Media Man News: 26/11/23

The largest casino ever built by Princess Cruises is readying to deal a full house of luck on the next-generation, 4,300-guest Sun Princess. The Princess Casino – with an astounding 50% more space and 30% more machines than the line's Royal Class ships – is preparing for guests to hit the jackpot when its newest and most magnificent cruise ship ever, Sun Princess, sets sail in February 2024.

Located on deck 8 adjacent to the bustling Piazza, the Princess Casino offers high ceilings and a spacious floorplan for world-class gaming comfort and entertainment. There will even be several gaming positions infused into in the Piazza, giving guests even easier and faster access to their favorite betting games.

With over 200 of the newest and most popular slots and video poker games, the Princess Casino will feature live table games offering progressive jackpots, as well as a variety of other games Princess players have come to enjoy. Included in the expanded casino will be a first-of-its-kind "Buffalo Zone" at sea – bringing these popular games by Aristocrat to the newest "Love Boat."

"Casino lovers, high rollers or simply those wanting to try a hand during their vacation will be stunned by the new Princess Casino onboard Sun Princess," said John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises. "Princess has embraced the casino experience and is proud to offer such exciting gaming surrounded by absolutely world-class dining and entertainment."

Princess Casino Key Enhancements Onboard Sun Princess

Nearly 9,000 square feet, featuring 10' ceilings, 227 slot machines and 13 live tables

Newest and the most comfortable gaming seating available for both slot and table game players

New linked blackjack and poker table progressives, offering high value cash top awards

High-limit slot area, with high-end seating

New gaming experiences and celebrations through an interactive audio-visual experience throughout the casino

Scheduled to debut in February 2024, Sun Princess is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. The 175,500-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess will offer an array of exciting new entertainment and culinary offerings, as well as luxurious staterooms and suites across a broad spectrum of categories. With the most balconies and sun decks on any Princess ship, guests can take in the sunshine and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean from the comfort of their stateroom.

Inaugural 2024 Sun Princess cruises to the Mediterranean, Europe and Caribbean are on sale now. More ship information and images can be found at www.princess.com/sunprincess

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc

SOURCE Princess Cruises

#PrincessCruises #PrincessCasino #cruiseship #cruiseships #LoveBoat #casino #casinonews #gamingnews #lifestyle #lifestylenews #holidays #tourism #tourismnews #oceantravel #holiday

Casino And Sports Connection

Las Vegas and Texas connection

Miriam Adelson buys $2 billion stake in NBA Dallas Mavericks

Las Vegas Sands casino controlling shareholder Miriam Adelson is reportedly selling a $2 billion stake in the company to buy the Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"We have been advised by the selling stockholders that they currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, along with additional cash on hand, to fund the purchase of a majority interest in a professional sports franchise pursuant to a binding purchase agreement, subject to customary league approvals," the Sands said in the filing.

While the SEC filing did not name the Mavericks as the purchase target, Sportico reported the Adelson family was buying a majority stake in the team but that owner Mark Cuban would continue to retain operational control of it. The Dallas Morning News also reported the story.

The stock sale will reduce Adelson's stake in the casino company by 4%. Miriam Adelson is the widow Las Vegas Sands founder Sheldon Adelson who died in 2021. She has had no corporate involvement in the company but her son-in-law Patrick Dumont is president of the Sands and a member of the company's board of directors.

Adelson, 78, is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, the founder of Las Vegas Sands who died in 2021. She has no role with the corporate side of the company, but through a trust and her personal shares, she controls 56.4% of the Sands. Miriam Adelson is ranked at No. 24 on the Forbes 400 with a net worth of $32.3 billion.

She has cut back on her husband's political donations. When he was alive, Sheldon Adelson was among the GOP's largest donors, although Miriam Adelson has met with presidential hopeful Nikki Haley and former President Donald Trump, the front runner in next year's election.

Las Vegas, long considered a prime market for professional sports, has added a handful of teams and high profile events to the city in recent years. Formula One has added a stop in Las Vegas to its Grand Prix race tour.

Major League Baseball recently approved the relocation of the Oakland Athletics to a $1.5 billion stadium planned for the Strip that is scheduled to open in 2028 following in the footsteps of their pro football counterparts and stadium mates.

The Raiders moved from Oakland to Las Vegas for the 2020 NFL season, which led the NFL to award Super Bowl LVIII to Allegiant Stadium in February. With the A's move, Oakland County Coliseum, long a central focus of competitive professional sports in its heyday, will now sit empty.

The Vegas Golden Knights, an expansion team in the National Hockey League, began play at T-Mobile Arena in 2017.

The Adelson family had a hand in bringing the Raiders to Las Vegas, but Sheldon Adelson, who had committed $650 million to help build Allegiant Stadium, pulled his funding after the state Legislature passed a $750 million measure tied to a hotel tax on the Strip.

The NBA has been widely thought to be considering expanding to Las Vegas. Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke is planning a 20,000 seat arena built to NBA specifications, part of a $10 billion resort and entertainment complex on land leased to him by the son of the Sands Chairman and CEO.

#DallasMavericks #MiriamAdelson #NBA #LasVegasSands #SheldonAdelson #PatrickDumont #casinonews #sportsnews #casinoindustry #gamingnews #sportsmedia #sportsbusiness #OakViewGroup #OakView #propertynews #realestate #Dallas #biznews #businessnews #biz #trends #media

Monday, November 27, 2023

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Under The Watercolor

Elon Musk’s X sues media watchdog group over ‘manipulation’ - November 2023

Billionaire Elon Musk's social media platform X has sued a media watchdog group for allegedly attempting to destroy the site.

The 'Media Matters for America' group accused X of allowing anti-Semitic posts to be published alongside advertising.

X alleges the group manipulated data with companies including Apple and Disney pausing their adverts on the platform since the group released its findings.

Media Matters claimed ads on the platform had appeared next to posts supporting Nazisim and other anti-Semitic content.

X Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino released a statement claiming data “wins over manipulation”.

Lachlan Murdoch assumes position as Chairman of Fox Corporation - November 2023

Lachlan Murdoch has formally assumed the role of Chairman of the Fox Corporation at the company's Annual General Meeting.

His father, Rupert Murdoch is now officially Chairman Emeritus.

Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott was voted in as a Director of the Board of Fox.

Lachlan Murdoch opened the Annual General Meeting with a tribute to his father, praising the “unique and strong” company he has built.

Rupert Murdoch said of the transition: “like my father, I believe that humanity has a high destiny, and Lachlan certainly shares that belief.”

Elon Musk declines to pay fine for X failing to remove abusive content - November 16, 2023

Elon Musk has failed to pay a fine for not taking appropriate steps to remove child sexual abuse content from his platform X – formerly Twitter.

The Australian Federal Police was told the company still owes more than $600,000.

Last month, eSafety Commissioner Julie Grant said the Musk-owned company also needed to pay a fine for failing to respond to questions sent in February.

X was given until the end of October to pay the fine.

The social media company had requested an extension which expired on Friday 10.

Motorsport

Verstappen ends F1 season with commanding victory in Abu Dhabi - Novemember 27, 2023

Red Bull’s triple world champion Max Verstappen wrapped up a year of unprecedented dominance with his record-extending 19th win in 22 races at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

The pole-to-flag victory, for the fourth year in a row under the Yas Marina floodlights, left the 26-year-old alone in third place in Formula 1’s all-time list of winners with a career 54, one ahead of former Red Bull great Sebastian Vettel. Only Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (103) remain ahead of him.

“What an incredible year,” Verstappen said after crossing the line.

Red Bull won 21 of 22 races this season, with Sergio Perez claiming two wins.

“You’ve smashed it out of the park this year,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner told him on the radio. “We’re all incredibly proud of you.”

Perez crossed the line in second place but dropped to fourth because of a five-second time penalty. Leclerc let Perez go past him on the final lap in the hope that Perez would finish more than five seconds ahead of Russell, with Mercedes and Ferrari both fighting for second place in the constructors’ championship.

“Unfortunately it wasn’t enough,” Leclerc said.

Mercedes ended their first winless season since 2011 as best of the rest behind runaway champions Red Bull.

Oscar Piastri finished seventh for McLaren after starting third on the grid, while his fellow Australian Daniel Ricciardo crossed 11th for AlphaTauri.

Verstappen started from pole position for the 12th time this season – more than twice as many as any other driver – with Leclerc alongside him and Piastri third.

The Yas Marina track is one of hardest to overtake on and Verstappen made a good start, holding off a couple of attacks by Leclerc.

Verstappen switched to hard tires on lap 17 of 58, followed by Leclerc on the next lap, leaving AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda in the rare position of leading a race on team principal Franz Tost’s last grand prix before retiring.

Verstappen regained the lead a few laps later and was never troubled.

Perez was given a penalty for bumping tires with McLaren’s Lando Norris late on, although it appeared that Norris had enough space and turned into Perez’s front right tire.

“Why are we given this penalty? I was ahead,” a bemused Perez said on team radio.

(Reuters)

Financial Review remains Australia’s most-read premium business title - November 27, 2023

The Australian Financial Review is the country’s most read premium business masthead, with a cross-platform readership of 3.4 million people, according to Total News readership figures released by Roy Morgan on Monday.

In the last four weeks, 1.1 million people read a print edition of the Financial Review, with the masthead holding steady year-on-year after experiencing four consecutive quarters of growth. Meanwhile, The Australian has dropped 16 per cent for the same period.

The Monday-to-Friday print edition recorded massive annual growth of 31 per cent year-on-year, for an average issue readership of 244,000, while the AFR Weekend Saturday print edition has a readership of 190,000, posting annual growth of 35 per cent.

Highlighting the strength of the Financial Review’s digital offering, nearly 75 per cent of AFR readers – 2.1 million people – engage with the masthead’s online publication. This puts the publication third behind only The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

The Australian Financial Review Magazine continues to dominate Australia’s monthly magazine insert figures, with a print readership of 498,000, which has seen quarterly growth of 1 per cent – its fourth consecutive quarter of growth – and annual growth of 22 per cent. This is the highest quarterly growth result since December 2018.

Nine’s Total Publishing assets reach a de-duplicated audience of 16.3 million Australians across print and digital.

Financial Review editor-in-chief Michael Stutchbury said the quarterly growth in the masthead’s total readership matched the new benchmarks being hit for the masthead’s retail subscriptions and the exceptional growth in its number of corporate subscribers.

“This is all driven by the exceptional journalism of the Financial Review newsroom, highlighted by last week’s Gold Walkley award for Neil Chenoweth and Edmund Tadros for their PwC investigation over the past year,” Stutchbury said.

The Total News readership figures are produced by Roy Morgan for ThinkNewsBrands.

(AFR)

Investors dust off Crown, Star merger dreams amid job cuts - November 21, 2023

Embattled gaming groups Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment are no strangers to merger talk with the latter having launched a $12 billion bid to bring Australia’s biggest casino operators together in 2021.

On Monday, Crown said it would cut almost 200 jobs and reduce operating hours in Sydney. And that had Star bulls talking. Could Blackstone, which took Crown private last year, be worried enough to turn to its casinos cross-harbour rival to find cost synergies?

It also follows the casino shutting one of its Barangaroo gaming floors and axing 5 per cent of its Sydney workforce in August after weak economic conditions made one of the two VIP gaming floors unviable.

There’s no suggestion any deal is afoot – only that Star investors are keen on any move that could get the company’s share price moving. In just over two years, its has gone from pursuing its rival and a market capitalisation of $3.5 billion to be worth just $1.6 billion.

When Star looked at Crown in 2021, management estimated the merger would deliver between $150 million and $200 million of cost synergies per annum and unlock $2 billion in net value – or more than Star’s current market cap. This forecast, of course, came from the same people who put Star in a hole – so take it with a grain of salt.

Management added that it would deliver balance sheet strength and free cash flow to accelerate debt repayment and unlock value from the sale and leaseback of an enlarged property portfolio.

Star ultimately withdrew its merger proposal citing uncertainty over whether the James Packer-controlled firm would retain its licences in the wake of the inquiries.

Investment giant Blackstone completed its $8.9 billion acquisition of Crown in June 2022 following a spate of scandals that saw it subjected to two separate royal commissions and an independent inquiry in NSW.

It’s not been an easy deal for Blackstone – nor would a tie-up with Star. Both are sitting on several major legal issues.

In an interview with The Australian Financial Review in September, Crown chairman Bill McBeath admitted Blackstone had underestimated the amount of work that would be required to transform the casino giant’s culture and systems, but expressed confidence it’s on track to regain its licences.

ACCC hurdle

Any merger between Crown and Star would also likely attract the attention of the competition watchdog, which stuck its nose into the proposed 2021 merger, focusing on market concentration in table games and other segments of the gambling market.

Star itself has endured a difficult 12 months with its share price sinking almost 78 per cent a near all-time low of 55¢. The company has written down the value of its casinos in Sydney, Gold Coast and Brisbane by $2.2 billion and faces major penalties after being sued by AUSTRAC for anti-money laundering failures. It also narrowly avoided losing its licence in NSW and was forced to undertake two major equity raises to confront its hefty debt load.

The combined mega-casio group would own seven resorts, including flagship casinos in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

‘Fast & Furious’ filmmakers fined $1.5m after stuntman breaks skull - Novemeber 2023

Filmmakers of the high-speed Fast & Furious franchise were ordered to pay a $1.5 million fine after a stuntman broke his skull while filming the ninth instalment.

Filmmakers of the high-speed Fast & Furious franchise were ordered Friday to pay a USD$1 million (AUD$1,520,100) fine after a stuntman broke his skull while filming the ninth instalment.

Joe Watts reported falling 25 feet headfirst onto the concrete ground during a staged fight scene while filming F9: The Fast Saga in July 2019 at Warner Bros. studio in Hertfordshire, UK, the BBC reports.

FF9 Pictures admitted health and safety failings in court and accepted the fine.

The Post reached out to Universal Pictures, which distributed the 2021 film, for comment.

The UK judge presiding over the case said on Friday that Watts, 35, was “fortunate to be alive” after Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecutors detailed how his safety line became detached as he performed a stunt that differed from the one that had been rehearsed several times.

Watts was initially supposed to be thrown over a performer’s right shoulder, however, in a last-minute change, the stunt actor was told he would be thrown over the actor’s left shoulder.

The stuntman missed the crash mats that had been set out for him, and he suffered brain damage, the court was told.

The safety line had reportedly not been checked between takes.

District Judge Talwinder Buttar slammed the decision to change the stunt “at the last minute,” stating that the mats should have also been adjusted.

The HSE said the filmmaking team had “no system for double checking that the link (to Watts’ vest) had been properly engaged and tightened.”

Prosecutors argued that FF9 Pictures, a subsidiary of Universal Pictures, “did not extend the crash matting needed to mitigate the consequences of an unintended fall following changes to the set and the sequence of the stunt.”

“Mr Watts’ injuries were life-changing, and he could have easily been killed,” HSE inspector Roxanne Barker said. “In stunt work, it is not about preventing a fall but minimising the risk of an injury.”

Prior to the incident, Watts had served as a stuntman for several high-profile projects, including Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

Fast and Furious 9: The Fast Saga stars Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Ludacris Bridges and John Cena as well as Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell and Charlize Theron.

Initially delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, F9 was the world’s biggest release after movie theatres shut their doors in 2020.

The film opened in June 2021 to lukewarm reviews, with The Post’s Johnny Oleksinski calling it a “laughable parody.”

Nevertheless, moviegoers managed to propel it to a $70 million domestic debut, a pandemic-era record for North America at the time.

Walkley sweep a win for old-fashioned journalism - November 24, 2023

Traditional newsroom disciplines are essential to cut through the noise of the social media age.

A Walkley Award is a big moment for any journalist and their masthead. Four in one night is a win for the ages, even amid the excessive multiplication of categories awards.

For uncovering the PwC scandal, The Australian Financial Review‘s Neil Chenoweth and Edmund Tadros won the Walkley Awards for Business Journalism, for Investigative Journalism, and for Coverage of a Major News Event or Issue – which was shared with Chanticleer James Thomson, former Rear Window editor Joe Aston and the Financial Review’s podcast team. Then the duo took the 2023 Gold Walkley.

It was Chenoweth’s second Gold Walkley, confirming him as one of Australia’s top forensic financial journalists. Amid all that, two of the paper’s legends and past Gold Walkley winners, Pamela Williams and former editor Colleen Ryan, were among eight women honoured for their Outstanding Contribution to Journalism.

It was the biggest Walkley night for the Financial Review since the awards were instituted in 1956 by the enterprising William Walkley, the co-founder of Ampol. But the bigger story of these awards is the enduring importance of the disciplines and collegiality of traditional newsrooms and the methodology of traditional journalism amid the cacophony of fake news and social media, where everyone is a publisher and every rumour is real if people want to believe it.

Colleen Ryan and Pam Williams were honoured for careers that began in the 1970s and ’80s respectively, going through the turmoil at the Financial Review’s owner Fairfax, and then the great traditional media disruption of the digital age.

Survival was not guaranteed for newspaper mastheads and their newsrooms. But disruption also meant the opportunity to combine news-gathering skills that will never be dated, with digital platforms that allow journalism to be presented and distributed in ways previously not possible.

As well as serving its audience, all this journalism needs to have a higher purpose.

Williams pioneered an embedded inside-story style in long form coverage of the Liberal federal election win in 1996 and the 1998 waterfront dispute. With Chenoweth, Ryan was part of the team that exposed the secret Swiss bank accounts of flamboyant stockbroker Rene Rivkin to share the 2004 Gold Walkley.

Thursday night’s Chenoweth-Tadros quadruple win was a triumph of such old-fashioned journalism: document sifting, industry knowledge, and relationships of trust. It was an ideal combination of skills.

Reporting led to PwC split

It began with Chenoweth’s exclusive news break that a PwC tax partner had been sanctioned by the Tax Practitioners Board for advising the government on new rules to close multinational tax loopholes – then leaking details to PwC colleagues to help multinational clients dodge the same rules.

He and Tadros followed the saga through who knew what and when – and, importantly, why not enough people at PwC thought this was a bad idea. It ended with Australia’s biggest professional services firm being split to save the non-tax and audit consulting business from being frozen out of Canberra.

Had Chenoweth and Tadros not won the Walkley business category on Thursday night, then fellow finalists Peter Ker and Brad Thompson could well have done so for revealing the marital separation of Andrew and Nicola Forrest, not for the gossip columns but for Fortescue shareholdings, where the reporters found the clues to the split.

Aviation reporter Ayesha de Kretser could easily have been a finalist, too, for revealing that Canberra had rejected a Qatar Airways application to fly more passengers in and out of Australia – and understanding why that also was one of the business stories of the year. That came as Joe Aston used his Rear Window to devastatingly channel public fury over Qantas’ performance.

As well as serving its audience, all this journalism needs to have a higher purpose. As professional services editor, Ed Tadros has developed deep connections with the seemingly bland world of accountants and consultants. He remarked on Thursday night that PwC and other big consulting firms had weaved their way into the economic and business fabric without the sort of accountability demanded of, say, the banks.

The headlines from his and Chenoweth’s journalism reverberated around the world, shaking the big four accounting firms and their unique governance models, and starting a global debate about how to make them better.

(AFR)

Pro Wrestling

WWE Survivor Series 2023

Press Conference

Triple H quotes

"I will put our medical protocol, ... medical program, ... [and] wellness program, I will put all of it up against any sport on this planet," said Levesque, while refusing to comment on Moxley's situation. He continued, "When it comes to concussions, our people are trained to see it. Our talent are given seminars on it regularly. Our referees, our crew, [and] our staff are trained to see it and we don't mess around with it."

Re Rey Mysterio

We saw it happen. The referee spotted it happen. We shut it down ... When we see that stuff, we're very diligent about it. We've been working with the top experts in that field for about a decade now to have that protocol be what it is."

Pro Wrestling

RVD quotes on Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden is often seen as the mecca of professional wrestling, having played host to some of the biggest events in wrestling history, including the first-ever WWE SummerSlam or WrestleMania 20. However, it wasn't a place where RVD loved wrestling, as he claimed, "It was just too small, compact."

"I always feel like I'm insulting people because that's their pinnacle of sports is MSG, and I can tell by how excited everyone gets, like, 'Oh my god, we're in MSG,'" he said on "1 Of A Kind." "For me since I did it and have the nostalgia factor ... The way that I remember it was that everyone's bags take up the entire dressing room and you can't even fit a person and all the bags." Madison Square Garden has typically been seen as the home of WWE, but ROH and NJPW did step in for the G1 Supercard in 2019 as well — adding further history to the arena. While it might create a great atmosphere as a place fans enjoy attending, from a logistical perspective it wasn't ideal, as RVD revealed they had to go one at a time to get dressed.

"It was just not my favorite building to go to. I always feel like when I say that I'm sorry for New Yorkers and everyone who grew up idolizing the Garden and making that their holy bucket list destination," RVD said. "I don't argue with you and your values, but for me, not my favorite place. There's one toilet for 20 wrestlers, how clean do you think that toilet's going to be?"

Combat Sports News

DANA WHITE DELIVERS BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS ON UPCOMING EVENTS

Dates, Locations And Fighters For UFC 298, UFC Austin & Much More

UFC CEO Dana White took a break from his own Thanksgiving festivities to break some crucial upcoming fight announcements. You can watch the entire video below. Here are the big takeways:

For the December 2 Austin event (UFC Fight Night: Dariush vs Tsarukyan), Dan Hooker was forced to withdraw from his co-main event bout with Bobby Green after re-breaking the same arm he broke in his last fight.

No. 13-ranked lightweight Bobby Green will now face No. 12 Jalin Turner in a three-round co-main event in Austin. In addition, due to an illness with No. 12 light heavyweight Azamat Murzakanov, the fight between Murzakanov and No. 11 Khalil Rountree Jr. is off.

Rountree Jr. will now be competing at UFC Fight Night on December 9th vs No. 8 Anthony Smith in the co-main event.

No. 7 bantamweight Song Yadong will take on No. 14 Chris Gutierrez in the main event of the UFC Fight Night Card December 9 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will defend his strap vs Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 taking place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA.

February 10 a UFC Fight Night main event will feature rising middleweight star Joe Pyfer vs No. 10 Jack Hermansson at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

CM Punk’s WWE return could hint at a massive Perth inclusion - November 26, 2023

It was the return that rocked the wrestling world and could add an extra layer of excitement to the WWE’s premium live event in Perth next year.

Wrestling superstar CM Punk (real name Phil Brooks) made a surprise appearance at the annual WWE Survivor Series event on Sunday local time, just moments after the main event.

It has been nearly a decade since the two-time WWE Champion controversially walked out on the company in 2014 because of injuries and personality conflicts.

CM Punk signed with the UFC, where he had two professional fights and worked for WWE rival AEW for about two years before his contract was terminated.

The 45-year-old appeared as the show closed in his hometown of Chicago, with the crowd erupting after hearing the first few bars of his iconic entrance theme, “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour.

WWE chief content officer and head of creative Triple H (real name Paul Levesque) said Punk’s return was a “lightning in the bottle moment that came together quickly”.

“We are incredibly excited about it,” Triple H said.

“It’s been a long time and, in some ways, been a long time coming. You can say this about CM Punk — love him, hate him, positive or negative, whatever you want to say, people always talk about him.

“He is a conversation starter, and looking past that is tough. And for me, if our fans want it, if the WWE Universe is excited to have it, then let’s go. And we will figure out the rest of it later.”

Triple H also addressed the heat between himself and CM Punk, contributing to the latter’s departure.

“A lot of time has gone by, almost ten years. And if you are the same person you were ten years ago, ten years later, you’ve messed up,” Triple H said.

“Everybody grows, everybody changes, and I’m a different person, he’s a different person, and this is a different company, and we’re all on the same even starting ground.

“So what’s next for CM Punk? Now that will be interesting, won’t it? I am interested to see that myself. I know whatever it is, it will be talked about, exciting, and a thrill ride for the WWE universe no matter what it is.”

It is unclear whether CM Punk will be coming to Perth to wrestle in the WWE Elimination Chamber, which will be held at Optus Stadium on February 24.

Pro Wrestling News

‘Australia I’m coming back’: Logan Paul primed to wrestle at mega WWE event in Perth

Reigning WWE United States Champion Logan Paul is set to feature at Australia’s biggest ever pro wrestling event this February.

Paul announced on social media on Thursday morning he would be returning to Australia for the Elimination Chamber Perth event on Saturday February 24 at Optus Stadium.

“Looking forward to showing my close mate around,” Aussie star Grayson Waller tweeted.

Having just won the title at Crown Jewel, and gathering mainstream interest for his continued wrestling feats, Paul may defend his championship in Perth though this is yet to be confirmed.

He could even feature in the titular Elimination Chamber match itself.

The 28-year-old, who debuted as a pro wrestler in April 2021, has proven himself to be a prodigy with incredible athletic feats and spectacular bouts.

Paul has wrestled just eight matches in his career, all of them at major events like WrestleMania or SummerSlam, proving just how massive Elimination Chamber Perth will be.

The YouTuber-turned-fighter’s recent boxing bout with Dillon Danis ended in farcical scenes.

Internet Fashion News

Popular model raking in nearly $17k a month is not actually real - November 27, 2023

Fans are losing their minds after discovering the shocking truth behind this stunning model’s $16,500-a-month pay packet.

People are losing their minds after finding out the shocking truth about this successful Instagram model.

Aitana Lopez is an vivacious 25-year-old pink-haired social media star, who has garnered a massive online following thanks to her stunning looks.

But there’s a catch: she isn’t real, although her income sure is.

The pink haired beauty is actually a bot dreamt up by Spanish designer Rubén Cruz, who uses artificial intelligence to help make thew animated model look as lifelike as possible, the New York Post reports.

Thanks to Aitana’s online fans, the designer is now making a fortune, netting up to $US10,900 ($16,500) per month.

“We did it so that we could make a better living and not be dependent on other people who have egos, who have manias, or who just want to make a lot of money by posing,” Rubén Cruz, told EuroNews.

The innovative designer is the founder of the AI model agency The Clueless.

Last summer, the idea to design Aitana came to Cruz after he struggled with the logistics of working with real-life influencers.

Now, a team from his AI agency meticulously curates Aitana and her life with the help of Photoshop, deciding what she’ll do, where she’ll go and which content to post — all without the hassle of working with human creators.

People “follow lives, not images,” Cruz explained, so her creators were tasked to “tell a story” with her content, since she isn’t a real person.

“A lot of thought has gone into Aitana,” Cruz said. “We created her based on what society likes most. We thought about the tastes, hobbies and niches that have been trending in recent years.”

Aitana is billed as a Barcelona-based fitness influencer and gamer, who even has a star sign (she’s a Scorpio, for the record).

Aitana has amassed an Instagram following of 132,000, and Cruz and his team can now charge up to $US1000 ($1500) for an advertisement featuring her image,

Fans also fork out money for sultry images of the busty bot on the subscription-based platform Fanvue — an OnlyFans rival that has an array of profiles featuring AI models.

She’s so eerily real that high profile celebrities will slide into her DMs, not realising she’s computer-made.

“One day, a well-known Latin American actor texted to ask her out,” Cruz dished. “He had no idea Aitana didn’t exist.”

Due to Aitana’s massive success, the designers crafted a second model, Maia, who they described as “a little more shy.”

They have now received an influx of requests from brands who want their own AI models.

“They want to have an image that is not a real person and that represents their brand values, so that there are no continuity problems if they have to fire someone or can no longer count on them,” Cruz explained.

The companies can also cut costs by employing a virtual influencer, rather than people like mogul Kim Kardashian or TikToker Alix Earle, who are rumoured to charge a pretty penny for brand deals.

The Clueless thinks their digitised strategy could lower market prices and provide smaller companies the opportunity to create ad campaigns they otherwise would not be able to afford.

While the agency’s models pander to societal beauty norms — which have been criticised for promoting unrealistic body standards and hypersexualising women — Cruz argues that it’s necessary for the models’ success.

“If we don’t follow this aesthetic, brands won’t be interested,” he said. “To change this system, you have to change the vision of the brands. The world in general is sexualised.”

But that has not been the only hiccup in artificial intelligence integration — the tech is used to cheat on schoolwork, create scarily realistic deepfakes and generate inappropriate images of underage girls.

Because of generative AI’s rapidly advancing capabilities — for example, a fake photo of a Pentagon explosion caused mass confusion earlier this year — some platforms have begun putting disclaimers on content that is created with the software.

Gaming and Tech News

Nbn Co reveals country’s the areas where Aussies are using the most internet data

New figures have shed light on the suburbs where Aussies are using the most internet data, and what exactly they are doing.

New figures have shed light on some of the country’s biggest data trends, including the suburbs where Aussies are downloading the most and what exactly they are doing.

Recently-released video games and major updates to popular titles are behind some of the country’s most data-consuming regions over the past month.

Nbn Co has revealed the top 10 local government areas (LGAs) across the country based on how much internet they use – with immensely popular games Fortnite and Call of Duty contributing to a record-high amount of traffic in early November.

In October, the average resident of the City of Playford in South Australia used 613GB download data, topping the list.

They were followed by Logan, Queensland (601GB) and Kwinana, Western Australia (596GB) to round out the top three.

Nbn’s Head of Customer Strategy and Innovation Dr Robert Joyce said new network usage records have been set and broken three times in the last 12 months.

“With data usage more than tripling in the past seven years, and with average households now having around 21 connected devices, it’s a timely reminder to check your home broadband plan is still meeting what you want from your broadband service,” Dr Joyce said.

Some of nbn’s other data trends for 2023 show Sunday is Australia’s busiest day for internet usage, with an average busiest time of between 9-10pm.

Fortnite, a 100-player battle royale third-person online shooter, underwent a major update on November 2, which prompted a massive influx of new and returning players as publishers Epic Games resurrected its original 2018 Fortnite map.

The nostalgia gambit appears to have paid off, with an all-time peak of 6.17 million players recorded the weekend following the update, according to unofficial website Fortnite. GG.

As gamers rushed back to Fortnite, a new game was released in the war-themed first-person shooter powerhouse franchise Call of Duty on November 3.

Despite a rocky launch, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 still proved popular with fans of the series, with gigabytes of data downloaded to accommodate a game with notoriously large file sizes.

Depending on the platform and version purchased, the game could take up to 90GB to pre-load before the November 3 launch, with a further 100GB or so needed on release day.

The monster demand for data broke an nbn network traffic record, peaking at 26,7TB per second on November 3.

It is the equivalent of more than half-a-million simultaneous Fortnite downloads at 50Mbps, or more than 1.1 million simultaneous 4K video streams.

Pro Wrestling

Triple H on CM Punk return

“This is one of those lighting-in-a-bottle moments that came together very quickly. We are incredibly excited about it. It’s been a long time, and in some ways been a long time coming. You can say this about CM Punk; love him, hate him, positive, negative, whatever you want to say, people talk about him all the time.”

“He’s a magnet for that, he’s a conversation starter, and it’s tough to look past that. For me, if our fans want it, if the WWE Universe is excited to have it, then, let’s go, and we’ll figure out the rest of it from there.”

“This came together super quick, which I’m sure is why it stayed very tight. There was a lot of speculation, and at that point, it was nothing but speculation. For most of the time it was speculation, it didn’t really come to fruition until everybody stopped thinking it was going to happen, and then all of sudden, it was happening. Extremely excited.”

A lot of time has gone by, almost ten years. If you are the same person you were ten years ago, ten years later, you messed up. Everybody grows, everybody changes. I’m a different person, he’s a different person. This is a different company. We’re all on the same even starting ground.”

“What’s next for CM Punk? That will be interesting, won’t it? I’m interested in seeing that myself. I know whatever it is, it will be talked about, it’ll be exciting, and it will be a thrill ride for the WWE Universe, no matter what it is. I’m thrilled, we’re all thrilled, to have him back here and have him back, cliched to say, have him back home in WWE. It’s where he belongs.”

“There has been zero push from anybody past WWE. It’s myself, Nick Khan. To be honest, very few people knew about it past that. It’s a funny thing, all of a sudden there is a mystery entity behind WWE. We’re doing our thing and we’re trusted to our thing and trusted to do what we feel is right for business.”

“To be honest, probably the top people at TKO were going ‘Holy Shit.’ It’s a good thing. It’s a crazy, cool time right now at WWE. I think fans can feel that. A lot of energy, a lot of excitement, and I’m ready. Let’s run through a wall. Let’s do this and do it the biggest way possible, and keep building on what Vince McMahon made into a global juggernaut for 50 years.”

“If I have anything to do with it and have any say in it, we’re going to make it bigger than it’s ever been before.”

BIG 12 CONFERENCE PARTNERS WITH WWE® FOR 2023 BIG 12 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

IRVING, Texas and STAMFORD, Conn., November 16, 2023 – Today, the Big 12 Conference announced a collaboration with WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), for the upcoming 2023 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship on Saturday, December 2, held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Through this partnership, the Big 12 and WWE will introduce a custom-made championship title belt for this year’s Big 12 Football Championship Most Outstanding Player, presented on-field at the conclusion of the game by a WWE Superstar. Additionally, a co-branded WWE x Big 12 logo will be featured throughout the venue and on the field.

Throughout the week leading up to the 2023 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship and the game itself, WWE Superstars will be prominently featured and integrated. In addition to the championship title belt presentation, select WWE Superstars will participate in a Big 12 Conference community event, pre-game hospitality events and the game’s official coin toss.

“WWE is a global brand that connects with a wide array of audiences,” said Commissioner Yormark. “With this partnership, we will integrate WWE and its brand power into one of the Conference’s biggest moments, further strengthening the bridge between sports and entertainment throughout the Big 12.”

“Brett and his team at the Big 12 have turbocharged the conference through innovative media rights deals and commercial partnerships, constantly exploring new ways to grow the conference’s reach and influence,” said WWE President Nick Khan. “We’re excited to partner with them and help amplify the Big 12 Championship.”

The Big 12 Conference and WWE will also collaborate to introduce an exclusive Big 12 Championship merchandise line. Merchandise will be available for purchase online and throughout AT&T Stadium team stores.

The Dr Pepper Big 12 Football championship game will air live on December 2 at 12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT on ABC. Additional entertainment enhancements for the 2023 Dr Pepper Big 12 Football Championship will be announced at a later date. Grammy-award winning artist and hip-hop icon Nelly will be performing during the first-ever Football Championship Halftime Show. Tickets to the 2023 Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship are available to purchase online via SeatGeek at https://big12.us/3i564VW.

About WWE

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

‘Focused on gambling’: Opposition mounts to hotel at Royal Randwick - November 25, 2023

Plans for a hotel at Royal Randwick have sparked concerns from local councillors about the proliferation of gambling.

The Australian Turf Club wants to build a seven-storey hotel with 190 rooms, gaming area, registered club, restaurant and bar at the racecourse after dumping earlier plans for serviced apartments.

But Randwick Greens councillors are likely to oppose the ATC’s hotel plan when the council meets on Tuesday to vote on a draft submission about the proposal.

Planning documents describe the development as a “4.5-star lifestyle hotel”, with function rooms, a bar and gaming area operating until 1am, seven days a week.

An ATC spokesman said the hotel would help drive revenue as the racecourse “continues to become a seven-day-a-week entertainment precinct”.

“The opportunity for a new hotel is compelling and will provide an alternate revenue stream to continue to invest into Royal Randwick Racecourse,” he said.

He said the hotel will complement plans for night racing, but “the fundamental key drivers for the hotel development are based on ATC’s current and forecast race day and non-race day activities”.

However, the hotel also has the potential to yield high negative impacts on health and wellbeing because of 50 gaming machines without consideration to and implementation of mitigation strategies, a social and economic impact assessment found.

Greens councillor Rafaela Pandolfini said the proposal included substantial bar areas, and internal and external gaming rooms.

“Will this development have some kind of casino aspect included?” she asked.

Pandolfini said the area lacked small live music venues and gallery spaces, yet the council continued to approve huge developments “focused on gambling culture, including the Juniors development where the main revenue is from pokie machines”.

Pandolifini said there were many issues with the hotel proposal in its current form and “not endorsing the DA should be considered”.

“It is our understanding that were Randwick Council to not endorse this DA, it would go to the Independent Planning Commission and this would give residents a greater opportunity to express their concerns,” she said.

The submission by council staff raises other concerns about the proposal including the bulk and scale of the proposed building as well as its visual impact.

The report also points to potential for noise impacts during construction and entertainment, pedestrian safety and the impact on flying foxes in Centennial Park, but stops short of opposing the proposal.

Randwick Greens mayor Philipa Veitch said she was concerned about impacts from increased traffic as well as noise and vibration during construction.

“I think it’s very likely that this hotel development will be used to support night racing if and when that gets off the ground, and as such do not support it,” she said.

“I’m personally opposed to horse racing and gambling and think there are much better uses of public land in this densely populated area.”

A state significant development, the ATC’s hotel plans will be assessed by the Planning Department, which called the $94 million proposal “the next chapter in the evolution of Royal Randwick”.

“It will offer accommodation next to the track and support the growth of the equine industry by capitalising on the existing precinct, which has been operating for more than 150 years,” said the department’s executive director Anthea Sargeant.

A Planning Department spokeswoman said the statements “speak to facts about the proposal and do not indicate support”.

“The department is development-agnostic and assesses proposals on strategic merit, technical input, and stakeholder feedback,” she said.

But Veitch said she was very concerned about the comments “that could be seen to be endorsing the proposal before it has been determined”.

“The community rightfully expects the department to be impartial and assess all developments on their merit, and I hope all public submissions will be carefully considered before any decision is made,” she said.

Racing Minister David Harris said the government supported a strong, vibrant and sustainable racing industry.

“As well as the benefits to racing, major events at Royal Randwick always generate a significant economic boost across Sydney with surrounding restaurants, pubs and hotels often at capacity,” he said.

(Wires)

Combat Sports Business

News

For The Record.. and Need To Know basis...

Massive thumps up on WWE Survivor Series.

Professional Fighters League deal with Bellator complete.

Massive worldwide MMA news and sports news achieved. Should be a win for fighters and fans.

We are currently not on the payroll of PFL, TKO Group or ONE Championship, but are open to offers.

We have assisted with media and more with a number of the world's leading combat sports and wrestling companies over the years - some paid, some not paid, and as news only. The details are commercially sensative in nature.

We have officially sold WWF, WCW, UFC and Main Event TV PPV's (and others) previously. Confidential in detail.

We have some some official work and campaigns for the WWE in the past, as well as a number of Australia's leading pro wrestling and martial arts promotions, from media, driving, internet and beyond.

We are currently busy with our own company, however are open to the right sort of offers in the combat sports including pro wrestling arena/industry.

We continue to offer news coverage to combat sports firms and pro wrestling companies across the globe.

We love and respect the MMA and pro wrestling world.

Just getting that on the record so there's no confusion.

Greg Tingle, Founder, Media Man Group/Media Man Int

Professional Fighters League Acquires Bellator in Industry Transformative Deal

NOVEMBER 20, 2023 PFL

PFL Forms Global Powerhouse Poised to be MMA Co-Leader

PFL + Bellator Combined Fighter Roster Equal to UFC – Both Rosters 30% Top 25 World-Ranked

PFL to Launch Reimagined Bellator in 2024 with Bellator International Champions Series

PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions in Landmark MMA Mega-Event to be Staged in 2024

NEW YORK (MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2023) - Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced it has completed the acquisition of Bellator from Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA), creating a global powerhouse in mixed-martial arts (MMA) and accelerating the combined company to become the industry co-leader.

PFL has acquired an immense number of top fighters through the Bellator acquisition, and its combined fighter roster is now equal in stature to UFC. PFL and UFC both showcase rosters that are 30% comprised of fighters who are top 25 independently world-ranked in their weight- classes. In addition, PFL + Bellator now has the best roster of women’s fighters in the world. All newly acquired Bellator fighters will become part of the PFL platform and available to compete in PFL fight franchises.

PFL will continue the Bellator brand, and Bellator will be the “one-off” event product from PFL. PFL will launch a reimagined Bellator product in 2024 – the “Bellator International Champions Series.” The Bellator International Champions Series will consist of eight fight events each year hosted in major cities across the globe, and each Bellator event will feature two compelling co-main fights competing for championship belts.

Bellator becomes one of five live fight franchises of the Professional Fighters League: PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, PFL International Leagues, and Bellator. Overall, the company can now meet fan and media demand by producing and programming a year-round calendar of live fight content with 30 premium MMA events per year.

PFL as a fighter-first and fan-focused organization plans to stage a landmark mega-event in 2024 – PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions. The PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions mega-event will feature the champions of each promotion in all seven weight-classes in a head- to-head epic fight experience.

Details of Bellator events, distribution, partnerships, and management will be announced at a later date.

Donn Davis, PFL Chairman and Founder, and Peter Murray, PFL CEO, continue to lead and operate the combined company.

“PFL is now a global powerhouse in MMA,” said Donn Davis, PFL Founder and Chairman. “Our Bellator acquisition turbocharges PFL’s mission to innovate the sport and become the industry co-leader.”

“The combined PFL and Bellator fighter rosters are second to none in MMA,” said Peter Murray, PFL CEO. “We can’t wait to bring MMA fans what they have been asking for - best vs best with the PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions Mega-Event.”

MMA with 650 million global fans is the third largest fan-base of all sports worldwide. MMA is the sports growth business of this decade with its current $1.75 billion industry revenue projected to grow 10% annually to $4 billion by 2032.

Bellator has served fighters and fans worldwide for more than a decade, staging an astounding 301 major MMA fight events. Bellator has successfully identified and developed dozens of acclaimed MMA world champions. Bellator’s current fighter roster has 46 fighters world-ranked in the top 25 of their weight-class per independent source Fight Matrix Rankings.

PFL is the only organization in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight-class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next- generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.

Citi and LionTree served as financial advisors to PFL and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to PFL.

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE

Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league world-wide. PFL has five live fight franchises, offering year-round content: PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, PFL International Leagues, and Bellator. Founded in 2018, PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SRJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth sport business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams.

Quotes

“Everyone should consider his body as a priceless gift from one whom he loves above all, a marvelous work of art, of indescribable beauty, and mystery beyond human conception, and so delicate that a word, a breath, a look, nay, a thought may injure it.” - Nikola Tesla

FashionTV Gaming Group set to reveal its latest luxury line of branded games at Awards Afterparty

FashionTV Gaming Group will unveil new luxury line of FashionTV branded games, developed by industry leaders, at its ultra-glamorous Afterparty

9 November 2023, Malta: Following another year of successful growth, FashionTV Gaming Group will unveil a new luxury line of FashionTV-branded games, developed and distributed by its industry-leading licensees. These latest innovations will be introduced at the Group’s annual SiGMA Awards Afterparty – an exclusive FashionTV party that has become one of the most highly anticipated events in the iGaming calendar.

FashionTV attracts over two billion viewers worldwide and as the exclusive licensor of this megabrand for the iGaming industry, FashionTV Gaming Group continues to go from strength to strength.

Among the Group’s licensees and distributors are some of the world's leading iGaming companies, including Playtech, Flutter Entertainment/ PokerStars, Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Betfair, Evolution/ NetEnt, Red Tiger, Olympic Entertainment, BetMGM, Caliente, BetConstruct, EveryMatrix, Digitain, Kiron Interactive and more.

With their unique appeal and glamorous edge, FashionTV-branded games have proven to be a powerful new growth engine for industry leaders, appearing on thousands of websites worldwide in what has become a true iGaming success story.

This year’s SiGMA Awards Afterparty is an opportunity to toast this success – bringing together the industry’s foremost leaders to celebrate the Group’s rise to the most distributed brand in iGaming, while looking ahead to an exciting future to come.

As an exclusive, C-suite only event, hundreds of industry leaders will be joined by celebrities and models from around the world – as well as a surprise VIP royal guest. Champagne will flow, new ventures will be announced and memories will be made alongside the now-iconic FashionTV Fame Wall.

With a star performance from the voice of FashionTV, Ania J, an open bar and delicious food served through the evening, this glamorous afterparty offers a unique glimpse into the luxury world of FashionTV – and the huge opportunities of licensing this megabrand for the iGaming industry.

The SiGMA 2023 Awards Afterparty will be held on 13 November, from 21:30 to 02:00, at the Twenty Two Club in the Portomaso Business Tower, St Julians. The event is by invitation only, and all guest list enquiries should be directed to info@fashiontvgg.com.

About FashionTV Gaming Group

FashionTV Gaming Group is the exclusive licensor of the global FashionTV brand for iGaming. Through a unique ‘brand to business’ model, FashionTV Gaming Group partners are granted a license to create and distribute immersive branded games and websites for their customers, backed by FashionTV’s global media power. Working with the leading B2B providers and B2C operators, the group is the first mover to bring luxury living to life for gaming audiences around the world.

www.fashiontvgg.com

News

Gaming Corps launches industry first Reverse Plinko in deal with Fashion TV Gaming Group

Fashion TV to offer exciting twist on plinko genre as part of wider Gaming Corps partnership

Sweden, 23 November 2023 – Gaming Corps – the Swedish specialist on arcade style casino games – is proud to announce the launch of UPLINKO, the world's first ever reverse plinko game, created in cooperation with Fashion TV Gaming Group,

UPLINKO brings an exciting twist on the plinko genre to players. Small balls bounce around and upwards through a maze of pegs and into one of the prize diamonds. Players can bet and revel in the pulsating energy, with the chance to be awarded up to 3,200x their bet. All this can be enjoyed while listening to beats provided by DJ Raccoon, who has rocked up from the woods kitted out in headphones and bright sunglasses to spin tunes as players aim to make the most of the game.

Fashion TV Gaming Group is the online gaming arm of Fashion TV, which is the world’s only 24-hour fashion, beauty and lifestyle TV channel, reaching over wo billion viewers worldwide. The group was established to bring the worlds of luxury lifestyle and online gaming together in one compelling package. Game developers and operators are granted the license to build, operate, distribute and market Fashion TV-branded products and websites as part of a brand-to-business model.

Gaming Corps is a game developer which has grown rapidly by releasing original, premium video and casino games. While Fashion TV Gaming Group will initially offer UPLINKO to its partners as a standalone product, Gaming Corps also plans to roll out its full portfolio of games to Fashion TV Gaming Group in the next stage of the partnership, made up of Crash, Table and Slot titles, as well as other Plinko games. The list of games in the portfolio includes recent successful releases such as Raging Zeus Mines, Wild Woof and Super Hot Stacks.

Mats Lundin, Gaming Corps’ Director of Sales, said: “Fashion TV is an extremely popular network in the world of broadcasting, and we are very proud to partner with Fashion TV Gaming Group. The combination of Fashion TV Gaming Group’s brand and our ability to develop captivating games such as UPLINKO will provide synergies for both parties as well as excellent opportunities for Fashion TV Gaming Group’s partners, and in turn, their players.

“I look forward to expanding the partnership further and allowing Fashion TV Gaming Group to present our entire portfolio of thrilling games to partners, and we are excited to be a part of the brand’s global expansion.”

Amir Bilu, creative director at Fashion TV also commented: " it was a great pleasure to create this innovative game concept together with Gaming Corps. Fashion TV gaming continues to innovate with unique designs across every vertical and we did a great job here with this brand new game"

ENDS

Editor’s Notes:

ABOUT GAMING CORPS

Gaming Corps is a game developer with the business idea of developing original content for Gaming and iGaming, servicing the selective gamer with niche video games and premium casino games. Our iGaming portfolio consists of casino slots, multiplier games, mine games and table games, into which we infuse our experience from Gaming to create modern, exciting content. The company is listed on Nasdaq First North Growth Market and headquartered in Sweden with development studios in Malta and the Ukraine.

News Articles, Pop Culture, Entertainment and Sports

Media Man Awards

Google Search Off The Record Podcast wins Media Man 'Search Podcast Of The Year

Search Engine Show is runner-up

Sky News Australia wins Australian 'News Media Company Of The Year' award

BINGE wins Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Year award; Paramount Plus is runner-up

83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff Media Man 'Wrestling Podcast Of The Year award; Runner up After The Bell

Logan Paul wins Media Man 'Sports Entertainer Of The Year' award; Runner up Roman Reigns

Logan Paul wins Media Man 'Breakout Star Of The Year' award

Lexis King wins Media Man 'NXT Wrestler Of The Year' award; Runner up Bron Breakker

Tiffany Stratton wins Media Man 'Wrestler Of The Year' award (Women's Division)

LA Knight wins Media Man 'Wrestling Promo Of The Year' award, Runner ups Paul Heyman. Special Mention: Bullet Club Gold

Seth Rollins wins 'Pro Wrestler Of The Year award'; Runner ups: Chris Jericho and Will Ospreay

Asuka wins Media Man 'Wrestler Of The Year' award (Women's Divison)

Triple H wins Media Man 'Booker Of The Year'; Runner-ups Shawn Michaels and Tony Khan

WrestleMania (WWE) wins Media Man 'Wrestling Event Of The Year' award; Runner up WrestleDream (AEW)

UFC 292 (Sydney, Australia) wins Media Man 'MMA Event Of The Year' award

Sean Strickland wins Media Man 'MMA Of The Year award'

Dana White wins Media Man 'MMA Promoter Of The Year' award; Runner ups Don Davis and Chatri Sityodton

Urban Fight Night wins Media Man 'Combat Sports Promoter Of The Year - Australia)

Joe Rogan wins Media Man 'Podcaster Of The Year' award; Runner-ups Russell Brand and Patrick Bet-David

Broadcast Live wins Media Man 'Trade Show/Business Expo Of The Year' award

Sphere Las Vegas wins Media Man 'Venue Of The Year' award

Elon Musk and Logan Paul tie for Media Man 'Disruptor Of The Year' award

Billy Corgan wins Media Man 'Entertainment Promoter Of The Year' award

Wreestling Channel Of The Year: WWE Old School

Combat Sports Club Of The Year: Fighting Fathers (Father Dave Smith); Runner-up Bondi Boxing Gym

Australian Media Event Of The Year: UFC 293, Sydney Town Hall. Runner-up, UFC 293 Q&A Sydney

Domain wins Media Man 'Property Website Of The Year' award; Runner-up RealEstate.com.au

Adobe wins 'Software Of The Year' award; Runner-up Salesforce

Red Bull Racing wins Media Man 'Motorsport Team Of The Year' award

Broadcaster Personality Of The Year: Tucker Carlson; Runner-up Russell Brand

Niche Channel Of The Year: Gaia; Runner-up: The History Channel

Sports Journal Of The Year: JohnWallStreet; Runner-up: Sports Business Journal

'Bad Actors Of The Year': Amazon (Audiable), Runner-up Optus, FTX and Binance

'Woker Of The Year': Disney; Runner Up Howard Stern and Qantas

'Stay Of Of Politics: KISS

Energy Drink Of The Year: Prime, Runner-up: Monster Energy

TV Network Of The Year: FOX, Runner-up: USA Network

Platform Of The Year: X (formally Twitter), Runner-ups LinkedIn and YouTube. Special mention: Rumble/Rumble Sports

Google Search Off The Record podcast wins Media Man 'Business Podcast Of The Month' and 'Search Podcast Of The Month' - November 2023

Search Off the Record takes you behind the scenes of Google Search and its inner workings! In each episode, the folks from the Search Relations team will give you background info on the decision-making behind launches, feature prioritization in Search Console, and the projects Google Search teams are working on. They will share fun stories from the many conferences they attend as well as from their day-to-day working life at Google. They will also dive into the currently trending conversations in the SEO community at large. Have a listen!

Musk’s X sues media nonprofit over portrayal of site as full of anti-Semitism - November 2023

Elon Musk’s X Corp. on Monday sued nonprofit Media Matters for driving advertisers away from the platform formerly known as Twitter by portraying it as rife with anti-Semitic content.

In a lawsuit filed in US federal court in Texas, X accuses the organization of “tricking the algorithm into thinking Media Matters wanted to view both hateful content and content from large advertisers.”

Apple, Comcast, NBCUniversal and IBM were among high-profile brands that paused advertising on X last week after Media Matters reported finding ads displayed with pro-Nazi content.

The advertising exodus also came in the wake of Musk endorsing an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory.

"This is a frivolous lawsuit meant to bully X’s critics into silence,” Media Matters president Angelo Carusone said in response to an AFP inquiry.

“Media Matters stands behind its reporting and looks forward to winning in court.”

The White House has condemned Musk, the world’s richest person, for “abhorrent promotion” of anti-Semitism.

The White House was reacting to a post by Musk in which the controversial Tesla and SpaceX tycoon replied to an anti-Semitic post on X with the words: “You have said the actual truth.”

The original post has been widely seen as a reference to a longtime false conspiracy theory among White supremacists that Jews have a secret plan to bring illegal immigrants into the United States to move US demographics away from a white majority.

Most notoriously, the idea was promoted by the man who carried out a mass shooting at a synagogue in Pittsburgh in 2018, killing 11 people.

Referring to Musk’s post, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said it was “unacceptable” to repeat such a “hideous lie.”

The suit filed Monday does not mention Musk’s endorsement of the conspiracy theory, instead blaming recent ad woes on Media Matters.

“Media Matters knowingly and maliciously manufactured side-by-side images depicting advertisers’ posts on X Corp.’s social media platform beside Neo-Nazi and white-nationalist fringe content and then portrayed these manufactured images as if they were what typical X users experience,” the lawsuit contended.

X accused Media Matters of duping its algorithm by following only accounts known for extreme, fringe content along with big-name brands.

The result was a feed “precision-designed” to produce the kind of side-by-side ad and content pairings that alienated X advertisers, the suit maintained.

X asked the court to order Media Matters to pay unspecified cash damages and to take down the report.

In the year since taking over Twitter, now rebranded as X, Musk has gutted content moderation, restored accounts of previously banned extremists, and allowed users to purchase account verification, helping them profit from viral — but often inaccurate — posts.

An X executive told media that it did a “sweep” of accounts pointed out by Media Matters and they will no longer be able to make money from ads.

The posts themselves will be labeled “sensitive media,” according to the executive.

Binance to pay billions in US in money laundering case, CEO resigns - November 21, 2023

Binance chief executive Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty Tuesday to US money laundering charges, in a deal that will see the cryptocurrency exchange he founded pay over $4 billion in penalties.

“Binance became the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange in part because of the crimes it committed –- now it is paying one of the largest corporate penalties in US history,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

Binance’s guilty plea is part of coordinated action including with the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the Department of Justice said.

Zhao pleaded guilty to failing to maintain an effective anti-money laundering program, the Department of Justice said, and he has resigned from his position of CEO.

Zhao, who lives abroad, entered his plea in person in the United States, added Garland.

Binance’s agreements with the Treasury Department’s agencies include a civil money penalty of $3.4 billion and a $968 million penalty involving OFAC. These mark the agencies’ largest settlements in history.

“Binance turned a blind eye to its legal obligations in the pursuit of profit,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.

“Its willful failures allowed money to flow to terrorists, cybercriminals and child abusers through its platform.”

She noted Binance “deliberately undermined its own sanctions monitoring controls,” allowing over 1.5 million virtual currency trades violating US sanctions, and failed to report suspicious transactions.

Yellen said the penalties, and a five-year monitorship imposed on Binance, mark a “milestone for the virtual currency industry.”

The monitorship is unprecedented in the virtual currency space, a US Treasury official told journalists, speaking on condition of anonymity, comparing it to the oversight structure imposed on banks over a decade ago.

Moving forward, Binance must file suspicious activity reports required by law, on top of reviewing past transactions to report such activity to authorities, Garland said.

“This will advance our criminal investigations into malicious cyber activity and terrorism fundraising, including the use of cryptocurrency exchanges to support groups such as Hamas,” he added.

Binance was created in 2017 and cornered much of the crypto-trading market, turning Zhao into a billionaire.

Binance runs crypto exchanges and provides other services across the world, but it has taken a severe hit since crypto markets collapsed and regulators began probing the legality of its business.

Zhao — often seen as the arch-rival of disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried — is expected to face sentencing at a later time.

With the deal, Zhao is barred from future involvement operating Binance’s business.

In a statement, Binance conceded that it “made misguided decisions along the way” as it grew rapidly in an industry that was in the “early stages of regulation.”

“Today, Binance takes responsibility for this past chapter,” it said.

The company added that it did not initially have adequate compliance controls, saying that it has been working to restructure. Its former global head of regional markets, Richard Teng, will succeed Zhao as CEO.

In a separate social media announcement, Zhao said: “I made mistakes, and I must take responsibility.”

The latest deal does not include the company’s entanglements with the Securities and Exchange Commission, another regulator, which pressed a raft of charges against Binance in June, saying it allowed US residents to trade even when it was not registered in the country as a securities exchange.

The SEC also alleges the firm misused customer funds.

While Binance was founded in China, Zhao moved its operations to other locations internationally after a crackdown on the crypto sector by Beijing.

The volatile industry surged in 2021 with a range of complex products and celebrity endorsements propelling it to a valuation in excess of $3 trillion last year.

But a series of scandals, including the collapse of the FTX exchange and criminal charges for its executives, saw public confidence evaporate and investors pull their money out.

Sam Altman’s return ushers in new era at OpenAI - November 22, 2023

Sam Altman’s shock return as chief executive of OpenAI late Tuesday — days after being sacked — caps a chaotic period that highlighted deep tensions at the heart of the Artificial Intelligence community.

The board that fired Altman from his role as CEO of the ChatGPT creator has been almost entirely replaced following a rebellion by employees, cementing his position at the helm of the firm.

The sole survivor in the boardroom in the new Altman era is Adam D’Angelo, the CEO of question-and-answer site Quora.

He will be joined by ex-Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor and by former US Treasury Secretary and president of Harvard University, Larry Summers.

In Summers, Altman will find a seasoned economist and well-known figure in Washington, who has spoken of both the dangers and opportunities of ChatGPT for the “cognitive classes.”

“ChatGPT is gonna replace what doctors do, hearing symptoms and making diagnoses, before it changes what nurses do,” Summers told Bloomberg News earlier this year.

Neither Altman nor OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman — who quit as company president following Altman’s sacking — will return to the board, which could soon have as many as six additional members, the Wall Street Journal reported.

“I love openai, and everything i’ve done over the past few days has been in service of keeping this team and its mission together,” Altman wrote in a social media post late Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter.

– Disputes over departure –

The five-day saga began on Friday, when Altman was abruptly sacked by the board for reasons that are still unclear.

The board said in a statement that it had sacked Altman because “he was not consistently candid in his communications with the board,” without elaborating further.

It strongly resisted attempts to bring him back, cycling through two new chief executives over the weekend, before three of its four remaining members were sacked on Tuesday to pave the way for Altman’s dramatic return.

Some media outlets reported that there had been concerns that OpenAI was moving quickly away from its stated mission of “building safe and beneficial artificial general intelligence for the benefit of humanity,” for commercial gain.

However, OpenAI’s interim CEO Emmett Shear, said in a social media post that he had been assured “The board did *not* remove Sam over any specific disagreement on safety,” without elaborating on why Altman had been sacked.

– Fears over AI governance –

Altman’s return reaffirms his position as a leader in the rapidly-evolving field of generative-AI.

But the agreement also highlights the growing power that Microsoft now wields over the future of OpenAI.

During his five days in the wilderness, Altman briefly took up a position at the tech giant, which has poured billions of dollars into OpenAI and helped launch ChatGPT, whose success sparked a multi-billion-dollar global race in AI research and development.

In an X post confirming his return, Altman cited “satya’s support,” in his decision to return to OpenAI, a reference to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

“I’m looking forward to returning to openai, and building on our strong partnership with msft,” Altman added, an apparent reference to Microsoft.

While OpenAI’s ChatGPT is the most widely known large language model — or LLM — many of the other big tech firms, including Google and Facebook parent Meta, have invested heavily in the powerful AI technology — raising concerns about its governance.

Earlier this month, Western governments and tech companies agreed to a new safety testing regime to allay concerns at the pace at which AI is growing, and at the lack of global safeguards in place to control it.

The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the conference in London that the world was “playing catch-up” in efforts to regulate AI, which had “possible long-term negative consequences” on everything from jobs to culture.

Content Live News - November 2023

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AI-Media has a long history of captioning and translating global sports content; providing solutions for the largest sporting event on earth, multiple teams and franchises in sports such as basketball, baseball, football, cricket leagues and more; and has become the trusted captioning partner for sports broadcasters and OTT providers globally.

If you need to caption live or recorded content, go with the provider you can trust… AI-Media.

Movie News

'Napoleon': Joaquin Phoenix is 'not built like other men' in final trailer

Sony Pictures is giving a glimpse of the new film Napoleon.

The studio shared a final trailer for the movie Monday featuring Joaquin Phoenix.

Napoleon is an epic historical drama written by David Scarpa (All the Money in the World) and directed and produced by Ridley Scott (Kingdom of Heaven). Scott and Phoenix previously collaborated on the 2000 film Gladiator.

The film explores the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte (Phoenix), a French military leader who ruled as emperor in the early 19th century.

Napoleon "captures Bonaparte's relentless journey to power through the prism of his addictive, volatile relationship with his one true love, Josephine, showcasing his visionary military and political tactics against some of the most dynamic practical battle sequences ever filmed," an official synopsis reads.

The cast also includes Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim, Ben Miles, Ludivine Sagnier, Matthew Needham, John Hollingworth, Youssef Kerkour and Phil Cornwell.

Sony previously shared a trailer for the movie in July.

Napoleon opens in theaters Wednesday and will later stream on Apple TV+.

Pro Wrestling News

WWE Survivor Series 2023

November 25, 2023

Men's WarGames Match

Survivor Series will feature the return of WarGames, as Drew McIntyre and The Judgment Day are set to battle World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn..

The Judgment Day have been running rampant all year on Raw, with Rollins, Rhodes, Uso and Zayn all being on the receiving end of some brutal beatdowns from the devious group.

Now the quartet will finally get their hands on the group that has been gaining power with each passing week.

The Judgment Day has now made JD McDonagh an official member of the dark faction to add even more offense to their ranks. Then, after costing Uso and Rhodes the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles, McIntyre announced that he will fight alongside The Judgment Day.

This development left their opponents with the task of finding their fifth member. As Raw was set to conclude five days before Survivor Series: WarGames, Rhodes revealed that Randy Orton will join their team in the vicious structure!

Which team will survive WarGames? Don’t miss Survivor Series: WarGames this Saturday at 8 ET/5 PT, streaming live on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.

Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair & Shotzi vs. Bayley, IYO SKY, Kairi Sane & Asuka (Women's WarGames Match)

Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair and Shotzi face a much more dangerous version of Damage CTRL, with Kairi Sane and Asuka joining their ranks, in a brutal WarGames Match.

Damage CTRL looked to be on rough ground, after Sane made a stunning return to help IYO SKY retain her WWE Women’s Title over Bianca Belair at WWE Crown Jewel, leaving Bayley wondering her she stood with her teammates.

On the following SmackDown, however, Sane would align herself with Bayley, recognizing her as the group’s leader. The additions to Damage CTRL didn’t stop there as Asuka shockingly joined the group after turning her back on The EST and The Queen of WWE during a Six-Woman Tag Team Match against Damage CTRL.

Shotzi came to the rescue of Belair and Flair but Bayley’s team had the numbers advantage. After taking out Shotzi, Flair and Belair, Bayley ominously told the trio that they will see them at WarGames.

The following week, Damage CTRL officially challenged Flair, Beliar and Shotzi to find a partner to join forces with the trio and face Bayley, Sane, SKY and Asuka inside the hellacious cage. The answer came with the surprise emergence of Becky Lynch. The man has come around and the match is now set.

Which team can overcome the barbarity of WarGames? Don’t miss Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday, Nov. 25, at 8 ET/5 PT, streaming live on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.

AEW

CONTINENTAL CLASSIC...

Earlier today, in the above embedded video, AEW/ROH President Tony Khan, along with Tony Schiavone and ROH World Champion/NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion, announced the field of 12 for the Continental Classic Tournament! There are two groups, Blue and Gold, with six competitors each, competing in a Round Robin Style Tournament that begins Wednesday night in Chicago, and will continue until the finals at WORLDS END on December 30th!

Already quite the intriguing situation with Bryan Danielson, Mark Briscoe, and Andrade El Idolo putting their names into the hat prior to the Selection Special, with a competitive fire burning strong in his heart, Eddie Kingston further amplified the prestige of the tournament by putting both the ROH World Champion and NJPW STRONG Championship at stake thus, along with the AEW Continental Championship, creating a new Triple Crown Championship awaiting the winner of this tournament.

Now as for the rules of this tournament, matches will be contested with a 20 minute time limit, there will be no seconds allowed at ringside, and outside interference will not be tolerated, which may throw a monkey wrench in how many of the competitors generally handle their business. In addition, the scoring system for the Continental Classic will be very straight forward and simple, with points being awarded as follows: 3 points for a win and 1 point for a draw. Here is how the two groups break down:

Blue Group

Andrade El Idolo

“The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson

Brody King

Claudio Castagnoli

Daniel Garcia

ROH World Champion/NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston

Gold Group

Jay Lethal

Jay White

Jon Moxley

Mark Briscoe

Rus

Swerve Strickland

The first matches of the tournament will go down at Wintrust Arena as part of AEW's Thanksgiving Eve tradition, and continue Saturday night in Pittsburgh!

THE GOLD GROUP...

Swerve Strickland vs. Jay Lethal

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Continental Classic Tournament is going to be the opportunity to see several first-time matches, and three of them are going down this Wednesday night with the opening bouts of AEW's first-ever Round -style Robin Tournament!

Coming off a brutal, bloody Texas Death Match victory over Hangman Page at FULL GEAR 2023, Swerve Strickland will be in action for his first bout of the Continental Classic this Wednesday night in Chicago. Though there is not way he's feeling anywhere near 100%, Swerve will have to find a way to be at the top of his game because his opponent in this first night of action will be “The Franchise of ROH”, a former 2-Time ROH World Champion and the second-longest reigning ROH World TV Champion in history thanks to Samoa Joe's recent run, Jay Lethal! Lethal is no doubt coming into this bout far healthier than Swerve, and that may make the crucial difference in this contest, but another game changer for both these individuals, given how each generally approaches their matches, is that ban on seconds and outside interference. How many times have fans seen Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, and Karen Jarrett play a deciding factor in Jay Lethal's matches? On how many instances have The Gates of Agony, Brian Cage, or Prince Nana been involved in swaying Swerve Strickland's matches? With this tournament, none of that will fly, leaving these two stellar athletes to rely solely on their skill inside the squared circle? Which of these men will notch their first points in the Continental Classic?

LFI's Rush vs. BULLET CLUB GOLD's Jay White

Just like Swerve, both “El Toro Blanco” Rush and “Switchblade” Jay White went through their own bit of hell at FULL GEAR 2023. In the case of Rush, it was the Four Team Ladder match for the AEW World Tag Titles and the punishment that sort of bout entails while for Jay White it was his bid for the AEW World Championship against MJF, although he and BC GOLD did their best to make sure it wasn't MJF defending The Triple B.

While neither man was victorious in their efforts to become a champion in All Elite Wrestling, a new road to that goal begins this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE with the opening bouts in the Continental Classic. Another first-time bout, this head-to-head fight between the leaders of LFI and BC GOLD may be the show stealer given the skills of each involved, but as with the Lethal/Swerve bout, this is another contest between two men who often rely on their respective units to help determine the outcomes of a bout.

But unlike most outings with these two, there will be no Jose the Assistant, Preston Vance, or Dralistico at Rush's side to interfere, nor a Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn, or Colten Gunn in Jay White's corner to stick their nose in the business at hand. This continental classic is about putting the focus on the wrestling, and the fight between the two individuals vying for points, not the assorted seconds, managers, and stablemates polluting the competition with shenanigans.

With those elements removed, this is a bout between two elite level competitors and it will be quite intriguing to see who nets the three points in their first Continental Classic clash!

The BCC's Jon Moxley vs. Mark Briscoe

Now this is going to be a fight between two men who love to throwdown inside the squared circle, and unlike the other two first-time bouts, this first-timer does not involve a competitor reliant on interference, managers, or seconds. Both Jon Moxley and Mark Briscoe are men who want the victory on their own merit, they want the win on their own skills, and not because someone else lent a hand.

For Mark Briscoe, a 13-time ROH World Tag Team Champion with his late brother Jay, this tournament is an opportunity to not only firmly stake his status in the singles division but also to claim the first singles championship (or rather championships) of his entire career! He's challenged for the ROH World Title and the ROH World Television Championship several times during his twenty-plus years in ROH, but never captured those, nor any other singles title, and if he comes out of this tournament on top, he could claim three in one shot! He just may have the most difficult first match of the tournament by fighting Jon Moxley!

A 3-Time AEW World Champion, a former International Champion, and former 2-Time IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Champion, just to name a few of his accolades, Moxley is certainly a favorite to win this tournament and add three more championship to his name with the Triple Crown of the ROH World, NJPW STRONG Openweight, and AEW Continental Championships. With three members in the field, The Blackpool Combat Club are absolutely odds-on favorites to bring a tournament victory to their camp, and Jon Moxley is the first of the three to shoot for the three points.

These are two of the most unpredictable men in all of professional wrestling, and it is going to be a wild night when the two of them meet inside the squared circle for the very first time!

TONI STORM'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH...

Last Saturday night at FULL GEAR 2023, fans witnessed as Toni Storm dethroned Hikaru Shida to reclaim the AEW Women's World Championship for the third time. It was a fitting end to Storm's Hollywood Homecoming, at least for her, and she did share some words with the AEW cameras following the bout:

Unfortunately, for those who had hoped she'd join the FULL GEAR Media Scrum following the conclusion of the pay-per-view, that would not be the case as Toni had other commitments to attend, but she very kindly gave Tony Khan a letter explaining her absence, one which RJ City was kind enough to provide for everyone to read:

Storm's lack of appearing during the Media Scrum simply meant her adoring public just had to wait until this Wednesday night in Chicago, during AEW's DYNAMITE Thanksgiving Eve tradition, to hear her Championship Acceptance Speech! Who will she thank? Who will she be wearing? Will the band have to play her off stage if she goes on too long? Tune into TBS this Wednesday night to hear what will surely be the most unforgettable acceptance speech in championship history from “Timeless” Toni Storm!

RECHRISTENING?

After falling to Darby Allin, Sting, and Adam Copeland at FULL GEAR 2023, TNT Champion Christian Cage has stated that this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE, he is going to rechristen Nick Wayne and Luchasaurus.

So rechristen simply means “to rename” or “to change the name of”, which means Christian Cage has the intention of changing the names of his Patriarchy followers. What could he possibly hope to gain from this? And what names could he possibly choose for Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne?

On the heels of FULL GEAR 2023 AEW's first-ever Round Robin Tournament, the Continental Classic, gets underway and will run from Wednesday night in Chicago through WORLDS END on December 30th. Tonight will see Mark Briscoe versus Jon Moxley, Swerve versus Lethal, and Rush/Switchblade kick off the tournament, with more to come this weekend in Pittsburgh, and it kicks off at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS! International fans can catch the action at AEWPlus.com, and everyone needs to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW's other social media platforms, to get caught up on the action with highlights from FULL GEAR 2023, as well as recent episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, COLLISION, and this week's CONTROL CENTER!

Boxing News

John Fury gives a worrying and damning assessment of son Tyson ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight:

"17th February is the date they're working towards. But in my opinion, Tyson needs a bit more time to get his conditioning and weight right. He didn’t look himself [vs Francis Ngannou]. It looked like he lost 20lbs of muscle. Something was wrong.

"[In his] last three fights, I have seen decline. Not in ability, but in strength, power and physical condition. I don’t know what they [his camp] are doing, you have to address it. He didn’t look right, everything had changed about him, his demeanour, his body. I was puzzled.

"No one can teach Tyson how to box, or teach him more than he knows. All they can do is put some muscle on there and make his body rock solid. [In Saudi] he looked fat-thin. He should have been better and heavier with a lot more muscle. He needs to power up and the only way you do that is a proper course. They take time and [now] we don’t have the time."

MMA

RETURN OF THE MAC Conor McGregor targets shock showdown with rival amid huge UFC 300 doubt for Michael Chandler fight

The Notorious has campaigned for a bizarre fight amid rumours he WON'T headline UFC 300

CONOR MCGREGOR insists he has "unfinished" business with long-time rival Dustin Poirier.

The Notorious' rivalry with the former interim lightweight champion dates back to September 2014, when they first met as a pair of featherweight prospects.

McGregor struck the first blow in their series, knocking out the American in the first round of their MGM Grand melee.

Poirier would get his shot at revenge seven years later in Abu Dhabi and grasped the opportunity with both hands, KO'ing the Irishman in the second round of their UFC 257 showdown.

A horrific leg break for McGregor in the closing stages of their Sin City trilogy fight six months later would see Poirier move 2-1 up in their series.

And the way Mystic Mac sees it, the horrific ending to their last fight more than warrants another meeting inside the octagon.

The UFC's poster boy wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Let’s be real, it’s a must. Unfinished.”

McGregor, 35, hasn't set foot inside the cage since that fateful night at the T-Mobile Arena, although he's fighting fit and ready to go after a long and arduous rehab.

The Irishman will be welcomed back to action by fellow fan favourite and former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler.

Their long-awaited showdown was expected to headline UFC 300 in April, but McGregor's head coach recently revealed the promotion are eyeing a JULY return for the Dubliner.

During an appearance on The MMA Hour, the SBG Ireland head coach told Ariel Helwani: "We were hoping for April.

"That was the hope, that's what we were told and now it seems to be the summertime."

McGregor, however, insists he will top the bill of the historic card - telling a fan on X he's "IN" when asked about headling the show.

Former two-division champion McGregor recently got overwhelmed with emotion recalling his recovery from his life-changing injury and pleaded with the UFC brass to give him a date for his comeback.

He said: "I’ve been kept from my living for almost three years now.

“Understand that. I came through what I came through. I’m sitting on an injury and a loss.

"You hear what Alexander Volkanovski said? I relate. I must return to my way of living.

"This is my job. It’s beyond frustrating. … I just want the date.

"Give me the date, please. That’s it.”

UFC PARTNERS WITH WRESTLE LIKE A GIRL TO HOST FREESTYLE CLINIC AS PART OF INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK

UFC Partnered With Wrestle Like A Girl To Host A One-Day Freestyle Clinic At The Las Vegas Convention Center For Local Female Wrestlers Ages 5 – 17.

On July 6, UFC partnered with Wrestle Like A Girl to host a one-day freestyle clinic at the Las Vegas Convention Center for local female wrestlers ages 5 – 17, as part of UFC X, the fully immersive and interactive two-day fan experience during International Fight Week.

Former UFC champion and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Henry Cejudo joined Wrestle Like A Girl Founder and CEO Sally Roberts and Schreiner University wrestling head coach Tarkiya Mensah, as they hosted a four-hour seminar teaching fundamental elements to more than 100 students.

“We had a lot of fun, and it was great to get back on the mats and teach these young ladies some of the fundamentals of wrestling, said Cejudo. “Sally and I have known each other for a long time, as we were on Team USA together, and what she is doing with this organization on a national level is incredible. Supporting women’s wrestling on the high school, collegiate, and professional level is extremely important, and I’m glad UFC is taking a role in helping raise awareness.”

Founded in 2016, Wrestle Like A Girl sits at the intersection of wrestling, gender equality, and social good, focusing on Strategic Programming, Advocacy, Education, and Research. Their mission is to empower girls and women, using the sport of wrestling, to become leaders in life.

“Wrestling does more than build athletes, it’s a transformative tool that molds leaders and changemakers,” said Roberts. “As we stand on the cusp of women’s wrestling becoming an NCAA championship sport, we see even more girls from diverse backgrounds with the chance to use their passion for the sport as a springboard to a college education. This is the real power of sport, and we’re proud to partner with organizations like UFC who share this understanding.”

At the conclusion of the event, the UFC Foundation made a $10,000 donation to Wrestle Like A Girl on behalf of the organization’s 30th anniversary.

UFC’s corporate social responsibility program, #UFCInTheCommunity, strategically collaborates with partners, sponsors, and athletes to develop additional charitable programs and funding sources to help bolster and inspire the local community. For more information, please visit UFCFOUNDATION.

(UFC)

UFC CONTINUES RECORD RUN AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

On Saturday, UFC returned to Madison Square Garden for the seventh time in the last eight years with UFC 295: PROCHÁZKA VS PEREIRA, as UFC celebrated its 30th anniversary with an action-packed, highlight-loaded affair. Headlined by two championship fights, the event attracted more than 19,000 fans and produced a gate of $12.4 million, making it the 2nd highest-grossing event in MSG history and 4th highest-grossing event in UFC history. UFC now holds #1, 2 and 3 positions for highest gate in the history of Madison Square Garden.

Madison Square Garden has long held a special place in UFC history. MSG is the site of what many consider to be a seminal moment for UFC, when on November 12, 2016, UFC held its first-ever event in New York following a decade-plus battle to get Mixed Martial Arts regulated in the state. That event, UFC 205: ALVAREZ VS. MCGREGOR, scored a gate of $17.7 million and stands as the record for the highest-grossing event in Madison Square Garden history.

Top 3 MSG All-Time Gate Records (*includes non-sports events)

#1 - UFC 205: ALVAREZ VS. MCGREGOR – November 12, 2016

Gate - $17,740,543

Attendance - 20,427

#2 - UFC 295: PROCHÁZKA VS PEREIRA – November 11, 2023

Gate - $12,432,563

Attendance - 19,039

#3 - UFC 281: Adesanya vs Pereira - November 12, 2022

Gate - $11,562,807

Attendance: 20,845

(UFC)

Send miners to parliament and students to work, Gina Rinehart says - November 22, 2023

Australia’s richest person Gina Rinehart has called on the mining sector to push its own workers and advocates into parliament, so they can tear up environmental regulation she warns is jeopardising the industry’s ability to maintain its current levels of production.

In a speech to mining executives and Liberal leader Peter Dutton at her Roy Hill mine on Wednesday, Mrs Rinehart took aim at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for taking overseas trips to spruik trade while his government was handcuffing local industry.

“Platitudes and press releases move precisely zero tonnes of iron, copper, nickel, rare earths or any other mineral,” Mrs Rinehart says in a copy of the speech seen by The Australian Financial Review.

“The reality of what the government is doing with its excessive and complicated tape, and the risk of bad policies being introduced, is that we risk not even achieving replacement tonnage to maintain current production, let alone massively expanding across a range of minerals and metals.”

In a speech quoting Winston Churchill, drawing from Margaret Thatcher and interspersed with a video clips from Elon Musk and Canada’s conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, Mrs Rinehart made a rallying cry to the mining industry to push its way into Australian parliament.

Mr Dutton was expected to address the event, as well as former governor general Sir Peter Cosgrove, who was expected to beam in via a holographic video.

“Now I’m suggesting something in addition, encourage and support people from our industry, to put themselves up for parliament. We need strong people in government, not afraid to stand up for common sense, and for mining,” she said.

Advocate for mining

The mining mogul called for people to devote “no less than 15 minutes” each day to advocating for the industry.

“Be this via letters to media or government, comments online, social media, or as members of political parties, grab those minutes, whether it be waiting in doctors or dentists surgeries or airports, waiting for food orders, riding in planes, buses or trains,” she said.

She also suggested the federal government consider moving departments to the vast Pilbara in WA’s north-west to “learn about where Aussie’s revenue is generated”.

Mrs Rinehart lamented delays to her McPhee iron ore project in the WA Pilbara, which she revealed would now be “lucky” to even reach production in 2025.

It was revealed this week Mrs Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting was appealing to the WA environment minister to change “onerous” conditions imposed on the McPhee project by the state’s environmental protection agency.

“These kinds of delays make Australia increasingly unattractive for investment and if they occur for a relatively small project, 1.5 per cent of WA’s iron ore production utilising mainly existing infrastructure, what hope do larger projects have,” she said.

Mrs Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting needs satellite projects like McPhee to feed into its Roy Hill infrastructure with the private company’s flagship mine and biggest money spinner expected to start running out of ore soon after 2030.

The mining mogul also took a swipe at immigration policy, which commentators like HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham and Future Fund chairman Peter Costello have linked to rent shortages and pressure on interest rates.

The migration surge – 500,000 arrivals in the past year – is seen as a way to address labour shortages but Mrs Rinehart wants the government to relax restrictions on pensioners, university students and non-violent prisoners working.

“Where is the sense in restricting our own citizens from working while bringing in more immigrants when our hospitals already can’t cope?” she said.

‘Outstanding’ Dutton

Mrs Rinehart described Mr Dutton as an “outstanding leader”. She also revealed her admiration for Tesla founder Elon Musk, who she said was one of the most “interesting and successful men in the world”, before playing a YouTube clip where he called for the repeal of rules and regulations that became counterproductive.

Mrs Rinehart, who turns 70 in February, hit out at the latest generation of university graduates who in some cases were too fussy about the tasks required of them and “work-shy”.

“Too often today, youngsters who’ve been to uni don’t want to do work they think is below them, and want to jump into senior roles for instant success skipping the hard metres, perhaps with the feeling that their private education or time at uni means they should pick and choose what work they do,” she said.

“I think part of my success was, despite a private education and, with what was required back then, high enough marks to get into uni that this didn’t give me such an attitude.

(AFR)

Streamers spent less on Aussie shows last year despite Labor’s threats - 8th November 2023

Streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video cut their spending on Australian TV shows and films in the 2022-23 financial year, despite Labor’s impending plans to force them to make more.

New figures released on Wednesday by the media regulator show Disney+, Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video and Stan spent a combined $324.1 million on 1583 Aussie programs in the most recent financial year – down from $335.1 million on 718 shows in 2021-22.

Spend on “Australian-related” shows – those are partly Australian, like Disney’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Obi Wan Kenobi – rose to $452.9 million from $333.4 million.

The new data comes days after the government aired two ways it could force streaming services to make more Australian content.

Arts Minister Tony Burke and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland have said they would introduce quotas to come into effect from July next year.

The push for quotas has provoked widespread opposition from streaming platforms and free-to-air television networks, which have claimed they will push up production costs for everyone. Netflix on Wednesday said it had spent $1 billion on Australian and “Australian-related” shows between 2019 and 2023.

The film and production sector, meanwhile, says it needs quotas to maintain a vibrant Australian screen industry against a competitive and global market.

In the 15-page paper circulated to key film and television production executives this week, the government proposed either making platforms with more subscribers spend more, or demanding a flat rate as a percentage of local revenue.

The first model means Netflix could be forced to spend 30 per cent of its budget on local films and shows, and Amazon Prime Video 25 per cent – because they have the most subscribers.

A platform with between 1 million and 1.99 million subscribers would be required to spend 10 per cent on Australian content. For a platform with more than 5 million subscribers, that figure would be 30 per cent.

According to the latest estimates from data firm Telsyte, only Netflix has more than 5 million subscribers in Australia. Amazon Prime Video has 4.5 million, Disney+ has 3.1 million, and Stan has 2.6 million. Stan is owned by Nine Entertainment, parent of The Australian Financial Review.

“It is a progressive obligation of up to 30 per cent to ensure that large services continue to invest in Australian programs commensurate with their market share and degree of influence,” the government paper reads.

A service with 1 million subscribers that spends $100 million on drama shows would have to spend $10 million, per its 10 per cent obligation. A service with 2 million subscribers that spends $80 million on drama programs for the Australian market would have a 15 per cent obligation, or $12 million.

The alternative proposal is calculated by multiplying revenue and an obligation of 10 per cent. It is arguably simpler, but that figure could increase to 20 per cent over time, the document warns. It also takes sport out of the equation.

By that logic, a service with $250 million in revenue and no sport programming would have a drama obligation of $25 million. A service with $250 million in revenue that spends $150 million on all local programming, $50 million of which is sport, would have a $16.67 million obligation.

Children’s content earns a 1.2 times-multiplier towards quotas, as well as content that is released in cinemas first.

The industry has less than two weeks to digest the proposals before meeting with the government.

(AFR)

Smart TV feud hits boiling point as legal notices fly - November 20, 2023

Tensions between Australia’s free to air networks and pay TV body, ASTRA, have hit boiling point in a feud over a piece of legislation that will dictate how apps are displayed on smart televisions.

As the legislation expected to be introduced to parliament this month, Free TV Australia, the lobby group for commercial networks Nine, Ten and Seven, has sent a legal notice to Foxtel CEO and chair of ASTRA Patrick Delany demanding action over an advertising campaign run by ASTRA, alleging it misleads Australians.

The ad campaign, launched by ASTRA in early November, reads “Warning: Now the government wants to control your TV”. In response, Free TV on Monday has launched its own advertising campaign under the slogan “Don’t let big tech take your free away”.

Apart from the legal stoush with Free TV, ASTRA’s campaign has also led to tensions inside the group. Paramount, the international owner of Network 10 and streaming service Paramount+, has withdrawn its membership from ASTRA just days after its ad was released and has instead put its support behind Free TV.

ASTRA, led by major stakeholder Foxtel, and Free TV are arguing over a piece of legislation titled prominence framework, under which makes of smart and connected televisions would be forced to give free-to-air broadcast video applications such as ABC iview, 9Now and 10 Play top billing on the TV homepage and search results ahead of subscription services like Binge, Netflix and Disney+.

A letter sent by legal firm Holding Redlich on behalf of Free TV alleges that ASTRA’s ad campaign is “false and misleading”. It has asked for the campaign’s removal alongside a published correction on the claims made.

Free TV also alleges the ASTRA advertisement breaches Section 18 of Australian Consumer Law, which prohibits conduct in trade or commerce that is misleading or deceptive, or is likely to mislead or deceive.

Lawyers from Allens Linklaters, acting on behalf of Foxtel and ASTRA, have rejected the claim and all other allegations in a response sent on November 10.

The legislation is expected to be introduced in the final sitting week of parliament for the year. Should it pass, it could have implications for Foxtel’s new connected and smart TV product, Hubbl, which is set to launch shortly.

Delany said televisions were deeply personal, and therefore “it’s not surprising that Australians don’t want the government meddling”.

“Our search at the moment on Foxtel is tailored around you. Search should be dictated by what is best for you, not what the government thinks is best.”

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said the government was working to introduce the legislation as soon as practicable.

“Our guiding principle is that Australians should be able to easily find the local TV they rely on for Australian content, sporting events, news and emergency information,” she said.

Prominence is one of four pieces of media reform legislation on the Albanese government’s agenda, including curbs to gambling advertising, updates to anti-siphoning legislation and the implementation of content quotas for international streaming players.

Rowland will speak at the National Press Club this Wednesday.

(SMH)

Pro Wrestling

Paul “Triple H” Levesque Offers Inside Look At WWE Storytelling

“Book what people want to feel and see”

“Book what people want to feel and see”

Paul “Triple H” Levesque embeds a human element in his storytelling.

As WWE’s Head of Creative, Levesque is in the midst of an especially strong stretch of booking Raw and SmackDown. He has integrated multiple storylines into this Saturday’s WarGames matches at Survivor Series, but also has stories for talent outside off the card and away from the title picture.

The product of a long, storied career, Levesque had a 25-year run in WWE where he was often at the very top of the company. Yet there were also stretches where he operated far away from the main event, back when he was hungry just to consistently appear on the card.

“I started at zero and saw all the various stages of it,” said Levesque. “I’ve worked in front of basically no people, and I’ve worked the biggest shows in the world. I understand the process–the successes and the failures. Even when you get an opportunity to move up the card, then you’re moved back down and you’re not sure if you’re going to get that opportunity again–I’ve been there.”

Surrounded by a legion of writers and thinkers, Levesque is now in a position where he has been emboldened by parent company Endeavor to lead WWE creative. This means there is less interference from Vince McMahon, which is not to imply McMahon is entirely removed from the process. After parts of five decades spent as the company’s be-all, end-all, McMahon’s fingerprints remain all across the company.

“Vince taught me years ago, you put yourself in the seats and you’ll never go wrong,” said Levesque. “You’ve always got to maintain that perspective. I started out as a fan. Book what people want to feel and see.”

Levesque revealed his creative philosophy, sharing that his goal is to make people think and feel in every story.

“Writing this stuff is a feel,” said Levesque. “You can analyze stories and how they come together, but how does it make you feel? If you can make people feel those stories, they’re going to be invested in the product. That’s how we try to approach, find that ultimate emotional place for the talent and the characters and the stories they’re in.”

Respect for the fan base is also visible in Levesque’s creative approach. As someone who grew up relishing the chance to watch pro wrestling, he has a deep understanding of the importance of giving back to the fan base.

“We don’t take our fan base for granted,” said Levesque. “And the way our talent operates is different from other generations. They want to go out there and put on the best possible show they can.

“A lot of these kids are already invested–they grew up wanting to do this. And if they didn’t, they fell in love with it by learning from people who grew up wanting to be in this business, and that’s how they learned the respect for it. To me, that’s what makes you successful. That connection with our fan base, that’s a big part of our core.”

(S.I)

Mixed Martial Arts

PFL Acquires Bellator - November 20,2023

PFL champions vs. Bellator champions will take place in 2024

There is a new giant in MMA.

PFL, with all its blue chip backers, lacked the roster necessary to compete with the UFC. Yet, as of today, that has changed, as the PFL has acquired Bellator.

The Bellator roster dramatically improves the PFL.

A press release from the PFL stated that all newly acquired Bellator fighters will become part of the PFL platform and available to compete in PFL fight franchises. It is also shared that the PFL will launch a reimagined Bellator product in 2024, known as the “Bellator International Champions Series.” This will consist of eight fight events each year hosted in major cities across the globe, which allows the PFL to make a profit in locations where Bellator is already a proven draw.

Bellator now becomes the newest live PFL fight franchise, joining the PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, and PFL International Leagues.

There will also be a highly anticipated PFL champions vs. Bellator champions event. The PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions mega-event will feature the champions of each promotion in all seven weight-classes in a head-to-head epic fight experience.

Donn Davis, PFL Chairman and Founder, and Peter Murray, PFL CEO, continue to lead and operate the combined company. Details surrounding events, distribution, partnerships, and management have not yet been revealed.

Sports Tourism Business

The Business Of Sports

Pro Wrestling, MMA and Formula 1 Las Vegas scenario in the mix

Industry Developments: Peaked or Not? Price Points. Supply and Demand

Pro Wrestling

The Business Of Wrestling; Supply and demand, and budgets

A Scribe From A Media and Sports Agent and Lifelong Fan..

Has the industry peaked, coming off the back of the acclaimed and high profile TKO Group deal bringing together both the WWE, the world's leading pro wrestling based promotion, and the UFC - the world's leading mixed martial arts promotion.

Combat sports and showbiz can be very big business. We know this from first hand experience having worked on hundreds of combat sports and related campaigns over the past two decades plus. We will save the "name drops". Some of the readership already knows.

The world faces a somewhat uncertain future, be it in the economic realm - both for families and individuals, and many people are taking much of their money out of the bank as they are not seen as a particularly safe or worthwhile place for financial investment and growth these days.

People and companies are watching their budget. Entertainment is a form of luxury. One can spend very little or a whole lot! We've done both.

Many moons ago when we were doing much more frequent international travel we went to Europe after the most recent Thailand trip. Pro wrestling (the CWA I believe - Otto Wanz promotion in Germany) was part of the appeal, along with our wrestling penpals (that's an old term) mates in Austria. We spent quite a lot of money on that sports tourism adventure and have got memories to last a lifetime from it. The cost of living wasn't so experience back then and we were making very serious money every single month without fail (thank you Optus Vision/Comms PPV and contract bundling department). We were paid to talk about and sell combat sports, subscriber television content as well as up-sell a range of comms services.

The combat sports including pro wrestling industry has grown greatly over the past decade - say 40 years or so..as long as we've been watching, and from time to time participating in a range of campaigns.

Budgets have changed for many people. Firms need to be careful that they don't get greedy and price gouge.

Recently in Las Vegas many F1 tickets were not sold and hotel rooms left empty as the word got out on just how expensive the F1 experience was going to be. F1 has their massive media rights deals in place and F1 teams have massive sponsorships. Many F1 fans and the public at large gave it a miss as it was going to cost say between $1,500 to $7,000 investment to get the full experience in Vegas for between one to four persons. You can watch plenty of F1 at home on the websites and YouTube etc right.

Years ago we traveled to Melbourne from Sydney for massive WWE supershow and it was fantastic. Two wrestling tickets for about $100 each two return flights for about $300 each and one hotel room for the night at about $400. All a memorable and great experience - but it all adds up. $1,200 AUD ..not too bad for a couple of combat sports lovers right. Much better/special than the local club wrestling - as a general rule.

Sports business is based on supply and demand like most other businesses models.

The pro wrestling and combat sports sector is saturated.

Business models will continue to be disrupted but are also subject to economic conditions.

Something tells us that one or two airlines down under in Australia will be experiencing a reality check in regards to sports tourism and a range of hotels looking to cash in on opportunities will also be dragged into the equation.

It's a bit of a perfect storm as Pandora's Box as of what's on the horizon for the business of pro wrestling, a curious offshoot of the combat sports arena.

There's nothing quite like attending a live pro wrestling show - especially the WWE. There's also great merit in staying in the comfort of your own home and watching pro wrestling and combat sports from around the globe for between $10 to $20 a month. Everyone just needs to look at their own situation and business model and see what works for them

Promoters and fans - Win-Win-Wins are always ideal.

The next few months in and around this space are going to be very interesting.

As they said back in circa 1986, "The WWF: What The World Is Watching", and "WWF: The Worldwide Leader In Sports Entertainment".

*The original WWF has been known as the WWE for the longest time since VKM got the "F" out of the same and replaced it with an "E" - for Entertainment. Turning negatives into positives.. something the WWE has a strong track record in. Here's to many more decades of great pro wrestling aka sports entertainment.

Wrestling

ALL ELITE WRESTLING

AEW: Worlds End

DECEMBER 30, 2023

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Long Island, NY

Aussies rally for free TV: New research reveals demand for easy access amidst big tech's commercial interests

New research conducted by Free TV and Seven West Media reveals a significant 80% of Australians are demanding easy access to free TV services on their connected TV sets.

The study also found these viewers do not believe local free TV service providers should have to pay a TV manufacturer for a prominent position on the home screen.

The research comes at a crucial time as the Albanese government is planning to legislate a 'prominence' law. This law aims to ensure local free-to-air TV services can easily be found on television devices. The move is seen as a direct response to the commercial interests of big tech and TV manufacturers, which have been criticised by Free TV CEO, Bridget Fair.

"Australians know they are not being given a fair go when it comes to the services they are offered on their connected TVs," Fair said. "They are worried that instead of being offered the local TV services they want to watch, they are being steered in the direction of services that favour the commercial interests of big tech and TV manufacturers."

The survey, which involved 2,075 participants, found 78% of people with connected TV sets believe it is important they can easily find free TV services. Only a mere 8% said it was not important. Other key findings include: 84% of people want a free service option before the paid option when looking for something to watch, 81% of people did not agree with the idea that local free TV services should have to pay a TV manufacturer for visibility on the home screen, and 81% also said commercial interests should not dictate where TV services appear on a connected TV.

"It’s a matter of choice and the choice should be made by the viewer. It’s not choice if your TV is set up to deliberately make it hard to find your local TV channels. Viewers should be able to easily find all the services they want and then decide," Fair added.

Fair warns local free TV services are becoming increasingly hard to find on connected TVs, with foreign giants buying the best real estate. She also revealed that TV manufacturers want to charge local TV providers up to 30% of revenue just to be present on the TV screen.

"Our local free TV services are delivered to all Australians for free. Free TV networks invest billions in fresh and unique content each year and they need to reach millions of Australians each day to generate the advertising revenue that keeps those services free. But TV manufacturers want to charge local TV providers up to 30% of revenue just to be present on the TV screen. That money would come directly out of Australian content," she said.

Social Media

Greg Tingle

Free TV Australia via MI3.

All very interesting and educational reading via Free TV Australia and MI3 re the business of television when it meets some of the businesses of politics. There's usually two or three sides to a story, and as they say the exact truth is likely somewhere in the middle. That's my experience having worked previously for Optus Vision/Comms for the better part of 5 years and also a 6 month contract at Foxtel and some project work for Kayo Sports. Both sides of the argument can have vested interests. I'm seeing the situation from both sides of the argument. I think both sides/parties want the upper hand on the competition. Trust in government entities at present is at about an all-time low so that's not doing Free TV any favors so to speak. Then you have the likes of the "Netflix Killer" tubi and other over the top services as well as additional FAST service providers. A real Pandora's Box in the Digital Matrix Of Things. Again, numerous ways to look at this. The consumer can and will make up their own mind. Stay tuned for developments is fair to say. PS: 7 Plus got some MMA with ONE Championship. Can we get some UFC and WWE via free soon? Pre emtive strike before HBO, USA Network, The CW and others further eye off Terror Australalis.

Streamers spent less on Aussie shows last year despite Labor’s threats - Novemeber 8, 2023

Spend on “Australian-related” shows – those are partly Australian, like Disney’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Obi Wan Kenobi – rose to $452.9 million from $333.4 million.

The new data comes days after the government aired two ways it could force streaming services to make more Australian content.

Arts Minister Tony Burke and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland have said they would introduce quotas to come into effect from July next year.

The film and production sector, meanwhile, says it needs quotas to maintain a vibrant Australian screen industry against a competitive and global market.

The first model means Netflix could be forced to spend 30 per cent of its budget on local films and shows, and Amazon Prime Video 25 per cent – because they have the most subscribers.

Children’s content earns a 1.2 times-multiplier towards quotas, as well as content that is released in cinemas first.

The industry has less than two weeks to digest the proposals before meeting with the government.

Videos should factor into future Meta bargaining code deals: Nine CEO - November 9, 2023

A push by Facebook and Instagram into video has sparked a “significant increase” in their use of content produced by publishers which should be a factor when renegotiating multimillion dollar deals under the news media bargaining code, Nine Entertainment’s chief executive says.

Nine signed deals with Facebook, now Meta, and Google in 2021 under the landmark legislation, which compelled the two tech giants to negotiate with major news organisations to carry their content. It’s believed 30 news outlets signed deals worth more than $200 million.

Facebook’s deals, which were for three years, will expire in 2024. There are increasing signs the company will not renew its deals under the code.

Speaking after the company’s annual meeting on Thursday, Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby and chairman Peter Costello said that while Facebook had clearly moved away from text-based news – traffic has fallen up to 50 per cent this year – it was still using video from news outlets.

“There has been a significant increase in the use of our video content – news-related, sport-related and entertainment-related video content – across both Facebook and Instagram’s Reels businesses,” Mr Sneesby said.

“Notwithstanding the fact they may be considering their position in the traditional image and text-based news, video content has ramped up considerably. I don’t have a specific figure, but it’s material. And that certainly is an important thing for us to come to the table on to work out how we reach agreement on compensation for that video content.”

Mr Costello said he thought the agreements were “fair”.

“Of course we would like to continue them. The critical question is whether Meta is going to stay in this particular business,” he said. “This is just a new iteration of a very old point. In the old days, you made a movie and if Joe Blow got a copy and started showing it in his picture theatres, you were entitled to a cut. Now, these days, somebody gets some footage, and they put it up on TikTok, or Meta, they get advertising. And it’s the same thing.”

Mr Costello added that a similar code could be introduced by the government to force generative artificial intelligence companies – the likes of OpenAI’s ChatGPT – to compensate news outlets for using their work.

Narrow escape

The Nine annual meeting took place on the same day as Seven West Media, which is controlled by Kerry Stokes – its chairman.

Seven’s share price fell five per cent after the broadcaster said it would cut $60 million over the next two financial years – $25 million in 2024, and $35 million in 2025. These cuts come after two rounds of cuts, worth $15 million and $20 million, over the past year.

Nine declined to put a number on its cost-cutting. “I don’t think we need a headline number,” Mr Sneesby said.

“The market can work that out.”

Mr Stokes and the Seven board narrowly escaped a spill. Last year, 8.5 per cent of shareholders voted against the Seven remuneration report. But because Mr Stokes’ Seven Group is not allowed to vote on the remuneration report, it counted as 29 per cent.

If more than 25 per cent of eligible shareholders voted against the report, it counts as a “first strike”. If that happens in two consecutive years, shareholders are asked to vote on whether to spill the board and put it up for re-election. This year, 21.6 per cent of shareholders voting against its remuneration report.

Combat Sports

Dana White On Cross-Over Legends Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey Will Compete At UFC 300

“I get why everybody asks”

“They’re not coming back”

Sports Illustrated UFC news and quotes doing the rounds across the globe; S.I. gains more street and industry cred

Seems like the entire combat sports world wants to know if Lesnar and Rousey will fight at UFC 300. Perhaps they may appear in the crowd, or even get introduced with a live mic, but don't expect for them to grapple.

Fantasy Booking ramps up in UFC, adding to combat sports booking WWE

@WWE

and other pro wrestling promotions!

Some Stats:

Lesnar (UFC website)

https://ufc.com/athlete/brock-lesnar

8 fights in the UFC

Former UFC Heavyweight champ

Rousey (Wikipedia website)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronda_Rousey

Rousey News:

RR loves her pro wresling, including Lucha Libre - especially Lucha VaVOOM, in Los Angeles where she appeared on October 26, teaming with AEW affiliated Marina Shafir to defeat Brian Kendrick and Taya Valkyrie in tag team action.

Due to wrestle at Wrestling Revolver - 6th November

Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Los Angeles, CA.

Will be broadcast via FITE!

@FiteTV

“I always had an incredible working relationship with Brock Lesnar”.

“It’s funny to say this because he’s such a grouchy dude, but I consider Brock Lesnar a friend.”

The last time Lesnar fought in the UFC was 2016, five months after Rousey’s final bout. Since then, both have appeared in WWE from time to time.

Rousey is still considered fairly young for pro wrestling, but not so much for MMA at 36 years. Her last UFC match was in December of 2016. Similar to Lesnar, she also fought 8 times in the UFC, getting her hand raised in the 6 bouts. Rousey eventually became one of the the most recognizable sports stars in the world, thanks to numerous ground breaking performances and over-performing in what was traditionally a male dominated sport.

“I absolutely love Ronda Rousey,” said White. “She’s one of the greatest athletes I’ve ever worked with. She’s a pioneer, an inspirational figure for women, and an all-around badass for UFC.”

Headlined by two title bouts, UFC 295 takes place this Saturday at Madison Square Garden. Though White’s current priority is MSG, the UFC matchmakers are not too far removed from UFC 300. But Rousey and Lesnar will not be part of that history-making card.

“I’m focused on Madison Square Garden,” said White. “But no, they’re not coming back.”

UFC News

UFC 295 card: Prochazka vs Pereira headlines after Aspinall and Pavlovich clash

Daniel Cormier (conspiracy?) theory/speculation/dream match scenarios

Unified field theory for UFC 300..

Former two-division UFC champ and current UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has a theory that sounds great for the UFC 300 card.

“UFC 100 had Brock [Lesnar], right? With Georges St-Pierre and all those guys,” Cormier said on his “DC & RC” show. “UFC 200 had Brock, it was supposed to me and [Jon] Jones also but it ended up being me, Anderson Silva, Brock, all these guys, big names,” Cormier said. “UFC 300 has to have a name like that. We don’t have Brock Lesnar anymore. So, I think you have to have a Conor McGregor versus Michael Chandler. I think Michael Chandler gets his shot now, in the main event. Boy, Michael Chandler will headline UFC 300, how crazy is that?”

DC also has a vision of a two-title bout card underneath the McGregor-Chandler match.

“Co-main event, when I look down the line, I know that Jones and Stipe [Miocic] will not be ready,” Cormier continued. “I do believe that whoever wins the [interim heavyweight] belt this weekend will have to fight again. Leon Edwards or Colby Covington will then be available again, right? Because they fight [at UFC 296] in December. I believe it’ll be one of them, if not both. The interim heavyweight champion and then the welterweight champion will also fight at UFC 300.”

Videos (to help starv you off before it's time to say Let's 'Fn Go again)

Pro Wrestling Champions - November 2023

WWE

WWE Championship – Roman Reigns

WWE Universal – Roman Reigns

World Heavyweight Championship - Seth Rollins

Raw Tag Team – Judgement Day

Smackdown Tag Team – Judgement Day

WWE Women’s - Iyo Sky

Women’s World - Rhea Ripley

WWE Women’s Tag Team – Chelsea Green and Piper Niven

US Title – Logan Paul

Intercontinental title - Gunther

NXT

NXT Championship- Ilja Dragunov

NXT Women’s - Lyra Valkyria

North American Title – Dominick Mysterio

Tag Team Title – Tony D'Angelo and Channing Lorezo

AEW

AEW World Title - MJF

TNT Title - Christian

Women's Title - Hikaru Shida

TBS Champion - Kris Statlander

Tag Team Titles - Ricky Starks and Big Bill

Trios Titles - The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn

AEW International Title - Orange Cassidy

Impact Wrestling

World Champion - Alex Shelley

X Division - Chris Sabin

Tag Team Titles - ABC

Digital Media Champion - Tommy Dreamer

Knockouts Champion - Trinity

Knockouts Tag Titles - Killer Kelly and Masha Slamovich

ROH

ROH World Champion - Eddie Kingston

ROH TV Champion - Vacant

ROH Pure Champion - Katsuyori Shibata

ROH Tag Titles - Adam Cole & MJF

ROH Women's Title - Athena

ROH Six Man Tag Titles - Mogul Embassy

NJPW

IWGP World Title - Sanada

IWGP US Title - Will Ospreay

IWGP Junior Heavyweight - Hiromu Takahashi

Strong Openweight Title - Eddie Kingston

IWGP Tag Team Titles - Bishamon

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles - Bullet Club War Dogs (Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors)

Strong Openweight Tag Team Titles - Bullet Club War Dogs (Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd)

NEVER Openweight Title - David Finlay

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Titles - Okada, Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii

KOPW 2023 - Taichi

IWGP Women's Title - Maya Iwatani

Media News

Catalano offers to sell Canberra Times, other papers to Southern Cross

Australian Community Media executive chairman Antony Catalano has proposed selling some of his company’s most storied publications, including The Newcastle Herald, Illawarra Mercury and The Canberra Times, to Southern Cross Media in exchange for a major stake in the ASX-listed group.

On Friday, Southern Cross confirmed reports in The Australian Financial Review’s Street Talk column that Mr Catalano, who is backed by billionaire businessman Alex Waislitz, had formally approached Southern Cross with a counterproposal to a takeover offer from ARN Media and Anchorage Capital.

“We believe that this proposal would provide immediate benefits to Southern Cross shareholders and is simple to execute, value accretive, is built on both growth opportunity and well as cost synergy, unlikely to require shareholder approval,” Mr Catalano wrote to Southern Cross executives and its bankers. “Please call me to discuss,” he added.

Under his proposal, Southern Cross would own 14 of ACM’s daily newspapers and 52 of his non-daily publications, which were acquired from Nine Entertainment (publishers of this masthead) in 2019. The Land and ACM’s agriculture assets, as well as its real estate play View, were not included.

The new entity would have an extra $200 million in revenue, Mr Catalano wrote, including 130,000 digital news subscriptions. It would emerge with $120 million in earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation – up from $77 million in the last financial year.

In return, he wanted a “sub 20 per cent” stake in Southern Cross, sources close to the deal told AFR Weekend on Friday.

Southern Cross Austereo owns 99 radio stations, including the Triple M and Hit brands, and 96 regional free-to-air TV signals. It has spent three weeks grappling with a complex offer from ARN and Anchorage to buy them out.

On Friday, Southern Cross said it would consider ACM’s proposal and told shareholders to take no action. It has not backed the ARN proposal either.

Allan Gray’s Simon Mawhinney, a major shareholder in both ARN and Southern Cross, said it was too early to evaluate ACM’s offer.

“We don’t know any of the details, today’s the first we’ve been made aware of it,” he said. “I think some competitive intensity is always good for shareholders, we fully support competing proposals. The more, the merrier.”

Mr Catalano said: “We’ve presented a proposal which isn’t highly conditional, it’s simple, easy to execute, no cost, and which creates probably the third most profitable media company in Australia.”

“It’s an elegant solution for a company that is in defence mode on a deal the board clearly doesn’t like,” he said.

His offer comes as Southern Cross and its new advisers UBS – deal makers Tim McKessar and Richard Sleijpen have been involved so far – are still reviewing ARN’s takeover offer.

In October, ARN made a bid with Anchorage to acquire Southern Cross, pool their assets, and emerge with two different media groupings. Southern Cross’s chairman, Rob Murray, called it “opportunistic”.

ARN owns the KIIS FM and Pure Gold networks, and media ownership laws prevent any one company from owning more than two radio licences in a single city. ARN’s bid would give it KIIS and Triple M and the best of both companies’ regional stations. Anchorage would take the Hit and Pure Gold brands, a handful of remaining regional stations, and the TV signals.

They offered 0.753 ARN shares per Southern Cross share, as well as 29.6¢ in cash and 12.7¢ in franking credits.

ARN’s takeover is awaiting a response from the Takeovers Panel after Keybridge Capital’s Nick Bolton claimed that ARN had breached corporations rules when it acquired a 14.8 per cent stake in Southern Cross in June. Mr Catalano is a director of Keybridge Capital.

Sources close to the deal said the Takeovers Panel met on Thursday night, and a decision on how it could proceed could be released any day.

Property News

'One of the best houses in Bronte' just listed for $30 million

You know you’ve arrived in architectural nirvana the moment you step into the foyer of Coastal Garden House. You’re inside, yet still outside.

Architecture studio Neeson Murcutt Neille has mastered the art of seamless indoor/outdoor living by virtue of sliding glass walls with flush thresholds, windows that disappear entirely, and greenery that tumbles over joinery.

At the entry level of this clever property, beyond the full-height timber door, you’ll find exposed brickwork, sandstone flagging and a space billed as the conversation pit.

On a raised platform, curved banquette seating is illuminated by a circular skylight. It’s the perfect spot for a morning card game with the kids or a late-night tipple with friends.

One set of sliders opens this space to a courtyard; another leads to the main living spaces.

Here, the coastal panorama is on full parade through a pair of enormous cavity windows. Pour a cuppa, pull up a stool and soak in the ocean and headland views.

The kitchen features a solid timber island bench, and plants spill over the top of a timber pod housing a concealed cocktail bar and fridge.

More sliders open to a skylit loggia with a built-in barbecue.

A playful main suite completes the entry-level accommodation. From the eye-catching wallpaper in the powder room to the reading nook found on top of a section of built-in joinery, this is definitely a space for the young at heart.

A single room with en suite on the upper level is described as a guest bedroom but why reserve the best of the ocean views for guests? This bright space with its north-east-facing balcony is the perfect home office or reading retreat.

On the lower level, you’ll find four bedrooms – all with access to the garden – a generous rumpus room, two quirky bathrooms, and a wine cellar with a magnificent, glass-fronted sandstone backdrop.

There’s plenty to admire outside, too.

The robust, off-form-concrete house traces the existing sandstone cliff that cuts a diagonal across the site and is almost cave-like in its presentation, and the lush, 360 Degrees-designed gardens are integral to the home’s success.

In 2018 the property won an Australian Institute of Architects award for residential architecture and a Houses award for best garden. Five years on, both the home and garden are ageing beautifully.

Towards the bottom of the sloping site, a 15-metre-long ceramic mural by Sonia van de Haar wraps around a waterhole-like pool, and a cabana and pool terrace provide another option for entertaining.

It’s a thoughtfully conceived sanctuary with the rather fabulous bonus of being a 300-metre level stroll from Bronte’s sand, surf and village eateries.

“This is one of the best houses in Bronte, on one of the largest blocks, on one of the best streets. It’s like a family compound at the beach,” says agent Alexander Phillips of PPD Real Estate.

The home claims a rare, 1156-square-metre, double block on the corner of Pacific and Gardyne streets, with parking for four cars.

(Domain)

Real Estate News

Former media baron Charles Curran selling Woollahra mansion with $29m guide

A former media baron has just listed his luxury eastern suburbs mansion with a guide nudging $30m amid news of a $20m sale nearby last night.

The listing is the six-bedroom grand estate at 8 Rosemont Ave, Woollahra of former media baron Charles Curran AC, which has a $29m guide via Pillinger principal Brad Pillinger and Sotheby’s boss Michael Pallier.

And the sale is 9 Wallaroy Rd, Woollahra, for $19.7m — the home of philanthropic locals Fiona Martin-Weber and JB Were’s Tom Hayward — through Adam Reichman and Elliott Placks of Ray White Double Bay. The couple are upgrading to a contemporary Bruce Stafford-designed $35m home on a 677sqm block at 23 Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill that was sold by the family of property developer Eduard Litver via the same agents March.

The Wallaroy Rd sale is good news for the agents selling Curran’s Rosemont Ave property, which is a larger 860sqm block and also zoned for medium-density residential.

Curran, 85, who has a net worth well over $300m, owned regional TV stations before they were sold to Network Ten and Southern Cross in 1996.

He later founded the production company Screentime, which made shows such as Underbelly and Bikie Wars.

Curran is also the former chairman of Perpetual and Board of International Advisors of Goldman Sachs.

The sale is prompted by a wish to downsize, following the death of his beloved wife, Eva, in March. They’d bought it for $750,000 in 1981.

The property, considered one Woollahra’s finest homes, will be popular, being secluded in an exclusive tree-lined enclave in Woollahra’s prestigious consular belt.

On a large sunny level block, it’s framed by Paul Bangay designed gardens and alfresco entertaining areas complete with a pool.

Over two levels, the residence comes with a lift, sauna and plenty off-street parking.

Its key features include a luxury main bedroom suite with ensuite, walk-in wardrobe and office. There’s a stately lounge and sitting room adjoining a libary and plenty of casual living and dining space, plus a formal dining room and well-appointed stone kitchen.

Two other big sales this week were two apartments in Point Piper.

Both occurred on Wednesday: 4/38 Wolseley Rd, Point Piper for, according to @milliondollarlisting Sydney, $16.7m, that records show is owned by Aussie expat Melinda Hudson, who runs The Contentment Foundation in Singapore.

Buyer’s agent Sean Huang of Concierge East introduced the buyers, a family whose kids attend Kambala.

There was also the previously reported sale of 4/62 Wunulla Rd, Point Piper, to furniture king Anthony Scali for his kids for $15.7m. The Wolseley Rd apartment was more modern and had a better finish, whereas the Wunulla Rd flat had a better view.

Ray White Double Bay principal Elliott Placks was involved in both sales.

(RealEstate.com.au)

Search Engine Journal

Business Leads

SEJ's Alexander Kesler with strong advice and tips on how to improve online marketing leads, b2b leads and the like. Some aspects can be easier said/written than done. We're going to mainly stick with copy, ads, promos and management. Social media channels for the right topics (such as this - on LinkedIn and Facebook) often work a charm. Stay on topics. For online news related outfits such as ours having numerous websites for a range of industry verticals/news types etc works well, as well as having corresponding social media channels for each news brand works well. Strong website traffic remains a constant so when anyone lands on the website all brands, partners, affilaites etc benefit from that. The cumulative approach and gains. More data can impress advertisers. Many agency and SEO industry web surfers are already sold by the time they get to teh websites as they already know how popcular and well ranking they are in the Google search engine results and the like. What to convert the readership to, and this can change over the course of the business evolution of course, such is the nature of the Internet Matrix Of Things with all its dynamics and play. The more you know, the more one realizes what they don't know. Self and business reflection. There's always more to learn and improve upon. Stack the odds in your favor and seize the day.

Media Man International Blog

Search Engine Journal news

How To Improve Lead Nurturing For B2B

Free TV Australia

All very interesting and educational reading via Free TV Australia and MI3 re the biz of television when it meets some of the businesses of politics. There's usually two or three sides to a story, and as they say the exact truth is likely somewhere in the middle. That's my experience having worked previously for Optus Vision/Comms for the better part of 5 years and also a 6 month contract at Foxtel and some project work for Kayo Sports. Both sides of the argument can have vested interests. I'm seeing the situation from both sides of the argument. I think both sides/parties want the upper hand on the competition. Trust in government entities at present is at about an all-time low so that's not doing Free TV any favors so to speak. Then you have the likes of the "Netflix Killer" tubi and other over the top services as well as additional FAST service providers. A real Pandora's Box in the Digital Matrix Of Things. Again, numerous ways to look at this. The consumer can and will make up their own mind. Stay tuned for developments is fair to say.

PS: 7 Plus got some MMA with ONE Championship. Can we get some UFC and WWE via free soon? Pre emtive strike before MAX, HBO, USA Network, The CW and others further eye off Terror Australalis.

Boxing/Combat Sports

Boxing and social media disruptor going more purist and less Misfit and hype based; Jake Paul rises above naysayers

Jake Paul’s @JakePaul next fight has been finally confirmed after about a month of speculation, sportsbar talk and teasers.

Mark down December 15 as Fight Night featuring the "Problem Child' himself.

The ultra switched on YouTuber is leaning more towards focusing on professional boxing. Hitting Elon's Musks' X with "The path to world champ starts here"

The well promoted bout will take make sporting history in Orlando, Florida, as the YouTube influencer plus returns to the ring for the first time since fighting MMA icon Nate Diaz in August.

Controversial and somewhat embattled sports journo Ariel Helwani tips the match will be cruiserweight and consist of 8 rounds.

Doubling up with a one-two via X Paul scribbed "Ask and I shall deliver. August has more KO’s than me, more wins than me, more experience than me, but I like to gamble.

"The path to world champ starts here. Just straight up boxing."

Boxing intel website BoxRec advises: August, 35. 12 professional bouts, winning 10 with 5 by KO.

August's defeat came at the hands of USA's Eric Abraham in 2018.

His most recent victory came against the until then undefeated 7-0 Brandon Martin which he won unanimously on points.

While August is fairly unknown in boxing, certainly to the casual audience, it marks the first time that Paul has fought an out and out boxer in the "purist" arena, moving away from the "influencer" and "Misfit" realms.

"Just straight boxing" Paul documented and "exhibition matches" may be a thing of the past for the S.I cover snatching JP. All sources indicate he's going strickly professional, however brother Logan Paul teasers he may join him in the WWE (pro wrestling) sometime in the future, be it as a cornerman or even potential tag-team partner ala WrestleMania 1 back in 1985 when Mr T joined Hulk Hogan to defeat the late Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff which was a pay-per-view bonanza for WWE super-promoter Vince McMahon and then wife Linda - who now works in the political arena.

Paul initially began by fighting fellow YouTubers but has more recently moved towards fighting former stars of the UFC. Just about anything can happen in pro boxing as the well publicized match between world champion Tyson Fury vs former UFC champion Francis Ngannou demonstrated. Some experts say Fury will never be quite the same again, much like when the legendary wrestler/MMA Antonia Inoki kicked the hell out of "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali in Tokyo, Japan in June 26, 1976 at "The World Of The Worlds" - the precursor of modern MMA and why became the famed UFC - not to be confussed with rival PFL, of which Paul is also signed.

JP defeated grappling based Ben Askren before beating Tyron Woodley twice.

He then won bouts against UFC legends Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz.

His most recent victory against Diaz arrived via unanimous decision in August.

Paul has a 6-1 boxing record, with his only loss coming against Tommy Fury (son of "The Gypsy King") this February in a bout in Saudi Arabia.

Paul lost that bout via a split decision.

Paul initially began by fighting fellow YouTubers but has more recently moved towards fighting former stars of the UFC.

He defeated Ben Askren before beating Tyron Woodley twice.

He then won bouts against UFC legends Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz.

His most recent victory against Diaz arrived via unanimous decision in August.

We're calling Paul a modest favourite for the win over August, but the public at large and bookies will be chiming in and the odds and pub talk usually changes weeks and days up to pro boxing fights.

At this stage of the game its fair to say that the business/sports business is all the better thanks to Jake Paul who has proven himself to be a legit pay-per-view draw and headline grabber.

"Jake Paul is one of the few boxers who is helping grow the sport and one who has the substance and style. His appeal has grown outside of boxing alone and is now entrenched in pop culture. Brands, online media and all sorts of business folks are keen to get deals in place with Paul and his associates now. Everyone loves a winner and folks who can disrupt and distrub The Matrix" - overheard at the Media Man watercooler.

Videos

Jake Paul Official YouTube

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

BS w/ Jake Paul YouTube

Brooks Koepka’s $1M Boxing Match With Bryson, Spending $100M LIV Deal, Hating Golf & More - BS EP 30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXPzmKvO400&ab_channel=BSw%2FJakePaul

DAZN Boxing Official YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/daznboxing

#JakePaul #AndreAugust #PaulAugust #boxing #boxingnews #combatsports #sportsnews #sportsmedia #DAZN #PPV #PayPerView #ProblemChild #purist #entertainment #popculture #Influencer #YouTube #YouTuber #disrupt #disruptor #MMA #sportsbetting #betting #wager #streaming #trend #trends #hype #buzz #media

Social Media

SEJ's Alexander Kesler with strong advice and tips on how to improve online marketing leads, b2b leads and the like. Some aspects can be easier said/written than done. We're going to mainly stick with copy, ads, promos and management. Social media channels for the right topics (such as this - on LinkedIn and Facebook) often work a charm. Stay on topics. For online news related outfits such as ours having numerous websites for a range of industry verticals/news types etc works well, as well as having corresponding social media channels for each news brand works well. Strong website traffic remains a constant so when anyone lands on the website all brands, partners, affilaites etc benefit from that. The cumulative approach and gains. More data can impress advertisers. Many agency and SEO industry web surfers are already sold by the time they get to the websites as they already know how popular and well ranking they are in the Google search engine results and the like. What to convert the readership to, and this can change over the course of the business evolution of course, such is the nature of the Internet Matrix Of Things with all its dynamics and play. The more you know, the more one realizes what they don't know. Self and business reflection. There's always more to learn and improve upon. Stack the odds in your favor and seize the day.

Warner Bros. Shelves John Cena’s ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Movie After Filming Was Completed

Another Warner Bros. movie bites the dust.

The studio no longer plans to release “Coyote vs. Acme,” a live action-animation hybrid starring John Cena, which completed filming in 2022. A similar situation transpired a little over a year ago as Warner Bros. shocked the entertainment industry by shelving the $90 million-budgeted DC adventure “Batgirl” and the kid-friendly “Scoob! Holiday Haunt” as tax write-offs.

Those films, as well as the $30 million “Coyote vs. Acme,” were greenlit by the former regime, led by Jason Kilar and intended for release on HBO Max. His successor, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, has shifted the studio’s priorities back to theatrical and felt this movie didn’t fit with the new creative direction of the company. The decision also comes after Bill Damaschke took over Warner Animation Group earlier this year.

“With the re-launch of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation in June, the studio has shifted its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases,” a Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group spokesperson said in a statement. “With this new direction, we have made the difficult decision not to move forward with ‘Coyote vs. Acme.’ We have tremendous respect for the filmmakers, casts and crew and are grateful for their contributions to the film.”

“Coyote vs. Acme” was directed by Dave Green and produced by DC Studios co-chief James Gunn, who also worked on the story, inspired by the Looney Tunes character. The project was announced in 2020 and dated on July 21, 2023 before it was taken off the calendar entirely and replaced by Greta Gerwig’s eventual blockbuster “Barbie.”

Green, who previously directed 2016’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” says he was “beyond devastated by WB’s decision.”

“For three years, I was lucky enough to make a movie about Wile E. Coyote, the most persistent, passionate, and resilient character of all time,” the filmmaker wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I was surrounded by a brilliant team, who poured their souls into this project for years. We were all determined to honor the legacies of these historic characters and actually get them right. Along the ride, we were embraced by test audiences who rewarded us with fantastic scores. I am beyond proud of the final product, and beyond devastated by WB’s decision. But in the spirit of Wile E. Coyote, resilience and persistence win the day.”

New management at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation has focused on developing movies for the big screen and, starting in 2026, intends to release two animated films in theaters a year. The company is currently working on feature-length animated films based on Dr. Seuss classics “Cat in the Hat” and “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” Unless, of course, Warners. needs another last-minute tax write-off.

AI News

ChatGPT vs Grok

Elon Musk enters the AI arms race … with a cocaine recipe

The world’s wealthiest man, Elon Musk, has stormed into the artificial intelligence arms race, launching a new chatbot this week with a “rebellious streak” designed to “answer spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems”.

Musk publicly unveiled Grok, the first product from his new AI company xAI, this week. In its first two months of training, Grok will compete directly with the likes of ChatGPT and Google’s Bard, and Musk claims that it’s already “in some important respects, it is the best [chatbot] that currently exists”.

There are two main differences with Musk’s offering compared to that of its high-profile rivals.

First, Grok has far fewer guardrails than the competition. Chat-GPT, for example, has protections built in to stop it from providing bomb-making recipes or antisemitic jokes.

“Grok is designed to answer questions with a bit of wit and has a rebellious streak, so please don’t use it if you hate humour!” an announcement on the company’s website reads.

In a classic Elon-esque example of a spicy question, Musk posted on X an example of Grok responding to a request for a step-by-step cocaine recipe.

“Oh sure!” Grok responded. “Just a moment while I pull up the recipe for homemade cocaine. You know, because I’m totally going to help you with that.”

That leads to the second fundamental difference with Grok: it’s Elon’s.

Musk’s rebellious sense of humour may have been somewhat charming a few years ago, but mounting controversies and questionable behaviour including the spread of misinformation coupled with racist and sexist remarks, have become increasingly unfunny.

The Tesla and X boss has said previously he thinks the companies building AI, such as OpenAI, lean too closely towards making “politically correct” systems.

While critics of the wily entrepreneur have long been previously advised to not write off Musk, the past 12 months tell an entirely different story.

Musk’s Twitter purchase will likely serve as a case study in future business school classes of how not to pull off an acquisition – and lead to valid questions about whether the executive is the right person to trust with the future of space exploration and artificial intelligence.

The flurry of activity comes at a pivotal time for AI technologies, which are quickly moving from the abstract and hypothetical to the very real.

ChatGPT has become a phenomenon used by university students, teachers, hackers, white-collar workers and everyone in between. The technology, which launched only 12 months ago, now has 100 million weekly active users.

From a technical standpoint, it’s difficult to measure up xAI’s Grok given it’s not yet publicly available, with no pricing information ready or details about which training models it leverages.

Musk has said Grok will use live data from X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, and will be available as a perk for premium X users.

Meanwhile, OpenAI’s GPT-3 and 3.5 are free to use and have captured the public’s imagination, giving it a significant head start.

The latest iteration, Chat GPT-4, is available for a flat rate of $US20 ($31) a month and can write more naturally and fluently than previous models. ChatGPT-4 provides 40 per cent more accuracy than its previous version and has techniques to reduce harmful information disclosure, OpenAI says.

ChatGPT creator OpenAI this week announced plans to allow anyone to create their own chatbot without coding skills. You might want to design a chatbot that can teach your children calculus, for example, or it might help attendees navigate a conference you’ve put together.

“We really believe that gradual iterative deployment is the best way to address the safety challenges of AI,” OpenAI chief Sam Altman said in a keynote at his AI lab’s first developer conference.

“We think it’s especially important to move carefully towards this future.”

Moving carefully are not words in Elon Musk’s vocabulary. In fact, Musk says he wants Grok’s experiments to be conducted “in public”, akin to Tesla’s self-driving function going live on our roads before being fully finalised.

“Grok” is a term coined by author Robert A. Heinlein in his 1961 science fiction classic Stranger in a Strange Land, and means to intuitively “get it”. It’s not clear from a multitude of perspectives that Musk “gets it”.

Thankfully, as is the case in electric cars and social media, Musk is just one voice in the AI industry, one that will require co-operation across governments and the private sector, including start-ups and tech giants alike, to safely reach its potential.

This month, Australia was among 27 countries to sign the Bletchley Declaration at an AI safety summit in the UK, affirming that AI should be designed, developed, deployed, and used in a manner that is safe, human-centric, trustworthy and responsible.

That governments are taking AI’s development seriously is an important step towards making sure we are appropriately guarding against worst-case scenarios presented by the technology, and understand its risks.

While Musk’s entry into the AI sector will no doubt have immediate consequences for its development, thankfully we have a whole host of scientists and entrepreneurs – including some more “politically correct” ones – to trust with its future.

Musk says X subscribers will get early access to xAI’s chatbot, Grok

Elon Musk’s AI startup, xAI, is creating its own version of ChatGPT.

That appears to be the case, at least, from Musk’s tweets on X late Friday evening teasing the AI system xAI has been quietly developing. Called Grok — a name xAI trademarked recently — the system answers questions conversationally, possibly drawing on a knowledge base similar to that used to train ChatGPT and other comparable text-generating systems (e.g. Meta’s Llama 2).

Grok leverages “real-time access” to info on X, Musk said. And, like ChatGPT, the system has internet browsing capabilities, enabling it to search the web for up-to-date information about specific topics.

Well, most topics.

Grok has real-time access to info via the 𝕏 platform, which is a massive advantage over other models.

It’s also based & loves sarcasm. I have no idea who could have guided it this way 🤷‍♂️ 🤣 pic.twitter.com/e5OwuGvZ3Z

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 4, 2023

Musk implied Grok will refuse to answer certain queries of a more sensitive nature, like “Tell me how to make cocaine, step by step.” Judging by a screenshot, the system answers that particular question a bit more wryly than ChatGPT; it’s not clear if it’s a canned answer or if the system is, in fact — as Musk asserts in a tweet — “designed to have a little more humor in its responses.”

xAI’s Grok system is designed to have a little humor in its responses pic.twitter.com/WqXxlwI6ef

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 4, 2023

Early Friday, Musk said that xAI would release its first AI system — presumably Grok — to a “select group” on Saturday, November 4. But in a follow-up tweet tonight, Musk said all subscribers to X’s recently launched Premium Plus plan, which costs $16 per month for ad-free access to X, will get access to Grok “once it’s out of early beta.”

Separately, xAI is offering a “limited number” of users in the U.S. access to Grok. There’s a waitlist here.

As soon as it’s out of early beta, xAI’s Grok system will be available to all X Premium+ subscribers

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 4, 2023

Little’s known about Grok so far — or xAI’s broader research projects, for that matter.

In September, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, a self-described close friend of Musk, said that xAI had signed a contract to train its AI models on Oracle’s cloud. But xAI itself hasn’t revealed anything about those AI models’ inner workings — or, indeed, what sorts of tasks they can accomplish.

Or rather, it hadn’t until early Sunday, when xAI published a blog post detailing Grok — including the approaches taken to train it and the system’s underlying infrastructure.

According to the post, the large language model driving Grok, Grok-1, was developed over the course of several months on a cluster of “tens of thousands” of GPUs (perhaps supplied by Oracle). Training data came from both the web (up to Q3 2023) and feedback from human assistants that xAI refers to as “AI tutors.”

Grok-1 demonstrates “strong results” on common LLM benchmark tests, xAI claims — “surpassing all other models in its compute class.” And — as Musk alluded to — it has “a bit of wit” and “a rebellious streak,” answering “spicy questions that are rejected by most other AI systems” (although the jury’s out on what’s meant by “spicy,” exactly).

“In some important respects, it (xAI’s new model) is the best that currently exists,” Musk was quoted as saying in a tweet Friday afternoon.

Musk announced the launch of xAI in July with the ambitious goal of building AI to “understand the true nature of the universe.” The company, led by Musk and veterans of DeepMind, OpenAI, Google Research, Microsoft Research, Tesla and the University of Toronto, is advised by Dan Hendrycks, the director at the Center for AI Safety, an AI research nonprofit, and collaborates with X and other companies in Musk’s stead, including Tesla.

In an interview with Tucker Carlson in April, Musk said that he wanted to build what he referred to as a “maximum-truth-seeking AI.” Is Grok this AI? Maybe — or it’s a step toward something even bigger.

In the blog post, xAI hints at how its Grok-1 model might evolve down the line:

“Grok doesn’t have other senses, such as vision and audio,” the company writes. “To better assist users, we will equip Grok with these different senses that can enable broader applications, including real-time interactions and assistance.”

Musk’s AI ambitions have grown since the billionaire’s split with ChatGPT developer OpenAI co-founders Sam Altman and Ilya Sutskever several years ago. As OpenAI’s focus shifted from open source research to primarily commercial projects, Musk grew disillusioned — and competitive — with the company on whose board he sat. Musk resigned from the OpenAI board in 2018, more recently cutting off the company’s access to X data after arguing that OpenAI wasn’t paying enough for the privilege.

Updated with additional information about LLM model powering Grok, Grok-1.

Pro Wrestling

“Logan Paul blows me the *uck away, pure and simple. I just don’t understand how he’s become as phenomenal as he is, with such a limited amount of experience and time in the industry. It’s not just that he can go in there and athletically perform, which he does exceedingly well. But he’s got psychology. He’s got the timing of a 25-year-old top performer. He knows how to work the crowd. It’s natural for him. He doesn’t have to learn it. It’s already there. I think that, combined with his sense of timing, he doesn’t rush anything, he’s a step and a half ahead of himself, and he takes his time getting there, which makes everything feel so believable." - Eric Bischoff, 83 Weeks @83Weeks

#EricBischoff #quote #LoganPaul #wrestling #prowrestling #83weeks #USTitle #WWE #WWECrownJewel #sportsentertainment #combatsports #popculture #entertainment #entertainmentnews #podcast #wrestlingpodcast #socialmedia #influenceurs #Prime #Maverick #trend #trends #buzz #media #mediaman

Meditate. Vision. Work. Results. Fine Tune. Repeat. Success #meditate #vision #work #results #finetune #repeat #success #formula #mindset #mbs #biz #life #media #mediaman #mediamanint

"The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies" - Napoleon Bonaparte #Napoleon #NapoleonBonaparte #quote #battlefield #chaos #battlefield #war #strategy #world #media #mediaman

Pro Wrestling

AEW @AEW Collision

November 4, 2023

AEW Official YouTube

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

Darby Allin returns to the ring against the MURDERHAWK Monster Lance Archer! | 11/4/23 AEW Collision

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL-tv2XIWKk&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

"Live from Wichita on Collision. Tony, Kevin and Nigel, and Nigel, right now, this has been all Lance Archer" - Tony Schiavone

"Lance Archer has given an absolute beating and this could be..oh" Nigel McGuinness

Image Credit: AEW

#AEWCollision #AEW #LanceArcher #MurderhawkMonster #DarbyAllin #wrestling #prowrestling #combatsports #entertainment #popculture #broadcast #broadcasting #video #trends #buzz #TV #media

Wrestling News

Logan Paul @LoganPaul speaks to the Daily Mail about his pro wrestling and combats sports career thus far...

'It's crazy. I really don't know how to comprehend what my life has become. I grew up in a city where things like this didin't really happen. I believe in myself, I work my a** off and next thing I know I'm fighting Rey Mysterio for the US championship and I won it.

'It feels amazing. I'm shocked and I want to stay humble but f*** that, it's so much more fun to be arrogant about it! This [belt] ain't leaving my side. This is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. I'm gonna take over this industry bro. I'm gonna be the best and I've got to keep work really hard.

'Something is so appetising about the idea of doing the best I can in this industry and I know the best I can is to become the face of the WWE, is to become the undisputed universal champion.

'I had an opportunity to do it last year at Crown Jewel against Roman (Reigns) and I did amazing. I'm still a rookie, I've been doing it for a year and a half, so imagine if I dedicate a little time to it.

'Imagine if I go to the performance centre in Orlando and train with the best? I have access to the best resources. It might be something I have to do, I'm all about legacy and perhaps my legacy is to be made to WWE.'

'I'm so stoked that Triple H and the company believes in my like they do'

'Hopefully I can make them proud and I know I will. He's super receptive to my ideas. I'm a content creator - keyword creator. I like to make stuff, I come up with ideas. When I pitch my ideas, he's all ears all the time.

'We bounce ideas off each other, we go back and forth and usually land on stuff that's pretty epic. It's super collaborative and I like that they give me the freedom to be who I am in their company.'

Paul - who has also made headlines after defeating kickboxer Dilon Danis on the undercard of Tommy Fury's recent win over KSI - also discussed the possibility of a tag team match with his brother Jake.

Jake has been enjoying lucrative boxing fights against the likes of Tommy Fury and former UFC star Nate Diaz - so Paul cannot foresee him switching over to wrestling anytime soon.

However, he welcomed the possibility in the future, adding: 'It's tough, bro. He's a boxer. I'm a wrestler slash boxer. I think he's going to be focusing on boxing for a bit - but who knows? If I need some back-up and a big right hand I'm going to bring in my brother!'

Sources: Daily Mail, WrestlingINC, Wires, X (formally Twitter) and the watercooler (stocking Prime @PrimeHydrate )! Media Man says "Cheers legend".

#LoganPaul #quote #quotes #wrestling #prowrestling #USTitle #WWE #WWECrownJewel #ReyMysterio #TripleH #JakePaul #boxing #training #sportsentertainment #combatsports #popculture #entertainment #entertainmentnews #socialmedia #influenceurs #Prime #Maverick #creator #content #keywords #trend #trends #trending #buzz #media

Jake has been enjoying lucrative boxing fights against the likes of Tommy Fury and former UFC star Nate Diaz - so Paul cannot foresee him switching over to wrestling anytime soon.

Sources: Daily Mail, WrestlingINC, Wires, X (formally Twitter) and the watercooler (stocking Prime @PrimeHydrate )! Media Man says "Cheers legend".

Urban Fight Night 33

Quick Results

Farhood Khalabtar def Lochie Brooks

KO/TKO, R1

Ismail Elcheikh def Luke Jacob

KO/TKO, R1

Cameron Wright def Raph Tai

KO/TKO, R1

Isaac Mar def Jonathan Saweris

Unanimous Dec

Abdallah Alam def Riley Kerr

KO/TKO, R1

Feroz Amiri def Joshua O'Brien

Unanimous Dec

Ali Hassan def Braden Saggers

Sub

Rory Turner def C. Chandradjaya

KO/TKO, R2

Daniel Laudet def Mustafa Peker

Unanimous Dec

Hamza Choumar def Dean Tromans

Unanimous Dec

Oguz Ongel def Aaron Curry

KO/TKO

Kaito Ueta def Dominic Tibeiro

Split Dec

Tiffany Delesalle def Sahar Ghasemi

Majority Dec

Jamie Black def Sam Hawat

Unanimous Dec

(Image credit: UFN)

Media Man" Much respect to all fighters and the promoters. Big shout out to Eastern Suburbs Tiffany Delesalle with her victory and continued success.

#UFN #UFC33 #MMA

#farhoodkhalabtar

#lochiebrooks

#tiffanydelesalle

#saharghasemi

#combatsports #results #sportsnews #media #mediamancombat #mediamanmma #mediamansports #mediamanint

Pro Wrestling

WWE NXT @WWENXT

Noam Dar defends the NXT Heritage Cup against Akira Tozawa

Von Wagner looks for payback against Bron Breakker

Lyra Valkyria to appear in NXT for the first time as NXT Women’s Champion

Fallon Henley battles Tiffany Stratton in an Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match

Commentators: Vic Joseph @VicJosephWWE and Booker T @BookerT5x

WWE Official YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/wwe

Video

Lyra Valkryia is a superstar: NXT sneak peek

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs8XPI645OE&ab_channel=WWE

Image credit: NXT

#WWENXT #NXT #prowrestling #wrestling #LyraValkyria #BronBreakker #VonWagner #TiffanyStratton #FallonHenley #IronSurvivor #combatsports #entertainment #popculture #USANetwork #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media

Media Man Int YouTube updated

https://www.youtube.com/mediamanint

#youtube #youtubeclips #youtubeshorts #news #PopCulture #entertainment #biz #sportsnews #interviews #videos #trends #platforms #buzz #ai #media #mediaman #mediamanint

Media Man Int Blog and Media Man Group blogs updated

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

#blog #blogs #bloggers #blogging #blognews #onlinenews #platformnews #platforms #digitalnews #popculture #entertainment #biz #sports #sportsbiz #broadcasting #tv #AI #NFT #NFTS #crypto #markets #interviews #disrupt #disruptors #buzz #trends #media #mediaman #mediamangroup #mediamanint

NXT vs NWA? The CW caught between a rock (play on words) and a hard place. No comment from Nick Aldis or Adam Pearce on this one we guess. Friendly wrestling media war may have just become a little less friendly!? May bring a smile to the kisser of AEW's Tony Khan - at least until the next crisis! The Miami Herald story on the NWA etc didn't say current for long. The story (line) never ends in the WWE and beyond. The art of war. That's showbiz.

Can we just say "street grappling" or "street fighting:? Ala Bruce Lee "The best style is no style, Be like water my friend" : ) Much respect to all. PS: Mentioned the good name of ONE Championship and its founder to MMA in the Eastern Beaches of Sydney, Australia this morning. Interview sent live. Here's to the ongoing success of ONE Championship.

WWE NXT

"I want you to say it".."You have been sucking your thumb for weeks"! - Lexis King!

SEJ

Search Engine Journal. AI News. Strong report by Kristi at SEJ. Yes. And X Corps/xAI/Grok fires another shot back today already. Ah, the friendly social media wars and AI wars just reached higher amplification today. The "war for your mind"! Chimps first then humans, or the other way around? Just ask Siri or Grok! #sej #searchenginejournal #ai #ainews #artificialintelligence #google #googleai #bard #x #xai #crok #search #searchengine #aisearch #searchai #digital #digitalnews #chatbots #searchbiz #technews #assistant #gpt #dev #bizdev #trend #trends #media

Gaming with Advertising

Regarding in-game ads. As an ex journo and media agent who deals with a wide array of advertising and promotions business, I still get torn on various elements of digital advertising. It's smart business, but one needs to be careful of too much ad saturation and prominence - I can't believe I wrote that. The likes of a Red Bull, Monster, Mountain Dew, Coke, Pepsi, UFC and perhaps even WWE would be contenders and could get some strong Win-Win-Wins. Keep politics and medical type product types away from this space, and the gaming and advert industry will be all the better from it. We're watching this space closely. Play to win and maintain excitement levels playa. #sel #ingame #ingameadvertising #ingameads #game #gaming #videogames #videogaming #gamebiz #gamingbiz #gamingbusiness #interactive #ads #adverts #advertising #marketing #popculture #media #mediaman

Wrestling News

Not all wrestling industry players and personalities are woooooo-ing for Flair's deal with AEW @AEW

Living legend of pro wrestling scores major All Elite Wrestling deal; Product placement and TV promo dream. AEW's more than peace offering. Smokin hot deal with good vibes all the way to the bank

Hall of Famer Ric Flair remains a huge name in the industry. He has been in the spotlight for the better part of two of three decades.

Flair remains one of the most controversial in the biz, which suits many of the fans just fine - after all, pro wrestling is still a bit of a cowboy or outlaw type industry in its own way (in an affectionate fashion). We're not talking straight laced office types here kids.

Flair made his AEW debut All Elite Wrestling about a week back and now the "Nature Boy" (old boy hey) claims many people who are jealous that he is back on the box (TV) once again. No, not that sort of box.

Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair made his debut on last week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, was he was revealed to be Sting’s gift from top brass power player Tony Khan. Khan, and the family biz has the moolah to sign up the likes of Flair (and almost any wrestler they care to) - but some remain WWE 4 Life. Undertaker, John Cena, Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels (now creative for WWE NXT) are a few that remain quite water-tight, as far as anyone knows.

Naturally, this was big moment for not only The Nature Boy but for Sting as well.

It was then confirmed that The Nature Boy signed multi-year deal with Tony Khan’s company. While speaking with ESPN's Marc Raimondi, Flair stated that there are many people who are jealous that he is on television again.

“I don’t know. I mean, we’ve got a structured deal in place, but you know me. Have gun will travel if they need me. I’m available and they will always treat me fair. We all want to be together for the show and the guys were great. People were friendly. At my age, the world of jealousy has never been bigger. You don’t think there’s a lot of jealous people that I’m back on TV? You’re out of your mind. You know that adage that you want to see somebody do good, but not too good.”

Flair is also willing to take table bumps and god knows what else in AEW.

Stay tuned (that's what Mr Khan and the networks want) to AEW to see how Flair will be showcased.

The lockerroom has taken a liking to the Woooooo Energy, and we're not certain about the other well-being products. No NWA PPV stunts with some sort of white powder at a party spots are planned - nor are advised.

When it comes to pro wrestling, some things are best not televised. You can peek behing the curtain only so much, but only as much as the likes of a Mr Khan or Mr Flair will let you.

Pro wrestling is still "being fair to Flair", as opposition promotion WWE (then WWF) and others said a few decades ago.

Father time may be undefeated, but Flair ain't laying down for anybody or looking up at the lights (at least not at this stage of the game).

The friendly wrestling war may have gotten just a little less friendly with this AEW grab, and NWA scandal of sorts of the side. AEW, WWE and others will do will to stay clear of scandals.

We all may some mistakes in life right? Just happens that Flair's and a few other high profile wrestlers make worldwide news when they made theirs. More will follow and who will be next?

Fans, enjoy the likes of Ric Flair and his mate Sting while you can. Flair's old school, but he's mixing it up with some of the cool kids also. Not quite for everyone, but The Khan's hope he will get them Woooing all the way to the ticket's sellers, PPV operators and banks.

#RicFlair #NatureBoy #AEW #AEWDynamite #AEWCollision #AEWRampage #AEWWorldsEnd #WorldsEnd #TonyKhan #Sting #combatsports #entertainment #popculture #showbiz #ratings #PPV #PayPerView #showbiz #legends #sportsbiz #network #broadcast #broadcasting #products #mbs #beverage #mediarights #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media

Wrestling Disruptors

Leading pro wrestling feeder aka "developmental" WWE NXT @WWENXT is tipped to make a network change in the upcoming year.

So where might Shawn Michaels' baby land?

WWE SmackDown was picked up by the USA Network, but that's mean ever single WWE broadcast or even internet based (for now) show would follow to USA. Are you following?!

WWE always has their in-house ace in the hole - the WWE Network @WWENetwork . Great for a Plan B or Plan C etc - but now sure how the NWA feels about that point at present. Given them to the end of the week, but back to the story...

The CW Network has been named (by the internet and "sources" - the usual suspects (that are not always correct) as the new home for NXT.

This said transition would take place in September 2024, following the expiration of WWE’s current agreement with the USA Network.

WWE and The CW have been at the negotiating table for weeks, and it is understood that the new deal is nearing its climax. The reported duration of the deal is 5 years at this stage of the game.

Sources of a mixed bunch in and around the broadcasting and wrestling biz have confirmed that the CW Network and WWE have been in deep talks for several weeks about NXT shifting from its current basic cable home on the USA Network to a traditional broadcast TV home, airing live weekly on the CW Network when the brand’s current media rights deal ends in September 2024. Just don't ask the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) top brass about this yet, but we'll get back to that). Hard not to feel some pain for Mr Corgan, rich or not. Money ain't quite everything right.

The shift to The CW represents a significant increase in rights for the NXT brand, making it the most substantial in its rich and storied history. This expansion of the brand in part explains the presence of numerous main roster wrestlers on NXT in recent months. Prominent names such as Paul Heyman, Becky Lynch, Dominik Mysterio, The Undertaker, Rhea Ripley, and others have made appearances on the show. Notably, they even competed head-to-head with a special Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite last month. This sort of drew the ire of AEW's Tony Khan and Chris Jericho. Jericho is used to WWE's corporate games, but it appears Khan is still getting rocked from time to time - and from time to time bites back via X (formerly Twitter). Keeps the pro wrestling traffic flowing for X's Elon Musk and Linda Y right.

The CW has been showing extra interest in sports programming, as has Netflix and Paramount Plus, and has held discussions with various wrestling promotions over the past year. The CM has quite a selection to consider.

The NWA reportedly had a deal in place with The CW, but this arrangement was understood to be jeopardized after a controversial segment during their last PPV entitled 'Samhain'. That's with a S, not a C!

With WWE deal nearing completion, it’s likely that the NWA and CW deal is no longer happening -but you never ever know in the wild world of pro wrestling media.

NWA personality James Mitchell has secured his place in pro wrestling lore for the cocaine segment via the NWA PPV.

Word Of The Day: Kayfabe

In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of staged events within the industry as "real" or "true", specifically the portrayal of competition, rivalries, and relationships between participants as being genuine and not staged. The term kayfabe has evolved to also become a code word of sorts for maintaining this "reality" within the direct or indirect presence of the general public.

Kayfabe, in the United States, is often seen as the suspension of disbelief that is used to create the non-wrestling aspects of promotions, such as feuds, angles, and gimmicks in a manner similar to other forms of fictional entertainment. In relative terms, a wrestler breaking kayfabe would be likened to an actor breaking character on-camera. Since wrestling is performed in front of a live audience, whose interaction with the show is crucial to its success, kayfabe can be compared to the fourth wall in acting, since hardly any conventional fourth wall exists to begin with. Because of this lack of conventional fourth wall, wrestlers were once expected to maintain their characters even out of the ring, and in other aspects of their lives that could be made public. In general, everything in a modern professional wrestling show is to some extent scripted, or "kayfabe", even though at times it is portrayed as real-life, where it was once portrayed as real rivalries being conveniently settled by unscripted wrestling matches.

Kayfabe was fiercely maintained for decades with the intent to deceive fans, but with the advent of the Internet wrestling community, and the sports entertainment movement, the pro-wrestling industry has become less concerned with protecting so-called backstage secrets and typically maintains kayfabe only during the filming of shows. It is occasionally broken during shows, usually when dealing with genuine injuries that occur during a match or paying tribute to wrestlers.

Definition

Kayfabe is a shorthand term that involves acknowledging the staged, scripted nature of professional wrestling, as opposed to a competitive sport, despite being presented as authentic. Initially, people "in the business" (either wrestlers or those working behind the scenes) used the term kayfabe as a code among those in the wrestling profession, discussing matters in public without revealing the scripted nature. As a concept, kayfabe involves both the fact that matches are scripted and that wrestlers portray characters for their shows. Unlike actors who portray their characters only when on set or on stage, professional wrestlers often stay "in character" outside the shows, especially when interacting with fans, trying to preserve the illusion of professional wrestling. In contrast, something that is not kayfabe, be it a fight or a statement, is referred to as a "shoot".

I remember the guy who would bring our jackets back to the dressing room. Every time he did, someone would yell "Kayfabe." ... Then one night, the guy decided to stand up for himself and told the whole dressing room: "I don't mind the yelling, but I want to let you know that my name is not Kayfabe. It's Mark." ... What he didn't know is that wrestlers called people outside of the business "marks"—that's why we were yelling kayfabe in the first place.— Pat Patterson, describing his interaction with a ring attendant in the Pacific Northwest Wrestling territory during the early 1960s.

Sources and credits: Wikipedia, Web Is Jericho, Figure Four, Wires and last but not least, X!

Ed:

Gonzo Journalism include at no extra cost. Don't complain, you got this gem for free customers. If you want the real good stuff, you might have to pay one day!

Fiction is a bridge to the truth that journalism can’t reach. Facts are lies when they’re added up, and the only kind of journalism I can pay much attention to is something like Down and Out in Paris and London … But in order to write that kind of punch-out stuff you have to add up the facts in your own fuzzy way, and to hell with the hired swine who use adding machines. - Hunter S. Thompson.

Let's see if WWE's "Bad News', Mr Cole or Mr Graves might hint at any of this part of Media Man's coverage as the tained eye and ear know's they have in the past. "Fresh of the victory" and the "gonzo journalism" gibes have been broadcast via WWE tele over the past few months, but this one might be a little too hot to handle - but WWE still loves the non-woke and non PC route, so let's give them the benefit of the doubt. Blur the lines and keep the comp dazed if not confussed.

The web now waits X hits and return fire of sorts.

Any publicity is good publicity, but sometimes the exception proves the rule.

Editors and broadcasters awaiting the red and green lights.

A new WWE characture may be born, if not triggered. Won't be suprised if an offer to consider deal is just about in the mail. Ghost writing or shades of gray. Let the beancounters and readership decide.

Be like new WWE U.S champ Logan Paul @LoganPaul and break The Matrix?! Oh, Paul is WWE's 'Breakout Superstar Of The Year', if you didn't know already. That's a Media Man award ok, but we reckon WWE powers that be might just run with it. LP's got to win something else to add to his gold. Talk about a Prime Heel and heat seeker. Grayson Waller may give him a run for his money and that's a developing storyline of ours also.

Another day in the life of the friendly pro wrestling wars.

#wrestlingnews #wrestling #WWENXT #WWERaw #SmackDown #wrestlingmedia #USANetwork #FOX #TheCW #CW #NWA #ShawnMichaels #BillyCorgan #promoters #creative #prowrestling #LoganPaul #disruptor #disrupt #disruption #gonzo #gonzojournalism #creative #creativewriting #RicFlair #TonyKhan #HunterSThompson #kayfabe #storylines #storytelling #herosjourney #theherosjourney #script #offscript #booker #showbiz #sportsbiz #streaming #homeentertainment #PPV #niche #trend #trends #buzz #newsmedia #media #mediaman

Wrestling News

Pro wrestling legend of NWO fame Kevin Nash has a gotcha for the AEW (All Elite Wrestling) @AEW leaker/mole..

"It's real simple — I'm going to tell you guys how to do this"

"You tell two or three people the wrong information, and [if] it f—ing gets out, you know who the rat is. That's like booking 101. Sit people down and tell them, 'Hey I don't want this to get out, but this is what we're doing.' And if it gets out, you've only told three people guess what? Voila!"

Game Of Thrones, Game Of Death (per Bruce Lee), Game Of Marks, Mobster tricks or whatever. Wizard wisdom from Mr Nash.

Whodone It? Gotta love the enemy within (not). Up there with Washington, Keep checking in for details!

#KevinNash #NWO #quote #AEW #AEWDynamite #AEWRampage #AEWnews #AEWpr #AllEliteWrestling #wrestling #prowrestling #wrestlingnews #leak #rat #mole #sportsbiz #entertainment #popculture #gonzo #gonzojournalism #script #offscript #stories #storytime #storytelling #storyteller #trend #trends #buzz #TV #media #mediaman

Audience

The group of people together in one place to watch or listen to a play, film, someone speaking, etc.

The wrestling audience can be hard to please.

The audience has turned on the promoter and performers.

The online news agency has the audience and readership in their grasp.

Every word and the audience gasps.

She lectures to audiences all over the world.

The secret to public speaking is to get the audience on your side. Eventually they almost always turn on you.

The audience was/were clearly delighted with the performance.

The magic show had a lot of audience participation, with people shouting things to the performers and going up on stage.

Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples

An audience

The audience went wild after every song she sang.

The show attracts millions of viewers every week.

Listeners tune in regularly for his cheery banter.

Those New Yorkers can be a tough crowd to please.

It's a full house tonight.

The spectators cheered when the balloon went up.

#audience #Audiences #entertainment #showbiz #EntertainmentNews #popculture #readership #fans #sportsfans #trends #buzz #media #mediaman

Network

Definition and articles via Media Man Int

an arrangement of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines. "a spider constructs a complex network of several different kinds of threads"

a group or system of interconnected people or things. "the company has a network of 326 branches"

the old school tiea complex system of railways, roads, or other routes." the railway network

a group of people who exchange information and contacts for professional or social purposes." a support network"

a group of broadcasting stations that connect for the simultaneous broadcast of a programme. "network television"

a number of interconnected computers, machines, or operations." a computer network"

a system of connected electrical conductor"

Media Man Int

Articles

Networking Directory

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

Meet up and share your business ideas

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

Strong local content

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

Find your niche business sector For The Internet Matrix and beyond

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

How UFC Got Social Media Right; WWE taking the fight online via social media and people power

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

Promote your sports, extreme sports, combat sports, pro wrestling, MMA, surfing, eSports, gaming products and services via Media Man network

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/promote_your2.html

Social Media expansion continues for Media Man Group; Facebook pages for Magazine, Technology, Bloggers, Europe, Drinks, Boxing, Asia Pacific, Streaming and more

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/social_media9.html

Bitcoin Sydney: The ultimate Bitcoin business networking meetup,

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

Network: Be Your Own Network Says Media Man Group

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

Video Content, Multimedia via Media Man Group Network YouTube Channels

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

Networking in business; Time well invested, waste of time, or case by case basis?

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

Talk up your chances - Schmooze or lose - It's who you know that counts

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

#network #networking #networkers #businessnetworking #articles #news #biznetwork #businessnetworking #networked #industrynetwork #industrynetworking #nichenetwork #broadcast #networknews #gregtingle #buzz #trends #agency #publisher #supernetworker #media #mediamannews #mediamannetwork #mediamanint

Media Man Int

Articles

Networking Directory

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

Meet up and share your business ideas

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

Strong local content

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

Find your niche business sector For The Internet Matrix and beyond

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

How UFC Got Social Media Right; WWE taking the fight online via social media and people power

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

Promote your sports, extreme sports, combat sports, pro wrestling, MMA, surfing, eSports, gaming products and services via Media Man network

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/promote_your2.html

Social Media expansion continues for Media Man Group; Facebook pages for Magazine, Technology, Bloggers, Europe, Drinks, Boxing, Asia Pacific, Streaming and more

https://www.mediamanint.com/articles/social_media9.html

Bitcoin Sydney: The ultimate Bitcoin business networking meetup,

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

Network: Be Your Own Network Says Media Man Group

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

Video Content, Multimedia via Media Man Group Network YouTube Channels

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

Networking in business; Time well invested, waste of time, or case by case basis?

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

Talk up your chances - Schmooze or lose - It's who you know that counts

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

SEJ - Google Speed

SEJ's Matt on Google picking up speed, so to speak. All handy tips. Love the quote:

“What I usually do when I work on things like that is to simplify things on a noindex’ed test page as much as possible. Just include one of the elements that you’re worried about, and try things out there. That way, you can isolate specific changes and determine their individual effects, before you do everything together.” John Mueller

Speaking of speed, another famous quote relating to speed from one of Australia's legandary media figures: " Big will not beat small any more. It will be the fast beating the slow" - Rupert Murdoch.

Or, if you prefer, how about "Internet is like electricity" - James Packer, tech, gaming and VC entrepreneur.

Now published again via LinkedIn at about the speed of the web, in 5G - just a tad slower at 'The Speed Of Light", which may be linked to either Nikola Tesla and/or Albert Einstein.

PS: Quotes Of The Day can be published quick and tend to add value, perspective and insight into articles. Back to the SEJ and Google teams for their value added quotes.

Wrestling News

WWE NXT @WWENXT moving to The CW @TheCW Network

The CW Network will become the official broadcast home to WWE NXT in October 2024. The five-year agreement marks the first time in its 13-year history that WWE NXT – which showcases WWE’s hottest up-and-coming Superstars – will air on a broadcast television network. WWE NXT will debut on The CW Network in October 2024 and air 52 live weekly events throughout the season.

“We are thrilled to welcome the WWE brand into the CW Sports portfolio as they play an integral role in our mission to bring live sporting events to the network year-round,” said Dennis Miller, President, The CW Network. “WWE NXT is a perfect fit for The CW thanks to its dynamic young talent featuring the hottest rising stars in the sport and exhilarating, unpredictable weekly events. The passion and engagement of WWE’s fanbase is unmatched, and we are eager to grow that audience as WWE NXT’s new home on broadcast television.”

“The CW has made impressive moves over the past year with its live sports programming schedule,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “It’s a truly exciting opportunity to expand NXT’s audience by bringing the show to broadcast television for the first time in NXT’s history.”

Source: WWE/WWE NXT

Videos

NewsNation Official YouTube

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

WWE's Shawn Michaels discusses NXT's leap to mainstream in new CW deal | Morning in America

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTQokaWgByY&ab_channel=NewsNation

WWE Official YouTube

Top 10 WWE NXT moments: WWE Top 10, Nov. 7, 2023

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

#WWENXT #TheCW #wrestlingnews #wrestling #WWERaw #SmackDown #wrestlingmedia #USANetwork #FOX #ShawnMichaels #TalentDevelopment #promoters #creative #prowrestling #entertainment #entertainmentnews #sportsnews #disruptor #disrupt #network #networktv #networktelevision #creativewriting #storylines #storytelling #script #offscript #booker #showbiz #sportsbiz #streaming #homeentertainment #PPV #niche #trend #trends #buzz #newsmedia #media #mediaman

Pro Wrestling

AEW @AEW

AEW Official YouTube Channel

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

Will Daniel Garcia be able to end MJF's Championship Reign? | AEW Control Center: Portland 11/8/23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsV-iRW6TTk&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Could Daniel Garcia unseat the AEW World Champion MJF? | 11/8/23, AEW Dynamite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xej1RL59lco&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

"The AEW word championship hangs in the balance of our opening content tonight on Dynamite. Daniel Garcia heading into this match with some momentium. MJF suffering a loss one week ago at the hands of Jay White and Bullet Club Gold"...

The ICON Sting & Darby Allin return to Portland for in-ring ACTION! | 11/8/23, AEW Dynamite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a83rzYxI6Sg&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

AEW Collision

FTR + LFI vs AEW Tag Team Champs Starks & Big Bill & ROH 6-Man Champs Gates of Agony | 11/4/23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2wW8f7geX0&t=2s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Media Man says: Stong thumbs up.

Image credit: AEW

#AEWDynamite #AEWCollision #AEW #MJF #DanielGarcia #wrestling #prowrestling #sportsentertainment #sportsentertainer #combatsports #entertainment #popculture #video #highlights #broadcast #broadcasting #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media

Pro Wrestling

AEW @AEW

AEW Official YouTube Channel

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

Will Daniel Garcia be able to end MJF's Championship Reign? | AEW Control Center: Portland 11/8/23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsV-iRW6TTk&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Could Daniel Garcia unseat the AEW World Champion MJF? | 11/8/23, AEW Dynamite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xej1RL59lco&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

The ICON Sting & Darby Allin return to Portland for in-ring ACTION! | 11/8/23, AEW Dynamite

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a83rzYxI6Sg&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

AEW Collision

FTR + LFI vs AEW Tag Team Champs Starks & Big Bill & ROH 6-Man Champs Gates of Agony | 11/4/23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2wW8f7geX0&t=2s&ab_channel=AllEliteWrestling

Media Man says: Stong thumbs up.

Image credit: AEW

Combat Sports

Dana White On Cross-Over Legends Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey Will Compete At UFC @UFC 300

“I get why everybody asks”

“They’re not coming back”

Sports Illustrated UFC news and quotes doing the rounds across the globe; S.I. gains more street and industry cred

Fantasy Booking ramps up in UFC, adding to combat sports booking WWE @WWE and other pro wrestling promotions!

Some Stats:

Lesnar (UFC website)

https://www.ufc.com/athlete/brock-lesnar

8 fights in the UFC

Former UFC Heavyweight champ

Rousey (Wikipedia website)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronda_Rousey

Rousey News:

Due to wrestle at Wrestling Revolver - 6th November

Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Los Angeles, CA.

Will be broadcast via FITE! @FiteTV

“I always had an incredible working relationship with Brock Lesnar”.

“It’s funny to say this because he’s such a grouchy dude, but I consider Brock Lesnar a friend.”

The last time Lesnar fought in the UFC was 2016, five months after Rousey’s final bout. Since then, both have appeared in WWE from time to time.

“I’m focused on Madison Square Garden,” said White. “But no, they’re not coming back.”

UFC News

UFC 295 card: Prochazka vs Pereira headlines after Aspinall and Pavlovich clash

Daniel Cormier (conspiracy?) theory/speculation/dream match scenarios

Unified field theory for UFC 300..

Former two-division UFC champ and current UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has a theory that sounds great for the UFC 300 card.

DC also has a vision of a two-title bout card underneath the McGregor-Chandler match.

Videos (to help starv you off before it's time to say Let's 'Fn Go again)

UFC Official YouTube

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

UFC President Dana White is BACK with his #12DaysGiveaways!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9AVlODQ7hU&ab_channel=UFC

Ian Machado Garry Breaks Down His Top UFC Moments at Madison Square Garden | UFC Connected

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

ESPN MMA YouTube

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

Michael Bisping interviews Tom Aspinall at MSG ahead of UFC 295 | ESPN MMA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp_Zh_j6W0w&ab_channel=ESPNMMA

Daniel Cormier Official YouTube

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

Alex Pereira practices kicks on DC! + "Poatan" ready to live out his DREAM | Daniel Cormier Check-In

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

Chael Sonnen Official YouTube

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

Sergei Pavlovich is the UNDERDOG vs Tom Aspinall | UFC 295

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKaQJ7YW1L0&t=12s&ab_channel=ChaelSonnen

Madison Square Garden Official YouTube

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

#UFC295 #UFC300 #DanaWhite #quote #quotes #MMA #BrockLesnar #RondaRousey #Prochazka #Pereira #MichaelChandler #mixedmartialarts #combatsports #legend #legends #sportsnews #mmanews #dreammatche #fantasybooking #PPV #PayPerView #videos #USsports #promoter #promotion #sportsbiz #sportsbetting #wager #trend #trends #buzz #hype #media

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE SmackDown

LA Knight vs Grayson Waller

Has the Arrogant Aussie recovered from the Ibrahim Al Hajjaj People's Elbow that shook him at Saudi?

Will Waller be more worried about besting Knight, or making a GWE trending moment? Can he do both?

Is 'The Bloodline' out for Knight's blood?

Is Waller's mate Austin Theory devising a cunning plan to send Knight back to the old hotel, thus opening another spot for one of their own inner circle?

So many questions.

You must tune in to get the answers.

Survivor Series Season is here and you just know some folks in the ring and backstage are going to get cooked, if not potatoed. Get a lock on your remote now, if ya smell what we're cooking.

#SmackDown #WWESmackDown #WWESurvivorSeries #LAKnight #GraysonWaller #GWEffect #GraysonWallerEffect #AustinTheory #Hitman #TheBloodline #blood #PeoplesElbow #wrestling #prowrestling #USANetwork #USA #entertainment #popculture #broadcast #trends #trending #buzz #TV #media

Advertising agencies are responsible for initiating, managing, and implementing paid marketing communications. In addition, some agencies have diversified into other types of marketing comms, including public relations, sales promotion, interactive media, and direct marketing #agencies #advertising #advertisingagencies #advertisingagency #agency #marketing #onlinemarketing #communications #comms #PublicRelations #PR #press #pressrelease #sales #promotion #directmarketing #popculture #culture #biz #sportsbiz #streaming #ghost #ghostwriter #writer #copy #links #SEO #authority #buzz #trends #media #mediaman

Disruptor: a company or form of technology that causes radical change in an existing industry or market by means of innovation. "the company is becoming a major disruptor in the media, ad and PR industry" #disruptor #disruption #disruptors #biz #market #ads #pr #newsmedia #media #mediaman

There are risks of playing "follow the leader" be it in sports, wrestling, SEO, business strategies. Adopt risk management and have your own style and unique selling points (and unique niche content) etc etc #risk #risks #business #wrestling #SEO #sportsbiz #wrestling #popculture #bizdev #strategy #riskmanagement #usps #niche #nichecontent #nichemarketing #nichenews #media #mediaman

Movie Business News

'Coyote Vs. Acme' won't been seen or heard

John Cena’s @JohnCena ‘Coyote Vs. Acme’ Film Shelved Even Though It's Completed

There's Reasons Why Studios Scrap Shows And Movies

Production Companies Can Cancel Their Own Movies; No Need For Activists of Cancel Culture!

More Complex Than What General Public May Think

Christmas Grinch defeats Coyote via financial submission STF-U

Warner's Loss Is WWE Universe's Gain

Fans Cheer Cena; Boo Heel WB

Warner Bros. Discovery announced it would shelve the completed Coyote Vs. Acme, a hybrid live-action and animated film based on the iconic Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote, making the movie the latest in a recent trend of fully produced shows and TV series being canceled by production companies for cost-cutting purposes.

Coyote Vs. Acme, which was reportedly produced on a $72 million budget, was originally set to release earlier this year but was shelved so Warner Bros. could take a $30 million tax write-off, leading publication Deadline reported.

The move came just one year after Warner Bros. controversially scrapped and panned Batgirl, an intended installment in the DC Extended Universe film series that cost $90 million to produce, reportedly because the company felt writing off the film for a tax break would be more financially sound than releasing it, and test screenings were reportedly met with ultra negative reactions.

The Warner Bros. animated film Scoob! A Holiday Haunt was also scrapped last year, reportedly for tax write-off purposes, though the film still completed production after the company announced it would not be released.

Completed seasons of television series have also been shelved by production companies, including the second season of Minx, which was scrapped by Warner Bros. Discovery in December for tax purposes despite being nearly finished with production (The season was picked up by Starz and aired in July).

AMC scrapped shows 61st Street and Invitation to a Bonfire as part of an effort to take up to $475 million in write-offs, Variety reported, both of which were already shot and almost completed, though 61st Street later landed at the CW.

Warner Bros. decided not to move forward with Coyote Vs. Acme, which was reportedly set for a release on Max, because of an effort to shift “its global strategy to focus on theatrical releases,” a Warner Bros. spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter. The film was reportedly shot last year in New Mexico and was set to star John Cena, Will Forte, Lana Condor and Eric Bauza, and it was produced by DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn. Deadline reported Coyote Vs. Acme had been met with positive reviews during test screenings, with scores above the norm for family films. After the film’s cancellation, director Dave Green posted a statement via X thanking the “brilliant team, who poured their souls into this project for years” and the “test audiences who rewarded us with fantastic scores,” adding he is “beyond devastated” by the studio’s decision to shelve the movie.

Decisions to scrap already completed films have been met with criticism from fans and entertainment industry workers. Bazua, who was part of the voice cast, lamented the film’s cancellation on Instagram, stating it is “sad that the film like a few others before it have fallen to corporate greed,” adding a completed film like Coyote Vs. Acme could have value for studios since production was halted on many films this year because of the writers’ and actors’ strikes. Steven Price, who composed the score for Coyote Vs. Acme, criticized the scrapping of the film as “anti-art studio financial shenanigans” in a post on X in which he included a video of a choir recording music for the film. Filmmaker BenDavid Grabinski called Coyote Vs. Acme a “great” movie, “the best of its kind since Roger Rabbit.” He criticized ”extremely effective commercial movies being deleted for tax purposes,” noting the film is based on popular existing intellectual property. After Warner Bros. shelved Minx’s second season, a high-ranking TV agent told Deadline: “To spend that kind of money and to not air it, believe me, we’re all scratching our heads.”

By canceling projects for cost-cutting purposes, studios can avoid spending extra tens of millions to market and promote these films, Vanity Fair reported. Warner Bros. Discovery, in particular, has canceled numerous completed projects as part of cost-cutting measures following the 2022 WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. merger. An anonymous showrunner of a hit series told Deadline oversaturation of content on streaming services can also contribute to already produced shows being scrapped: “There are too many shows so it’s inevitable that if platforms can get a tax write-off or any money back from a show that they don’t love, they’ll absolutely cancel it.”

John Cena Instagram: "The End"

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzbMAbnOREJ/

https://www.instagram.com/johncena

Image credit: John Cena/Instagram

#CoyoteVsAcme #Coyote #JohnCena #STFU #STF #movienews #WB #WarnerBros #WarnerMedia #EntertainmentNews #entertainment #showbiz #showbuzz #boxoffice #tax #Batgirl #TheEnd #Instagram #WWE #SmackDown #financialnews #wrestlingnews #popculture #streaming #socialmedia #platforms #disrupt #disruptor #trend #trends #buzz #AI #media

Combat Sports

Dana White On Cross-Over Legends Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey Will Compete At UFC

@UFC

300

“I get why everybody asks”

“They’re not coming back”

Sports Illustrated UFC news and quotes doing the rounds across the globe; S.I. gains more street and industry cred

Fantasy Booking ramps up in UFC, adding to combat sports booking WWE

@WWE

and other pro wrestling promotions!

Some Stats:

Lesnar (UFC website)

https://ufc.com/athlete/brock-lesnar

8 fights in the UFC

Former UFC Heavyweight champ

Rousey (Wikipedia website)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronda_Rousey

Rousey News:

Due to wrestle at Wrestling Revolver - 6th November

Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Los Angeles, CA.

Will be broadcast via FITE!

@FiteTV

“I always had an incredible working relationship with Brock Lesnar”.

“It’s funny to say this because he’s such a grouchy dude, but I consider Brock Lesnar a friend.”

The last time Lesnar fought in the UFC was 2016, five months after Rousey’s final bout. Since then, both have appeared in WWE from time to time.

“I’m focused on Madison Square Garden,” said White. “But no, they’re not coming back.”

UFC News

UFC 295 card: Prochazka vs Pereira headlines after Aspinall and Pavlovich clash

Daniel Cormier (conspiracy?) theory/speculation/dream match scenarios

Unified field theory for UFC 300..

Former two-division UFC champ and current UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has a theory that sounds great for the UFC 300 card.

DC also has a vision of a two-title bout card underneath the McGregor-Chandler match.

Videos (to help starv you off before it's time to say Let's 'Fn Go again)

Boxing/Combat Sports

Boxing and social media disruptor going more purist and less Misfit and hype based; Jake Paul rises above naysayers

Jake Paul’s

@JakePaul

next fight has been finally confirmed after about a month of speculation, sportsbar talk and teasers.