas - from hotel rooms to restaurants and night clubs, and all of the other entertainment and sports we have here. Fans are the most important component of the sports ecosystem, and when the fans have a great time, they talk about your brand more, they talk about the experience more, and that positivity just builds up,” said Epstein.


UFC announces strategic partnership with NRL as the Aussie football code launches Vegas mission

UFC Vice President, Head of International & Content Dave Shaw said the two organizations have enjoyed close ties over many years.


“There is a great link between our two sports, and I am excited about this partnership and the opportunities we have to grow together,” said Shaw.


“We know the NRL is one of the biggest sporting competitions Down Under and they have aspirations to grow their sport here in the U.S. We also know Australians are some of the biggest MMA fans on the planet - it is home to over 4 million of our 700 million global fanbase - and we are always looking at ways to continue to grow that fanbase in the APAC region.


“Since 2010, UFC has accomplished major milestones across Australia and New Zealand, delivering 20 events across most major cities, many of them record-breaking.


“We have seen UFC athletes like Alex Volkanovski and Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa start their careers in rugby league before transitioning to MMA... and we’ve also seen plenty of NRL stars enjoying the action at our UFC events across the globe. There is a connection between the sports that transcends beyond the Octagon and that is what excites us about this partnership.”


(Sources: NRL, UFC, FOX Sports, Wires and X)








ESPN MMA. DJ has been looking for the right moves in his embattled career for a while. This may be it. A24 enjoyed a successful launch of 'The Iron Claw' in LA a few days ago. DJ wasn't there, at least not captured on film, but MJF, John Cena and CJ Perry aka "Lana" were.. Looking for a peg-on? A24 to collab with 7 Bucks? You sure?! Kerr is a legend and has been looking to have his story on the.big screen for the longest time.. Patience and timing.. Here's to the combat sports legends



FOX Sports

The Brain Can Only Take So Much


FOX and The Hound..USA vs Australia. Verbal fight game ala Ali (I am the greatest),.Sean Strickland (Dog.day afternoon), and you get the idea. Verbal warfare to help sell fights.If there's a genuine dislike in UFC/MMA, even better. High OH&S risks in combat sports. Mind over matter, and Colv don't mind!







Wrestling News


WWE @WWE SmackDown. December 15, 2023


"The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns @WWERomanReigns to finally return. Family business and WWE business to attend to. Is Paul Heyman @HeymanHustle on high alter yet?


US title contender's tournament: Kevin Owens vs Austin Theory


US title contender's tournament: Grayson Waller vs mystery man from NXT @WWENXT 


WWE YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/wwe


#Smackdown #RomanReigns #TribalChief #TheBloodline #Bloodline #PaulHeyman #JimmyUso #JeyUso #SoloSikoa #NickAldis #RandyOrton #LWO #LoganPaul #USTitle #LAKnight #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #WrestleMania40 #WWE #WWENXT #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #DragonLee #LoganPaul #LexisKing #King #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #broadcast #FOX #legends #Goat #Goats #YouTube #TY #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media 


Image credit: WWE




Mixed Martial Arts


UFC 1: The Beginning: Playboy, Mortal Kombat and the hunt for an ultimate fighter



Twenty-five years ago, one man set out to answer the eternal question: "Who is the ultimate fighter?"


Little did Art Davie know a concept forged via Playboy Magazine, a handful of Hollywood hard men and a popular arcade game would turn into a multi-billion dollar industry.


On 12 November 1993, Davie and associates hosted "the street fight to end all street fights", as eight fearless competitors from across the world gathered in a Colorado octagon to see who was the toughest.


This is the story of UFC 1: The Beginning.


Bringing back ancient history


Art Davie was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame earlier this year, and said: "Watching UFC become mainstream and break all these records over the years has been like watching my child go out and conquer the world."

An article in Playboy Magazine in September 1989 proclaimed its subject to be the "toughest man in the United States", a man who had offered to fight anyone in the country for a winner-takes-it all $100,000 prize.


Just the kind of guy Davie, a former car dealer who used to star in his own commercials by jumping off buildings and getting set on fire, was looking for.


Since he was a kid interested in boxing, Davie had been obsessed with wanting to find out who the best fighter in the world was and which style was most effective.


He set about immersing himself in the history of fighting and discovered the Ancient Greek sport of Pankration, which used a mix of boxing and wrestling techniques.


"I had history behind me, for 1,041 years it had been in the Olympics. I was simply bringing back the glory of the ancient world," Davie told the 30 for 30 Podcast.


During his research Davie, a former high school roommate of US President Donald Trump, was made aware of the Playboy article and sought out the man in question - Rorion Gracie.


A real life 'Mortal Kombat'

Born in Rio de Janiero, Gracie had moved to California in the late 1970s to demonstrate the Brazilian jiu-jitsu taught by his father, and inspired by a travelling Japanese master, was superior to all others, labelling his fight offer the "Gracie Challenge".


Davie made his pitch, and Gracie was sold.


Gracie had already enjoyed a taste of on-screen fighting after preparing Mel Gibson for 1987 film Lethal Weapon, but for he and Davie to make the tournament a success they needed to attract a pay-per-view provider.


Despite HBO and Showtime turning down their pitch for a 'War of the Worlds', the concept hooked Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG) executive producer Campbell McLaren, who likened it to a real-life version of popular video game Mortal Kombat.


"There's a story in this event, there's a hook, there's a drama, there's a danger," said McLaren, in the documentary Fighting for a Generation.


It was game on.


Sharks? Alligators? Schwarzenegger?



While the organisers set about creating the tournament - deciding to call it Ultimate Fighting Championship, because War of the Worlds was "too science-fictiony" - Davie stumbled across a loophole in Colorado law that meant bare-knuckle fighting was permitted in the state.


Venue sorted, the eight-man roster also began to take shape - martial artists in savate, kickboxing, taekwondo, shootfighting, boxing, sumo, American Kenpo and, of course, Brazilian jiu-jitsu were booked in.


But as promotion for UFC 1 gathered pace with the marketing slogan "there are no rules", so did the opposition to it. Senator John McCain wanted it banned and branded the concept a "human cockfight".


Davie, Royce and McLaren knew they needed a "shock" factor to generate interest, and were busy throwing ideas around for how the stage would be set for the fighters - an arena with sharks? A moat with alligators? An electrical fence?


They opted for an octagon-shaped cage, suggested by Conan the Barbarian director John Milius - because Conan, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, battles in a stone octagon. Schwarzenegger liked the idea, as did fellow Hollywood tough-guy Jean-Claude Van Damme.


"Van Damme was very cool," McLaren told Maxim, admitting martial artist-turned-actor-turned-producer Chuck Norris was "not so cool", questioning whether it was even legal.


"He was badmouthing it. He didn't want to be involved, he thought it was bad for the martial arts."


The rules


This won't take long. There were no rules.


Well, actually, there were a couple - albeit the tournament was sold on the idea there were none - no biting and no eye-gouging. Oh, and no fish-hooking, as the only response to this was biting, and fighters had to be bare-fist, and they couldn't wear shoes if they planned to kick people.


This didn't sit well with the assembled mix of fighters. No rules meant no rules, right? It almost sparked a brawl in the pre-tournament meeting, until Teila Tuli smoothed things over.


Tuli, a Hawaiian sumo wrestler who had been banned from competing in Japan for pushing a journalist, told the others: "I came here to party. If any of you came here to party, I'll see you in the arena tomorrow."


Tuli leaves teeth in Gordeau's foot


Dutch savate Gerard Gordeau beat sumo Teila Tuli in 26 seconds in the opening bout

About 7,000 spectators turned up at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver to witness the action live, with a further 86,000 tuning in on pay-per-view - three times what the promoters anticipated - and many more heading to their local video store to rent the tournament on VHS in the aftermath.


Twenty-six seconds into their viewing experience, they saw a tooth whistle past the judges after being knocked from the mouth of Tuli.


The sumo actually lost three teeth during a kick to the face from Gerard Gordeau, but two of them remained lodged in the Dutchman's foot.


Gordeau also left the octagon with a broken hand after following up his roundhouse kick with an uppercut to head of Tuli, whose optimistic early charge across the canvas towards the savate world champion ended with him being dragged to the ground.


The suddenness and violence of that opening bout left even the organisers stunned, and thirsty for more.


All bar McLaren and CEG, that is, who had three hours of live pay-per-view television to fill and feared if the fights carried on at that rate the tournament would be over in little more than 10 minutes.



McLaren needn't have worried. It might have been less clinical, but the second bout was as gruelling as the first had been explosive as kickboxer Kevin Rosier and American Kenpo Zane Frazier fought it out for four minutes and 20 seconds.


It was violent and chaotic, with knees and elbow strikes complemented by hair pulling and groin attacks, before Frazier's wife threw in the towel after he was knocked down with blows to the back of the head and stamped on.


Frazier, a former bodyguard for Stevie Wonder, had asthma and was rushed to hospital following the bout after suffering respiratory failure.


"The paramedics saved my life," said Frazier in 2011, adding that he was diagnosed with asthma after the bout and told he would never compete again - he eventually retired 15 years later.


Enter Royce Gracie


Rorion's younger brother Royce was put forward to compete.


Now, remember there was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu among the competitors? And that Rorion Gracie introduced the sport to the United States and challenged anyone to a winner-takes-it all $100,000 fight? Well, he put forward his brother, Royce.


Rorion said entering Royce would "prove a point jiu-jitsu was for anyone... that it can do wonders for the little guy", while Royce was keen to establish himself in the fighting arena.


Royce was drawn against boxer Art Jimmerson in the quarter-finals and swiftly floored the cruiserweight, who wore one glove for the fight, with a double-leg takedown. Royce mounted Jimmerson, headbutted him and forced him to tap out.


"I'd never heard of Royce, I'd never even heard of jiu-jitsu. I never imagined I would be wrestling a guy on the floor," said Jimmerson.


McLaren added: "I was sure Royce was going to get his head knocked off his body by that boxer - and I thought Teila was going to slam everybody into the chain link fence and smoosh them - so that's how much I knew!"


Royce said the bout was "almost unfair", adding: "The stand-up fighters had almost no idea what to do on the ground."


The other fight of the round took place between the Captain America-esque Ken Shamrock, listed as a shootfighter, and taekwondo representative Patrick Smith.


"This thing, the UFC, it was almost like who could beat me?" quipped Shamrock, who quickly submitted Smith with a heel hook.


An Ultimate Fighting Champion is crowned



Royce Gracie said he would spend his winnings on going to Disneyland


Shamrock's armoury was made up of a mix of disciplines, but in the semi-final he came up against Royce and the Gracie family who claimed to have "the" best fighting style.


The fight lasted less than two minutes, Gracie managing to engineer a choke using his uniform and Shamrock bemoaning his lack of grip having been banned from wearing shoes.


"I'm sorry I didn't give him a good enough fight," said Shamrock after the fight, later admitting he would never head into a contest with such arrogance again.


He may have lost the bout, but Shamrock would go on to become a UFC champion, be labelled "The World's Most Dangerous Man" by ABC News and feature in the WWE.


Royce, meanwhile, headed into the final unscathed having yet to be really tested. Gordeau, with a broken bone in his hand and pieces of tooth still in his foot, awaited him.


The final lasted one minute and 40 seconds, with Gordeau at first managing to stand firm before being grounded by Royce. There was an alleged bite from the Dutchman, but Royce was able to land strikes and headbutts before submitting Gordeau with a rear naked choke hold.


Royce, and the Gracies, were victorious. "I had to prove to my family I was a fighter," said the champion, who declared after the bout he would use the $50,000 prize to go to Disneyland.


As for Rorion, he was delighted. And satisfied Brazilian jiu-jitsu produced "the ultimate fighters".



"It was like a Cinderella story, it was beautiful," he said. "I proved my point, that's for sure.



UFC News



‘The brain can only take so much’: UFC bad boy’s huge warning for Aussie stars amid $16m Sydney pitch



UFC superstar Colby Covington has taken a huge swipe at Australia’s two greatest fighters – branding Alexander Volkanovski a “midget” who will do anything for money and Robert Whittaker a fighter who has taken too much damage to own gold again.


Elsewhere, Covington also revealed his willingness to be part of the NSW Government’s $16 million UFC splurge, revealing he agreed to have this Sunday’s title fight against champ Leon Edwards take place in Sydney.


Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, the fighter dubbed Chaos added that while he was no fan of Australia’s government – “they take a lot of freedoms from people” – he would still happily headline a title fight here in 2024.





However he no longer expects to have a showdown against Whittaker – despite no less than UFC president Dana White once supporting the idea – suggesting the nation’s first champion had now taken too much damage to be a middleweight force again.


Among the most polarising characters in the sport, Covington has a longstanding rivalry with all three of Australia’s biggest UFC names – Volkanovski, Whittaker and Tai Tuivasa.


The American first took aim at Volkanovski back in 2021, when the UFC featherweight champ had been selected to host the latest instalment of The Ultimate Fighter.


Covington suggested UFC executives would be “smacking themselves in the head” after signing a champ who “doesn’t sell” and would “make a complete mockery of the show”.


Then in March last year, Whittaker said he would gladly take a fight with ‘Chaos’ should he want to move up to middleweight – an idea that also received the support of UFC boss White.


However, Covington now says ‘Bobby Knuckles’ time as a UFC superstar is over following his most recent performance, an upset loss to South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290 in July.


The American told Fox Sports Australia that should he earn the UFC welterweight title this Sunday, he would definitely consider a move up to chase ‘champ champ’ status.


So what chance that could eventually be against Australia’s first UFC champion, who is readying for another run at his old crown?


“A fight with Rob and I will never happen now,” Covington said.


“The guy has lost all his hype.


“First, he lost to the champion (Israel Adesanya), then lost to another guy in a contender fight.


“And I’m not trying to disrespect Robert Whittaker.


“He’s a great fighter. Had a terrific career.


“So I’m definitely not putting him down, Rob’s going to be a Hall of Famer.


“I just think Father Time has passed him by.


“I remember Rob twice fighting Yoel Romero – a guy who I was helping train at the time – and he took a lot of punishment, a lot of damage in those fights.


“And the chin and brain can only take so much.”


Covington also continued his ongoing verbal with Volkanovski, the Aussie who despite fighting two weight classes lower has never taken a backward step from the American.


When Covington first took aim at ‘The Great’ two years ago without provocation, Volkanovski responded by saying the fighter was simply “sour” after missing out on the TUF gig himself.


“The guy needs to stop crying and get himself into a title fight,” Volkanovski told us at the time. “Don’t cry like a baby because you didn’t get this opportunity.


“Suck it up and get into training.


“Get yourself a fight and keep my name out of your mouth.”


The champ later continued: “He can say what he wants about me (not being entertaining).


“At least I’m real.


“Colby Covington literally plays a character to stay relevant.


“But nobody cares about him. Right now, he’s sitting on the sidelines, waiting for a title shot to be given to him.


“Nobody is talking about him and he’s got the s***s about that.”


Yet on the eve of his latest title fight, Covington has again taken aim at Australia’s No.1 fighter, who most recently lost a brave attempt to chase ‘champ champ’ status against lightweight king against Islam Makhachev.


After taking the fight on 11 days notice, Volk was stopped by a Makhachev head kick in the first round.


“So how can I put the guy down more than he already has been?” Covington cackled.


“He just got knocked unconscious.


“It’s why I’ve got no idea why that little midget is trying to talk to the biggest and baddest dude in this division.


“The guy that just knocked him out, he’s scared to fight me.


“Islam Makhachev is scared to fight me.


“So what does that say about Volk?


“OK, maybe he will show up on short notice to take an ass whoopin’ because he likes to get paid.


“Likes the money.


“But there are levels to this game.


“He’s fighting at featherweight with midgets.


“So don’t talk about fighting someone like Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington.”


Elsewhere, Covington insisted he would be happy to be part of the NSW Government’s hyped $16 million deal to bring three UFC events to Sydney over four years.


The American even revealed he had verbally agreed to headline what was the first of those three fights, UFC 293 back in September.


Instead, top billing eventually went to another contentious American, Sean Strickland, who upset Israel Adesanya to become new UFC middleweight champ.


Quizzed on whispers he had been approached to headline, Covington told Fox Sports Australia: “It was discussed many times.


“Initially, we were supposed to fight in a (Edwards) homecoming fight for his UK fans.


“That was supposed to be July.


“But he robbed his fans in the UK of an undisputed title.


“He said ‘UK, f… you’.


“Told them they don’t deserve a Pay Per View event, that they only deserved a Fight Night.


“That’s a big ‘f… you’.


“And then he turned down multiple other locations … and the UFC was discussing Sydney as well.


“I said ‘yes, yes, yes’ to every location’.


“I just want to get my hands on this guy because I know he’s a tin man, a quitter.


“And I know the dog in me is going to bring out the quitter in him.”


Told our tax rate for fighters is unusually high, Covington continued: “I would’ve come down.


“I would still defend me title there.


“I think Australia is a great place except for your government.


“I’m all for people’s constitutional rights and freedoms but your government takes a lot of freedoms from people.”


(FOX Sports)



AFL - December 15, 2023


Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney reveals Sydney Swans squad 'slid into her DMs' after watching her first AFL game

Actress Sydney Sweeney attended her first AFL game earlier this year and revealed the Sydney Swans welcomed her to Australia in a "very big way".



Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney has revealed the Sydney Swans were very excited about her arrival in the Harbour City.


The American actress travelled Down Under for the filming of her new romcom Anyone But You with actor Glen Powell.


During her travels Sweeney was invited alongside co-stars Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths to the Swans match against Hawthorn earlier this year.


After the match, Sweeney went into the changerooms to meet the players and in a recent interview it was revealed several of the Swans’ stars slid into her DMs.


“I had a blast, I loved it. I got to meet everybody. I want to go back,” Sweeney told The Project on Thursday night.


Powell was also in the interview and chimed in to make sure all the details were laid out.


“They had a good time meeting Sydney as well, the whole team slid into her DMs afterwards it was,” he said.


“Australia wanted to welcome her to town, fast.”




Sweeney giggled in reply adding: “Yeah … in a very big way.”


The Swans game was Sweeney’s first experience of Aussie Rules and she said she was left confused but there was one main query.


“I had a lot of questions,” she said.


“First of all, why are the shorts so short?”


Again Powell jumped in: “That was for you they honestly usually have pretty long shorts.”


Powell and Sweeney were also asked about their least favourite thing about filming in Australia and they both agreed the water was too cold.


The pair said during the filming of the swimming scenes they wish they had done it when “the water was warm”.


“Actually, all of the scenes. They were freezing,” Sweeney said.


“We shot all the water scenes to begin the movie, when it was freezing,” Powell said, even though filming took place in the months of February and March.


“And then we shot all the sand scenes when it was the hottest.”


Anyone But You arrives in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day.


(Sky News Australia)




Movie News


North American Box Office


1. The Boy and His Heron - $10.4 million 


2. The Hunger Games: The Ballads of Songbirds & Snakes - $9.4 million


3. Godzilla Minus One - $8.3 million


4. Trolls Band Together - $6.2 million


5. Wish - $5.3 million


6. Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce - $5 million


7. Napolean - $4.2 million


8. Waitress: The Musical - $2.6 million


9. Animal - $2.3 million


10. The Shift - $2.2 million


Media Man Int


Movies

https://www.mediamanint.com/movies.html


Entertainment News

https://www.mediamanint.com/news4.html


Box Office

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


#movienews #boxoffice #showbiz #TheBoyAndTheHeron #TheHungerGames #TheHungerGamesTheBalladofSongbirdsandSnakes #GodzillaMinusOne #TrollsBandTogether #WishMovie #RenaissanceAFilmByBeyonce #Napoleon #napoleonmovie #waitress #Animal #AnimalBoxOffice #AnimalTheMovie #TheShift #EntertainmentNews #entertainment #popculture #trending #trends #buzz #media #mediaman 





Streaming News


Tubi Makes Late Play To Be 'Streamer Of The Year'


Fox’s advertising supported streamer Tubi @tubi strikes deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to stream DC movies including “The Batman,” “Suicide Squad,” “Black Adam,” “Wonder Woman” and “Aquaman,” in addition to as superhero themed series “Batwoman,” “Gotham” and “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.”


The news comes at a not so great time for other streaming firms such as Netflix and don't even start us on embattled Disney, who parents and their offspring have been tuning out of in droves.


“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn),” “Green Lantern” and “Wonder Woman 1984,” will also hit Tubi’s on-demand lineup in 2024.


Available as of Tuesday are “Batman,” “Batman Returns” and “Batman Forever,” as well as “Superman: The Movie” and “Superman II,” and TV series “Batwoman,” “Gotham” and “Krypton.”


Pro wrestling living legend John Cena of WWE and 'Peacemaker' fame is keen to do some more work and collaborations with DC into the new year now that that apparent communications "ban" between him and DC powers that be is no longer. What a business hey, hence showbiz! Hollywood er Hollyweird, never mind.


More Streaming News


FITE (soon to be Triller) is our 'Sports Streamer Of The Year', and BINGE wins 'Streaming Service Of The Year' (Australian region)


Sources: Variety, Wires, New Corp, Advanced Television, Digital TV Europe, Wikipedia and last but not least, X.


#tubi #streamingservice #streamingservices #DC #Warner #WarnerBros #TheBatman #Aquaman #RoadRunner #Peacemaker #JohnCena #streamingbiz #streamingentertainment #streamingmovies #streamingtv #streamingaustralia #popculture #entertainmentnews #movienews #showbiz #disrupt #disruptor #overthetop #OTT #streameroftheyear #homeentertainment #wrestlingnews #newsmedia #media #mediaman 


Image credit: Tubi






Pro Wrestling


WWE 

@WWE

 WrestleMania 

@WrestleMania

 Fantasy Booking


Speculation Only


Dream Matches 


Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes


Seth Rollins vs CM Punk


Brock Lesnar vs Gunther vs Randy Orton


Logan Paul vs Dragon Lee 


Grayson Waller & Austin Theory vs Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar 


Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair vs Tiffany Stratton


Lexis King vs Trick Williams 


Nia Jax vs Becky Lynch 


and much more! 


Dream Matches compilation by Media Man 


(Image credit: WWE)






Bitcoin (₿) BTC or XBT is the first decentralized cryptocurrency. Nodes in the peer-to-peer bitcoin network verify transactions through cryptography and record them in a public distributed ledger, called a blockchain, without central oversight. Consensus between nodes is achieved using a computationally intensive system based on proof-of-work called mining. Bitcoin mining requires increasing quantities of electricity[ and was responsible for 0.2% of world greenhouse gas emissions as of 2022.


News


Bitcoin (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/bitcoin_news.html


#bitcoin #bitcoinnews #crypto #cryptonews #cryptocurrency #cryptocurrencies #cryptotrading #cryptominer #cryptoexchange #bitcoinnewsmedia #cafenews #digitalnews #markets #blockchain #blockchainnews #NFT #nftnews #cryptocafe #mining #miner #disrupt #disruptor #digitalads #newsfeeds #agency #AI #trend #buzz #media #mediaman 





Wrestling News


WWE @WWE US Champion Logan Paul is substance and style, and gets the Jazz Treatment; Maverick trends Jazzy socials with extra Prime Buzz!


Our topic pick for WWE's 'MVP' and 'Break Out Star', 'Standout Out Of Year Year' et al Logan Paul @LoganPaul appears on Jazzy's YouTube!


"Just like Jazzy, Be yourself, do what you love, take the leap" LP


WWE is the perfect thing for everything that I love in life. The showmanship, the combat, the physical nature of it, the storytelling, the media. It’s everything that I love. You know, we’re doing part of it right now but in a second I get to go out there and I get to go beat some people up. I think it’s fun for me people seem to enjoy it and truthfully Jazzy I think at age 27 I found my calling. I gotta say I’m good at it. Jazzy you’re looking at the US champ, the best WWE has seen in a while so I’m gonna be at it for a minute.” - Logan Paul


"People your beefing with. Maybe you have more in common than you think". - LP. 


Media Man Ed: Agree. We discovered this in the school yard and growing up in The School Of Hard Knocks, as well as in a few early entreprenial ventures such as washing cars, trucks and competing for TV spot in our formative years.


More LP golden nuggets...


"It's all challanging Jazzy, It's the hardest thing I've ever done, and I've done a lot of stuff".


"The comparison I like to use is in boxing right, I fought Floyd Mayweather, he's very good. But I was worried about one guy.  One guy across from me - I was worried about Floyd Mayweather. In WWE, I'm worried about 18,000, 50,000, 70,000 people watching. It's my job, the company is paying me, to make sure that they're entertained. Right, these people are spending their money, and it's my job to make sure their having a good time, and its money well spent".. LP


Media Man: Absolutely loved this interview. Talk about a massive Win-Win-Win!


Jazzys World TV YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@JazzysWorldTV


Logan Paul talks about becoming a WWE Superstar, his brother Jake Paul, & his success as a Youtuber

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z778rA8Og4A&ab_channel=JazzysWorldTV


#LoganPaul #Jazzy #JazzysWorld #quotes #interview #TheMaverick #prime #drinkprime #WWEUSTitle #USChampion #prowrestling #wrestling #wrestlingnews #popculture #boxing #combatsports #Entrepreneurship #disrupt #disruptor #trend #trends #socialmedia #socialmediasuperstar #buzz #media 


Image credit: WWE






Pro Wrestling


WWE @WWE RAW


CM Punk makes his brand decision tonight on Raw: WWE Now, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFTvgPYjp4&ab_channel=WWE


Will CM Punk sign with Raw?


Cody Rhodes vs Shinsuke Nakamura


Jey Uso vs Drew McIntyre


Maxxine Dupri vs Women's Champion Rhea Ripley


Confrontation: Becky Lynch and Nia Jax


Keep up to date on the live broadcast and via the WWE Official YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@WWE


Media Man: WWE remains on fire. Wouldn't mind seeing Punk stay a free agent ala that late Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Just keep that WWE contract watertight! Royal Rumble Season is here! Bring on some dream matches!


#WWERaw #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #ShinsukeNakamura #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #JeyUso #DrewMcIntyre #BeckyLynch #NiaJax #RheaRipley #JudgementDay #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #showbiz #USANetwork #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #buzz #media 


Image credit: WWE





Pro Wrestling


WWE @WWE RAW


WWE Official YouTube highlights so far...


CM Punk’s whirlwind weekend: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

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


CM Punk makes his brand decision tonight on Raw: WWE Now, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFTvgPYjp4&ab_channel=WWE


Drew McIntyre takes advantage of Jey Uso’s hesitation: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAhFo62hSc0&t=2s&ab_channel=WWE


Shinsuke Nakamura has been reborn: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuYXLvxH7d8&t=2s&ab_channel=WWE


Rhea Ripley dismantles Maxxine Dupri: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH9TypUC_A0&ab_channel=WWE


“Big” Bronson Reed and Ivar collide in a beefy battle: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Edna8QdYc&ab_channel=WWE


The Creed Brothers and R-Truth brawl with The Judgment Day: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UNbsw4zXHc&ab_channel=WWE


Keep up to date on the live broadcast and via the WWE Official YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@WWE


Media Man: The CM Punk vs Seth Rollins feud has set the wrestling world on fire. Ripley vs Maxxine has a real edge to it, as did Lynch vs Jax. "Heat" in pro wrestling often leads to great matches and great payoffs for fans and promoters. The  Creed Brothers are off the hook and a brilliant addition to Raw. Reed vs Ivar over-delivered again. The backstage footage is hitting the sweet spot. World class action, drama and production values. This is pro wrestling and sports entertainment at the highest level. Royal Rumble season has arrived. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett did a tremendous call of the action through the entire broadcast.


#WWERaw #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #ShinsukeNakamura #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #JeyUso #DrewMcIntyre #BeckyLynch #NiaJax #RheaRipley #JudgementDay #CreedBros #BronsonReed #Ivar #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #showbiz #USANetwork #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #buzz #media


Image credit: WWE





Wrestling. WWE @WWE 


WWE YouTube highlights


CM Punk’s whirlwind weekend: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023 

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


CM Punk makes his brand decision tonight on Raw

WWE Now, Dec. 11, 2023 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AvFTvgPYjp4&ab_channel=WWW


#WWERaw #CMPunk #Trending #media


Image credit: WWE





'The Iron Claw'. Cena's got an iron grip on MJF. Different promoters this time around. Art may reflect life. Pumped to see this movie. Two Goats!


#TheIronClaw #IronClaw #MJF 




"Can you do The Iron Claw"?


"Not as effective as The Von Erichs" John Cena @JohnCena 


"Kevin did it on me. I asked him to do it. And I said No, I want pressure, and now I have an headache"


"Well, I mean. Ask for trouble, and trouble will find you right"! John Cena 


#TheIronClaw #JohnCena #IronClaw #IronClawMovie 






"Would you show me how to do The Iron Claw? I dunno if I'm strong enough, but. How do you do it? 


"Well, it's a simple hold".. Kevin Von Erich


And you just squeze. Comon, you can squeze. Oh, not that much".


"Eww"!


#IronClaw #TheIronClaw 






"How is this film unlike any role you've ever taken before"? Media


"Oh man Ah, jeeze, this movie's insane. I never dreamed I'd play a character like Kevin Von Erich. It feels really special man. I really don't know how to put it into words. I'm kind of emotion. I've got Kevin Von Erich here. John Cena's here"... Zac Efron


#IronClaw #TheIronClaw #TheIronClawmovie #IronClawMovie 












Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something somehow new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition, or a joke) or a physical object (such as an invention, a printed literary work, or a painting).


Creative Content via Media Man (Media Man Int)

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


Creative Arts Marketing (Media Man Int)

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


Creative Advertising Directory (Media Man Int)

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


Art & Copy (Media Man Int)

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


#creativity #creative #ContentCreator #contentcreators #ContentThatCreatesBuzz #imagination #agency #creativeagency #popculture #trends #buzz #media #mediaman












LinkedIn hits 1 billion users, eyes AI-driven future


Global networking platform LinkedIn has reached a major milestone, and recently hit one billion members. From the one billion professionals and 67 million companies on the platform, LinkedIn has distilled various labour market insights.


People skills remain paramount, while A.I continues to further infiltrate the internet including and a wide array of business sectors.






CoinDesk. NFT collectables. Collect them all! An instant classic. Could it be possible in a year or two there may be a Biden Jr or Se NFL collectable of the days theme? It's free to ask! Fair and balanced coverage. 


#coindesk #NFT #NFTart #nftnews #blockchain #crypto #cryptonews #collectables #popculture #newsmedia #media 










Sports News


UFC @UFC ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NRL @NRL AS THE AUSSIE FOOTBALL CODE LAUNCHES VEGAS MISSION  


December 14, 2023


Ultimate Fighting Championship Joins Forces With World's Premier Rugby League Competition


Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has today joined forces with the world’s premier rugby league competition, National Rugby League (NRL) to launch the sporting organization’s first Las Vegas venture.


Four of the Australian competition’s flagship clubs - South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters - will play in the Vegas showpiece to kick-off the 2024 NRL Premiership season at Allegiant Stadium on March 2.


The historic NRL double-header fixture will be the first played on U.S. soil and today, UFC Senior Executive Vice President Lawrence Epstein, Executive Vice President Dave Shaw and Hall of Fame athlete Forrest Griffin welcomed NRL officials and star players from the four clubs to the fight capital of the world.


The new partnership will see UFC build upon its already strong links with NRL to reach thousands of potential new fans in the Asia Pacific region, where the sport of MMA continues to experience exponential growth. The NRL is hoping to tap into UFC’s pulling power in the U.S. market to expand its own global footprint.


UFC announces strategic partnership with NRL as the Aussie football code launches Vegas mission


“Las Vegas is on the fast track to becoming the sports capital of the world. All the major U.S. sports leagues will have a presence here soon, and of course, Las Vegas will host its first Super Bowl here at Allegiant Stadium in February,” said UFC Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Lawrence Epstein.


“International sports leagues are also recognizing the value Las Vegas can bring to their brand.  Just a few weeks ago we had the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which was a great success and set the stage for additional F1 events in the years to come.


“NRL fans are going to love coming to Vegas to watch these matches. We've been to all the great cities, and there's nothing like the infrastructure we have here in Las Vegas - from hotel rooms to restaurants and night clubs, and all of the other entertainment and sports we have here. Fans are the most important component of the sports ecosystem, and when the fans have a great time, they talk about your brand more, they talk about the experience more, and that positivity just builds up,” said Epstein.


UFC Vice President, Head of International & Content Dave Shaw said the two organizations have enjoyed close ties over many years.


“There is a great link between our two sports, and I am excited about this partnership and the opportunities we have to grow together,” said Shaw.


“We know the NRL is one of the biggest sporting competitions Down Under and they have aspirations to grow their sport here in the U.S. We also know Australians are some of the biggest MMA fans on the planet - it is home to over 4 million of our 700 million global fanbase - and we are always looking at ways to continue to grow that fanbase in the APAC region.


“Since 2010, UFC has accomplished major milestones across Australia and New Zealand, delivering 20 events across most major cities, many of them record-breaking.


“We have seen UFC athletes like Alex Volkanovski and Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa start their careers in rugby league before transitioning to MMA... and we’ve also seen plenty of NRL stars enjoying the action at our UFC events across the globe. There is a connection between the sports that transcends beyond the Octagon and that is what excites us about this partnership.”


(Sources: NRL, UFC, FOX Sports, Wires and X)


Media Man says: Love it. A massive Win-Win-Win!


#NRL #NRLVegas #NRLLasVegas #UFC #UFCNRL #Rabbitohs #Broncos #SeaEagles #SydneyRoosters  

#LawrenceEpstein #DaveShaw #ForrestGriffin #Volk #BamBam #RugbyLeague #sportsbusiness #sportspartnership #sportsmarketing #sportsmedia #sportsnews #win #winwinwin #LasVegas #Aussie #media #mediaman 


Image credit: UFC and NRL






Quotes





"I can not respond to real-time events in the way Grok can."  - ChatGPT

#Grok #quote #ChatGPT #AI #AInews #ArtificialInteligence #AIsearch #searchengine #XCorp #X #realtime #media 



“Is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” - Marcus Aurelius #MarcusAurelius #quote #creation #philosophy #life #mindset #world #media #mediaman #mediaman





And remember that philosophy requires only the things which thy nature requires; but thou wouldst have something else which is not according to nature. - It may be objected, Why what is more agreeable than this which I am doing?- But is not this the very reason why pleasure deceives us? - Marcus Aurelius #MarcusAurelius #Aurelius #quote #philosophy #nature #life #mindset #world #mbs #mindbodyspirit #media #mediaman #mediamanint





LinkedIn hits 1 billion users, eyes AI-driven future




Global networking platform LinkedIn has reached a major milestone, and recently hit one billion members. From the one billion professionals and 67 million companies on the platform, LinkedIn has distilled various labour market insights.




People skills remain paramount, while A.I continues to further infiltrate the internet including and a wide array of business sectors.




#LinkedIn #linkedinnews #li #socialmedia #socialmedianews #socialmediaplatform #socialmediaplatforms #networking #businessnetworking #ai #artificialintelligence #onlinenews #onlinepublishing #onlinepublisher #news #newsmedia #people #peopleskills #comms #communication #communications #seo #serps #algorithm #algorithms #onlinebiz #onlinemarketing #onlinepr #pr #press #mediarelease #ads #onlineads #agency #agent #media #mediaman #mediamanint #gregtingle 





Media Man Contender For 'Quote Of The Year'


“I hope they stop. Don’t advertise,” Elon Musk told interviewer Andrew Ross Sorkin. 


“If somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go fuck yourself. Go fuck yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is.” Directed at Disney CEO Bob Iger, who discussed not wanting Disney to be affiliated with Musk while onstage earlier in the day. “Hey Bob, if you’re in the audience.”


Best Quotes Of The Day (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/best_quotes.html


#quoteoftheyear #ElonMusk #quote #quotes #Dealbook #X #XCorp #interview #disruptor #disruptors #ads #onlineadvertising #socialmedia #socialmedianews #socialmediaplatforms #platforms #biz #media #mediaman 



Quotes


A great saying in sports: "Father Time is undefeated". It refers to the fact that no athlete, in any sport, has ever overcome what aging does to the body and their ability to perform at a high level. This is also true in life and in business. #time #fathertime #quote #quotes #sports #sportsbiz #body #performance #combatsports #prossports #life #world #media #mediaman 




Quotes



"Great things should be done without hesitation so that the feeling of danger would not weaken courage and speed" - Julius Caesar #JuliusCaesar #Caesar #quote #great #courage #speed #battle #war #world #media #mediaman 





"It's easy to blindly subscribe to something that works, but you've got to remember it only works at that particular point in time. Like Kodak or horse-drawn carriages, or even Facebook, you can never assume the continued success of anything" - Mark Bouris #MarkBouris #quote #biz #subscribe #business #businessmodel #businessmodels #time #kodak #Facebook #success #model #world #trend #trends #media 






Wrestling News


"I have no idea what my future is at AEW. I have no clue. To be very frank about it, I’m not worried about it, yay or nay. I mean, my work should stand on its own after 50 years, for God’s sake, I mean, seriously. So sometimes I worry too much. I think it’s just a matter of being an alpha male and wanting to do whatever it is on my terms. I understand that’s not always possible, but I do appreciate all the feedback is is very meaningful to me" Jim Ross, Wresting and sports broadcasting legend 

#JimRoss #quote #wrestlingnews #AEW #wrestling #prowrestling #broadcaster #broadcasting #sportsnews #entertainmentnews #media #mediaman 





Wrestling News


WWE's Grayson Waller on Wrestling, the return of CM Punk and more


"I didn’t realize how wrong the internet was about everything until I came to WWE @WWE and I was actually backstage and saw some things. I don’t think there is anything but positive energy about CM Punk coming back. The entire roster right now is great, from top to bottom. Everyone is challenging each other, everyone wants to be the top guy, but no one is stepping on anyone to get there. Maybe me, I don’t mind doing that, but everyone is working together. We want this product to succeed and I think that’s what’s happening. Everyone is buzzing to have him back. Why would you not want to have this guy who can cut incredible promos, he can have great matches, who the crowd wants to see, who is super controversial? If you don’t want him back here, you’re stupid. For me, personally, I said some things online about Punk when I heard the rumors. I like to play with the rumors and have some fun, that type of thing. I got to meet him recently, and that’s all I’ll say about that".


"I was trained in NXT originally by Ace Steel, who is obviously Punk’s coach as well. I know the type of training he went through. Ace Steel is a great trainer. He’s hard-nosed, very to the point. He got me a lot of my first matches in NXT. I have nothing but positive things to say about Ace and nothing but positive things to say currently about Punk. I’m sure that’ll change in the future".


#GraysonWaller #quote #quotes #WWE #WWENXT #wrestlingnews #CMPunk #GWEffect #AceSteel #entertainmentnews #popculture #sportsnews #Mediafire 


Credit: Adrian Hernandez Podcast


Image credit: WWE




Australian Media News


James Packer buys up $US80m stake in Ten owner, Paramount Global


James Packer has built a $US80 million ($123.4 million) stake in Paramount Global, the American media and entertainment conglomerate that owns Network Ten, signalling a broadening of the billionaire’s media interests.


(Sources: Wires, AFR, X, Paramount)


#JamesPacker #Paramount #ParamountGlobal #Ten #NetworkTen #australianmedia #australiannews #medianews #newsmedia #broadcasting #Aussie #media 










Wrestling/Pop Culture News


KSI @KSI does the John Cena Attitude Adjustment Move to Logan Paul @LoganPaul (through a table)


The WWE @WWE U.S champion got his latest taste of a table, thanks to his long time rival KSI.


Something tell us to expect more stunts from these two amazing performers sooner rather than later, as they share numerous business interests together, with Prime being the one most in the public eye.


Cheers with Prime, as we head towards the road to the Royal Rumble.


Video via KSI YouTube Clips Channel


KSI threw logan Paul on the table

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDQNAJFO-cg&ab_channel=KSIClips


Image credit: WWE


#LoganPaul #TheMaverick #Prime #KSI #Table #wrestling #wrestliingnews #entertainmentnews #popculture #publicity #video #Prime #DrinkPrime #PrimeEnergy #trends #trending #buzz #media

Friday, December 15, 2023

Media Man News Blog: Wrestling, MMA, Sports Entertainment and Pop Culture

Media Man News Blog

Wrestling, MMA, Sports Entertainment and Pop Culture


















Pro Wrestling Promotions


Media Man Top Promotions and Brands ranked from the top


*subjective in nature

*no financial inducements or favors involved in the ranking. Based on merit alone and decades of being a fan, keen observer (and sometimes campaign assistant), as well as independent (for the most part) sports writer.


WWE @WWE WrestleMania @WrestleMania 

WWE SmackDown

WWE RAW

NXT TV @WWENXT 

NXT PPVs

AEW (All Elite Wrestling) and NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) - tied 

GCW (Game Changer Wrestling)

Impact Wrestling (currently reverting back to TNA Wrestling)

Stardom 

Shimmer

AAA

AAA TripleMania

CMLL

MLW

ROH (Ring Of Honor)

PWG

IWA and AWF (tied)

Progress Wrestling 

NJPW (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)


*WWE, NXT (and UFC - MMA) are all part of TKO Group 


#WrestleMania #SmackDown #WWERaw #WWENXT

#prowrestling #wrestling #wrestlingpromotions #wrestlingpromoters #popculture #combatsports #livesports #liveentertainment #PPV #PLE #production #storytelling #entertainmentindustry #rankings #media #mediaman #mediamanint








MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Promotion Rankings by Media Man


*no financial inducements or favors involved

*based on merit alone

*subjective in nature

*based on decades of observation, being a fan, amateur fight club participant and independent (for the most part) sports writer.

*we have included Bare Knuckle rather than having to list yet another category at present.


These are our 2023 rankings keeping in mind there's still a few weeks to go to conclude the year of 2023.


UFC @UFC 

ONE Championship and PFL (tied). *PLF has absorbed Bellator MMA

Combate Global

CFFC

Valor Bare Knuckle 

BRAVE

Urban Fight Night (Australia specific region)

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships

RIZIN

Cage Warriors

Pancrase (much debate has endured for over a decade as to if/when shoot and "worked" - a cousin to professional wrestling!

*we are still researching Gracie Challenge type scenarios out of Brazil. The Gracie name and techniques are legendary in the industry. 


#mma #mixedmartialarts #mmarankings #mmapromotions #cagefighting #mmapromoters #rankings #sportspromotions #sportspromoters #promotions #sportsnews #sportsbusiness #sportsmarketing #ppv #premiumliveevents #sportsbroadcasting #sportsmedia #newsmedia #media #mediaman #mediamanaustralia #mediamanint



Pro Wrestling


SmackDown preview, Dec. 15, 2023: Roman Reigns returns to handle Tribal Business!



The Tribal Chief returns to handle some Tribal Business. 


With the Royal Rumble just around the corner, The Head of the Table will need to lock down his tribe and figure out how to navigate his Road to WrestleMania. 


Don’t miss SmackDown next week when Reigns returns at 8/7 C on FOX! 



Kevin Owens takes on Austin Theory with a broken hand



KO has been in the habit of punching Theory and his teammate Grayson Waller but he broke his hand during a battle with Waller two weeks ago. 


Despite the injury, Owens has continued to punch his enemies in the face.  


Can KO defeat Theory, progress in the U.S. Title Tournament and gain some payback for his broken hand? Find out next week at 8/7 C on FOX! 



U.S. Title Tournament continues with Carmelo Hayes taking on Grayson Waller



The first round of the United States Title Tournament wraps up next week when Carmelo Hayes faces Grayson Waller. 


Hayes was handpicked by Shawn Michaels to battle Waller, making this Hayes' SmackDown debut?


Can Waller get to the promised land, or will this Hayes score a monumental victory? 


Find out who prevails this Friday at 8/7 C on FOX! 




Combat Sports Deal Of The Year: Flashback


WWE @WWE - UFC @UFC - Endeavor @Endeavor news quote: 


“All the WrestleManias combined … doesn’t really equal to the magnitude of what we will do together.” - Vince McMahon #VinceMcMahon #quote #WWE #UFC #Endeavor #EndeavorGroup #TKO #TKOGroup  #combatsports #sportsbusiness #popculture #entertainmentnews #media #mediaman


News Flashback


Powerhouse': WWE, UFC merge to create $21b sporting giant - April 4, 2023 (Media Man Int)

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


WWE News (Media Man Int)

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


Combat Sports (Media Man Int)

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/combat_sports.htm


PPV News (Media Man Int)

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


Best Quotes Of The Day (Media Man Int)

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







Sports Streaming Leader FITE Renamed TrillerTV


The best value in live streaming and the most reliable PPV and subscription platform, FITE is growing beyond its combat sports roots to offer fans even more action


New York, NY (December 11, 2023)--FITE is proud to announce its rebranding as TrillerTV, signaling the continuing addition of new sports categories and closer alignment with parent company Triller. The PPV platform, subscription channel, and FAST channel will all continue to deliver the same incredible action, with the same reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation. Now, the massive reach and resources of Triller will power FITE's continued growth through acquisitions and major sports rights licensing deals.




New York, NY (December 11, 2023)--FITE is proud to announce its rebranding as TrillerTV, signaling the continuing addition of new sports categories and closer alignment with parent company Triller. The PPV platform, subscription channel, and FAST channel will all continue to deliver the same incredible action, with the same reputation for quality, reliability, and innovation. Now, the massive reach and resources of Triller will power FITE's continued growth through acquisitions and major sports rights licensing deals.


Quote


"TrillerTV is everything you know and trust from FITE, but with doors open for even moresports," said Michael Weber, Co-Founder and COO of TrillerTV. "Our original name served us well, as have our loyal customers, promoters, and athletes to whom we are super grateful. The time has come to give even more to expand the experience we've built from the ground up to celebrate the passion and precision that makes us all love sports."

FITE was founded in 2015 using pioneering and proprietary AI tools to enhance the viewer experience. The platform has since grown, thanks to its hard-driving, sports-fanatic team, to serve 8 million registered users around the world, and to present blockbuster events with the biggest names in their fields.


Subscription services AEW Plus, FITE+, and the FAST channel, FITE 24/7 have all grown at an astounding rate, and now FITE+ becomes TrillerTV+, FITE 24/7 becomes TrillerTV 24/7, and AEW Plus keeps its name. Both TrillerTV+ and AEW Plus have newly enabled geo-tagged pricing, increasing their value proposition for international audiences.


Quote


"Now that we've proven FITE in 10s of thousands of live events from all over the world, it's time to expand to more content verticals under our new brand TrillerTV," Kosta Jordanov, Co-Founder and CEO of TrillerTV, said, "We will be adding new sports categories, more premium brand promotions, and continuing to improve our technology to give the best user experience in streaming sports and entertainment."

Quote


"We are thrilled to realize one of the core objectives of the acquisition of FITE," added Mahi de Silva, CEO of Triller. "The launch of TrillerTV is the culmination of the strategy of expansion from their combat sports roots to broader sports content and even broader entertainment verticals across the globe. TrillerTV is a great example of Triller's open-garden approach of delivering high quality entertainment on every platform; mobile phones, PCs, streaming devices, set-top-boxes and gaming consoles."

For more information contact: owen.phillips@fite.tv


About TrillerTV:

TrillerTV is the premium global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry's marquee PPV events to 8M registered users. Additionally, TrillerTV offers exclusive subscription packages such as AEW Plus in select regions, and TrillerTV+, the best value in sports, worldwide. Consumers can stream TrillerTV globally through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU and Amazon Fire TV apps. In addition, TrillerTV supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Virgin Media, Shaw Communications, Blue Curve IPTV, Foxxum, Chromecast, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD/ TiVO, Netgem TV, Comcast's Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex, as well as more than 7,000 models of Smart TVs. TrillerTV also offers a free ad-supported FAST channel called TrillerTV 24/7, both on and off platform. Visit TrillerTV online at www.TrillerTV.com. Follow us as TrillerTV powered by FITE on Twitter/X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIN, Facebook, and Threads.

TrillerTV is owned by Triller Hold Co LLC.




UFC ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NRL AS THE AUSSIE FOOTBALL CODE LAUNCHES VEGAS MISSION  




Ultimate Fighting Championship Joins Forces With World's Premier Rugby League Competition





Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has today joined forces with the world’s premier rugby league competition, National Rugby League (NRL) to launch the sporting organization’s first Las Vegas venture.


Four of the Australian competition’s flagship clubs - South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters - will play in the Vegas showpiece to kick-off the 2024 NRL Premiership season at Allegiant Stadium on March 2.


The historic NRL double-header fixture will be the first played on U.S. soil and today, UFC Senior Executive Vice President Lawrence Epstein, Executive Vice President Dave Shaw and Hall of Fame athlete Forrest Griffin welcomed NRL officials and star players from the four clubs to the fight capital of the world.


The new partnership will see UFC build upon its already strong links with NRL to reach thousands of potential new fans in the Asia Pacific region, where the sport of MMA continues to experience exponential growth. The NRL is hoping to tap into UFC’s pulling power in the U.S. market to expand its own global footprint.


UFC announces strategic partnership with NRL as the Aussie football code launches Vegas mission

“Las Vegas is on the fast track to becoming the sports capital of the world. All the major U.S. sports leagues will have a presence here soon, and of course, Las Vegas will host its first Super Bowl here at Allegiant Stadium in February,” said UFC Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Lawrence Epstein.


“International sports leagues are also recognizing the value Las Vegas can bring to their brand.  Just a few weeks ago we had the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which was a great success and set the stage for additional F1 events in the years to come.


“NRL fans are going to love coming to Vegas to watch these matches. We've been to all the great cities, and there's nothing like the infrastructure we have here in Las Vegas - from hotel rooms to restaurants and night clubs, and all of the other entertainment and sports we have here. Fans are the most important component of the sports ecosystem, and when the fans have a great time, they talk about your brand more, they talk about the experience more, and that positivity just builds up,” said Epstein.


UFC announces strategic partnership with NRL as the Aussie football code launches Vegas mission

UFC Vice President, Head of International & Content Dave Shaw said the two organizations have enjoyed close ties over many years.


“There is a great link between our two sports, and I am excited about this partnership and the opportunities we have to grow together,” said Shaw.


“We know the NRL is one of the biggest sporting competitions Down Under and they have aspirations to grow their sport here in the U.S. We also know Australians are some of the biggest MMA fans on the planet - it is home to over 4 million of our 700 million global fanbase - and we are always looking at ways to continue to grow that fanbase in the APAC region.


“Since 2010, UFC has accomplished major milestones across Australia and New Zealand, delivering 20 events across most major cities, many of them record-breaking.


“We have seen UFC athletes like Alex Volkanovski and Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa start their careers in rugby league before transitioning to MMA... and we’ve also seen plenty of NRL stars enjoying the action at our UFC events across the globe. There is a connection between the sports that transcends beyond the Octagon and that is what excites us about this partnership.”


(Sources: NRL, UFC, FOX Sports, Wires and X)








ESPN MMA. DJ has been looking for the right moves in his embattled career for a while. This may be it. A24 enjoyed a successful launch of 'The Iron Claw' in LA a few days ago. DJ wasn't there, at least not captured on film, but MJF, John Cena and CJ Perry aka "Lana" were.. Looking for a peg-on? A24 to collab with 7 Bucks? You sure?! Kerr is a legend and has been looking to have his story on the.big screen for the longest time.. Patience and timing.. Here's to the combat sports legends



FOX Sports

The Brain Can Only Take So Much


FOX and The Hound..USA vs Australia. Verbal fight game ala Ali (I am the greatest),.Sean Strickland (Dog.day afternoon), and you get the idea. Verbal warfare to help sell fights.If there's a genuine dislike in UFC/MMA, even better. High OH&S risks in combat sports. Mind over matter, and Colv don't mind!







Wrestling News


WWE @WWE SmackDown. December 15, 2023


"The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns @WWERomanReigns to finally return. Family business and WWE business to attend to. Is Paul Heyman @HeymanHustle on high alter yet?


US title contender's tournament: Kevin Owens vs Austin Theory


US title contender's tournament: Grayson Waller vs mystery man from NXT @WWENXT 


WWE YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/wwe


#Smackdown #RomanReigns #TribalChief #TheBloodline #Bloodline #PaulHeyman #JimmyUso #JeyUso #SoloSikoa #NickAldis #RandyOrton #LWO #LoganPaul #USTitle #LAKnight #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #WrestleMania40 #WWE #WWENXT #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #DragonLee #LoganPaul #LexisKing #King #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #broadcast #FOX #legends #Goat #Goats #YouTube #TY #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media 


Image credit: WWE




Mixed Martial Arts


UFC 1: The Beginning: Playboy, Mortal Kombat and the hunt for an ultimate fighter



Twenty-five years ago, one man set out to answer the eternal question: "Who is the ultimate fighter?"


Little did Art Davie know a concept forged via Playboy Magazine, a handful of Hollywood hard men and a popular arcade game would turn into a multi-billion dollar industry.


On 12 November 1993, Davie and associates hosted "the street fight to end all street fights", as eight fearless competitors from across the world gathered in a Colorado octagon to see who was the toughest.


This is the story of UFC 1: The Beginning.


Bringing back ancient history


Art Davie was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame earlier this year, and said: "Watching UFC become mainstream and break all these records over the years has been like watching my child go out and conquer the world."

An article in Playboy Magazine in September 1989 proclaimed its subject to be the "toughest man in the United States", a man who had offered to fight anyone in the country for a winner-takes-it all $100,000 prize.


Just the kind of guy Davie, a former car dealer who used to star in his own commercials by jumping off buildings and getting set on fire, was looking for.


Since he was a kid interested in boxing, Davie had been obsessed with wanting to find out who the best fighter in the world was and which style was most effective.


He set about immersing himself in the history of fighting and discovered the Ancient Greek sport of Pankration, which used a mix of boxing and wrestling techniques.


"I had history behind me, for 1,041 years it had been in the Olympics. I was simply bringing back the glory of the ancient world," Davie told the 30 for 30 Podcast.


During his research Davie, a former high school roommate of US President Donald Trump, was made aware of the Playboy article and sought out the man in question - Rorion Gracie.


A real life 'Mortal Kombat'

Born in Rio de Janiero, Gracie had moved to California in the late 1970s to demonstrate the Brazilian jiu-jitsu taught by his father, and inspired by a travelling Japanese master, was superior to all others, labelling his fight offer the "Gracie Challenge".


Davie made his pitch, and Gracie was sold.


Gracie had already enjoyed a taste of on-screen fighting after preparing Mel Gibson for 1987 film Lethal Weapon, but for he and Davie to make the tournament a success they needed to attract a pay-per-view provider.


Despite HBO and Showtime turning down their pitch for a 'War of the Worlds', the concept hooked Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG) executive producer Campbell McLaren, who likened it to a real-life version of popular video game Mortal Kombat.


"There's a story in this event, there's a hook, there's a drama, there's a danger," said McLaren, in the documentary Fighting for a Generation.


It was game on.


Sharks? Alligators? Schwarzenegger?



While the organisers set about creating the tournament - deciding to call it Ultimate Fighting Championship, because War of the Worlds was "too science-fictiony" - Davie stumbled across a loophole in Colorado law that meant bare-knuckle fighting was permitted in the state.


Venue sorted, the eight-man roster also began to take shape - martial artists in savate, kickboxing, taekwondo, shootfighting, boxing, sumo, American Kenpo and, of course, Brazilian jiu-jitsu were booked in.


But as promotion for UFC 1 gathered pace with the marketing slogan "there are no rules", so did the opposition to it. Senator John McCain wanted it banned and branded the concept a "human cockfight".


Davie, Royce and McLaren knew they needed a "shock" factor to generate interest, and were busy throwing ideas around for how the stage would be set for the fighters - an arena with sharks? A moat with alligators? An electrical fence?


They opted for an octagon-shaped cage, suggested by Conan the Barbarian director John Milius - because Conan, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, battles in a stone octagon. Schwarzenegger liked the idea, as did fellow Hollywood tough-guy Jean-Claude Van Damme.


"Van Damme was very cool," McLaren told Maxim, admitting martial artist-turned-actor-turned-producer Chuck Norris was "not so cool", questioning whether it was even legal.


"He was badmouthing it. He didn't want to be involved, he thought it was bad for the martial arts."


The rules


This won't take long. There were no rules.


Well, actually, there were a couple - albeit the tournament was sold on the idea there were none - no biting and no eye-gouging. Oh, and no fish-hooking, as the only response to this was biting, and fighters had to be bare-fist, and they couldn't wear shoes if they planned to kick people.


This didn't sit well with the assembled mix of fighters. No rules meant no rules, right? It almost sparked a brawl in the pre-tournament meeting, until Teila Tuli smoothed things over.


Tuli, a Hawaiian sumo wrestler who had been banned from competing in Japan for pushing a journalist, told the others: "I came here to party. If any of you came here to party, I'll see you in the arena tomorrow."


Tuli leaves teeth in Gordeau's foot


Dutch savate Gerard Gordeau beat sumo Teila Tuli in 26 seconds in the opening bout

About 7,000 spectators turned up at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver to witness the action live, with a further 86,000 tuning in on pay-per-view - three times what the promoters anticipated - and many more heading to their local video store to rent the tournament on VHS in the aftermath.


Twenty-six seconds into their viewing experience, they saw a tooth whistle past the judges after being knocked from the mouth of Tuli.


The sumo actually lost three teeth during a kick to the face from Gerard Gordeau, but two of them remained lodged in the Dutchman's foot.


Gordeau also left the octagon with a broken hand after following up his roundhouse kick with an uppercut to head of Tuli, whose optimistic early charge across the canvas towards the savate world champion ended with him being dragged to the ground.


The suddenness and violence of that opening bout left even the organisers stunned, and thirsty for more.


All bar McLaren and CEG, that is, who had three hours of live pay-per-view television to fill and feared if the fights carried on at that rate the tournament would be over in little more than 10 minutes.



McLaren needn't have worried. It might have been less clinical, but the second bout was as gruelling as the first had been explosive as kickboxer Kevin Rosier and American Kenpo Zane Frazier fought it out for four minutes and 20 seconds.


It was violent and chaotic, with knees and elbow strikes complemented by hair pulling and groin attacks, before Frazier's wife threw in the towel after he was knocked down with blows to the back of the head and stamped on.


Frazier, a former bodyguard for Stevie Wonder, had asthma and was rushed to hospital following the bout after suffering respiratory failure.


"The paramedics saved my life," said Frazier in 2011, adding that he was diagnosed with asthma after the bout and told he would never compete again - he eventually retired 15 years later.


Enter Royce Gracie


Rorion's younger brother Royce was put forward to compete.


Now, remember there was a Brazilian jiu-jitsu among the competitors? And that Rorion Gracie introduced the sport to the United States and challenged anyone to a winner-takes-it all $100,000 fight? Well, he put forward his brother, Royce.


Rorion said entering Royce would "prove a point jiu-jitsu was for anyone... that it can do wonders for the little guy", while Royce was keen to establish himself in the fighting arena.


Royce was drawn against boxer Art Jimmerson in the quarter-finals and swiftly floored the cruiserweight, who wore one glove for the fight, with a double-leg takedown. Royce mounted Jimmerson, headbutted him and forced him to tap out.


"I'd never heard of Royce, I'd never even heard of jiu-jitsu. I never imagined I would be wrestling a guy on the floor," said Jimmerson.


McLaren added: "I was sure Royce was going to get his head knocked off his body by that boxer - and I thought Teila was going to slam everybody into the chain link fence and smoosh them - so that's how much I knew!"


Royce said the bout was "almost unfair", adding: "The stand-up fighters had almost no idea what to do on the ground."


The other fight of the round took place between the Captain America-esque Ken Shamrock, listed as a shootfighter, and taekwondo representative Patrick Smith.


"This thing, the UFC, it was almost like who could beat me?" quipped Shamrock, who quickly submitted Smith with a heel hook.


An Ultimate Fighting Champion is crowned



Royce Gracie said he would spend his winnings on going to Disneyland


Shamrock's armoury was made up of a mix of disciplines, but in the semi-final he came up against Royce and the Gracie family who claimed to have "the" best fighting style.


The fight lasted less than two minutes, Gracie managing to engineer a choke using his uniform and Shamrock bemoaning his lack of grip having been banned from wearing shoes.


"I'm sorry I didn't give him a good enough fight," said Shamrock after the fight, later admitting he would never head into a contest with such arrogance again.


He may have lost the bout, but Shamrock would go on to become a UFC champion, be labelled "The World's Most Dangerous Man" by ABC News and feature in the WWE.


Royce, meanwhile, headed into the final unscathed having yet to be really tested. Gordeau, with a broken bone in his hand and pieces of tooth still in his foot, awaited him.


The final lasted one minute and 40 seconds, with Gordeau at first managing to stand firm before being grounded by Royce. There was an alleged bite from the Dutchman, but Royce was able to land strikes and headbutts before submitting Gordeau with a rear naked choke hold.


Royce, and the Gracies, were victorious. "I had to prove to my family I was a fighter," said the champion, who declared after the bout he would use the $50,000 prize to go to Disneyland.


As for Rorion, he was delighted. And satisfied Brazilian jiu-jitsu produced "the ultimate fighters".



"It was like a Cinderella story, it was beautiful," he said. "I proved my point, that's for sure.



UFC News



‘The brain can only take so much’: UFC bad boy’s huge warning for Aussie stars amid $16m Sydney pitch



UFC superstar Colby Covington has taken a huge swipe at Australia’s two greatest fighters – branding Alexander Volkanovski a “midget” who will do anything for money and Robert Whittaker a fighter who has taken too much damage to own gold again.


Elsewhere, Covington also revealed his willingness to be part of the NSW Government’s $16 million UFC splurge, revealing he agreed to have this Sunday’s title fight against champ Leon Edwards take place in Sydney.


Speaking with Fox Sports Australia this week, the fighter dubbed Chaos added that while he was no fan of Australia’s government – “they take a lot of freedoms from people” – he would still happily headline a title fight here in 2024.





However he no longer expects to have a showdown against Whittaker – despite no less than UFC president Dana White once supporting the idea – suggesting the nation’s first champion had now taken too much damage to be a middleweight force again.


Among the most polarising characters in the sport, Covington has a longstanding rivalry with all three of Australia’s biggest UFC names – Volkanovski, Whittaker and Tai Tuivasa.


The American first took aim at Volkanovski back in 2021, when the UFC featherweight champ had been selected to host the latest instalment of The Ultimate Fighter.


Covington suggested UFC executives would be “smacking themselves in the head” after signing a champ who “doesn’t sell” and would “make a complete mockery of the show”.


Then in March last year, Whittaker said he would gladly take a fight with ‘Chaos’ should he want to move up to middleweight – an idea that also received the support of UFC boss White.


However, Covington now says ‘Bobby Knuckles’ time as a UFC superstar is over following his most recent performance, an upset loss to South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis at UFC 290 in July.


The American told Fox Sports Australia that should he earn the UFC welterweight title this Sunday, he would definitely consider a move up to chase ‘champ champ’ status.


So what chance that could eventually be against Australia’s first UFC champion, who is readying for another run at his old crown?


“A fight with Rob and I will never happen now,” Covington said.


“The guy has lost all his hype.


“First, he lost to the champion (Israel Adesanya), then lost to another guy in a contender fight.


“And I’m not trying to disrespect Robert Whittaker.


“He’s a great fighter. Had a terrific career.


“So I’m definitely not putting him down, Rob’s going to be a Hall of Famer.


“I just think Father Time has passed him by.


“I remember Rob twice fighting Yoel Romero – a guy who I was helping train at the time – and he took a lot of punishment, a lot of damage in those fights.


“And the chin and brain can only take so much.”


Covington also continued his ongoing verbal with Volkanovski, the Aussie who despite fighting two weight classes lower has never taken a backward step from the American.


When Covington first took aim at ‘The Great’ two years ago without provocation, Volkanovski responded by saying the fighter was simply “sour” after missing out on the TUF gig himself.


“The guy needs to stop crying and get himself into a title fight,” Volkanovski told us at the time. “Don’t cry like a baby because you didn’t get this opportunity.


“Suck it up and get into training.


“Get yourself a fight and keep my name out of your mouth.”


The champ later continued: “He can say what he wants about me (not being entertaining).


“At least I’m real.


“Colby Covington literally plays a character to stay relevant.


“But nobody cares about him. Right now, he’s sitting on the sidelines, waiting for a title shot to be given to him.


“Nobody is talking about him and he’s got the s***s about that.”


Yet on the eve of his latest title fight, Covington has again taken aim at Australia’s No.1 fighter, who most recently lost a brave attempt to chase ‘champ champ’ status against lightweight king against Islam Makhachev.


After taking the fight on 11 days notice, Volk was stopped by a Makhachev head kick in the first round.


“So how can I put the guy down more than he already has been?” Covington cackled.


“He just got knocked unconscious.


“It’s why I’ve got no idea why that little midget is trying to talk to the biggest and baddest dude in this division.


“The guy that just knocked him out, he’s scared to fight me.


“Islam Makhachev is scared to fight me.


“So what does that say about Volk?


“OK, maybe he will show up on short notice to take an ass whoopin’ because he likes to get paid.


“Likes the money.


“But there are levels to this game.


“He’s fighting at featherweight with midgets.


“So don’t talk about fighting someone like Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington.”


Elsewhere, Covington insisted he would be happy to be part of the NSW Government’s hyped $16 million deal to bring three UFC events to Sydney over four years.


The American even revealed he had verbally agreed to headline what was the first of those three fights, UFC 293 back in September.


Instead, top billing eventually went to another contentious American, Sean Strickland, who upset Israel Adesanya to become new UFC middleweight champ.


Quizzed on whispers he had been approached to headline, Covington told Fox Sports Australia: “It was discussed many times.


“Initially, we were supposed to fight in a (Edwards) homecoming fight for his UK fans.


“That was supposed to be July.


“But he robbed his fans in the UK of an undisputed title.


“He said ‘UK, f… you’.


“Told them they don’t deserve a Pay Per View event, that they only deserved a Fight Night.


“That’s a big ‘f… you’.


“And then he turned down multiple other locations … and the UFC was discussing Sydney as well.


“I said ‘yes, yes, yes’ to every location’.


“I just want to get my hands on this guy because I know he’s a tin man, a quitter.


“And I know the dog in me is going to bring out the quitter in him.”


Told our tax rate for fighters is unusually high, Covington continued: “I would’ve come down.


“I would still defend me title there.


“I think Australia is a great place except for your government.


“I’m all for people’s constitutional rights and freedoms but your government takes a lot of freedoms from people.”


(FOX Sports)



AFL - December 15, 2023


Hollywood actress Sydney Sweeney reveals Sydney Swans squad 'slid into her DMs' after watching her first AFL game

Actress Sydney Sweeney attended her first AFL game earlier this year and revealed the Sydney Swans welcomed her to Australia in a "very big way".



Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney has revealed the Sydney Swans were very excited about her arrival in the Harbour City.


The American actress travelled Down Under for the filming of her new romcom Anyone But You with actor Glen Powell.


During her travels Sweeney was invited alongside co-stars Dermot Mulroney and Rachel Griffiths to the Swans match against Hawthorn earlier this year.


After the match, Sweeney went into the changerooms to meet the players and in a recent interview it was revealed several of the Swans’ stars slid into her DMs.


“I had a blast, I loved it. I got to meet everybody. I want to go back,” Sweeney told The Project on Thursday night.


Powell was also in the interview and chimed in to make sure all the details were laid out.


“They had a good time meeting Sydney as well, the whole team slid into her DMs afterwards it was,” he said.


“Australia wanted to welcome her to town, fast.”




Sweeney giggled in reply adding: “Yeah … in a very big way.”


The Swans game was Sweeney’s first experience of Aussie Rules and she said she was left confused but there was one main query.


“I had a lot of questions,” she said.


“First of all, why are the shorts so short?”


Again Powell jumped in: “That was for you they honestly usually have pretty long shorts.”


Powell and Sweeney were also asked about their least favourite thing about filming in Australia and they both agreed the water was too cold.


The pair said during the filming of the swimming scenes they wish they had done it when “the water was warm”.


“Actually, all of the scenes. They were freezing,” Sweeney said.


“We shot all the water scenes to begin the movie, when it was freezing,” Powell said, even though filming took place in the months of February and March.


“And then we shot all the sand scenes when it was the hottest.”


Anyone But You arrives in Australian cinemas on Boxing Day.


(Sky News Australia)




Movie News


North American Box Office


1. The Boy and His Heron - $10.4 million 


2. The Hunger Games: The Ballads of Songbirds & Snakes - $9.4 million


3. Godzilla Minus One - $8.3 million


4. Trolls Band Together - $6.2 million


5. Wish - $5.3 million


6. Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce - $5 million


7. Napolean - $4.2 million


8. Waitress: The Musical - $2.6 million


9. Animal - $2.3 million


10. The Shift - $2.2 million


Media Man Int


Movies

https://www.mediamanint.com/movies.html


Entertainment News

https://www.mediamanint.com/news4.html


Box Office

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


#movienews #boxoffice #showbiz #TheBoyAndTheHeron #TheHungerGames #TheHungerGamesTheBalladofSongbirdsandSnakes #GodzillaMinusOne #TrollsBandTogether #WishMovie #RenaissanceAFilmByBeyonce #Napoleon #napoleonmovie #waitress #Animal #AnimalBoxOffice #AnimalTheMovie #TheShift #EntertainmentNews #entertainment #popculture #trending #trends #buzz #media #mediaman 





Streaming News


Tubi Makes Late Play To Be 'Streamer Of The Year'


Fox’s advertising supported streamer Tubi @tubi strikes deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to stream DC movies including “The Batman,” “Suicide Squad,” “Black Adam,” “Wonder Woman” and “Aquaman,” in addition to as superhero themed series “Batwoman,” “Gotham” and “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.”


The news comes at a not so great time for other streaming firms such as Netflix and don't even start us on embattled Disney, who parents and their offspring have been tuning out of in droves.


“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn),” “Green Lantern” and “Wonder Woman 1984,” will also hit Tubi’s on-demand lineup in 2024.


Available as of Tuesday are “Batman,” “Batman Returns” and “Batman Forever,” as well as “Superman: The Movie” and “Superman II,” and TV series “Batwoman,” “Gotham” and “Krypton.”


Pro wrestling living legend John Cena of WWE and 'Peacemaker' fame is keen to do some more work and collaborations with DC into the new year now that that apparent communications "ban" between him and DC powers that be is no longer. What a business hey, hence showbiz! Hollywood er Hollyweird, never mind.


More Streaming News


FITE (soon to be Triller) is our 'Sports Streamer Of The Year', and BINGE wins 'Streaming Service Of The Year' (Australian region)


Sources: Variety, Wires, New Corp, Advanced Television, Digital TV Europe, Wikipedia and last but not least, X.


#tubi #streamingservice #streamingservices #DC #Warner #WarnerBros #TheBatman #Aquaman #RoadRunner #Peacemaker #JohnCena #streamingbiz #streamingentertainment #streamingmovies #streamingtv #streamingaustralia #popculture #entertainmentnews #movienews #showbiz #disrupt #disruptor #overthetop #OTT #streameroftheyear #homeentertainment #wrestlingnews #newsmedia #media #mediaman 


Image credit: Tubi






Pro Wrestling


WWE 

@WWE

 WrestleMania 

@WrestleMania

 Fantasy Booking


Speculation Only


Dream Matches 


Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes


Seth Rollins vs CM Punk


Brock Lesnar vs Gunther vs Randy Orton


Logan Paul vs Dragon Lee 


Grayson Waller & Austin Theory vs Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar 


Rhea Ripley vs Charlotte Flair vs Tiffany Stratton


Lexis King vs Trick Williams 


Nia Jax vs Becky Lynch 


and much more! 


Dream Matches compilation by Media Man 


(Image credit: WWE)






Bitcoin (₿) BTC or XBT is the first decentralized cryptocurrency. Nodes in the peer-to-peer bitcoin network verify transactions through cryptography and record them in a public distributed ledger, called a blockchain, without central oversight. Consensus between nodes is achieved using a computationally intensive system based on proof-of-work called mining. Bitcoin mining requires increasing quantities of electricity[ and was responsible for 0.2% of world greenhouse gas emissions as of 2022.


News


Bitcoin (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/bitcoin_news.html


#bitcoin #bitcoinnews #crypto #cryptonews #cryptocurrency #cryptocurrencies #cryptotrading #cryptominer #cryptoexchange #bitcoinnewsmedia #cafenews #digitalnews #markets #blockchain #blockchainnews #NFT #nftnews #cryptocafe #mining #miner #disrupt #disruptor #digitalads #newsfeeds #agency #AI #trend #buzz #media #mediaman 





Wrestling News


WWE @WWE US Champion Logan Paul is substance and style, and gets the Jazz Treatment; Maverick trends Jazzy socials with extra Prime Buzz!


Our topic pick for WWE's 'MVP' and 'Break Out Star', 'Standout Out Of Year Year' et al Logan Paul @LoganPaul appears on Jazzy's YouTube!


"Just like Jazzy, Be yourself, do what you love, take the leap" LP


WWE is the perfect thing for everything that I love in life. The showmanship, the combat, the physical nature of it, the storytelling, the media. It’s everything that I love. You know, we’re doing part of it right now but in a second I get to go out there and I get to go beat some people up. I think it’s fun for me people seem to enjoy it and truthfully Jazzy I think at age 27 I found my calling. I gotta say I’m good at it. Jazzy you’re looking at the US champ, the best WWE has seen in a while so I’m gonna be at it for a minute.” - Logan Paul


"People your beefing with. Maybe you have more in common than you think". - LP. 


Media Man Ed: Agree. We discovered this in the school yard and growing up in The School Of Hard Knocks, as well as in a few early entreprenial ventures such as washing cars, trucks and competing for TV spot in our formative years.


More LP golden nuggets...


"It's all challanging Jazzy, It's the hardest thing I've ever done, and I've done a lot of stuff".


"The comparison I like to use is in boxing right, I fought Floyd Mayweather, he's very good. But I was worried about one guy.  One guy across from me - I was worried about Floyd Mayweather. In WWE, I'm worried about 18,000, 50,000, 70,000 people watching. It's my job, the company is paying me, to make sure that they're entertained. Right, these people are spending their money, and it's my job to make sure their having a good time, and its money well spent".. LP


Media Man: Absolutely loved this interview. Talk about a massive Win-Win-Win!


Jazzys World TV YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@JazzysWorldTV


Logan Paul talks about becoming a WWE Superstar, his brother Jake Paul, & his success as a Youtuber

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z778rA8Og4A&ab_channel=JazzysWorldTV


#LoganPaul #Jazzy #JazzysWorld #quotes #interview #TheMaverick #prime #drinkprime #WWEUSTitle #USChampion #prowrestling #wrestling #wrestlingnews #popculture #boxing #combatsports #Entrepreneurship #disrupt #disruptor #trend #trends #socialmedia #socialmediasuperstar #buzz #media 


Image credit: WWE






Pro Wrestling


WWE @WWE RAW


CM Punk makes his brand decision tonight on Raw: WWE Now, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFTvgPYjp4&ab_channel=WWE


Will CM Punk sign with Raw?


Cody Rhodes vs Shinsuke Nakamura


Jey Uso vs Drew McIntyre


Maxxine Dupri vs Women's Champion Rhea Ripley


Confrontation: Becky Lynch and Nia Jax


Keep up to date on the live broadcast and via the WWE Official YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@WWE


Media Man: WWE remains on fire. Wouldn't mind seeing Punk stay a free agent ala that late Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Just keep that WWE contract watertight! Royal Rumble Season is here! Bring on some dream matches!


#WWERaw #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #ShinsukeNakamura #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #JeyUso #DrewMcIntyre #BeckyLynch #NiaJax #RheaRipley #JudgementDay #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #showbiz #USANetwork #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #buzz #media 


Image credit: WWE





Pro Wrestling


WWE @WWE RAW


WWE Official YouTube highlights so far...


CM Punk’s whirlwind weekend: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

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


CM Punk makes his brand decision tonight on Raw: WWE Now, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvFTvgPYjp4&ab_channel=WWE


Drew McIntyre takes advantage of Jey Uso’s hesitation: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAhFo62hSc0&t=2s&ab_channel=WWE


Shinsuke Nakamura has been reborn: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuYXLvxH7d8&t=2s&ab_channel=WWE


Rhea Ripley dismantles Maxxine Dupri: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH9TypUC_A0&ab_channel=WWE


“Big” Bronson Reed and Ivar collide in a beefy battle: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8Edna8QdYc&ab_channel=WWE


The Creed Brothers and R-Truth brawl with The Judgment Day: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UNbsw4zXHc&ab_channel=WWE


Keep up to date on the live broadcast and via the WWE Official YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@WWE


Media Man: The CM Punk vs Seth Rollins feud has set the wrestling world on fire. Ripley vs Maxxine has a real edge to it, as did Lynch vs Jax. "Heat" in pro wrestling often leads to great matches and great payoffs for fans and promoters. The  Creed Brothers are off the hook and a brilliant addition to Raw. Reed vs Ivar over-delivered again. The backstage footage is hitting the sweet spot. World class action, drama and production values. This is pro wrestling and sports entertainment at the highest level. Royal Rumble season has arrived. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett did a tremendous call of the action through the entire broadcast.


#WWERaw #CMPunk #CodyRhodes #ShinsukeNakamura #RoyalRumble #WrestleMania #JeyUso #DrewMcIntyre #BeckyLynch #NiaJax #RheaRipley #JudgementDay #CreedBros #BronsonReed #Ivar #prowrestling #wrestling #entertainment #showbiz #USANetwork #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #buzz #media


Image credit: WWE





Wrestling. WWE @WWE 


WWE YouTube highlights


CM Punk’s whirlwind weekend: Raw highlights, Dec. 11, 2023 

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


CM Punk makes his brand decision tonight on Raw

WWE Now, Dec. 11, 2023 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AvFTvgPYjp4&ab_channel=WWW


#WWERaw #CMPunk #Trending #media


Image credit: WWE





'The Iron Claw'. Cena's got an iron grip on MJF. Different promoters this time around. Art may reflect life. Pumped to see this movie. Two Goats!


#TheIronClaw #IronClaw #MJF 




"Can you do The Iron Claw"?


"Not as effective as The Von Erichs" John Cena @JohnCena 


"Kevin did it on me. I asked him to do it. And I said No, I want pressure, and now I have an headache"


"Well, I mean. Ask for trouble, and trouble will find you right"! John Cena 


#TheIronClaw #JohnCena #IronClaw #IronClawMovie 






"Would you show me how to do The Iron Claw? I dunno if I'm strong enough, but. How do you do it? 


"Well, it's a simple hold".. Kevin Von Erich


And you just squeze. Comon, you can squeze. Oh, not that much".


"Eww"!


#IronClaw #TheIronClaw 






"How is this film unlike any role you've ever taken before"? Media


"Oh man Ah, jeeze, this movie's insane. I never dreamed I'd play a character like Kevin Von Erich. It feels really special man. I really don't know how to put it into words. I'm kind of emotion. I've got Kevin Von Erich here. John Cena's here"... Zac Efron


#IronClaw #TheIronClaw #TheIronClawmovie #IronClawMovie 












Creativity is a phenomenon whereby something somehow new and somehow valuable is formed. The created item may be intangible (such as an idea, a scientific theory, a musical composition, or a joke) or a physical object (such as an invention, a printed literary work, or a painting).


Creative Content via Media Man (Media Man Int)

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


Creative Arts Marketing (Media Man Int)

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


Creative Advertising Directory (Media Man Int)

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


Art & Copy (Media Man Int)

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


#creativity #creative #ContentCreator #contentcreators #ContentThatCreatesBuzz #imagination #agency #creativeagency #popculture #trends #buzz #media #mediaman












LinkedIn hits 1 billion users, eyes AI-driven future


Global networking platform LinkedIn has reached a major milestone, and recently hit one billion members. From the one billion professionals and 67 million companies on the platform, LinkedIn has distilled various labour market insights.


People skills remain paramount, while A.I continues to further infiltrate the internet including and a wide array of business sectors.






CoinDesk. NFT collectables. Collect them all! An instant classic. Could it be possible in a year or two there may be a Biden Jr or Se NFL collectable of the days theme? It's free to ask! Fair and balanced coverage. 


#coindesk #NFT #NFTart #nftnews #blockchain #crypto #cryptonews #collectables #popculture #newsmedia #media 










Sports News


UFC @UFC ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH NRL @NRL AS THE AUSSIE FOOTBALL CODE LAUNCHES VEGAS MISSION  


December 14, 2023


Ultimate Fighting Championship Joins Forces With World's Premier Rugby League Competition


Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has today joined forces with the world’s premier rugby league competition, National Rugby League (NRL) to launch the sporting organization’s first Las Vegas venture.


Four of the Australian competition’s flagship clubs - South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos, Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters - will play in the Vegas showpiece to kick-off the 2024 NRL Premiership season at Allegiant Stadium on March 2.


The historic NRL double-header fixture will be the first played on U.S. soil and today, UFC Senior Executive Vice President Lawrence Epstein, Executive Vice President Dave Shaw and Hall of Fame athlete Forrest Griffin welcomed NRL officials and star players from the four clubs to the fight capital of the world.


The new partnership will see UFC build upon its already strong links with NRL to reach thousands of potential new fans in the Asia Pacific region, where the sport of MMA continues to experience exponential growth. The NRL is hoping to tap into UFC’s pulling power in the U.S. market to expand its own global footprint.


UFC announces strategic partnership with NRL as the Aussie football code launches Vegas mission


“Las Vegas is on the fast track to becoming the sports capital of the world. All the major U.S. sports leagues will have a presence here soon, and of course, Las Vegas will host its first Super Bowl here at Allegiant Stadium in February,” said UFC Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Lawrence Epstein.


“International sports leagues are also recognizing the value Las Vegas can bring to their brand.  Just a few weeks ago we had the inaugural Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which was a great success and set the stage for additional F1 events in the years to come.


“NRL fans are going to love coming to Vegas to watch these matches. We've been to all the great cities, and there's nothing like the infrastructure we have here in Las Vegas - from hotel rooms to restaurants and night clubs, and all of the other entertainment and sports we have here. Fans are the most important component of the sports ecosystem, and when the fans have a great time, they talk about your brand more, they talk about the experience more, and that positivity just builds up,” said Epstein.


UFC Vice President, Head of International & Content Dave Shaw said the two organizations have enjoyed close ties over many years.


“There is a great link between our two sports, and I am excited about this partnership and the opportunities we have to grow together,” said Shaw.


“We know the NRL is one of the biggest sporting competitions Down Under and they have aspirations to grow their sport here in the U.S. We also know Australians are some of the biggest MMA fans on the planet - it is home to over 4 million of our 700 million global fanbase - and we are always looking at ways to continue to grow that fanbase in the APAC region.


“Since 2010, UFC has accomplished major milestones across Australia and New Zealand, delivering 20 events across most major cities, many of them record-breaking.


“We have seen UFC athletes like Alex Volkanovski and Tai ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa start their careers in rugby league before transitioning to MMA... and we’ve also seen plenty of NRL stars enjoying the action at our UFC events across the globe. There is a connection between the sports that transcends beyond the Octagon and that is what excites us about this partnership.”


(Sources: NRL, UFC, FOX Sports, Wires and X)


Media Man says: Love it. A massive Win-Win-Win!


#NRL #NRLVegas #NRLLasVegas #UFC #UFCNRL #Rabbitohs #Broncos #SeaEagles #SydneyRoosters  

#LawrenceEpstein #DaveShaw #ForrestGriffin #Volk #BamBam #RugbyLeague #sportsbusiness #sportspartnership #sportsmarketing #sportsmedia #sportsnews #win #winwinwin #LasVegas #Aussie #media #mediaman 


Image credit: UFC and NRL






Quotes





"I can not respond to real-time events in the way Grok can."  - ChatGPT

#Grok #quote #ChatGPT #AI #AInews #ArtificialInteligence #AIsearch #searchengine #XCorp #X #realtime #media 



“Is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?” - Marcus Aurelius #MarcusAurelius #quote #creation #philosophy #life #mindset #world #media #mediaman #mediaman





And remember that philosophy requires only the things which thy nature requires; but thou wouldst have something else which is not according to nature. - It may be objected, Why what is more agreeable than this which I am doing?- But is not this the very reason why pleasure deceives us? - Marcus Aurelius #MarcusAurelius #Aurelius #quote #philosophy #nature #life #mindset #world #mbs #mindbodyspirit #media #mediaman #mediamanint





LinkedIn hits 1 billion users, eyes AI-driven future




Global networking platform LinkedIn has reached a major milestone, and recently hit one billion members. From the one billion professionals and 67 million companies on the platform, LinkedIn has distilled various labour market insights.




People skills remain paramount, while A.I continues to further infiltrate the internet including and a wide array of business sectors.




#LinkedIn #linkedinnews #li #socialmedia #socialmedianews #socialmediaplatform #socialmediaplatforms #networking #businessnetworking #ai #artificialintelligence #onlinenews #onlinepublishing #onlinepublisher #news #newsmedia #people #peopleskills #comms #communication #communications #seo #serps #algorithm #algorithms #onlinebiz #onlinemarketing #onlinepr #pr #press #mediarelease #ads #onlineads #agency #agent #media #mediaman #mediamanint #gregtingle 





Media Man Contender For 'Quote Of The Year'


“I hope they stop. Don’t advertise,” Elon Musk told interviewer Andrew Ross Sorkin. 


“If somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising, blackmail me with money, go fuck yourself. Go fuck yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is.” Directed at Disney CEO Bob Iger, who discussed not wanting Disney to be affiliated with Musk while onstage earlier in the day. “Hey Bob, if you’re in the audience.”


Best Quotes Of The Day (Media Man Int)

www.mediamanint.com/articles/best_quotes.html


#quoteoftheyear #ElonMusk #quote #quotes #Dealbook #X #XCorp #interview #disruptor #disruptors #ads #onlineadvertising #socialmedia #socialmedianews #socialmediaplatforms #platforms #biz #media #mediaman 



Quotes


A great saying in sports: "Father Time is undefeated". It refers to the fact that no athlete, in any sport, has ever overcome what aging does to the body and their ability to perform at a high level. This is also true in life and in business. #time #fathertime #quote #quotes #sports #sportsbiz #body #performance #combatsports #prossports #life #world #media #mediaman 




Quotes



"Great things should be done without hesitation so that the feeling of danger would not weaken courage and speed" - Julius Caesar #JuliusCaesar #Caesar #quote #great #courage #speed #battle #war #world #media #mediaman 





"It's easy to blindly subscribe to something that works, but you've got to remember it only works at that particular point in time. Like Kodak or horse-drawn carriages, or even Facebook, you can never assume the continued success of anything" - Mark Bouris #MarkBouris #quote #biz #subscribe #business #businessmodel #businessmodels #time #kodak #Facebook #success #model #world #trend #trends #media 






Wrestling News


"I have no idea what my future is at AEW. I have no clue. To be very frank about it, I’m not worried about it, yay or nay. I mean, my work should stand on its own after 50 years, for God’s sake, I mean, seriously. So sometimes I worry too much. I think it’s just a matter of being an alpha male and wanting to do whatever it is on my terms. I understand that’s not always possible, but I do appreciate all the feedback is is very meaningful to me" Jim Ross, Wresting and sports broadcasting legend 

#JimRoss #quote #wrestlingnews #AEW #wrestling #prowrestling #broadcaster #broadcasting #sportsnews #entertainmentnews #media #mediaman 





Wrestling News


WWE's Grayson Waller on Wrestling, the return of CM Punk and more


"I didn’t realize how wrong the internet was about everything until I came to WWE @WWE and I was actually backstage and saw some things. I don’t think there is anything but positive energy about CM Punk coming back. The entire roster right now is great, from top to bottom. Everyone is challenging each other, everyone wants to be the top guy, but no one is stepping on anyone to get there. Maybe me, I don’t mind doing that, but everyone is working together. We want this product to succeed and I think that’s what’s happening. Everyone is buzzing to have him back. Why would you not want to have this guy who can cut incredible promos, he can have great matches, who the crowd wants to see, who is super controversial? If you don’t want him back here, you’re stupid. For me, personally, I said some things online about Punk when I heard the rumors. I like to play with the rumors and have some fun, that type of thing. I got to meet him recently, and that’s all I’ll say about that".


"I was trained in NXT originally by Ace Steel, who is obviously Punk’s coach as well. I know the type of training he went through. Ace Steel is a great trainer. He’s hard-nosed, very to the point. He got me a lot of my first matches in NXT. I have nothing but positive things to say about Ace and nothing but positive things to say currently about Punk. I’m sure that’ll change in the future".


#GraysonWaller #quote #quotes #WWE #WWENXT #wrestlingnews #CMPunk #GWEffect #AceSteel #entertainmentnews #popculture #sportsnews #Mediafire 


Credit: Adrian Hernandez Podcast


Image credit: WWE




Australian Media News


James Packer buys up $US80m stake in Ten owner, Paramount Global


James Packer has built a $US80 million ($123.4 million) stake in Paramount Global, the American media and entertainment conglomerate that owns Network Ten, signalling a broadening of the billionaire’s media interests.


(Sources: Wires, AFR, X, Paramount)


#JamesPacker #Paramount #ParamountGlobal #Ten #NetworkTen #australianmedia #australiannews #medianews #newsmedia #broadcasting #Aussie #media 










Wrestling/Pop Culture News


KSI @KSI does the John Cena Attitude Adjustment Move to Logan Paul @LoganPaul (through a table)


The WWE @WWE U.S champion got his latest taste of a table, thanks to his long time rival KSI.


Something tell us to expect more stunts from these two amazing performers sooner rather than later, as they share numerous business interests together, with Prime being the one most in the public eye.


Cheers with Prime, as we head towards the road to the Royal Rumble.


Video via KSI YouTube Clips Channel


KSI threw logan Paul on the table

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDQNAJFO-cg&ab_channel=KSIClips


Image credit: WWE


#LoganPaul #TheMaverick #Prime #KSI #Table #wrestling #wrestliingnews #entertainmentnews #popculture #publicity #video #Prime #DrinkPrime #PrimeEnergy #trends #trending #buzz #media