Profiles
Wrestling WWE Kevin Nash Hulk Hogan Vince McMahon Casinos Ric Flair Steve Austin Mick Foley The Rock John Cena UFC News Entertainment News News
Kevin Nash aka 'Diesel' returns to WWE Raw on Monday's episode from the United Kingdon. Nash is scheduled to resume his feud with an "injured" Triple H as part of the build-up to an expected singles match in the near future. Plus, more build-up for The Rock & John Cena teaming up at Survivor Series. Nash continues to run his official website, sporting gaming in the mix, but his site could do with a major update, not that ours is perfect either. Great to see Nash become relevant again and Triple H should bring out the best in him, but don't expect a Shawn Michaels 5 star classic.
WWE TV Network News Update...
During WWE's quarterly conference call with investors this past Thursday, WWE CEO Vince McMahon had some harsh words about talk show host Oprah's cable TV network and contrasted the Oprah model with WWE Network plans, which McMahon was very optimistic about during the conference call.
"I would say I suppose the one of the notorious ones (branded TV Network models) would be the Oprah Network, which is a miserable failure on all accounts because you have a brand like Oprah and it does take a genius to figure out that, 'Okay, why don’t we have Oprah do what she does best in our very own network,' and that's the one thing that doesn't happen," McMahon said. "So, in terms of the introduction of a network theory, you're saying, 'Okay, let's take Oprah, but let’s don’t use, let’s not whatever we do, we don’t use her and what she does best. Let’s just try and take an Oprah name and try and brand that in a big round about way,' which obviously from a common sense standpoint, it doesn't make sense... We know what our WWE attributes are. So, we have the opportunity to enhance all of that and bring further viewers, lapse viewers, and as well as current viewers and new viewers from a younger age set of two to 11 into the network, which will be extraordinary, because we are giving the audience what they want, not what they don't want."
Mick Foley WWE Return...
Mick Foley returned to WWE at Wednesday's Raw house show in Dublin, Ireland, which started WWE's bi-annual European Tour. Foley, who has hinted at a WWE return for several weeks, is in the U.K. for his own promotional tour.
Piper campaigning for Piper's Pit with Rock & Cena...
WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper has taken to Twitter to campaign for a Piper's Pit segment with The Rock and John Cena prior to their tag team match at Survivor Series.
"IF THE WWE DOESN'T PUT THE ROCK, CENA, PIPER IN PIPER'S PIT THEY ARE CHEATING EVERY FAN IN THE WWE UNIVERSE. THINK THERE AFRAID? i'M NOT," Piper tweeted Friday. "SPAM THE WWE FOR PIPERS PIT WITH CENA AND ROCK. I PROMISE, IT WILL BE EPIC."
Ric Flair staying put in TNA; Interesting in more business deals...
For the meantime Flair will be staying in Impact Wrestling (formally known as TNA). Flair continues to endorse Carolina's Education Lottery, and is keen to see a Ric Flair online slot game become a reality, following in the footsteps of Hulk Hogan and the late Andre The Giant, both expected to have their slots online in a number of months.
WrestleMania 28 press release; Rock vs. Cena...
STAMFORD, Conn., November 2, 2011– WWE® announced today that tickets for its annual pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania XXVIII, will go on sale this Saturday, November 5 at 10 AM ET. WrestleMania XXVIII will take place Sunday, April 1, 2012 at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami, FL. The event will be headlined by the highly anticipated main event featuring “the most electrifying man in all of entertainment,” The Rock® against WWE Superstar John Cena®.
Ticket prices range from $25-$850. There will also be a limited number of “Gold Circle” VIP Packages available for $1,500. The Gold Circle packages include seating in the first four rows ringside, an exclusive Gold Circle VIP Stadium Entrance, a collectible WrestleMania XXVIII ticket holder and the commemorative WrestleMania XXVIII take-home folding chair. Tickets can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees.
Last year, a capacity crowd of 71,617 fans from all 50 states and 30 countries attended WrestleMania XXVII at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. WrestleMania is more than just a one day event, it’s a week long celebration, as WWE will be taking over the greater Miami area during WrestleMania Week. In addition to WrestleMania XXVIII, other activities will include: WrestleMania Axxess – WWE’s four day interactive fan festival; WrestleMania Reading Challenge Finals; WrestleMania Pro-Am Golf Tournament and the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Additional information on these events will be announced in the future at www.wrestlemania.com.
Sylvester Stallone speaks to Entertainment Tonight about his Steve Austin injury during 'The Expendables'...
Entertainment Tonight's Nancy O'Dell (one-time WWE Raw guest host) caught up with Sylvester Stallone on-set at his new movie, "Bullet to the Head," to discuss the film's progression before an April 2012 scheduled release date. Stallone noted he's still feeling the effects of neck surgery that was required after he suffered an injury at the hands of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin shooting "The Expendables" last year. Austin was required to tackle Stallone, who accidentally landed on a pile of bricks. Stallone said, "It's never really the same. "You're just able to function a little bit better."
Hogan and Diamond Dallas Page starring in new movie...
Hulk Hogan and Diamond Dallas Page are scheduled to be featured in an upcoming movie, "Black River," that is currently in production. According to a synopsis released by filmmakers Corn Bred films, the movie centers around several murders, a local town secret, and a father who lost his son and whose life "rapidly deteriorates into a storm of violence, murder, and small town intrigue."
UFC 138 Gets Fox Sports...
After more than a devade of working his arse off and telling anyone who would listen that mixed martial arts would one day surpass soccer as the world’s most popular sport, UFC president Dana White has finally gotten to the super big time in the sports media world.
The UFC, the major league of MMA, will debut on network television on Saturday when Fox Sports airs the heavyweight title bout between champion Cain Velasquez and No. 1 contender Junior dos Santos live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
The seven-year deal between the UFC and Fox, which runs through 2018, is an affirmation of the brilliant work done in the last decade by White and UFC co-founders Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta (casino, gaming and entertainment entrepreneurs from Station Casinos) in building a sport from the ground up.
The Velasquez-dos Santos match up is an interesting clash of styles, pitting Velasquez’s top line wrestling and awesome conditioning against dos Santos’ terrific boxing and underrated jiu jitsu.
The match up would have been a huge pay-per-view main eventer, but when he finally landed the network deal, White didn't hesitated to offer it as the first Fox main event. The show will essentially serve as a one-hour promo for the UFC, and there could be no better way to showcase the sport at its best than by putting the two top fighters in the sport’s marquee division on network television in front of the largest possible audience.
“This is a throwback to the old days of boxing,” White said. “We are putting a big fight – a huge fight – on free TV to expose this thing to a new audience. Our goal has always been to bring big fights back to network television. We are thinking long-term for the future of this sport. It is an investment in the future of the UFC. Fans that have never seen the UFC before will see this show, and that’s why we decided to put Cain and Junior in this position.
“I know for a fact this is going to be an awesome fight. I know it is going to be great. That’s why it was these two [fighters] in this position. I have no worries at all this is going to be a great fight.”
As its popularity has grown, the UFC has added a vast array of businesses. There is now a UFC video game, a UFC magazine and UFC-branded gyms. There are DVDs, trading cards, action figures, fan festivals and tons of clothing.
The turnaround that White and the Fertittas engineered with the UFC, which they bought for $2 million in Jan. 2001, is every bit as impressive as what Vince McMahon did with the old WWWE -Titan Sports, bringing it to WrestleMania and sports entertainment level.
White and the Fertitta brothers engineered a similar turnaround with the UFC. Less than five years into their ownership, they were $44 million in debt and on the verge of selling the company.
White, though, believed deeply in the sport and in putting on the best, most evenly matched fights he could. Then, he encouraged his fighters to compete in a fan-friendly style, awarding cash bonuses for Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night and Submission of the Night. In addition, White often pays fighters locker-room bonuses, which are above and beyond what fighters are contracted to earn, if he likes their matches. Those bonuses have gone in excess of $1 million at times.
Making the best fights he could and rewarding the fighters who delivered entertaining bouts are key reasons for the UFC’s skyrocketing popularity and is largely what made the Fox deal possible.
The UFC flourished on cable. Its deal with Spike saved the company and helped it to get to the point where every major broadcast network had some degree of interest.
It’s still got a long way to go however. UFC fighters aren’t nearly as well known as stars in other sports or sports entertainment. No UFC fighter is close to WWE's The Rock, John Cena, Steve Austin or Impact Wrestling's Hulk Hogan.
White is banking on the Fox deal to help bring the UFC into the mainstream. Lightweight contender Joe Lauzon, who fought on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show on Spike, is convinced Fox will propel the sport to the next level.
“This is just the beginning,” Lauzon said. “The UFC took a huge jump when they got on TV with ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ [though] no one really understood how big of a deal it was until after the fact. Look how far the UFC has come with just Spike, basically.
“Now that they have Fox, and it’s going to take another tremendous jump. I think that Lorenzo Fertitta was saying it’s a commercial for the UFC. They’re going to use these Fox shows to get attention and funnel people into the pay-per-view.”
Prior to this deal, Velasquez would be preparing to defend his belt on pay-per-view. But White, 42, grew up in an era when there was still plenty of live boxing on television. He religiously watched fights on the weekends on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” and during the week on USA Network’s “Tuesday Night Fights.”
The biggest stars in the sport competed in those fights. But when pay-per-view came along, boxing promoters took their stars off network television and put them on PPV, where they were fighting in front of a significantly smaller audience.
White never forgot that, and when he took over the UFC, he vowed that he would honor the “Wide World of Sports” tradition and put big fights on free television when he got the opportunity.
There are few bigger bouts than a heavyweight championship match. Velasquez, who defeated former WWE megastar Brock Lesnar 13 months ago to win the belt, is an unlikely star in many ways.
A two-time All-American wrestler at Arizona State, he is soft-spoken and polite and not the kind of person to draw attention to himself. But he’s a fierce fighter who has become a fan favorite because of his aggressive, entertaining style.
He was on the set of Fox’s NFL pre-game show and has made dozens of appearances as he’s prepared to face dos Santos. Seeing the growth of the sport up-close has been mind-boggling to him.
“I saw it growing because it’s a very fun sport to watch, and it appeals to a young audience,” Velasquez said. “I never saw this, though. This is well beyond what I thought would ever be possible.”
And it’s only going to get bigger. The Fox contract will expose the sport to many who haven’t given it a chance and will help White cultivate an entirely new segment of fans.
The UFC may never become bigger worldwide than soccer, as White predicts, but that’s hardly a problem.
The combination of a network TV deal and White’s firm commitment to putting first-rate fights consistently on Fox will guarantee that the UFC’s growth spurt is nowhere close to being finished.
Make no mistake, UFC is right up their with WWE and most say its already far surpassed professional boxing (while taking away legions of fans from the sweet science).
White and his UFC are on top of the world, right next to WWE's Vince McMahon, who he has deep respect for.
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Australian Sports Entertainment
Wrestling News Media
Monday, November 7, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
Professional wrestler detained over Mexico casino firebomb - 5th October 2011
Profiles
Mexico Casinos Wrestling Lucha Libre Gaming World Casino Directory World Directory
A former pro wrestler suspected of helping to mastermind the August firebombing of a land based casino which left 52 people dead has been detained by Mexican authorities.
In Mexico, pro wrestlers are often called luchadores, where as in the US and Australia, they are often referred to as "sports entertainers", as they are in the "sports entertainment" business.
Federal police detained Jose Alberto Loera Rodriguez and two suspected accomplices on a road in northeastern Mexico on Tuesday, said Luis Cardenas Palomino, regional coordinator of the Public Security Ministry.
Police also confiscated drugs and weapons, including 15 AK-47 rifles and two grenade launchers, he added.
Armed men set The Casino Royale in Monterrey ablaze on August 25 in one of the deadliest attacks in nearly five years of shocking drug violence in Mexico. Forty-two women were among the victims.
Authorities last week detained another suspected mastermind of the attack, Roberto Carlos Lopez Castro, in the suburbs of the western city of Guadalajara.
Nine other suspects have been detained, including a police officer and suspected members of the Zetas drug gang.
Authorities blame the Zetas – a gang set up in the 1990s by ex-elite soldiers turned hired killers – for torching the casino because its owners refused to pay protection money.
A surge in violence in Nuevo Leon is blamed on a turf war between the Gulf drug gang and the Zetas, its former enforcers.
More than 41,000 people have been killed across Mexico since the federal government in 2006 launched a crackdown against drug cartels, according to official data and media tallies.
The last time a pro wrestler got a similar amount of negative media reports from a serious crime was in 2007 when Canadian Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son, then committing suicide. Since Benoit's suicide, numerous explanations for his actions have been proposed, including concussions, steroid abuse, and a failing marriage.
On June 25, 2007, police entered Benoit's home on a "welfare check" after several missed appointments, leading to concerns. The officers discovered the bodies of Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel at around 2:30 p.m. EDT. Upon investigating, no additional suspects were sought by authorities. It was determined that Benoit had committed the murders. Over a three day period, Benoit had killed his wife and son before he hanged himself. His wife was bound before the killing. Benoit's son was drugged and likely unconscious before Benoit strangled him. Benoit then committed suicide with a weight machine.
Mexico casino attack kills 53 - 26th August 2011
An arson attack on a casino in Mexico has sparked a massive fire and killed at least 53 people.
The attack occurred in the northern Mexican industrial city of Monterrey, the governor of the state of Nuevo Leon said.
Governor Rodrigo Medina announced the grim toll in an interview with the Televisa network, adding that the vast establishment, the Casino Royale, had been set ablaze using some kind of flammable liquid "like gasoline."
President Felipe Calderon condemned the attack, calling it an "abhorrent and barbaric act of terror" in a message on Twitter and expressing his solidarity with the people of Nuevo Leon, of which Monterrey is the capital.
"An unacceptable act of terror has been committed that will not go unpunished," added national security spokesman Alejandro Poire.
Casinos in Monterrey have recently been targeted because some owners have refused to pay protection money demanded by criminal gangs linked to the country's booming drugs trade, local media have reported.
For more than a year Monterrey has been the epicenter of a battle between the Zetas and the Gulf Cartel, two powerful drug smuggling groups vying for control of the lucrative routes north to the United States.
Mr Medina said the attack was carried out by six men who arrived at the casino in two vehicles around 4 pm (2100 GMT) on Thursday local time.
Some men entered the casino "and screamed out 'everyone hit the floor'," a witness who spoke on condition of anonymity told Mexican media.
"I don't know if there was a weapon that makes such a noise, but an impressive explosion followed - I never want to go through something like that again," said the witness, who fled to the rooftop with a friend to escape the flames.
The state head of civil protection, Jorge Camacho, said that the death toll was so high because many people hid in bathrooms and offices when they heard the explosions instead of heading to the emergency exits.
They were trapped by the flames, and many died of smoke inhalation, he said.
It took firefighters four hours to control the flames, and Mr Medina warned that more bodies could be found inside the casino. Firefighters had to knock large holes in the building's wall to reach the second floor.
Mr Calderon ordered interior minister Francisco Blake to Monterrey to head the government probe into the attack.
Only a few years ago, Monterrey had been seen as one of Mexico's safest cities.
But Nuevo Leon state and its capital, which is home to four million people, have seen an increasing amount of drug-related violence, with more than 70 people killed in Monterrey last month alone.
Nearly 850 people were killed in the state in the first half of the year, compared to 278 murder victims for all of 2010, according to a tally by the national newspaper Reforma.
More than 41,000 people have died in violence linked to Mexico's organized crime gangs since Mr Calderon launched a military crackdown on them in December 2006, according to media counts and official figures.
Ex-wrestler accused over casino firebombing - 5th October 2011
Mexican authorities have detained a former wrestler suspected of helping mastermind the August firebombing of a casino in the northern city of Monterrey, which left 52 people dead.
Federal police detained Jose Alberto Loera Rodriguez and two accomplices on a road in north-eastern Mexico on Tuesday, said Luis Cardenas Palomino, regional coordinator of the Public Security Ministry.
Police also confiscated drugs and weapons, including 15 AK-47 rifles and two grenade launchers, he added.
Rodriguez reportedly wrestled under the name of 'El Voltaje' (The Voltage).
Armed men set the Casino Royale ablaze on August 25 in one of the deadliest attacks in nearly five years of shocking drug violence in Mexico. Forty-two women were among the victims.
Authorities last week detained another suspected mastermind of the attack, Roberto Carlos Lopez Castro, in the suburbs of the western city of Guadalajara.
Nine other suspects have been detained, including a police officer and suspected members of the Zetas drug gang.
Authorities blame the Zetas - a gang set up in the 1990s by ex-elite soldiers turned hired killers - for torching the casino because its owners refused to pay protection money.
A surge in violence in Nuevo Leon is blamed on a turf war between the Gulf drug gang and the Zetas, its former enforcers.
More than 41,000 people have been killed across Mexico since the federal government in 2006 launched a crackdown against drug cartels, according to official data and media tallies.
Website Network
Media Man Int
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Mexico Casinos Wrestling Lucha Libre Gaming World Casino Directory World Directory
A former pro wrestler suspected of helping to mastermind the August firebombing of a land based casino which left 52 people dead has been detained by Mexican authorities.
In Mexico, pro wrestlers are often called luchadores, where as in the US and Australia, they are often referred to as "sports entertainers", as they are in the "sports entertainment" business.
Federal police detained Jose Alberto Loera Rodriguez and two suspected accomplices on a road in northeastern Mexico on Tuesday, said Luis Cardenas Palomino, regional coordinator of the Public Security Ministry.
Police also confiscated drugs and weapons, including 15 AK-47 rifles and two grenade launchers, he added.
Armed men set The Casino Royale in Monterrey ablaze on August 25 in one of the deadliest attacks in nearly five years of shocking drug violence in Mexico. Forty-two women were among the victims.
Authorities last week detained another suspected mastermind of the attack, Roberto Carlos Lopez Castro, in the suburbs of the western city of Guadalajara.
Nine other suspects have been detained, including a police officer and suspected members of the Zetas drug gang.
Authorities blame the Zetas – a gang set up in the 1990s by ex-elite soldiers turned hired killers – for torching the casino because its owners refused to pay protection money.
A surge in violence in Nuevo Leon is blamed on a turf war between the Gulf drug gang and the Zetas, its former enforcers.
More than 41,000 people have been killed across Mexico since the federal government in 2006 launched a crackdown against drug cartels, according to official data and media tallies.
The last time a pro wrestler got a similar amount of negative media reports from a serious crime was in 2007 when Canadian Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son, then committing suicide. Since Benoit's suicide, numerous explanations for his actions have been proposed, including concussions, steroid abuse, and a failing marriage.
On June 25, 2007, police entered Benoit's home on a "welfare check" after several missed appointments, leading to concerns. The officers discovered the bodies of Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel at around 2:30 p.m. EDT. Upon investigating, no additional suspects were sought by authorities. It was determined that Benoit had committed the murders. Over a three day period, Benoit had killed his wife and son before he hanged himself. His wife was bound before the killing. Benoit's son was drugged and likely unconscious before Benoit strangled him. Benoit then committed suicide with a weight machine.
Mexico casino attack kills 53 - 26th August 2011
An arson attack on a casino in Mexico has sparked a massive fire and killed at least 53 people.
The attack occurred in the northern Mexican industrial city of Monterrey, the governor of the state of Nuevo Leon said.
Governor Rodrigo Medina announced the grim toll in an interview with the Televisa network, adding that the vast establishment, the Casino Royale, had been set ablaze using some kind of flammable liquid "like gasoline."
President Felipe Calderon condemned the attack, calling it an "abhorrent and barbaric act of terror" in a message on Twitter and expressing his solidarity with the people of Nuevo Leon, of which Monterrey is the capital.
"An unacceptable act of terror has been committed that will not go unpunished," added national security spokesman Alejandro Poire.
Casinos in Monterrey have recently been targeted because some owners have refused to pay protection money demanded by criminal gangs linked to the country's booming drugs trade, local media have reported.
For more than a year Monterrey has been the epicenter of a battle between the Zetas and the Gulf Cartel, two powerful drug smuggling groups vying for control of the lucrative routes north to the United States.
Mr Medina said the attack was carried out by six men who arrived at the casino in two vehicles around 4 pm (2100 GMT) on Thursday local time.
Some men entered the casino "and screamed out 'everyone hit the floor'," a witness who spoke on condition of anonymity told Mexican media.
"I don't know if there was a weapon that makes such a noise, but an impressive explosion followed - I never want to go through something like that again," said the witness, who fled to the rooftop with a friend to escape the flames.
The state head of civil protection, Jorge Camacho, said that the death toll was so high because many people hid in bathrooms and offices when they heard the explosions instead of heading to the emergency exits.
They were trapped by the flames, and many died of smoke inhalation, he said.
It took firefighters four hours to control the flames, and Mr Medina warned that more bodies could be found inside the casino. Firefighters had to knock large holes in the building's wall to reach the second floor.
Mr Calderon ordered interior minister Francisco Blake to Monterrey to head the government probe into the attack.
Only a few years ago, Monterrey had been seen as one of Mexico's safest cities.
But Nuevo Leon state and its capital, which is home to four million people, have seen an increasing amount of drug-related violence, with more than 70 people killed in Monterrey last month alone.
Nearly 850 people were killed in the state in the first half of the year, compared to 278 murder victims for all of 2010, according to a tally by the national newspaper Reforma.
More than 41,000 people have died in violence linked to Mexico's organized crime gangs since Mr Calderon launched a military crackdown on them in December 2006, according to media counts and official figures.
Ex-wrestler accused over casino firebombing - 5th October 2011
Mexican authorities have detained a former wrestler suspected of helping mastermind the August firebombing of a casino in the northern city of Monterrey, which left 52 people dead.
Federal police detained Jose Alberto Loera Rodriguez and two accomplices on a road in north-eastern Mexico on Tuesday, said Luis Cardenas Palomino, regional coordinator of the Public Security Ministry.
Police also confiscated drugs and weapons, including 15 AK-47 rifles and two grenade launchers, he added.
Rodriguez reportedly wrestled under the name of 'El Voltaje' (The Voltage).
Armed men set the Casino Royale ablaze on August 25 in one of the deadliest attacks in nearly five years of shocking drug violence in Mexico. Forty-two women were among the victims.
Authorities last week detained another suspected mastermind of the attack, Roberto Carlos Lopez Castro, in the suburbs of the western city of Guadalajara.
Nine other suspects have been detained, including a police officer and suspected members of the Zetas drug gang.
Authorities blame the Zetas - a gang set up in the 1990s by ex-elite soldiers turned hired killers - for torching the casino because its owners refused to pay protection money.
A surge in violence in Nuevo Leon is blamed on a turf war between the Gulf drug gang and the Zetas, its former enforcers.
More than 41,000 people have been killed across Mexico since the federal government in 2006 launched a crackdown against drug cartels, according to official data and media tallies.
Website Network
Media Man Int
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Brock Lesnar targets WWE: The Undertaker and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, by Greg Tingle - 14th October 2011
Profiles
WWE UFC Brock Lesnar The Undertaker Steve Austin Gaming Media Man
News Scoop: Andre The Giant Slot Gaming Coming Soon
UFC and former WWE man monster, Brock Lesnar, is ready to rock, roll and rumble, this time back into the gaming industry.
The former heavyweight champion (UFC and WWE), along with his manager / agent, Paul Heyman, are also interested in suitable business opportunities, and Australian based media agency, Media Man, took the initiative to test the waters in Asia Pacific via some online media exposure and tactics.
As far as we know, the only time Lesnar has ever actually set foot on Australian soil to date was back in 2002 as part of the WWE 'Global Warming Tour', after taking Hulk Hogan's spot on the card, Lesnar having injured Hogan's back (so the storyline went). Hogan didn't make the 2002 Australian tour, but finally got down under in November 2009 with his 'Hulk-A-Mania' tour, but that's another story brother... and sisters.
The Minnesota monster, who left the world of pro wrestling to brawl as a pro mixed martial artist, rocketed to pinnacle of the heavyweight roster in the Ultimate Fighting Championships and realised his dream of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion after only four career matches.
The title reign ended in Lesnar's third title defence, when he was stopped dead in his tracks inside the first round by Mexican American Cain Velasquez.
As Lesnar told the media: "On any given day anyone can beat anyone. It happened to me too".
He's currently on the comeback trail to the UFC following a illness, yet Lesnar has told the press in a number of US interviews that he may be tempted back to the WWE... yes, the pro wrestling circus. Well, we don't really think its a circus, but some detractors do.
Quizzed if he would return to the WWE for one more match, Lesnar told ESPN, "I think under the right circumstances I will."
"I think if Vince McMahon and I were able to sit down at the same dinner table and break some bread that we could come up with some kind of game plan...I think a lot of things have to fall in the right places for something like that to happen."
Lesnar's ties with the WWE media and marketing machine have been re-established with the news that he will feature in their upcoming video game, WWE 12, and he has also featured in a viral video to help promote the launch of the game.
The ex WWE champ has hinted that he'd very much like to take on The Undertaker (Mark William Calaway), who has never lost at the showcase event WrestleMania.
"There's a guy that's been on a winning streak for a long time that somebody needs to step up to the plate and finish the winning streak," Lesnar told IGN.
Shawn Michaels, Big Show, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Ric Flair and a host other others have all tried and failed. Yes, we know that pro wrestling has predetermined winners, but suspend disbelief with us if you will.
And he had some special words for one of the most popular WWE stars of all time, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
"There's another side of me that says if there was a chance for me to come back to fight a guy, it would be the guy that I was supposed to fight that chicken-sh**ted out on me and didn't show up, and that would be 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin."
"At the end of the day, my life, my character and my profession - I take them very seriously. At the end of the day, if it doesn't help me or my family out, and it doesn't make sense for me to do, then I don't do it. Everything would have to fall in the right place, but would I consider it? Absolutely."
Lesnar is due to return to mixed martial arts action and face off against former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion and K-1 Grand Prix kickboxing champion, Alistair Overeem, in a heavyweight superfight at UFC 141. The match will headline the event at the famous American entertainment and gaming venue, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in 'Sin City' Las Vegas on December 30th. Lesner will be looking for his jackpot Christmas present - the big win.
We can also confirm that Lesnar in interested in other gaming and branding opportunities, perhaps following the lead of fellow monsters Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Kevin Nash and the late, great, Andre The Giant. He is also understood to be keen to further explore online gaming opportunities. The Wrestling News Media network is following up for more details. Don't change your dial.
Websites
Wrestling News Media
Heyman Hustle
Heyman Hustle YouTube 'WWE 12 Here Comes The Pain'
WWE Games YouTube
WWE All Stars
WWE Shop
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man News
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Wrestling News Media
Australian Sports Entertainment
WWE UFC Brock Lesnar The Undertaker Steve Austin Gaming Media Man
News Scoop: Andre The Giant Slot Gaming Coming Soon
UFC and former WWE man monster, Brock Lesnar, is ready to rock, roll and rumble, this time back into the gaming industry.
The former heavyweight champion (UFC and WWE), along with his manager / agent, Paul Heyman, are also interested in suitable business opportunities, and Australian based media agency, Media Man, took the initiative to test the waters in Asia Pacific via some online media exposure and tactics.
As far as we know, the only time Lesnar has ever actually set foot on Australian soil to date was back in 2002 as part of the WWE 'Global Warming Tour', after taking Hulk Hogan's spot on the card, Lesnar having injured Hogan's back (so the storyline went). Hogan didn't make the 2002 Australian tour, but finally got down under in November 2009 with his 'Hulk-A-Mania' tour, but that's another story brother... and sisters.
The Minnesota monster, who left the world of pro wrestling to brawl as a pro mixed martial artist, rocketed to pinnacle of the heavyweight roster in the Ultimate Fighting Championships and realised his dream of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion after only four career matches.
The title reign ended in Lesnar's third title defence, when he was stopped dead in his tracks inside the first round by Mexican American Cain Velasquez.
As Lesnar told the media: "On any given day anyone can beat anyone. It happened to me too".
He's currently on the comeback trail to the UFC following a illness, yet Lesnar has told the press in a number of US interviews that he may be tempted back to the WWE... yes, the pro wrestling circus. Well, we don't really think its a circus, but some detractors do.
Quizzed if he would return to the WWE for one more match, Lesnar told ESPN, "I think under the right circumstances I will."
"I think if Vince McMahon and I were able to sit down at the same dinner table and break some bread that we could come up with some kind of game plan...I think a lot of things have to fall in the right places for something like that to happen."
Lesnar's ties with the WWE media and marketing machine have been re-established with the news that he will feature in their upcoming video game, WWE 12, and he has also featured in a viral video to help promote the launch of the game.
The ex WWE champ has hinted that he'd very much like to take on The Undertaker (Mark William Calaway), who has never lost at the showcase event WrestleMania.
"There's a guy that's been on a winning streak for a long time that somebody needs to step up to the plate and finish the winning streak," Lesnar told IGN.
Shawn Michaels, Big Show, Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Ric Flair and a host other others have all tried and failed. Yes, we know that pro wrestling has predetermined winners, but suspend disbelief with us if you will.
And he had some special words for one of the most popular WWE stars of all time, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
"There's another side of me that says if there was a chance for me to come back to fight a guy, it would be the guy that I was supposed to fight that chicken-sh**ted out on me and didn't show up, and that would be 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin."
"At the end of the day, my life, my character and my profession - I take them very seriously. At the end of the day, if it doesn't help me or my family out, and it doesn't make sense for me to do, then I don't do it. Everything would have to fall in the right place, but would I consider it? Absolutely."
Lesnar is due to return to mixed martial arts action and face off against former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion and K-1 Grand Prix kickboxing champion, Alistair Overeem, in a heavyweight superfight at UFC 141. The match will headline the event at the famous American entertainment and gaming venue, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in 'Sin City' Las Vegas on December 30th. Lesner will be looking for his jackpot Christmas present - the big win.
We can also confirm that Lesnar in interested in other gaming and branding opportunities, perhaps following the lead of fellow monsters Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Kevin Nash and the late, great, Andre The Giant. He is also understood to be keen to further explore online gaming opportunities. The Wrestling News Media network is following up for more details. Don't change your dial.
Websites
Wrestling News Media
Heyman Hustle
Heyman Hustle YouTube 'WWE 12 Here Comes The Pain'
WWE Games YouTube
WWE All Stars
WWE Shop
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man News
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Wrestling News Media
Australian Sports Entertainment
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Toronto 2011: Dominic Monaghan Thriller 'The Day' Picked Up by WWE Studios
Profiles
Movies Hollywood WWE WWE Studios Media Man
The Day, which played in the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness sidebar, has found a home at WWE Studios, which announced it has picked up U.S. distribution rights to the post-apocalyptic action thriller.
Directed by Doug Aarniokoski and written by Luke Passmore, the movie stars Shawn Ashmore, Ashley Bell, Cory Hardrict, Dominic Monaghan and Shannyn Sossamon as a group of survivors fighting to stay alive.
"The Day is a renegade thrill-ride that will not disappoint audiences," Michael Luisi, the newly named president of WWE Studios, said. "We went to Toronto looking for films to showcase and expand the WWE Studios brand and found exactly that with Doug's exceptional film.”
"The Day has been a wild ride from start to finish and we are very excited that we have found the right home to get the film out to the fans in a big way,” said director Aarniokoski, who is currently directing Nurse 3D for Lionsgate.
The film was produced by Guy A. Danella. Aarniokoski, Michael Finley, Tim James, Antonina Armato and Ross M. Dinerstein served as executive producers.
Kevin Iwashina of Preferred Content handled the sale, with Luisi and vp of business and legal affairs Bradley Buchanan negotiating for WWE Studios.
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Movies Hollywood WWE WWE Studios Media Man
The Day, which played in the Toronto International Film Festival’s Midnight Madness sidebar, has found a home at WWE Studios, which announced it has picked up U.S. distribution rights to the post-apocalyptic action thriller.
Directed by Doug Aarniokoski and written by Luke Passmore, the movie stars Shawn Ashmore, Ashley Bell, Cory Hardrict, Dominic Monaghan and Shannyn Sossamon as a group of survivors fighting to stay alive.
"The Day is a renegade thrill-ride that will not disappoint audiences," Michael Luisi, the newly named president of WWE Studios, said. "We went to Toronto looking for films to showcase and expand the WWE Studios brand and found exactly that with Doug's exceptional film.”
"The Day has been a wild ride from start to finish and we are very excited that we have found the right home to get the film out to the fans in a big way,” said director Aarniokoski, who is currently directing Nurse 3D for Lionsgate.
The film was produced by Guy A. Danella. Aarniokoski, Michael Finley, Tim James, Antonina Armato and Ross M. Dinerstein served as executive producers.
Kevin Iwashina of Preferred Content handled the sale, with Luisi and vp of business and legal affairs Bradley Buchanan negotiating for WWE Studios.
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Hugh Jackman denies breaking wrestler's jaw - 26th September 2011
Profiles
WWE Hugh Jackman Hollywood Movies Media Man
Hugh Jackman admits that he punched a professional wrestler with all of his might - but disputes claims that he broke his jaw.
The Australian actor attended a WWE wrestling match on September 19 to promote his upcoming boxing film Real Steel. A guest of honour, Jackman was able to hang out in wrestler Zack Ryder's corner while the tournament took place.
At one point during the fight, Jackman travelled over to Dolph Ziggler's corner, Ryder's opponent. Jackman and Ziggler exchanged words and Ziggler received a clean punch to the jaw by the actor quickly thereafter.
"I hit him," Jackman told Entertainment Weekly.
"[Dolph] said, 'Hit me as hard as you can.' So I hit him pretty hard. And you can see it in my eyes. I watched [the clip] again, and you can see me going 'Uh oh' a little. I'm acting like, 'Yeah!' but I'm really like, 'S***, I kinda really clocked him in the jaw'."
Jackman insists that he didn't mean to clock Ziggler with so much force. Ziggler tweeted soon after the incident with claims that Jackman put a hairline fracture in his jaw.
"It was scripted that I would go for that punch," Jackman explained.
"But just before we went on, Dolph was yelling at me, 'You hit me man! Just f***ing hit me!' During rehearsal I said, 'I'd like to do it, but I've spent 20 years pulling punches, trying not to hit. Trying to make it look real, but not really hit.'
"He said, 'There's no way. There's cameras everywhere, there's crowd everywhere, there's no way we can 'whiff it', as they call it'."
Jackman is convinced that Ziggler may be embellishing the extent of his injury a little bit.
"The next day I read he really broke his jaw and I wasn't surprised - but I don't think he did," Jackman said.
"He's prone to exaggeration - which is why I hit him! Nah, just kidding!"
Website Network
Media Man Int
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Wrestling News Media
Greg Tingle.com
Australian Sports Entertainment
WWE Hugh Jackman Hollywood Movies Media Man
Hugh Jackman admits that he punched a professional wrestler with all of his might - but disputes claims that he broke his jaw.
The Australian actor attended a WWE wrestling match on September 19 to promote his upcoming boxing film Real Steel. A guest of honour, Jackman was able to hang out in wrestler Zack Ryder's corner while the tournament took place.
At one point during the fight, Jackman travelled over to Dolph Ziggler's corner, Ryder's opponent. Jackman and Ziggler exchanged words and Ziggler received a clean punch to the jaw by the actor quickly thereafter.
"I hit him," Jackman told Entertainment Weekly.
"[Dolph] said, 'Hit me as hard as you can.' So I hit him pretty hard. And you can see it in my eyes. I watched [the clip] again, and you can see me going 'Uh oh' a little. I'm acting like, 'Yeah!' but I'm really like, 'S***, I kinda really clocked him in the jaw'."
Jackman insists that he didn't mean to clock Ziggler with so much force. Ziggler tweeted soon after the incident with claims that Jackman put a hairline fracture in his jaw.
"It was scripted that I would go for that punch," Jackman explained.
"But just before we went on, Dolph was yelling at me, 'You hit me man! Just f***ing hit me!' During rehearsal I said, 'I'd like to do it, but I've spent 20 years pulling punches, trying not to hit. Trying to make it look real, but not really hit.'
"He said, 'There's no way. There's cameras everywhere, there's crowd everywhere, there's no way we can 'whiff it', as they call it'."
Jackman is convinced that Ziggler may be embellishing the extent of his injury a little bit.
"The next day I read he really broke his jaw and I wasn't surprised - but I don't think he did," Jackman said.
"He's prone to exaggeration - which is why I hit him! Nah, just kidding!"
Website Network
Media Man Int
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Wrestling News Media
Greg Tingle.com
Australian Sports Entertainment
WWE Internet Championship In Works; Zack Ryder Pushed By Top Brass And Hugh Jackman - 23rd September 2011
Profiles
WWE Hugh Jackman Hollywood Movies Media Man
WWE's Zack Ryder is maintaining his rage to see an official WWE Internet Championship come to pass. Woo Woo Woo.
Contracted pro wrestler Dolph Ziggler tweeted that his mandible was fractured after the actor hit him this past Monday Night Raw, but some insiders say it was all an elaborate stunt. Wouldn't be the first time would it.
Aussie actor Hugh Jackman made a special appearance on Monday night's WWE Raw to promote his upcoming boxing film Real Steel, and got a little more than he bargained for, such is life in and around the WWE.
The actor, who has played beefed-up character Wolverine in Marvel's X-Men films since 2000, got into a been with notorious heel wrestler Dolph Ziggler, who insulted Jackman by calling him the wrong superhero name: Batman.
While this back-and-forth was surely staged, as WWE match-ups are, when Jackman delivered the planned punch, it may have achieved extra impact.
"MRI scheduled for 1 pm.....possible fractured jaw #thanksBatman," Ziggler wrote from his HEELZiggler Twitter account Tuesday. He later seemed to confirm the injury, following up with, "hairline mandibular fracture" tweet.
But, some are claiming that the entire injury is a hoax. TMZ reports that sources close to the wrestler say the entire thing was made up, but that the WWE wasn't in on Ziggler's joke.
Whatever the case, we here at Media Man love it. Keep it up.
Rumours remain that the likes of Mick Foley, Hulk Hogan and another former NWO member will soon return to WWE rings.
We can also confirm the return of the late, great, Andre The Giant this year (but in an online slot game - not in a wrestling ring). Ric Flair may also be following suit, and Kevin Nash is also understood to be keen to further explore online gaming opportunities. Don't change your dial.
Website Network
Media Man Int
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Wrestling News Media
Greg Tingle.com
Australian Sports Entertainment
WWE Hugh Jackman Hollywood Movies Media Man
WWE's Zack Ryder is maintaining his rage to see an official WWE Internet Championship come to pass. Woo Woo Woo.
Contracted pro wrestler Dolph Ziggler tweeted that his mandible was fractured after the actor hit him this past Monday Night Raw, but some insiders say it was all an elaborate stunt. Wouldn't be the first time would it.
Aussie actor Hugh Jackman made a special appearance on Monday night's WWE Raw to promote his upcoming boxing film Real Steel, and got a little more than he bargained for, such is life in and around the WWE.
The actor, who has played beefed-up character Wolverine in Marvel's X-Men films since 2000, got into a been with notorious heel wrestler Dolph Ziggler, who insulted Jackman by calling him the wrong superhero name: Batman.
While this back-and-forth was surely staged, as WWE match-ups are, when Jackman delivered the planned punch, it may have achieved extra impact.
"MRI scheduled for 1 pm.....possible fractured jaw #thanksBatman," Ziggler wrote from his HEELZiggler Twitter account Tuesday. He later seemed to confirm the injury, following up with, "hairline mandibular fracture" tweet.
But, some are claiming that the entire injury is a hoax. TMZ reports that sources close to the wrestler say the entire thing was made up, but that the WWE wasn't in on Ziggler's joke.
Whatever the case, we here at Media Man love it. Keep it up.
Rumours remain that the likes of Mick Foley, Hulk Hogan and another former NWO member will soon return to WWE rings.
We can also confirm the return of the late, great, Andre The Giant this year (but in an online slot game - not in a wrestling ring). Ric Flair may also be following suit, and Kevin Nash is also understood to be keen to further explore online gaming opportunities. Don't change your dial.
Website Network
Media Man Int
Casino News Media
Global Gaming Directory
Wrestling News Media
Greg Tingle.com
Australian Sports Entertainment
Monday, September 12, 2011
WWE News: WWE Star Triple H Speaks On His Role, Stephanie McMahon, Movie Scoops and More...
Profiles
Wrestling WWE WWE Studios Triple H Media Man
In a new interview with Chris Yandek of cyinterview.com Triple H responds to his wrestling critics who believe he has received preferential treatment and greater opportunities on WWE TV, because he is married to Vince McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie.
"I know what I accomplished in this business," Triple H said. "I know why I accomplished it. I don’t. Critics and what people say about this or that or my marriage or any of that stuff is crap. It’s mostly started by people that are either jealous or angry that they failed where other people succeeded. I mean, that’s a common, I was told it when I started in the business.
"It’s a common saying in this business, you can make friends or you can make money. You can have buddies or you can get over. Which one do you want? You know, and they don’t come together. And I think, I don’t, I never look at it that way. I don’t have anything to prove to anybody. I’ll put my body of work up against anybody in the business. I’ll put my drawing power up against anybody in the business. That’s irrelevant. It’s people’s opinions”
Triple H follows up by stating what he believes the WWE product lacks today with the newer wrestlers in the company. He explains what these guys need to be successful.
"We’re a victim of our own success," he said. "There’s no place for guys to go and figure out how to do this. We have to teach them kind of and get them up to speed to speak. Even when you get guys off the independent scene, they are very much independent wrestlers and then the independent scene will, so these guys are the greatest guys in the world and you bring them up and they flounder on the big stage. They can’t. They can’t. It’s a completely different animal and a completely different world and you have to, it’s relearning and re-teaching. That’s the biggest, I think, struggle we have is getting these guys there.
"But listen, at the end of the day, you just have to find guys with the right charisma and they have to be the ones to put that charisma out there. Nobody told The Rock how to be The Rock…Work rate is important, guy’s skill in the ring is important, but at the end of the day it’s about charisma. It’s the ability to draw fans to arenas and the guy that draws the most fans to the arena for whatever reason, positive or negative, he’s the top guy.”
He does believe the WWE product could be bigger than the 7.0 ratings that were put up during the WWE Attitude Era:
"Do I think it can ever get that big again? History can repeat. I say without a doubt. I think it can be even bigger…What tomorrow brings, no one knows.”
Finally, Hunter talks about winning the majority of vintage wrestling auctions from his mentor “Killer” Kowalski. He says they are working on a real WWE Hall of Fame for people to see all the historic wrestling items.
“I think I was gone on the road for SummerSlam, but I had somebody at the office bid online and I got I think like 99 percent of everything wrestling-wise, which I’m glad I did. I just didn’t want that to go to somebody that just hid it away somewhere. I wanted the world to be able to see how great he really was. And do I think they’ll ever be a hall of fame? Yes. I think they’ll be a physical hall of fame.
"That’s something we’re working on. It’s definitely in the works. It’s just a matter of when, where. Is it a traveling hall of fame? Is it a permanent place? There’s a lot of questions and thoughts on it and we’re in the process of collecting things to put in there. But the Kowalski stuff for me was as much a legend in this business was also a very personal thing for me.”
Triple H also talks about his movie role in Inside Out out this weekend and many other wrestling topics including his favorite memory. Check out the write up and listen to the entire interview at CY Interview.
Paul 'Triple H' Levesque talks about 'Inside Out'...
"Paul, WWE has tried to make movies in the past and ... well ... and ... " I said very cautiously remembering that "Paul" is pro wrestler Triple H, who is about 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds.
"Come on, don't be shy. I've seen them," Paul Levesque said.
"Well, they haven't been very good," I continued cringing.
"Things are changing," he said. "We actually have some real stars in this one!"
In the past two years, WWE Studios has made "Legendary," "Knucklehead," "The Chaperone" and "That's What I Am." And WWE likely made more money at one pay-per-view event than those four movies brought in.
But Levesque is starring with "real stars" Michael Rapaport, Parker Posey and Bruce Dern in "Inside Out," a movie coming out Friday about prison, the mob and redemption.
"I read the script and really thought it was great," Levesque said about the role originally slated for David Batista, who was hung up in contract negotiations. "This movie isn't all about action. It's a drama with a message."
Levesque, a 42-year-old Connecticut resident, enjoys making movies but doesn't want to do it for a living, like former pro wrestling stars such as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
"I remember a conversation with owner Vince McMahon in 1999 or 2000 and he wanted the Rock and I do to more movies," said Levesque, who has been married to McMahon's daughter, Stephanie, for nearly eight years. "The Rock was really interested in that. I was crushed, really. I didn't want to do that. I loved wrestling so much and I still do today."
Levesque's most memorable role has been as Jarko in "Blade: Trinity," along with his current co-star Posey. Even after the release of this film, Levesque is taking it one movie at a time.
"I like going to work and coming home to my family, my kids and my dog," Levesque said. "If I wanted to, I could make phone calls in Hollywood and get more movie roles. But I have no interest in that. Wrestling is my passion." (Credit: ESPN)
Michael Luisi to Head WWE Studios...
STAMFORD, Conn., Sep 07, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) - WWE today announced that Michael Luisi has been named President, WWE Studios, effective immediately. In his new role, Luisi will oversee WWE Studios and all of its motion picture productions and initiatives worldwide. Luisi will continue to report directly to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.
"Michael's vast knowledge of, and experience in, the motion picture industry make him a tremendous asset for WWE Studios," said Vince McMahon. "I am confident Michael will continue to expand our motion picture business on all platforms worldwide."
WWE Studios will continue to diversify its motion picture portfolio (theatrical, Home Video, VOD) and expand its global audience through strategic production and distribution partnerships, while leveraging WWE's core fan base of over 500 million households worldwide. Luisi's seasoned film background and strong industry relationships will play a key role in the execution of the strategy. Prior to joining WWE, Luisi spent twelve years at Miramax Films, most recently as Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations. In that role, Luisi oversaw the day to day operations of Miramax, as well as serving as the principal business advisor to the president of Miramax and primary liaison with then parent company Disney. Luisi's new position will enable WWE Studios to expand the WWE studios brand and productions worldwide.
The first project Luisi will oversee for WWE Studios is "No One Lives," a co-production between Pathe Pictures and WWE Studios starring Luke Evans (The Immortals) and directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, which is currently in post production. Luisi brought the project to WWE shortly after joining the company in January 2011 as its Executive Vice President of Business Development & General Counsel.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company WWE is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks relating to our film business and any new business initiative which we may undertake; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. SOURCE: WWE
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Wrestling News Media
Sports Entertainment News
Wrestling WWE WWE Studios Triple H Media Man
In a new interview with Chris Yandek of cyinterview.com Triple H responds to his wrestling critics who believe he has received preferential treatment and greater opportunities on WWE TV, because he is married to Vince McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie.
"I know what I accomplished in this business," Triple H said. "I know why I accomplished it. I don’t. Critics and what people say about this or that or my marriage or any of that stuff is crap. It’s mostly started by people that are either jealous or angry that they failed where other people succeeded. I mean, that’s a common, I was told it when I started in the business.
"It’s a common saying in this business, you can make friends or you can make money. You can have buddies or you can get over. Which one do you want? You know, and they don’t come together. And I think, I don’t, I never look at it that way. I don’t have anything to prove to anybody. I’ll put my body of work up against anybody in the business. I’ll put my drawing power up against anybody in the business. That’s irrelevant. It’s people’s opinions”
Triple H follows up by stating what he believes the WWE product lacks today with the newer wrestlers in the company. He explains what these guys need to be successful.
"We’re a victim of our own success," he said. "There’s no place for guys to go and figure out how to do this. We have to teach them kind of and get them up to speed to speak. Even when you get guys off the independent scene, they are very much independent wrestlers and then the independent scene will, so these guys are the greatest guys in the world and you bring them up and they flounder on the big stage. They can’t. They can’t. It’s a completely different animal and a completely different world and you have to, it’s relearning and re-teaching. That’s the biggest, I think, struggle we have is getting these guys there.
"But listen, at the end of the day, you just have to find guys with the right charisma and they have to be the ones to put that charisma out there. Nobody told The Rock how to be The Rock…Work rate is important, guy’s skill in the ring is important, but at the end of the day it’s about charisma. It’s the ability to draw fans to arenas and the guy that draws the most fans to the arena for whatever reason, positive or negative, he’s the top guy.”
He does believe the WWE product could be bigger than the 7.0 ratings that were put up during the WWE Attitude Era:
"Do I think it can ever get that big again? History can repeat. I say without a doubt. I think it can be even bigger…What tomorrow brings, no one knows.”
Finally, Hunter talks about winning the majority of vintage wrestling auctions from his mentor “Killer” Kowalski. He says they are working on a real WWE Hall of Fame for people to see all the historic wrestling items.
“I think I was gone on the road for SummerSlam, but I had somebody at the office bid online and I got I think like 99 percent of everything wrestling-wise, which I’m glad I did. I just didn’t want that to go to somebody that just hid it away somewhere. I wanted the world to be able to see how great he really was. And do I think they’ll ever be a hall of fame? Yes. I think they’ll be a physical hall of fame.
"That’s something we’re working on. It’s definitely in the works. It’s just a matter of when, where. Is it a traveling hall of fame? Is it a permanent place? There’s a lot of questions and thoughts on it and we’re in the process of collecting things to put in there. But the Kowalski stuff for me was as much a legend in this business was also a very personal thing for me.”
Triple H also talks about his movie role in Inside Out out this weekend and many other wrestling topics including his favorite memory. Check out the write up and listen to the entire interview at CY Interview.
Paul 'Triple H' Levesque talks about 'Inside Out'...
"Paul, WWE has tried to make movies in the past and ... well ... and ... " I said very cautiously remembering that "Paul" is pro wrestler Triple H, who is about 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds.
"Come on, don't be shy. I've seen them," Paul Levesque said.
"Well, they haven't been very good," I continued cringing.
"Things are changing," he said. "We actually have some real stars in this one!"
In the past two years, WWE Studios has made "Legendary," "Knucklehead," "The Chaperone" and "That's What I Am." And WWE likely made more money at one pay-per-view event than those four movies brought in.
But Levesque is starring with "real stars" Michael Rapaport, Parker Posey and Bruce Dern in "Inside Out," a movie coming out Friday about prison, the mob and redemption.
"I read the script and really thought it was great," Levesque said about the role originally slated for David Batista, who was hung up in contract negotiations. "This movie isn't all about action. It's a drama with a message."
Levesque, a 42-year-old Connecticut resident, enjoys making movies but doesn't want to do it for a living, like former pro wrestling stars such as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
"I remember a conversation with owner Vince McMahon in 1999 or 2000 and he wanted the Rock and I do to more movies," said Levesque, who has been married to McMahon's daughter, Stephanie, for nearly eight years. "The Rock was really interested in that. I was crushed, really. I didn't want to do that. I loved wrestling so much and I still do today."
Levesque's most memorable role has been as Jarko in "Blade: Trinity," along with his current co-star Posey. Even after the release of this film, Levesque is taking it one movie at a time.
"I like going to work and coming home to my family, my kids and my dog," Levesque said. "If I wanted to, I could make phone calls in Hollywood and get more movie roles. But I have no interest in that. Wrestling is my passion." (Credit: ESPN)
Michael Luisi to Head WWE Studios...
STAMFORD, Conn., Sep 07, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) - WWE today announced that Michael Luisi has been named President, WWE Studios, effective immediately. In his new role, Luisi will oversee WWE Studios and all of its motion picture productions and initiatives worldwide. Luisi will continue to report directly to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.
"Michael's vast knowledge of, and experience in, the motion picture industry make him a tremendous asset for WWE Studios," said Vince McMahon. "I am confident Michael will continue to expand our motion picture business on all platforms worldwide."
WWE Studios will continue to diversify its motion picture portfolio (theatrical, Home Video, VOD) and expand its global audience through strategic production and distribution partnerships, while leveraging WWE's core fan base of over 500 million households worldwide. Luisi's seasoned film background and strong industry relationships will play a key role in the execution of the strategy. Prior to joining WWE, Luisi spent twelve years at Miramax Films, most recently as Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations. In that role, Luisi oversaw the day to day operations of Miramax, as well as serving as the principal business advisor to the president of Miramax and primary liaison with then parent company Disney. Luisi's new position will enable WWE Studios to expand the WWE studios brand and productions worldwide.
The first project Luisi will oversee for WWE Studios is "No One Lives," a co-production between Pathe Pictures and WWE Studios starring Luke Evans (The Immortals) and directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, which is currently in post production. Luisi brought the project to WWE shortly after joining the company in January 2011 as its Executive Vice President of Business Development & General Counsel.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company WWE is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Istanbul and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; our exposure to bad debt risk; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks relating to our film business and any new business initiative which we may undertake; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. SOURCE: WWE
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Wrestling News Media
Sports Entertainment News
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)