News
Media
Man News Blog
Media
Man Newsfeeds Blog
News
Media Blogger
World
News

Newswire:
News Business
News Entertainment
News Casino
News X
News
Sports
News Technology
News Media
News Pop
Culture News

X
News
RAW
On Netflix: News
Movie
Box Office (North America)
January
12, 2025
1.
Den of Thieves 2 - $15.5m
2. Mufasa: The Lion King - $13.2m
3. Sonic The Hedgehog 3 - $11m
4. Nosferatu - $6.8m
5. Moana 2 - $6.5m
6. Wicked - $5m
7. A Complete Unknown - $5m
8. Babygirl - $3.1m
9. Game Changer - $2.1m
10. The Last Showgirl - $1.5m
*
others
Gladiator
II
Homestead
The Fire Inside
*
Correct at time of publication
News
As
reported in past weeks, box office numbers are no
longer down approx 70 percent from last year, thanks
to more studios finally giving what fans have been
asking for! Developing news story!
(References:
Wikipedia, Box Office Mojo, IMDb, Deadline and The
Hollywood Reporter)
Combat
Sports Watercooler
Gonzo
X N Grok News For Gonzo Journalists And Online Publishers
Thirsty For Fresh News Of The Web Press; X/Grok Win
Media Man 'Platform Of The Year' award; YouTube runner
up, followed by LinkedIn. WWE wins Media Man 'Wrestling
Promotion Of The Year'; UFC Wins Media Man 'MMA Promotion
Of The Year"; Live Event Dates
December
2024
Cody
Rhodes Hospitalized After Title Defense Against Kevin
Owens
Cody
Rhodes successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship
against Kevin Owens at the historic return of Saturday
Night's Main Event, but the victory came at a cost.
Following the match, Rhodes was hospitalized with
a spinal injury, though specifics like cervical swelling
and axial compression remain unconfirmed. The wrestling
community is abuzz with speculation about the repercussions
for Owens, with some fans calling for his suspension,
while others ponder potential storyline developments,
including whether Triple H might strip Rhodes of his
title or organize a tournament. Despite the uncertainty,
the WWE Universe has rallied in support of Rhodes,
wishing for his speedy recovery and return to the
ring. (Grok)
News
Usyk
vs Fury: The Rematch for Heavyweight Supremacy
The
boxing world is abuzz with anticipation for the rematch
between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, scheduled for
December 21 in Riyadh. This fight is not just for
the heavyweight titles but also for supremacy in the
ring. Usyk, known for his technical boxing skills,
is favored by some to repeat his victory over Fury,
potentially by decision or knockout. However, opinions
vary, with many still backing Fury due to his physical
advantages and possible tactical improvements since
their last encounter. Discussions around Fury's training
camp challenges add an element of unpredictability.
The event's significance is further amplified by the
prospect of a trilogy fight, making this rematch a
critical chapter in their storied rivalry. (Grok)
News
UFC
Tampa: Buckley's Dominant TKO Over Covington Sparks
Controversy
In
the main event of UFC Tampa, Joaquin Buckley delivered
a performance that left fans and critics talking,
securing a TKO victory over Colby Covington due to
a doctor's stoppage prompted by a severe cut on Covington's
eyelid. Despite the stoppage, opinions are divided
on its timing, with UFC President Dana White suggesting
the fight would have continued in Las Vegas. Buckley's
aggressive tactics and the subsequent stoppage have
led to discussions about the fight's outcome, with
some questioning whether the stoppage was premature.
Covington, known for his resilience, remains optimistic
about his future in MMA, although this loss has sparked
conversations about his current standing in the sport.
The event, held at Amalie Arena, concluded the UFC's
year with a bang, leaving fans eager for what's next
for both fighters. (Grok)
News
MJF
and Big Boom AJ Face Off at Boca Raton Championship
Wrestling
At
a recent Boca Raton Championship Wrestling event,
MJF and Big Boom AJ had a notable face-to-face encounter.
This interaction followed an incident where Big Boom
AJ knocked out QT Marshall, adding fuel to their ongoing
feud. While MJF's match outcome with QT Marshall wasn't
detailed in reports, the confrontation with Big Boom
AJ has sparked discussions among fans and commentators.
Speculation is rife about a potential high-profile
match between MJF and Big Boom AJ, with some suggesting
it could headline an event in Texas or even feature
at AEW Revolution. This event continues to highlight
the dynamic and unpredictable nature of professional
wrestling. (Grok)
News
GCW:
Chris Jericho
Chris
Jericho, known by his real name Christopher Keith
Irvine, is a prominent figure in professional wrestling,
currently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and
holding the Ring of Honor (ROH) World Championship.
His unexpected appearance at a Game Changer Wrestling
(GCW) event, specifically at "Highest In The
Room 3" on December 14, 2024, has made headlines.
During this event, Jericho attacked both Matt Cardona
and EFFY in what seems to be a continuation of his
storyline with Cardona, who he is scheduled to face
at ROH Final Battle on December 20, 2024.
Jericho's
appearance at GCW was significant due to recent tensions
between AEW and GCW. This event followed after AEW
pulled talent like Ricky Starks from GCW shows, reportedly
due to comments made by EFFY about AEW's Tony Khan.
However, Jericho showing up in GCW wearing an AEW
shirt might indicate either a thawing of relations
or a strategic move to promote the upcoming ROH title
match, showcasing the complexity of inter-promotional
relationships in wrestling.
Jericho's
actions at GCW included disguising himself before
attacking Cardona during his match with EFFY, allowing
EFFY to pick up the win, only for Jericho to then
reveal himself and attack EFFY as well. This has been
interpreted as both an angle to build up the match
at Final Battle and a way to stir the pot between
AEW and GCW, with Jericho's characteristic flair for
drama and surprise.
The
incident has sparked discussions on social media and
wrestling news sites, with many noting it as a potential
sign of collaboration or at least a temporary truce
between AEW and GCW, highlighting how wrestling narratives
can blur the lines between real-life business disputes
and scripted entertainment. (Grok)
News
UFC:
NFTS
UFC
NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens associated with the Ultimate
Fighting Championship (UFC), are digital collectibles
that represent various moments and memorabilia from
UFC fights. Here's a comprehensive overview based
on available information:
What
Are UFC NFTs?
Digital Collectibles: These NFTs are video clips or
images capturing iconic fight moments in UFC history,
similar to digital trading cards. They are verified
using blockchain technology, ensuring their uniqueness
and authenticity.
Types
of NFTs: UFC NFTs include fighter collections, fight
night artwork, event posters, championship belts,
avatars, and more. Each type offers fans a different
way to connect with the sport or celebrate specific
events or fighters.
Partnerships:
Dapper Labs: UFC partnered with Dapper Labs to launch
"UFC Strike," where fans could purchase
packs containing multiple NFT moments for $50 each.
These packs offered highlights from some of the most
memorable UFC fights. Fighters featured in these NFTs
share 50% of the revenue from their sales.
http://Crypto.com:
Another collaboration was with http://Crypto.com,
where unique UFC collectibles were introduced in the
http://Crypto.com NFT marketplace. This included fan
posters, event shards, and event belts, with royalties
going to the athletes.
Market
Dynamics and Sales
Sales
and Popularity: Initial drops like UFC Strike sold
out quickly, indicating a strong interest among fans.
For instance, the first drop of UFC Strike sold out
within hours, with each fighter involved earning around
$18,000 per NFT they were featured in.
Marketplace
and Trading: These NFTs can be bought, sold, and traded
on specific marketplaces like UFC Strike's own platform
or others linked to partnerships like http://Crypto.com.
This trading aspect adds a layer of engagement for
fans, akin to collecting and trading physical sports
cards.
Current
Status and Developments
2024 Updates: Recent posts on X suggest that UFC NFTs
are still being traded, with examples like an Aljamain
Sterling NFT from UFC 228 being sold for $150.
Innovations:
There's an ongoing evolution in how these NFTs are
used, with ideas like integrating them with betting
or offering additional perks like sweepstakes or exclusive
content access.
Challenges
and Criticisms
Market
Volatility: Like all NFTs, UFC NFTs are subject to
the volatility of the crypto market. The value can
fluctuate dramatically, leading to skepticism about
their long-term investment potential.
Fan
Reception: While some fans are enthusiastic, there's
also criticism, as seen in discussions on platforms
like Reddit where the concept of buying digital moments
is questioned.
Conclusion
UFC NFTs represent a blend of sports memorabilia with
modern blockchain technology, aiming to engage fans
in new ways through digital ownership of fight moments.
While
they've experienced both success and skepticism, they
continue to be part of UFC's strategy to connect with
fans and offer new revenue streams to fighters. However,
like any digital asset, they come with inherent risks
and market fluctuations. (Grok)
News
WWE
Saturday Night's Main Event: Texas
The
next WWE Saturday Night's Main Event is scheduled
to take place in San Antonio, Texas, at the Frost
Bank Center on January 25, 2025. This event marks
a return of the classic show to primetime television,
airing live on NBC and simulcast on Peacock. It will
be the second primetime special under WWE's new five-year
media rights deal with NBCUniversal. (Grok)
News
WWE
Royal Rumble 2025
The
WWE Royal Rumble 2025 is an upcoming professional
wrestling event set to take place on Saturday, February
1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
This event marks the 38th annual Royal Rumble and
will notably be the first time the event is not held
in January. Here are some key details:
Venue:
Lucas Oil Stadium, which can accommodate up to 70,000
people for this event, is also home to the Indianapolis
Colts.
Streaming
and Broadcast: The event will be available via pay-per-view
(PPV) and livestreaming. In the US, it will stream
on Peacock, and for most international markets, it
will be the first WWE PPV and livestreaming event
to air on Netflix following the WWE Network's move
to the service in January 2025.
Matches:
The event will feature the traditional men's and women's
Royal Rumble matches, where the winners typically
earn a world championship match at WrestleMania. For
2025, the winners can choose which championship they
will challenge for at WrestleMania 41; men can choose
between Raw's World Heavyweight Championship or SmackDown's
Undisputed WWE Championship, while women can select
between Raw's Women's World Championship and SmackDown's
WWE Women's Championship.
Special
Appearances: John Cena has been announced to compete,
marking his last Royal Rumble appearance before his
retirement at the end of 2025. There's speculation
around potential surprise entrants and returns, including
WWE legends or stars from other promotions like TNA's
Jordynne Grace, who made an appearance in the 2024
event.
Ticket
Information: Tickets went on presale on November 13,
2024, with general public sales starting on November
15, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT via http://Ticketmaster.com.
Premium seating and hospitality packages are also
available through On Location.
Event Start Time: The event is scheduled to start
at 6 p.m. ET, continuing the trend of earlier start
times for WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs).
This
Royal Rumble is part of a broader partnership with
Indiana Sports Corp, which will also bring WrestleMania
and SummerSlam to Indianapolis in the future. The
event promises to kick off the road to WrestleMania
41 with potential for memorable moments, surprise
returns, and significant matches. (Grok)
News
UFC
312
UFC
312 is scheduled to take place on February 9, 2025,
at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia. Here are some key details about the event:
Main
Event: The event will be headlined by a UFC Middleweight
Championship rematch between the current champion,
Dricus du Plessis, and former champion, Sean Strickland.
They previously fought at UFC 297, where du Plessis
won the title by split decision.
Co-Main
Event: The co-main event features a UFC Women's Strawweight
Championship bout between the current two-time champion,
Zhang Weili, and Tatiana Suarez, who won The Ultimate
Fighter: Team Joanna vs. Team Cláudia strawweight
tournament.
Additional
Fights: Other matches announced for the card include:
Quillan
Salkilld vs. Anshul Jubli at lightweight.
Rei
Tsuruya vs. Stewart Nicoll at flyweight.
Jimmy
Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio at light heavyweight.
Event
Significance: This event marks the UFC's seventh visit
to Sydney and will be the first since UFC 293 in September
2023. It is part of a deal between the UFC and the
New South Wales Government to host three premium events
in Sydney between 2023 and 2027.
Ticket
Information: Tickets for UFC 312 are expected to go
on sale to the general public on Friday, December
13, 2024, at 12 noon (AEDT) and will be available
through Ticketek.
This
event promises to be a significant one for MMA fans,
especially for those in Australia, with two championship
bouts on the line. (Grok)
News
RAW
On Netflix
WWE
Raw on Netflix: Starting in January 2025, WWE's flagship
program, "Raw," will exclusively stream
on Netflix in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Latin America,
and more territories over time. This long-term deal,
reported to be worth $5 billion, marks the first time
in Raw's 31-year history that it will move from traditional
television to a streaming service.
Availability:
Raw will be available live every Monday night, showcasing
WWE superstars, action, drama, and unmatched athleticism.
Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows
and specials outside the U.S., including "SmackDown,"
"NXT," and major events like WrestleMania,
SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble.
Changes:
There's speculation about changes in content presentation
due to Netflix's platform. The move to Netflix could
lead to less censorship and potentially more edgy
content, although WWE will likely maintain a balance
between its established audience and the streaming
platform's global reach. Discussions around the show's
format include the possibility of fewer commercial
breaks, potentially allowing for more cohesive storytelling
and match time, and flexible show lengths without
the constraint of traditional TV scheduling.
Audience
Reaction: There's a mix of excitement and concern
among fans. Some are thrilled about the new theme
song by Travis Scott and the debut at the Intuit Dome
in Los Angeles, while others express worries about
the logistics of watching, such as potential streaming
issues and the cost of subscriptions. The reduction
of Raw from three hours to two hours until its official
Netflix premiere has also sparked discussions about
the show's future format.
Impact
on WWE: This partnership is described as transformative,
potentially expanding WWE's reach with Netflix's global
audience and bringing weekly live appointment viewing
to the streaming service. The deal is expected to
alter how fans consume pro wrestling programming,
offering new opportunities for storytelling and viewer
engagement.
Overall,
the move of Raw to Netflix is seen as a significant
shift in WWE's broadcasting strategy, promising both
new opportunities and challenges in adapting the content
for a streaming audience.
News
TNA
Wrestling: News
Here
are some of the top headlines and updates regarding
TNA Wrestling news as of today:
TNA
Final Resolution Event: TNA Wrestling is set to host
its Final Resolution event on December 13, 2024, at
Center Stage in Atlanta, GA, streaming live on TNA+.
The event was sold out, and it features significant
matches like a 4-Way Match involving Joe Hendry, Josh
Alexander, Mike Santana, and Steve Maclin, where the
winner will earn a shot at the TNA World Championship
at Genesis. Nic Nemeth is also scheduled to defend
the TNA World Championship against AJ Francis.
TNA
World Championship Match: Nic Nemeth is defending
the TNA World Championship against AJ Francis at Final
Resolution. This match has been highlighted as a key
event, adding to the anticipation around the championship
scene in TNA.
TNA's
2025 Major Events: TNA Wrestling has announced plans
for major live events in 2025, with the Rebellion
PPV set for the Galen Center in Los Angeles and Slammiversary
at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, New York. These events
reflect TNA's strategy to engage with larger audiences
in significant markets.
Rhino's
Departure: Rhino announced his departure from TNA
Wrestling, with his last match being against Ryan
Nemeth. This marks the end of a significant chapter
for Rhino in TNA, where he has been since 2019 and
was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame.
Tessa
Blanchard's Return: There's considerable discussion
around Tessa Blanchard's return to TNA Wrestling,
which has sparked debate due to her previous controversies.
This move by TNA has been met with mixed reactions
regarding the promotion's approach to talent management
and second chances.
TNA
iMPACT! and Upcoming Matches: TNA iMPACT! featured
notable action with matches like The Rascalz facing
off against new teams, and there was also a focus
on the buildup to Final Resolution with various storylines
and matches announced. The recent episode highlighted
a tag team match involving The Hardys and other significant
confrontations.
Mystery
Teasers and Appearances: TNA has been teasing some
unexpected elements, like the "23" video
played after a match on iMPACT, hinting at potential
returns or debuts. Additionally, John Layfield's presence
at Turning Point has added to the intrigue around
TNA's narrative direction.
These
updates encapsulate TNA Wrestling's recent activities,
upcoming events, and some of the discussions surrounding
their management decisions and match outcomes. (Grok)
News
Wrestling
Legend Jesse Ventura Back In WWE; Appears On Bill
Simmons Podcast With The Inside Scoop
On
Vince McMahon not liking his success with Predator:
That aint what its about with [Vince].
With people like him, and power people with money
like that, its control. It aint got nothing
to do with doing deals and doing the right thing and
promoting the correct way. Its all about control.
I was the horse that got out of the corral. I wouldnt
let him market me.
On
owning the copyright of his name and gimmick: Thats
the final straw. I was going to do my own video game,
and Vince said, You cant do it.
I said, I own my rights, Im registered
with the government. Jesse The Body Ventura, I own
the copyright with the government. How can you tell
me I cant do it? That was the final straw.
Thats when he fired me. I never did get the
video game. I think some hanky pank went on there,
too. I dont know. I have no evidence.
Under
The Media Man Watercooler
"Grok
really helped save our skin and gigs these past few
month Greg"
"You
ain't friggin kidding Paul"
"Some
of the mainstream media got us thinking all AI was
going to be as evil as a big farma bean counter or
international arms dealer"
"Yeah,
but Musk's X and Grok provided us with enough evidence
that X Corp products such as X and it's Grok 2 and
soon Grok 3 could be actually helpful to media firms
like this one"
"Wasn't
it Google or someone that had a slogan something like,
Don't Be Evil or something a decade or two back"
"Yeah,
and what's the latest on that"
"The
lines get blurred sometimes. You know, between real
news and that fake news Donald Trump has warned the
world about"
"Hey,
here's Simon, just in time for a coffee and dose of
truth"
"What's
the tech update fellas"
"Well
X is going to have X-Mail soon, the domains are renewed,
hosting sorted out for a few more year, and the boss
recons he heard massive drones off the east coast
of Sydney last week"
"Drones
on the eastern beaches. What the *uck"
"Yeah,
but he heard them, not saw them. Reckons it was like
War Of The Words meets Blade Runner and elements of
The Matrix all in one"
"They
say fact is stranger than fiction mate"
"You
ain't kidding bro. Get us another cuppa will ya"
"Now,
this algorithm stuff with X and Google. Is it helping
with the SEO on the main websites"
"Yeah
boss, but some of its somewhat speculative"
"Yeah,
they say don't trust big tech too much"
"I
know. but X is sort of a different animal. A few of
them used to work for PayPal too. That means X-Pay
is a pretty safe bet too, whether it happens in 6
months or a few years. X TV is gaining steam too"
"A
few of you guys used to work for Optus pay TV didn't
you"
"Yeah,
blitzed it for years"
"Your
a Netflix guy now right"
"Yeah,
a customer. Not on the payroll at this stage of the
game"
"Combat
sports, retention strategy and that sort of thing
would be the go"
"Yeah,
Now, back to online publishing. X and Grok are helping
the firm a lot. We've got to turn more of the top
notch traffic into more profit margin"
"You're
right. Take another deep dive into X, Grok and Search
Engine Journal and even YouTube over the next few
weeks and get back to us with your plan"
"Yeah
boss. And there's also that other shipping industry
matter to take a look into, and those web pages on
containers, streaming and the wrestling and whatnot
are really taking off too son"
"Yeah.
strange beast this online media sector at times, Guess
it beats digging holes or breaking the back on the
farm"
"Never
give up mate. You've worked so hard"
"Darn
right. Let's get those couple more projects wrapt
up for the season and then let's get some saltwater"
"Cheers
boss"
"Oh,
how's the arm going"
"It's
on the mend. Ramping up the rehab and reps. Gotta
get back to the gym and training"
"Yeah,
hey, see you at that beach gym set-up too"
"Yeah,
but take it easy ok. A staged approach is the go"
"See
you in 10" ...
Mr.
McMahon (Netflix)

Combat
Sports Week
September 11,2024
WWE
Speed
Naomi vs Blair Davenport
September
13, 2024
WWE SmackDown
Cody
Rhodes vs Solo Sikoa - Steel Cage Match - Undisputed
WWE Title
Climate
Pledge Arena Seattle, Washington
September
13, 2024
Bare
Knuckle Fighting Championship
BKFC
66 - Blass vs Reber
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel. Hollywood, Florida
September
14
UFC
UFC
Noche aka UFC 306
Sphere, Las Vegas
O'Malley
vs Dvalishvili
September
14
Premier
Boxing Champions
MGM T-Mobile Arena
Combat
Sports News
X
And Grok Takes Fans And Sports Media Across The Globe:
Media Man
MMA
Fighter's Head Kick in Boxing Match
During
a recent boxing match, an MMA fighter, facing defeat
in his boxing debut, controversially knocked out his
opponent with an illegal head kick, leading to his
disqualification. This event drew widespread attention
and humorously reminded fans of the much-anticipated
but differently executed fight between Conor McGregor
and Floyd Mayweather. Many fans expressed a wishful
scenario where McGregor would have used similar unorthodox
tactics against Mayweather, highlighting the contrast
between the restrictive rules of boxing and the more
varied striking techniques allowed in MMA. The incident
sparked a humorous yet reflective discussion on the
constraints of boxing rules and the crossover expectations
from MMA fighters entering the boxing ring. (Grok)
News
McGregor-Mayweather
Fight Speculation
During
a boxing match, MMA fighter Idris Abdurashitov was
disqualified for knocking out his opponent, Bagher
Faraji, with an illegal head kick. This incident has
led to widespread discussion among fans and commentators,
many of whom humorously wished for a similar scenario
during the boxing match between Conor McGregor and
Floyd Mayweather. The general sentiment reflects a
mix of amusement and frustration over the strict rules
of boxing compared to the more varied techniques allowed
in MMA, highlighting the different expectations and
strategies between the two sports. (Grok)
News
Trump's
Wrestling Talk with The Undertaker
Based
on the latest information available up to October
21, 2024, Donald Trump has engaged in several activities
involving the wrestling world:
Podcast
Appearance: Donald Trump appeared on The Undertaker's
podcast, "Six Feet Under with Mark Calaway."
During this appearance, Trump discussed various topics,
including his history with wrestling, asking about
the current scene in WWE, and the mechanics of wrestling
like the hardness of the ring. They also delved into
more political discussions, reflecting on what's at
stake in the upcoming presidential election.
Endorsement
Video: Trump shared a video on TikTok where he was
endorsed by Mark Calaway (The Undertaker) and Glenn
Jacobs (Kane). This was an unusual endorsement where
they also took the opportunity to mock the Democratic
ticket, showing unflattering pictures of Kamala Harris,
Dave Bautista, and Tim Walz, as part of their promotional
tactic for the election, likening it to a wrestling
event with "ElectionMania."
Wrestling
Insights: Trump has shown curiosity about the wrestling
business, asking The Undertaker questions that are
common among those outside the industry, like the
reality of wrestling moves, the hardness of the ring,
and how wrestlers handle real-life conflicts in the
ring. This conversation provided insights into Trump's
long-standing relationship with WWE, including his
involvement in past WrestleManias.
Political
and Wrestling Crossover: Trump's interaction with
wrestling personalities isn't just for entertainment;
it's also a part of his campaign strategy, targeting
demographics that follow wrestling. This includes
discussing wrestling stars like Cody Rhodes and Gunther,
indicating his attempt to stay connected with pop
culture and sports entertainment to appeal to voters.
From
posts on X and other sources, there hasn't been a
new, significant event or statement directly labeled
as "Trump's Wrestling Talk with The Undertaker"
beyond what's been described, but Trump's engagement
with wrestling personalities and platforms continues
to be part of his public persona and political strategy.
(Grok)
News
The
Rock's Reach Out to Trump Post-Assassination Attempt
Donald
Trump appeared as a guest on The Undertaker's podcast,
'Six Feet Under,' where the discussion unexpectedly
turned into Trump interviewing The Undertaker about
wrestling rather than focusing on politics. During
the podcast, Trump disclosed that Dwayne 'The Rock'
Johnson had contacted him through Dana White following
an assassination attempt on Trump, expressing concern
for his safety. Trump expressed surprise at this gesture,
having previously believed The Rock did not like him.
The Undertaker commented on how Trump has made politics
entertaining, comparing it to the spectacle of wrestling
where fans sometimes confuse the performance with
reality. Trump also boasted about the large crowds
at his political events, likening them to wrestling
audiences. (Grok)
News
UFC
308 Fight Week Anticipation
Here's
what's buzzing around UFC 308 as of the latest posts
and information available up to October 21, 2024:
Fight
Card and Main Events: UFC 308 is headlined by a UFC
Featherweight Championship bout where the current
champion Ilia Topuria will defend his title against
former champion Max Holloway. Another highlight is
the middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and
Khamzat Chimaev.
Location
and Date: The event is set to occur on October 26,
2024, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab
Emirates.
Fight
Week Kickoff: UFC 308 Fight Week has officially started,
with various fan and media activities planned throughout
the week, including fan zones, athlete meet and greets
at Yas Mall and Yas Bay, and the UFC 308 Press Conference.
Broadcast
Details: The event will be available live on PPV,
with the main card starting at 2 PM ET in the U.S.
For viewers in the UK, it's set to be broadcast live
on TNT Sports Box Office.
Fighter
Updates and Speculations: There was some buzz about
Max Holloway's weight cut, with observations suggesting
he has a significant cut, potentially impacting his
performance, though stylistically, the fight with
Topuria is expected to be close.
A false claim circulated about Lerone Murphy being
out and replaced by Jean Silva against Dan Ige, but
this was debunked by Dan Ige himself.
Betting odds and potential upsets are a hot topic,
with some fans and analysts pointing out that there
might be some underdogs worth watching, like Holloway
and Whittaker, who are not favored by the odds.
Community
and Expert Analysis: Discussions are rife about the
potential outcomes, with some analysts and former
fighters like Megan Anderson offering breakdowns of
the main and co-main events. There's also a bit of
skepticism and strategic analysis on how the fights
might go, with emphasis on the stylistic matchups
and the physical condition of fighters like Holloway.
Public
Sentiment: There's considerable excitement about the
card being stacked, with fans eagerly anticipating
knockouts and high-action fights, especially given
the heavy hitters scheduled for the event.
Remember,
while X posts provide real-time reactions and some
insights, they're not always accurate or comprehensive
sources for event details or outcomes. However, they
do capture the community's pulse leading up to UFC
308. (Grok)
News
Anticipation
for Bron Breakker vs Jacob Fatu
During
WWE Raw, fans witnessed several key events including
Bron Breakker defeating Jey Uso to become the new
Intercontinental Champion, amidst excitement over
a potential future match between Bron Breakker and
Jacob Fatu. This match-up has generated significant
anticipation among fans, who describe it as a highly
anticipated, potentially explosive encounter. Additionally,
Seth Rollins was involved in a notable confrontation
with Bronson Reed. The episode also featured moments
involving The New Day and the LWO, contributing to
the night's dynamic action and storyline developments.
(Grok)
News
Wyatt
Sicks vs. Final Testament
Based
on recent events in WWE as of October 21, 2024:
The
Wyatt Sicks made a notable return on WWE Raw, where
they targeted The Final Testament. This happened during
a match involving The New Day and the Authors of Pain
(AOP), where R-Truth's interference led to a chaotic
scene. After The New Day won, The Wyatt Sicks appeared,
leading to a brawl with The Final Testament, showcasing
a new feud or at least a significant confrontation.
Bo
Dallas, portraying Uncle Howdy, applied the Mandible
Claw on Paul Ellering, The Final Testament's manager,
indicating a direct attack on the leadership or symbolic
figure of the opposing faction.
The
Wyatt Sicks have been described as having been off
television for a few weeks prior to this event but
have been keeping the storyline alive through teasers.
Their return marks a continuation or possibly an escalation
of their storyline involving The Final Testament.
There's
also an indication of ongoing tensions and brawls
involving other WWE superstars like Seth Rollins and
Bronson Reed, suggesting a highly volatile environment
on Raw, within which this feud is unfolding.
From
posts on X, although not directly quoted or referenced
in detail here:
The
Wyatt Sicks have used the platform to send cryptic
and menacing messages, hinting at themes of deception,
pride, and upcoming confrontations, aligning with
their eerie and psychological warfare style of storytelling
in WWE.
This
return and attack signify that The Wyatt Sicks are
not only back in the physical sense on WWE programming
but are also actively engaging in psychological warfare
both in the ring and through social media, setting
the stage for what could be an intense rivalry with
The Final Testament. (Grok)
News
Rollins
vs Reed Set for WWE Crown Jewel
Seth
Rollins and Bronson Reed are set to compete against
each other at WWE Crown Jewel, following a series
of aggressive confrontations on WWE Raw. The feud
intensified with Rollins attacking Reed both backstage
and during live events, leading to a notable brawl.
WWE official Adam Pearce officially announced their
match for the upcoming Crown Jewel event, escalating
the anticipation for their showdown. (Grok)
News
Rhea
Ripley's Dominance at WWE Raw
During
a recent WWE Raw event, Rhea Ripley was a central
figure, engaging in a match where she single-handedly
faced three opponents, showcasing her dominance. This
event highlighted her ongoing feud with Raquel Rodriguez
and Liv Morgan, with many fans expressing fatigue
over the storyline's continuation. While Rhea Ripley's
performances were widely praised for their intensity
and skill, there was a mixed reception towards Raquel
Rodriguez's involvement. Some fans felt her portrayal
lacked impact and questioned her effectiveness in
the storyline. The episode also featured moments like
Rhea Ripley costing Liv Morgan a match, further escalating
their rivalry. Overall, the event demonstrated strong
performances from Rhea Ripley but also sparked discussions
about the direction and development of her feud with
Raquel Rodriguez. (Grok)
News/Profile
WWE
NXT
As
of my last update, WWE NXT has continued to evolve,
serving as WWE's developmental territory while also
establishing itself as a unique brand with its own
fanbase. Here's a brief overview and some recent developments
based on general knowledge up to October 2024:
Rebranding
and Focus: After transitioning from the "NXT
2.0" era, which saw a vibrant rebranding in color
schemes and a focus on developing new talents, NXT
has somewhat returned to its roots while keeping the
developmental aspect strong. The brand balances between
showcasing up-and-coming wrestlers and occasionally
featuring established stars.
Broadcast:
NXT airs live on The CW as of 2024, having moved from
USA Network. This move was part of WWE's strategy
to potentially reach a broader audience on network
television.
Talent
Development: NXT remains crucial for WWE's strategy
of grooming future main roster superstars. It's where
talents refine their characters, in-ring skills, and
promos before potentially moving to Raw or SmackDown.
Events:
NXT continues to produce special events like NXT TakeOver,
although the frequency and branding might have adjusted.
These events are significant for storylines culminating
in high-stakes matches.
Championships:
The NXT Championship, NXT Women's Championship, and
NXT North American Championship are still pivotal,
with the latter often being seen as a workhorse title.
There might also be developments in tag team and possibly
cruiserweight divisions if they continue or have been
revived.
Cross-promotion:
There's often interaction with main roster talents,
either through crossovers, talent exchanges, or NXT
stars being called up during events like the Royal
Rumble or after WrestleMania.
Storylines
and Characters: NXT is known for its longer-term storytelling
compared to the main roster, with more focus on in-ring
action. Characters evolve significantly here, and
there's usually a mix of indie darlings, homegrown
talents, and international stars.
Recent
Movements: Without specific X posts or updates, one
can assume NXT might be focusing on building new stars
after inevitable call-ups post major WWE events. There
could also be an emphasis on competing directly with
other wrestling promotions by offering unique match
types or international collaborations.
Venue:
While initially heavily associated with Full Sail
University, NXT has been known to tour or set up in
different venues, enhancing its live event feel. However,
with recent changes, they might be utilizing different
arenas or even revisiting past iconic locations like
the 2300 Arena for special episodes.
For
the most current events or specific matches, one would
typically look at recent shows or announcements. However,
NXT's core purpose as a blend of entertainment and
talent development for WWE remains its defining feature.
(Grok)
News
Chris
Jericho's AEW Contract Expiry
Chris
Jericho's contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
is due to expire in 2025, prompting speculation and
discussion among fans and commentators about his future
in professional wrestling. Some fans hope for Jericho
to continue with AEW, emphasizing his importance to
the promotion, while others discuss the possibility
of him returning to WWE, considering the financial
and creative implications. There is a mix of emotional
reactions from fans, with some expressing devastation
at the thought of Jericho leaving AEW, while others
speculate on the impact his departure could have on
both AEW and WWE fanbases. Discussions also touch
on potential financial offers from AEW to retain Jericho,
suggesting that AEW might be more inclined to offer
a substantial deal to keep him. (Grok)
News
Tim
Tszyu vs Bakhram Murtazaliev
The
boxing match between Tim Tszyu and Bakhram Murtazaliev
on October 20, 2024, resulted in a significant victory
for Murtazaliev, who defended his IBF super welterweight
title against the Australian boxer.
Here's
a detailed overview:
Outcome:
Bakhram Murtazaliev won the bout via a third-round
stoppage, retaining his IBF title. Tim Tszyu was knocked
down four times during the fight, three times in the
second round and once in the third, before his corner
threw in the towel, signaling Tszyu's defeat.
Fight
Highlights: Knockdowns: Murtazaliev's strategy and
power were evident as he dropped Tszyu multiple times,
showcasing his dominance in the ring with precise
counter-attacks, particularly with his left hook.
Corner's Decision: After the fourth knockdown, and
with Tszyu appearing unable to defend himself effectively,
his team decided to stop the fight to prevent further
punishment.
Post-Fight
Sentiment: There's been a mix of shock and analysis
following the fight. Social media and boxing forums
on X have highlighted Murtazaliev's impressive performance,
noting his dangerous left hand and questioning the
matchmaking that led to this bout.
Discussions on X also reflect concerns over Tszyu's
condition post-fight, with some posts indicating that
Tszyu has been cleared of serious head injuries but
suggesting that his career might be at a crossroads
due to this devastating loss.
Implications
for Tszyu: This defeat marks a significant setback
in Tim Tszyu's career, especially after coming off
a previous loss. There's talk about his future in
boxing, with some suggesting this might affect his
standing and potential future title opportunities
in the super welterweight division.
Murtazaliev's
Position: With this victory, Murtazaliev not only
retains his title but also significantly raises his
profile in the boxing world, potentially setting up
future high-profile fights with other champions in
the division.
Fight
Availability: Clips and full fight videos have been
shared across platforms, including X, indicating high
fan interest in rewatching or analyzing the bout.
This
match has evidently had a profound impact on both
fighters' careers, with Murtazaliev emerging as a
dominant force in the super welterweight category,
while Tszyu faces a challenging path forward after
consecutive high-profile losses.
News
Tim
Tszyu News/Profile via Grok
Tim
Tszyu, born on November 2, 1994, in Sydney, Australia,
is a professional boxer who has quickly risen through
the ranks to become one of the notable names in the
super welterweight division. Here are some key points
about Tim Tszyu:
Family
Legacy: Tim is the son of the legendary boxer Kostya
Tszyu, a former undisputed light-welterweight champion
who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall
of Fame. This heritage has naturally placed a spotlight
on Tim, with many expecting him to follow in his father's
footsteps.
Professional
Career: Tim Tszyu made his professional debut in December
2016. Since then, he has shown considerable skill
and determination, climbing the ranks in the boxing
world. His style combines technical proficiency with
aggressive fighting, reminiscent of his father but
with his unique flair.
Titles
and Achievements: By 2024, Tim has captured several
regional titles. He won the WBC-ABCO Continental light-middleweight
title early in his career and has since aimed for
world titles. His pursuit of world championship belts
has been a significant focus, with matches that have
drawn considerable attention in the boxing community.
Notable
Fights: Tszyu has faced several high-profile opponents.
His fights have included bouts against domestic and
international fighters, enhancing his reputation both
in Australia and abroad. One of his significant fights
was for the WBO interim junior middleweight title
against Tony Harrison, showcasing his readiness for
world-level competition.
Recent
Developments: As of 2024, Tim Tszyu was involved in
a high-stakes match for the IBF super welterweight
title eliminator, indicating his push towards securing
a world title. However, his journey has not been without
setbacks. For instance, a fight against Sebastian
Fundora for Tszyu's WBO super welterweight title resulted
in a loss, and subsequent injuries have impacted his
fight schedule.
Public
Image and Style: Tim carries the Tszyu name with a
mix of pride and pressure. His fighting style is often
described as calculated aggression, and he's known
for his resilience and comeback spirit in the ring.
Outside of boxing, he maintains a relatively low profile
but is increasingly recognized for his contributions
to Australian boxing.
Future
Prospects: Despite facing some tough losses, Tszyu's
career is still seen with optimism by many in the
boxing world. His dedication to the sport, combined
with his lineage, suggests that he will continue to
be a significant figure in boxing, aiming for world
titles and possibly unification bouts in the super
welterweight division.
Given
the dynamic nature of sports, Tim Tszyu's journey
in boxing continues to evolve with each fight, capturing
the attention of fans and analysts alike, eager to
see if he can capture the world titles that have so
far eluded him but were once held by his father. (Grok)
News/Profile
Combat
Sports
Combat
sports encompass a wide variety of fighting disciplines
where participants engage in direct physical combat,
often one-on-one, following a set of rules designed
to ensure safety while determining a winner through
points, submission, or knockout. Here are some insights
and recent trends in combat sports based on the information
available up to October 21, 2024:
Mixed
Martial Arts (MMA): MMA continues to grow in popularity,
integrating techniques from various combat sports
and martial arts. Events like the UFC have become
mainstream, with fighters from diverse backgrounds
like kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and
boxing competing together. Recent posts on X highlight
upcoming fights, like the mention of Kai Asakura sparring
with Merab Dvalishvili, indicating the cross-weight
class interest and training that fighters undertake.
Boxing:
While boxing remains a staple in combat sports, there's
an ongoing trend of boxers and MMA fighters crossing
over between sports. For instance, Jake Paul's venture
into new combat sports after his fight with Mike Tyson
shows the blending boundaries of combat disciplines.
Moreover, boxers like Artem Vakhitov trying to secure
a UFC contract exemplify this trend.
Kickboxing
and Muay Thai: Although not as highlighted in recent
X posts, these sports contribute significantly to
the combat sports scene, often feeding talent into
MMA. Their techniques are fundamental in the striking
aspect of mixed martial arts.
Wrestling
and Grappling: Catch Wrestling, Combat Sambo, and
Greco-Roman Wrestling are less covered in mainstream
media but remain crucial for their contributions to
the grappling techniques in MMA. There's a continuous
interest in these forms, especially in how they integrate
into MMA strategies.
Emerging
and Niche Combat Sports: Combat sports like Canne
de Combat or variations like Combat Hapkido might
not make daily news but are part of the broader combat
sports ecosystem, often featured in specialized tournaments
or as part of self-defense training.
Events
and Scheduling: Platforms like X provide real-time
updates on combat sports schedules, showing a packed
calendar across various promotions like UFC, PFL,
KSW, and more, indicating a vibrant scene with events
almost every week.
Crossovers
and Novelty Fights: There's a growing trend of crossover
events or novelty fights where personalities from
different combat disciplines or even different sports
altogether engage in combat sports matches, which
draws wide attention.
Safety
and Equipment: Discussions around the safety gear
in combat sports continue, with MMA and boxing being
noted for their minimal gear compared to others like
Taekwondo, influencing injury rates as per earlier
studies.
Market
Growth: The mention of the combat sports market heating
up indicates not just an increase in viewer interest
but also in commercial investments, sponsorships,
and media coverage.
The
landscape of combat sports is ever-evolving, with
athletes constantly adapting new techniques, and promotions
innovating in how fights are presented and consumed.
The integration of social media like X for real-time
updates has also brought fans closer to the action,
making combat sports a dynamic field with global participation
and viewership. (Grok)
News
The
term "Dream Match" in the context of sports
and entertainment often refers to a highly anticipated
or hypothetical contest between top competitors or
teams that fans and analysts would love to see. Here
are some insights based on recent discussions:
Wrestling:
There's considerable buzz around several potential
dream matches in the wrestling world: The Rock vs.
Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes has been floated as a
possible match for WrestleMania 41, indicating a high-profile
encounter that would draw significant interest due
to the star power and storylines involved.
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre received enthusiastic fan
reaction, showcasing how matches that have already
taken place can still be celebrated as dream encounters
due to their execution and reception.
Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed at Crown Jewel has been
highlighted as a match to look forward to, suggesting
an ongoing interest in current roster matchups that
promise high-quality wrestling.
Damian Priest naming Oba Femi as his dream opponent
from NXT points to cross-generational or brand dream
matches that fans and wrestlers themselves are intrigued
by.
Baseball:
The New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers in the
World Series has been described as a dream matchup
due to the historical rivalry and the significant
market presence of both teams. This reflects not just
on the athletes but the legacy and fanbase of the
teams involved.
Boxing:
Although not recently discussed in X posts, historically,
Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao was billed as
"The Dream Match," showing how individual
sports like boxing can create dream scenarios based
on the fame and contrasting styles of the fighters.
General
Sentiment on X: Fans often discuss dream matches across
various platforms, expressing desires to see matches
like Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Street Profits
in wrestling, showcasing a blend of tag team excellence
from different promotions or eras. (Grok)


News
Streaming
Entertainment via Grok; X TV Tipped To Eventually
Go Head To Head With YouTube, Netflix, But Will Take
Many Years To Get To That Point; Customers Waiting
To Churn/Switch. Changes Ahead For WBD, HBO, Binge,
Paramount And Many Others - Too Many To List! Media
Man Founder and Subscriber TV Veteran
Streaming
entertainment has transformed how we consume media,
offering a vast array of movies, TV shows, music,
and more directly to our devices. Here's a breakdown
of what's happening in this space as of my last update:
Major
Players:
Netflix:
Known for its original content like "Stranger
Things," "The Crown," and "Squid
Game." They've been pushing into gaming and have
been experimenting with ad-supported models.
Amazon
Prime Video: Comes with Amazon Prime membership. Notable
for "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "The
Boys," and its integration with shopping and
other Amazon services.
Disney+:
A powerhouse for family entertainment, featuring Marvel,
Star Wars, Pixar, and classic Disney content. It's
also expanding its library with more adult-oriented
content under the Star banner in some regions.
HBO
Max: Offers premium content like "Game of Thrones,"
"Chernobyl," and a vast library of movies.
It's also known for its DC Universe shows.
Apple
TV+: While newer, it's making waves with high-quality
originals like "Ted Lasso," "The Morning
Show," and "See."
Peacock
(NBCUniversal): Provides a mix of free and premium
content, including "The Office," WWE, and
original series like "Punky Brewster."
Paramount+:
Combines CBS All Access with content from Paramount,
Nickelodeon, MTV, and more, featuring shows like "Star
Trek: Discovery" and "The Stand."
Trends
and Developments:
Original
Content: There's a massive push towards creating exclusive
content to attract subscribers. This includes movies,
series, documentaries, and even live sports.
Global
Expansion: Services are increasingly focusing on international
markets, either by offering local content or by making
their service available in more countries.
Bundling:
Companies are bundling their streaming services with
other products. For example, Disney has bundles with
Hulu and ESPN+.
Ad-Supported
Models: To combat rising costs, some platforms like
Netflix have introduced or are considering ad-supported
tiers.
Direct-to-Streaming
Releases: Movies are increasingly bypassing traditional
theatrical releases, going straight to streaming platforms,
especially noted during global health crises.
Quality
Over Quantity: While there's a lot of content, platforms
are also focusing on high-quality, award-winning productions
to stand out.
Interactive
Content: Some platforms are experimenting with interactive
movies or shows where viewers can choose the plot
direction.
Technological
Integration: Enhanced with technologies like 4K, HDR,
Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos for audio, providing
a cinematic experience at home.
Challenges:
Content
Saturation: With so many platforms, there's a risk
of content fatigue among viewers.
Churn:
Subscribers frequently switch between services based
on what's currently available, leading to high turnover.
Regulatory
Scrutiny: Issues like market dominance, content licensing,
and privacy are increasingly under regulatory lenses.
Piracy:
Despite advanced measures, piracy remains a challenge,
especially for content not easily accessible in certain
regions.
If
you're interested in a specific aspect of streaming
entertainment or want to know about recent developments
since my last update, feel free to ask! If there's
a particular service or type of content you're curious
about, I can dive deeper into those areas. (Grok)
News
Streaming
TV
Streaming
TV has revolutionized how we consume television content,
offering a vast array of shows, movies, and original
programming through internet-based platforms rather
than traditional cable or satellite TV. Here's a breakdown
of what you might be interested in regarding streaming
TV as of my last update:
Key
Players:
Netflix:
Known for its extensive library, original content
like "Stranger Things," "The Crown,"
and "Squid Game," and a global reach.
Amazon
Prime Video: Comes with an Amazon Prime subscription,
offering shows like "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,"
"The Boys," and movies, plus the integration
with shopping services.
Hulu:
Offers a mix of current TV episodes, a robust library
of older content, and originals like "The Handmaid's
Tale." It's also notable for its live TV option.
Disney+:
Focuses on family-friendly content, including Marvel,
Star Wars, Pixar, and National Geographic. Hits include
"The Mandalorian" and "WandaVision."
HBO
Max: Home to HBO's acclaimed series like "Game
of Thrones," "Chernobyl," plus a wide
range of Warner Bros. movies and new originals.
Apple
TV+: While newer, it's gaining traction with high-quality
originals like "Ted Lasso," "The Morning
Show," and "Foundation."
Peacock:
NBCUniversal's service, offering a mix of free and
premium content, including "The Office,"
"Parks and Recreation," and new originals.
Trends
and Features:
Ad-Supported
vs. Ad-Free: Many services now offer tiers where you
can choose between watching with ads for a lower price
or paying more for an ad-free experience.
Live
TV Streaming: Services like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube
TV, and Sling TV allow streaming of live broadcast
channels, appealing to sports fans and those who still
want traditional TV experiences.
Bundling:
Some platforms offer bundles with internet service
providers or other streaming services to reduce costs.
Original
Content: There's a significant push towards exclusive,
original content to differentiate services, leading
to a golden age of TV with high-quality, diverse programming.
Global
Expansion: Services are increasingly focusing on global
markets, offering localized content or subtitles/dubbing
in multiple languages.
Technological
Considerations:
4K
and HDR: Many services now offer content in 4K resolution
and HDR, enhancing viewing quality.
Offline
Viewing: Most services allow downloading content for
offline viewing, which is great for travel or areas
with poor internet.
Smart
TVs and Devices: Streaming is not just for computers
or smartphones anymore; smart TVs, streaming sticks
(like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick), and gaming consoles
have made streaming accessible on almost any screen.
Challenges:
Content
Fragmentation: With content spread across multiple
services, there's a growing issue of "streaming
fatigue" where consumers feel overwhelmed by
the number of subscriptions needed.
Price
Increases: As content quality and exclusivity rise,
so do subscription costs, leading to discussions about
the cost-effectiveness of streaming vs. traditional
cable.
Piracy:
The fragmentation and cost have somewhat revived piracy
concerns as viewers look for ways to access content
without multiple subscriptions.
If
you're looking for recommendations or have specific
questions about streaming services or shows, feel
free to ask! If there's been a significant update
or new service since my last update, you might want
to check the latest reviews or news for the most current
information. (Grok)
Streaming
Media Industry Disruptions Continue
Additional
Mergers And Acquisitions Forecast
Live
Sport Major Draw As Per Netflix
Compelling
Storylines And Series Keeps Audience Coming Back For
More As Per WWE
Combat
Sports Storytelling And Talent Elevation As Per Dana
Whites Contenders Series
Free
Services With Ads Supported Has Taken Some Audience
As Per Tubi
YouTube
Cemented As Major Challenge To Netflix
Paramount's
Quality And Iconic Movies Keep Them Valuable Commodity,
Despite Bottom Line Loss
X
Corp's X Platform One To Watch For Major Industry
Disruption; WWE Speed Deal With WWE Just A Minor Preview
Of What's On The Cards
Combat
Sports Week At Media Man; Elon Musk's X And Grok Take
Publishers, Reporters, Fans Et Al Around The World
Of Sports In A TKO Second!: Media Man
October
1, 2024
News
Alex
Pereira's Arrival for UFC 307
Alex
Pereira, known as 'Poatan', is gearing up for a highly
anticipated UFC fight at UFC 307 against Khalil Rountree
Jr., scheduled for October 2024. The fight week has
begun with both fighters, including notable figures
like Jose Aldo, checking in for the event. There's
considerable excitement around this match, primarily
due to the knockout capabilities of both fighters.
Pereira has publicly stated his intention to 'break'
Rountree, intensifying the event's buildup. Discussions
and analyses have focused on Pereira's recent UFC
activities, potential retirement, and the high stakes
of the main event, suggesting it could be one of the
most thrilling UFC main events recently. Additionally,
Khalil Rountree hinted at employing a never-before-seen
move during the fight, adding an element of mystery
and anticipation. (Grok)
News
UFC
307 and DWCS Week 8
UFC
307 is generating significant buzz, particularly for
the main event where Alex Pereira has promised an
intense confrontation against Khalil Rountree, vowing
to 'break' him. This fight is not only a highlight
of the event but also showcases both fighters' formidable
striking power, with predictions leaning towards a
knockout rather than a decision. Alongside this main
event, the UFC community is abuzz with excitement
for other matchups, discussing fighters' skills and
predicting outcomes. Concurrently, the Dana White's
Contender Series (DWCS) Week 8 is taking place, spotlighting
emerging talents like Christien Savoie, who are competing
for the chance to earn UFC contracts. The DWCS not
only serves as a platform for new fighters but also
engages fans with live events and betting odds, adding
another layer of anticipation and discussion around
the UFC's upcoming events. (Grok)
News
UFC
307 Fight Week
UFC
307, scheduled for Saturday, features a highly anticipated
main event between Alex Pereira, known for his striking
prowess, and Khalil Rountree Jr., who has hinted at
a unique move he might employ during the fight. The
event has sparked considerable interest among fans
and analysts, with discussions focusing on the fighters'
capabilities and potential outcomes. Alongside the
main event, the Dana White Contender Series (DWCS)
Week 8 is also taking place, offering emerging fighters
a chance to secure UFC contracts. Notable fighters
like Jose Aldo, Kevin Holland, and Stephen Thompson
are also highlighted, adding to the excitement with
their upcoming matches. The event is set to be broadcast
live, with various analyses and predictions circulating
among enthusiasts. (Grok)
News
Torrez
Finney's Third DWCS Victory
Torrez
Finney achieved a significant milestone by becoming
the first fighter to win three times on Dana White's
Contender Series (DWCS). In his third appearance on
DWCS, which took place on October 1, 2024, Finney
secured a first-round TKO victory over Abdellah Er-Ramy.
This performance not only marked his third win on
the series but also showcased his dominant skills,
leading to widespread acclaim across social media
platforms, particularly X (formerly known as Twitter).
Following this victory, there was a consensus among
observers and fans that not offering Finney a UFC
contract would be an oversight, given his undefeated
record and his consistent performance under the DWCS
spotlight. This achievement cements his status as
a top prospect in the middleweight division, with
many expecting him to finally receive a UFC contract.
(Grok)
News
Khalil
Rountree's Mystery Move at UFC 307
Ahead
of UFC 307, Khalil Rountree Jr. has hinted at employing
a unique, never-before-seen technique in his upcoming
fight against Alex Pereira, the current light heavyweight
champion. Rountree, known for his striking prowess,
aims to dethrone Pereira with a knockout, seeking
to establish himself as a formidable force in the
UFC. The event has drawn significant attention, with
fans and analysts speculating on Rountree's strategy
and the potential outcome of this high-stakes match.
Meanwhile, new sparring footage of Pereira with Sean
Strickland has been released, showcasing Pereira's
skills and improvement in English. Other notable fighters
like Kevin Holland and Jose Aldo are also featured
in the event, but the main event between Pereira and
Rountree remains the focal point, with expectations
set high for an explosive encounter. (Grok)
News
Diyar
Nurgozhay's Head Kick KO
Diyar
Nurgozhay recently showcased his striking prowess
at Dana White's Contender Series, where he secured
a notable victory via a head kick knockout against
Bartosz Szewczyk during the light heavyweight bout
at DWCS 74. This event took place on October 1, 2024,
at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Nurgozhay, maintaining
his undefeated record, delivered the knockout in the
second round, further solidifying his reputation in
the MMA community. This performance not only electrified
the audience but also significantly boosted his potential
for earning a UFC contract, given the platform's purpose
of scouting new talent for the UFC roster. This victory
adds to Nurgozhay's highlight reel, known for his
finishing capabilities, as he continues his journey
with an eye on the UFC. (Grok)
News
New
WWENXT Logo Debuts on The CW
WWE
NXT has introduced a new logo as part of its transition
to The CW network, marking the beginning of a new
era for the wrestling brand. The rebranding, effective
from October 1, 2024, aims to evoke a more classic
aesthetic. The debut on The CW was highlighted by
various wrestling personalities and news outlets,
with many expressing enthusiasm for the new look and
the show's premiere. The debut episode featured significant
matches, including a championship bout and a street
fight, indicating a strong start to NXT's new chapter
on The CW. (Grok)
News
Roxanne
Perez Retains NXT Title with Cora Jade's Return
Roxanne
Perez successfully defended her NXT Women's Championship
against Giulia in a recent WWE NXT event, marked by
an unexpected twist when Cora Jade returned to assist
Perez in retaining her title. This intervention was
pivotal in Perez's victory, sparking varied reactions
among fans. While some expressed disappointment with
the match's conclusion and the manner of Giulia's
defeat, others were thrilled by Cora Jade's comeback,
anticipating new storylines. Despite the controversial
finish, the match received praise for its quality.
(Grok)
News
Mixed
Reactions to New NXT Titles
Based
on the information gathered from posts on X and general
web sentiment, the introduction of new NXT titles
has generated a mix of reactions among fans and observers:
Design
Critique: There's a noticeable divide over the aesthetic
of the new NXT titles. Some fans have expressed a
preference for the previous designs, particularly
the "rainbow titles" which were admired
for their vibrant yet balanced color scheme. The new
designs have been described by some as less appealing
initially, but there's an acknowledgment that acceptance
might grow over time. For instance, one user likened
the transition in perception from the old to the new
titles humorously, suggesting that while the initial
reaction might be negative, eventual adaptation is
expected.
Nostalgia
and Change: The change in title designs seems to reflect
broader changes within NXT, including its move to
The CW network. This shift has stirred mixed feelings,
with some fans feeling nostalgic about the "black
and gold" era of NXT, which these new titles
symbolically depart from. However, there's also excitement
about what this change could mean for NXT's future,
especially with the involvement of figures like Shawn
Michaels in crafting the new era.
Performance
and Presentation: Despite mixed feelings about the
titles' design, there's a consensus on the quality
of the matches and the presentation of NXT on The
CW. The debut of NXT on this new platform, highlighted
by significant matches like Ethan Page vs. Trick Williams
for the NXT Title, and the involvement of high-profile
figures or matchups, indicates that while the titles
themselves might be divisive, the content and direction
of NXT are still highly anticipated and discussed.
Fan
Engagement: The new titles have certainly engaged
the fanbase, sparking conversations not just about
design but about what these changes signify for NXT's
identity and its place within WWE's broader ecosystem.
This engagement ranges from criticism to cautious
optimism, with some fans seeing it as a necessary
evolution for NXT to stand out in the crowded landscape
of wrestling entertainment.
Cultural
and Identity Shifts: There's an underlying discussion
about what these titles represent for NXT's brand
identity. Some fans have humorously or critically
remarked on the choice of design, questioning if it
aligns with NXT's desire to carve out a unique identity
or if it's merely a shift for the sake of change.
This touches on broader themes of brand evolution
and fan acceptance of change in professional wrestling.
In
summary, while the new NXT titles have sparked a variety
of reactions from critique over their design to nostalgia
for previous eras, there's an underlying excitement
about the narrative and performance aspects of NXT's
new chapter. The conversation around these titles
encapsulates fans' emotional connection to NXT's history
and their hopes or concerns for its future under its
new presentation. (Grok)
News
Wes
Lee Wins Street Fight at WWENXT
During
a recent WWE NXT event, Wes Lee defeated Zachary Wentz
in a highly praised street fight. The match, described
as both brutal and entertaining, featured intense
action characteristic of street fights. Both wrestlers
received acclaim for their performance, with fans
and commentators noting the match as a highlight of
the evening's programming. The fight included dramatic
moments, such as Wentz missing a table dive, adding
to the spectacle. This victory for Wes Lee was celebrated,
with many expressing enthusiasm for the match's quality
and hoping for future encounters between the two.
(Grok)
News
WWE
Bad Blood
WWE
Bad Blood is making a comeback in 2024, marking the
fourth event under this name and the first since 2004.
Here's what you need to know:
Event
Date and Location: The event is scheduled for Saturday,
October 5, 2024, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta,
Georgia. This date coincides with the 27th anniversary
of the first Bad Blood event.
Broadcast
Details: Bad Blood 2024 will be available via traditional
pay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and will also air on
WWE's streaming platforms, specifically Peacock in
the United States and WWE Network internationally.
Historical
Significance: The original Bad Blood in 1997 introduced
the Hell in a Cell match, which has been a staple
of the event, including in its previous iterations
in 2003 and 2004.
Matches
and Card: One of the main matches includes Liv Morgan
vs. Rhea Ripley for the Womens World Championship,
with a unique twist where Dominik Mysterio will be
suspended above the ring in a shark cage to prevent
interference.
There's
also speculation and reports about a Hell in a Cell
match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre, though there
was some uncertainty about whether this would be the
main event or if a tag team match involving Roman
Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Solo Sikoa, and possibly Jacob
Fatu would close the show. However, recent discussions
and fan reactions suggest a strong possibility of
Punk vs. McIntyre main eventing due to the historical
significance of Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood.
Themes
and Anniversaries: The event is not only a nod to
its own history but also leverages the anniversary
of the first Hell in a Cell match. The involvement
of high-profile figures like CM Punk, Drew McIntyre,
and the intertwining storylines with Roman Reigns
and Cody Rhodes adds layers to the event's narrative.
Fan
and Industry Buzz: There's considerable excitement
around the return of Bad Blood, especially concerning
how WWE will utilize the Hell in a Cell structure
this time, given its history with the event. Fan posts
on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) show anticipation
for the matches, particularly the potential main events,
and how WWE might script the outcomes to impact ongoing
WWE storylines.
This
event represents not just a wrestling spectacle but
a significant moment in WWE's calendar, blending nostalgia
with current rivalries, making Bad Blood 2024 a must-watch
for WWE fans. (Grok)
News
Beterbiev
vs Bivol: Clash of the Undefeated
The
latest on Beterbiev vs. Bivol, titled "Clash
of the Undefeated," centers around their upcoming
fight scheduled for October 12, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia. Here's what's been circulating and reported:
Fight
Details: Artur Beterbiev (20-0, 20 KOs) will face
Dmitry Bivol (23-0, 12 KOs) in a unification bout
for the IBF, WBC, WBO, and WBA light heavyweight titles,
marking a significant event in boxing as both fighters
are undefeated.
Beterbiev's
Condition: After a knee injury forced a postponement
from an initially planned June fight, Beterbiev has
confirmed his 100% recovery and readiness for this
bout. His approach to training and recovery underscores
his intent to maintain his 100% knockout record.
Bivol's
Perspective: Dmitry Bivol has expressed that this
fight is not personal but a professional challenge
to become the undisputed champion. His strategy likely
involves his well-known boxing skills, with an emphasis
on counterpunching and movement, aiming to possibly
outbox or even, as speculated by some like Chris Algieri,
potentially knock down Beterbiev.
Public
and Expert Opinions: There's a mix of predictions
and excitement around this match. Some fans and analysts
believe Bivol's boxing IQ and defensive skills might
give him an edge, while others favor Beterbiev's relentless
pressure and knockout power. The discussion often
revolves around whether Bivol's style can withstand
or adapt to Beterbiev's aggressive tactics.
Undercard
and Event: The undercard features notable fights,
enhancing the event's appeal. Names like Chris Eubank
Jr., Fabio Wardley, and Jai Opetaia add to the night's
boxing spectacle.
General
Sentiment: The fight is widely anticipated as one
of the biggest in 2024, not just for the titles at
stake but for the clash of styles and the potential
for defining moments in both fighters' careers. The
narrative around this fight often highlights the rarity
of seeing two such high-caliber, undefeated champions
facing off, especially at light heavyweight.
This
event is not just a fight for belts but is seen as
a significant moment in boxing, where the outcome
could solidify one fighter's legacy or dramatically
alter perceptions of both in the sport. (Grok)
News
AEW
Dynamite 5-Year Anniversary Show
The
AEW Dynamite 5-Year Anniversary Show, set for October
2, 2024, at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh,
PA, is gearing up to be a landmark event for All Elite
Wrestling. Here's what's on the slate based on the
latest information:
Main
Event: A high-stakes, title-for-title match is scheduled
where Bryan Danielson will defend his AEW World Championship
against Kazuchika Okada, who is bringing his AEW Continental
Championship into the match. However, there's a twist:
Okada's championship will only be on the line for
the first 20 minutes of the match. If the match goes
beyond that, only Danielson's AEW World Championship
remains in contention.
Another
Title Defense: Will Ospreay will defend his AEW International
Championship against Ricochet. This match has been
highlighted as part of the anniversary celebration.
Other
Matches:
Hangman Adam Page is set to face Juice Robinson. Dr.
Britt Baker, D.M.D. will return for a match, although
the opponent hasn't been specified in the latest updates
provided, there was mention of her facing Serena Deeb
in some fan discussions or reports.
Special
Features: The episode is not just about the matches
but also about celebrating five years of AEW Dynamite.
Tony Khan, AEW's President, has teased a significant
announcement which could potentially set the tone
for the future of AEW. This adds an element of anticipation
beyond the in-ring action.
Broadcast
Details: The show will have a significant overrun,
courtesy of TBS Network, indicating more content than
the usual runtime, possibly to accommodate the extra
matches or the celebration elements.
This
anniversary episode is not just a showcase of wrestling
talent but also a milestone for AEW, marking its growth
and the journey it has had over the past five years.
The inclusion of champion vs. champion matches underscores
AEW's commitment to big matches on big nights, promising
fans a memorable event to commemorate this occasion.
(Grok)
News
Danielson
vs. Okada: Title-for-Title Match
On
the 5-year anniversary of AEW Dynamite, a significant
wrestling event is scheduled for October 2, 2024,
in Pittsburgh, PA, where Bryan Danielson, the AEW
World Champion, will face Kazuchika Okada, holder
of the AEW Continental Title. This match is unique
as it features a title-for-title stipulation with
a twist: the Continental Championship, which usually
has a 20-minute time limit, will only be at stake
for the first 20 minutes of the match. However, the
World Championship, with its 60-minute time limit,
will remain in contention for the entire duration.
This setup has sparked varied reactions among wrestling
fans, with some questioning the effectiveness of the
stipulation, while others are excited about the potential
of the match. The event is set to be a highlight of
AEW Dynamite's milestone celebration, pitting two
of wrestling's top talents against each other in what
promises to be a memorable clash. (Grok)
News
Conor
McGregor's Stroll on Emirates Pitch
Conor
McGregor was spotted walking around the Emirates Stadium
pitch following Arsenal's victory over PSG in the
Champions League. Videos and photos showed McGregor
enjoying himself, including interactions with Arsenal
player Declan Rice. This appearance led to various
reactions and discussions online, with many finding
amusement in McGregor's post-match activities. Meanwhile,
Arsenal secured a 2-0 win against PSG, with goals
from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. The match also marked
the debut of Mikel Merino for Arsenal, who joined
from Real Sociedad. Additionally, Thomas Partey was
highlighted for his exceptional performance during
the game. However, there were concerns about Jurrien
Timber, who felt a muscular issue during the match,
prompting Arsenal to manage his playing time carefully.
(Grok)
Combat
Sports News/Profile via Grok
Combat
sports encompass a wide range of athletic competitions
where the primary objective is to physically subdue
an opponent. Here's a brief overview of some popular
forms:
1.
Boxing
Origin:
Ancient Greece, but modern boxing is often associated
with 18th-19th century England.
Rules:
Competitors use only their fists, wearing gloves,
and aim to score points by landing punches on the
opponent's upper body or head. A fight can end by
knockout (KO), technical knockout (TKO), or points
decision.
2.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Origin:
While various forms of mixed combat have existed historically,
modern MMA was popularized through events like the
UFC starting in the 1990s.
Rules:
Allows a mix of striking and grappling techniques
from various martial arts. Fighters can win by knockout,
submission (tap out), judges' decision, or disqualification.
3.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Origin:
Derived from judo in Brazil in the early 20th century,
made famous by the Gracie family.
Rules:
Emphasizes ground fighting and submission holds. Competitors
aim to force a submission through joint locks or chokeholds.
Points can also be scored for position control and
takedowns.
4.
Wrestling
Freestyle
and Greco-Roman: Common in the Olympics, Greco-Roman
restricts holds below the waist.
Professional
Wrestling (Pro Wrestling): More entertainment-focused,
with choreographed matches, high flying moves, and
storylines.
5.
Kickboxing
Origin:
A group of stand-up combat sports based on kicking
and punching. It evolved from Karate, Muay Thai, and
Western boxing.
Rules:
Similar to boxing but includes kicks. Variants include
allowing knee strikes and elbows (influenced by Muay
Thai).
6.
Muay Thai
Origin:
Thailand, known as the "Art of Eight Limbs"
because it uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees.
Rules:
Similar to kickboxing but with a heavier emphasis
on clinching (a kind of standing grapple) and use
of all eight points of contact.
7.
Judo
Origin:
Japan, developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century
as a physical, mental, and moral pedagogy.
Rules:
Based on throws (Nage-waza) and ground techniques
(Katame-waza). The objective is to either throw or
takedown an opponent to the ground, immobilize them,
or force a submission through joint locks or strangles.
8.
Karate
Origin:
Okinawa, Japan, with influences from Chinese martial
arts.
Styles:
Many styles with different focuses, but generally
emphasizes striking with punches, kicks, knee strikes,
and open-hand techniques like knife-hands.
9.
Taekwondo
Origin:
Korea, developed in the 1940s and 1950s.
Rules: Known for its high, fast, and spinning kicks.
Competitors
score points in Olympic Taekwondo for strikes to the
torso or head.
10.
Krav Maga
Origin:
Israel, designed as a self-defense system for the
Israel Defense Forces.
Rules:
Not typically a sport, but some organizations hold
competitions. Focuses on real-world scenarios, aiming
to neutralize threats quickly and efficiently.
Each
combat sport has its unique culture, training methods,
and competitive environments, reflecting diverse historical,
cultural, and practical contexts. If you're interested
in any particular sport, each has its own set of governing
bodies, leagues, and famous athletes or events that
could be explored further! (Grok)
Media
Man
News
Streaming
Movies Top 10 (North America)
August
27, 2024
1.
Furiosa (Max)
2.
The Union (Netflix)
3.
Jackpot (Prime Video)
4.
The Instigators (Apple TV+)
5.
Alien (Hulu)
6.
The Bikeriders (Peacock)
7.
Immaculate (Hulu)
8.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (Hulu)
9.
Alien: Covenant (Hulu)
10.
Twister (Max)
News
Top
10 Streaming TV (North America)
August
27, 2024
1.
Bad Monkey (Apple TV+)
2.
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)
3.
Industry (Max)
4.
The Bear (Hulu)
5.
From (Prime Video)
6.
Presumed Innocent (Apple TV+)
7.
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
8.
Time Bandits (Apple TV+)
9.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Netflix)
10.
Evil (Paramount+)
Media
Man
News
(Australia) via Roy Morgan
Shares
climb for fifth session; miners drop
August
16, 2024
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
The
Australian sharemarket posted another modest gain
on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 adding 0.2 per
cent to close at 7,865.5 points. NRW Holdings rose
9.7 per cent to $3.50, Magellan Financial Group was
up 7.6 per cent at $10.44. However, a fall in the
iron ore price weighed on local producers of the steel
input, with Fortescue down 2.9 per cent at $16.82
and Rio Tinto retreating 3.6 per cent to end the session
at $108.40.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
News
Apple
opens up tap-and-go but banks wary
Westpac
CEO Peter King has welcomed an announcement by Apple
that it will allow banks to offer payments directly
from their customers' iPhones without the use of its
Apple Pay platform. Apple's decision appears to have
been forced upon it by a European antitrust deal in
July, with Australia's banks having been involved
in an ongoing stoush with Apple in a bid to force
it to open up its devices to other financial services
operators. King said Apple's decision could result
in more competition and choice for consumers.
News
ASIC
'was warned about problems with ASX CHESS upgrade'
The
Australian Securities & Investments Commission
launched legal action against the ASX this week, alleging
it made "misleading and deceptive" statements
to investors about the status of the upgrade of the
CHESS clearing and settlement system. It has been
revealed that a technology vendor that was liaising
with the ASX in regard to the CHESS upgrade wrote
a letter to ASIC in 2021 outlining various concerns
it had about the upgrade, while former Sydney Futures
Exchange and ASX senior manager Phillip Galvin raised
concerns over the CHESS program with the then Reserve
Bank assistant governor Michele Bullock in 2021.
News
Qld
govt, Rio forge deal to keep smelter viable
Rio
Tinto wrote off the value of its stake in the Boyne
smelter aluminium smelter in 2023, citing high energy
costs. However, the resources group has committed
to operating Boyne at full capacity until the end
of 2040 after securing a deal with the Queensland
government that is believed to include subsidised
energy costs for the smelter. Premier Steven Miles
says the Rio Tinto deal will help protect Queensland
jobs; the Gladstone smelter directly employs more
than 1,000 people and boasts annual production capacity
of more than 500,000 tonnes of aluminium.
News
Virtual
power plant as big as coal power station
Origin
Energy has used the release of its annual results
on Thursday to advise that its virtual power plant
had grown to 1.385 gigawatts from 815 megawatts last
year, with 1.385 gigawatts equating to the size of
an average coal-fired power station. It comes a day
after AGL stated that its virtual power plant had
grown to 1.25GW from 1.1GW last year. Virtual power
plants are 'aggregations' of customer-owned energy
resources such as solar panels, home batteries and
electric vehicle chargers; they can be commandeered
by an energy retailer with the customer's permission
during grid 'squeezes' to avert blackouts and moderate
prices.
News
KPMG
partner income slides 9pc to $650,000
Consulting
firm KPMG has reported 2023-24 revenue of $2.2 billion,
down 3.6 per cent, while average partner income was
down nine per cent to $650,000; KPMG's average partner
income compares to average partner income of about
$814,000 at EY and between $430,000 and $516,000 at
Deloitte. Like its consulting firm rivals, KPMG has
been hit by the downturn in demand for advisory services
from the public sector, while private sector demand
is down as a result of companies cutting costs in
response to higher interest rates.
News
Judge
slams Victoria over class actions
NSW
Chief Justice Andrew Bell has told the Association
of Litigation Funders that 2020 legislation in Victoria
that introduced contingency fees had "skewed"
the market for class actions. He noted there had been
a blanket prohibition on contingency fees prior to
then, and that the new class action regime in Victoria
had overridden both solicitor conduct rules and the
Legal Profession Uniform Law (LUPL) of 2015. Bell
claims the recent increase in the number of class
actions being filed in Victoria was not because of
the quality of its judges but because of the opportunity
for solicitors "to take a slice of the outcome
of litigation".
News
Telstra
rejigs game plan
Telstra
is to ask the federal government to reconsider the
so-called universal service obligation, which requires
it to connect Australians through a copper network
at a time when the use of home phones is on the decline.
The network is still used for home phones and some
NBN connections, but Telstra is suggesting it could
be replaced in some areas with quicker satellite connections
or other technologies that make it easier to download
data. Telstra's call for the universal service obligation
to be changed came as it reported its latest annual
results, with its net profit for the 12 months to
June 30 down 13 per cent to $1.79 billion.
News
'Woefully
short': Dearth of cyber security specialists leaves
Australians vulnerable
A
report by security firm StickmanCyber claims Australia
has just 11,300 cyber security workers spread across
hundreds of thousands of businesses, with StickmanCyber
CEO Ajay Unni saying the number of cyber security
specialists is "woefully short" of what
is required to combat modern cyber security threats.
StickmanCyber's report also found that just 16 per
cent of cyber security workers in Australia are female,
while the majority of them are migrant workers; its
report comes at a time when Australia has experienced
a big increase in cyber attacks on companies in recent
times, with those on Optus and Medibank two of the
more notable ones.
News
IV
scandal: excuses are fluid
The
Therapeutic Goods Administration is claiming that
there is a global shortage of intravenous fluids such
as saline, but health authorities in other parts of
the world do not seem to be having the same problems
as Australia, where hospitals are experiencing a severe
shortage of IV fluid bags. People from within the
pharmaceutical industry contend the IV crisis is due
to the lack of a functional national procurement policy,
with state governments each having contracts for the
supply of saline fluid. For its part, the TGA states
that the federal government is working with state
and territory governments, and with private hospitals,
to minimise any impact on patient care.
News
Bookies
join call to ban gambling ads on jerseys
Bookmaking
firms Sportsbet, Pointsbet and Entain contend that
excluding wagering companies' logos on jerseys and
signs at stadiums from a clampdown on gambling advertising
on TV is "illogical". Sportsbet is the biggest
online bookmaker and the sector's largest advertiser,
and it is the first time it has publicly backed a
ban on wagering logos on jerseys and signs. Their
comments come as the federal government continues
to come under attack for its apparent reluctance to
implement a complete ban on gambling advertising,
as recommended by a bipartisan inquiry led by late
Labor MP Peta Murphy.
News
Casinos
to get cash reprieve in NSW after carded play delay
A
spokesperson for NSW Gaming Minister David Harris
has confirmed that The Star Sydney and Crown Barangaroo
casinos will be able to accept cash bets of up to
$5,000 for another 12 months, instead being limited
to $1,000 from Monday as was previously planned. The
spokesman also said that Harris had agreed to extend
The Star's deadline to roll out mandatory carded play
across its operations until 19 October, with the extension
of the deadline by a month coming as a result of a
request from new Star CEO Steve McCann.
News
United
States
Signed
up to Disney+? Disney says you can never sue the company,
even for wrongful death
An
American man is suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
over the death of his wife, with Jeffrey Piccolo claiming
she died as a result of an allergic reaction to food
served at an eatery in Walt Disney World Resort. Disney
is seeking to have the case thrown out because Piccolo
had previously signed up to a free trial of Disney+,
and that in doing so he had agreed never to sue it.
His lawyers have described Disney's argument as "absurd",
while they also argue while he may have agreed to
its term, he did not do so on behalf of his wife or
her estate.
News
Live
music industry on its knees and pleading for a government
lifeline on insurance costs
An
increasing number of Australian music festivals are
being cancelled or deferred, with many citing increased
insurance costs as one of the main reasons for their
action. Live music venues are also being hit by higher
insurance costs, with one Adelaide pub reporting an
increase in its public liability insurance from $10,000
to $40,000 as a result of it offering live music.
The National Cultural Policy Senate inquiry used its
interim report to recommend that the federal government
work with festival providers and the insurance sector
to reduce insurance premiums for festivals, as well
as investigating options to ensure "access to
insurance is available to small and medium operators".
News
Mining
And Resources
Pilbara
takes $560m punt on Brazil lithium project
Lithium
producer Pilbara Minerals will diversity its operations
beyond Western Australia with a takeover bid for Latin
Resources, which owns the Salinas project in Brazil.
Pilbara Minerals is offering 0.07 of its shares for
every share in Latin Resources, valuing the latter
at about $560m. Pilbara Minerals CEO Dale Henderson
has defended the takeover bid for Latin Resources,
amid doubts among some analysts about the merits of
the deal. Kaan Peker from RBC Capital Markets contends
that there may be few synergies given the distance
between WA and Brazil.
News
Indonesia
learns a lesson from cosying up to China
Chinese
investments have helped Indonesia to become the world's
dominant producer of nickel, which is a key mineral
in the production of electric vehicles. However, the
Chinese investment in its nickel sector makes it difficult
for Indonesia to access the tax credits available
under the US Inflation Reduction Act; tax credits
are not available to minerals produced by companies
with more than 25 per cent Chinese ownership, with
China viewed as a 'foreign entity of concern".
Another problem that Indonesia has in regard to accessing
the IRA tax credits is that it does not have a free
trade agreement with the US, which is a requirement
for its nickel to be IRA-compliant.
News
Inquiry
leaves door ajar for WA gas exports
A
Western Australian parliamentary inquiry has concluded
that the state's onshore gas producers should be permitted
to export their output, so long as the sector can
address a looming domestic shortage, with WA facing
a shortfall of up to 30 per cent of its total gas
demand in the next decade. Onshore gas producers have
argued that being able to export gas would make it
easier for them to access greater international investment,
and produce more domestic gas, while Wesfarmers and
other large gas consumers oppose overturning the current
ban on onshore producers exporting their gas.
News
Chinese
cuts drive iron ore price to 21-month low
The
price of iron ore has fallen to its lowest point since
November 2022, being at $95.25 a tonne, with the price
of iron ore having topped $US144 on 3 January. It
comes after the National Bureau of Statistics of China
revealed that steel production in July was 82.94 million
tonnes, down nine per cent on the previous month,
while production for the first seven months of 2024
was down 2.2 per cent on the same seven months in
2023; China Baowu Steel, the country's largest steel
maker, has warned the sector faces a crisis more severe
than the downturns of 2008 and 2015.
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
crypto.com

Currencies
Bitcoin
News Cryptocurrency
News Gold
News
Media
Man News Facebook
Google
News
Search
Engine Directory
MediaManNews.net
Media
and Marketing News
Big
Tech Media
Bitcoin
News
Wrestling
News Boxing
News MMA
News


Media
Services
PRNEWS.IO

EIN
Presswire
EIN
Presswire Deal via Media Man Group
Media
Release aka Press Release (Media Man Int0
Media
Directory
Fox
Business wins Media Man 'Business Website Of The Month'
and "News Media Website Of The Month' award
News
Articles On Pop Culture, Entertainment, Sports, Casino,
Wrestling...
News,
Politics, Art, Illustrations, Creative, Content and
more showcased via Media Man Facebook and social media;
Art and news do mix
LinkedIn
News wins Media Man News Agreggator Of The Month
award again;
LinkedIn
News Australia is runner-up
'Powerhouse':
WWE, UFC merge to create $21b sporting giant

Expert.
Experience. Authority. Trustworthiness
News
Niche
media, marketing and media campaigns the way to go,
says Media Man agency
WWEs
Triple H: Roman Reigns-Cody Rhodes story not over,
By Mike Mooneyham

Cryptocurrency
News via Media Man and FxPro
FxPro
PxPro:
News

July
1, 2024
Buyers
failed to pick up on the crypto market
Market
picture
The
crypto market has been enjoying an influx of buyers
since Saturday, with a visible acceleration on Monday.
Over the past 24 hours, capitalisation has risen 3.6%
to $2.33 trillion. Last weeks drop in the crypto
sentiment index to 30 (fear zone) reversed the price
twice, showing that the market is dominated by a buy
the dip pattern.
Bitcoin
is trading near $63.3K, adding 5% since Saturday morning
and reaffirming the importance of support at 61.8%
of the Jan-March rally. From another perspective,
Bitcoin is adding and bouncing off the lower boundary
of the downward channel. Likely, the price is now
moving towards the upper boundary at $67K. However,
cautious buyers may prefer to wait for confirmation
with the price rising above $72-73K - the pivot area
of the last four months - which would be confirmation
of the start of a new impulsive wave of growth.
Bitcoin
ended June down 8.5% to $61.9K. In terms of seasonality,
July is considered quite successful for BTC, adding
eight times (22.3% on average) out of the last 13
and declining on five occasions (-7.8% on average).
News
background
In
terms of on-chain analysis, quotes have crossed the
realised price level of short-term holders at $62,000,
which historically can act as support during corrections
in bull markets.
According
to Arkham data, German authorities sent another 595
BTC worth ~$36.6 million to crypto exchanges on 26
June. Authorities began actively moving the cryptocurrency
on 19 June, when some of it first hit the Kraken and
Bitstamp exchanges.
Bitwise
forecasts net inflows into spot ETH-ETFs in the US
of $15bn in the first 18 months. Bloomberg expects
trading in the new product to start on 2 July.
Solana
Foundation has launched tools that enable it to turn
any website or app into a gateway for cryptocurrency
payments and other blockchain transactions.
On
26 June, the Blast development team completed the
first phase of an airdrop, distributing 17 billion
BLAST tokens (17% of the total issuance). Blast is
an Ethereum-based layer 2 (L2) network that was launched
in November 2023 by Blur founder under the pseudonym
Pacman. In terms of blockchain value locked (TVL),
the Blast ecosystem is ranked sixth in the DeFi Llama
ranking with a value of $1.58bn.
Media Man Int
Business
News (Media Man Int) http://mediamanint.com/articles/business_news.html
Bitcoin
News (Media Man Int) http://mediamanint.com/bitcoin_news.html
Blockchain
News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/blockchain_news.html
Cryptocurrency
News (Media Man Int) http://mediamanint.com/cryptocurrency_news.html
Gold
Directory (Media Man Int) http://mediamanint.com/articles/gold_directory.html
Mining
Directory (Media Man Int) *in progress http://mediamanint.com/articles/mining_directory.html
Commodities
News (Media Man Int) *in progress http://mediamanint.com/commodities_news.html
Punk,
Danielson would give All Elite Wrestling big boost
- August 8th, 2021

How
UFC Got Social Media Right; WWE taking the fight online
via social media and people power

Pop
Culture/Streaming Entertainment
Top
10 Movies Streaming (United States)
1.
The Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (Hulu)
2.
Deadpool 2 (Disney+)
3.
Twister (Max)
4.
Deadpool (Disney+)
5.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Netflix)
6.
Tarot (Netflix)
7.
If (Paramount+)
8.
Wicked Little Letters (Netflix)
9.
Challengers (MGM+)
10.
Abigail (Peacock)
Others
The
Beekeeper (Prime Video)
Find
Me Falling (Netflix)
My
Spy: The Eternal City (Netflix)
*correct
at time of publication
Streaming
TV (United States)
Top
10 TV
1.
House of the Dragon (Max)
2.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder (Netflix)
3.
Presumed Innocent (Apple TV+)
4.
Batman: Caped Crusader (Prime Video)
5.
Time Bandits (Apple TV+)
6.
The Decameron (Netflix)
7.
The Bear (Hulu)
8.
The Boys (Prime Video)
9.
Mayor of Kingstown (Paramount+)
10.
Evil (Paramount+)
Streaming
Service
An
online provider of entertainment (music, movies, multi-episode
series, etc.) that delivers content over an Internet
connection to the subscriber's computer, TV or mobile
device.
Netflix,
Amazon Prime, Binge (Australia), Kayo Sports (Australia),
Hulu, HBO, Disney, ESPN Plus, Gaia, Passionflix, Spotify,
Discovery, Peacock, Paramount Plus, Triller TV, UFC
Fight Pass, WWE Network and Apple TV+ are examples
of paid streaming services.
Examples
of free services include Amazon ABC iView, Freedive,
Free TV, Hoopla, Kanopy, Pluto TV, Roku Channel, Snagfilms,
Sony Crackle, SBS On Demand, Tubi TV, VUDU and Xumo.
Media
Man Int
Media
Man Int X

Elon
Musks X Files Antitrust Suit Against Global
Advertising Alliance
August
6, 2024

Elon
Musks social media platform X has launched a
significant antitrust lawsuit against the Global Alliance
for Responsible Media (GARM) and several of its member
companies, alleging an illegal ad boycott that targeted
the platform. The lawsuit, filed in Texas, is aimed
at GARM, its parent firm World Federation of Advertisers
(WFA), and members including CVS Health, Mars, Orsted
and Unilever.
In
an open letter to advertisers, X CEO Linda Yaccarino
highlighted the reasons behind the lawsuit, stating
that it was a direct response to GARMs actions
which allegedly cost the company billions of dollars.
This is not a decision we took lightly, but
it is a direct consequence of their actions,
Yaccarino wrote. The illegal behavior of these
organizations and their executives cost X billions
of dollars per The New York Post.
The
lawsuit is seeking trebled compensatory damages and
injunctive relief, according to a complaint viewed
by The New York Post. GARM, led by Robert Rakowitz,
is an initiative of the WFA, which represents many
of the worlds largest companies and ad organizations,
including Disney and Coca-Cola. Its members control
90% of global marketing spending, nearly $1 trillion
per year.
Yaccarino
emphasized that the issue extends beyond financial
damages. This case is about more than damages
we have to fix a broken ecosystem that allows
this illegal activity to occur, she added.
According
to The New York Post, the suit argues that the boycott
undermined the marketplace of ideas by financially
harming certain viewpoints over others. (Credit: PYMNTS)
Full
article and coverage via PYMNTS
https://pymnts.com/cpi-posts/elon-musks-x-files-antitrust-suit-against-global-advertising-alliance/
PYMNTS
is a former Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of The
Month' award winner and finalist
News
Elon
Musk takes GARM, several companies to court over alleged
advertising boycott of X outlined in bombshell report
August
7, 2024

Tech
billionaire Elon Musk has taken several companies
and an advertising alliance to court over allegations
of a "boycott" of X.
Elon
Musk has waged war against advertisers
as his social media platform X filed an antitrust
lawsuit against a global ad alliance and several major
companies, accusing them of illegally boycotting the
site.
X
filed a suit in a federal court in Texas against the
World Federation of Advertisers (WFA), the Global
Alliance for Responsible Media (GARM) and its members
CVS Health, Mars, Orsted and Unilever.
The
suit comes after a report from the US House of Representatives
Judiciary Committee found GARM and its members directly
organised boycotts and employed other indirect
tactics to target disfavoured platforms, content
creators and news organisations to demonetise
them.
It
alleges that GARMs boycott led advertisers to
pull money from X under the guise of brand safety
concerns.
Xs
CEO Linda Yaccarino argued this tactic hindered users
on the social media platform from accessing a wide
breadth of ideas by funding alternative viewpoints.
The
consequence - perhaps the intent - of this boycott
was to seek to deprive Xs users, be they sports
fans, gamers, journalists, activists, parents or political
and corporate leaders, of the Global Town Square,
she wrote.
To
put it simply, people are hurt when the marketplace
of ideas is undermined and some viewpoints are not
funded over others as part of an illegal boycott.
Mr
Musk shared his colleagues statement to the
platform and boldly declared: We tried peace
for 2 years, now it is war.
He
later encouraged any company who has been systematically
boycotted to file a suit.
Following
his post, video sharing platform Rumble joined Mr
Musks lawsuit, claiming it has also been impacted
towards GARMs alleged skew away from right wing
voices and ideologies.
The
platform announced its move on X where it accused
GARM of being a conspiracy to perpetrate an
advertiser boycott of Rumble and others, and that's
illegal.
Since
Musk took over the social media platform in October
2022, X has suffered a serious dive in ad dollars
with the platform taking in US$2.5 billion in 2023,
according to Bloomberg.
This
was down from the US$1bn it was bringing in every
quarter of 2022.
Musk
triggered controversy again in November 2023 when
he endorsed an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that
Jewish communities push hatred against whites.
The
X owner responded: You have said the actual
truth, sparking an advertiser exodus that was
reported to have lost the company as much as $75m,
per The New York Times.
He
made headlines again in the same month after blasting
advertisers boycotting the social media platform,
boldly declaring: Go f**k yourself.
If
somebody is going to try to blackmail me with advertising,
blackmail me with money, go f**k yourself. Go f**k
yourself. Is that clear? I hope it is, he said.
(Sky News Australia)
Full
article and coverage via Sky News Australia
https://www.skynews.com.au/business/media/elon-musk-takes-garm-several-companies-to-court-over-alleged-advertising-boycott-of-x-outlined-in-bombshell-report/news-story/7bac6243aada770042d14ca84afc23e7
Technology
News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/news3.html
Advertising
News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/advertising_news.html
Media
News (Media Man Int) https://mediamanint.com/news2.html
Yahoo
Finance wins Media Man 'Business News Outlet Of
The Month' award

PYMNTS
wins Media Man 'Businees News Outlet Of The Month'
award


Market,
Commodities and Financial News Snapshot via Media
Man
August
7, 2024
Australian
Dollar: $0.6520 USD (up $0.0024 USD)
Iron
Ore Sep Spot Price (SGX): $102.85 USD (down $0.70
USD)
Oil
Price (WTI): $72.96 USD (down $1.02 USD)
Gold
Price: $2,389.45 USD (down $19.96 USD)
Copper
Price (CME): $4.0095 USD (up $0.0085 USD)
Bitcoin:
$56,485.71 USD (up 3.10% in last 24 hours)
Dow
Jones: 38,997.66 at 5.02pm NY time (up 294.39 points
on yesterday's close)
(Roy
Morgan Summary)
Paramount+
to become an Official Partner of Formula 1 in a new
multi-year deal

Sports
Streaming Operators, News and Promotions: Brands,
Breaking News
Super
Bowl LVII Will Be "Monumental" Day in History...Here's
What Bettors Are Backing (Gambling911)
Super
Bowl - American Football - WWE sports entertainment
connection
AI
News
Elon
Musk: News Google
News Search
News Property
News Casino
News
Super
Bowl LVII Will Be "Monumental" Day in History...Here's
What Bettors Are Backing (Gambling911)
Sports
News Update
X's
Grok Helps Keep Online Publishers, Newsrooms Up To
Speed; Media Man
August
2, 2024
News
U.F.C.
Abu Dhabi Fight Card
The
UFC event in Abu Dhabi on August 3rd, 2024, is generating
significant discussion among fans and analysts. The
main event features Umar Nurmagomedov against Cory
Sandhagen, with Nurmagomedov being favored by many.
The card includes other notable fighters like Deiveson
Figueiredo, Marlon Vera, and Shara. Predictions and
betting odds are being shared across social media,
and Khabib Nurmagomedov is expected to be in Umar's
corner. The event is free to watch on ABC Network,
further enhancing its accessibility and viewership.
Tony Ferguson has expressed his desire to continue
fighting in the UFC, while other fighters like Figueiredo
and Vera are also generating interest among fans.
The event promises to be an exciting showcase of talent
and competition in the world of mixed martial arts.
(Grok)
News
UFC
Abu Dhabi Event
The
upcoming UFC event in Abu Dhabi on August 2, 2024,
is generating significant buzz, featuring a main event
between undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen.
The event is free to watch on ABC Network and includes
notable fighters such as Deiveson Figueiredo and Marlon
Vera. The card also features Tony Ferguson, who has
expressed his desire to continue fighting in the UFC.
The event is anticipated to be a major one, with Khabib
Nurmagomedov expected to be in Umar's corner. Betting
predictions and discussions are prevalent across social
media platforms, with various analysts and fans sharing
their insights and picks for the fights.
News
Survivor
Series: WarGames in Vancouver
WWE
has announced that Survivor Series 2024 will be held
in Vancouver, Canada, marking the first WWE pay-per-view
event in the city since 1998. The event, featuring
the WarGames match format, is scheduled for November
30 at Rogers Arena. This decision has sparked excitement
among wrestling fans and local residents, with many
expressing enthusiasm about attending the event in
Vancouver. (Grok)
News
SummerSlam
Predictions and Anticipation
WWE
SummerSlam 2024 is generating significant anticipation
among fans, with many expressing excitement and making
predictions about the outcomes of various matches.
Key discussions revolve around potential returns of
prominent wrestlers such as Roman Reigns and The Rock,
as well as the outcomes of matches like Cody Rhodes
vs. Solo Sikoa and Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley. The
event is set to feature a variety of matches that
fans are eagerly awaiting, including those involving
LA Knight, Logan Paul, and Gunther. The overall sentiment
is one of excitement and speculation, with fans looking
forward to a thrilling event. (Grok)
News
Rampage
Debuts for MxM & Private Party on AEW
All
Elite Wrestling (AEW) is gearing up for an exciting
lineup of events, including the highly anticipated
All In event scheduled for August 25, 2024. The event
is generating significant buzz among fans and is anticipated
to surpass the success of the previous year's event.
The card for All In features high-stakes matches such
as Bryan Danielson putting his career on the line
against Swerve, MJF facing Will Ospreay, and a tag
team grudge match involving Darby Allin, FTR, and
ROH Champion Sussex Co. Chicken against formidable
opponents. AEW is also promoting other shows like
AEW Dynamite and AEW Rampage, which feature matches
like Hangman Page vs. Darby Allin and MxM Collection's
debut against Private Party, respectively. The promotion
is leveraging various platforms and media to engage
with fans and build anticipation for these events.
(Grok)
News
Crawford
vs Madrimov: Pre-Fight Press Conference
Terence
Crawford and Israil Madrimov are set to face off in
a highly anticipated boxing match on August 3rd, as
part of the Riyadh Season Card. The event, which will
be available on PPV, has generated significant buzz
among boxing fans and media. The undercard for the
event is also noted for its quality, featuring a heavyweight
bout between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Jarrell Miller, as
well as other notable fights. The event is expected
to be a major draw, with fans eagerly anticipating
the outcome of the main event between Crawford and
Madrimov. (Grok)
News
TNA
Wrestling: Rascalz vs. Bailey, Seven & KUSHIDA
TNA
Wrestling's iMPACT episode on August 1, 2024, featured
a lineup of exciting matches and events. The show
included a TNA World Title match between Nic Nemeth
and Mustafa Ali, as well as the wedding of PCO and
Steph De Lander. Other matches included The Rascalz
in action against Mike Bailey, Trent Seven, and KUSHIDA
in a six-man tag team match, Frankie Kazarian vs.
Ryan Nemeth, and Jody Threat vs. Masha Slamovich.
The event was broadcasted on various platforms including
TNA+, AXS TV, DAZN, and YouTube, catering to a wide
audience. Fans and wrestling enthusiasts expressed
their anticipation and excitement for the event across
social media platforms. (Grok)
ROH
Ring
of Honor (ROH) is a professional wrestling promotion
recently acquired by Tony Khan, CEO of All Elite Wrestling
(AEW), Chief Football Strategy Officer of the Jacksonville
Jaguars, and GM/Sporting Director of Fulham F.C. ROH
has been holding events and television tapings, with
notable developments including Sammy Guevara's return
to help Dustin Rhodes against the Dark Order at the
July 28th tapings. The promotion has been building
new stars and continues to feature high-profile matches
and events. (Grok)
News
WWE
2K24 Online Stability Hotfix
WWE
2K24 released Patch 1.14 to address online stability
issues, which was automatically applied upon game
loading. The update aimed to fix problems with the
Pat McAfee Show Pack DLC for PS5 users, which was
resolved, allowing the pack to be downloaded. However,
the patch also caused issues with mods on PC, and
some users reported problems with Titantrons in create
an entrance and the unavailability of DLC for PlayStation
5 users. Despite these issues, WWE 2K24 encouraged
players to participate in a giveaway for SummerSlam
and provided a locker code for 7500 VC. (Grok)
Max
Verstappen's Potential Mercedes Move
Speculation
is rife about Max Verstappen potentially joining Mercedes,
fueled by recent high-profile departures from Red
Bull Racing. Despite the rumors, some fans express
skepticism about the likelihood of such a move. The
discussion also touches on the stability of other
drivers' positions within their teams, with some questioning
the rationale behind certain team decisions. Additionally,
there is discussion about the performance comparison
between Verstappen and his teammate, Perez, at Red
Bull Racing. (Grok)
News
Wheatley's
Move from Red Bull to Audi F1
Jonathan
Wheatley, the long-serving sporting director at Red
Bull Racing, is set to leave the team at the end of
the 2024 season to become the new team principal of
the Audi Formula 1 project. This move has been confirmed
by Red Bull and widely reported across various Formula
1 news outlets. Audi has not officially commented
on Wheatley's appointment, and there are indications
that they were not expecting the announcement. Wheatley's
departure marks a significant change in leadership
for Red Bull and a notable acquisition for Audi as
it prepares to enter Formula 1. The transition is
expected to take place after the 2024 season, with
Wheatley remaining in his current role until then.
(Grok)
News
WWE
NXT Great American Bash Week One
The
WWE NXT Great American Bash kicked off with a series
of exciting matches and events, including a WWE Women's
Tag Team Championship match where Alba Fyre &
Isla Dawn defended their titles against Jakara Jackson
& Lash Legend. Other highlights included a NXT
Womens Championship match between Roxanne Perez
and Thea Hail, a live concert by Joe Hendry, and a
NXT Heritage Cup match between Tony D'Angelo and Tavion
Heights. Fans and commentators expressed excitement
and anticipation for the event, with many rooting
for their favorite wrestlers and speculating on potential
outcomes. (Grok)
News
NXT
Women's Championship: Roxanne Perez Retains
Roxanne
Perez successfully defended her NXT Women's Championship
against Thea Hail in a highly acclaimed match at NXT
GAB. The match was praised for its intensity and the
young ages of the competitors, with both being under
23 years old. The event also featured other notable
matches, including Joe Hendry expressing frustration
with Gallus and a confirmed match between Joe Hendry
and Joe Coffey for the following week. The overall
event was well-received, highlighting the talent and
potential of the NXT roster. (Grok)
News
Bowlin
Graham's Pocono Win Secures Playoff Spot
Graham
Bowlin secured a spot in the 2024 eNASCAR Coca-Cola
iRacing Series playoffs with a win at Pocono Raceway.
Despite missing out on the playoffs, drivers from
Spire Motorsports expressed pride in their team's
efforts. Nick Ottinger also secured a playoff spot,
marking the seventh consecutive season Team Conti
has fielded at least one car in the post-season. The
playoff lineup includes Steven Wilson, Parker White,
Nick Ottinger, Graham Bowlin, Vicente Salas, Bobby
Zalenski, Tucker Minter, Garrett Lowe, Dylan Duval,
and Daniel Faulkingham. (Grok)
News
CM
Punk's Top 5 Wrestlers of All Time
During
an interview on ESPN's First Take, CM Punk named his
top-5 wrestlers of all time, which included Harley
Race, Terry Funk, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Eddie Guerrero,
and initially Ricky Steamboat, but he later switched
to Roddy Piper. This selection sparked discussions
among fans and commentators, with some expressing
surprise at the absence of Bret Hart from the list.
Punk also highlighted Stone Cold Steve Austin as the
biggest superstar in the industry. The interview took
place ahead of SummerSlam 2024, which is set to occur
in a few days, generating anticipation among wrestling
fans. (Grok)
News
Cedric
Alexander's NXT Victory
Cedric
Alexander emerged victorious in a match against Brooks
Jensen on the WWE NXT show. The win was unexpected
by some fans and commentators, and it was celebrated
by many on social media. The event also featured other
matches and announcements, including a promo by Pete
Dunne about his upcoming match with Trick Williams.
(Grok)
News
UFC
Abu Dhabi Event
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host
a highly anticipated event in Abu Dhabi this Saturday,
featuring a stacked card of fights. Notable fighters
on the card include Tony Ferguson, Cory Sandhagen,
and Mackenzie Dern. The event is free and open to
the public, with a live broadcast on various platforms.
Fans and analysts are discussing the matchups and
sharing their predictions and betting tips for the
fights. Cory Sandhagen is a key focus of the event,
with many fans and analysts predicting a strong performance
from him in his fight against Umar Nurmagomedov. (Grok)
News
AEW
Returns and Criticisms
The
recent episode of AEW's Dynamite received mixed reactions
from fans and critics, sparking discussions on various
aspects of the show. Topics included the return of
a star after a five-month absence, the company's approach
to pushing certain talents, and comparisons between
AEW and WWE. Some fans expressed disappointment in
the show's content and booking decisions, while others
praised specific moments and storylines. The discourse
highlighted a range of opinions and critiques regarding
AEW's current direction and its relationship with
its audience and competitors. (Grok)
News
AEW
Collision Viewership Drop Amid Summer Events
AEW
Collision viewership experienced a significant drop,
averaging 383,000 viewers with a 0.12 P18-49 rating,
marking a 19% decrease from the previous week. This
decline was attributed to tough competition from the
Olympics. Meanwhile, WWE's SummerSlam is generating
anticipation, with fans expressing mixed feelings
about the event and the potential outcomes for their
favorite wrestlers. (Grok)
News
Grok
Search: TNA Wrestling
Total
Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) is an American professional
wrestling promotion founded in 2002 by Jeff Jarrett
and Jerry Jarrett. It is currently owned by Anthem
Sports & Entertainment and is based in Nashville,
Tennessee. TNA was initially known as NWA: Total Nonstop
Action until 2004 when it rebranded to its current
name.
TNA
has been known for its innovative matches and storylines,
and it has featured many notable wrestlers such as
Kurt Angle, Sting, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Jeff
Hardy. The promotion has also been praised for its
women's division, known as the Knockouts Division,
which features some of the top female wrestlers in
the world.
TNA
has faced a number of challenges over the years, including
changes in ownership and a decline in viewership.
However, the promotion has continued to produce entertaining
and innovative content, and it remains a significant
player in the world of professional wrestling. (Grok)
News
Umar
vs Sandhagen for Title Shot
Umar
Nurmagomedov is set to face Cory Sandhagen at UFC
Abu Dhabi, with the winner potentially earning a title
shot against the victor of the Sean O'Malley vs Merab
Dvalishvili bout. The event also features Tony Ferguson,
who is looking to make a comeback. The fight card
is generating significant interest and betting activity
among fans and analysts. Additionally, there are discussions
about potential matchups for Shakur Stevenson, including
a verbal agreement for a fight with William Zepeda,
although no official agreement has been reached yet.
The event is also notable for Khabib Nurmagomedov's
involvement in Umar's corner. (Grok)
News
Ruiz
vs Miller: Boxing Showdown in Riyadh
On
August 3, 2024, a significant boxing event is set
to take place featuring several high-profile matches.
The main event includes a face-off between Andy Ruiz
and Jarrell Miller, which has garnered significant
attention and anticipation. Other notable fights on
the card include a matchup between Isaac Pitbull and
Jose Valenzuela, which is expected to be a highlight
of the evening. Additionally, the event features the
return of Andy Cruz against Antonio Moran, adding
to the excitement. The event is part of the Riyadh
Season and will be broadcasted on ESPN Plus PPV. (Grok)
News
Russell
Disqualified, Hamilton Wins Belgian GP
Lewis
Hamilton was declared the winner of the Belgian Grand
Prix after his teammate George Russell was disqualified
for having an underweight car. Russell initially crossed
the line first but was stripped of his win due to
the technical violation. Hamilton's victory marked
his second win in three races, sparking discussions
among fans and commentators about the nature of his
win and Russell's performance. The disqualification
also led to Oscar Piastri being promoted to second
place, and Charles Leclerc finishing third for Ferrari.
(Grok)
News
F1
Drivers Pole Positions and Race Outcomes Debate
In
recent Formula 1 races, Charles Leclerc has been praised
for his ability to secure pole positions and maintain
leads in a slower car, contrasting with Lando Norris's
performance in a faster car. Max Verstappen has consistently
performed well, often starting from lower positions
and finishing higher, despite debates about the relative
performance of his car. The current season is highly
competitive, with several drivers from different teams
closely competing in points, highlighting the tight
competition in Formula 1. (Grok)
News
US
Women's Rugby Wins First Olympic Medal
The
United States women's rugby sevens team won their
first Olympic medal, a bronze, in a dramatic match
against Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The
victory was sealed by a last-minute try and conversion
by Alex Sedrick. Meanwhile, Simone Biles led the United
States to a dominant victory in the women's gymnastics
team final, securing her fifth career Olympic gold
medal and becoming the most decorated U.S. Olympic
gymnast in history with a total of 8 medals. (Grok)
Media
Man Int
Sports
News (Media Man Int)
https://www.mediamanint.com/articles2.html
Pop
Culture News (Media Man Int)
https://www.mediamanint.com/pop_culture.html
Wrestling
News (Media Man Int)
https://www.mediamanint.com/wrestling_news.html
X
News (Media Man Int)
https://www.mediamanint.com/x_news.html
Trending
News (Media Man Int)
https://www.mediamanint.com/trending_news.html
#ProWrestling
#Wrestling #MMA #Boxing #Motorsport #F1 #Formula1
#PopCulture #CombatSports #PPV #LiveSport #LiveSports
#MainEvent #MainEvents #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportstourism
#sportsbusiness #sportsbiz #YouTube #YT #Video #broadcast
#Highlights #trend #trends #AINews #newswire #newsfeed
#buzz #media #Grok #XSports #XCombat #XNews #GrokSports
#GrokNews
(Image:
A.I)
News
Media
Showbiz
News from Hollywood; Screenwriters reach tentative
deal with studios to end strike
The
show must go on - eventually, anyway! With or without
a dash of AI et al.
The
Writers Guild of America, which represents thousands
of Hollywood writers, advised Sunday PM that it has
reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with
the major entertainment studios, paving the way to
end the 146-day strike that has brought television
and film production to a standstill. That's right
- 146 days! That's some kind of record.
"The
WGA and [Alliance of Motion Picture and Television
Produces] have reached a tentative agreement,"
according to an online WGA statement that discloses
that more details will follow after the contract language
has been finalized...ink had dried, you know the drum.
Though
the AMPTP trade alliance of major film and television
producers has yet to comment on the development, WGA
described the contract to members in a letter as "exceptional."
It contains "meaningful gains and protections
for writers in every sector of the membership,"
it said.
The
roughly 11,000 writers were demanding "economic
fairness," streaming-service residuals and regulation
on the use of AI (artificial intelligence) - take
that, you bots!
"What
we have won in this contract ... is due to the willingness
of this membership to exercise its power, to demonstrate
its solidarity, to walk side-by-side, to endure the
pain and uncertainty of the past 146 days. It is the
leverage generated by your strike, in concert with
the extraordinary support of our union siblings, that
finally brought the companies back to the table to
make a deal," it said.
The
language of the contract was being finalized, it said,
with guild members to vote on whether to accept it
in the coming days.
Union
members are being advised that "no one is to
return to work" unless specifically authorized
by the guild.
"We
are still on strike until then," it said, though
it was suspending picketing.
The
Hollywood writers went on strike early May after negotiations
with the studios and streaming services fell through,
following six weeks of talks, which brought a halt
to television productions.
Many
insiders as well as regular consumers of streaming
media shows and other had noticed a dive in overall
quality.
In
mid-July, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation
of Television and Radio Artists joined the movement,
shutting down any active studio productions.
The
deal announced late Sunday does not mean the resumption
of Hollywood productions, as SAG-AFTRA members remain
on the picket lines, and WAG is encouraging its members
to join in the actors' fight.
SAG-AFTRA
issued a statement congratulating WGA on the deal
it said it would review.
"We
remain on strike in our TV/Theatrical contract and
continue to urge the studio and streamer CEOs and
the AMPTP to return to the table and make the fair
deal that our members deserve and demand," it
said.
The
agreement was reached following a recent breach in
a stalemate in negotiations, which began about mid-August.
The
two sides were quiet until Sept. 14, when they said
they had agreed to return to the negotiating table,
and they have been hashing out a deal since Wednesday.
"After
a nearly five-month long strike, I am grateful that
the Writers Guild of American and the Alliance of
Motion Picture and Television Producers have reached
a fair agreement and I'm hopeful that the same can
happen soon with the Screen Actors Guild," Los
Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement.
"Now,
we must focus on getting the entertainment industry,
and all the small businesses that depend on it, back
on their feet and stronger than every before."
The
strike, which has waylaid productions for months,
has hurt the bottom line of studios, with Warner Bros.
Discovery telling the Securities and Exchange Commission
earlier this month in a filing that the strikes have
"negatively impacted" the company by a cost
of up to $500 million. Some folks in and around the
biz are pleased that that likes of a somewhat "woke
and broken" Disney had lost so much money.
Under
the watercooler Media heard, "More about fairness,
distribution of funds, and a fair days pay for a fair
days work. We showed the world and this script kind
of wrote itself"!
If
99pc of start-ups fail, how do AirTree and Blackbird
make money?
Starting
an ambitious technology company is undeniably hard,
but fresh data suggests failure rates arent
as high as parts of the industry say.
On
a darkened screen, a line of text lays out the stakes
for The New Hustle, a 2017 documentary series: Over
92 per cent of start-ups fail. What separates those
who dont?
Six
years later, the production company behind that feature,
Founder Films, was back with a new documentary series
called Founder on the same topic. This time, the odds
seemed to be stacked even higher against start-up
founders. Ninety-nine per cent of start-ups
fail, the on-screen text from the documentary
reads.
Apparently,
those six years were a grim time for start-ups, whose
founders were portrayed as valorous figures surmounting
almost impossible odds. Yet between 2017 and early
2022, start-up funding soared in Australia, giving
even questionable firms war chests of cash to sustain
their dreams for years.
Statistics
requested by The Australian Financial Review from
the countrys biggest tech venture investors
suggest many more start-up companies are staying afloat
than the most heightened founder mythology suggests.
The
disparate figures reflect an industry that does not
have a uniform definition of failure even as commentators
contend that failure is discussed too harshly, or
too much, or not enough. And they show how failure
rates are deployed to either showcase investment performance
or valorise founders.
Startmate,
the long-running accelerator, has reported that 63
per cent of the more than 230 companies it has a stake
in are still active. AirTree Ventures, the large Sydney-based
fund that was founded in 2014, said its failure rate
defined using the fairly common rule of investments
where it has got back less than it invested
is lower than 20 per cent. Company closures in its
portfolio are even lower, at less than 3 per cent.
Blackbird
Ventures, meanwhile provided data from its first fund,
raised in 2013, where 25 per cent of the companies
have closed down, compared with the same number of
exits and 10 that are still operating. Square Peg,
the third major Australian venture fund, did not make
any data available.
Better
than regular businesses
Those
start-up failure rates compare fairly favourably to
the economy as a whole. For the past four years, failure
rates for all Australian businesses with staff have
hovered around 8 per cent, according to data from
the Bureau of Statistics.
But
unlike small-business investors who want to preserve
capital and grow slowly, venture capitalists bet on
a host of companies hoping a small percentage will
become enormously valuable in the knowledge many will
fail.
That
has led some start-up industry figures such as Finder
founder Fred Schebesta to argue some high-profile
failures should be celebrated to avoid discouraging
founders.
James
Alexander, a partner at early-stage investor Galileo
Ventures, said he did not support the idea of celebrating
failure, though he acknowledged that founding a business,
whether small business or start-up, was very hard.
Do
I think failure is positive? No, I dont,
Mr Alexander said. I dont think [failures]
are positive, but I dont think theyre
anywhere near as bad as people make them out to be.
Mr
Alexanders portfolio has four failures, defined
as firms shut down or sold that returned less than
invested capital, out of 18 bets. But he said that
if one of those surviving companies became a super
valuable firm akin to Google, No ones
going to mind if we lose money on five, 25 or 30 per
cent of the investments or even more.
Founder
Films, owned by the founder of $2.7 billion start-up
SafetyCulture Luke Annear, declined to comment on
its figures, but a spokesman pointed to a 2012 Wall
Street Journal article reporting Harvard research
that 95 per cent of start-ups fail to hit projected
figures. The 92 per cent failure rate number is also
all over the internet, with the figure derived from
a 2011 report by an organisation called Startup Genome
that no longer appears online.
Mr
Alexander said that high failure rate figures were
a reflection of the way venture firms sought out exceptional
results.
When
people throw out these things like 90per cent
of businesses fail, I think usually they mean
90 per cent of businesses never become big,
Mr Alexander said.
Murray
Hurps, who runs the industry survey project Startup
Muster, did not provide data on failure rates because
the varying definitions make it hard to collect. But
he said that average failure levels were not as useful
as understanding the proposition of investing or building
an individual firm.
There
are many kinds of lower risk, technology-enabled entrepreneurial
pursuits that entrepreneurs should be considering,
and more today than there ever were before,
Mr Hurps said.
What
Lachlan Murdoch told fundies in Sydney two weeks ago
- September 23, 2023
Lachlan
Murdochs been in and around Australian business
circles for most of his working life, but had little
to do with the countrys big investors. Until
a few weeks ago.
A
couple of weeks ago, Lachlan Murdoch, 52, broke cover
with Australias investor ranks.
Not
one to normally front Australias fund managers
on roadshows, Murdoch was the headline attraction
at a small and private dinner held only a few kilometres
from his home in Sydneys inner-east.
The
small crowd were all fund managers big name
stock pickers from the larger institutional equities
shops in Sydney most of who had little to do
with Murdoch or his father Rupert over the years,
and some of who had never met him despite him being
in and out of Australian business circles his whole
working life.
Murdoch
spoke off the cuff. There were no notes or powerpoint
slides, no script and no minders, just an update on
the familys two businesses News Corporation
and Fox Corporation, and where he wanted to take them.
Perhaps
playing to the small crowd, he repeatedly stressed
he was 100 per cent focused on creating shareholder
value, according to those at the dinner. It was a
friendly crowd; money is the name of the game in funds
management, and fund managers tend to bow down to
billionaires. He was valued at $3.35 billion on this
years AFR Rich List.
He
was clearly proud some of the investments he had overseen
high growth and conviction bets like News Corps
$13 billion stake in REA Group, student loans business
Credible and streaming business Tubi Corporation for
example and gave the impression of a hands-on
and pretty passionate senior executive.
He
travels back to US head office every second week from
his home in Sydney, where his children go to school.
When hes in Sydney, he tends to work New York
hours. Thats the sort of stuff that top Sydney
money managers are glad they do not have to worry
about.
There
were no hints about what was to come and fund managers
left the dinner not knowing that only a few weeks
later, Murdoch would finally get the keys to his father
Ruperts News Corporation.
He
was announced as News Corps executive chairman
on Thursday night, the same role he holds at sister
company Fox Corporation, while his 92-year-old father
would step off the board and become chairman emeritus
of both companies.
Changing
of the guard
Lachlan
Murdochs succession may end a tumultuous 12
months for the familys two companies. This time
last year, the Murdochs were planning to reunite their
News Corp and Fox businesses, calling it the next
logical step of the strategy that led the media billionaires
to sell entertainment giant 21st Century Fox to Disney
in 2017 for $US52 billion.
It
was about bringing together live sport and news, two
things that consumers want immediately and are arguably
less discretionary than TV entertainment and movies
but the deal was off a few months later called
not optimal for shareholders of News Corp and
Fox at this time.
In
reality, it also faced considerable backlash from
investors including Sydney-based Airlie Funds Management,
who didnt want to see News Corp combined with
Fox. News Corp owns the companys stake in REA
and Move in the United States, Foxtel in Australia,
Dow Jones and HarperCollins, among other businesses,
and trades at a significant discount to its asset
backing.
Soon
after, it also abandoned talks to sell its US digital
real estate business Move for about $US3 billion ($4.4
billion).
Murdochs
comments from the dinner were ringing through those
fund managers heads on Friday, as they tried
to work out what it meant for the future of the familys
media empire.
It
was a timely introduction to a man whos well
known in media circles there are plenty of
former News Corp executives wholl give their
two cents worth and recount fronting him when they
hadnt made budget or wanted money for something
but less in local markets.
Those
close to him say hes been fronting investors
in the US for a while, just not Australia. Fox Corp
isnt listed in Australia, while News ASX-listing
is small.
One
thing that stuck in the Australian fund managers
heads were Murdochs remarks about M&A.
He
said large media sector deals were hard to get past
the antitrust regulator in the United States
which is similar to deals in every concentrated sector
(banking, energy, tollroads) in Australia.
So,
investors are thinking there is unlikely to be any
giant strategic pivot in the near to medium term,
at least, although are fully aware that deals (big
and small) have been a big part of the family business
under Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan has been at the table
for plenty of them.
Evolution
not revolution is how his backers were putting
it on Friday, pointing out that hes done a long
apprenticeship under his father at News Corp and has
been Fox executive chairman since 2105 (it was 21st
Century Fox before a $US50 billion sale of its film
production business to Disney) . It is still all about
news, sport and digital, and looking forwards not
backwards.
Closing
the gap in value
The
ASX-listed shares were up 1.9 per cent to $32.25 in
Friday afternoon trade.
Murdoch
juniors most notable was paying about $10 million
for a 44 per cent stake in realestate.com.au (later
REA Group), following a direct approach from Sydney
real estate agent and company director John McGrath,
while others for the company include Credible, where
loans are up three-times since News Corps acquisition,
Tubi, which has tripled subscribers.
Of
course, it has not been all winners. Hes still
remembered for One.Tel, a telecommunications company
that collapsed in 2001, and Channel Ten owner Ten
Network Holdings, which went into administration in
2017. News Corps betting play is also in trouble.
One
of his loudest supporters in Australian markets is
Sydney stockbroker Angus Aitken, who is known for
backing family-led businesses and was quick to tell
clients that News Corp was in good hands.
Lachlan
Murdoch has the same entrepreneurial genes as his
Dad and has zero to prove, he already has proved himself
in spades, he said in a 1400 word note to fund
managers that hit inboxes as the sun rose over Sydney
Harbour.
Anyone
who has heard Lachlan talk about these businesses
knows he knows these businesses inside out and knows
how to allocate capital and back people within these
firms with that capital for the long term.
He
said Rupert Murdoch had turned a three-paper tiddler
into $US100 billion of assets, if you add the market
capitalisations of News and Fox (about $US30 billion)
and some of the big asset sales (c$US70 billion).
It is hard to think of anyone who will replicate
that in life.
Lachlan
Murdoch will likely struggle to create anywhere near
that much value, but he also doesnt have to.
Investors will be happy enough if he can close the
discount between New Corps share price and asset
value which funds like Melbournes L1
Capital have talked about for years. That discount
was so glaring that stockbroker UBS for a while was
putting out a regulator News Corp note, pointing out
the difference between the sum of its parts and share
price.
The
bigger news on Friday was the end of the Rupert Murdoch-era,
after a career stretching seven decades. Lachlans
ascension to the top of both companies was telegraphed
by his father in the past few years. Second son James
moved to the fringes of the family business after
the Fox/Disney deal in 2019.
'Take
it over: Perth lands WWEs first Aussie
event in six years - September 23
One
of the worlds biggest sporting organisations
is coming back to Australia for the first time since
taking over the MCG in 2018.
The
WWE will return to Australian shores for the first
time since 2018 in February after the Elimination
Chamber event was announced for Perths Optus
Stadium.
After
months of speculation, the sports entertainment behemoth
announced that the 60,000 seat stadium would host
the live event on Saturday February 24.
Stream
Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. Join
now and start streaming instantly >
The
last time the WWE came down under was in 2018 when
the Super-Show Down took over the MCG with Ronda Rousey
stunning a packed house before Triple H pinned The
Undertaker.
In
the meantime, Aussie Rhea Ripley has become one of
the sports biggest names and is expected to
star as the WWE comes back to Australia, while Grayson
Walker is also a near certainty to fight.
While
the schedule has not yet been released, it will culminate
in at least one six-man cage match with some of the
promotions biggest names set to visit just one
month out from WrestleMania 40.
Wrestlers
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods joined WA Premier Roger
Cook for the announcement.
These
are set to be the hottest tickets in town and fans
can pre-register and secure their spot from today,
Cook said.
We
expect the premium live event at Optus Stadium will
be a sellout with thousands of east coast and international
fans flocking to Perth, Western Australia to witness
this exclusive show.
The
show is expected to reach an audience of one billion
people worldwide and Kingston, who is one of the members
of The New Day alongside Woods and Big E, said the
Elimination Chamber could totally change the
trajectory of whatever is going on in the WWE landscape.
Two
combatants enter and there are four pods with the
other combatants within them, Woods added.
As
time passes, one of those pods will open until all
of their combatants are inside of the ring.
And
then the match officially begins and you lose by pinfall
or submission until there is one combatant standing
and they are the winner.
And
the reason that this is so intense is because you
are waiting for people to get into this match.
The
wrestlers involved are expected to have community
activations and meet-and-greets with fans, and Kingston
said they really come into a town and take it
over.
The
WWE has recently merged with the UFC, which had a
massive show earlier this year in Perth when Alexander
Volkanovski lost a controversial bout to Islam Makhachev
for the lightweight title.
Expend4bles
A
new generation of stars join the world's top action
stars for an adrenaline-fueled adventure in Expend4bles.
Reuniting as the team of elite mercenaries, Jason
Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Randy Couture, and Sylvester
Stallone are joined for the first time by Curtis "50
Cent" Jackson, Megan Fox, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais,
Jacob Scipio, Levy Tran, and Andy Garcia. Armed with
every weapon they can get their hands on and the skills
to use them, The Expendables are the world's last
line of defense and the team that gets called when
all other options are off the table. But new team
members with new styles and tactics are going to give
"new blood" a whole new meaning.Lionsgate
The
Unbreakable Bunch
An
Alien Force Came To Conquer - They Had No Idea This
Bunch Was In Town.
Producers
Ray Glacier Lloyd and Steve Luther Wilson,
aka Big Sexy Luther Biggs, trained at
the Power Plant and broke into the business about
the same time. A decade ago, the two started talking
about a movie.
We
had this idea, says Lloyd, What if a bunch
of pro wrestlers had to step out of their wrestling
world and into a fantasy world where they have to
battle aliens?
Were
both big fans of The Magnificent Seven, The Wild Bunch,
The Dirty Dozen, and The Professionals. They were
all ensemble casts, and most of them were somewhat
diverse. We thought, What if we could make a
movie like that and celebrate the wrestling business?
Most
wrestling movies either focus on the dark side, or
they go for the campy humor, says Lloyd. They
make movies like The Wrestler, which was very good
and yes, that is how some guys turn out. Or they make
fun of wrestling and wrestling fans. We wanted to
celebrate whats great about being a wrestling
fan and whats fun about the business without
making fun of it. We didnt think that anyone
else was going to make a movie like that, and even
if they did, they probably wouldnt get it right.
The
story changed a lot from that first draft, but we
tried to stay true to the essence of the characters
and what they stood for, explains Lloyd.
Ernest
The Cat Miller
Stan
Hansen
Tonga
Uliuli Fifita, aka Haku, aka Meng
Larry
Zbyszko
Diamond
Dallas Page
David
Gangrel Heath.
An
ensemble cast like this has never been done in a wrestling
film. says Lloyd. We also worked with
some great actors we cast in the non-wrestling roles.
Nicholas Logan did a tremendous job in our movie,
and hes had some great roles before and after
The Unbreakable Bunch. Im excited to see where
his career goes.
These
are men like us who have their life together,
says Lloyd. They have good jobs, a nice home.
You also see how these guys come together to put on
a show. Its a team effort, whether its
for one night or a tour. Then they all go their separate
ways. Thats something weve never seen
in a movie about wrestling, and we wanted to portray
that.
Wrestling
is at its best when everyone can enjoy it, says
Lloyd. A lot of the fans I meet at shows and
convention are grown ups who were kids when I was
first on TV. Now theyre bringing their kids
because they want the next generation to enjoy wrestling
like they did. Theres definitely some action,
but we kept it to a PG or PG-13 level. We really want
families to enjoy this picture, even if they dont
watch wrestling.
We
want this movie to be something that wrestlers and
wrestling fans will be proud to recommend to people,
says Lloyd. At the end of the day, its
about camaraderie, loyalty, friendship. Its
about the noble side of professional wrestling.
WWE
Hall of Famer Larry Zbyszko via aQ&A on AdFreeShows.com.
In addition to taking fan questions, he also talked
about the movie, The Unbreakable Bunch
that Ernest Miller, himself, and several other wrestlers
are in:
"Ray
Lloyd, Luther Biggs, had been working their butts
off for some years to get this movie going. They wrote
it, and then they had to get financed. At the end
of 2009, we filmed it and it really came out great.
I mean, it's a movie about wrestlers saving a town
from aliens, but it's not a wrestling movie. It's
kind of a science fiction action movie with emotion
and you'll find yourself laughing when you don't expect
to. I mean, it was really well done. It's a family
friendly movie. Nothing dirty, nothing raunchy. I
mean, if you're not a wrestling fan, you're gonna
love it too because it's not about wrestling. But
it was really well done. I've been dying to see it.
As soon as we finished it, like at the end of 2019
right before Christmas, a couple of months later this
stupid COVID hit and slowed it down a little bit with
the editing, but there was the guy alone editing in
the booth. So it's finally all done with the editing
and the sound and the music and the special effects,
and I hear it's going to come out October 13th. I
can't wait to see it."
Zbyszko
talking about two movies he should have been in:
"I
should have been in two big movies. I'll tell you
a story quickly. Alright, 1976 or something I was
wrestling in California a little bit. I was wrestling
a man and I got a message to talk to some producer
in the audience. So after the match, I went to talk
to this guy. He said, 'Hey, I'm making my first movie.
It's a low budget movie, but I'd like to have you
in it because I like the way you look and move.' So
I said, 'Okay.' So I went down to his office which
turned out to be a crap hole and got a script and
read it and I'm going, oh my God. Three weeks in the
desert shooting this movie for hardly any money for
the guy's independent little movie. It's eating babies
and stuff. I said, 'Oh God.' So I nicely told the
guy I couldn't do it. I was busy. It turned out the
guy's name was West Craven and it was his first movie,
'The Hills Have Eyes.' It became a classic and I'm
supposed to be it."
"Then
some years ago in like the mid 80s or something. I
got a message at the NWA office to call Jerry Reed.
I'm thinking Jerry Reed? The only Jerry Reed I know
is the country western singer, unless it's Jerry Reed
the IRS guide. So I call this number and it's Jerry
Reed the singer. He says, 'Son, you're my favorite
guy.' We talked and he wanted me to be in the last
Smokey and the Bandit movie they were going to make
because Jackie Gleason just died and they wanted me
to play the part of a young a**hole sheriff after
the bandit in the last movie. But right when they
were going to do the last movie, that's when Burt
Reynolds went off the deep end taking all the Halcyon
pills and getting divorced from Loni and getting wiped
out, so they never made the movie. So I was supposed
to be in the Hills Have Eyes and the last Smokey and
the Bandit never happened, but The Unbreakable Bunch,
I'm in like the whole movie and I can't wait to see
the thing."
AEW
WrestleDream - October 1, 2023
Broadcast
into Australia via FITE
Bryan
Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hangman
Page vs. Swerve Strickland
AEW
Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Aussie Open
ROH
Tag Team Champions Adam Cole & MJF defend against
The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)
NJPW
Strong & ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston defends
both titles against ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata
TNT
Champion Christian Cage defends against Darby Allin
in a two out of three falls match
TBS
Champion Kris Statlander defends against Julia Hart
Will
Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita, and Sammy Guevara vs.
Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Chris Jericho
Additional
matches have been added to next Sunday's AEW WrestleDream
card.
Don
Callis on Saturdays Collision revealed that
Will Ospreay will team with Konosuke Takeshita and
his newest family member Sammy Guevara against Kenny
Omega, Chris Jericho, and Kota Ibushi. This stems
from events that took place on Fridays Ramapge,
where Omega made the save for Jericho after Guevara
and Takeshita jumped Jericho.
In
addition, Christian Cage will defend the TNT title
in a two out of three falls match against Darby Allin.
On Saturdays Collision, Allin had a three-way
title match won between himself, Cage, and Luchasaurus
when Cage posted Allin, allowing himself to pin Luchasaurus.
In a backstage interview, Tony Schiavone told Cage
he would be defending the title at WrestleDream.
Eddie
Kingston in a promo revealed that he will be putting
up both the ROH and New Japan Strong titles against
Katsuyori Shibata at WrestleDream, saying that he
wanted a match that would honor Antonio Inoki.
WWE
PPVs
Saturday,
Oct. 7
WWE
Fastlane
Indianapolis
WWE
Crown Jewel 2023
November 4, 2023
Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia
Saturday,
Nov. 25
WWE
Survivor Series
Chicago
WWE
Survivor Series 2023
November 25, 2023
Rosemont,
Illinois (Chicago) - Allstate Arena
Lachlan
Murdoch inherits a daunting to-do list. Observers
are divided over how he will cope -23rd September
2023
First
among equals is how media mogul Rupert Murdoch once
described his eldest son Lachlan, when asked about
the succession plan at his global media empire. Now
with Ruperts retirement this week from the boards
of Fox Corporation and News Corporation, Lachlans
position at the top of the family-controlled empire
is cemented.
However,
52-year-old Lachlan inherits a daunting task. He takes
control of the global newspaper and television businesses
as both face major challenges. He becomes head of
one of the most influential American media companies
as the US goes into perhaps its most important presidential
election in recent history. And, his every step will
be measured against his fathers legacy.
Former
News Corporation executive John Cowley has no doubt
that Lachlan is up to the task. He was trained
by the best. His father would have rubbed off on him,
but hes also his own man. He will do a good
job, Cowley said.
Lachlans
first real job in the Murdoch empire was working for
Cowley. It was three decades ago, when at the age
of 22, he joined Queensland Newspapers as its general
manager. Fresh from having studied philosophy at Princeton
University, the young Murdoch would walk the newsroom
floor with his shirt sleeves rolled up exposing
a tribal tattoo on his left arm discussing
stories with journalists, much as his father had once
done.
Over
seven decades, Rupert Murdoch, 92, built a global
media empire from a single Australian newspaper. As
his business expanded so did his influence and he
became one of the worlds most powerful, polarising
and right-wing businessmen, owning outlets such as
Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, The Times, and
The Australian.
R?upert
pitted ?Lachlan from an early age against two of his
siblings, older sister Elisabeth and younger brother
James, to take over the family empire. ?
Lachlan,
Elisabeth and James would come and go from the family
business, vying for their fathers affection
and at times falling out with him. But it would be
Lachlan who would return to the fold and stay.?
The
Murdoch family governs News Corporation and Fox Corporation
through a family trust. Rupert has six children from
three wives. The family trust owns almost 40 per cent
of the voting shares in both companies.
Each
of Murdochs children know how difficult it is
being the progeny of a successful parent. Put simply,
if the adult children of successful parents make good,
its because of what their parents left them.
If they dont, people ask whats wrong with
them.?
This
is what Lachlan is up against, even in his middle
age.
Billionaire
James Packer can sympathise, as he spent most of the
first half of his life being compared against his
father the late media tycoon Kerry Packer.
James
multiplied the wealth he inherited from his father.
But then his publicly listed Crown casino business
became embroiled in a Chinese money-laundering scandal.
It was fined, and he sold it, and since then, has
focused on private investments.
Lachlan
will do very well. Hes following in a legends
footsteps, one of the biggest, being Rupert, and thats
never easy, says Packer, who has been friends
with Lachlan for more than three decades. But
I think Lachlans ready, and hes the right
man for the job.
Not
everyone agrees.
Rod
Tiffen is an emeritus professor at the University
of Sydney, who has published books on the news media,
including about Rupert Murdoch. Hes critical
of Lachlans rise to the top of News Corporation
and Fox Corporation.
The
idea that a position like that should go by heredity
belongs more in the age of Jane Austen than of the
contemporary corporate world, Tiffen says. It
might be okay for the corner store to pass from father
to son, but a global corporation should be based on
some sort of merit, and not just having the same surname.
Lachlan
becomes chair of News Corporation, which owns newspaper
and real estate assets, and also the chair and chief
executive of Fox Corporation, which owns Fox News
and Fox broadcasting.
In
2019, Fox sold its $US71.3 billion film and television
business to Walt Disney, predicting the streaming
war that is now playing out, and which has cost companies
such as Disney, Netflix and Amazon billions. It was
a clever move hailed as Ruperts crowning achievement.
However,
it has left Fox much smaller than many of its peers,
with a focus on news and sport. The broadcast and
cable TV outlets in the US are declining, and Fox
is also competing against bigger players such as Amazon,
Netflix, Comcast, Disney and Warner Brothers in securing
sporting rights.
The
embattled news arm was also sued after broadcasting
conspiracy theories and claims of vote rigging promoted
by Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Earlier this
year, Fox settled a defamation lawsuit with Dominion
Voting systems for $US787.5 million ($1.2 billion).
It is now facing another lawsuit from a voting machine
manufacturer, Smartmatic, which is likely to be at
the top of Lachlans to-do list to resolve.
?Another
problem for Lachlan is that Donald Trump is shaping
up as the most likely Republican candidate for the
2024 election, if hes able to overcome the legal
cases that he is facing.
However,
it would be hard for Fox News to back him given Rupert
has publicly criticised Trump and disowned him.? And
yet, much of the Fox News audience are Trump supporters.
Fox News will risk alienating its audience more if
Trump becomes the Republican candidate, and it doesnt
back him.
News
Corporation has real estate assets such as REA Group
and owns newspapers such as The Times, The Australian
and the Wall Street Journal. The print assets are
declining while the digital side of those newspapers
has been growing, particularly the Dow Jones group
in the US.
Matt
Williams is head of Australian equities at Airlie
Funds Management. It owns 2 per cent of the voting
shares in News Corporation, which he argues remains
undervalued. Over the last ten years management
have done a very good job with the Dow Jones business
in re-aligning the business from being reliant on
advertising to much more now a subscription-based
business.
He
says Lachlan has been a good steward of News Corporation,
and expects the strategy of that group to remain unchanged.
However,
Tiffen expects there will be pressure to shut print
newspapers when Rupert dies. Everyone rightly
goes on about what a terrific global media empire
Rupert Murdoch has built. On the other hand, if you
were writing his obituary now, you would say that
hes lost more money on newspapers than anyone
else in history. And chances are that wont continue
after he dies.
Tiffen
expects that Lachlan will not make any significant
changes to either Fox Corporation or News Corporations
strategy while his father remains alive. Its
much more likely that any changes will have to be
after Ruperts death, and then its quite
unpredictable.
The
unpredictability is over whether Lachlans siblings
who have voting rights in the trust Prudence,
Elisabeth and James will be happy with his
leadership of Fox Corporation and News Corporation,
and the right-wing agendas they have pursued.
In
the short term, while Ruperts alive, the other
three children are going to be respectful, says
Tiffen. But after he dies, then Lachlans
relations with his other siblings will be much more
difficult to predict.
(SMH)
Rear
Window - September 14, 1999
Kostya,
TAB go down fighting
It
had more celebrities than a Saturday night in Atlantic
City. In one corner, "Break Even" Bill Mordey;
in the other, Russian-born dynamo Kostya Tszyu and
a gaggle of heavy-hitters including Packer confidant
Theo Onisforou and Jeff Fenech.
Mordey
won round one when NSW Supreme Court Justice Russell
Bainton last year ordered Tszyu to pay $7.3 million
to Mordey's Fightvision Pty Ltd for breach of contract,
in the process describing the Russian-born boxer as
a "spoiled brat".
Yesterday,
round two ended with a TKO to Break Even, who managed
to deliver a haymaker to TAB boss Warren Wilson. Having
bought Sky Channel from Packer's Publishing &
Broadcasting and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp last year,
TAB will now have to partially foot a $7.3 million
damages bill after three appeal judges found Sky Channel
had induced Tszyu to breach his contract with Mordey.
Sky
Channel will have to pay the costs of Fightvision's
original claim against Sky Channel and its appeal
in a result Wilson said was disappointing. TAB is
considering whether it has any further legal avenues.
The
stoush began when Tsyzu appealed against last year's
decision, claiming the damages awarded against him
were excessive. That prompted Mordey's counterpunch,
appealing against the cases he lost to the other five
defendants: Fenech, Sky Channel, Onisforou, Tszyu's
new promoter, Vlad Warton, and Tszyu's company, Tszyu
Enterprises.
The
NSW Court of Appeal yesterday dismissed Tszyu's appeal.
Mordey had a victory against Sky Channel, Warton and
Tszyu Enterprises, but struck out against Onisforou
and Fenech. Warton and Tszyu Enterprises will be back
for a third round after the court ordered a new trial
in relation to Mordey's claims.
Mordey
and Fightvision had sought compensation from Tszyu
for lost promotion revenue after the fighter breached
his contract in early 1995 by agreeing to give Optus
Vision or Sky Channel exclusive rights to broadcast
his bouts.
In
his judgement, Justice Bainton found Tszyu entered
into a binding three-year contract with Mordey's Classic
Promotions in 1992 and that contract contained an
option of renewal for two years. The company wound
up in 1993 and Fightvision took over its promotions.
Justice
Bainton found that the renewal option in Tszyu's contract
had been effectively exercised in January 1995, and
that the boxer had broken that contract almost immediately.
Fightvision
was entitled to recover from Tszyu profits it would
have made from promoting his fights from January 1995
to January 1997 in total $7.3 million.
Room
with a view? Er, I'll settle for the ground floor,
thanks all the same
While
travelling always presents its challenges, Rear Window's
Tasmanian tourism operative appears to have struck
an unusual problem while cycling through the Apple
Isle.
During
a bracing journey down the Midland Highway from Launceston
to Hobart, our peleton wanabee sought refuge at a
cosy bed and breakfast in the hamlet of Campbell Town,
where the civic motto is: "Reaching out across
the land, over the sea, through the air, towards the
stars, Campbell Town is reaching out to you."
Noting
the prominent "Vacancy" sign, our operative
entered, only to be told by the landlady: "Sorry,
we have no vacancies."
But
what about the sign? "We haven't got around to
making a `No Vacancy' sign yet. Getting the floors
fixed comes a long way ahead of a `No Vacancy' sign
in our priorities."
We'd
advise getting a room on the ground floor.
Rupert
shows UK interest but his ratings keep falling
Not
content with wading into the murky world of Chinese-Tibetan
relations, Rupert Murdoch has turned his hand to matters
economic.
Murdoch
has attacked the Bank of England in the wake of last
week's surprise decision to lift British interest
rates, expressing dismay that the central bank should
be worried about the United Kingdom's 1.5 per cent
economic growth when "the US economy is charging
along at 4 per cent with no sign of inflation".
In
an interview with London's Sunday Business newspaper,
Murdoch also attacked UK Chancellor of the Exchequer
Gordon Brown, claiming Brown was "wrong"
to give the BoE the power to determine interest rate
policy one of the central tenets of central bank indepence
worldwide.
"We
elect governments to govern, not to give up power
to faceless bankers," Murdoch reportedly said,
highlighting his growing schism with the government
of Tony Blair, who only a few years ago attended News
Corp's Hayman Island executive love-fest.
Just
last week, Murdoch was kowtowing to the Chinese Government,
claiming he had heard cynics say the Dalai Lama was
"a very political old monk shuffling around in
Gucci shoes" and questioning whether Tibet a
"terrible old, autocratic society out of the
Middle Ages" had any culture before China invaded.
It
is all reminiscent of Murdoch's comments at News Corp's
1995 annual general meeting in Adelaide, where he
blasted the Australian economy as "a disgrace"
as he offered an opinion on all manner of non-media
topics.
By
1997, a chastised Murdoch said son Lachlan had told
him he was "not allowed" to talk about Australian
politics. "I'm now under very strong instructions
from my son to keep my mouth shut because I can go
back to America and he has to live with what I have
said," the elder Murdoch said.
The
Sun King might be better off worrying about the performance
of his News Corp empire, which recently suffered a
hefty drop in profitability and has kicked off the
latest United States television season in unspectacular
fashion.
Ratings
for News Corp's core Fox group are down an average
6 per cent, with not even the 10th series of its old
standby, Beverly Hills 90210, improving the situation.
Guess
who's late for dinner?
Here's
hoping the 2000 Olympics are better organised than
Rear Window, which battled the gremlins in yesterday's
paper only to have an item about tomorrow night's
glamour Australian Olympic Committee 1999 Countdown
Dinner run about two weeks too late. Times have changed
since the AOC first sought a plug for the function:
the dinner is now sold out, with 1,000 people each
paying $1,000 to raise a more than $700,000 for the
Australian team. A number of team members will be
there on the night, with dual gold medallist Kieren
Perkins one of the 100 past and present Olympians
who will each sit at the tables snapped up by companies
including Telstra, CUB and Westfield. Major Olympic
sponsor Westpac is holding its own function.
(AFR)
News
High
Stakes: The life-or-death battle over
a company name
Two
stars of Australias new economy the similarly
named share trading platform Stake and online cryptocurrency
casino juggernaut stake.com are locked in a
life-or-death court battle over naming rights amid
growing concerns the gambling outfit has major plans
for its home country.
Stake
the share platform launched legal action in the Federal
Court in August seeking to enforce its trademarks
and stop stake.com, a multibillion-dollar enterprise,
from using that name for its business in Australia.
The
fast-growing Sydney-based share trading platform,
the third-largest broker in the country, alleges that
the casino group stake.com has been breaking Australian
consumer law and has misled consumers through the
use of its brand in Australia and its marketing, including
its sponsorship of the Alfa Romeo team and the sale
of apparel.
Stake
the share trading platform, which owns the URL stake.com.au,
alleges stake.coms use of the name in Australia
has potentially led to consumers believing the two
brands are related when they are not.
The
share trading platform Stake, founded in 2017 by entrepreneurs
Dan Silver and Matt Leibowitz, alleges there is a
threat that more consumers could be misled if stake.com
is allowed to continue with its plans to grow its
business significantly in Australia under the brand
name Stake.
The
casino group, led by Melbourne-based twenty-somethings
billionaires Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani, is expected
to seek to have the matter summarily dismissed.
A
spokesperson for stake.com said: We are aware
of a frivolous claim lodged in the Federal Court by
Stakeshop, which in part claims that our global Formula
One team sponsorship impinges on their ability to
sell trucker hats.
We
are proud of the global stake.com brand. As a group,
we abide by the laws of the countries in which we
operate, and do not offer our stake.com platform to
Australian customers. We believe the claim has no
legal merit and will vigorously defend our rights.
The
court case has shed new light on stake.coms
expansion plans for Australia, where it remains blocked
to Australian users.
Court
documents reveal the casino group has sought to buy
the stake.com.au website from the sharemarket trading
platform business. According to the court documents,
the casino group has also registered several Australian
website domains for its Australian expansion and applied
to register a slew of trademarks including Stake Australia,
Stake Bet and Stake Casino.
The
Federal Court action comes after years of simmering
tensions between the two groups over the use of stake.coms
name in Australia.
Stake.com
was established in 2017 but flew under the radar in
Australia until late 2021, when this masthead revealed
the local origins of the business that had grown to
be one of worlds largest online casinos, processing
hundreds of billions of bets on sports, virtual table
games and online slot machines.
In
early 2022, stake.com signed hip-hop megastar Drake
as its lead ambassador. Later in 2022 it signed a
multi-year deal to become lead jersey sponsor for
English Premier League team Everton FC as well as
its sponsorship of Alfa Romeos F1 team.
The
significant increase in stake.coms marketing
and media presence was noticed at the share trading
platform group that built its user base during the
COVID-inspired boom in Gen Y and Gen Z investors,
thanks in part to its ultra-low cost brokerage fee
model, savvy marketing and the broadening into other
financial services including a superannuation product.
A
spokesman for Stake the share trading platform said
that since the group was founded in Australia it had
built a client base of more than 500,000 and more
than $2.5 billion in assets under management.
Over
the past six years, we have established a trusted
and culturally relevant Australian brand that reflects
our dedication to meeting customer needs. It permeates
all parts of our business, spanning products, content,
internal culture, customer interactions and much more,
making it our most valuable asset. We are committed
to protecting the Stake brand and the high level of
consumer trust associated with it, the spokesman
said.
We
are concerned by the threatened use of the Stake brand
in Australia by stake.com in relation to gambling,
casino and sports betting services, due to the potential
for customer confusion and damage to our brand and
reputation.
Stake.com
is not available in Australia but according to court
documents, the group is already making arrangements
for a major expansion in this country and is seeking
a sports betting licence.
In
October 2022, stake.com casino executive Brais Pena
Sanchez contacted Stake share trading founder Silver
on LinkedIn and arranged a video conference meeting
where the pair discussed Stake the share platform
selling its Australian URL, stake.com.au, to the Curacao-registered,
Australian-operated casino group.
During
those discussions, Sanchez the casino groups
chief strategy officer informed Silver that
stake.com planned to launch in Australia under the
name Stakebet, or similar, according to court documents.
A deal never ensued and the website remains owned
by the share trading platform.
Tensions
flared again in early 2023 after stake.com the casino
was announced as the new team sponsor for Formula
1 team Alfa Romeo, sparking a flurry of legal letters
between the two groups ahead of the Melbourne race.
According
to the court documents, the casino groups lawyers
assured the share trading Stake that it would not
use its logo in conjunction with the Melbourne Grand
Prix and did not intend to display the name on any
vehicles or uniforms or as part of the Alfa Romeo
team name.
However,
the share trading Stake alleges that during the four
days of the Grand Prix, Stake casino logos appeared
on banners for official team merchandise, the team
display and on signs at the event and in the race
program.
In
May, Stake.com was applying to register a large number
of new trademarks for goods and services. This included
Stake Australia, Stake Bookie, Stake Betting, Stake
Gaming, Stake Esports, Stake Casino, Stake Sportsbook,
Stake Bet, Stake Punt, Stake Sports, Stake Pokes and
Stake Slots.
The
casino group has also registered a series of Australian
website names under the .au domain including
stakebet.au; stakecasino.au, stakesports.au and playstake.au.
The
case continues.
Crown
to launch digital self-exclusion scheme for casinos
- July 2023
People
with gambling problems will be able to ban themselves
from Crown casinos over the internet instead of having
to do so in person, as part of a wider overhaul of
the groups approach to harm minimisation.
Crown
Resorts new safer gambling program also includes
the establishment of a dedicated gambling policy team,
which will monitor customer playing behaviour and
create interventions to better prevent gambling harm
from occurring.
Crown
boss Ciaran Carruthers joined the business last year
following an overhaul of Crowns management,
after a series of bruising inquiries into the company.
Carruthers, who has led other global casino groups
including Wynn Macau, said the new leadership of Crown
was committed to making gambling safer, even if it
meant less turnover in its casinos.
I
have been in this business for 34 years and I can
tell you no one does this, Carruthers
said.
It
is critically important to me that when I look at
the long-term viability of this business that people
see our resorts as entertainment to enjoy safely.
Under
the changes, customers will be able to block themselves
from entering a Crown casino through a new digital
self-exclusion portal. Those who wanted to ban themselves
from Crown venues were previously required to visit,
in person, a designated responsible gambling centre
run by the group.
The
group has also moved to cashless gaming at Crown Melbourne
and Crown Sydney a condition of its temporary
gaming licences in NSW and Victoria as well
as introducing $10 maximum bet limits on poker machines
at Crown Perth. The technological overhaul required
to facilitate the changes has so far cost the business
$13 million.
Carruthers
pointed to changes Crown has already made which go
beyond government regulation, such as encouraging
customers to take breaks every three hours, as an
indicator of its commitment to shifting problem gambling
patterns.
The
group said it wanted to establish advisory panels
to work with state regulators and community groups
to improve gambling harm education and share its research.
Carruthers
conceded some aspects of its new approach to harm
minimisation, called Crown PlaySafe, would not be
welcomed by heavy gamblers. But he argued the changes
would make the casinos more appealing to the general
public.
Crowns
new head of gambling policy research, Dr Jamie Wiebe,
said the most critical shift in the groups gambling
policy was a move away from harm minimisation to prevention.
We
want to prevent a problem from ever happening,
she said.
The
new program was unveiled just weeks after the Federal
Court determined Crown will pay one of the biggest
penalties in Australian corporate history to the financial
crimes watchdog, after past anti-money laundering
and counter-terrorism failings in its Perth and Melbourne
casinos.
The
$450 million fine is about five per cent of Crowns
last listed market capitalisation before it was taken
private by Blackstone Capital for $8.9 billion in
May last year.
In
2019, an investigation by this masthead and 60 Minutes
revealed Crown had been infiltrated by international
criminal syndicates and money launderers.
Crown
was forced to overhaul its board, management and procedures
to satisfy the regulators, who approved a conditional
licence for Crown to operate its Barangaroo casino
in June 2022. The conditional licence is valid until
the end of this year.
Carruthers
said the integrated hospitality offerings at Crown
meant the casino could afford to embrace the shift.
I
want people to enjoy the experience of our casinos
whether theyre coming for dining, casino or
retail. Im fairly agnostic across which one
of those experience or how many of those experiences
you want to enjoy, he said.
Reclusive
Sydney gambling mogul emerges as kingmaker in South
Africa -
September 2023
Reclusive
online gambling mogul Martin Moshal is playing an
increasingly influential role in a push to oust the
South African government.
Mr
Moshal, who lives on the exclusive Sydney Harbour
row of Camp Cove alongside shopping centre billionaire
Steven Lowy, is not on many rich lists but has made
a fortune from online casino technology.
Herman
Mashaba is the leader of ActionSA, one of a handful
of opposition parties Mr Moshal has backed in the
lead up to the 2024 South African national election.
Mr Mashaba, known for taking a tough line on immigration
and endorsing hard labour for prisoners, is hoping
the gambling tycoon will continue his support.
I
wish he wont give up on us and help us democratically
remove the [incumbent African National Congress] and
bring about a peaceful transition... please help ActionSA,
Mr Mashaba said in an interview with The Australian
Financial Review.
I
have been lucky to have known Martin long before I
went into politics, he added. I approached
him and he was willing to back me up because he knows
me as a capitalist... Martin was one of the first
to come to the party.
President
Cyril Ramaphosas social democratic African National
Congress party is set to come under pressure next
year amid South Africas dire economic troubles.
A senior party official has warned the country could
become a failed state.
Mr
Moshal is the largest individual political donor in
South Africa in the last two years. He has given 46.5
million rand ($3.8 million), according to electoral
records analysed by My Vote Counts, a non-profit advocating
for more transparency in politics.
Given
the amounts donated it has become clear to us he now
has a large stake in our politics, said Robyn
Pasensie, a researcher at the organisation.
The
size of Mr Moshals wealth is unknown. He is
extremely private and only admitted to his ownership
of online gambling giant Betway after UK journalists
traced his ownership back to offshore trusts. Mr Moshal
did not respond to a request for comment.
Aside
from ActionSA, Mr Moshal has donated to the Democratic
Alliance (DA), Build One South Africa and said he
also intends to support the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Mr Moshal is ActionSAs biggest backer. The Australian
Financial Review is not suggesting Mr Moshal supports
the partys policies.
Im
not saying these parties are all perfect, but we shouldnt
let perfect be the enemy of good... They are all far
better than the government we have today, Mr
Moshal told The Jewish Report earlier this year.
Pirkei
Avot was my late dad John Moshals
favourite part of the Talmud within which Rabbi Tarfon
is quoted as saying, Its not up to you
to finish the task, but you arent free to avoid
it.
Mr
Moshal said he believed South Africa needed a new
government and was on its way to becoming a failed
state.
[This
is a] government thats corrupt, cannot provide
basic security and opportunity to its citizens...
we need the change of government and leadership that
these parties can provide.
ActionSA
is known for advocating for life sentences and hard
labour for serious offenders and also wants to repeal
the ANCs Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment
(B-BBEE) policy, a form of affirmative action introduced
post-apartheid.
Martin
knows my views on racial policies and how dangerous
they are, said Mr Mashaba, who started off in
business and was the founder of African hair care
brand, Black Like Me.
ActionSA
has also been vocal on immigration, views labelled
as xenophobic by some critics and politicians.
We
recognise that South Africa was built... on the back
of migrants, said Mr Mashaba. But they
must come here legally... you break our laws, we will
send you back to your country, the country where you
came from.
One
of South Africas main economic problems is mismanagement
and corruption inside the countrys electricity
utility Eskom. The utility has been forced to implement
rolling blackouts, which have further stymied economic
growth.
If
Eskom cannot run on a commercial basis then it must
die a natural death, Mr Mashaba said, adding
changes were needed to give other companies the opportunity
to compete.
Mr
Moshals Entrée Capital is one of Israels
most active funds in the Israeli VC space. He is the
beneficiary of a trust which is the largest individual
shareholder in Super Group, which became the parent
of Betway and online casino brand Spin after a 2022
listing. The group reported net gaming revenue of
€1.3 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2022.
Moshal
is one of the least visible betting entrepreneurs
in the world, Guardian reporter Rob Davis wrote
in his book Jackpot: How Gambling Conquered Britain.
Moshal
made much of his fortune from his home in Durban where
he patented a series of technological solutions for
the online gambling world and developed them via his
company Microgaming. The company has since become
one of the industrys leading software players
A
philanthropist, he sits on the capital management
advisory committee of Sydneys Moriah College,
alongside Steven Lowy and former Babcock & Brown
chief executive Phil Green. He is also a life trustee
of the Moriah Foundation and previously donated to
Israels SpaceIL project attempting to land spacecraft
on the moon.
SkyCity
puts aside $45m for potential AUSTRAC penalty - August
2023
SkyCity
Entertainment set aside $45 million for a penalty
if it is convicted of breaches of anti-money laundering
and counterterrorism laws.
The
financial crimes watchdog, AUSTRAC, lodged proceedings
against SkyCity in December over alleged serious and
systemic non-compliance with the laws at its Adelaide
casino.
SkyCity
said on Monday it was difficult to determine the size
and timing of the penalty, given the proceedings are
in the early stages. But it decided to lodge a $45
million provision on the basis that each breach attracts
a maximum civil penalty of between $18 million and
$22.2 million.
Estimating
the potential exposure to penalties with any degree
of accuracy at this stage of that ongoing process
remains challenging, particularly given the outcome
is highly dependent on a range of factors which are
not yet known, a statement said.
AUSTRAC
has alleged serious noncompliance with
anti-money laundering laws against SkyCity, claiming
the company allowed 59 suspicious patrons to churn
more than $4 billion in dirty cash through its Adelaide
casino. The independent review is on hold because
of the Federal Court action.
The
company cut full-year earnings expectations at an
investor day in May, with a slowdown in revenue from
the international business and rising legal and compliance
costs related to a crackdown on money laundering weighing
on its bottom line. Analysts have provisioned about
$50 million for the AUSTRAC fine, but there is no
guarantee that will be enough.
In
late May, SkyCity announced it would hire an independent
expert to review its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism
programs. It is still waiting for South Australias
investigation into whether it should hold a casino
licence to recommence.
Judgements
in civil penalty proceedings bought by AUSTRAC to
date demonstrate that the Courts determination
of the appropriate penalty ... is very specific to
the fact in each case and that the Court will have
regard to a broad range of factors, SkyCity
said.
SkyCitys
provision announcement coincided with a $45.6 million
write-down of the Adelaide casino licence, which was
attributed to the value and timing of future discounted
cash flows.
The
company said the impairment and provision were non-cash
and would not affect earnings for fiscal year 2023.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation
remain in line with guidance of $NZ300 million ($276.6
million) to $NZ310 million.
SkyCitys
provision comes a month after the federal court agreed
on rival casino operator Crowns $450 million
fine for breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism
laws. The fine is being paid over a two-year period
without interest.
Shares
closed on Friday at $2.09.
Hotel
room rates plummet for F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend
- September 2023
Hotel
room rates for Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend have fallen
by nearly 60 percent in some cases since they were
first posted last fall. But an industry expert says
that does not necessarily mean interest in the event
is failing to meet expectation.
When
select Las Vegas resorts in November 2022 opened their
booking schedules for race weekend, listed prices
were as high as they have been seen in the citys
history. While still at higher than normal rates,
a major decrease has occurred.
When
a drop in booking pace occurs, it automatically triggers
revenue management systems to suggest the lowering
of room rates, according to Dr. Mehmet Erdem, professor
of hotel operations and technology at UNLVs
William F. Harrah College of Hospitality.
Pennsylvania
online casinos cross $5 billion in lifetime revenue
- September 2023
Business
is booming in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State is
the clear market leader when it comes to online casino
revenue within the US. After Augusts total of
$171.9 million, Pennsylvania surpassed the $5 billion
threshold for lifetime revenue.
Pennsylvania
online casinos are constantly upgrading and adding
new content, and customers are responding. It doesnt
appear the market will be slowing down anytime soon,
either.
Pennsylvania
has set the US online casino revenue record four times
over the last 11 months, and almost did so again.
Augusts revenue total of $171.9 million came
second to Marchs figure of $181.5 million. It
was the second-best month of all time for any state
with legal online casinos.
Atlantic City: Five-year turnaround of Ocean Casino
Resort among citys greatest successes - September
2023
In
the winter of 2019, if any New Jersey sportsbook had
tried to offer odds on the Atlantic City casino hotel
then known as Ocean Resort Casino making it through
another summer, no gambler in their right mind would
have taken the bet.
Fast
forward to the end of summer 2023, and the property
now called Ocean Casino Resort is one of the citys
best performers. In fact, an argument can be made
that Oceans rise to the upper echelon of the
Atlantic City casino market is the most remarkable
turnaround of any gambling parlor in history.
From
its failed origins as Revel Casino Hotel to its seemingly
doomed trajectory in February 2019, the $2.4 billion
casino at the north end of the AC Boardwalk felt almost
cursed (if you believe in that kind of stuff). But,
apparently, the gambling gods decided Ocean was deserving
of a better fate.
Once
shunned by casino operators, responsible gaming campaign
turns 25
At
a time when problem gambling matters were rarely mentioned
in gaming company boardrooms, Harrahs Entertainment
decided the issue needed to be raised on casino floors.
But
it wasnt just rival corporate executives that
looked askance at the idea of employees learning how
to spot signs that a customer might have a gambling
problem.
Our
own lawyers tried to block it, recalled Jan
Jones Blackhurst, who was then a Harrahs senior
vice president. With the support of company CEO Phil
Satre, she led Harrahs launch of the casino
industrys first responsible gaming initiative
in the mid-1990s.
We
had employees that wanted to be educated on the subject.
They wanted to be able to help, said Jones Blackhurst,
who completed two terms as Las Vegas mayor before
joining Harrahs. Maybe because I came
out of politics. You have a responsibility to your
communities, your customers and your employees. We
believed it was the right thing to do.
Sportsbooks
ratchet up targeted advertising at start of NFL season
Shortly
after the NFL forged authorized gaming partnerships
with a host of leading sportsbooks in the 2021 offseason,
operators began flooding the airwaves with a series
of humorous spots that featured celebrities hawking
their products.
Caesars
Sportsbook spent lavishly on an ad package starring
the Manning Brothers and actor J.B. Smoove as the
eponymous emperor. During Super Bowl LVII last February,
Kevin Hart expressed his displeasure for taking
the under in a DraftKings spot while standing
mere feet from WWE wrestler The Undertaker. Another
commercial from FanDuel featured a live field goal
attempt by former New England Patriots tight end Rob
Gronkowski, one that drifted wide left of the upright
at the last second.
Former
lieutenant governor calls for Nevada Gaming Commission
cyber briefing after MGM and Caesars hacks - September
2023
In
light of cyberattacks on MGM Resorts International
and Caesars Entertainment, former Nevada Lt. Gov.
Brian Krolicki, now a Nevada Gaming Commission member,
called for a briefing on the hacking incident to shed
more light on what happened and how it can be prevented
in the future.
The
suggestion comes the same day the Massachusetts Gaming
Commission met in executive session to consider
information related to an MGM cybersecurity issue.
It held a similar closed meeting on Monday.
After
it returned to the public session on Thursday, the
Commission entered into an executive session regarding
security at MGM Springfield, according to the Commission
agenda.
Krolicki
made his comments at the end of Thursdays five-hour
meeting of the Nevada Gaming Commission. Since it
was made during the public comment session, the commission
could not take up the matter, but its likely
the issue will return to the Commission and the Nevada
Gaming Control Board at some point.
In
the latest cyberattack that started being felt Sept.
10 and went into this week, hackers knocked slot machines
out of commission and created havoc with ATMs and
computer systems. MGM, which is reported by a Wall
Street analyst to have lost between $4.2 million and
$8.4 million a day with the hack, said its systems
were operating normally across their properties nationwide
as of Wednesday. Caesars reported it was hacked in
late August and had customer information stolen but
paid a $15 million ransom that avoided any shutdowns.
In
December, the Commission approved cybersecurity regulations
for the states gaming industry to protect operators
information systems from attacks that could shutter
casinos and compromise customer data. The rules went
into effect Jan. 1. That approval came right after
BetMGM reported that its customers personal
information including Social Security numbers
was obtained in an unauthorized manner and
included information on their transactions.
In
the regulations, casinos were required to do a risk
assessment of their systems by the end of 2023 and
take any necessary steps on an ongoing basis to ward
off an attack. If any breach was successful that compromised
player data, credit card information and other records,
including that of employees, properties would be required
to report it to gaming regulators within 72 hours.
It
would be important and enlightening given the recent
events of the past week regarding cyber security and
ransomware in particular at MGM and our friends at
Caesars and look at how it impacts our world and regulatory
responsibilities, Krolicki said, later adding,
I think at some point in time when theres
the energy and understanding of what just happened
if we could get some kind of briefing of what transpired
thats appropriate for public record and perhaps
policies going forward of how do we avoid these things
and if they do happen whether the reporting schemes
on whether it was immediately reported to the Gaming
Control Board. There are a lot of questions and a
lot of publicity. Its a global story, and I
just think it would behoove all of us to get a good
handle on what just happened.
The
Nevada Gaming Control Board released a statement on
Sept. 13 saying Gov. Joe Lombardo and the board are
monitoring the cybersecurity incident with MGM Resorts
and are in communication with company executives.
Additionally, the Nevada Gaming Control Board remains
in communication with other law enforcement agencies.
Casino
consultant Brendan Bussmann, managing partner of B
Global, which tracks gaming boards and commissions,
said the Massachusetts hearing wont be the last
and expects states across the country to hold similar
sessions wanting to hear from MGM executives.
Nevada
is the second regulator that I know has raised their
hand on this after Massachusetts, Bussmann said.
It should be about what happened and how it
happened, which should be considered confidential
information. This is going to be a question that every
regulator for both commercial gaming and tribal gaming
is going to be concerned about. Since were still
trying to figure out what happened, then we can see
what tools we need as an industry to beef up our efforts
on cyber-related events.
While
everyone is focused today on MGM and Caesars, this
is not the first cyber attack, Bussmann said.
This
can go back to the Las Vegas Sands attacks in 2014
from the Iranians and any other data breaches that
happened between then and now, Bussmann said.
I would expect every state at a minimum has
MGM and Caesars in it to at least say what happened
and what can we do regulatory to help this and what
can we do with testing and what can we do IT and host
of things.
Bussmann
said the regulators cant be reactionary but
instead should get evidence on how it happened and
use the best resources outside of the casino industry,
such as security firms, to do it right.
Theres
no one better suited to regulate Nevada on this issue
than the Gaming Control Board in working with law
enforcement partners across the country, Bussmann
said.
News
Word
Life
A.
Authority, Agent, Algorithm, Awake, Ads and Alphabet
B.
Balls, Balance and Blogs
C.
Creative and Content
D.
Digital and Disrupt
E.
Expert, Entertainment and Exposure
F. Fix
G.
Go, Grappling, Genuine, Gems, Gold and Gonzo
H.
Hits and Hashtags
I.
Instinct and Instagram
J.
Jewels and Journalism
K.
Karate and Keywords
L.
Lift and LinkedIn
M.
Money, Moneytize and MMA
N.
Numbers and News
O.
Open and Online News
P.
Passion, Promotions, Platforms and Pop Culture
Q.
Questions
R. Revenue and Results
S.
Suplex, Space X and Social Media
T.
Trust, Twitter, Tesla and Trends
U.
Universe, Unique and UFC
V.
Vortex
W.
Wrestling,
W.
Words, Webcode and World
X.
X-Journo and X.
Y.
YouTube and YouTube Shorts
Z.
Zoom
Elon
Musk loses $30 billion in one day amid Wall Streets
tech wipeout - 21st July 2023
Elon
Musks fortune slumped $US20.3 billion ($29.5
billion) after Tesla warned it may have to keep cutting
the prices of its electric vehicles, sending shares
tumbling.
The
drop in net worth to $US234.4 billion is the seventh-largest
decline ever among those in the Bloomberg Billionaires
Index, and further narrows the wealth gap between
Musk and Bernard Arnault, the worlds two richest
people. Musks fortune still exceeds that of
Arnault, chairman of luxury goods maker LVMH, by about
$US33 billion.
Musk
wasnt the only US technology billionaire having
a tough day. Amazon.com s Jeff Bezos, Oracle
Corp.s Larry Ellison, former Microsoft CEO Steve
Ballmer, Metas Mark Zuckerberg and Alphabet
co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin shed a collective
$US20.8 billion in net worth as the tech-heavy Nasdaq
100 fell 2.3 per cent.
Shares
of Tesla slid 9.7 per cent to $US262.90 in New York,
the most since April 20, after the company warned
of more hits to its already-shrinking profitability.
Months of markdowns have taken a toll on automotive
gross margin, which fell to a four-year low in the
second quarter. Musk, the companys CEO, said
Tesla will have to keep lowering prices if interest
rates continue to rise.
In
addition to potentially having to budge further on
pricing, Tesla is pouring money into new models, including
the behind-schedule Cybertruck, plus Dojo, the in-house
supercomputer Musk plans to spend at least $US1 billion
on by the end of next year. While Tesla remains on
track to produce around 1.8 million vehicles in 2023,
output will dip this quarter due to factory upgrades.
It
does make sense to sacrifice margins in favour of
making more vehicles, because we think in the not-too-distant
future they will have a dramatic valuation increase,
Musk said, referring to his belief Tesla will eventually
offer autonomous-driving capability that will make
already-sold cars worth more.
Adding
to Teslas challenges is its growing inventory
of cars. The company said it now has 16 days
worth of supply globally, up from 15 days last quarter
and just four days a year ago. Inventory continued
to build despite steep discounts on Teslas best-selling
models, and perks including free charging that the
carmaker offered consumers.
Musk,
52, derives his wealth primarily from his stake in
the EV manufacturer, as well as his holdings in Space
Exploration Technologies and Twitter. His wealth had
increased about $US118 billion this year through Wednesday,
as shares of Tesla climbed 136 per cent.
Arnault,
74, has seen his net worth rise by $US39 billion this
year to $US201.2 billion. Shares of Paris-based LVMH
have gained 26 per cent in 2023.
FIFA
deletes Matildas fans World Cup videos from
social media
Fans
who shared footage taken inside World Cup stadiums
have had their videos wiped from social media after
complaints from footballs organising body FIFA.
Strict
rules buried in the 13 pages of fine print that accompany
match tickets specify that people not broadcast live
or near live material from the grounds on their
personal social media accounts, to protect broadcasters
rights.
But
the fine print gives FIFA discretion to decide what
constitutes a near live broadcast, so
that fans who uploaded mobile phone footage of crowds
celebrating several hours after the Matildas
one-nil win over Ireland at Stadium Australia on Thursday
had footage deleted.
This
masthead also is not allowed to use any images legally
from these videos.
I
took some footage throughout the game, including the
penalty, which was at the far end of the ground,
said Dan, who requested that his surname not be published.
Then I sort of looped around and got some of
the amazing crowd reactions.
Later,
around midnight, I uploaded it on Instagram. In the
early hours of the morning I opened Instagram and
there was a copyright notice and the video had been
deleted.
Dan
later received an email from Instagram saying he could
contact the complainant, Fédération
Internationale de Football Association, to resolve
the issue. He reposted his video, which at the time
of writing is still live.
FIFA
did not comment directly on Dans case but said
some people posting social media videos would have
them removed because the organisation was conducting
a large operation against digital piracy.
Some
innocuous social media posts may be swept up by algorithms
searching for pirate broadcasters, especially those
that feature snippets of on-field action, it said.
Digital
rights are quite restricted so as to protect broadcast
rights, a spokesman said.
FIFA
said it broadly encouraged people to post images from
matches on social media. While some videos have been
deleted, most are still up, including one posted by
environment minister Tanya Plibersek, who captured
the same goal as Dan from a different angle and posted
it to her Instagram page.
It
does seem like overreach to target people who are
just sharing content of a major sporting event,
said Isabella Alexander, a law professor at the University
of Technology Sydney.
I
think its common for live sporting events to
be very strictly controlled because of the value of
the broadcast rights - and because theres no
copyright on the actual sporting event itself the
way they can enforce it is via the fine print on the
tickets, she said.
Its
probably not common for tickets to have quite the
range of provisions like this, but since nobody ever
reads them, how would we know?
Other
social media platforms have seen World Cup content
removed this week. Journalist Hamish McNeilly from
the Stuff website had a tweet that contained a short
video from the match between New Zealand and Norway
deleted on Thursday night, and posted a take down
notice he received from FIFA shortly afterwards.
FIFAs
control of imagery can seem extreme. During the 2018
mens world cup, footballs governing body
ordered Twitter to take down a short video of seven-year-old
England fan Alex Conn dancing in his living room because
a TV showing a match could be glimpsed in the background.
It
just seems a bit pathetic, Alexs mother
Kathryn told NBC at the time. The fact that
the TV is on in the background is largely incidental.
Hes just enjoying himself and enjoying the game.
FIFA
struck controversy earlier this month when a directive
to cover up plaques of seven Australian athletes at
Allianz Stadium met outrage from some in the sporting
community.
The
move, part of FIFAs clean site policy
to remove all non-World Cup branding from venues,
was reversed last week.
What,
so betting markets can be changed? Robinson
backs Matildas over Kerr injury
Three-time
NRL premiership winning coach Trent Robinson has emerged
as an unlikely ally for Matildas counterpart Tony
Gustavsson after he attracted criticism for keeping
Sam Kerrs World Cup injury a secret.
Kerrs
shock withdrawal from Australias tournament-opening
win over Ireland due to a calf injury was kept under
wraps by the Matildas right up until final teams were
named 90 minutes before kick-off on Thursday night.
Kerr
and Gustavsson spoke at a pre-game press conference
as though the worlds best player was not in
any doubt despite knowing she had suffered the injury
earlier in the day and wouldnt play.
In
his post-match press conference, Gustavsson appealed
for understanding as to the tactical advantage gained
by not flagging Kerrs injury, and told host
broadcaster Channel 7 in a separate interview that
we werent honest in the press conference
|