|
Australian
Sports Entertainment
News
Combat
Sports Events
WWE
WWE SmackDown
January 3, 2025
Footprint Center
Phoenix, Arizona
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 6, 2025
Intuit Dome
Inglewood, California
WWE Legends: Past And Present, John Cena, Roman Reigns,
Celebrities and more
NXT
NXT New Year's Evil
January 7, 2025
The Shrine Expo Hall
Los Angeles, California
Trick Williams vs Oba Femi vs Eddy Thorpe
Roxanne Perez vs Giulia
WWE
SmackDown
January 10, 2025
Moda Center
Portland, Oregon
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 13, 2025
Sap Center
San Jose, California
UFC
UFC Fight Night 249
January 11, 2025
Apex Arena
Paradise, Nevada
WWE
SmackDown
January 17, 2025
Pechanga Arena
San Diego, California
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 20, 2025
American Airlines Center
Dallas, Texas
UFC
UFC 311
January 18, 2025
Intuit Dome
Inglewood, California
Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2
WWE
Saturday Night's Main Event
January 25, 2025
Frost Bank Center
San Antonio, Texas
WWE
Royal Rumble
February 1, 2025
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
UFC
UFC 312
February 9, 2025
Qudos Bank Arena
Homebush, Sydney, Australia
du Plessis vs Strickland 2
WWE
Elimination Chamber
March 1, 2025
Rogers Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*card/s
subject to change
Combat
Sports Watercooler
News
WWE
Pro Wrestler Karrion Kross On Mox Telling Him To Call
Triple H About A Contract
"After
the show, he's like, he basically says 'Hey listen.
I'm not telling you where to go. I'm not telling you
where to make money. But I'm just saying, you really
should call Triple H, cause you could make a very,
very good living there" ... "He was like
'Work wherever you want, go wherever you want. But
I just have a feeling that if you call him, things
are going to be good for you.'
"And
I was like...that's like 'What do you mean? Call Triple
H? What do you mean?' He's like 'Nah, just call him...I'm
giving you his number. I want you to call him.' And
I was like 'Oh my god.' Well now I can't [not call
him]...So now I had to...So I sent him [Triple H]
a text. He calls me and is like 'Is this really Killer
Kross?' Cause like, I don't know, it could be a crank
caller or somebody gets his number. So we talk, and
a few months later, I was in 'NXT,' and that's kind
of how that worked." (Not Sam Wrestling)
News
Bully
Ray on TNA Wrestling, WWE and AEW via Busted Open
Radio
"TNA
will grow, the WWE will grow bigger, and we will either
be talking about the resurgence or the demise of AEW,
and I go 50/50 on that. I want to see the resurgence,
but from what I see right this very moment, I hope
we're not speaking about the demise, and that's just
my fair assessment on everything." (Busted Open
Radio)
News
Wrestling
Legend Kurt Angle On Wrestling Movies And Career via
Talk Is Jericho
"I've
been pretty much building to this movie I'm having
done about my life's sports story" ... "The
directors are Ian and Eshom Nelms. They're really
talented directors. The reason why I picked them is
because they were wrestlers in high school and college.
So they understand my sport.
"So
we got the ball rolling with that, and now we're getting
investors and we're going to start picking the cast
soon. This movie's only about my Olympic story, not
my WWE story. There's going to be, actually, two movies.
'Angle 1' and 'Angle 2.' One's for the Olympics, one's
for after, my WWE and TNA career, everything after
that. It was just too much to put in one movie, so
they wanted to split it in two." (Web Is Jericho)
News
Tommy
Dreamer on CM Punk And Seth Rollins Raw Face To Face
Promo
"It's
a very 'what have you done for me lately.' There's
so much to get into with CM Punk and leaving, and
yes, some people can still harbor a grudge towards
that"
"I
can't even say 'blurring the lines,' because if you
ask me, these two guys don't like each other"
(Busted Open After Dark)
News
AEW
Signed Adam Copeland On His Injury Via TMZ Sports
"I've
actually been cleared for about three months, but
then with everything that happened here with the hurricane,
it just — we all had the discussion," Copeland
said. "It's more important to be home and kind
of get everything at home squared away, and then just
come back to work."
"In
that time, I've been healthy and going to the ring,
and been able to go 100 in the gym" ... "It's
time. I feel ready." (TMZ Sports)
News
WWE
Raw Moves to Netflix
WWE
has entered into a significant partnership with Netflix,
debuting its flagship show 'Raw' on the streaming
platform starting January 6th, 2025. This move has
sparked excitement among fans worldwide due to the
increased accessibility of WWE content. In the UK,
all WWE programming including Raw, SmackDown, NXT,
and Premium Live Events will be available live on
Netflix, while in the US, only Raw will be streamed.
This partnership marks the end of the WWE Network
era, with WWE content now transitioning to Netflix.
Fans are particularly enthusiastic about the availability
of uncensored content and extensive WWE archives,
including classics like WrestleMania 17. The collaboration
is viewed as a transformative step for WWE's distribution
strategy and is expected to influence viewing habits,
potentially reintroducing wrestling into mainstream
entertainment.
News
MMA/UFC
Strickland's
Controversial Comments Stir MMA Community
Sean
Strickland, a prominent MMA fighter, recently sparked
controversy with his comments on Islam, suggesting
it promotes violence and is incompatible with American
values. His statements have led to a significant backlash
from fans and fellow fighters alike, with many accusing
him of hypocrisy given his career in a sport centered
around violence. While there has been speculation
about a potential match-up with Khamzat Chimaev, a
Muslim fighter known for his deep commitment to his
faith, no official confirmation of such a fight has
been made. The discourse around Strickland's comments
has brought to light the complex interplay between
personal beliefs, professional conduct, and public
statements within the MMA community, highlighting
how fighters' personal views can influence their public
and professional lives.
Sweet
Daddy Siki passes away
WWE
is saddened to learn that Elkin James, known to wrestling
fans as Sweet Daddy Siki, passed away on December
31, 2024, at age 91.
Siki
wrestled worldwide for promotions such as Maple Leaf
Wrestling, Grand Prix Wrestling, and Stampede Wrestling
through the ’60s and ’70s and became a fixture
in the Toronto community. He trained many future wrestlers
out of Sully’s Gym in Toronto, Canada, including
iconic WWE Superstars Edge and Christian.
WWE
extends its condolences to Siki’s family, friends
and fans. (WWE)
News/Profile
Combat
Sports via Grok
Combat
sports are competitive physical activities involving
one-on-one combat where the objective is to score
more points, submit, disable, or defeat an opponent
through regulated techniques. These sports have a
rich history, tracing back to various ancient civilizations
and have evolved into diverse forms practiced worldwide:
Boxing:
A sport where competitors use their fists to throw
punches within a designated ring, aiming to outscore
or knock out their opponent. It's one of the oldest
combat sports, with roots in ancient cultures like
Egypt and Greece, and became an Olympic sport in 1904.
Mixed
Martial Arts (MMA): Often seen in promotions like
the UFC, MMA combines techniques from numerous martial
arts including wrestling, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It gained significant recognition in the 1990s and
is known for its no-holds-barred approach within a
regulated environment.
Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Developed by the Gracie family in
Brazil, BJJ focuses on ground fighting and submission
holds. It became popular through MMA and is now practiced
globally for both sport and self-defense.
Muay
Thai: Known as "The Art of Eight Limbs,"
this Thai martial art uses punches, kicks, elbows,
and knee strikes, making it uniquely comprehensive
in terms of striking techniques.
Wrestling:
With styles like freestyle and Greco-Roman, wrestling
involves grappling techniques to pin or throw an opponent.
It's one of the oldest sports, with historical ties
to ancient Greece, and is a mainstay in the Olympics.
Judo:
A Japanese martial art emphasizing throws and submission
holds, judo has been an Olympic sport since 1964,
showcasing its global impact on combat sports.
Kickboxing:
A hybrid sport that incorporates elements from boxing,
karate, and other martial arts, focusing on both punches
and kicks. It's popular in both professional and amateur
circuits.
Combat
sports also serve various benefits beyond competition,
including physical fitness, mental toughness, and
self-defense skills. They are regulated by organizations
to ensure safety, with rules varying by sport and
sometimes by region. In Australia, for instance, combat
sports are overseen by bodies like the Combat Sports
Authority of NSW, ensuring participants are registered
and events are permitted.
These
sports are not only about physical confrontation but
also promote discipline, respect, and sportsmanship
among participants. They have a cultural significance,
often tied to national heritage, and continue to evolve
with new techniques, safety measures, and competitive
formats. (Grok)
News/Profile
Pro
Wrestling
Professional
Wrestling Overview: Professional wrestling is a form
of athletic theater that combines mock combat with
drama, where the premise is that performers are competitive
wrestlers. It's distinguished by its scripted outcomes
and emphasis on entertainment over genuine competition.
The staged nature of matches is an open secret, maintained
through a practice known as "kayfabe," where
both wrestlers and spectators pretend that the performances
are legitimate competitions. Wrestlers perform as
characters with distinctive gimmicks, including unique
attire, stage names, and entrance themes.
Current
Landscape: As of early January 2025, the wrestling
landscape in Australia includes notable promotions
like Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) in Sydney, which
focuses on providing both adult-themed and family-friendly
shows. United Pro Wrestling (UPW) is another key player,
particularly in Queensland, known for its quality
events and character development. Melbourne City Wrestling
(MCW) has been active with events like their anniversary
celebration planned for March 15, 2025.
Global
Influence: Wrestling has achieved mainstream success
worldwide, influencing popular culture with its terminology
and concepts. It's performed across various promotions
globally, with unique styles in countries like the
U.S., Mexico, Japan, and Europe. The largest promotions
continue to be WWE and AEW, with significant cultural
impact through television, music, film, and video
games.
Community
and Culture: Professional wrestling has developed
its own culture, including a vernacular specific to
the industry. Fans engage through live events, online
discussions, and fan-created content, showing the
community's dedication and passion for the sport-entertainment
hybrid.
For
more specific details on events, wrestlers, or promotions,
further exploration into current wrestling news sources
would be beneficial. (Grok)
News
WWE:
Events
WWE
hosts a variety of events throughout the year, ranging
from weekly televised shows to premium live events
(PLEs), previously known as pay-per-views (PPVs).
Here's a breakdown of the upcoming WWE events:
Weekly
Shows:
Monday Night Raw: Broadcast live every Monday. The
next event on January 13, 2025, is at the SAP Center
in San Jose, CA.
Friday
Night SmackDown: Aired live every Friday. The upcoming
event on January 3, 2025, will be at the Footprint
Center in Phoenix, AZ.
WWE
NXT: Typically taped or live on Tuesday nights. The
next significant event, New Year's Evil, is scheduled
for January 7, 2025, at The Shrine LA in Los Angeles,
CA.
Premium
Live Events (PLEs) for 2025:
Saturday
Night's Main Event: January 25, 2025, at the Frost
Bank Center in San Antonio, TX.
Royal
Rumble: February 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in
Indianapolis, IN.
Elimination
Chamber: March 1, 2025, at Rogers Centre in Toronto,
ON, Canada, marking WWE's return to Canada for a PLE.
WrestleMania:
While the exact date for WrestleMania 41 hasn't been
mentioned in the available data, it's traditionally
held in April.
International
and Specialty Events:
WWE
is planning a European Tour starting in mid-March
2025. No specific dates or locations within this tour
have been detailed yet.
There's
also mention of WWE considering multi-night formats
for major events like the Royal Rumble and Money in
the Bank in future years.
Streaming
and Viewing:
All
WWE PLEs are available live on Peacock in the United
States and through various international WWE Network
partners or other streaming services in other countries.
In Australia, PPVs are shown on Main Event.
Weekly
shows like Raw, SmackDown, and NXT are broadcast on
traditional TV and streaming services depending on
the region.
Additional
Notes:
WWE has no scheduled live events in the U.S. until
the European Tour in March, which has been reported
to be well-received by talent for providing a break.
There's a buzz about CM Punk main eventing WrestleMania,
indicating his significant role in upcoming storylines.
For
the most up-to-date information, checking WWE's official
website or following WWE on social media platforms
would provide real-time updates on any changes or
additional events. (Grok)
Wrestling/Pop Culture News
Mildred
Burke biopic: Queen of the Ring
Under
The Media Man Watercooler
Premiers:
Newport Beach Film Festival
Lead:
Emily Bett Rickards as Mildred Burke
Quotes
to UPI
"I
was like, 'Oh, I feel like I can do that. I just haven't'"
"I've
always been super active and I pick up things pretty
fast."
Burke
wrestled professionally from 1937 to 1956 and launched
her own World Women's Wrestling Association after
leaving the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Rickards
portrays Burke, covering her training through the
wrestling organization's creation.
"Mildred
was a pioneer in this arena"
"She
really brought women to wrestling"
"It
was heavy weights, slow on the way down, faster on
the way up"
"There
was a period of time where I remember putting my hands
on my hips and I just felt solid, like there was just
more of me."
"Wrestling
is a lot about safety"
"To
take the bump, you spread out"
Deborah
Ann Woll, Francesca Eastwood, Marie Avgeropoulous,
Kelli Berglund and Damaris Lewis also play real-life
wrestlers. AEW's Kailey Farmer and WWE's Toni Rossall
portray two of Burke's real-life opponents.
Farmer
helped train her in pro wrestling.
"If
you see us wrestling on-screen, she's leading"
"She
brought me into that trust as someone who is an actor,
not a wrestler but was doing my darndest."
"This
ability to weave story and have it be structured but
improvised -- there's an essence there that is so
beautiful"
"I'd
say acting actually is all contact"
"Maybe
it's not punching each other all the time, but it
is really about affecting the other person"
Mildred
Burke Profile/News via Grok
Mildred
Burke was a pivotal figure in professional wrestling,
particularly known for her contributions to women's
wrestling. Here's an overview based on the information
available up to October 20, 2024:
Career:
Mildred Burke began her wrestling career in the early
1930s and quickly made a name for herself by not only
competing against but often defeating male competitors.
Her heyday lasted from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s,
during which she held the NWA World Women's Championship
for nearly twenty years, showcasing her dominance
in the sport.
Achievements:
Burke is recognized for her strength, tenacity, and
for being a trailblazer for women in wrestling. She
was instrumental in introducing women's wrestling
to several countries, including the United States,
Canada, Cuba, Mexico, and parts of Asia like Japan,
where she helped lay the groundwork for what would
become a significant scene for women's wrestling.
Legacy:
Burke's legacy is honored in several Halls of Fame:
She
was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of
the Legacy Wing in 2016, recognizing her as one of
the first major female competitors in wrestling.
She's also a member of the Professional Wrestling
Hall of Fame and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Hall of Fame, underscoring her impact on the sport.
Personal
Life and Challenges: Burke's career was marked by
personal and professional challenges, particularly
her tumultuous relationship with Billy Wolfe, a promoter
who was also her husband. Their relationship was fraught
with issues, including Wolfe's infidelities and control
over the business aspects of wrestling, which led
to significant conflicts and legal battles over the
control of women's wrestling.
Film:
Her life story has been adapted into a biographical
sports drama film titled "Queen of the Ring,"
where actress Emily Bett Rickards portrays Burke.
This film aims to capture her struggle, success, and
the broader impact she had on women's wrestling. The
film has garnered attention for its portrayal of Burke's
life, with its premiere events listed in various film
festivals in October 2024.
Cultural
Impact: Beyond her in-ring achievements, Burke's efforts
helped to legitimize women's wrestling. Her story,
involving both her wrestling prowess and her fight
for the recognition of women in the sport, continues
to inspire new generations of female wrestlers.
Mildred
Burke's story is not just one of athletic achievement
but also of breaking barriers in a male-dominated
industry, making her a significant figure in both
sports and women's history. (Grok)
Queen
of the Ring via Grok
The
term "Queen of the Ring" relates to several
entities across different media:
WWE's
Queen of the Ring: This is a professional wrestling
tournament by WWE, where Nia Jax won the tournament
in 2024, as indicated by posts on X. This event was
part of WWE's broader push to highlight women's wrestling,
providing the winner with a match for the WWE Women's
Championship at SummerSlam.
Mildred
Burke Biopic: There's a biographical film titled "Queen
of the Ring" focusing on Mildred Burke, the first
million-dollar female athlete and a pioneer in women's
professional wrestling. This film has been shown at
various film festivals in 2024, with its world premiere
and subsequent screenings noted across the U.S.
South
Korean TV Series: "Queen of the Ring" also
refers to a South Korean drama series, part of the
"Three Color Fantasy" trilogy, which aired
in 2017. It's a romantic drama involving characters
in a fictional narrative around themes of appearance
and personal relationships.
News
MMA
UFC
311 Betting
UFC
311, scheduled for January 18, 2025, at the Intuit
Dome in Inglewood, California, features several high-profile
fights with notable betting odds. Here's a breakdown
of the betting information for the main events:
Main
Event: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan Islam Makhachev
is listed as the favorite with odds around -235 to
-334, indicating a strong likelihood of retaining
his lightweight title.
Arman
Tsarukyan comes in as the underdog with odds ranging
from +200 to +250, suggesting a potential for an upset
but less likely according to the bookmakers.
Co-Main
Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Umar
Nurmagomedov is the betting favorite at -220, reflecting
confidence in his undefeated record and grappling
prowess.
Merab
Dvalishvili is the underdog with +185 odds, despite
being the current champion, possibly due to Nurmagomedov's
impressive run and the anticipation around his title
challenge.
Other
Notable Fights:
Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill: The odds here are
close, with Hill at -103 and Prochazka at -117 or
vice versa, depending on the latest updates, indicating
a highly competitive match.
For
those interested in placing bets, these odds provide
a snapshot of how the betting markets view the chances
of each fighter. Remember, odds can shift as the fight
date approaches based on various factors including
fighter form, public betting trends, and any last-minute
news.
Please
note, betting on UFC fights involves risks, and these
odds should be used for informational purposes. Always
bet responsibly and within your means. If you're looking
to place bets, consider checking with reputable betting
sites for the most current odds. (Grok)
News/Profile
WWE
WrestleMania Vegas 2025
WWE
WrestleMania 41 is set to take place in Las Vegas
at Allegiant Stadium on April 19 and 20, 2025. This
will be the second time Las Vegas hosts WrestleMania,
with the first being WrestleMania IX in 1993 at Caesars
Palace. The event will span two nights, marking a
continued trend from the format established during
the 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event
Details: WrestleMania 41, also known as WrestleMania
Vegas, will feature matches from both Raw and SmackDown
brand divisions. The event will be broadcasted via
pay-per-view and livestreaming, with international
markets able to watch on Netflix following the WWE
Network's merger with the platform in January 2025.
This will be the first WrestleMania to occur during
Easter weekend.
Ticket
Information: Tickets for WrestleMania 41 went on sale
on October 25, 2024, with presales starting on October
23. There are also 2-day combo tickets available for
purchase.
Cultural
Impact: The event is expected to bring significant
economic benefits to Las Vegas, with more than 180,000
fans anticipated to attend, occupying over 144,000
room nights. Apart from the main event, WWE will also
host Raw, SmackDown, NXT Stand & Deliver, the
WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, and WWE World, contributing
to a comprehensive fan experience.
Notable
Matches: There have been discussions about potential
matches, including a bout between John Cena and Logan
Paul for WrestleMania 41.
This
event signifies WWE's return to one of the world's
entertainment capitals, promising a grand spectacle
with a mix of sports and entertainment. (Grok)
Media
Man Int
Combat
Sports (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/combat_sports.html
Pop
Culture (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/pop_culture.html
Coming
Soon (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/coming_soon.html
Wrestling
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/wrestling_news.html
Wrestling
Watercooler (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/wrestling_watercooler.html
AEW
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/aew_news.html
Sports
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/articles2.html
Combat
Sports Events
WWE
WWE SmackDown
January 3, 2025
Footprint Center
Phoenix, Arizona
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 6, 2025
Intuit Dome
Inglewood, California
WWE Legends: Past And Present, John Cena, Roman Reigns,
Celebrities and more
NXT
NXT New Year's Evil
January 7, 2025
The Shrine Expo Hall
Los Angeles, California
Trick Williams vs Oba Femi vs Eddy Thorpe
Roxanne Perez vs Giulia
WWE
SmackDown
January 10, 2025
Moda Center
Portland, Oregon
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 13, 2025
Sap Center
San Jose, California
UFC
UFC Fight Night 249
January 11, 2025
Apex Arena
Paradise, Nevada
WWE
SmackDown
January 17, 2025
Pechanga Arena
San Diego, California
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 20, 2025
American Airlines Center
Dallas, Texas
UFC
UFC 311
January 18, 2025
Intuit Dome
Inglewood, California
Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2
WWE
Saturday Night's Main Event
January 25, 2025
Frost Bank Center
San Antonio, Texas
WWE
Royal Rumble
February 1, 2025
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
UFC
UFC 312
February 9, 2025
Qudos Bank Arena
Homebush, Sydney, Australia
du Plessis vs Strickland 2
WWE
Elimination Chamber
March 1, 2025
Rogers Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*card/s
subject to change
Combat
Sports Watercooler
News
WWE
Pro Wrestler Karrion Kross On Mox Telling Him To Call
Triple H About A Contract
"After
the show, he's like, he basically says 'Hey listen.
I'm not telling you where to go. I'm not telling you
where to make money. But I'm just saying, you really
should call Triple H, cause you could make a very,
very good living there" ... "He was like
'Work wherever you want, go wherever you want. But
I just have a feeling that if you call him, things
are going to be good for you.'
"And
I was like...that's like 'What do you mean? Call Triple
H? What do you mean?' He's like 'Nah, just call him...I'm
giving you his number. I want you to call him.' And
I was like 'Oh my god.' Well now I can't [not call
him]...So now I had to...So I sent him [Triple H]
a text. He calls me and is like 'Is this really Killer
Kross?' Cause like, I don't know, it could be a crank
caller or somebody gets his number. So we talk, and
a few months later, I was in 'NXT,' and that's kind
of how that worked." (Not Sam Wrestling)
News
Bully
Ray on TNA Wrestling, WWE and AEW via Busted Open
Radio
"TNA
will grow, the WWE will grow bigger, and we will either
be talking about the resurgence or the demise of AEW,
and I go 50/50 on that. I want to see the resurgence,
but from what I see right this very moment, I hope
we're not speaking about the demise, and that's just
my fair assessment on everything." (Busted Open
Radio)
News
Wrestling
Legend Kurt Angle On Wrestling Movies And Career via
Talk Is Jericho
"I've
been pretty much building to this movie I'm having
done about my life's sports story" ... "The
directors are Ian and Eshom Nelms. They're really
talented directors. The reason why I picked them is
because they were wrestlers in high school and college.
So they understand my sport.
"So
we got the ball rolling with that, and now we're getting
investors and we're going to start picking the cast
soon. This movie's only about my Olympic story, not
my WWE story. There's going to be, actually, two movies.
'Angle 1' and 'Angle 2.' One's for the Olympics, one's
for after, my WWE and TNA career, everything after
that. It was just too much to put in one movie, so
they wanted to split it in two." (Web Is Jericho)
News
Tommy
Dreamer on CM Punk And Seth Rollins Raw Face To Face
Promo
"It's
a very 'what have you done for me lately.' There's
so much to get into with CM Punk and leaving, and
yes, some people can still harbor a grudge towards
that"
"I
can't even say 'blurring the lines,' because if you
ask me, these two guys don't like each other"
(Busted Open After Dark)
News
AEW
Signed Adam Copeland On His Injury Via TMZ Sports
"I've
actually been cleared for about three months, but
then with everything that happened here with the hurricane,
it just — we all had the discussion," Copeland
said. "It's more important to be home and kind
of get everything at home squared away, and then just
come back to work."
"In
that time, I've been healthy and going to the ring,
and been able to go 100 in the gym" ... "It's
time. I feel ready." (TMZ Sports)
News
WWE
Raw Moves to Netflix
WWE
has entered into a significant partnership with Netflix,
debuting its flagship show 'Raw' on the streaming
platform starting January 6th, 2025. This move has
sparked excitement among fans worldwide due to the
increased accessibility of WWE content. In the UK,
all WWE programming including Raw, SmackDown, NXT,
and Premium Live Events will be available live on
Netflix, while in the US, only Raw will be streamed.
This partnership marks the end of the WWE Network
era, with WWE content now transitioning to Netflix.
Fans are particularly enthusiastic about the availability
of uncensored content and extensive WWE archives,
including classics like WrestleMania 17. The collaboration
is viewed as a transformative step for WWE's distribution
strategy and is expected to influence viewing habits,
potentially reintroducing wrestling into mainstream
entertainment.
News
MMA/UFC
Strickland's
Controversial Comments Stir MMA Community
Sean
Strickland, a prominent MMA fighter, recently sparked
controversy with his comments on Islam, suggesting
it promotes violence and is incompatible with American
values. His statements have led to a significant backlash
from fans and fellow fighters alike, with many accusing
him of hypocrisy given his career in a sport centered
around violence. While there has been speculation
about a potential match-up with Khamzat Chimaev, a
Muslim fighter known for his deep commitment to his
faith, no official confirmation of such a fight has
been made. The discourse around Strickland's comments
has brought to light the complex interplay between
personal beliefs, professional conduct, and public
statements within the MMA community, highlighting
how fighters' personal views can influence their public
and professional lives.
Sweet
Daddy Siki passes away
WWE
is saddened to learn that Elkin James, known to wrestling
fans as Sweet Daddy Siki, passed away on December
31, 2024, at age 91.
Siki
wrestled worldwide for promotions such as Maple Leaf
Wrestling, Grand Prix Wrestling, and Stampede Wrestling
through the ’60s and ’70s and became a fixture
in the Toronto community. He trained many future wrestlers
out of Sully’s Gym in Toronto, Canada, including
iconic WWE Superstars Edge and Christian.
WWE
extends its condolences to Siki’s family, friends
and fans. (WWE)
News/Profile
Combat
Sports via Grok
Combat
sports are competitive physical activities involving
one-on-one combat where the objective is to score
more points, submit, disable, or defeat an opponent
through regulated techniques. These sports have a
rich history, tracing back to various ancient civilizations
and have evolved into diverse forms practiced worldwide:
Boxing:
A sport where competitors use their fists to throw
punches within a designated ring, aiming to outscore
or knock out their opponent. It's one of the oldest
combat sports, with roots in ancient cultures like
Egypt and Greece, and became an Olympic sport in 1904.
Mixed
Martial Arts (MMA): Often seen in promotions like
the UFC, MMA combines techniques from numerous martial
arts including wrestling, boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It gained significant recognition in the 1990s and
is known for its no-holds-barred approach within a
regulated environment.
Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Developed by the Gracie family in
Brazil, BJJ focuses on ground fighting and submission
holds. It became popular through MMA and is now practiced
globally for both sport and self-defense.
Muay
Thai: Known as "The Art of Eight Limbs,"
this Thai martial art uses punches, kicks, elbows,
and knee strikes, making it uniquely comprehensive
in terms of striking techniques.
Wrestling:
With styles like freestyle and Greco-Roman, wrestling
involves grappling techniques to pin or throw an opponent.
It's one of the oldest sports, with historical ties
to ancient Greece, and is a mainstay in the Olympics.
Judo:
A Japanese martial art emphasizing throws and submission
holds, judo has been an Olympic sport since 1964,
showcasing its global impact on combat sports.
Kickboxing:
A hybrid sport that incorporates elements from boxing,
karate, and other martial arts, focusing on both punches
and kicks. It's popular in both professional and amateur
circuits.
Combat
sports also serve various benefits beyond competition,
including physical fitness, mental toughness, and
self-defense skills. They are regulated by organizations
to ensure safety, with rules varying by sport and
sometimes by region. In Australia, for instance, combat
sports are overseen by bodies like the Combat Sports
Authority of NSW, ensuring participants are registered
and events are permitted.
These
sports are not only about physical confrontation but
also promote discipline, respect, and sportsmanship
among participants. They have a cultural significance,
often tied to national heritage, and continue to evolve
with new techniques, safety measures, and competitive
formats. (Grok)
News/Profile
Pro
Wrestling
Professional
Wrestling Overview: Professional wrestling is a form
of athletic theater that combines mock combat with
drama, where the premise is that performers are competitive
wrestlers. It's distinguished by its scripted outcomes
and emphasis on entertainment over genuine competition.
The staged nature of matches is an open secret, maintained
through a practice known as "kayfabe," where
both wrestlers and spectators pretend that the performances
are legitimate competitions. Wrestlers perform as
characters with distinctive gimmicks, including unique
attire, stage names, and entrance themes.
Current
Landscape: As of early January 2025, the wrestling
landscape in Australia includes notable promotions
like Pro Wrestling Australia (PWA) in Sydney, which
focuses on providing both adult-themed and family-friendly
shows. United Pro Wrestling (UPW) is another key player,
particularly in Queensland, known for its quality
events and character development. Melbourne City Wrestling
(MCW) has been active with events like their anniversary
celebration planned for March 15, 2025.
Global
Influence: Wrestling has achieved mainstream success
worldwide, influencing popular culture with its terminology
and concepts. It's performed across various promotions
globally, with unique styles in countries like the
U.S., Mexico, Japan, and Europe. The largest promotions
continue to be WWE and AEW, with significant cultural
impact through television, music, film, and video
games.
Community
and Culture: Professional wrestling has developed
its own culture, including a vernacular specific to
the industry. Fans engage through live events, online
discussions, and fan-created content, showing the
community's dedication and passion for the sport-entertainment
hybrid.
For
more specific details on events, wrestlers, or promotions,
further exploration into current wrestling news sources
would be beneficial. (Grok)
News
WWE:
Events
WWE
hosts a variety of events throughout the year, ranging
from weekly televised shows to premium live events
(PLEs), previously known as pay-per-views (PPVs).
Here's a breakdown of the upcoming WWE events:
Weekly
Shows:
Monday Night Raw: Broadcast live every Monday. The
next event on January 13, 2025, is at the SAP Center
in San Jose, CA.
Friday
Night SmackDown: Aired live every Friday. The upcoming
event on January 3, 2025, will be at the Footprint
Center in Phoenix, AZ.
WWE
NXT: Typically taped or live on Tuesday nights. The
next significant event, New Year's Evil, is scheduled
for January 7, 2025, at The Shrine LA in Los Angeles,
CA.
Premium
Live Events (PLEs) for 2025:
Saturday
Night's Main Event: January 25, 2025, at the Frost
Bank Center in San Antonio, TX.
Royal
Rumble: February 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in
Indianapolis, IN.
Elimination
Chamber: March 1, 2025, at Rogers Centre in Toronto,
ON, Canada, marking WWE's return to Canada for a PLE.
WrestleMania:
While the exact date for WrestleMania 41 hasn't been
mentioned in the available data, it's traditionally
held in April.
International
and Specialty Events:
WWE
is planning a European Tour starting in mid-March
2025. No specific dates or locations within this tour
have been detailed yet.
There's
also mention of WWE considering multi-night formats
for major events like the Royal Rumble and Money in
the Bank in future years.
Streaming
and Viewing:
All
WWE PLEs are available live on Peacock in the United
States and through various international WWE Network
partners or other streaming services in other countries.
In Australia, PPVs are shown on Main Event.
Weekly
shows like Raw, SmackDown, and NXT are broadcast on
traditional TV and streaming services depending on
the region.
Additional
Notes:
WWE has no scheduled live events in the U.S. until
the European Tour in March, which has been reported
to be well-received by talent for providing a break.
There's a buzz about CM Punk main eventing WrestleMania,
indicating his significant role in upcoming storylines.
For
the most up-to-date information, checking WWE's official
website or following WWE on social media platforms
would provide real-time updates on any changes or
additional events. (Grok)
Wrestling/Pop Culture News
Mildred
Burke biopic: Queen of the Ring
Under
The Media Man Watercooler
Premiers:
Newport Beach Film Festival
Lead:
Emily Bett Rickards as Mildred Burke
Quotes
to UPI
"I
was like, 'Oh, I feel like I can do that. I just haven't'"
"I've
always been super active and I pick up things pretty
fast."
Burke
wrestled professionally from 1937 to 1956 and launched
her own World Women's Wrestling Association after
leaving the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Rickards
portrays Burke, covering her training through the
wrestling organization's creation.
"Mildred
was a pioneer in this arena"
"She
really brought women to wrestling"
"It
was heavy weights, slow on the way down, faster on
the way up"
"There
was a period of time where I remember putting my hands
on my hips and I just felt solid, like there was just
more of me."
"Wrestling
is a lot about safety"
"To
take the bump, you spread out"
Deborah
Ann Woll, Francesca Eastwood, Marie Avgeropoulous,
Kelli Berglund and Damaris Lewis also play real-life
wrestlers. AEW's Kailey Farmer and WWE's Toni Rossall
portray two of Burke's real-life opponents.
Farmer
helped train her in pro wrestling.
"If
you see us wrestling on-screen, she's leading"
"She
brought me into that trust as someone who is an actor,
not a wrestler but was doing my darndest."
"This
ability to weave story and have it be structured but
improvised -- there's an essence there that is so
beautiful"
"I'd
say acting actually is all contact"
"Maybe
it's not punching each other all the time, but it
is really about affecting the other person"
Mildred
Burke Profile/News via Grok
Mildred
Burke was a pivotal figure in professional wrestling,
particularly known for her contributions to women's
wrestling. Here's an overview based on the information
available up to October 20, 2024:
Career:
Mildred Burke began her wrestling career in the early
1930s and quickly made a name for herself by not only
competing against but often defeating male competitors.
Her heyday lasted from the mid-1930s to the mid-1950s,
during which she held the NWA World Women's Championship
for nearly twenty years, showcasing her dominance
in the sport.
Achievements:
Burke is recognized for her strength, tenacity, and
for being a trailblazer for women in wrestling. She
was instrumental in introducing women's wrestling
to several countries, including the United States,
Canada, Cuba, Mexico, and parts of Asia like Japan,
where she helped lay the groundwork for what would
become a significant scene for women's wrestling.
Legacy:
Burke's legacy is honored in several Halls of Fame:
She
was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of
the Legacy Wing in 2016, recognizing her as one of
the first major female competitors in wrestling.
She's also a member of the Professional Wrestling
Hall of Fame and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Hall of Fame, underscoring her impact on the sport.
Personal
Life and Challenges: Burke's career was marked by
personal and professional challenges, particularly
her tumultuous relationship with Billy Wolfe, a promoter
who was also her husband. Their relationship was fraught
with issues, including Wolfe's infidelities and control
over the business aspects of wrestling, which led
to significant conflicts and legal battles over the
control of women's wrestling.
Film:
Her life story has been adapted into a biographical
sports drama film titled "Queen of the Ring,"
where actress Emily Bett Rickards portrays Burke.
This film aims to capture her struggle, success, and
the broader impact she had on women's wrestling. The
film has garnered attention for its portrayal of Burke's
life, with its premiere events listed in various film
festivals in October 2024.
Cultural
Impact: Beyond her in-ring achievements, Burke's efforts
helped to legitimize women's wrestling. Her story,
involving both her wrestling prowess and her fight
for the recognition of women in the sport, continues
to inspire new generations of female wrestlers.
Mildred
Burke's story is not just one of athletic achievement
but also of breaking barriers in a male-dominated
industry, making her a significant figure in both
sports and women's history. (Grok)
Queen
of the Ring via Grok
The
term "Queen of the Ring" relates to several
entities across different media:
WWE's
Queen of the Ring: This is a professional wrestling
tournament by WWE, where Nia Jax won the tournament
in 2024, as indicated by posts on X. This event was
part of WWE's broader push to highlight women's wrestling,
providing the winner with a match for the WWE Women's
Championship at SummerSlam.
Mildred
Burke Biopic: There's a biographical film titled "Queen
of the Ring" focusing on Mildred Burke, the first
million-dollar female athlete and a pioneer in women's
professional wrestling. This film has been shown at
various film festivals in 2024, with its world premiere
and subsequent screenings noted across the U.S.
South
Korean TV Series: "Queen of the Ring" also
refers to a South Korean drama series, part of the
"Three Color Fantasy" trilogy, which aired
in 2017. It's a romantic drama involving characters
in a fictional narrative around themes of appearance
and personal relationships.
News
MMA
UFC
311 Betting
UFC
311, scheduled for January 18, 2025, at the Intuit
Dome in Inglewood, California, features several high-profile
fights with notable betting odds. Here's a breakdown
of the betting information for the main events:
Main
Event: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan Islam Makhachev
is listed as the favorite with odds around -235 to
-334, indicating a strong likelihood of retaining
his lightweight title.
Arman
Tsarukyan comes in as the underdog with odds ranging
from +200 to +250, suggesting a potential for an upset
but less likely according to the bookmakers.
Co-Main
Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Umar
Nurmagomedov is the betting favorite at -220, reflecting
confidence in his undefeated record and grappling
prowess.
Merab
Dvalishvili is the underdog with +185 odds, despite
being the current champion, possibly due to Nurmagomedov's
impressive run and the anticipation around his title
challenge.
Other
Notable Fights:
Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill: The odds here are
close, with Hill at -103 and Prochazka at -117 or
vice versa, depending on the latest updates, indicating
a highly competitive match.
For
those interested in placing bets, these odds provide
a snapshot of how the betting markets view the chances
of each fighter. Remember, odds can shift as the fight
date approaches based on various factors including
fighter form, public betting trends, and any last-minute
news.
Please
note, betting on UFC fights involves risks, and these
odds should be used for informational purposes. Always
bet responsibly and within your means. If you're looking
to place bets, consider checking with reputable betting
sites for the most current odds. (Grok)
News/Profile
WWE
WrestleMania Vegas 2025
WWE
WrestleMania 41 is set to take place in Las Vegas
at Allegiant Stadium on April 19 and 20, 2025. This
will be the second time Las Vegas hosts WrestleMania,
with the first being WrestleMania IX in 1993 at Caesars
Palace. The event will span two nights, marking a
continued trend from the format established during
the 2020 event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event
Details: WrestleMania 41, also known as WrestleMania
Vegas, will feature matches from both Raw and SmackDown
brand divisions. The event will be broadcasted via
pay-per-view and livestreaming, with international
markets able to watch on Netflix following the WWE
Network's merger with the platform in January 2025.
This will be the first WrestleMania to occur during
Easter weekend.
Ticket
Information: Tickets for WrestleMania 41 went on sale
on October 25, 2024, with presales starting on October
23. There are also 2-day combo tickets available for
purchase.
Cultural
Impact: The event is expected to bring significant
economic benefits to Las Vegas, with more than 180,000
fans anticipated to attend, occupying over 144,000
room nights. Apart from the main event, WWE will also
host Raw, SmackDown, NXT Stand & Deliver, the
WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, and WWE World, contributing
to a comprehensive fan experience.
Notable
Matches: There have been discussions about potential
matches, including a bout between John Cena and Logan
Paul for WrestleMania 41.
This
event signifies WWE's return to one of the world's
entertainment capitals, promising a grand spectacle
with a mix of sports and entertainment. (Grok)
Media
Man Int
Combat
Sports (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/combat_sports.html
Pop
Culture (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/pop_culture.html
Coming
Soon (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/coming_soon.html
Wrestling
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/wrestling_news.html
Wrestling
Watercooler (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/wrestling_watercooler.html
AEW
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/aew_news.html
Sports
News (Media Man Int) *in progress
https://www.mediamanint.com/articles2.html
2024
WWE
Speed
Every Wednesday on X
WWE
Crown Jewel
November 2, 2024
Kingdom Arena
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Cody Rhodes vs Gunther
Roman Reigns and The Usos vs The Bloodline
UFC
Fight Night
November 2, 2024
Rogers Place
Edmonton, Canada
Moreno vs Albazi
Blanchfield vs Namajunas
BKFC
BKFC
68
Utilta Arena
Newcastle, United Kingdom
Faulkner vs Oscar
WWE
Raw
November 3, 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Fallout from Crown Jewel
The Road To Survivor Series
WWE
NXT
NXT 2300
November 6, 2024
2300 Arena FKA ECW Arena
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Numerous ECW legends to appear
WWE
SmackDown
November 8, 2024
Keybank Center
Buffalo, New York
UFC
UFC
Night Night Vegas
November 10, 2024
Apex Arena, Las Vegas
Magney vs Prates
WWE
Raw
November 11, 2024
Van Andel Arena
Grand Rapids, Michigan
UFC
November 17, 2024
UFC 309
Madison Square Garden
New York
Jones vs Miocic
UFC
November 23, 2024
UFC
Fight Night
Yan vs Figueiredo
Galaxy Arena
Macau, SAR, China
WWE
Survivor Series: War Games
November 30, 2024
Rogers Arena
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Boxing
Frank Warren/Queensberry
Promotions
Usyk
vs Fury
December 21, 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
UFC
December 8, 2024
UFC 310
Muhammad vs Rakhmonov
T-Mobile Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
WWE
Saturday Night's Main Event
December 14, 2024
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Long Island, Uniondale, New York
UFC
UFC
on ESPN 83 aka UFC Fight Night
December 14, 2024
Amalie Arena
Tampa, Florida
2025
UFC
UFC
Fight Night 249
January 11, 2025
Apex Arena
Paradise, Nevada
UFC
UFC
311
January 18, 2025
WWE
Royal Rumble
February 1, 2025
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
*card/s
subject to change
Combat
Sports Week
WWE
Raw
November 11, 2024
Grand Rapids, Michigan
WWE
NXT
November 12,, 2024
Orlando, Florida
WWE
SmackDown
November 15, 2024
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jake
Paul vs Mike Tyson
Netflix - Most Valuable Promotions
November 15, 2024
Arlington, Texas
UFC
309
November 16, 2024
New York City, New York
News
Combat
Sports Week via Grok
Combat
Sports Week is a term often used to describe a week
packed with significant events in various combat sports
like boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing,
and more. Here's a look at what's happening based
on recent information:
Jake
Paul vs. Mike Tyson: This boxing event has captured
a lot of attention due to its unique matchup. Jake
Paul, known for his YouTube fame and his transition
into boxing, is set to fight against the legendary
former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. This event
is highlighted as part of a significant weekend in
combat sports, showcasing the blend of traditional
boxing fame with modern influencer culture.
UFC
309: Scheduled for November 16, 2024, at Madison Square
Garden, this UFC event features a heavyweight title
fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. This match-up
is anticipated to be a highlight of the combat sports
calendar, bringing together two of the most storied
fighters in the division's history.
Gamebred
FC Bareknuckle MMA: An event featuring 12 UFC veterans
participating in bareknuckle MMA, headlined by Randy
Costa for the first-ever Gamebred bantamweight belt.
This event is noted for being available to watch for
free on platforms like YouTube and X, indicating a
shift towards more accessible viewing for fans.
These
events collectively define what many enthusiasts would
call a "Combat Sports Week," where fans
get to witness high-profile fights across different
disciplines, showcasing both established legends and
rising stars in the world of combat sports. If you're
a fan of these sports, this week offers a plethora
of action, from traditional boxing to the raw intensity
of bareknuckle MMA, all highlighted by significant
bouts that could define careers and legacies. (Grok)
News
Fight
Week via Grok
"Fight
Week" typically refers to the week leading up
to a significant combat sports event, such as a boxing
match or a UFC fight. Here's what you might expect
during a typical Fight Week:
Pre-Fight
Activities:
Training: Fighters often scale back intense training
to avoid injuries, focusing instead on fine-tuning
techniques, strategy sessions, and lighter workouts.
The intensity decreases as the week progresses, with
some fighters tapering off to rest and hydration management.
Weight
Cutting: For those in weight class sports like boxing
or MMA, this is the time when fighters cut weight
to meet the required limits. This can involve dehydration,
dietary adjustments, and other weight loss strategies.
Media
Obligations: Fighters participate in press conferences,
media days, and interviews. This is when they might
face off with their opponents for promotional purposes,
often leading to memorable moments or trash-talking.
Open
Workouts: Some events allow fans or media to watch
fighters train, although these workouts are usually
light and more for show than for serious training.
Weigh-Ins:
Usually held a day before the fight, weigh-ins are
crucial for ensuring fighters meet the weight requirements
of their division. This can be tense, with last-minute
weight cuts sometimes visible.
Final
Preparations:
Fighters might have their last sparring sessions early
in the week, followed by rest, recovery, and mental
preparation. Hydration and nutrition are carefully
managed, especially after weigh-ins when fighters
rehydrate and refuel.
Fan
Events:
For big events like UFC's International Fight Week,
there are numerous fan-centric activities like meet-and-greets,
fan expos, and Q&A sessions with fighters.
Fight
Day:
The culmination of Fight Week where all the preparation
comes to fruition. Fighters usually have a very light
day, focusing on staying calm, mentally sharp, and
physically ready for the fight.
For
2024, notable events during Fight Weeks include:
UFC
303 featuring significant bouts like Alex Pereira
vs. Jiri Prochazka 2, set for June, showcasing the
typical fight week activities leading up to this major
event.
Boxing
events like Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on November 15,
where the build-up would include all the traditional
elements of a fight week, amplified by the personalities
involved.
These
weeks are filled with anticipation, strategy, and
often, drama, as fighters and their teams navigate
through the final preparations for their bouts. (Grok)
2024
WWE
Speed
Every Wednesday on X
WWE
Crown Jewel
November 2, 2024
Kingdom Arena
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Cody Rhodes vs Gunther
Roman Reigns and The Usos vs The Bloodline
UFC
Fight Night
November 2, 2024
Rogers Place
Edmonton, Canada
Moreno vs Albazi
Blanchfield vs Namajunas
BKFC
BKFC
68
Utilta Arena
Newcastle, United Kingdom
Faulkner vs Oscar
WWE
Raw
November 3, 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Fallout from Crown Jewel
The Road To Survivor Series
WWE
NXT
NXT 2300
November 6, 2024
2300 Arena FKA ECW Arena
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Numerous ECW legends to appear
WWE
SmackDown
November 8, 2024
Keybank Center
Buffalo, New York
UFC
UFC
Night Night Vegas
November 10, 2024
Apex Arena, Las Vegas
Magney vs Prates
WWE
Raw
November 11, 2024
Van Andel Arena
Grand Rapids, Michigan
UFC
November 17, 2024
UFC 309
Madison Square Garden
New York
Jones vs Miocic
UFC
November 23, 2024
UFC
Fight Night
Yan vs Figueiredo
Galaxy Arena
Macau, SAR, China
WWE
Survivor Series: War Games
November 30, 2024
Rogers Arena
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Boxing
Frank Warren/Queensberry
Promotions
Usyk
vs Fury
December 21, 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
UFC
December 8, 2024
UFC 310
Muhammad vs Rakhmonov
T-Mobile Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
WWE
Saturday Night's Main Event
December 14, 2024
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Long Island, Uniondale, New York
UFC
UFC
on ESPN 83 aka UFC Fight Night
December 14, 2024
Amalie Arena
Tampa, Florida
2025
UFC
UFC
Fight Night 249
January 11, 2025
Apex Arena
Paradise, Nevada
UFC
UFC
311
January 18, 2025
WWE
Royal Rumble
February 1, 2025
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
*card/s
subject to change
Combat
Sports Week
WWE
Raw
November 11, 2024
Grand Rapids, Michigan
WWE
NXT
November 12,, 2024
Orlando, Florida
WWE
SmackDown
November 15, 2024
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jake
Paul vs Mike Tyson
Netflix - Most Valuable Promotions
November 15, 2024
Arlington, Texas
UFC
309
November 16, 2024
New York City, New York
News
Combat
Sports Week via Grok
Combat
Sports Week is a term often used to describe a week
packed with significant events in various combat sports
like boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), kickboxing,
and more. Here's a look at what's happening based
on recent information:
Jake
Paul vs. Mike Tyson: This boxing event has captured
a lot of attention due to its unique matchup. Jake
Paul, known for his YouTube fame and his transition
into boxing, is set to fight against the legendary
former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. This event
is highlighted as part of a significant weekend in
combat sports, showcasing the blend of traditional
boxing fame with modern influencer culture.
UFC
309: Scheduled for November 16, 2024, at Madison Square
Garden, this UFC event features a heavyweight title
fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. This match-up
is anticipated to be a highlight of the combat sports
calendar, bringing together two of the most storied
fighters in the division's history.
Gamebred
FC Bareknuckle MMA: An event featuring 12 UFC veterans
participating in bareknuckle MMA, headlined by Randy
Costa for the first-ever Gamebred bantamweight belt.
This event is noted for being available to watch for
free on platforms like YouTube and X, indicating a
shift towards more accessible viewing for fans.
These
events collectively define what many enthusiasts would
call a "Combat Sports Week," where fans
get to witness high-profile fights across different
disciplines, showcasing both established legends and
rising stars in the world of combat sports. If you're
a fan of these sports, this week offers a plethora
of action, from traditional boxing to the raw intensity
of bareknuckle MMA, all highlighted by significant
bouts that could define careers and legacies. (Grok)
News
Fight
Week via Grok
"Fight
Week" typically refers to the week leading up
to a significant combat sports event, such as a boxing
match or a UFC fight. Here's what you might expect
during a typical Fight Week:
Pre-Fight
Activities:
Training: Fighters often scale back intense training
to avoid injuries, focusing instead on fine-tuning
techniques, strategy sessions, and lighter workouts.
The intensity decreases as the week progresses, with
some fighters tapering off to rest and hydration management.
Weight
Cutting: For those in weight class sports like boxing
or MMA, this is the time when fighters cut weight
to meet the required limits. This can involve dehydration,
dietary adjustments, and other weight loss strategies.
Media
Obligations: Fighters participate in press conferences,
media days, and interviews. This is when they might
face off with their opponents for promotional purposes,
often leading to memorable moments or trash-talking.
Open
Workouts: Some events allow fans or media to watch
fighters train, although these workouts are usually
light and more for show than for serious training.
Weigh-Ins:
Usually held a day before the fight, weigh-ins are
crucial for ensuring fighters meet the weight requirements
of their division. This can be tense, with last-minute
weight cuts sometimes visible.
Final
Preparations:
Fighters might have their last sparring sessions early
in the week, followed by rest, recovery, and mental
preparation. Hydration and nutrition are carefully
managed, especially after weigh-ins when fighters
rehydrate and refuel.
Fan
Events:
For big events like UFC's International Fight Week,
there are numerous fan-centric activities like meet-and-greets,
fan expos, and Q&A sessions with fighters.
Fight
Day:
The culmination of Fight Week where all the preparation
comes to fruition. Fighters usually have a very light
day, focusing on staying calm, mentally sharp, and
physically ready for the fight.
For
2024, notable events during Fight Weeks include:
UFC
303 featuring significant bouts like Alex Pereira
vs. Jiri Prochazka 2, set for June, showcasing the
typical fight week activities leading up to this major
event.
Boxing
events like Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul on November 15,
where the build-up would include all the traditional
elements of a fight week, amplified by the personalities
involved.
These
weeks are filled with anticipation, strategy, and
often, drama, as fighters and their teams navigate
through the final preparations for their bouts. (Grok)
Combat
Sports Events
WWE
WWE SmackDown
January 3, 2025
Footprint Center
Phoenix, Arizona
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 6, 2025
Intuit Dome
Inglewood, California
WWE Legends: Past And Present, John Cena, Roman Reigns,
Celebrities and more
NXT
NXT New Year's Evil
January 7, 2025
The Shrine Expo Hall
Los Angeles, California
Trick Williams vs Oba Femi vs Eddy Thorpe
Roxanne Perez vs Giulia
WWE
SmackDown
January 10, 2025
Moda Center
Portland, Oregon
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 13, 2025
Sap Center
San Jose, California
UFC
UFC Fight Night 249
January 11, 2025
Apex Arena
Paradise, Nevada
WWE
SmackDown
January 17, 2025
Pechanga Arena
San Diego, California
WWE
RAW On Netflix
January 20, 2025
American Airlines Center
Dallas, Texas
UFC
UFC 311
January 18, 2025
Intuit Dome
Inglewood, California
Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2
WWE
Saturday Night's Main Event
January 25, 2025
Frost Bank Center
San Antonio, Texas
WWE
Royal Rumble
February 1, 2025
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
UFC
UFC 312
February 9, 2025
Qudos Bank Arena
Homebush, Sydney, Australia
du Plessis vs Strickland 2
WWE
Elimination Chamber
March 1, 2025
Rogers Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
*card/s
subject to change
Combat
Sports Week
WWE
Raw
November 11, 2024
Grand Rapids, Michigan
WWE
NXT
November 12,, 2024
Orlando, Florida
WWE
SmackDown
November 15, 2024
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Jake
Paul vs Mike Tyson
Netflix - Most Valuable Promotions
November 15, 2024
Arlington, Texas
UFC
309
November 16, 2024
New York City, New York
2024
WWE
Speed
Every Wednesday on X
WWE
Crown Jewel
November 2, 2024
Kingdom Arena
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Cody Rhodes vs Gunther
Roman Reigns and The Usos vs The Bloodline
UFC
Fight Night
November 2, 2024
Rogers Place
Edmonton, Canada
Moreno vs Albazi
Blanchfield vs Namajunas
BKFC
BKFC
68
Utilta Arena
Newcastle, United Kingdom
Faulkner vs Oscar
WWE
Raw
November 3, 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Fallout from Crown Jewel
The Road To Survivor Series
WWE
NXT
NXT 2300
November 6, 2024
2300 Arena FKA ECW Arena
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Numerous ECW legends to appear
WWE
SmackDown
November 8, 2024
Keybank Center
Buffalo, New York
UFC
UFC
Night Night Vegas
November 10, 2024
Apex Arena, Las Vegas
Magney vs Prates
WWE
Raw
November 11, 2024
Van Andel Arena
Grand Rapids, Michigan
UFC
November 17, 2024
UFC 309
Madison Square Garden
New York
Jones vs Miocic
UFC
November 23, 2024
UFC
Fight Night
Yan vs Figueiredo
Galaxy Arena
Macau, SAR, China
WWE
Survivor Series: War Games
November 30, 2024
Rogers Arena
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Boxing
Frank Warren/Queensberry
Promotions
Usyk
vs Fury
December 21, 2024
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
UFC
December 8, 2024
UFC 310
Muhammad vs Rakhmonov
T-Mobile Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
WWE
Saturday Night's Main Event
December 14, 2024
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Long Island, Uniondale, New York
UFC
UFC
on ESPN 83 aka UFC Fight Night
December 14, 2024
Amalie Arena
Tampa, Florida
2025
UFC
UFC
Fight Night 249
January 11, 2025
Apex Arena
Paradise, Nevada
UFC
UFC
311
January 18, 2025
WWE
Royal Rumble
February 1, 2025
Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, Indiana
*card/s
subject to change
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
Media
Man Australia Media
Man Int
Australian
Sports Entertainment Blog Aust
Sports Ent
The
Pat McAfee Show gets $30M per year in blockbuster
FanDuel deal
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)
The
Pat McAfee Show: Interview with Triple H (WWE / NXT)
Pat
McAfee Show wins Media Man 'Podcaster Of The Month'
and 'Sports Podcaster Of The Month' award
‘Absurd’:
NFL punter turned host hits $170m jackpot as gamble
pays off with ‘richest ever’ deal
Steve
Austin On The Chemistry Between Paul Heyman And Roman
Reigns
Sports
betting business is good business: insiders and sports
betting fans
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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
Women’s 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)
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Achieve WWE
RAW 1000th Episode Screens In Australia today; Movie, Hollywood, Celebrity and
Casino News - 25th July 2012 WWE
RAW 1000th Episode Screens In Australia today; Movie, Hollywood, Celebrity and
Casino News; The Dark Knight Rises, The Wolverine, Amazing Spider-Man, Marvel
Games... Pro wrestling
fans down under in Australia - are you ready? The WWE RAW 1000th episode screens
today at 2.30pm EST on FOX8. Most of the modern day wrestling legends who helped
make RAW as great as it is will be appearing. Today's Media Man agency report
also offers up news and info on comic book movies and games associated with 'The
Dark Knight Rises', 'The Wolverine' and 'Amazing Spider-Man'. Then we check out
the Australian casino scene, and pick up a bit of political and celebrity news
for good measure. Keep checking the news website portal daily for some of the
most superior news coverage on the internet. WWE
Boss Vince McMahon on his WWE; (Q&A interview)... As
the 1,000th episode of "Raw" approaches, the wrestling king offers his
thoughts on professional wrestling aka "sports entertainment" (The Hollywood
Reporter). Vince
McMahon has the final say at the WWE. He is the chairman and CEO of World Wrestling
Entertainment, and his wife, Linda, is running for the U.S. Senate from Connecticut.
McMahon, 66, is preparing for the 1,000th episode of USA flagship live show Raw,
the longest-running episodic primetime program in the U.S. Raw, which reaches
more than 600 million homes worldwide and contributed massively to the network's
$340 million in revenue from live and televised entertainment in 2011. Today they
kick of with adding a third hour and becoming the most interactive show in pro
wrestling, and in just about any other medium or genre. THE
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: You started on USA, moved to another network and then returned
to USA …
Vince McMahon: We became the No. 1 show on USA. And they wouldn't
be No. 1 right now in primetime if not for Raw. We switched one time to what became
the Spike network and became the No. 1 show there. We have proved that we can
pretty much make TV networks. THR:
WWE and your performers have started using Twitter more. McMahon:
Back in the early days, our performers elicited a response -- a boo or a cheer.
Today, we use all this social media. We are going to do Tout, in which the WWE
just invested. With that, you get a 15-second video shout-out that goes straight
to our TV programs. Beginning with the 1,000th show, people can participate in
terms of the types of matches and what actually happens on air. It will be the
most interactive TV programming in the world. THR:
Over the years, you had ups and downs. You had the Monday night ratings wars with
WCW, for example. McMahon:
Ted Turner was a bit of a battle [when he bought the World Championship Wrestling
circuit]. Ted was part of Time Warner; that was difficult to compete with. But
perseverance is extremely important in life and in business. The other guys got
tired of traveling each and every week to do TV. They just didn't have the same
passion we do. They were working for a paycheck. It was only a matter of time
until they burned out. THR:
Why has so much of your talent, like The Rock, gone on to film careers? McMahon:
Our talent is taught not to be prima donnas, to be on time and know their lines.
And quite frankly, people in Hollywood, once they see what we do, they are amazed.
Our talent doesn't demand the biggest trailer or a certain amount of grape juice
or whatever the hell it is. Our talent is extremely flexible and knows how to
act, so it's a logical extension for them. THR:
UFC gets big pay-per-view numbers. How do you stack up against them? McMahon:
We're in show business, they are a sport. Their ratings are abysmal. They are
in the pay-per-view business, and they do reasonably well there. We just set a
record for WrestleMania. We had 1.3 million buys for this year's WrestleMania,
and our pay-per-view numbers for our shows have been up 30 percent since then.
So, we are looking pretty good. THR:
Are you going to watch the Olympics? McMahon:
I consider our business the Olympics, and it doesn't just happen every few years,
but every night. My favorite part will be the closing ceremonies. That means the
Olympics are over, and everyone will settle down and Raw, Smackdown! [on Syfy]
and WWE will have more prominence. STORY:
ION Enters Pro-Wrestling Ring with 'WWE Main Event' WRESTLING
ROOTS Dwayne Johnson/The
Rock: The third-generation wrestler began his film career with The Mummy Returns.
Next: G.I. Joe: Retaliation, The Fast and the Furious 6. Stacy
Keibler: Keibler wrestled and managed WWE stars, then placed third on Dancing
With the Stars. And, oh yeah, she's been dating George Clooney since 2011. "Stone
Cold" Steve Austin: McMahon's beer-swilling adversary appeared in The Expendables.
Hulk Hogan: He's acted in Rocky III, starred on his own reality show and done
voice acting for Robot Chicken. Freddie
Prinze Jr.: The She's All That star and WWE fan was hired to help create Raw storylines
in 2008. He has guest-hosted on the show as well.
WWE Triple H Talks Talent...
Promoting
this coming Monday's historic 1000th episode of Raw, Paul Levesque, also known
as Triple H, addressed a number of topics including Randy Orton's ongoing sixty-day
suspension for his second violation of WWE's Talent Wellness Program. Orton,
who hails from St. Louis, Missouri, the site of Monday's show, will be unable
to appear due to the suspension. Though Levesque won't divulge what Orton did
wrong, he notes "The Legend Killer" will be back once the suspension
concludes. "It
is important to remember that all of our wrestlers are human but they also have
to be accountable," Levesque says of Orton's suspension. As
WWE's Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events, Levesque's corporate
role is to discover tomorrow's Superstars. He admits it's a struggle. "We're
trying to teach them to be the Stone Colds and the Undertakers of tomorrow, but
the one thing we can't teach is charisma," said Levesque. "You can teach
people to do moves and create story lines and the psychology of what we do, but
you can't teach someone to be the Rock. It's an innate ability to walk into a
room and have everyone pay attention. Put aside the athleticism and what happens
in the ring, what our business is really about is connecting with people emotionally.
If you are emotionally connected to your character, then people will want to see
you. It's true in Hollywood and movies. You don't have to be the best actor, just
be a presence." Triple
H, The Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin created on-screen personas
"fans loved, hated or loved to hate" on Raw in the late '90s. Levesque
feels they were the first stars of reality television. "Every
guy we have, whether it's me, whether it's the Undertaker, whether it's John Cena
playing the character John Cena, is a performer," said Levesque. "What
we did is very much the beginning of reality television. 'Jersey Shore,' whether
people want to believe it or not, is a scripted kind-of show. They don't give
them every single word, but they give them premises and they set things up. It's
not a documentary where you follow them around brushing their teeth. And that's
what we are — we blur that line and that's what people find intriguing." Levesque
also offers insight on The Rock and Kane's on-stage personalities, WWE's decision
to make their shows "PG" television, critics denouncing wrestling as
"fake," and more.
WWE Raw Supershow - What To Expect On The Broadcast
Live in St. Louis, Mo,
USA
The three-hour
WWE Raw era will start with a new signature WWE open capturing WWE through the
years. Rapid-fire
clips of memorable moments throughout Raw's history - Vince's "Bret screwed
Bret" speech, Shawn Michaels losing his smile, Edge retiring, Ric Flair retiring,
and Triple H tributing Eddie Guerrero. A
video package focusing on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels
and and Bret Hart becoming friends again. Vince
McMahon to welcome and thank the fans. DX
reunion with most members. The
Rock to address the WWE Title. Brock
Lesnar accept Triple H's Summerslam Challenge? Daniel
Bryan and A.J. to get married. WWE
champion C.M. Punk vs. John Cena for the WWE Title 1
-- World Hvt. champion SHEAMUS & REY MYSTERIO & SIN CARA vs. CHRIS JERICHO
& DOLPH ZIGGLER (w/Vickie Guerrero) & ALBERTO DEL RIO 2
-- JACK SWAGGER vs. BRODUS CLAY (w/Mick Foley) 3
-- IC champion CHRISTIAN vs. THE MIZ -- Intercontinental Title match Charlie
Sheen via Skype to talk wrestling and "anger management". 4
-- HEATH SLATER vs. LITA
The Undertaker returns to RAW.
5 -- WWE champion C.M. PUNK vs. JOHN CENA -- WWE Title match
*special
thanks to our friends at WWE, Pro Wrestling Torch, Wrestling Observer Newsletter
and Wrestling Inc in assisting with this report.
New X Men, Wolverine 2 Film Revealed Possible New Viper Actress...
New
X Men, Wolverine 2 film revealed possible new Viper actress. According to a new
report from Collider, talks with Jessica Biel to play character Viper in the new
Wolverine 2 flick, did not workout,so now, this new Russian actress Svetlana Khodchenkova
is currently in talks to play Viper instead. It’s also reported that Svetlana
is expected to close a deal with the studio pretty quickly. The
character of Viper is said to be of Eastern European decent, and has a complex
relationship with Wolverine that includes, at one point, a sham marriage. Svetlana
is mostly known for her work in Russia, but she appeared last year in the espionage
flick “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.” On
location work on The Wolverine will be done in Japan, while stage work will be
shot in Australia in August. The movie stars: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Hiroyuki
Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Brian Tee, and is scheduled
to hit theaters on July 26th,2013. Stay tuned.
Wolverine sequel: Jessica Biel out...
Just
days after Jessica Biel was announced to play Viper in the forthcoming Wolverine
sequel, The Wolverine, it has emerged that the actress has now walked away from
the project after contract talks broke down. James
Mangold has taken the reins for this installment with Hugh Jackman returning to
play the titular title role. It will hopefully stay faithful to the Chris Claremont/Frank
Miller series which sees Wolverine transported to Japan in one of his darkest
storylines. Biel
had been cast as Viper, a character who has a tempestuous relationship with Wolverine/Logan,
including blackmail, a forced marriage and the odd wound – both physical
and mental. Viper is also known as Lady Hydra, a high ranking officer in the Hydra
network, but this may not be referenced in The Wolverine as the rights to Hydra
are with Disney/Marvel Studios and Hydra was used in Captain America: The First
Avenger. The Wolverine
has had a bumpy ride so far getting to the big screen, with Darren Aronofsky leaving
the project very early on. This caused a delay in filming, which then grew as
Hugh Jackman had commitments to film Les Miserables. It’s
another setback for the production that commences in Australia this August before
filming on location in Japan. Sources say that Fox are now talking to other actors
about the role as they look to move quickly to replace Biel. The
film is scheduled for release July 2013.
Marvel Entertainment movies; Thor, Spider-Man boost popularity of online slot
games...
The Media
Man agency reports that Marvel comics themed games such as Amazing Spider-Man,
Thor, Fantastic Four and The Incredible Hulk have received a boost thanks to recent
and upcoming movie releases tied in with Marvel Entertainment. For the gaming
world that Excelsior! (as Marvel legend Stan Lee would say). Check em out at PartyCasino.com,
as featured across the Media Man network.
Comic Book Movies News Update...
DC
Comics: Director
and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino will soon be scripting for DC Comics. The announcement,
made at San Diego Comic Con, was nothing short of cryptic, and we are waiting
on more details to be divulged.
Marvel Comics:
The
Marvel NOW! Point-One teaser sequentially revealed the heroes that will be strongly
implicated in the special issue to be released this Fall. The characters are Nick
Fury, Jr., Cable, Ant Man, Loki, Wiccan, Miss America, Nova and Starlord.
Film and Television:
Dreamworks
recently entered a bidding war for Classic Media film and television rights to
properties like He-Man, Godzilla, Voltron, Turok, Dick Tracy, Archie, Rocky and
Bullwinkle, and many more. Marvel
Studios is investigating the leak that uncovered the production of a Guardians
of the Galaxy film weeks before the film's planned announcement at San Diego Comic
Con. The Dark
Knight Rises has reportedly earned $162 million at the box office in its opening
weekend despite tragedy. The gross puts TDKR third behind Marvel's The Avengers
and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II, both of which had inflated
grosses due to 3D ticket sales.
O'Neill formally takes over as Echo chairman - 23rd July...
Australian
Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill has officially taken over as chairman
of casino operator Echo Entertainment Group's board. Mr
O'Neill takes over from John Story who stepped down on June 8 following a campaign
to remove him by James Packer, head of rival casino operator Crown. Mr
O'Neill, a non-executive board director and chief executive of the Australian
Rugby Union, subsequently assumed the role of Echo's acting chairman. His
appointment received Mr Packer's support. Mr
Packer, seeking a presence in the lucrative Sydney gaming market, wanted to to
increase his influence on Echo, which holds the city's sole casino licence. Crown
took a 10 per cent holding in Echo. Echo
operates The Star in Sydney, the Jupiters casinos on the Gold Coast and in Townsville,
and the Treasury casino in Brisbane. Crown
operates the Crown casino in Melbourne and the Burswood casino in Perth.
Steven Spielberg Wants Chris Hemsworth for Robopocalypse...
Aussie
actor Chris Hemsworth was a relative unknown Stateside only a couple years ago,
but he has become the go-to guy for roles requiring a handsome badass who fights
inhuman threats. Hemsworth has battled Frost Giants in Thor and alien invaders
in The Avengers as Thor — and Thor's wicked brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston),
in both movies — and trolls as the Huntsman in Snow White and the Huntsman,
and it looks like he will soon be battling robots for director Steven Spielberg
in Robopocalypse. The
three-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker has been trying to put together an
adaptation of Daniel H. Wilson's best-selling novel of the same name since before
the book was completed, and now it seems he's finally ready to start moving forward
with it. According to Deadline, Spielberg recently met in secret with Hemsworth
to discuss starring in the movie and has chosen him to lead the resistance against
the artificial intelligence Archos, which seeks to annhiliate the human race. Further
details on the adaptation are scarce at this point. Goddard wrote the initial
screenplay adaptation of his book, but Deadline reports that Kario Salem (The
Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift) has been hired to rewrite Goddard's script.
Here's the synopis of the book from Random House's website: Not
far into our future, the dazzling technology that runs our world turns against
us. Controlled by a childlike — yet massively powerful — artificial
intelligence known as Archos, the global network of machines on which our world
has grown dependent suddenly becomes an implacable, deadly foe. At Zero Hour —
the moment the robots attack — the human race is almost annihilated, but
as its scattered remnants regroup, humanity for the first time unites in a determined
effort to fight back. This is the oral history of that conflict, told by an international
cast of survivors who experienced this long and bloody confrontation with the
machines. Brilliantly conceived and amazingly detailed, Robopocalypse is an action-packed
epic with chilling implications about the real technology that surrounds us. It's
the robots' world, we just live in it...for now. Random
House also has a one-minute video short set in the world of Robopocalypse on its
site. The director of the short, Stephen Lunsford, is no Spielberg, but the short
is worth watching solely for the creepy, child-like voice of Archos declaring
itself humanity's god. Robopocalypse
will be a joint Dreamworks-Fox production distributed by Disney. It is slated
for release on April 25, 2014.
Hugh Jackman echoes sorrow over massacre...
Australian
actor Hugh Jackman has expressed his sadness following the mass shooting at a
US screening of The Dark Knight Rises. 'All
I can echo is the sorrow I feel for the families, the community, for everybody,'
he says. 'It's
an issue that goes way beyond, obviously beyond acting, beyond film or anything
like that. 'This
is just a tragedy on a level that we have experienced in Australia many years
ago in Tasmania and it's devastating and I can't comment on (it) anymore than
as a human being and my feelings for those people involved.' Jackman
was speaking in Sydney at a press conference on Tuesday for his new film The Wolverine,
alongside its director, James Mangold, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Jackman
was sporting a red right eye, but it wasn't because of training for the action
movie, but rather 'a very energetic game of tag with my kids', which he thinks
burst a blood vessel. Jackman
says it wasn't easy getting back into shape for the part, particularly coming
from his last role as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. 'That
was a particular challenge because Les Mis, I had to start at 83 kilos and I finished
at about 97 kilos by the end of the movie,' he says. 'We
did have a holiday recently, but it was more like boot camp for me. But the kids
and Deb (his wife, actress Deborra-Lee Furness) were happy.' Shooting
of The Wolverine is scheduled to start in Sydney on July 30, after a number of
setbacks for the sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Last
March, director Darren Aronofsky left the project, and Mangold stepped in to replace
him. Then the shoot, which was originally meant to be in Japan, was postponed
last October because of weather conditions. Mangold
says The Wolverine is based on a series of comics that detail the mutant's journeys
in Japan and he refuted reports that Jessica Biel had turned down the lead role
of Viper. 'The
story couldn't be more of a fantasy frankly, in terms of what I was reading, so
it was nothing more than a list of people we were considering and still are,'
he says. Jackman,
who has played Wolverine now in five different movies over the past 12 years,
says he takes the movies on one at a time. For
The Wolverine, he saw the screenplay and was sold. 'I
feel like a golfer, always looking for a hole in one and I thought this was the
best script we've had,' he says.
Hollywood declares box office truce after massacre...
The
Hollywood studio behind the Batman movies has decided not to publish weekend box
office figures after the Colorado theatre massacre. Twelve
people were killed and 58 injured when a gunman dressed in full body armour opened
fire at a packed midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises in Denver. James
Holmes, 24, was taken into custody outside the cinema after the attack. He is
in solitary confinement and is due in court on Monday morning. Within
hours of the attack, Warner Brothers had cancelled the movie's Paris premiere,
which was to have been accompanied by a press junket with the cast and crew including
director Christopher Nolan and main star Christian Bale. The
company also cancelled red carpet events for the film in France, Japan and Mexico,
although screenings will go ahead as planned. Warner
Bros has now confirmed it will not publish weekend takings - a form of crowing
about box office success - until Monday. This
was despite the fact that unofficial figures cited by industry daily Variety suggest
that it made $US75 million on Friday alone, the third biggest opening day ever
at the US box office. The
move was swiftly followed by major Hollywood rivals including Disney, Fox, Sony,
Lionsgate and Universal. After
initial radio silence from most of the cast and crew, Nolan issued a statement
lamenting the "senseless tragedy," and expressing "our profound
sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community". On
Saturday Bale, who plays Bruce Wayne aka Batman, also expressed his sadness. "Words
cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the
pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them,"
he said in a statement. In
a separate move Warner Bros scrambled to pull a trailer for another film, Gangster
Squad, including a scene in which mobsters shoot at theatre audiences. (AFP)
Christian Bale: My Heart Aches for Victims
The
film is expected to be among the most lucrative movie openings and possibly contend
with the record $207.4 million brought in by "The Avengers." "The
Dark Knight Rises" star Christian Bale said Saturday that his heart goes
out to the victims of the Colorado shootings, a tragedy that brought Hollywood
studios together in a rare show of solidarity as they opted to give the weekend
box-office a rest. "Words
cannot express the horror that I feel," Bale, who plays the caped crusader
in the film, said in a statement. "I cannot begin to truly understand the
pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them." Meanwhile,
Sony, Fox, Disney, Universal, Fox, Paramount and Lionsgate said Saturday that
they are joining "Dark Knight Rises" distributor Warner Bros. in withholding
their box-office numbers for the weekend. Warner
Bros. announced Friday that it would forgo the usual revenue reports until Monday
out of respect for the victims and their families in the Aurora, Colo., shooting
that killed 12 and wounded 58 at the midnight show of "The Dark Knight Rises"
earlier in the day. The
other studios said they also would not report numbers until Monday. Box-office
tracking service Rentrak, too, said it would not report figures this weekend. Sunday
box-office estimates are a weekly routine for Hollywood, with studios jostling
for bragging rights as the No. 1 movie and always aiming to break revenue records. Before
the shooting in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater at a midnight screening of the
new Batman film, the box-office performance of "The Dark Knight Rises"
had been eagerly anticipated. The film is expected to be among the most lucrative
movie openings and possibly contend with the record $207.4 million brought in
by "The Avengers." But
that now appears unlikely, even though "The Dark Knight Rises" earned
$30.6 million from midnight screenings alone. Hollywood trade publications Variety
and Hollywood Reporter reported estimates of roughly $75 million to $77 million
for the film on Friday, based on box-office insiders. That
would put it on track for somewhere around $165 million for the weekend. Such
a total would be the second highest weekend opening ever, after "The Avengers." Any
projections, though, are bound to be rough approximates given the atypical nature
of the situation. Many of Friday's tickets were presold before the shooting. Moviegoers
making their way to theaters also faced increased security and, in some places,
bag checks. AMC Theaters, the country's second-largest movie chain, said it would
not allow costumed fans or face-covered masks into its theaters. Warner
Bros. rushed to react to the tragedy, immediately canceling a Friday night premiere
in Paris. On Saturday, it also canceled the other remaining red-carpet extravaganzas
in Mexico City and Tokyo. The
studio, a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., also moved to pull trailers from its
upcoming film "Gangster Squad" from theaters. The trailer of the film,
which stars Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling in a ruthless war between Los Angeles police
and the mob, includes a scene of mobsters firing into a crowded movie theater
from behind the screen. Christopher
Nolan, the director of "The Dark Knight Rises" earlier responded to
the tragedy, expressing his sorrow for the victims and their families. Said
Nolan: "The movie theater is my home and the idea that someone would violate
that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating
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