Blog: News Media

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News, Sports, Combat Sports, Pop Culture, Entertainment, Digtal News, SEO, Marketing and more

November 2023

SEJ

Search Engine Journal

SEJ's Matt on the late fom the Google November core update.        

Key takeaways: “Chances are, there’s nothing to do for most creators who have already been working to create helpful, reliable, people-first content”. 1000s of updated are done to Google each year but only a small amount of these are announced publicly. So chang at Google and its algorithm are almost a constant occurance.

Wrestling Media News

FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch offers details why WWE SmackDown broadcast rights were not renewed - 3rd Novemeber 2023

WWE @WWE SmackDown, the hottest and most popular pro wrestling show across the globe is returning to USA Network in 2024.

The week after Endeavor announced that the merger between WWE and UFC @UFC to form TKO Group @TKOGrp Holdings was completed, it was announced that WWE Friday Night SmackDown aka "SmackDown" us returning to USA Network in October 2024.

WWE and NBCUniversal reached a five-year agreement to bring SmackDown back to the platform. SmackDown has been airing on FOX since October 2019.

As the Q1 2024 Fox Corporation Earnings Conference Call was ongoing, FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch was quizzed why the SmackDown broadcast rights were not renewed. He stated that based on their analysis, they were not hitting the advertising numbers due to the audience of WWE to make a return on their investment. FOX did not attribute enough "retransmission revenue" to WWE either so Murdoch said it made sense to move on. He advised that WWE has been a great partner.

"I think we’ve talked about this before but how we analyzed the WWE renewal and we look at all of our sports portfolios in the same way… Based on the analysis, (from) an advertising point of view, we were not hitting the advertising numbers due to the audience of WWE to make the return for our return on investment to be above the levels that we would accept. But also, we didn’t attribute enough significant retransmission revenue to the WWE either. So it made sense for us to move on from them. They’ve been a great partner for many years. But just quite simply, we’re very disciplined and the R.O.I. didn’t meet our disciplined parameters so, we wish them luck and we’ve moved on from them".

There is speculation as to what sport/entertainment content will fill the void left by WWE on FOX.

Endeavor and TKO CEO Ari Emanuel has previously commented on SmackDown moving back to USA and the broadcast rights for Monday Night Raw being up in 2024.

News Corp still covers the business of pro wrestling as well as it's cousins, MMA (UFC etc), as well as boxing.

FOX Sports Australia: WWE

https://www.foxsports.com.au/wwe/latest-news

FOX Sports Australia: UFC

https://www.foxsports.com.au/ufc

FOX Sports Australia: Boxing

https://www.foxsports.com.au/boxing

In Australia Main Event still offers a variety of combat sports PPV's

https://www.mainevent.com.au/

BINGE @binge remains Australia favourite destination website/streaming entertainment site for current and historical WWE and pro wrestling content. BINGE is a multi-time Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award winner.

Some Current and Historical WWE / TKO Group Media 

TKO Group: Media

https://investor.tkogrp.com/news/default.aspx

WWE Corporate

https://corporate.wwe.com/

News Crop: The Press Room

https://newscorp.com/press-room/

Video

New York Stock Exchange YouTube

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) Rings The Opening Bell®

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkK-9bXf1eI&ab_channel=NewYorkStockExchange

WWE YouTube

Roman Reigns vs. LA Knight – Road to WWE Crown Jewel 2023: WWE Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkK-9bXf1eI&ab_channel=NewYorkStockExchange

Image: A.I modification

#FOX #WWE #LachlanMurdoch #Murdoch #quotes #wrestling #prowrestling #broadcasting #sportsbusiness #combatsports #NewsCorp #Binge #USANetwork #sportsrights #sportsmedia #mediabusiness #TV #sportsnews #wrestlingnews #TV #media #mediaman

Sports News Media

Sports Talk Under The Watercooker

U.S leads global professional sports business but Saudi's fresh on their heels, and Australians doing it their own way, despite Aussie political business elements

The Foxtel Group has quite the love-hate relationship with the Australian government, especially in relation to Australian sports broadcasting and content laws, regulations etc. Quite the Pandora's Box. We will leave it at that. 

Fortunately the New South Wales government is switched on when it comes to the business of sport, hence NSW has secured in the region of 3, 4 or more UFC major events out of Sydney over the next 4 years. That deal was annouced back in May of this year. Maybe the NSW government and/or the UFC could see some disruptions coming into the business of the combat sports arena, be it from Saudi Arabia/UAE, China, Singapore, pro boxing or a combination. ESPN/ESPN + in making more in-roads on MMA broadcasting, especially in relation to the UFC.

Mouse House Disney seeks digital, telecom combo for ESPN strategic partnership

Per a report in the New York Post, ESPN would like to bring on two strategic partners: one a digital company such as Apple, and another a telecom company like Verizon. These companies are not the only potential players per the report, however they provide the wide distribution capabilities and ubiquity that ESPN seeks. Other companies mentioned as potential partners were Amazon, Microsoft, Google/Alphabet and T-Mobile.

A strategic partnership with a major big tech company would prove beneficial for ESPN as it moves towards bringing its linear channels direct-to-consumer by 2026, though it’s uncertain and speculative how these companies would value ESPN as an asset. Disney would reportedly like to sell only 10% of ESPN, but that number remains fluid.

NASCAR is working out it's new media rights agreement and has been negotiating with incumbents FOX and NBC to complete a deal. NASCAR completed a $115m deal with The CW for its second-tier Xfinity Series races, but still awaits a finalized deal for its flagship circuit.

According to the report, “negotiations are going smoothly.” FOX and NBC are looking to renew at a slightly increased rate over the current deal. In order to boom its media rights revenue additionally, NASCAR has pumped together a package deal of six races that Amazon and Turner have showed interest in. NASCAR executives would not speculate as to when the new set of deals could be completed. NASCAR remains a "non woke" brand. As they say around the world, "Let's Go"! 

Bally Sports Arizona shuts down; Barstool Sports factor?

Bally Sports Arizona has ceased operations after mutually parting ways with the Arizona Coyotes, the last franchise to which it held rights. Two weeks ago, the Coyotes agreed to a deal with Scripps Sports to air games on over-the-air broadcast television, similar to the Phoenix Suns and Mercury deal with Gray Television earlier this year. The Arizona Diamondbacks had their rights reverted back to Major League Baseball after Bally stopped its rights payments to the team.

The shuttering of Bally Sports Arizona comes amidst the ongoing bankruptcy procedures of parent company Diamond Sports Group, who has ceased rights payments to several franchises since filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. Phoenix will now be the largest media market without a regional sports network. 

Rugby Rules, or Not?

Rugby review to include whether too much was spent on rotten World Cup

Rugby Australia will investigate whether it spent too much money on the World Cup amid concerns that hundreds of thousands of dollars were used for executive accommodation and sponsorship events.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said a framework was in place if stakeholders and member unions wanted accountability for the team’s woeful World Cup performance, including a staggering 40-6 defeat to Wales.

The former Wallaby conceded there was “no hiding” from responsibility for the state of the game, but said his focus was on resetting in time for the 2027 World Cup and strengthening RA’s financial position.

“I apologise … we feel the pain, we feel that responsibility and we now need to move forward in the same direction,” he said.

“I wouldn’t put all the responsibility on the players. The environment we’ve created for them  has not enabled them to perform at their peak.”

Pro Wrestling Leaps To New Heights...

World's oldest pro wrestling promotion, NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) set to get bodyslamming great deal in place with The CW (rumour, but just about official when boss Billy Corgan green lights)

Pro Wrestling is red hot again.  It's always been a great escape from B.S politics and much of the crap on "the box" (regular television).

The major pro wrestling promotions are currently WWE, AEW (All Elite Wrestling), and perhaps Impact Wrestling and then New Japan Pro-Wrestling (depending upon who you ask).

The you've got NWA, Ring Of Honor (these days owned by AEW's Tony Khan) and Major League Wrestling and the its down to more indy level.

WWE (under the TKO Group umbrella along with the UFC), remains the most non-political correct from what we can work out, (which may be part of the reason it maintains its popularity), and then you've seen what may observers and workers/wrestlers saw as the over-use of masks and CVD measures in New Japan, which hurt their brand on a global and Asia Pacific scale. These pro wrestling companies have to live and learn, much like some other brands which have become embatled over the years, be it Disney, Target or Mattel, just to name a few.

One of the biggest factors is audience, and to command a big audience you need to be visible and the best way is by having your company on mainstream television. Plenty of wrestling companies have their content on platforms such as YouTube or a number of different websites and streaming services and while that is great for reach and with the change in technology and the ease of watching almost anything having a television how on a mainstream broadcasting station is a leg up (not leg drop per Hulk Hogan), on the comp.

WWE has FOX, in process of going over totally to USA Network from the U.S territory/region, AEW has TNT and TBS, Impact wrestling is on AXS, and now the NWA is about to launch on CW Network. This is a huge deal for the promotion owned by Billy Corgan lead singer of the Smashing Pumpkins, as all round entertainment biz entrepreneur.

This allows the NWA to expand their reach or footprint per Seth Rollins foot-stomp and possibly reach the popularity that the NWA had back in the 80s when the likes of Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes,Harley Race and Terry Funk were king of the big kids of the squared circle. Fun Fact: In the late 80's when Harley Race entered the WWE (then WWF) he actually pulled on a gun on then WWF champion Hulk Hogan. Race was not all that happy about what Vince McMahon, Hogan and co had done to the wrestling industry, but Race took the financial offers and even eventually enjoyed a wrestling feud/storyline with The Hulkster!

That's a wrap for now sports fans.

As we say, "At least pro wrestling is honest and upfront about what it is. Shame sometimes boxing and the business of politics and even big farma can't always be the same way".

And always respect 'The Man In The Arena'.

Roman Reigns vs LA Knight, as well as Logan Paul going for gold at WWE Crown Jewel, Saudi Arabia on the 4th November. Cheer on the good guys (or the heels you love to hate, which just maybe include Team Media man too).  

WWE @WWE SmackDown coming up. "Weigh-in" Logan Paul @LoganPaul and Rey Mysterio. This is going to be good.

Sources: Wikipedia, Wires, ESPN, AP, WWE, NWA, Sports Business Journal, News Corp, Google Blogs, X (formally Twitter), LinkedIn, watercooler and cafe tip offs!

#sportsnews #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #sportsmarketing #USSports #AustralianSports #sportsentertainment #mediarights #combatsports #wrestling #broadcast #broadcasting #promotions #promoters #execs #executives #contracts #legends #folklore #gonzo #gonzojournalism #insiders #rumor #rumours #watercooler #pubtalk #showbiz #OTT #PPV #PLE #agency #buzz #trends #TV #media #mediaman #mediamanaustralia #mediamanint 

Sports News Media

Sports Talk Under The Watercooker

U.S leads global professional sports business but Saudi's fresh on their heels, and Australians doing it their own way, despite Aussie political business elements

The Foxtel Group has quite the love-hate relationship with the Australian government, especially in relation to Australian sports broadcasting and content laws, regulations etc. Quite the Pandora's Box. We will leave it at that. 

Fortunately the New South Wales government is switched on when it comes to the business of sport, hence NSW has secured in the region of 3, 4 or more UFC major events out of Sydney over the next 4 years. That deal was annouced back in May of this year. Maybe the NSW government and/or the UFC could see some disruptions coming into the business of the combat sports arena, be it from Saudi Arabia/UAE, China, Singapore, pro boxing or a combination. ESPN/ESPN + in making more in-roads on MMA broadcasting, especially in relation to the UFC.

Mouse House Disney seeks digital, telecom combo for ESPN strategic partnership

Per a report in the New York Post, ESPN would like to bring on two strategic partners: one a digital company such as Apple, and another a telecom company like Verizon. These companies are not the only potential players per the report, however they provide the wide distribution capabilities and ubiquity that ESPN seeks. Other companies mentioned as potential partners were Amazon, Microsoft, Google/Alphabet and T-Mobile.

A strategic partnership with a major big tech company would prove beneficial for ESPN as it moves towards bringing its linear channels direct-to-consumer by 2026, though it’s uncertain and speculative how these companies would value ESPN as an asset. Disney would reportedly like to sell only 10% of ESPN, but that number remains fluid.

NASCAR is working out it's new media rights agreement and has been negotiating with incumbents FOX and NBC to complete a deal. NASCAR completed a $115m deal with The CW for its second-tier Xfinity Series races, but still awaits a finalized deal for its flagship circuit.

According to the report, “negotiations are going smoothly.” FOX and NBC are looking to renew at a slightly increased rate over the current deal. In order to boom its media rights revenue additionally, NASCAR has pumped together a package deal of six races that Amazon and Turner have showed interest in. NASCAR executives would not speculate as to when the new set of deals could be completed. NASCAR remains a "non woke" brand. As they say around the world, "Let's Go"! 

Bally Sports Arizona shuts down; Barstool Sports factor?

Bally Sports Arizona has ceased operations after mutually parting ways with the Arizona Coyotes, the last franchise to which it held rights. Two weeks ago, the Coyotes agreed to a deal with Scripps Sports to air games on over-the-air broadcast television, similar to the Phoenix Suns and Mercury deal with Gray Television earlier this year. The Arizona Diamondbacks had their rights reverted back to Major League Baseball after Bally stopped its rights payments to the team.

The shuttering of Bally Sports Arizona comes amidst the ongoing bankruptcy procedures of parent company Diamond Sports Group, who has ceased rights payments to several franchises since filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. Phoenix will now be the largest media market without a regional sports network. 

Rugby Rules, or Not?

Rugby review to include whether too much was spent on rotten World Cup

Rugby Australia will investigate whether it spent too much money on the World Cup amid concerns that hundreds of thousands of dollars were used for executive accommodation and sponsorship events.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said a framework was in place if stakeholders and member unions wanted accountability for the team’s woeful World Cup performance, including a staggering 40-6 defeat to Wales.

The former Wallaby conceded there was “no hiding” from responsibility for the state of the game, but said his focus was on resetting in time for the 2027 World Cup and strengthening RA’s financial position.

“I apologise … we feel the pain, we feel that responsibility and we now need to move forward in the same direction,” he said.

“I wouldn’t put all the responsibility on the players. The environment we’ve created for them  has not enabled them to perform at their peak.”

Pro Wrestling Leaps To New Heights...

World's oldest pro wrestling promotion, NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) set to get bodyslamming great deal in place with The CW (rumour, but just about official when boss Billy Corgan green lights)

Pro Wrestling is red hot again.  It's always been a great escape from B.S politics and much of the crap on "the box" (regular television).

The major pro wrestling promotions are currently WWE, AEW (All Elite Wrestling), and perhaps Impact Wrestling and then New Japan Pro-Wrestling (depending upon who you ask).

The you've got NWA, Ring Of Honor (these days owned by AEW's Tony Khan) and Major League Wrestling and the its down to more indy level.

WWE (under the TKO Group umbrella along with the UFC), remains the most non-political correct from what we can work out, (which may be part of the reason it maintains its popularity), and then you've seen what may observers and workers/wrestlers saw as the over-use of masks and CVD measures in New Japan, which hurt their brand on a global and Asia Pacific scale. These pro wrestling companies have to live and learn, much like some other brands which have become embatled over the years, be it Disney, Target or Mattel, just to name a few.

One of the biggest factors is audience, and to command a big audience you need to be visible and the best way is by having your company on mainstream television. Plenty of wrestling companies have their content on platforms such as YouTube or a number of different websites and streaming services and while that is great for reach and with the change in technology and the ease of watching almost anything having a television how on a mainstream broadcasting station is a leg up (not leg drop per Hulk Hogan), on the comp.

WWE has FOX, in process of going over totally to USA Network from the U.S territory/region, AEW has TNT and TBS, Impact wrestling is on AXS, and now the NWA is about to launch on CW Network. This is a huge deal for the promotion owned by Billy Corgan lead singer of the Smashing Pumpkins, as all round entertainment biz entrepreneur.

This allows the NWA to expand their reach or footprint per Seth Rollins foot-stomp and possibly reach the popularity that the NWA had back in the 80s when the likes of Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes,Harley Race and Terry Funk were king of the big kids of the squared circle. Fun Fact: In the late 80's when Harley Race entered the WWE (then WWF) he actually pulled on a gun on then WWF champion Hulk Hogan. Race was not all that happy about what Vince McMahon, Hogan and co had done to the wrestling industry, but Race took the financial offers and even eventually enjoyed a wrestling feud/storyline with The Hulkster!

That's a wrap for now sports fans.

As we say, "At least pro wrestling is honest and upfront about what it is. Shame sometimes boxing and the business of politics and even big farma can't always be the same way".

And always respect 'The Man In The Arena'.

Roman Reigns vs LA Knight, as well as Logan Paul going for gold at WWE Crown Jewel, Saudi Arabia on the 4th November. Cheer on the good guys (or the heels you love to hate, which just maybe include Team Media man too).  

WWE 

@WWE

 SmackDown coming up. "Weigh-in" Logan Paul 

@LoganPaul

 and Rey Mysterio. This is going to be good.

Sources: Wikipedia, Wires, ESPN, AP, WWE, NWA, Sports Business Journal, News Corp, Google Blogs, X (formally Twitter), LinkedIn, watercooler and cafe tip offs!

Fantasy Booking Dream Matches In The Combat Sports World

Fury vs Ngannou

Fury vs Jon Jones

Fury vs Sean Strickland @SStricklandMMA 

Sean Strickland vs Francis Ngannou

Fury and Strickland vs Jones and Ngannou (Australian tag-team rules). This ain't happening folks.

Jake Paul @JakePaul vs Tyson Fury 

Jake Paul vs Francis Ngannou

Sean Strickland vs Logan Paul (Battle Of The Truth Tellers)

Laila Ali (retired) vs Ronda Rousey (now with working relationship with Lucha VaVoom)! 

Ken Smamrock vs Bobby Lashley

Shamrock vs Brock Lesnar

Jake Hager vs Sean Strickland

Hager vs Matt Riddle

Riddle vs RVD (is happening in a pro wrestling ring)! Nathan Jones (Mad Max and WWF connection) vs Tyson Fury 

Shayna Baszler vs Alexa Grasso

Baszler vs Valentina Shevchenko

Dana White (UFC) vs Donn Davis (PFL).  Special ref/enforcer: Chatri Sityodtong (ONE Championship)  Elon Musk (X Corp vs Zuck (Meta).. eSports since Zuck isn't travelling to Rome, Italy, any time soon. 

Enough fantasy booking?  Tune in for WWE @WWE SmackDown followed by Crown Jewel.

Crown Jewel November 4 from Saudi Arabia as Logan Paul @LoganPaul takes on Rey Mysterio for the U.S Title! 

This coming WWE SmackDown has the weigh-in! GM Nick Aldis and WWE chief content exec Triple H are going to have their hands full. Logan Paul and fans for the win!   

#dreammatch #dreammatches #fantasybooking #TysonFury #Ngannou #MikeTyson #JonJones #SeanStrickland #DanaWhite #DonnDavis #JakePaul #LoganPaul #RondaRousey #Ali #KenShamrock #BrockLesnar #JakeHager #MattRiddle #RVD #BobbyLashley #McGregor #ElonMusk #Zuck #Baszler #Grasso #Valentina #UFC #PFL #WWE #ONE #ONEChampionship #TMZ #combatsports #wrestling #boxing #MMA #bareknuckle #entertainment #PopCulture #showbiz #PPV #PayPerView #PLE #sportsbiz #legends #trends #buzz #media #mediaman

The Business Of Mixed Martial Arts

Freedom Of Information, Industry Leaks, Extensive Research and the social media and digital age shines light on fighter pay in the UFC for the top tier mixed martial artists

Ronda Rousey’s payouts revealed in new UFC court documents:  

$574,720 vs. Liz Carmouche  

$1,817,907 vs. Miesha Tate

 $870,969 vs. Sara McMann  

$1,063,688 vs. Alexis Davis   

$1,458,282 vs. Cat Zingano   

$2,642,204 vs. Bethe Correia  

$4,476,662 or $4,536,932 vs. Holly Holm

$4,879,766 vs. Amanda Nunes

Conor McGregor’s payouts

$3,285,000 (includes $2.11M discretionary bonus) vs. Chad Mendes

$4,476,662 or $4,536,932 vs. Jose Aldo — Aldo received $2,377,699

$5,576,315 vs. Nate Diaz 1 — Diaz received $2,838,158, and the PPV event generated $61 million.

$5,615,490 vs. Nate Diaz 2 — Diaz received $4,315,490.

$6,812,374 vs. Eddie Alvarez — the PPV event generated $66 million for UFC.

Brock Lesnar’s payouts

$3,000,000 vs. Alistair Overeem

$8,000,000 vs. Mark Hunt

Notes:

Brock Lesnar’s $8 million purse for UFC 200 was the highest for years, with him forgoing a PPV cut and instead getting a set flat fee. He had a base purse of $2.5 million, with a $5.5 million side deal to get to his total.

Georges St-Pierre’s payouts

$4,314,289 vs. Jake Shields — Shields received $580,000

$3,197,908 vs. Carlos Condit

$4,116,690 vs. Nick Diaz

$3,555,344 vs. Johny Hendricks

Anderson Silva’s payouts

$2,506,034 vs. Vitor Belfort

$2,000,000 vs. Yushin Okami

$2,506,034 vs. Chael Sonnen 2 — Sonnen received $1,050,000

$2,000,000 vs. Stephan Bonnar

$3,222,253 vs. Chris Weidman

$4,374,326 vs. Chris Weidman 2

$3,429,082 vs. Nick Diaz

$3,250,000 vs. Michael Bisping

$4,208,675 vs. Daniel Cormier

Jon Jones’ payouts

$2,278,553 vs. Rashad Evans

$1,566,196 vs. Vitor Belfort

$2,750,000 vs. Chael Sonnen — Sonnen received $1,050,000

$1,173,560 vs. Alexander Gustafsson

$1,237,880 vs. Glover Teixeira

$3,637,500 vs. Daniel Cormier 1 — Cormier received $1,140,000

$2,677,530 vs. Ovince St. Preux

CM Punk

$1,042,736 vs. Mickey Gall

BJ Penn

$400,000 vs. Jon Fitch

$475,000 vs. Nick Diaz

$250,000 vs. Rory MacDonald

Demetrious Johnson

$245,000 vs. Henry Cejudo

$350,000 vs. Tim Elliott

Sources:  MMAanalytics, Bloody Elbow, X (formally Twitter), Forbes Sports Money, U.S District Court releated, Google searches, numerous blogs, numerous industry websites, wires, leaks and more.

#combatsports #MMA #UFC #MMAnews #mixedmartialarts #sportsnews #sportsbusiness #sportsmarketing #sportsmedia #google #googlenews #X #xnews #newsmedia #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling News

SmackDown to set the scene for WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia!  National and international wrestling war and storm brewing. Change could be in the air says Media Man. Yeah!

WWE @WWE YouTube Channel

The Bloodline’s under fire heading into Crown Jewel: WWE Now, November 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSc-08yeOo&ab_channel=WWE

"Crown Jewel  is just hours away and SmackDown sets the stage tonight"... Megan Morant

Media Man: WWE annoucers Kevin Patrick @kev_egan  Corey Graves @WWEGraves and Michael Cole @MichaelCole , as well as security and support staff are going to have there hands full with this show. Hopefully SmackDown GM Nick Aldis @RealNickAldis can help keep things somewhat under control.

Image credit: WWE

#SmackDown #WWESmackDown #WWENow #WWECrownJewel #CrownJewel #LoganPaul #ReyMysterio #PaulMysterio #Prime #weighin #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #TheBloodline #PaulHeyman #WWEWomen #Doneybrook #Heels #dreammatch #dreammatches #prowrestling #wrestling #videos #combatsports #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #broadcasting #broadcasting #trends #trending #TV #buzz #media 

Pro Wrestling News

SmackDown to set the scene for WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia!  National and international wrestling war and storm brewing. Change could be in the air says Media Man. Yeah!

WWE @WWE YouTube Channel

The Bloodline’s under fire heading into Crown Jewel: WWE Now, November 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRSc-08yeOo&ab_channel=WWE

"Crown Jewel  is just hours away and SmackDown sets the stage tonight"... Megan Morant

Media Man: WWE annoucers Kevin Patrick @kev_egan  Corey Graves @WWEGraves and Michael Cole @MichaelCole , as well as security and support staff are going to have there hands full with this show. Hopefully SmackDown GM Nick Aldis @RealNickAldis can help keep things somewhat under control.

Image credit: WWE

#SmackDown #WWESmackDown #WWENow #WWECrownJewel #CrownJewel #LoganPaul #ReyMysterio #PaulMysterio #Prime #weighin #KevinOwens #KO #TKO #TheBloodline #PaulHeyman #WWEWomen #Doneybrook #Heels #dreammatch #dreammatches #prowrestling #wrestling #videos #combatsports #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #broadcasting #broadcasting #trends #trending #TV #buzz #media 

Combat Sports News from Sydney, Australia

Urban Fight Night 33

Main Event: Khalatbar vs Brooks

Eastern Suburbs fav Tiffany Delesalle (from IGOT MMA) vs Sahar Ghasem

Streaming via LiveCombatSports website

Where: Whitlam Leisure Centre, 90 Memorial Ave,, Liverpool, NSW, Australia

#UFN #UFC33 #UrbanFightNight #Khalatbar #Brooks #TiffanyDelesalle #SaharGhasem #combatsports #MMA #mixedmartialarts #sportsnews #sportsbiz #sportspromotion #sportsmedia #PPV #streaming #streamingsports #media #mediaman 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE YouTube Channel

Rey Mysterio vs. Logan Paul: WWE Crown Jewel Hype Package

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fKdsLajMkY&ab_channel=WWE

Logan Paul disrespects Rey Mysterio at U.S. Title Weigh-In: SmackDown highlight, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1I8AYwgsIY&ab_channel=WWE

Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio – Road to WWE Crown Jewel 2023: WWE Playlist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oC7QGYoHP0&t=2s&ab_channel=WWE

Image credit: WWE

#LoganPaul #Maverick #LoganPaul #ReyMysterio #WWECrownJewel #SmackDown #HoganPaul #splash #prowrestling #wrestling #Lucha #LuchaLibre #sportsentertainment #combatsports #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #video #PLE 

#Riyadh #SaudiVision2023 #SaudiArabia #liveentertainment #livesports #broadcast #trends #trending #buzz #hype #hypepackaage #media 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE YouTube

Unbelievable SmackDown moments: Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeUwJhduDP0&ab_channel=WWE

Reigns comes face-to-face with Knight ahead of Crown Jewel: WWE SmackDown highlights, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04b5GtEPR5o&ab_channel=WWE

John Cena verbally decimates Solo Sikoa in 90 seconds: SmackDown highlight, Nov. 3, 2023

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

Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory: SmackDown highlights, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-803li2-E0w&ab_channel=WWE

FULL MATCH – Brawling Brutes vs. Pretty Deadly - Donnybrook Match: SmackDown highlight, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PshGrAL5_fI&ab_channel=WWE

Pretty Deadly are "100 percent" following Donnybrook Match: SmackDown exclusive, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp78ZEi2pXE&ab_channel=WWE

Bianca Belair battles Bayley en route to WWE Crown Jewel: SmackDown highlight, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImIDRdv0_nc&ab_channel=WWE

Shotzi recruits Flair to get a tag team win against Niven & Green: SmackDown highlight, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqDLI4bfBx4&ab_channel=WWE

B-Fab requests a meeting with Bobby Lashley: SmackDown highlight, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG2OtAJxSuY&ab_channel=WWE

Logan Paul disrespects Rey Mysterio at U.S. Title Weigh-In: SmackDown highlight, Nov. 3, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1I8AYwgsIY&t=3s&ab_channel=WWE

Full WWE Crown Jewel Preview: WWE Now, Nov. 4, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJsx1qyKT0I&ab_channel=WWE

Image credit: WWE

 #LoganPaul #Maverick #LoganPaul #ReyMysterio #WWECrownJewel #SmackDown #HoganPaul #splash #prowrestling #wrestling #Lucha #LuchaLibre #sportsentertainment #combatsports #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #video #PLE #Riyadh #SaudiVision2023 #SaudiArabia #liveentertainment #livesports #broadcast #trends #trending #buzz #hype #hypepackaage #TV #media

"I try not to live my life thinking about money because money doesn’t make me happy" - Logan Paul @LoganPaul #LoganPaul #quote #life #money #happy #mindset #attitude #focus #mbs #media #mediaman

Pro Wrestling

WWE Crown Jewel results

Sami Zayn def JD McDonagh - Kickoff Match

Roman Reigns def LA Knight - Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

Seth “Freakin” Rollins def Drew McIntyre - WWE Universal Title

Rhea Ripley def Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Raquel Rodriguez and Zoey Stark. Fatal 5-Way Match - Women's Womens Title

Solo Sikoa def John Cena

Logan Paul def Rey Mysterio. WWE United States Championship

IYO SKY def Bianca Belair - WWE Women's Title 

Cody Rhodes def Damian Priest

Segment: MIZ TV. Confronation. Ibrahim Al Hajjaj and The Miz vs Grayson Waller after Waller invaded “Miz TV”

Video

WWE YouTube

Full WWE Crown Jewel 2023 highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyV-xYb5VN4&ab_channel=WWE

Full WWE Crown Jewel Preview: WWE Now, Nov. 4, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJsx1qyKT0I&t=4s&ab_channel=WWE

Image credit: WWE

#RomanReigns #LAKnight #TheBloodline #LoganPaul #PaulHeyman #Maverick #LoganPaul #ReyMysterio #RheaRipley #WWECrownJewel #CrownJewel #prowrestling #wrestling #wrestlingnews #Lucha #LuchaLibre #sportsentertainment #combatsports #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #video #PLE #Riyadh #SaudiVision2023 #SaudiArabia #liveentertainment #livesports #broadcast #trends #trending #buzz #hype #AndNew #AndStill #media

Pro Wrestling

WWE  Crown Jewel 

WWE Official YouTube

Paul uses a dune buggy to make an electric entrance from the desert: WWE... https://youtube.com/watch?v=4LZZuDoJWic&si=tv3jWg-d7bIFkhTJ 

"We in Saudi. Saudi to become U.S cham. I ain't taking this lightly. Rey Mysterio in trouble. Let's go" Logan Paul 

@LoganPaul

 

"Now that's an entrance. Driving right here into the building in Riyadh" Michael Cole

"Are you telling me I had to sit in meetings with you all day when I could have been out in the dunes in that mean machine"! Wade Barrett

"You weren't invited" MC

"Why not"?

"But I think Logan Paul is here" MC

"Oh" WB

"What an arrival by The Maverick" MC

Image credit: WWE

Netflix Explores Streaming Live Boxing Match

Potential foray into boxing comes as company has begun experimenting with live sports

Netflix (NFLX) may be getting into the ring to host live boxing matches as the streaming platform seeks to expand its live event and sports content offerings, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Netflix is considering stepping into the boxing ring with its first livestreamed match. 

The company has discussed streaming a match featuring boxer and YouTube influencer Jake Paul, as well as a potential bout between boxers from Premier Boxing Champions—a show currently on Paramount’s Showtime - according to people familiar with the situation. 

A boxing match would mark Netflix’s most significant step yet into streaming live sports, a move its executives have debated for years. On Nov. 14, Netflix will stream its first live sporting event, “The Netflix Cup,” a live golf tournament featuring athletes from its Formula One documentary, “Drive to Survive,” and “Full Swing,” its show following professional golfers.

Discussions around streaming a boxing match are still in a very early stage and might not come to fruition, the people said.

Many streaming services have moved to make live sports available on their platforms. While companies like Amazon and Alphabet’s YouTube have paid hefty price tags for the right to stream live sports like National Football League games, Netflix executives have resisted the trend because of the escalating costs of sports rights.

“We aren’t anti-sports, we’re pro-profit,” Co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos said in January, adding that the company’s stance might change. Netflix has turned to streaming live events to promote its programming, as it is doing with “The Netflix Cup.”

Netflix has also focused more on sports programming for its service after seeing success with some of its shows, such as “Quarterback,” which followed three NFL quarterbacks last season and was among the streamer’s top 10 shows for several weeks this year. 

The company is now planning a new show modeled on “Quarterback” featuring professional basketball players in partnership with LeBron James’s entertainment company, SpringHill; Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions; and Higher Ground Productions, the production company of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.  

Streaming a single boxing match would enable Netflix to test the waters without committing to a full season of the sport.

Premier Boxing Champions, which is owned by Al Haymon and features such stars as middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, is seeking a new home since Paramount announced it would shut down Showtime Sports, which includes boxing, at the end of this year, according to people familiar with the situation. Amazon has expressed interest in streaming the matches, Sports Illustrated reported last month.

If Netflix does feature a live match with Paul, it could help promote its documentary about the boxer, “Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child,” which came out earlier this year. Paul currently has a deal with global sports streamer DAZN for two fights, one this year and one early next year, but nothing beyond that, according to people familiar with the situation.

(WSJ)

#Netflix #netflixsports #boxing #proboxing #streaming #streamingsports #streamingbiz #streamingmedia #JakePaul #Untold #DAZN #YouTube #Influencer #Influencers #NetflixCup #FullSwing #DriveToSurvive #entertainment #entertainmentnews #sportsnews #popculture #broadcast #broadcasting #OTT #overthetop #livesports #trends #trending #buzz #media 

Boxing News

Heavyweight champ Tyson Fury was knocked down (not out) by Francis Ngannou recently in Riyadh, saying afterwards that it was one of his toughest fights in a decade.

It was Ngannou’s professional boxing debut, making the scenes all the more stunning. The 37-year-old boxed well against an off Fury, making it the 10 round distance but ultimately losing by split decision. Don't you just love those scorecards (not).

With the pre-fight script flipped, the MMA predator turned in-demand boxer has made it clear that he wants a rematch at Fury.

“No, he was what I thought he would be. I thought he would have a puncher’s chance like the rest of them. Listen, he was a good fighter and we’ll probably have a rematch down the line somewhere. Who’d have thought it?”

Video

Top Rank Boxing Official YouTube

Francis Ngannou Wants to Run It Back With Tyson Fury | POST FIGHT INTERVIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SC4lXZ5168&t=2s&ab_channel=TopRankBoxing

Video

Top Rank Boxing Official YouTube

Tyson Fury Reacts to Close Win Over Francis Ngannou, Usyk Fight Next | POST-FIGHT INTERVIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NjcoXRF98k&t=14s&ab_channel=TopRankBoxing

#boxing #boxingnews #TysonFury #quotes 

#FrancisNgannou #BattleOfTheBaddest #combatsports #TopRankBoxing #sportsnews #sportsbusiness #PPV #PayPerView #sportsmedia #trends #buzz #media 

Quotes

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

Combat Sports/Pop Culture

WWE @WWE - UFC @WWE - Endeavor @Endeavor

news quote: 

“All the WrestleManias combined … doesn’t really equal to the magnitude of what we will do together.” - Vince McMahon (April 2023)

Image credit: WWE

#VinceMcMahon #quote #WWE #UFC #Endeavor #MMA #combatsports #sportsbusiness #popculture #entertainmentnews #PLE #PPV #livesports #liveentertainment #showbiz #sportsbiz #sportsmarketing #promoter #media #mediaman 

News Media

‘Political suicide’: Opposing mainstream media ends with ‘conspiracy theorist’ narratives

Liberal Senator Gerard Rennick says Australian political leadership must base decisions on “facts, not feelings”.

“People don’t take their decision-making responsibilities serious enough,” he told Sky News host Cory Bernardi.

“We need to be basing our decisions on facts, not feelings.

“We have such a one-sided media … you have to be on the side of the narrative, or you are otherwise a conspiracy theorist.

“It’s virtually political suicide.”

(Sky News Australia)

Combat Sports News

‘$31m for nine bouts’: Conor McGregor’s biggest UFC paydays revealed in lawsuit documents

Conor McGregor is undoubtedly the UFC’s biggest ever drawcard and new documents have revealed just how much he made from his fights.

Court documents have revealed some of the biggest paydays in UFC history as part of a class action lawsuit against the MMA promotion.

The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals this week denied the UFC’s appeal to revoke class action status from hundreds of martial arts fighters who are suing for billions of dollars in wages, setting up a trial next year.

The ruling has approved a group of fighters who competed in professional UFC promoted bouts in the US between December 2010 and June 2017.

Judge Richard Boulware said a trial date was set for April. The UFC has denied any wrongdoing.

Recently unsealed court documents have revealed some of the biggest payouts for fights held in that 2010-2017 period, during which the UFC phenomenon skyrocketed and Conor McGregor was in career best form.

The purses are determined by matching the payout amount with identity of the fighter that most likely earned that amount.

MMA site Bloody Elbow has broken down some of the payouts received by McGregor and Ronda Rousey — the most well known male and female fighters in UFC history.

The expert report that cites payouts for McGregor during the class action period said: “Conor McGregor was compensated nearly $20 million (A$31 million) for participation in nine UFC bouts of which he won eight.”

This covers McGregor’s first nine fights in the UFC, from his debut to his second fight against Nate Diaz.

Eight of the 10 biggest UFC pay-per-views ever featured a Conor McGregor fight.

The expert report that cites payouts for Rousey during the class action period said: “Rousey was compensated $13 million (A$20 million) for participation in seven UFC bouts of which she won six.”

Conor McGregor’s UFC payouts (all figures in USD)

$3,285,000 (includes $2.11M discretionary bonus) vs Chad Mendes

$4,476,662 or $4,536,932 vs Jose Aldo — Aldo received $2,377,699

$5,576,315 vs. Nate Diaz 1 — Diaz received $2,838,158, and the PPV event generated $61 million.

$5,615,490 vs Nate Diaz 2 — Diaz received $4,315,490.

$6,812,374 vs Eddie Alvarez — the PPV event generated $66 million for UFC.

Ronda Rousey’s UFC payouts

$574,720 vs Liz Carmouche

$1,817,907 vs Miesha Tate

$870,969 vs Sara McMann

$1,063,688 vs Alexis Davis

$1,458,282 vs Cat Zingano

$2,642,204 vs Bethe Correia

$4,476,662 or $4,536,932 vs. Holly Holm

$4,879,766 vs Amanda Nunes

The figures seem like mere pocket change, considering McGregor earned more than US$100 million for his crossover boxing fight with Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

In 2016, the UFC was sold to a group led by Endeavor, which also became the parent company of WWE as part of a merger earlier this year.

Rousey retired from MMA in 2016, while McGregor hasn’t fought since he broken his leg in a first-round loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

The Irishman is expected to target a UFC return in a fight against Michael Chandler mid next year.

Tyson Fury flips off the media after controversial Francis Ngannou fight

Heavyweight champion of the world Tyson Fury wasn’t happy as he returned home following his narrow win over Francis Ngannou.

Tyson Fury stuck up his middle finger after arriving back in the UK following his win over Francis Ngannou.

The Gypsy King was awarded a controversial split decision win in the crossover contest, The Sun reports.

But he has arrived back from Saudi Arabia with a souvenir from Ngannou – a nasty-looking black eye.

Fury, 35, took a lot of damage to his left eye during his ten rounds with former UFC champion Ngannou.

He grimaced as he pushed his luggage alongside wife Paris, who accompanied him to Riyadh.

Both were dressed in patterned clothing with Fury opting for a camouflage jacket, which he paired with a Gucci pouch.

Fury confirmed after the fight that he did not pick up any serious injuries against Ngannou.

He was dropped in the third round by a big left hand from the Cameroonian, but the Brit was adamant he deserved the victory.

The WBC heavyweight champion landed less than a third of the punches he threw in the Riyadh Rumble but was still more accurate than the MMA man-mountain.

Fury said: “I’m not a boxing judge, but I can clearly see he didn’t win the fight by the punch stats.

“And if he would’ve won the fight, they would’ve given it to him. Wouldn’t they?

“It wasn’t my own show, was it? We were both away fighter?”

Wrestling - Combat Sports News

Logan Paul beats legend to become WWE champion

Just weeks after winning a farcical boxing fight, YouTuber Logan Paul has been declared a WWE champion for the first time.

Logan Paul is officially a champion in WWE.

The YouTube star and boxer defeated WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio for the United States championship at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday (AEDT), the NY Post reports.

By doing so, the 28-year-old Paul, who debuted in WWE in April 2021, can finally call himself a pro wrestling champ.

Paul’s victory, however, came with the help of a pair of brass knuckles — which weren’t legal in this match.

A member of his “entourage” handed them to Paul in the ring, but Mysterio was able to thwart his first attempt to use them.

When Paul’s friend tried to retrieve them, he was initially stopped by Santos Escobar, Mysterio’s partner in the Latino World Order.

But while in pursuit of Paul’s helper, Escobar left the brass knuckles in the ring.

Paul was able to grab them while being set up for the 619 and smashed Mysterio with a right hand as looked to complete his finisher with a springboard move.

Paul did appear to save Mysterio from potentially severe injury, catching him in mid-air on a springboard move before it looked like the legend’s head might land awkwardly on the mat.

Paul set up the storyline for this match with Mysterio by calling him out after his boxing victory over Bellator MMA fighter Dillon Danis on October 14 in a fight that failed to live up to the pre-bout hype.

After being called out by Paul, Mysterio had vowed to go into his “bag of tricks” to overcome the challenge laid out to him, but it wasn’t enough.

Putting the United States championship on Paul comes at the perfect time for WWE.

He is fresh off a boxing win, WrestleMania is just six months away, and he has no other fight commitments that could keep him off WWE television for the foreseeable future.

He was unsuccessful in one previous attempt to win wrestling gold, taking a loss to Undisputed WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns at last year’s Crown Jewel show.

Mysterio and Paul were last in the ring against each other at WrestleMania 38 last year. Paul, in his debut match, teamed up with The Miz against Mysterio and his son Dominik.

Paul’s brother Jake Paul celebrated the big win as he watched on a phone leaning against bananas while eating eggs and pancakes.

A title win feels long overdue for Logan Paul, who has done nothing but impress with his work in a WWE ring and he continues to get more and more comfortable on the mic.

Logan Paul, who boasts 26.3 million YouTube subscribers and 27 million followers on Instagram, will bring plenty of eyeballs to the United States championship.

Wrestling News

Logan Paul Defeats Rey Mysterio at Crown Jewel and Secures First Major WWE Championship

Logan Paul has been called many things — YouTuber, amateur boxer, an abrasive personality — but now he can add United States Champion to that list.

The internet personality-turned-wrestler won the title, marking his first major championship in the WWE, after defeating Hall of Fame wrestler Rey Mysterio Saturday at the pay-per-view event Crown Jewel. In the match, Paul used the brass knuckles one of his cronies handed him to clock Mysterio and get the pin.

The win comes after some back-and-forth trash talking between both opponents prior to the bout. Paul first called out Mysterio after winning his exhibition boxing match against Dillon Danis in Manchester, England on Oct. 14.

“This is a hobby for me,” Paul taunted, adding that his true passion was being a WWE superstar. “I’m an American boy, and I want that U.S. title,” he said. “Rey Mysterio, I already beat you once and I’m coming for that U.S. championship.”

Mysterio responded to Paul’s challenge during an appearance on The MMA Hour With Ariel Helwani, noting that he was “shocked” at the public callout.

“He’s been doing really good in the ring. He just won a fight, so his opting level was at a peak. His adrenaline was going. I think he felt very comfortable,” the masked wrestler said. “The question is, will he be comfortable when we decide to make this match?”

Mysterio also noted on X (formerly Twitter) that he was “not hard to find, homie. Every Friday night on SmackDown.” Paul replied, “See you soon.”

Their fued continued at the official weigh in, with Paul patting Mysterio on the head and Mysterio slapped him in the face. This led to a scuffle, and they were forcibly separated by WWE personnel and SmackDown manager Nick Aldis.

First appearing on an April 2021 episode of SmackDown, Paul made his in-ring wrestling debut teaming up with The Miz to face Mysterio and his son Dominik at WrestleMania 38. Since then, he’s challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Crown Jewel 2022, participated in the 2023 Money in the Bank ladder match and fought Richochet at SummerSlam.

Wrestling News

Logan Paul: 'I think I have to' be around WWE more after title win - October 5, 2023

WWE fans are likely to be seeing even more of Logan Paul, at least in the short term.

Paul, the YouTuber, boxer and pro wrestler, beat Rey Mysterio to win the WWE United States championship on Saturday at WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia. It's Paul's first title victory in WWE. He only has eight career pro wrestling matches but has been a fixture on big WWE shows for about a year and a half. Paul said winning a WWE title was a "bucket list" moment for him.

For the most part, Paul has been a part-timer in WWE. That might not completely change, but the social media phenom told ESPN on Saturday, minutes after winning the belt, that he's likely to be making more appearances with the promotion. He has to defend the title, after all.

"I think I have to," Paul said of spending more time on WWE programming. "You're going to have to watch Raw. You're going to have to watch SmackDown. I'm going to make some surprise appearances and show these wrestlers who's the real king."

Paul, 28, had a boxing match against Dillon Danis just three weeks ago, which he won via disqualification. After beating Mysterio, Paul said he was far more tired going nearly 18 minutes with Mysterio than he would be after a boxing fight.

"That was barely a performance," Paul said of the Danis bout. "I wouldn't even call that a fight. Tonight was a fight. Tonight was hard. I'm telling you, bro. I'm winded. I feel like I really earned this. So, I see these comments online. 'Logan Paul, spoon-fed, silver spoon in his mouth. Everything's been given to him his whole life. He hasn't earned it.'

"I would do more in 12 hours than most people do in 12 months. My blueprint cannot be duplicated, bro. My pace is unmatched. I'm not playing the same game as the other people. I've beaten the matrix and I'm the architect."

Who could be Paul's first title defense foe is unclear. But there is no shortage of possibilities. Paul, despite his lack of experience, has shown uncanny skills and an ability to work in the ring. His performances have drawn critical acclaim.

There is one score he could settle with another big star outside of WWE who wrestles from time to time: Bad Bunny. When asked about the Puerto Rican reggaeton star, Paul said he could be interested and the two of them have the same rating -- 84 -- in the WWE video game WWE 2k23. Paul also currently lives and trains in boxing in Puerto Rico.

"He is good, but he's scrawny, man," Paul said. "I'm pushing 250 [pounds]. ... He has the same rating as me, so maybe I don't know anything. Maybe we're the same. Maybe we've got to settle this in the ring."

Whether the match happens, it's clear Paul will be around WWE more. He's just not exactly sure how much.

"I have a bit of occupational ADHD," he said. "So, wherever my attention goes, wherever the people are the most entertained. And at the moment, that is the WWE, and [I'm] just focused on building my brands and protecting this belt, keeping it around my waist."

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE YouTube

Full WWE Crown Jewel Results and Highlights: WWE Now, Nov. 4, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9oPrcLAryg&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man: Huge thumbs up on this Premium Live Event. Logan Paul vs Rey Mysterio stole the show for our money. LP has the IT factor in spades. Potential to be the greatest WWE U.S Champion of all time. Stick with it Maverick. Love your work legend and keep proving the naysayers wrong. World class production values and great team effort all round. Loving the current WWE product. WWE Wins 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Year'!

Image credit: WWE

#WWECrownJewel #CrownJewel #prowrestling #wrestling #RomanReigns #LAKnight #TheBloodline #WWEChampion #WWEUniversal #WWEUniverse #USTitle #LoganPaul #ReyMysterio #Maverick #SethRollins #DrewMcIntyre #JohnCena #SoloSikoa #RheaRipley #IyoSky #GraysonWaller #IbrahimAlHajjaj #MIZTV #GWEffect #MatchOfTheYear #legend #legends #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #PLE #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #video #AndStill #AndNew #highlights #broadcast #highlights #trend #trends #buzz #media 

Pro Wrestling

WWE @WWE YouTube

Full WWE Crown Jewel Results and Highlights: WWE Now, Nov. 4, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9oPrcLAryg&ab_channel=WWE

Media Man: Huge thumbs up on this Premium Live Event. Logan Paul vs Rey Mysterio stole the show for our money. LP has the IT factor in spades. Potential to be the greatest WWE U.S Champion of all time. Stick with it Maverick. Love your work legend and keep proving the naysayers wrong. World class production values and great team effort all round. Loving the current WWE product. WWE Wins 'Wrestling Promotion Of The Year'!

Image credit: WWE

#WWECrownJewel #CrownJewel #prowrestling #wrestling #RomanReigns #LAKnight #TheBloodline #WWEChampion #WWEUniversal #WWEUniverse #USTitle #LoganPaul #ReyMysterio #Maverick #SethRollins #DrewMcIntyre #JohnCena #SoloSikoa #RheaRipley #IyoSky #GraysonWaller #IbrahimAlHajjaj #MIZTV #GWEffect #MatchOfTheYear #legend #legends #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #PLE #entertainment #entertainmentnews #popculture #video #AndStill #AndNew #highlights #broadcast #highlights #trend #trends #buzz #media 

A.I Search News

In 'Grok,' Musk releases AI challenger - November 2023

A new competitor is emerging in the rapidly changing artificial intelligence virtual landscape, and it is challenging companies such as OpenAI, maker of Chat GPT, perhaps the best known AI platform to date, Inflection, Anthropic, and Google's AI platform called Bard.

xAI, the first such technology company to be released by entrepreneur Elon Musk, is unveiling Grok, which the company said is modeled on and inspired by "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," a 1970s British comedic science fiction program that followed the misadventures of Arthur Dent, the last person who survived the demolition of Earth by an alien race.

Clearly inspired by the fact that artificial intelligence is still often associated with futuristic science fiction, Musk also leaned on the sci-fi genre in coming up with the company name, as well.

In his 1961 science fiction novel "Stranger in a Strange Land," Robert A. Heinlein introduced the word 'grok,' which the author said had "no direct Earthling translation," but, based on the context of how the term was used in the book, critics have generally agreed that grok refers to something having very deep intuition or empathy.

Wrestling News

Logan Paul: Training at WWE PC 'might be something I have to do'

Paul defeated Rey Mysterio for the US Title in Riyadh on Saturday.

Logan Paul sounds as though he plans on spending more time in WWE. 

Following his defeat of Rey Mysterio for the United States Championship at Crown Jewel, Paul was asked by ESPN if the title win means he'll be on WWE shows more often. 

"I think I have to," Paul said of spending more time on WWE programming. "You're going to have to watch Raw. You're going to have to watch SmackDown. I'm going to make some surprise appearances and show these wrestlers who's the real king."

"I have a bit of occupational ADHD," he continued. "So, wherever my attention goes, wherever the people are the most entertained. And at the moment, that is the WWE, and [I'm] just focused on building my brands and protecting this belt, keeping it around my waist."

Paul also told The Daily Mail after his win in Riyadh on Saturday that he's considering training at WWE's Performance Center in Orlando. 

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

"I'm so stoked that Triple H and the company believes in my like they do,' he added. 'Hopefully, I can make them proud and I know I will. He's super receptive to my ideas. I'm a content creator - keyword creator. I like to make stuff, I come up with ideas. When I pitch my ideas, he's all ears all the time."

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

Paul's performance at WWE Crown Jewel was addressed by our own Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio on Saturday. They noted that at one point during the match Mysterio was about to land head-first following a caperana, but Paul was able to catch him before he hit the mat. 

"(Paul) saved Rey's life once," Meltzer said. 

"He slid in on his knees to catch this guy and save his life," Alvarez said. "He did a hell of a job in this match."

"Rey really owes him some thanks on that one because Rey could have really been hurt on that move," Meltzer continued. 

Pro Wrestling News

NWA Samhain cocaine spot could affect TV deal with The CW

CW officials were reportedly upset with the stunt.

A spot that saw a manager, wrestlers and women snort cocaine at NWA Samhain could severely affect how viewers can access NWA programming on the CW.

During last weekend's pay-per-view, manager Father James Mitchell was shown at a table with several wrestlers and women, snorting cocaine and drinking alcohol, the clip of which can be seen below.

According to Haus of Wrestling, CW officials weren't happy with that in light of their new deal that was set to bring both NWA Power and a reality TV series to the network. The outlet reported there is a "90% chance" both shows will now air on The CW's app vs. broadcast as a result due to the network receiving negative social media comments after the segment.

From the report:

"As it stands, Haus of Wrestling is told that there is an active push by those higher-up at The CW to have the NWA’s content air solely on their The CW app and not on their actual television airwaves. Apparently, when negotiations were going on to bring the NWA to The CW, Corgan was told that the network would not be watching the PPVs and would only be concerned with what happened on the TV show airing on their platform."

The outlet also reported the cocaine spot was the idea of NWA owner Billy Corgan who "pushed for it to be on the pay-per-view." 

They also added a note that the reality series was fully paid for by Corgan with the idea CW could sell ads for it to bring in revenue.

"One of the big selling points for The CW to get behind the reality series was that Corgan said his recent wedding would be a part of it, something they were excited to air. The other pro wrestling aspects of the series, along with the added Powerrr deal, all were agreed to under the understanding The CW would be able to air the Corgan wedding footage."

Combat Sports News

Mike Tyson gushes over Francis Ngannou’s efforts against Tyson Fury: “He listened to everything I said” - November 2023

International boxing Hall of Famer Mike Tyson is quite pleased with Francis Ngannou.

Ngannou was a massive underdog going into his boxing match with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury late last month. “The Predator” made fools of many by knocking “The Gypsy King” down and almost defeating him at his own game.

Mike Tyson trained with Ngannou ahead of the Fury fight. He is over the moon with how Ngannou handled the moment and thrived despite losing via split decision.

Mike Tyson Heaps Praise On Francis Ngannou

During a recent edition of his “Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson” show, “Iron” Mike explained what made training Francis Ngannou special for him (h/t MMAMania).

“I’m proud of Francis Ngannou because he listened to everything I said, and I was telling everybody about the great left hook that he landed on his sparring partner and actually broke his leg and I knew if he landed that left hook on anybody they were gone and I was right. The champ went down,” said Tyson on “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson.”

“I’m happy,” he continued. “I’m very grateful to be involved with his glory, his victory. I’m sure we’ll see a lot more of Mr. Francis.”

Ngannou has suddenly emerged as a legit threat in boxing’s heavyweight division. Top names such as Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder have emerged as potential names for Ngannou. Of course, a rematch with Fury down the line can’t be ruled out either.

During a recent appearance on “The MMA Hour,” Ngannou revealed that a big fight offer is on the table. He did not reveal what that offer was. With that said, Ngannou did mention that Wilder has been training for a possible MMA bout. Perhaps one day, these two will collide whether it be under traditional boxing rules or MMA rules.

Google Search Term: News

The 20 most profitable Google searches. The top search terms for the week of Sept. 22, 2018 in the U.S., ordered by revenue, were:

iPhone 8

iPhone 8 plus

auto insurance

car insurance

cheap flights

car insurance quote

direct tv

online colleges

at&t

hulu

iPhone

uber

spectrum

comcast

xfinity

insurance quotes

free credit report

cheap car insurance

aarp

lifelock

Movie Box Office - November 5, 2023

Horror movie Five Nights at Freddy's is the No. 1 movie in North American theaters for a second weekend, earning an additional $19.4 million in receipts, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday.

The film is also currently streaming on Peacock.

Coming in at No. 2 at cinemas is Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour with $13.5 million, followed by Killers of the Flower Moon at No. 3 with $7 million, Priscilla at No. 4 with $5.1 million and Radical at No. 5 with $2.7 million.

Rounding out the top tier are The Exorcist: Believer at No. 6 with $2.2 million, After Death at No. 7 with $2 million, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie at No. 8 with $1.98 million, What Happens Later at No. 9 with $1.6 million and Freelance at No. 10 with $1.2 million.

Disney Buys Remaining Stake in Streaming Platform Hulu

Disney has announced it is spending $8.61 billion to acquire the remaining stake in streaming platform Hulu. As Disney already owns two-thirds, it will be purchasing a one-third stake from Comcast’s NBC Universal in order to complete its ownership of the service.

“The acquisition of Comcast’s stake in Hulu at fair market value will further Disney’s streaming objectives,” the company said at the time of announcement.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said the combining of Hulu with Disney+ is a “logical progression,” but they will remain separate entities in the short-term. Iger had said in March that Disney was studying Hulu “very, very carefully.”

The transaction is set to occur by Dec. 1. Hulu currently has a $27.5 billion guaranteed floor value, according to the estimation that was established in 2019. The platform will face another appraisal process in the weeks leading up to Disney’s purchase, as per its agreement with comcast.

“We look forward to the appraisal process and the determination of Hulu’s fair market value which we expect will reflect the extraordinary value of the business,” Comcast said in a statement.

Comcast’s subsidiary, NBC Universal, launched its own streaming platform “Peacock” in 2020, and slowly began migrating content from Hulu to it as the years went on. Its sale of Hulu does not come at a great loss for the company content-wise.

Hulu is a plus for Disney, as it is a growing platform with over 48 million subscribers and fits well in its bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+.  

Broadcasting News (Australia) - November 2023

Australian smart TVs to be regulated through ‘prominence legislation’ to make government-funded news appear ahead of commercial outlets - November 2023

Labor is mounting a draconian push to regulate smart devices which will prevent Australians from seeing the most relevant content when they switch on their TV.

The ABC and SBS could soon be boosted ahead of many Australian commercial media outlets on smart TVs, including through manipulated search results for news stories, as the Labor party prepares to introduce "prominence" legislation.

Labor is mounting a draconian push to regulate devices in living rooms which will limit the freedom of Australians to see the most relevant content when they switch on their TV.

The move has been pushed by the FreeTV lobby group, together with the ABC and SBS, which wants manufacturers to pre-install all TV apps from their brands on home screens and offer their specific content first in search results and recommendations.

FreeTV’s expectations for how this legislation should work extends as far as people searching for news content through voice-activated TVs, with their submission into the proposed legislation demanding “if a Regulated Device is voice activated, when a consumer asks for “news”, the consumer must first be offered the Local TV Services that provide news content, with priority given to any such Local TV Services that the consumer has previously accessed”.

This means that manufacturers of devices will be required to preference the ABC, SBS, and commercial outlets including Nine and Seven, over other commercial media outlets for news coverage regardless of popularity or relevance to what the viewer wants to watch.

Labor’s own proposal paper into the matter – titled Prominence Framework for Connected TV Devices – admits these laws will help free-to-air broadcasters gain an advantage in the streaming age.

A recent survey conducted by the ANU’s Social Research Centre on behalf of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts found that 66 per cent of respondents had an online subscription service last year, up from 62 per cent in 2021, and that free video streaming services were the second most popular platform.

This year's Deloitte Media and Entertainment Consumer Insights 2023 report also found that Australian consumers were closely monitoring monthly costs, and had reduced monthly SVOD spending on average to $57, an 8 per cent year on year drop.

Labor's Communication Minister Michelle Rowland is behind the radical push to legislate what Australians will see when they turn on their TVs.

With the way that people are watching TV changing, that is impacting how people shop for TVs in the first place. The ANU study found that most Australians considered internet connection the most important aspect when buying a new TV.

These changes in technology and consumption are presenting significant challenges for the operating models of free-to-air broadcasters who have struggled to keep ahead of the shifting demands of Australian viewers.

The industry has been disrupted by challengers like Netflix and Foxtel who have transformed their business models, from DVDs and subscription-TV respectively, to streaming. This new Australian government legislation aims to give traditional linear TV broadcasters who have failed to adapt a leg-up by forcing device manufacturers to preference their content over innovative new services that Australians prefer.

The Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA), whose members include Foxtel, BBC Worldwide Australia, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, ESPN, FOX Sports, NBCUniversal International Networks and Sky News Australia, sent a chilling warning to Australians today with full-page ads warning ‘Now the government wants to control your TV’.

The advertisement reads: “Don’t let the government tell you what to watch or limit your search results. You wouldn’t allow it on your phone. It’s your TV. It’s your living room. The voice should be yours”.

In a recent interview with Sky News, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany described the proposed changes as a government takeover of the viewer’s remote.

“It is not right. The government needs to listen to everyday Australians. They own the TV, they’re passionate about it and they do not want the government telling them what to watch,” Mr Delany said.

“All of the people watching that have Foxtel – it really is a takeover of their remote… if you want to go into apps, all the Free TV apps would be listed first”.

In an interview with The Australian today, Mr Delany said many customers had a “rotational churn” of streaming services.

He explained that these viewers say they are unable to sign up to every streaming platform and must choose which ones they subscribe to.

While for the customers who can afford every streaming service, Mr Delany said there’s “a lot of friction going in and out of services to find your shows.”

Labor is expected to rush through the prominence legislation over the coming weeks.

Media chiefs demand ‘urgent’ curb of big tech - 5th November 2023

Ten of Australia’s most powerful media executives and industry body chiefs have called on the Albanese government to establish new competition laws to stop big tech companies stifling rivals.

A year after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released a Digital Platforms Inquiry report saying it was concerned about “significant consumer and competition harms” caused by companies such as Google, Apple and Meta, media executives say the need for new laws is now “urgent”

“As is the case for many households, Australian businesses rely on the services provided by large digital platforms such as Google and Meta,” the executives say in a two-page letter to Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.

“But as the ACCC has found, in many digital platform services markets, Google and Meta have achieved levels of market dominance that provides them both the incentive and the opportunity to behave anti-competitively to leverage that market power and to insulate themselves from the emergence of competitors.”

Examples of anticompetitive behaviour the ACCC called out included so-called “self-preferencing”, such as Google putting its own products first in search results. When searching for a popular TV show on Google, for example, it can direct consumers to its own video sharing platform YouTube first, without pointing out the program is also available on free-to-air television.

The ACCC also pointed to Apple and Google demanding large commissions for purchases in apps, and likewise Google forcing advertisers to buy YouTube ads through its own ad platform instead of allowing multiple media trading companies to compete.

Each of these, the ACCC found, affect media rivals, Australian consumers, or both. It called for new codes of conduct for tech platforms in specific areas to stop anticompetitive behaviour.

Since the report came out, however, there has been no response from the government, former ACCC boss Rod Sims pointed out in an editorial for The Australian Financial Review.

The letter sent last week was written by Free TV chief executive Bridget Fair and signed by ABC managing director David Anderson, Nine Entertainment CEO Mike Sneesby, Seven West Media boss James Warburton, Paramount’s chief content officer Beverley McGarvey, Southern Cross Austereo CEO John Kelly, WIN Television CEO Andrew Lancaster, Are Media CEO Jane Huxley, The Guardian’s editor-in-chief Lenore Taylor, and Commercial Radio & Audio boss Ford Ennals. Nine is the publisher of The Australian Financial Review.

The ACCC found the likes of Google and Meta hoard vast amounts of user data, and don’t act on harmful outcomes such as scam advertising or fake reviews.

ACCC chairwoman Gina Cass-Gottlieb outlined “consumer and competition harms across a range of digital platform services that are widespread, entrenched, and systemic”.

“We strongly agree with the ACCC that existing competition law is not sufficient to promote and protect competition in the digital platform services markets,” the media bosses say.

“Australia needs a new competition framework for digital platforms built around ex-ante rules to correct the anti-competitive conduct that has been identified by the ACCC.”

The CEOs point to a bill in the UK that gives its competition regulator powers to impose pro-competitive requirements on dominant digital platforms. In the US, they say, the Department of Justice has filed a court case against Google to address alleged anti-competitive behaviour.

“Australia cannot afford to wait for the resolution of such litigation before taking action to protect its businesses and consumers,” they say. New competition laws also need to be able to act quickly – but also be flexible.

Assistant Minister for Competition Andrew Leigh has previously spoken about how artificial intelligence products such as generative AI – ChatGPT, for example – could entrench the position of the digital platforms with the deep pockets to pay for it.

“As it stands today, Australia’s competition law is not equipped to meet this challenge,” the media executives say.

“The longer digital platforms operate with limited constraints on their market power, the more entrenched their dominant positions will become.”

(AFR)

Casino News

Crown’s multibillion-dollar expense bill wipes casino profits - October 26, 2023

Casino giant Crown Resorts narrowed its financial loss last year to $199 million as costs related to improved compliance measures and pecuniary penalties outweighed profit.

The Blackstone-controlled operator, which is preparing to pay a $450 million fine for falling foul of counterterrorism and antimoney laundering laws, boosted revenue 44 per cent to $2.7 billion in 2022-23.

It was not enough to offset a $3 billion expense bill bloated by investment in compliance and remediation measures and all three of its properties – Sydney, Melbourne and Perth – being open and operational post COVID-19.

A Crown spokeswoman said the result reflected the challenges the hospitality and tourism industry faces.

“During the year, Crown has made considerable progress on its remediation and transformation plan, which has resulted in a significant uplift to the operations and culture of the business,” the spokeswoman said.

The result is a marked improvement on the $945.4 million loss it suffered the previous financial year, buoyed by a turnaround in revenue across all locations with Melbourne up 59.5 per cent and Crown Perth up 16.1 per cent.

Crown Sydney, which started its gaming operations in August 2022, made $271 million, a significant jump on the previous year. Crown Sydney was forced to close one of its two gaming floors in August because of low visitor numbers.

Financial provisions for FY23 include a $450 million AUSTRAC penalty for historical breaches of counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws.

Crown, once owned and operated by billionaire James Packer, has come under major financial pressure since a 2019 investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes showed it was facilitating international crime. The revelations led to three government inquiries, which all ruled it unfit to hold casino licences.

The company overhauled its board, management and oversight to gain a conditional licence for Crown to operate its Barangaroo casino on Sydney’s Darling Harbour, which was granted last year. The conditional licence is valid until December 31.

In July 2022, Blackstone officially acquired the business, paying $8.9 billion and pledging to commit significant capital.

(AFR)

Casino industry spurs $329 billion in US economic activity, study by gambling group shows - October 10, 2023

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The casino gambling industry in the U.S. generates nearly $329 billion a year in economic activity, according to a new study by the industry’s national trade association.

The American Gaming Association released a study Monday showing the industry’s economic impact in 2022 was up 26% from 2017, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Commercial and tribal casinos support 1.8 million jobs, including 700,000 jobs at casinos themselves or related businesses, about the same as in 2017. Those jobs generated $104 billion in wages across the country, up 40% from 2017, according to the study.

The industry paid $52.7 billion last year in taxes to federal, state and local governments, up 29% since 2017, the report said.

The report was the first such study released by the association since 2018, which presented 2017 data.

Bill Miller, president and CEO of the association, said the numbers show the casino industry’s “resiliency and continued strength” since the pandemic first hit.

“Think back to where we were a few years ago with nearly 1,000 casinos, almost all of them closed,” he said. “Today, we’re seeing record revenue in the industry.”

Miller said the association will use numbers from the survey to press its case to lawmakers in favor of gambling industry goals, including a government crackdown on unlicensed gambling operations.

The U.S. casino industry is having its best year ever this year in terms of the amount of money won from gamblers. It is on a pace to exceed the $60 billion it won from gamblers last year.

“I think it speaks to the continuing popularity of casino gambling in the United States,” said David Schwartz, a gambling historian at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. “Despite some economic headwinds, casinos remain powerful drivers of economic activity.”

Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at New Jersey’s Stockton University, which studies the Atlantic City gambling industry, said money won by casinos is just part of their overall contribution to the nation’s economy.

“Casinos are often the largest employers in a region, with major commitments in terms of wages and benefits,” she said. “People employed by casinos use those wages and benefits to purchase additional goods and services, generating secondary economic impact.”

Bokunewicz said casinos spend significant sums on operating costs, including purchases of goods and services like food, linen, hotel room amenities, laundry services, and building maintenance. They also hire local builders and vendors for construction and ongoing capital improvements.

The survey examined money won from gamblers or spent at non-gambling casino businesses like restaurants and stores, including traditional casino games, sports betting and online gambling. Also surveyed was capital investment, including the building and opening of new casinos or renovations to existing ones, and spending by manufacturers of gambling devices including slot machines.

It included supply chain spending by casinos, and spending by casino workers on non-gambling items. And it also included $13.5 billion in so-called catalytic spending by casino patrons outside casinos, on things like transportation to and from a casino resort, and money spent at restaurants that are not part of casinos.

Commercial casinos employed almost 332,000 workers last year, who earned $16.3 billion in wages and benefits, and tribal casinos employed almost 265,000 workers, who earned $8 billion in wages and benefits. There also were almost 89,000 jobs at businesses serving casino patrons during trips or in casino construction and renovations, and more than 23,000 jobs at gambling equipment manufacturers.

Non-gambling revenue accounted for nearly 17% of casino revenue last year, including money from food and beverage sales, hotel rooms and other items.

Movies and TV shows affected by Hollywood actors and screenwriters’ strikes - November 3, 2023

Hollywood actors and studios are edging closer to a possible end to a strike that has halted much of the industry’s production for more than three months.

Talks between the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have moved slowly and methodically since they restarted on Oct. 24. But leaders of the actors union say there has been steady progress, and they are cautiously optimistic about reaching a deal.

The two sides on Thursday were meeting to discuss the actors’ latest counter-proposal on language surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in production, a major sticking point in reaching the three-year contract agreement that would end the strike.

Hollywood’s writers ended their strike and returned to work on Sept. 27. With them came the return to air of late-night talk shows and “Saturday Night Live.”

They also went back to work on scripted movies and TV shows, though many of those either have or will stop again when it comes time to turn scripts into shooting. And no matter how quickly the actors get their own deal, the delays brought on by the two strikes will reverberate for years. The latest announcements include a delay in Kevin Costner’s final episodes of “Yellowstone” and in Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White.”

Here’s a selected look at shows and films that have been pushed back on the calendar.

MOVIES WHOSE PRODUCTIONS, RELEASES, OR BOTH HAVE BEEN DELAYED BY THE STRIKES

“Avatar 3” — Disney

“Avengers: “The Kang Dynasty”

“Captain America: Brave New World”

“Challengers” – MGM/Amazon

“Deadpool 3” — Disney/Marvel

“Beetlejuice 2” — Warner Bros

“Blade” — Disney

“Dune: Part Two” — Warner Bros.

“Elio” — Disney/Pixar

“Fantastic Four” — Disney

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” sequel – Sony

“Gladiator 2” — Paramount

“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” — Warner Bros.

“Kraven the Hunter” — Sony

“The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” – Warner Bros

“Lilo & Stitch” — Disney

“Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part II” — Paramount

“Mortal Kombat 2”— Warner Bros.

“Poor Things” — Searchlight Pictures

“Problemista” — A24

“A Quiet Place: Day One” — Paramount

“Snow White” — Disney

“Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” — Sony

“Thunderbolts” — Disney

“Venom 3” — Sony

“White Bird” – Lionsgate

“Wicked” — Universal

Untitled Karate Kid film — Sony

Untitled Dirty Dancing Sequel – Lionsgate

TV SERIES WHOSE FORTHCOMING SEASONS HAVE BEEN STOPPED OR SLOWED DOWN BY THE STRIKES

“1923” — Paramount+

“A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight” — HBO

“Abbott Elementary” — ABC

“American Dad” — Fox

“American Horror Story” — FX

“Big Mouth” — Netflix

“Billions” — Showtime

“The Chi” — Showtime

“Cobra Kai” — Netflix

“Daredevil: Born Again” — Disney+

“Duster” — Max

“Echo” — Disney+

“Emily in Paris” — Netflix

“Family Guy” — Fox

“FBI: Most Wanted” — CBS

“Grey’s Anatomy” — ABC

“Hacks” — Max

“Ironheart” — Disney+

“The Last of Us” — HBO

“Law & Order” — NBC

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” — NBC

“Loot” — Apple TV+

“Metropolis” — Apple TV+

“Penguin” — Max

“Severance” — Apple TV+

“The Sex Lives of College Girls” — Max

“Stranger Things” — Netflix

“The Summer I Turned Pretty” — Prime Video

“True Detective” — HBO

“X-Men ’97” — Disney+

“Yellowjackets” — Showtime

“Yellowstone” — Paramount Network

“Young Sheldon” — CBS

Biden Trails Trump in Critical Swing States - November 2023

The betting over the next year will be record breaking as politics takes center stage with the 2024 U.S. general election. We have all the latest political gambling news with all odds courtesy of BetOnline.

WASHINGTON, DC (Gambling911.com) - Democratic President Joe Biden trails Republican front runner Donald Trump in five of the six most important battleground states exactly a year before the U.S. election as Americans express doubts about Biden's age and dissatisfaction toward his handling of the economy, polls released on Sunday showed, as reported by Reuters.

The New York Times and Siena College conducted the recent poll.

The poll shows that Trump is ahead in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and Pennsylvania, with Biden ahead in Wisconsin.

Trump now leads by an average of 48% to 44% in the six states, the polls showed.

"Predictions more than a year out tend to look a little different a year later. Don't take our word for it: Gallup predicted an 8 point loss for President Obama only for him to win handedly a year later," Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz said in a statement, referring to Democrat Barack Obama's 2012 victory over Republican Mitt Romney.

Munoz added that Biden's campaign "is hard at work reaching and mobilizing our diverse, winning coalition of voters one year out on the choice between our winning, popular agenda and MAGA (Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan) Republicans' unpopular extremism. We'll win in 2024 by putting our heads down and doing the work, not by fretting about a poll."

A YouGov poll conducted October 30 through November 3 showed Trump up 3 points on Biden. 

BetOnline currently had the Democrats as a -110 to take the White House and Republicans at EVEN odds.

WASHINGTON, DC (Gambling911.com) - A Quinnipiac University poll this week showed attorney Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was receiving 22 percent of support for the 2024 general election.  The former Democrat is now an Independent and there are some concerns he's going to siphon away more votes from Trump than Biden.

Case in point, That same poll shows that current U.S. President Joe Biden would take 39 percent of the vote, and former U.S. President Donald Trump would come away with 36 percent when RFK Jr. is added to the equation.  Independents, who make up the largest voting block, backed the American environmental lawyer 36 percent chose him, compared with 31 percent for Trump and 30 percent for Biden.

Bitcoin/Cypto News

Why SBF's Conviction is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

These are the latest tweets, news and quotes from Web influencer and billionaire Calvin Ayre, a proponent of the BSV blockchain, an environmentally friendly, fast, and robust choice for enterprise-grade applications.

10:53 am - Why SBF's Conviction is Just the Tip of the Iceberg: Disgraced crypto wunderkind Sam Bankman-Fried, or “SBF” as he was commonly known in the digital asset world, faces a potential maximum 115-year prison sentence for (among other things) using $8 billion in FTX customer and investor money to purchase non-blockchain assets like sports sponsorships and real estate and make large donations to Democratic political campaigns.

Following the unanimous verdict Thursday that took under four hours, Judge Lewis Kaplan gave “crypto” speculators a further five months of salivating expectations, setting a tentative sentencing date in March 2024. SBF’s sentence may end up being far less than the term of his natural life, but it’s expected to be significant. He’s also likely to appeal the conviction.

Appearing on CNBC, John Reed Stark, President, John Reed Stark Consulting LLC | Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke University School of Law | Former Chief, SEC Office of Internet Enforcement, suggests this is only the beginning that stretches far beyond "SBF".

"Oracle, the greatest data base company in the world", Stark says.  "What are they talking about in respect to blockchain?  Nothing.  Crypto is not innovation."

He adds that "what happened here (with FTX) is just pure thievery. It comes down to lying, cheating and stealing" but if you are talking about how Bankman-Fried orchestrated the fraud, "he used this type of group think by buying people".  And this is something we can expect to see continuing in the space. 

"The biggest idea here, and this is why I'm so emphatic about it, is because it turns victims into victimizers." 

How LVMH’s high-end jewellery brand FRED plans to conquer its luxury rivals - November 4, 2023

High-end jewellery retailer FRED is the latest international brand to nab a spot on Melbourne’s luxury Collins Street shopping strip.

It is the first street-facing flagship store in Australia for French multinational, LVMH-owned FRED, which joins stablemate Loewe, on the corner of Flinders Lane and Russell Street.

The tiny 60 square metre boutique space FRED will occupy is part of the fully leased 161 Collins Street building. However, it faces Russell Street, where overflow from Collins has created a fast-growing CBD luxury precinct.

“Loewe turned a 300 square metre pizza shop into its first street store in Asia Pacific. They’re usually in malls or airports,” leasing agent AP’s Zelman Ainsworth said.

FRED is replacing shoe retailer Luisa, which has moved to the boutique strip on Little Collins Street.

A shortage of space on the top end of Collins Street has pushed new luxury international retailers into Russell Street. Flinders Lane and Exhibition Street are next, Ainsworth said.

While Flinders Lane, historically the centre of the city’s rag trade, has always featured interesting boutiques, the ground is shifting. “It’s not just shops selling luxury products, it’s international labels creating vertical flagship stores,” he said.

The numbers tell the story. This year, LVMH paid $39 million for 140 Flinders Lane, on the Russell Street corner, where it is widely tipped to be putting in a new Christian Dior store.

Across the road is Chanel, which kicked off this trend in 2014, opening a four-level shop at 42 Russell Street in a building owned by David Marriner.

Rolex also paid $37.1 million to the Liberal Party for its art deco headquarters at 104 Exhibition Street, and has since opened a local headquarters and service centre.

Back in the Paris-end of Collins Street, on the corner of Russell Street, is 139 Collins, which was acquired by Singapore-listed retailer Hour Glass for $68 million. It is across the road from Pembroke-owned No.161 Collins, which houses big-name brands Gucci, Max Mara and Bottega Veneta on its ground floor.

On the ground floor of a modernist tower at 100 Collins Street, designer shoemaker Jimmy Choo has a 200 sq m shop due to open next month. Its 10-year lease is understood to be struck at about $6000 a sq m.

Commercial real estate agents report that many rents at the Paris-end of Collins have increased slightly to around $5000-7500 a sq m. Knight Frank’s Gary Loo said some other sites are $3000-$4500 a sq m.

Loo is negotiating with a new tenant for the Collins Street-facing space at No.234 – the old Sportsgirl Centre. “We are also getting inquiry for the smaller spaces inside. Some retailers who are finding it hard to get something small on the street are looking inside,” Loo said.

“Collins Street [business] has been steady on the back of incoming tourists from interstate and overseas. There hasn’t been much churn and most tenants have stayed where they are,” he said.

Loo is also marketing some other new space on Collins.

Phileo, the owner of No.303 on the corner of Elizabeth Street, has proposed a new 900 sq m two-level addition to its curved office tower. Across the Elizabeth Street intersection, the watch retailing hub which has emerged in and around the Block Arcade is likely to get new tenants soon.

Gorman Allard Shelton agent Joseph Walton is marketing the corner shops at the Cashmore building at 300 Collins Street.

New shops for Grand Seiko, Oris and British luxury watch brand Bremont have opened or are underway at the Block Arcade, joining Tag Heuer, Bell & Ross and The Hour Glass on the block. “The watch retailers are all customer experience-focused,” Walton said.

The Hour Glass, at 252 Collins Street, has undergone a fresh fit-out, which inspires confidence in other retailers and potential tenants, he said.

“It speaks of the underlying confidence in the CBD market, and creates more inquiries [for new business],” Walton said.

Billions wiped from Atlassian duo’s fortunes - November 3, 2023

Australian tech billionaires Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar have had about a billion dollars wiped from each of their fortunes in a matter of hours, after shares in their enterprise software firm Atlassian sank by more than 10 per cent in after-hours trading.

Investors pummeled Atlassian’s shares on Friday morning AEDT, after the workplace software provider’s net loss widened to $US31.9 million ($49.7 million), compared with a net loss of $US13.7 million a year earlier. The company, which is listed on the US-based Nasdaq, is yet to post a full-year profit.

Two of Australia’s wealthiest people, Cannon-Brookes has an estimated fortune of $16.1 billion, just ahead of his co-founder Farquhar on $15.6 billion, and the pair have each held on to about 20 per cent of the company they started more than 20 years ago.

If the after-hours drop materialises when the Nasdaq reopens, the founders’ holdings will fall by about $US1 billion each.

In its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 on Friday, Atlassian posted total revenue of $US978 million, up 21 per cent from a year earlier, while growth slowed for a fifth consecutive quarter. Its results were largely in line with analyst expectations.

Excluding the after-hours drop, Atlassian shares are up by 41 per cent over the past 12 months, compared with the broader S&P 500 index which has risen by 12 per cent.

Cannon-Brookes and Farquhar warned shareholders in a letter that the macroeconomic environment remained uncertain, leading to caution from customers to pay for software products.

“Our guidance assumes that macroeconomic headwinds continue to negatively impact growth in paid seat expansion at existing customers and free-to-paid conversion rates, and that the trends we’ve seen in these areas throughout the last year persist in financial year 2024,” the pair said in the letter.

“Atlassian has a strong track record for anticipating workplace trends and making bold moves to capitalise on them. We believe a ripper team, an expanding customer base, and our steady drumbeat of innovations will drive long-term durable growth.”

The company’s collaboration and IT service management applications, including Jira, Confluence and Trello, have more than 265,000 customers globally, according to its latest figures.

It has made two major acquisitions this year, including enterprise video chat maker Loom for $US975 million, Melbourne-based cloud platform provider AirTrack, and has added AI functionality across its product suite.

Atlassian in March joined other technology companies in laying off 5 per cent of its workforce, and said it would be “reinvesting in roles that better support our priorities”. It said on Friday that its headcount had reached 11,151 workers, which was 14 per cent higher than a year ago.

Speaking on the sidelines of Atlassian’s Teams summit in Las Vegas in April, Cannon-Brookes said he had no plans to depart the company he co-founded more than two decades ago, despite rising commitments relating to environmental activism and philanthropy.

“I’ve had a 90/10 rule for many years… And I don’t intend to change that,” Cannon-Brookes said.

“Ninety per cent of my hours are spent here [at Atlassian], 10 per cent are spent outside.

“I have a lot of great teams of people outside, but this is something that’s a very intentional choice of how to spend my time, and that’s how I can have the greatest impact.”

Seven boss content with ‘last-mover advantage’ on streaming - October 24, 2023

Kerry Stokes-controlled Seven West Media is pitching its all-in approach to free-to-air television as an asset to advertisers, with CEO James Warburton saying that the network is not captive to the distractions of newer broadcast formats, like streaming.

According to Warburton, Seven’s main competitors, Ten and Nine (the owner of this masthead), are “probably a little bit distracted with the other bits they’ve got”.

“They don’t talk a lot about just television. Whereas us, it’s what we eat, sleep and breathe.”

Warburton spoke to this masthead before Seven’s annual Upfront event last week, where the network pitched its slate of programming to media executives in a bid to secure a chunk of tighter advertising dollars.

Backed by the network’s staple performers, Home and Away and The Voice, Warburton points to Seven’s claim as the “number one free-to-air network”, based on this year’s TV ratings survey period.

It’s an important metric, given Warburton’s real challenge is to remind advertisers that television remains an unmatched place to reach audiences at scale.

Ten/Paramount will pitch to advertisers this week, showcasing its free-to-air product, alongside content on affiliated streaming service, Paramount+. Meanwhile, Nine, which made its pitch in September, has assets in streaming (Stan), radio and newspapers, including this masthead.

Warburton reckons these other assets should be seen as a distraction from the main event, and that’s television.

But his upbeat tenor belies the pressure the television industry continues to face from global and digital competitors. Meanwhile, the advertising pool is continuing to shrink, with total revenue across the year ending June 30 dropping 7.9 per cent.

In a $3.6 billion market, Seven remains a powerhouse, but its long-term viability looks increasingly wobbly. While Seven does own Perth-based masthead The West Australian, it’s lack of diverse assets, particularly in the premium streaming space, means it will continue to be reliant on revenue from freely accessible news, sport and entertainment.

However, across the past 12 months, market sentiment on global streaming SVOD (streaming video on demand) services has soured, and Warburton believes Seven can focus on what it does best by not being weighed down by the “pain” involved with such products.

“I’m not a believer in last-mover advantage, I’m too aggressive for that,” he says, but in this case, “it exists”.

Seven did mull the streaming opportunity, working with NBCUniversal at one time to partner on a local launch of the latter’s streaming service, Peacock. NBCUniversal eventually decided that licensing made more sense. 

Now, global giants like Disney are rethinking their commercial models, freeing up some of their content to be licensed across other platforms and allowing the US heavyweights to turn their intellectual properties into dollars, even as their streaming platforms start to stutter.

Paramount on Tuesday announced it was adding an advertising tier to its Paramount+ service in Australia, in a bid to attract new audiences at a lower price point and diversify revenue opportunities on the platform. The tier will be introduced in Australia in 2024.

“I think everyone puts on a brave face, but ultimately, it always comes back to economics, and it’s funny to read some global people saying it was all about subs at any cost, and now it’s about profitable subs. Like, really?” Warburton said.

“You wouldn’t want to be trying to renew content pipelines in this market, you can see clear as day they’ll all be here eventually,” Warburton adds, a potential reference Foxtel’s lucrative HBO-based content deal with Warner Bros.

Discovery is another company looking to launch its own service, Max, in 2025.

Seven is hoping new content, including a new format drawing from the popular Made in Chelsea brand, Made in Bondi, co-commissioned with British network Channel 4, will help bring new audiences to its free digital service, 7Plus, alongside a number of new titles fronted by the ‘Bondi Vet’, Dr Chris Brown, recently recruited from Network 10.

Brown will do the heavy lifting for Seven in 2024, hosting a new The Block-like format, Dream Home, and a new dating show, Stranded on Honeymoon Island, while also joining Sonia Kruger as co-host of Dancing with the Stars.

Also coming to Seven’s digital channels at the end of 2024 are new broadcast deals with the AFL and Cricket Australia. Currently, the network’s respective deals with the sporting bodies only allow it to broadcast matches on linear channels.

Next on the horizon for Warburton is doubling up on winter codes with an attempt to snatch the NRL’s State of Origin. The three annual games are a regular ratings hit across both linear and digital channels for current rights holder Nine, though negotiations are not likely to take place until 2025.

“Our commitment is with the AFL - but absolutely [Seven is interested]. We have a very good relationship with [Racing NSW CEO and chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission] Peter V’Landys through racing, and a very good relationship with [NRL chief] Andrew Abdo as well, so that’s something we’ll target,” he said.

Nine declined to comment.

Netflix Explores Streaming Live Boxing Match

Potential foray into boxing comes as company has begun experimenting with live sports

Netflix (NFLX) may be getting into the ring to host live boxing matches as the streaming platform seeks to expand its live event and sports content offerings, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Netflix is considering stepping into the boxing ring with its first livestreamed match. 

The company has discussed streaming a match featuring boxer and YouTube influencer Jake Paul, as well as a potential bout between boxers from Premier Boxing Champions—a show currently on Paramount’s Showtime - according to people familiar with the situation. 

A boxing match would mark Netflix’s most significant step yet into streaming live sports, a move its executives have debated for years. On Nov. 14, Netflix will stream its first live sporting event, “The Netflix Cup,” a live golf tournament featuring athletes from its Formula One documentary, “Drive to Survive,” and “Full Swing,” its show following professional golfers.

Discussions around streaming a boxing match are still in a very early stage and might not come to fruition, the people said.

Many streaming services have moved to make live sports available on their platforms. While companies like Amazon and Alphabet’s YouTube have paid hefty price tags for the right to stream live sports like National Football League games, Netflix executives have resisted the trend because of the escalating costs of sports rights.

“We aren’t anti-sports, we’re pro-profit,” Co-Chief Executive Ted Sarandos said in January, adding that the company’s stance might change. Netflix has turned to streaming live events to promote its programming, as it is doing with “The Netflix Cup.”

Netflix has also focused more on sports programming for its service after seeing success with some of its shows, such as “Quarterback,” which followed three NFL quarterbacks last season and was among the streamer’s top 10 shows for several weeks this year. 

The company is now planning a new show modeled on “Quarterback” featuring professional basketball players in partnership with LeBron James’s entertainment company, SpringHill; Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions; and Higher Ground Productions, the production company of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.  

Streaming a single boxing match would enable Netflix to test the waters without committing to a full season of the sport.

Premier Boxing Champions, which is owned by Al Haymon and features such stars as middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez, is seeking a new home since Paramount announced it would shut down Showtime Sports, which includes boxing, at the end of this year, according to people familiar with the situation. Amazon has expressed interest in streaming the matches, Sports Illustrated reported last month.

If Netflix does feature a live match with Paul, it could help promote its documentary about the boxer, “Untold: Jake Paul the Problem Child,” which came out earlier this year. Paul currently has a deal with global sports streamer DAZN for two fights, one this year and one early next year, but nothing beyond that, according to people familiar with the situation.

(WSJ)

Streaming Media: News

Peacock enjoying strong relationship with WWE management and fans; May soon get more pro wrestling specials.

tubi keeps adding to their portfolio. Range of classic and retro Lucha Libre, wrestling and boxing movies and more. FOX satisfied with performance. Many insiders call tubi "The Netflix Killer").

Paramount Plus dedicated to quality. Staple shows such as 'The Twilight Zone' keep customers coming back for more.

Netflix addicting more sports content. 'Drive To Survive', Jake Paul 

@JakePaul

 documentary enjoying success. Netflix may be adding more boxing content after fans asking for this for years.

ESPN/ESPN+ still may break away from Disney. Disney remain an embattled brand, partly due to political activism and decline in quality and being out of touch with much of social says numerous news reports.

More streaming news via Media Man Int X and blogs, plus infographics and scoops via Media Man websites.

Pro Wrestling

WWE  Crown Jewel results

Sami Zayn def JD McDonagh - Kickoff Match

Roman Reigns def LA Knight - Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

Seth “Freakin” Rollins def Drew McIntyre - WWE Universal Title

Rhea Ripley def Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Raquel Rodriguez and Zoey Stark. Fatal 5-Way Match - Women's Womens Title

Solo Sikoa def John Cena

Logan Paul def Rey Mysterio. WWE United States Championship

IYO SKY def Bianca Belair - WWE Women's Title 

Cody Rhodes def Damian Priest

Segment: MIZ TV. Confronation. Ibrahim Al Hajjaj and The Miz vs Grayson Waller after Waller invaded “Miz TV”

The Business Of Mixed Martial Arts

Freedom Of Information, Industry Leaks, Extensive Research and the social media and digital age shines light on fighter pay in the UFC for the top tier mixed martial artists

Ronda Rousey’s payouts revealed in new UFC court documents:  

$574,720 vs. Liz Carmouche  

$1,817,907 vs. Miesha Tate

 $870,969 vs. Sara McMann  

$1,063,688 vs. Alexis Davis   

$1,458,282 vs. Cat Zingano   

$2,642,204 vs. Bethe Correia  

$4,476,662 or $4,536,932 vs. Holly Holm

$4,879,766 vs. Amanda Nunes

Conor McGregor’s payouts

$3,285,000 (includes $2.11M discretionary bonus) vs. Chad Mendes

$4,476,662 or $4,536,932 vs. Jose Aldo — Aldo received $2,377,699

$5,576,315 vs. Nate Diaz 1 — Diaz received $2,838,158, and the PPV event generated $61 million.

$5,615,490 vs. Nate Diaz 2 — Diaz received $4,315,490.

$6,812,374 vs. Eddie Alvarez — the PPV event generated $66 million for UFC.

Brock Lesnar’s payouts

$3,000,000 vs. Alistair Overeem

$8,000,000 vs. Mark Hunt

Notes:

Brock Lesnar’s $8 million purse for UFC 200 was the highest for years, with him forgoing a PPV cut and instead getting a set flat fee. He had a base purse of $2.5 million, with a $5.5 million side deal to get to his total.

Georges St-Pierre’s payouts

$4,314,289 vs. Jake Shields — Shields received $580,000

$3,197,908 vs. Carlos Condit

$4,116,690 vs. Nick Diaz

$3,555,344 vs. Johny Hendricks

Anderson Silva’s payouts

$2,506,034 vs. Vitor Belfort

$2,000,000 vs. Yushin Okami

$2,506,034 vs. Chael Sonnen 2 — Sonnen received $1,050,000

$2,000,000 vs. Stephan Bonnar

$3,222,253 vs. Chris Weidman

$4,374,326 vs. Chris Weidman 2

$3,429,082 vs. Nick Diaz

$3,250,000 vs. Michael Bisping

$4,208,675 vs. Daniel Cormier

Jon Jones’ payouts

$2,278,553 vs. Rashad Evans

$1,566,196 vs. Vitor Belfort

$2,750,000 vs. Chael Sonnen — Sonnen received $1,050,000

$1,173,560 vs. Alexander Gustafsson

$1,237,880 vs. Glover Teixeira

$3,637,500 vs. Daniel Cormier 1 — Cormier received $1,140,000

$2,677,530 vs. Ovince St. Preux

CM Punk

$1,042,736 vs. Mickey Gall

BJ Penn

$400,000 vs. Jon Fitch

$475,000 vs. Nick Diaz

$250,000 vs. Rory MacDonald

Demetrious Johnson

$245,000 vs. Henry Cejudo

$350,000 vs. Tim Elliott

Sources:  MMAanalytics, Bloody Elbow, X (formally Twitter), Forbes Sports Money, U.S District Court releated, Google searches, numerous blogs, numerous industry websites, wires, leaks and more.

Fantasy Booking Dream Matches In The Combat Sports World

Fury vs Ngannou

Fury vs Jon Jones

Fury vs Sean Strickland 

@SStricklandMMA

 

Sean Strickland vs Francis Ngannou

Fury and Strickland vs Jones and Ngannou (Australian tag-team rules). This ain't happening folks.

Jake Paul 

@JakePaul

 vs Tyson Fury 

Jake Paul vs Francis Ngannou

Sean Strickland vs Logan Paul (Battle Of The Truth Tellers)

Laila Ali (retired) vs Ronda Rousey (now with working relationship with Lucha VaVoom)! 

Ken Smamrock vs Bobby Lashley

Shamrock vs Brock Lesnar

Jake Hager vs Sean Strickland

Hager vs Matt Riddle

Riddle vs RVD (is happening in a pro wrestling ring)! Nathan Jones (Mad Max and WWF connection) vs Tyson Fury 

Shayna Baszler vs Alexa Grasso

Baszler vs Valentina Shevchenko

Dana White (UFC) vs Donn Davis (PFL).  Special ref/enforcer: Chatri Sityodtong (ONE Championship)  Elon Musk (X Corp vs Zuck (Meta).. eSports since Zuck isn't travelling to Rome, Italy, any time soon. 

Enough fantasy booking?  Tune in for WWE SmackDown followed by Crown Jewel.

Crown Jewel November 4 from Saudi Arabia as Logan Paul  takes on Rey Mysterio for the U.S Title! 

This coming WWE SmackDown has the weigh-in! GM Nick Aldis and WWE chief content exec Triple H are going to have their hands full. Logan Paul and fans for the win!   

Sports News Media

Sports Talk Under The Watercooker

U.S leads global professional sports business but Saudi's fresh on their heels, and Australians doing it their own way, despite Aussie political business elements

The Foxtel Group has quite the love-hate relationship with the Australian government, especially in relation to Australian sports broadcasting and content laws, regulations etc. Quite the Pandora's Box. We will leave it at that. 

Fortunately the New South Wales government is switched on when it comes to the business of sport, hence NSW has secured in the region of 3, 4 or more UFC major events out of Sydney over the next 4 years. That deal was annouced back in May of this year. Maybe the NSW government and/or the UFC could see some disruptions coming into the business of the combat sports arena, be it from Saudi Arabia/UAE, China, Singapore, pro boxing or a combination. ESPN/ESPN + in making more in-roads on MMA broadcasting, especially in relation to the UFC.

Mouse House Disney seeks digital, telecom combo for ESPN strategic partnership

Per a report in the New York Post, ESPN would like to bring on two strategic partners: one a digital company such as Apple, and another a telecom company like Verizon. These companies are not the only potential players per the report, however they provide the wide distribution capabilities and ubiquity that ESPN seeks. Other companies mentioned as potential partners were Amazon, Microsoft, Google/Alphabet and T-Mobile.

A strategic partnership with a major big tech company would prove beneficial for ESPN as it moves towards bringing its linear channels direct-to-consumer by 2026, though it’s uncertain and speculative how these companies would value ESPN as an asset. Disney would reportedly like to sell only 10% of ESPN, but that number remains fluid.

NASCAR is working out it's new media rights agreement and has been negotiating with incumbents FOX and NBC to complete a deal. NASCAR completed a $115m deal with The CW for its second-tier Xfinity Series races, but still awaits a finalized deal for its flagship circuit.

According to the report, “negotiations are going smoothly.” FOX and NBC are looking to renew at a slightly increased rate over the current deal. In order to boom its media rights revenue additionally, NASCAR has pumped together a package deal of six races that Amazon and Turner have showed interest in. NASCAR executives would not speculate as to when the new set of deals could be completed. NASCAR remains a "non woke" brand. As they say around the world, "Let's Go"! 

Bally Sports Arizona shuts down; Barstool Sports factor?

Bally Sports Arizona has ceased operations after mutually parting ways with the Arizona Coyotes, the last franchise to which it held rights. Two weeks ago, the Coyotes agreed to a deal with Scripps Sports to air games on over-the-air broadcast television, similar to the Phoenix Suns and Mercury deal with Gray Television earlier this year. The Arizona Diamondbacks had their rights reverted back to Major League Baseball after Bally stopped its rights payments to the team.

The shuttering of Bally Sports Arizona comes amidst the ongoing bankruptcy procedures of parent company Diamond Sports Group, who has ceased rights payments to several franchises since filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. Phoenix will now be the largest media market without a regional sports network. 

Rugby Rules, or Not?

Rugby review to include whether too much was spent on rotten World Cup

Rugby Australia will investigate whether it spent too much money on the World Cup amid concerns that hundreds of thousands of dollars were used for executive accommodation and sponsorship events.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh said a framework was in place if stakeholders and member unions wanted accountability for the team’s woeful World Cup performance, including a staggering 40-6 defeat to Wales.

The former Wallaby conceded there was “no hiding” from responsibility for the state of the game, but said his focus was on resetting in time for the 2027 World Cup and strengthening RA’s financial position.

“I apologise … we feel the pain, we feel that responsibility and we now need to move forward in the same direction,” he said.

“I wouldn’t put all the responsibility on the players. The environment we’ve created for them  has not enabled them to perform at their peak.”

Pro Wrestling Leaps To New Heights...

World's oldest pro wrestling promotion, NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) set to get bodyslamming great deal in place with The CW (rumour, but just about official when boss Billy Corgan green lights)

Pro Wrestling is red hot again.  It's always been a great escape from B.S politics and much of the crap on "the box" (regular television).

The major pro wrestling promotions are currently WWE, AEW (All Elite Wrestling), and perhaps Impact Wrestling and then New Japan Pro-Wrestling (depending upon who you ask).

The you've got NWA, Ring Of Honor (these days owned by AEW's Tony Khan) and Major League Wrestling and the its down to more indy level.

WWE (under the TKO Group umbrella along with the UFC), remains the most non-political correct from what we can work out, (which may be part of the reason it maintains its popularity), and then you've seen what may observers and workers/wrestlers saw as the over-use of masks and CVD measures in New Japan, which hurt their brand on a global and Asia Pacific scale. These pro wrestling companies have to live and learn, much like some other brands which have become embatled over the years, be it Disney, Target or Mattel, just to name a few.

One of the biggest factors is audience, and to command a big audience you need to be visible and the best way is by having your company on mainstream television. Plenty of wrestling companies have their content on platforms such as YouTube or a number of different websites and streaming services and while that is great for reach and with the change in technology and the ease of watching almost anything having a television how on a mainstream broadcasting station is a leg up (not leg drop per Hulk Hogan), on the comp.

WWE has FOX, in process of going over totally to USA Network from the U.S territory/region, AEW has TNT and TBS, Impact wrestling is on AXS, and now the NWA is about to launch on CW Network. This is a huge deal for the promotion owned by Billy Corgan lead singer of the Smashing Pumpkins, as all round entertainment biz entrepreneur.

This allows the NWA to expand their reach or footprint per Seth Rollins foot-stomp and possibly reach the popularity that the NWA had back in the 80s when the likes of Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes,Harley Race and Terry Funk were king of the big kids of the squared circle. Fun Fact: In the late 80's when Harley Race entered the WWE (then WWF) he actually pulled on a gun on then WWF champion Hulk Hogan. Race was not all that happy about what Vince McMahon, Hogan and co had done to the wrestling industry, but Race took the financial offers and even eventually enjoyed a wrestling feud/storyline with The Hulkster!

That's a wrap for now sports fans.

As we say, "At least pro wrestling is honest and upfront about what it is. Shame sometimes boxing and the business of politics and even big farma can't always be the same way".

And always respect 'The Man In The Arena'.

Roman Reigns vs LA Knight, as well as Logan Paul going for gold at WWE Crown Jewel, Saudi Arabia on the 4th November. Cheer on the good guys (or the heels you love to hate, which just maybe include Team Media man too).  

WWE SmackDown coming up. "Weigh-in" Logan Paul and Rey Mysterio. This is going to be good.

Sources: Wikipedia, Wires, ESPN, AP, WWE, NWA, Sports Business Journal, News Corp, Google Blogs, X (formally Twitter), LinkedIn, watercooler and cafe tip offs!

Google Search Quality Guide

Relevance

Page quality

Popularity

Freshness

Localization

Language

Centrality

Topical diversity

Personalization

Web ecosystem

Mobile friendly

Social fairness

Optionalization

Porn demotion

Spam

Authority

Privacy

User control of spell correction

Work/Life Balance For The Digital and SEO Business Sector

Stress, anxiety and burnout are rampant. With the worries of global conflicts, economic turmoil, and mass layoffs across industries, fear becomes a prominent feeling. 

We’re all a little on edge, waiting for that last-minute meeting invite or the “have a second?” Slack message. We’re worried by all the uncertainty, and it’s impacting our well-being and our work. 

Search marketers have a unique challenge. In addition to the uncertainty and stressors, we are constantly driven by our need to maximize performance, deliver results and cope with ever-changing algorithms and platforms. The demands are exceedingly high. And all of this leads to burnout. 

Understanding burnout

Burnout is not a myth or a sign of weakness. It’s not something we should be ashamed of or hide from. More than 89% of Americans have experienced burnout in the past year. Just because it is common doesn’t mean that it should be ignored. 

What are the signs of burnout?

The signs of burnout can vary from person to person, but common indicators are:

Physical and mental exhaustion.

Increased negativity and cynicism. 

Reduced motivation and productivity.

Poor performance and inattention to detail.

Emotional and physical detachment from work.

Sleep disturbances, headaches, and digestive problems.

Phases of burnout

For many who feel burned out, we ask ourselves, “How did we get here?” It was gradual. It was sneaky. It was unmanaged stress. Burnout typically progresses through several phases (see chart). 

If stress is left unaddressed, it can escalate to “burnout,” which feels like extreme physical and emotional exhaustion, detachment from responsibilities, and a significant drop in job performance. 

The shift then moves into chronic or habitual burnout, where health and well-being are at significant risk. Recognizing these phases is crucial for early intervention and prevention of burnout because burnout can have serious consequences for your well-being and professional life.

The impact of workplace burnout

It’s not just the employee who suffers from burnout; so does the company.

Research consistently shows that workplace burnout has wide-ranging negative consequences for both individual employees and organizations. 

Harvard Business Review estimates the annual healthcare spending due to workplace burnout is anywhere from $125 billion to $190 billion. 

According to a global study from the Workforce Institute, managers impact employees’ mental health (69%) more than doctors (51%) or therapists (41%) – and even the same as a spouse or partner (69%). 

Burned-out employees are 63% more likely to take a sick day and 23% more likely to visit the ER (Gallup study). 

More than 80% of employees would rather have good mental health than a high-paying job (WFI). 

Two-thirds of employees would take a pay cut for a job that better supports their well-being (WFI). 

These statistics should be a motivator for organizational change. The data is clear and burnout leads to increased absenteeism, reduced job satisfaction, and decreased productivity. 

For individuals, the health and well-being impact is significant. Employees experience anxiety, depression, insomnia and physical health problems such as heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, headaches and more. 

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Common causes of burnout 

How do you solve burnout and its negative impacts? So often, the response to an employee who shares they are burned out is, “Just take a vacation.” It’s not that simple. 

Reducing an employee's hours will not solve burnout. It’s part of the solution but not the entire solution.

Research from Gallup reveals that how employees experience their workload has a stronger influence on burnout than actual hours worked.

For many marketers, we are always on. To effectively combat burnout, it is important to understand the causes. 

Christina Maslach, a renowned psychology professor emerita at UC Berkeley, has dedicated decades of research to understanding and addressing burnout.

In the book, "The Burnout Challenge," co-written with Michael P. Leiter, Maslach and Leiter offer a solutions-focused approach to combating workplace burnout.

Maslach and Leiter identify mismatches between employees and their jobs that contribute to burnout:

Workload: When priorities and demands exceed an individual's capacity, leading to excessive stress and exhaustion.

Control: Constant uncertainty, lack of priorities and direction, lack of autonomy and decision-making authority, leave individuals feeling powerless and restricted. 

Rewards: Insufficient recognition, appreciation, and compensation for one's efforts, leading to feelings of undervaluation.

Community: A lack of social support, collaboration, and positive relationships in the workplace, resulting in feelings of isolation.

Fairness: Perceived unfairness, injustice, and inequity in how employees are treated, leading to resentment and cynicism.

Values: Conflict between an individual's personal values and the values espoused by the organization, causing a sense of dissonance and moral distress.

These six mismatches can be identified and resolved intentionally by organizations and individual employees. 

Important ways to reduce burnout

Addressing burnout involves solutions and actions from both the employee and the employer. 

Employees

Prioritize self-care and work-life balance

Self-care is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and preventing burnout. Regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep are foundational to self-care.

Focus on activities that allow you to play (bring joy) and pause (relaxation). Make a list of these two types of activities, then regularly schedule them.

Don’t overcommit and set boundaries

Stop saying yes to every project, task or committee if it impedes your ability to recharge and prioritize self-care. It’s important to set clear boundaries that allow you not to feel overworked and out of control.

This may include turning off notifications on weekends and after-hours, not vacationing with your work laptop, or ensuring you are present at family events and activities. By setting boundaries, you are allowing yourself time to recharge.

Gain clarity on personal values and goals

Dedicate time to contemplate and ask yourself meaningful questions about what truly matters to you, what brings you joy, and what your aspirations are.

Having an understanding of your values and strengths enables you to understand how you can leverage those in your work. Complete a value exercise. If you need extra support, work with a coach to help guide you through the process. 

Employers and leaders

First, companies and leaders need to recognize and acknowledge the impact of burnout. One of the key ways to address burnout is to ensure that managers are trained and supported. A Gallup study shows that in most situations of burnout, a good manager was missing.

Organizations need to upskill and invest in developing good managers. Second, it’s important to remove managers who fail to trust, respect, or intimidate their employees. These behaviors will lead to increased burnout and poor company culture. 

To be a great manager for your marketing teams, here are six ways to combat burnout that address Maslach’s misalignments.

Conduct regular assessments

Create feedback mechanisms to gauge employee burnout levels and identify areas of mismatch in the workplace. Use surveys, one-on-one meetings and other mechanisms to gather feedback.

Establish realistic workloads and prioritize tasks

Ensure that workloads are manageable and realistic, and provide resources and support to help employees meet their job demands.

Managers should set reasonable and clear expectations and deadlines. Help teams delegate tasks, outsource when necessary, and effectively use project management tools to distribute work. 

Foster a supportive community

Encourage and reward teamwork, collaboration, and open communication. Be sure to create a positive and inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and supported.

Prioritize time for team-building, celebration, reflection and feedback. These all contribute to a healthier workplace. 

Promote fairness and equity

Be clear about responsibilities and fairly reward employees for their contributions. When employees perceive unfair treatment, it dramatically impacts morale and motivation.

This may mean giving credit to one person for a team’s efforts or extending deadlines for certain employees over others. Be sure to address unfair treatment quickly and without judgment. 

Align values and organizational culture

Creating and fostering a shared sense of purpose and values between the organization and the individual are important.

For leaders, it’s important to understand the value of your employees and what motivates them. Then, be sure to articulate the company’s values clearly. 

Encourage work-life integration

A sense of control over someone’s day is important, and flexible work arrangements are critical. By offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options or flexible hours, leaders can help alleviate stress and promote work-life balance.

Leaders and individuals have an important role in reducing burnout at work. So often, the ownership of burnout is placed on the individual. The burned-out individual needs to do more to reduce burnout – prioritize self-care, sleep more, exercise more, meditate more. 

Although there are actions individuals can take, it’s important to recognize the systems we all operate in. Companies must start listening to their employees and responding to their needs with flexibility. As leaders, evaluate how you can help address Maslach’s six mismatches that lead to burnout. 

Nine in 10 editors: Google and Meta are ‘existential threat’ to journalism

Nine in 10 newsbrand editors believe that Google and Meta pose an existential threat to journalism.

As part of findings revealed by the News Media Association (NMA), newsbrand editors have “grave concerns” over the anticompetitive business practices of the tech platforms.

The survey also found that 86% of editors agreed that the BBC’s plans to cut its local radio provision and expand its online local news content in competition with local newspaper sites will damage independent local journalism in the UK.

Katie French, regional group editor at Newsquest, said: “While tech platforms have greatly enhanced our way of life by allowing unrestricted access to information and increased connection, they have severely impacted the business of news, and news brands such as my own have not been fairly compensated.

“My titles have more readers than ever before in their history thanks to the global and national audiences our online content is exposed to. However, we receive very little in the way of fair remuneration for the rich and high-quality service our content provides even by hosting our content or signposting readers to our stories through search engines.

“Our very presence is giving credibility to these platforms that otherwise would be filled with clickbait nonsense and unregulated information.”

On tech platforms enforcing news blackouts, 77% agreed they would weaken democratic engagement by limiting public access to trusted news.

Speaking at the NMA’s Journalism Matters parliamentary reception on 31 October, editor of The Sun Victoria Newton said: “Original journalism everywhere should be protected, as should the publishers that spend and invest in journalism.

“I make a special mention for our vital local newspapers, without whom court cases and local democracy would go unreported. These outlets should also be protected from the BBC’s expansionist activities, which risk driving them out of the market.”

In response, a Google spokesperson said: “Google is one of the UK’s largest financial supporters of journalism, supporting Britain’s news ecosystem growth through products, training and programmes.

“We pay to licence content through Google News Showcase from more than 285 of the UK’s favourite titles, 95% of which are local ones. When publishers choose to use our advertising services, they keep the majority of revenue.”

Meta did not return a request for comment.

Search News Media

 November 18, 2019

Misquoted and misunderstood: Why many in the search community don’t believe the WSJ about Google search

Search is complicated. The WSJ appeared set on seeing that complexity through a conspiratorial lens.

It’s Friday morning. I am stepping into an Uber from outside of the Google NYC offices after a meeting with Google employees who work directly on Google search, and my phone starts lighting up. The Wall Street Journal has published a bombshell story named “How Google Interferes With Its Search Algorithms and Changes Your Results.”

At first, I thought maybe the Wall Street Journal had uncovered something. But as I read through page after page while being shuttled down the West Side Highway towards my office in West Nyack, New York, I was in disbelief. Not disbelief over anything Google may have done, but disbelief in how the Wall Street Journal could publish such a scathing story about this when they had absolutely nothing to back it up.

The subtitle of the story read, “The internet giant uses blacklists, algorithm tweaks and an army of contractors to shape what you see.” This line alone shows a lack of understanding on how search works and why the WSJ report on Google got a lot wrong, as my colleague Greg Sterling reported last week.

The truth is, I spoke to a number of these Wall Street Journal reporters back in both March and April about this topic, and it was clear then that they had little knowledge about how search worked. Even a basic understanding of the difference between organic listings (the free search results) and the paid listings (the ads in the search results) eluded them. They seemed to have one goal: to come up with a sensational story about how Google is abusing its power and responsibility for self gain.

Google is not certainly perfect, but almost everything in the Wall Street Journal report is incorrect. I’ll go through many of the points below.

Before I do so, to add some credibility to what I am writing if this is your first time here, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have been reporting on search for about 16-years now. Not just search, Google search, and not just Google search — organic search and how Google’s search algorithms work. I’ve written more stories about Google search than anyone. I’ve documented more Google search algorithm updates than anyone. I’ve both praised and critiqued Google probably more than anyone.

My point is, over the 16 years of writing about this topic, watching Google’s actions, I’ve spoken to dozens, if not hundreds, of Google engineers, representatives and top-level search executives over the years. I’ve spoken to many former Google engineers who have left the company recently and years ago. I’ve looked into many of these people’s eyes.

Just plain wrong

What the Wall Street Journal published to me is either showing how it has a complete lack of understanding of search or even worse — the publication has its own agenda against Google, which honestly makes me sad.

“We have been very public and transparent around the topics covered in this article, such as our Search rater guidelines, our policies for special features in Search like Autocomplete and valid legal removals, our work to combat misinformation through Project Owl, and the fact that the changes we make to Search are aimed at benefiting users, not commercial relationships,” a Google spokesperson told Search Engine Land in response to the Journal’s article. “This article contains a number of old, incomplete anecdotes, many of which not only predated our current processes and policies but also give a very inaccurate impression of how we approach building and improving Search. We take a responsible and principled approach to making changes, including a rigorous evaluation process before launching any change — something we started implementing more than a decade ago. Listening to feedback from the public is a critical part of making Search better, and we continue to welcome the feedback.”

The methodology. The Wall Street Journal “tested 17 words and phrases that covered a range of political issues and candidates, cultural phrases and names in the news … during [a] 17-day cycle.” The first issue is that out of the billions of queries Google sees every day, the paper only tested 17! Of those, the paper tested queries that by nature are political and news oriented. Plus, they only ran this over a 17-day period. During that time, Google could have updated numerous algorithms powering its search engine nearly 50 times.

Interviewed 100s of people. I know they interviewed me a couple of times, and I told you how that went above. But we reached out to Glenn Gabe, an SEO industry veteran who works extensively with companies that have been impacted by search algorithm updates, who was quoted in the piece. Gabe told us that not only were his conversations with the paper off-the-record but also that he was misquoted. Gabe said he reached out to the reporter who apologized and offered to fix the quote. But later he was told that the quote had to stay as is. Here is what Glenn Gabe sent us:

I was contacted by a writer from the WSJ in April of 2019 explaining they were researching a piece on Google’s search algorithm. During my calls (which were all off the record), it was clear that writer had a very limited understanding of how Google’s algorithms worked. So I decided to educate that writer over a series of calls (again, all of them off the record). I explained how Google’s core ranking algorithm worked, how complex it is, how many factors are involved, how core ranking updates roll out, the types of problems I come across while analyzing sites impacted by those core updates, and more. I even explained how other algorithms worked like Panda and Penguin of the past. My goal was to help the writer better understand the complexity of Search and the challenges Google has with ranking content from across the web (with trillions of pages indexed across sites).

I also explained that I can provide a quote if they needed one (since again, we were off the record). They never reached back out to me for that quote. Instead, they totally misquoted me using the phrase “black magic” when describing Google’s algorithms. I would never, ever use that phrase with regard to Google’s algorithms. And since I was off the record, I should have never been quoted at all. The situation was infuriating. I have heavily analyzed Google’s algorithms for years and I know that Google is continually working to algorithmically surface the highest quality content from across the web (and surface the most relevant content based on the query at hand). So seeing “black magic” as a quote from me was ridiculous. 

After reaching out to the writer on Friday after the article was published, they asked if I can send another quote that they might use instead of the “black magic” quote. Then I heard back that the editor refused to make the change. So they actually thought about it… and they said no. Here is that quote (and keep in mind that I should have never been quoted in the first place!)

“Google’s core search ranking algorithm is extremely complex and sophisticated. It’s often seen as a black box by many businesses owners and it can be incredibly confusing to understand why certain sites rank well and others don’t.”

As you can see, that’s much different than “black magic”, which is defined as “supernatural powers or magic for evil and selfish purposes.” On the other hand, a black box is defined as, “In science, computing, and engineering, a black box is a device, system or object which can be viewed in terms of its inputs and outputs, without any knowledge of its internal workings.”

I was disappointed with the article based on some of the claims the writers were making about Google, and I was even more disappointed to see them misquote me and not honor being off the record. It’s a lesson for anyone thinking about speaking with a journalist about their expertise. They should think twice before saying anything, since their words could be twisted to support the narrative of the larger story. And I guess off the record could mean on the record very easily.

To completely misquote the only SEO the WSJ cited alone should discredit this report. But let’s continue.

What about eBay?

“Google made algorithmic changes to its search results that favor big businesses over smaller ones, and in at least one case made changes on behalf of a major advertiser, eBay Inc., contrary to its public position that it never takes that type of action. The company also boosts some major websites, such as Amazon.com Inc. and Facebook Inc., according to people familiar with the matter,” the Wall Street Journal reported in its piece.

Google’s own pages clearly say, “While advertisers can pay to be displayed in clearly marked sections of the page, no one can buy better placement in the search results.”

And eBay has stopped advertising numerous times with Google both in 2013 and 2007. Over the years eBay, has not been all that happy with Google’s algorithms not ranking the site as high as it would like.

Google’s organic search team and the ads team are completely separate. In fact, Google’s organic search team has penalized the Google Ads team before for violating the Google webmaster guidelines. Google’s search team has banned numerous Google properties over the years including banning Chrome (it’s own browser) from ranking for the term “browser” and Google Japan.

I’ve reported on Google for a long time and the messaging over the 16 years has always been consistent — Google does not let those who advertise have any advantage ranking in organic search. Google’s actions and messaging over the years have been consistent around this.

Auto-complete?

“Google engineers regularly make behind-the-scenes adjustments to other information the company is increasingly layering on top of its basic search results. These features include auto-complete suggestions, boxes called “knowledge panels” and “featured snippets,” and news results, which aren’t subject to the same company policies limiting what engineers can remove or change,” the Wall Street Journal reported in its piece.

Auto-complete suggestions, knowledge panels and featured snippets are simply not the same thing as core search results. Google has published a detailed blog post about the exceptions it makes for features such as auto-complete, knowledge panels and featured snippets.

You do not want a child typing something into Google and as they type you have Google suggest something that is inappropriate. You do not want the featured snippets or knowledge panel results to show information that is outright wrong or a lie. Google has methods to report issues with all three so that someone at Google can review these and take corrective action. Again, Google has documented this clearly over the years and any adult can see why this is important.

Blacklists?

“Despite publicly denying doing so, Google keeps blacklists to remove certain sites or prevent others from surfacing in certain types of results. These moves are separate from those that block sites as required by U.S. or foreign law, such as those featuring child abuse or with copyright infringement, and from changes designed to demote spam sites, which attempt to game the system to appear higher in results,” the Wall Street Journal said,

I have never seen evidence of Google ever doing this. I’ve read all the conspiracies. None have ever fully proved this to be the case and the paper’s evidence of this being true hinging on anonymous sources is thin.

“In auto-complete, the feature that predicts search terms as the user types a query, Google’s engineers have created algorithms and blacklists to weed out more-incendiary suggestions for controversial subjects, such as abortion or immigration, in effect filtering out inflammatory results on high-profile topics,” the paper wrote.

Again, Google has documented when it will and when it won’t make changes to autocomplete suggestions. I’ve never seen Google make a change to autocomplete suggestions outside of these policies. I have seen many SEOs over the years try to manipulate these autocomplete suggestions, and in the early years, it could work. But it rarely works today. Google engineers manually going in to make changes to autocomplete to benefit the company’s agenda? I’ve never seen it proven.

The examples given by Wall Street Journal show, if anything, Google applying its own policies and guidelines to auto-complete. It is like the old “miserable failure” Google bomb that came back years later that Google had to squash. Or when Google removed images of Michelle Obama in Google image search that were offensive.

Outside influence?

“Google employees and executives, including co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have disagreed on how much to intervene on search results and to what extent. Employees can push for revisions in specific search results, including on topics such as vaccinations and autism,” the paper wrote.

Google employees are constantly discussing the algorithms and if Google should take certain actions. There are real humans in the company and these conversations are likely to come up. But has Google ever been proven to make any algorithmic changes to push a political or economic agenda for the company? Not yet.

Google does a lot to ensure search results are authoritative. Google has done so over many algorithmic updates over the years. One of the more public ones was named Project Owl. The overall theme of Project Owl was to make the search results return more authoritative results that can be trusted more by users and reduce the amount of fake news and content that showed up in search.

“To evaluate its search results, Google employs thousands of low-paid contractors whose purpose the company says is to assess the quality of the algorithms’ rankings. Even so, contractors said Google gave feedback to these workers to convey what it considered to be the correct ranking of results, and they revised their assessments accordingly, according to contractors interviewed by the Journal. The contractors’ collective evaluations are then used to adjust algorithms,” the Wall Street Journal report claimed.

These contractors have zero access or control over the search results you or I see in Google. All they do is report back to Google’s engineers if the search results they are looking at are good results or bad results. It is the same thing as when you go to a hotel, you might get a poll asking you how your stay was. It is the same thing as having third-party contractors review your software application to make sure it is achieving the goals you want it to achieve. Testing with software and asking for people to grade you on your output makes sense not just for Google but for any company.

The paper also claimed that Google released an algorithmic update to “favor prominent businesses over smaller ones.” This theory has been stated since the early days of Google, dating back to the early 2000s. Google has said numerous times that its algorithms are not designed to favor large businesses. The story sounds like it is quoting someone with inside information at the company but does not cite a name or the profile of the individual who said this. There are many conspiracy theories out there on this topic, but it is also one of those things where larger businesses generally have more resources to put into building better websites, user experiences and more content. Those types of websites tend to do better in Google because they provide a better experience for searchers.

The paper cited a large advertiser of Google stating, “our teams may get on the phone with them and they will go through it.” The Journal added, “Some very big advertisers received direct advice on how to improve their organic search results.” But the advertiser the paper quoted also said, “the agency doesn’t get information Google wouldn’t share publicly.”

Honestly, it would not surprise me if a Google Ads representative would tell a big advertiser something to keep them as an advertiser. But in no way does a Google Ads representative have any access or influence to change the organic search results. It just doesn’t happen at the company.

“Google frequently adjusts how it crawls the web and ranks pages to deal with specific big websites,” the paper also said. Sure, yes, Google has methods for big sites to improve efficiency for crawling. Those options are available to small sites as well, even sites that do not spend a dime on advertising. You can use XML Sitemaps, you can use the indexing API for job post data or live stream feeds. News sites or sites that produce a lot of frequent content are crawled and indexed faster, including sites like the Wall Street Journal.

Google has had indexing issues in the past, we’ve covered many of them over the years. If Google has stopped indexing a large site due to a bug either internally or because of a bug with the publishers site, Google wants to resolve it quickly. Google wants searchers to find content the searcher is looking for. If something is preventing that, Google may reach out to that publisher to let them know of the issue. Google does this through Google Search Console and messaging — there is nothing new there and nothing wrong about Google trying to help publishers ensure their content is accessible to Google Search. Heck, Google even deindexed this site for a short period due to a bug.

The report then cites how eBay was mistreated by Google. But eBay is a big site. By the Wall Street Journal’s own conclusion, shouldn’t this big website that spends a lot of money on advertising rank well in Google? eBay has been hit by numerous algorithmic updates over the years, as have both large and small sites. Google does not differentiate its algorithm updates for small or large sites.

Google isn’t perfect, not one bit

“Sadly, the WSJ reporters tried to shoehorn a narrative onto facts that don’t fit, rather than letting the discoveries themselves guide the piece,” Sparktoro founder Rand Fishkin told Search Engine Land. “There’s a lot of unproven, speculative innuendo about how Google’s blacklists work, about the nefarious motivations behind their decisions, and no statistical or meaningful assessment of whether Google’s decisions are good or bad for businesses or users.” Fishkin has been known to criticize Google over the years. Most recently, his studies show how Google is sending less and less traffic to publishers.

“Most frustrating to me was the insinuation that Google’s removal of certain conspiracy-theory-promoting and, frankly, embarrassingly bad websites from Google News were somehow a strike against Google rather than the company doing the right thing. I’m certain the reporters at the WSJ would *never* take as factual the crazy crap spouted on those alt-right and white supremacist sites, yet here they are excoriating Google for excluding them from the news results. That part really undermined the credibility and believability of everything else in the piece (which saddens me, because there’s a number of really interesting elements that deserve further exploration),” Fishkin added.

SEO community knows better

I asked the SEO community, which is known to have a rift with Google over the years, what they thought of the Wall Street Journal article. Here are Twitter embeds of their responses.

My question:

SEO community: I want your reaction (believe or do not believe) and any comments on this WSJ article named How Google Interferes With Its Search Algorithms and Changes Your Results  https://wsj.com/articles/how-google-interferes-with-its-search-algorithms-and-changes-your-results-11573823753   (please reply to this thread on Twitter for my story)

There is enough confusion, distrust and conspiracy theory around how Google search works. To see an article like this published by such a mainstream outlet adds to the black-eye the search industry and community has been fighting against. The search community is filled with hard-working individuals working to help their clients’ websites succeed in Google Search. That success is not done through dark, corrupt or shady tactics but rather hard, smart and thorough work in technical SEO, content marketing, promotional relations and good old-fashion marketing.

Google aims to ensure that the most relevant and useful search results show up in the organic search results. While Google cannot open-source its search ranking algorithms due to (1) competitive and (2) manipulation reasons, Google does work hard to provide a trusted set of search results for its searchers.

There are legitimate, familiar criticisms to make about Google search: that the various changes it has made to the presentation of its search results have made it harder to gain organic visibility;that it could be more transparent about certain ranking factors; that it heavily promotes its own products and services in its search results; or that it helped ensure mobile search dominance through Android. The company has been investigated and fined for antitrust violations in the EU (it is appealing) and is facing regulatory scrutiny and calls to break up (along with other major tech firms) here in the U.S. It’s through this anti-big tech lens that the WSJ’s reporting seems to have been skewed.  

In the end, the WSJ’s report is an embarrassing piece of “journalism,” and a missed opportunity that unfairly paints a black eye on Google Search and the SEO community.

SEO News

The secret to work-life harmony in SEO: Setting boundaries

Find out how to establish clear boundaries in your SEO work and personal life for a healthier, more productive career.

If you are anything like me, once you start diving into a project, it can be difficult to stop. Doing SEO feels like dealing with a never-ending set of tasks. Setting boundaries is essential for managing expectations and caring for your well-being.

When I tell people what I do, they often envisage me tapping away at the keyboard into the early morning hours, pizza boxes and half-drunk mugs of coffee littered around me. Owls are hooting, bats are swooping, and a dim light barely shows the outline of the dark bags under my eyes.

There is a perception that anyone working in this world doesn’t really do anything except work. In reality, it can sometimes feel like that. We love what we do, and often, our hobbies include, well, SEO. (Show me an SEO, and I’ll show you a side hustle!)  

Regardless of the extracurricular, having boundaries at work is vital, even more so for an almost never-ending role. So how do you do it?

Setting boundaries with colleagues and clients

There are things you can do from the moment you work with a new client or on a new project.

It’s always best to start setting boundaries straight away because, as time goes on, it can be challenging to reset expectations.

Make it clear that SEO is a long-term strategy. This must be understood from the outset to ensure expectations are set immediately. 

Education is key here, helping colleagues and clients alike to understand that significant changes in search rankings and organic traffic are the result of consistent effort over time.

I always err on the side of caution and give a longer-term estimate before it’s likely to see the results of SEO work. That way, if things start to move sooner, it’s a bonus.

When it comes to the actual work, assign dedicated research and deep work time and block out your calendar. Make it clear that you are not to be disturbed in these periods.

Alternatively, work from home or lock yourself in an office with the door shut. We all need periods to complete deep work without being interrupted. 

Once you set these times, you must stick to them. If you start responding to emails or consulting with colleagues during these sessions, people are less likely to respect your need to work uninterrupted.

Set up reporting or meetings at specific intervals to review progress. This will help to avoid requests for information in between these times.

Having unplanned emails asking for metrics on an ad-hoc basis not only adds additional work, but you may find that it soon becomes the norm.

If reporting is already set and agreed upon, then there should be little need for interim information. If there is, then it may be that you need to review reporting or meeting schedules.

Set aside specific times when clients and colleagues can consult you on SEO queries. If you make yourself available and approachable within a structured timeframe, people are much less likely to want to infringe on those times you have blocked out for deeper work.

Try to avoid answering emails or communications outside of working hours. But if you decide to catch up with email on an evening or weekend, set your replies to send first thing the next workday morning.

For example, if people see you responding to emails on a Saturday morning, they may expect you to work every Saturday morning.

Never give work colleagues or clients permission to use social media messaging to get in touch. It is so easy for this to creep into your personal time, creating very blurred lines between the two. If this happens and someone messages you, direct them to your email address or work number.

The only exception is if social media management or engagement forms part of your role. Otherwise, stick to more formal communication routes.

Setting boundaries for yourself

In a world where it only takes the lifting up of a laptop lid or the scroll of an iPhone to access our work, it’s challenging to separate the personal from the professional.

That said, there are things you can do to make sure that when you are not working, you are actually not working.

You could have separate devices for work and non-work activities. If that’s not possible, having separate email accounts is an absolute minimum. 

Getting into a situation where your work and personal life become jumbled up can make it incredibly difficult to untangle and get away from thinking about work all the time. When you feel like you are constantly on call, it can reduce performance when at work through things like decision fatigue.

If you don’t have separate devices, put your phone on airplane mode when you aren’t working and, most importantly, keep it out of the bedroom. It’s so much easier not to check if it’s in a different room.

So many of us have our phones plugged in on the nightstand while we sleep. It’s just too tempting to have a peek when we wake up in the middle of the night needing the bathroom.

Likewise, avoid picking up your phone first thing in the morning. Give yourself some time to wake up, have some water and if you can, just sit for a while. If you can resist long enough, stay away from all work communication until you are at your desk.

You could use the commute to listen to an audiobook or podcast instead. Nothing that’s in your phone can’t wait an hour or so until you get to work. This can take a lot of willpower initially, but like many things, it can be a habit you can eliminate. 

If you work from home, maybe go for a walk first. This can be a great way to separate non-work from work time. If walking isn’t your thing, choose something else. However, having a clear distinction between the two can help to keep those boundaries in place.

When doing deep work, try to reduce distractions as much as possible.

Close all the tabs or applications you don’t need on your computer.

Switch your phone to silent mode.

Wear noise-canceling headphones and listen to music.

For others, the constant background buzz of a busy office can help concentration.

Work out what is best for you and stick to it.

The importance of boundaries as an SEO

Clear boundaries mean that tasks can be completed without constant interruption and distractions. This leads to getting tasks done more quickly and accurately. It can also reduce feelings of pressure and overwhelm because you don’t constantly have to deal with multiple things at once.

It also helps in managing the expectations of colleagues and clients, reducing misunderstandings, and building trust. It can also ensure that SEO work is completed according to project guidelines because keeping your boundaries mean the work is done as planned.

Establishing time or task-based boundaries in SEO prevents the urge to work endlessly, providing a structured framework for task completion. Having a clear start and stop point can assist in ensuring that planned work is done while reducing overwhelm.

Maintaining work-life balance by prioritizing self-care leads to improved performance. Dedicate time to activities you love, whether it's exercise, socializing, or personal SEO projects.

Combat Sports News - November 4, 2023

UFC on ESPN+ 89 live results: Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis

The Octagon returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil with a heavyweight main event.

The Octagon heads back to Brazil, returning to Sao Paulo for the first time in four years, for UFC On ESPN+ 89: Almeida vs. Lewis from the Ginasio do Ibirapuera.

The main event will be a heavyweight slugfest as rising contender Jailton Almeida battles former title challenger Derrick Lewis. Almeida is looking to remain undefeated under the UFC banner as he was won his first five outings. Lewis is taking this fight on short notice as a replacement for Curtis Blaydes, the first fight under his newly-signed UFC contract, as he looks to notch his second straight win.

In the welterweight co-main event, undefeated Gabriel Bonfim meets Nicolas Dalby as Bonfim looks for his 16th straight win, while Dalby is looking for his fourth straight. Also on the main card is a pair of middleweight bouts as Caio Borralho battles Abus Magomedov, and Rodolfo Vieira takes on Armen Petrosyan.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6 PM ET/3 PM PT

> Lightweights- Kaue Fernandes (8-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Marc Diakiese (16-7, 7-7 UFC)

Fernandes lands a high kick. He lands some more kicks before they clinch against the fence. Diakiese is able to get a takedown and is working from the top and landing. Fernandes goes for an armlock from the bottom and it allows them to get to their feet. They briefly clinch before separating. Diakiese tries a spin kick but it allows Fernandes to get him down, but Diakiese scrambles to the top. He isn't doing much from the top but he's keeping Fernandes pinned on the mat. Diakiese lands a nice left hand from the top. 10-9 Diakiese.

Fernandes lands a body kick. He lands another. Diakiese comes in looking for a takedown but Fernandes defending against the fence. Fernandes reverses and they separate. Diakiese lands a left hook. Fernandes lands a calf kick. Diakiese is able to get a takedown. He's working from the top and is landing and remains there as the round ends. 10-9 Diakiese, 20-18 Diakiese.

Fernandes lands a leg kick. Diakiese lands a right hand and then a left hand that makes Fernandes stumble. Fernandes recovers and lands a leg kick. Diakiese tries to get it down but Fernandes defends against the fence. They separate. Diakiese lands a right hand. Diakiese gets a takedown. He's landing from the top. He's still working from the top and remaining active enough to keep it down as he's landing. Fernandes is showing good ground defense but can't get out from the bottom. They get to their feet late. 10-9 Diakiese, 30-27 Diakiese.

Official Result- Marc Diakiese def. Kaue Fernandes by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

> Women's Strawweights*- Eduarda Moura (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Montserrat Conejo (10-3, 1-2 UFC)

*Moura missed weight by 3.5 pounds

Conejo lands some early leg kicks. Moura tries a takedown but Conejo defends, though Moura sweeps to end up on top. Moura controlling from the top but not doing a lot of damage. Moura now landing some right hands and gets the mount where she's landing lots of punches. Moura with big right hands from the top. Moura is looking for an arm but lets go and lands more right hands. Conejo gives up her back for a moment and Moura threatened with a choke but ends back up in mount. They scramble but Moura keeps it down and is in side control. Moura gets the mount back and is landing. She gets the back and continues to land as a dominant round ends. 10-8 Moura.

Moura lands some big punches and a knee to start the second. Moura lands a right hand. Moura gets it down and is landing big punches from the top. She continues to land big punches from the top until it is stopped. This was an absolute mauling by Moura.

Official Result- Eduarda Moura def. Montserrat Conejo by TKO (punches) at 2:14 of Round 2

> Women's Strawweights- #12 Angela Hill (15-13, 10-13 UFC) vs. Denise Gomes (8-2, 2-1 UFC)

Hill lands a right hand and Gomes stumbled to the mat. Hill grabs the neck and they get to their feet and clinch. Hill lands a knee as they switch positions and switch back. Gomes tried to pull guard but Hill is on top and has neck control. Hill takes the back and lands a left hand as they stand. They separate. Gomes lands a front kick and they trade before clinching. Gomes gets a pair of takedowns that Hill quickly gets up from. Gomes lands some heavy punches including a right hand. They clinch and trade knees. They separate and Gomes lands a body kick. Gomes lands a right hand. They go to the mat and Gomes is looking for an armbar. Gomes lands some hammerfists. Hill escapes. Hill is on top but Gomes lands some right hands from the bottom. 10-9 Gomes.

They trade right hands early to start the second. Gomes lands a leg kick then a right hand. Hill lands a combination. Gomes tries to land the right hand but Hill ducks. Gomes is looking a little tired. Hill lands a right hand. Gomes lands an uppercut to the body. Hill lands a jab. Hill lands a spinning elbow. Gomes keeps pressing forward. They trade kicks. Hill gets a brief takedown but they scramble up. Gomes lands a right hand and an elbow as they clinch. They clinch and Gomes lands an uppercut while Hill lands a knee. Hill lands a front kick to the body and they clinch with Hill landing a knee. Hill lands another knee. 10-9 Hill, 19-19.

Gomes comes out blitzing and landing. They trade and Gomes lands a nice right hook. Hill grabs the back and pushes it against the fence where she gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Hill lands an elbow in the clinch. Hill lands a lot of knees in the clinch. Gomes lands some before they separate. Hill is able to get it back to the ground. Hill lands an elbow from the top. Hill has the back and is landing punches. She gets the back mount and flattens Gomes out. She tried something and they ended up on the feet. Hill lands a knee. 10-9 Hill, 29-28 Hill.

Official Result- Angela Hill def. Denise Gomes by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Light Heavyweights- Vitor Petrino (9-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (15-5, 3-3 UFC)

Bukauskas lands a leg kick. Petrino lands a jab. He lands another and Bukauskas lands a leg kick. Petrino lands a body kick. Petrino lands another stiff jab. Petrino gets a takedown but Bukauskas gets right up. Petrino then picks Bukauskas up and slams him down. Petrino is in the guard of Bukauskas but there isn't a lot of action going on. Petrino lands a right hand from the top. 10-9 Petrino.

Petrino lands a jab. Bukauskas lands a left hook. Petrino lands a left hook as Bukauskas throws a left hand and it connects and Bukauskas goes down and is out and it's all over. What a finish from Petrino!

Official Result- Vitor Petrino def. Modestas Bukauskas by knockout (punch) at 1:03 of Round 2

> Welterweights- #15 Rinat Fakhretdinov (22-2, 3-0 UFC) vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (24-7, 10-3 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Fakhretdinov lands a left hand that puts Zaleski on the mat. Fakhretdinov gets on top and is landing. Fakhretdinov with some heavy right hands from the top. Zaleski tries to scramble up and Fakhretdinov takes his back on the knees. They stand and Fakhretdinov still has the back. Fakhretdinov is threatening with a choke as he has maximum pressure on. Fakhretdinov lands some knees. They separate. Zaleski lands a leg kick. Fakhretdinov lands a left hand. Zaleski lands a body kick. Zaleski lands a jab. Zaleski lands a body kick. 10-9 Fakhretdinov.

They're swinging to start the second. Zaleski lands a leg kick. Zaleski lands a jab. Fakhretdinov is throwing a lot but missing. Fakhretdinov lands a left hook. Zaleski lands a calf kick and Fakhretdinov goes to his knees for a moment. Fakhretdinov lands a left hand. Fakhretdinov lands a body kick. They trade punches and Fakhretdinov gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Fakhretdinov is pressuring against the fence but Zaleski lands a knee on the break. 10-9 Fakhretdinov, 20-18 Fakhretdinov.

Zaleski lands a leg kick. Zaleski tries a takedown and Fakhretdinov lands to defend. They trade jabs. Zaleski lands a right hand then an uppercut. Zaleski lands a pair of knees as Fakhretdinov is looking for a takedown. Zaleski lands a combo and a big knee. Fakhretdinov lands a right hand. Zaleski landing with more volume. Zaleski lands a jab. Zaleski hurts Fakhretdinov badly with a body kick. Fakhretdinov goes to the mat and Zaleski is landing from the top. Zaleski with some big punches from the top. Fakhretdinov is covering up. Zaleski locks in a rear-naked choke. Fakhretdinov is landing punches to defend. Fakhretdinov escapes to the top and they stand. What a fight! 10-9 Zaleski, 29-28 Fakhretdinov.

Official Result- Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos ends in a majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)

*Breaking- A middleweight bout between Rodolfo Vieira and Armen Petrosyan, scheduled for the main card, was scratched from the card. Petrosyan suffered an illness and was vomiting backstage at the venue and was pulled from the fight.

ESPN+ MAIN CARD | 9 PM ET/6 PM PT

> 165-pound Catchweights- Elves Brener (15-3, 2-0 UFC) vs. Kaynan Kruschewsky (15-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)

Brener landing some leg kicks early on. Kruschewsky lands a combo and they trade in a wild exchange. Brener lands a left hook. Brener lands another combo. Brener lands a leg kick then another. Brener then lands a right hand then an overhand left and Kruschewsky immediately face plants to the mat and is out cold. What a knockout from Brener!

Official Result- Elves Brener def. Kaynan Kruschewsky by knockout (punch) at 4:01 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Caio Borralho (14-1 1 NC, 4-0 UFC) vs. Abus Magomedov (25-5-1, 1-1 UFC)

They trade leg kicks in the early going. Borralho lands a combo. Borralho lands a jab. They trade punches. Magomedov lands a right hand. There isn't a lot happening. Borralho tries a takedown but Magomedov defends and almost lands a kick as Borralho was getting to his feet. Borralho lands a combo. We have a timeout for an eye poke by Magomedov. They get back to action and Magomedov lands a right hand. 10-9 Magomedov.

Magomedov lands a body kick. Borralho lands a combo. Borralho lands a solid jab. Borralho lands a right hook and then a jab. He lands a left hand. Magomedov lands a body kick. Borralho lands a left hand to the body. Magomedov lands a right hand. Magomedov with another body kick. Borralho lands a jab. He lands another. 10-9 Borralho, 19-19.

Borralho lands a body kick and then another. Borralho lands a jab and then another. Magomedov lands a high kick. Borralho lands a combination. Borralho lands an elbow and Magomedov is hurt. Magomedov backs to the fence and Borralho lands a left hand. Magomedov trying to circle away. Borralho lands a knee then an uppercut. Magomedov falls to the mat and Borralho gets on top. Magomedov tries to scramble and they get to their feet with Borralho on the back. Borralho looking for a choke. He lands some hammerfists. Borralho ends the fight on the back. 10-9 Borralho, 29-28 Borralho.

Official Result- Caio Borralho def. Abus Magomedov by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- Rodrigo Nascimento (10-1 1 NC, 3-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Don'Tale Mayes (10-5 1 NC, 3-3 1 NC UFC)

Nascimento lands some right hands. Mayes lads some leg kicks then mixes punches to the head and body. Nascimento lands a combo and some uppercuts when they clinch but they break. Nascimento lands a left hook. Mayes lands a combo. Nascimento lands a body kick. They're both throwing wild punches near the fence. Mayes lands some left hands. They clinch but break. Nascimento lands a jab. Nascimento lands a flurry against the fence. Nascimento gets a takedown but Mayes starts landing hammerfists on the way to their feet. Nascimento lands a leg kick. Mayes lands an uppercut. 10-9 Nascimento.

Nascimento lands some big punches to start the second and Mayes is throwing in return. Nascimento looks for a takedown but Mayes defends. They're tied up against the fence. Nascimento is landing to the body. They separate. Nascimento lands a head kick. Mayes lands a leg kick as Nascimento lands a right hand. Nascimento rushes in and they clinch. They break after Nascimento lands a knee. Mayes lands an uppercut and they clinch. Both with some dirty boxing and Nascimento lands an uppercut. They separate and Mayes lands a right hand. 10-9 Nascimento, 20-18 Nascimento.

Mayes lands a leg kick. Nascimento is pressing forward. Nascimento grabs a brief clinch and lands a knee. Nascimento lands a combo then a leg kick. They clinch and both with some dirty boxing as they work to the fence. They break and Nascimento lands a right hand. Mayes is landing with more volume in this round. There is not much action happening now. Mayes lands to the body. They clinch as Mayes lands a left hand. Mayes lands a left hand after they break. 10-9 Mayes, 29-28 Nascimento.

Official Result- Rodrigo Nascimento def. Don'Tale Mayes by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Gabriel Bonfim (15-0, 2-0 UFC) vs. Nicolas Dalby (22-4-1 2 NC, 6-4-1 1 NC UFC)

Bonfim throwing right away and landing. Dalby lands a leg kick. Bonfim lands a leg kick and they have a wild exchange. Dalby lands a body kick. Bonfim lands a calf kick followed by a combo. Dalby lands a left hand and shoots for a takedown but Bonfim defends. They separate. Bonfim lands a leg kick. Bonfim lands a pair of jabs. Dalby lands a leg kick. Bonfim lands a body kick. They trade jabs and Dalby lands a pair of leg kicks. Bonfim gets a takedown. Bonfim moves to side control and lands an elbow. Bonfim gets the mount. Bonfim with some big shots from the top as he lands heavy elbows. 10-9 Bonfim.

Dalby throwing to start the second before Bonfim gets a big slam takedown. They get to their feet but Bonfim is able to get another takedown. Bonfim looking for a choke. He abandons it but remains on top. Bonfim looking to set up a D'Arce choke. Bonfim gets the back now. They get to their feet and Dalby lands a combo. They clinch against the fence. They separate and Dalby is still pressuring. Dalby landing big shots against the fence. He lands some hard knees. Dalby lands a big right hand. Dalby with some elbows. They break and Dalby still pressuring. Dalby landing and lands some knees. Bonfim falls to the mat and Dalby gets on top and is landing as he gets the stoppage! What a comeback and win for Dalby.

Official Result- Nicolas Dalby def. Gabriel Bonfim by TKO (strikes) at 4:33 of Round 2

> Heavyweights- #9 Jailton Almeida (19-2, 5-0 UFC) vs. #10 Derrick Lewis (27-11 1 NC, 18-9 UFC)

Almeida lands a head kick then a left hand. Almeida looks for a takedown and completes it. Almeida with a knee to the body. Almeida gets the mount. Lewis gives up his back. Almeida then gets an arm-triangle choke locked in as he is on top. Lewis defends it. Almeida back in the mount. Almeida with some punches from the top. Almeida gets the back. Lewis spins and they almost stand but Almeida gets it back down and right into the mount. Almeida now looking for an arm and then moves to look for a choke. Lewis gets out. Almeida lands a right hand. Lewis lands some body shots. 10-9 Almeida.

Lewis lands a right hand but Almeida ducks under and gets a takedown. Almeida has the back for a moment but gets into the mount. Almeida lands some punches then takes the back. Lewis lands a back elbow. Almeida is looking for a choke. Almeida with some body punches. 10-9 Almeida, 20-18 Almeida.

Almeida tries a takedown and Lewis is landing body shots to defend and Almeida is unable to get him down. Almeida ends up getting the takedown. Almeida has the mount but is just holding position. Almeida lands an elbow. Almeida lands some left hands. Lewis gets up and is on top and starts landing punches. Almeida is trying for a leg. Almeida is trying to keep it on the mat and is able to. Almeida gets back to the mount. Almeida lands an elbow. Almeida with some big punches. Almeida gets the back again. Almeida now in side control. Almeida with a hammerfist. Almeida with a few big punches. 10-9 Almeida, 30-27 Almeida.

Almeida tries for a takedown but Lewis is landing to defend. Almeida is able to get a takedown. Almeida is in the mount. Almeida landing but not a ton is happening. Almeida gets the back for a moment but ends up back in the mount. Almeida still controlling from the top but isn't doing much on offense. Almeida landing from the back. 10-9 Almeida, 40-36 Almeida.

Lewis lands as Almeida is trying to get a takedown. Almeida is trying hard for the takedown but Lewis is keeping it on the feet. Almeida is able to get the takedown. Almeida gets the full mount but is being told to work. Almeida remains on top but not a lot of action is happening. They stand and Almeida gets one final takedown. Bizarre fight. 10-9 Almeida, 50-45 Almeida.

Official Result- Jailton Almeida def. Derrick Lewis by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-45)

FTX

A timeline of Sam Bankman-Fried trial: Key moments leading up to FTX founder's conviction

Nov 2 (Reuters) - Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud conviction on Thursday marks the culmination of a yearlong legal saga stemming from the dramatic collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange he founded.

Below is a timeline of key events leading to the verdict:

2017

Bankman-Fried, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate, quits his job as a quantitative trader at Jane Street Capital and launches Alameda Research, a trading firm focused on cryptocurrency.

MAY 2019

Bankman-Fried and former Google employee Gary Wang found FTX as a new platform to trade crypto tokens and derivatives.

OCTOBER 2021

FTX raises $420 million in venture funding, valuing the company at $25 billion. Bankman-Fried debuts on the Forbes billionaires list, which estimates his net worth at $22.5 billion. The magazine's assessment of his wealth would rise to $26 billion by the end of the year.

FEBRUARY 2022

The NFL Super Bowl's broadcast is heavy on cryptocurrency advertisements, signifying the height of the craze for the booming asset class. FTX's "Don't Miss Out" spot features actor Larry David, whose skepticism about the platform is portrayed as akin to an early human doubting the importance of the wheel.

JUNE-JULY 2022

Bankman-Fried emerges as the cryptocurrency sector's so-called "white knight" amid a collapse in the prices of Bitcoin and other digital assets. Alameda gives crypto lender Voyager Digital a $200 million credit facility, and FTX gives lender BlockFi a $250 million loan.

NOV. 2, 2022

Crypto news website CoinDesk publishes a leaked Alameda Research balance sheet showing that much of its $14.6 billion in assets is held in FTX's own token, called FTT. The token subsequently sheds around $400 million of its market cap, and rival exchange Binance says it will sell its FTT holdings.

NOV. 8, 2022

After FTX sees $6 billion in customer withdrawals in three days, Binance boss Changpeng Zhao says the company has signed a nonbinding agreement to buy FTX's non-U.S. unit. Binance scraps the deal the next day.

NOV. 11, 2022

FTX files for U.S. bankruptcy protection, and Bankman-Fried resigns as its chief executive officer.

NOV. 16, 2022

David and other FTX celebrity promoters, including NFL quarterback Tom Brady, are sued over claims they engaged in deceptive practices. The celebrities have said the suit should be dismissed, arguing they did not cause FTX investors' losses.

DEC. 12, 2022

Bankman-Fried is arrested in the Bahamas, where he lives and where FTX is based. The U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan later confirms that a federal grand jury has indicted him for fraud and conspiracy charges.

DEC. 21, 2022

Bankman-Fried leaves the Bahamas after agreeing to be extradited to the United States. While he is in the air, prosecutors reveal that Wang and Alameda chief executive Caroline Ellison have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

DEC. 22, 2022

Bankman-Fried makes an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court and is released to home detention at his parents' home in Palo Alto, California, on $250 million bond.

JAN. 3-12, 2023

Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty and U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan schedules his trial for October. In a post-arrest blog post, Bankman-Fried denies stealing funds and blames FTX's collapse on a broader downturn in crypto markets.

FEB. 28, 2023

Nishad Singh, the former director of engineering at FTX, adds to the pressure on Bankman-Fried by becoming the third former member of his inner circle to plead guilty to fraud charges and agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors.

AUG. 11, 2023

Kaplan revokes Bankman-Fried's bail after finding probable cause to believe he tampered with witnesses at least twice, including by sharing Ellison's private writings with a New York Times reporter. Bankman-Fried is remanded to Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center pending trial.

OCT. 3, 2023

Trial begins in Manhattan federal court.

OCT. 28, 2023

Bankman-Fried testifies in his own defense, saying a "lot of people got hurt" when FTX collapsed but insisting he did not defraud anyone or steal billions of dollars from customers.

NOV. 2, 2023

Bankman-Fried is convicted of all seven charges he faced.

NOV. 8, 2022

After FTX sees $6 billion in customer withdrawals in three days, Binance boss Changpeng Zhao says the company has signed a nonbinding agreement to buy FTX's non-U.S. unit. Binance scraps the deal the next day.

NOV. 11, 2022

FTX files for U.S. bankruptcy protection, and Bankman-Fried resigns as its chief executive officer.

NOV. 16, 2022

David and other FTX celebrity promoters, including NFL quarterback Tom Brady, are sued over claims they engaged in deceptive practices. The celebrities have said the suit should be dismissed, arguing they did not cause FTX investors' losses.

DEC. 12, 2022

Bankman-Fried is arrested in the Bahamas, where he lives and where FTX is based. The U.S. Attorney's office in Manhattan later confirms that a federal grand jury has indicted him for fraud and conspiracy charges.

DEC. 21, 2022

Bankman-Fried leaves the Bahamas after agreeing to be extradited to the United States. While he is in the air, prosecutors reveal that Wang and Alameda chief executive Caroline Ellison have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

DEC. 22, 2022

Bankman-Fried makes an initial appearance in Manhattan federal court and is released to home detention at his parents' home in Palo Alto, California, on $250 million bond.

JAN. 3-12, 2023

Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty and U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan schedules his trial for October. In a post-arrest blog post, Bankman-Fried denies stealing funds and blames FTX's collapse on a broader downturn in crypto markets.

FEB. 28, 2023

Nishad Singh, the former director of engineering at FTX, adds to the pressure on Bankman-Fried by becoming the third former member of his inner circle to plead guilty to fraud charges and agreeing to cooperate with prosecutors.

AUG. 11, 2023

Kaplan revokes Bankman-Fried's bail after finding probable cause to believe he tampered with witnesses at least twice, including by sharing Ellison's private writings with a New York Times reporter. Bankman-Fried is remanded to Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center pending trial.

OCT. 3, 2023

Trial begins in Manhattan federal court.

OCT. 28, 2023

Bankman-Fried testifies in his own defense, saying a "lot of people got hurt" when FTX collapsed but insisting he did not defraud anyone or steal billions of dollars from customers.

NOV. 2, 2023

Bankman-Fried is convicted of all seven charges he faced.

Wrestling Media News

FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch offers details why WWE SmackDown broadcast rights were not renewed

WWE 

@WWE

 SmackDown, the hottest and most popular pro wrestling show across the globe is returning to USA Network in 2024.

The week after Endeavor announced that the merger between WWE and UFC 

@UFC

 to form TKO Group 

@TKOGrp

 Holdings was completed, it was announced that WWE Friday Night SmackDown aka "SmackDown" us returning to USA Network in October 2024.

WWE and NBCUniversal reached a five-year agreement to bring SmackDown back to the platform. SmackDown has been airing on FOX since October 2019.

As the Q1 2024 Fox Corporation Earnings Conference Call was ongoing, FOX CEO Lachlan Murdoch was quizzed why the SmackDown broadcast rights were not renewed. He stated that based on their analysis, they were not hitting the advertising numbers due to the audience of WWE to make a return on their investment. FOX did not attribute enough "retransmission revenue" to WWE either so Murdoch said it made sense to move on. He advised that WWE has been a great partner.

"I think we’ve talked about this before but how we analyzed the WWE renewal and we look at all of our sports portfolios in the same way… Based on the analysis, (from) an advertising point of view, we were not hitting the advertising numbers due to the audience of WWE to make the return for our return on investment to be above the levels that we would accept. But also, we didn’t attribute enough significant retransmission revenue to the WWE either. So it made sense for us to move on from them. They’ve been a great partner for many years. But just quite simply, we’re very disciplined and the R.O.I. didn’t meet our disciplined parameters so, we wish them luck and we’ve moved on from them".

There is speculation as to what sport/entertainment content will fill the void left by WWE on FOX.

Endeavor and TKO CEO Ari Emanuel has previously commented on SmackDown moving back to USA and the broadcast rights for Monday Night Raw being up in 2024.

News Corp still covers the business of pro wrestling as well as it's cousins, MMA (UFC etc), as well as boxing.

FOX Sports Australia: WWE

https://foxsports.com.au/wwe/latest-news

FOX Sports Australia: UFC

https://foxsports.com.au/ufc

FOX Sports Australia: Boxing

https://foxsports.com.au/boxing

In Australia Main Event still offers a variety of combat sports PPV's

https://mainevent.com.au

BINGE 

@binge

 remains Australia favourite destination website/streaming entertainment site for current and historical WWE and pro wrestling content. BINGE is a multi-time Media Man 'Streaming Service Of The Month' award winner.

Some Current and Historical WWE / TKO Group Media 

TKO Group: Media

https://investor.tkogrp.com/news/default.aspx

WWE Corporate

https://corporate.wwe.com

News Crop: The Press Room

https://newscorp.com/press-room/

Streaming Media: News

Peacock enjoying strong relationship with WWE management and fans; May soon get more pro wrestling specials.

tubi keeps adding to their portfolio. Range of classic and retro Lucha Libre, wrestling and boxing movies and more. FOX satisfied with performance. Many insiders call tubi "The Netflix Killer").

Paramount Plus dedicated to quality. Staple shows such as 'The Twilight Zone' keep customers coming back for more.

Netflix addicting more sports content. 'Drive To Survive', Jake Paul 

@JakePaul

 documentary enjoying success. Netflix may be adding more boxing content after fans asking for this for years.

ESPN/ESPN+ still may break away from Disney. Disney remain an embattled brand, partly due to political activism and decline in quality and being out of touch with much of social says numerous news reports.

More streaming news via Media Man Int X and blogs, plus infographics and scoops via Media Man websites.

Dubai Delays Casino Resort Approvals in Potential Blow to MGM

In what could be a temporary blow to MGM Resorts International’s ambitions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai will reportedly delay plans to approve casino resorts.

In partnership with Wasl Hospitality and Leisure, MGM opened a branded hotel in Dubai in 2021 featuring the MGM Hotel, MGM Residences, and Bellagio Hotel. Earlier this year — amid budding optimism that the UAE could establish a gaming regulatory framework and eventually approve casinos — MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle said the company was closely monitoring the situation, and that it has 150,000 square feet at its Dubai property set aside in the event casinos get the green light.

Citing unidentified sources with knowledge of the matter, Bloomberg reported that Dubai opted to postpone approval of casino gaming, but it could consider bringing a poker series to the emirate. Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah are now considered the leading contenders among the seven emirates to be the first to have casino resorts.

At the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas last month, Hornbukcle noted the UAE could eventually be home to as many as four integrated resorts. For now, Dubai opting against casinos is a setback for operators eyeing the region, because Dubai is the most-visited and widely viewed as the glitziest of the seven emirates.

Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah Emerge as Leaders

While Dubai’s future as a home to a casino resort is now up in the air, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah are strong contenders in their own rights.

Abu Dhabi is mapping out what it would look like to open a casino, with Yas Island — home to the Ferrari World and Warner Bros. theme parks, as well as the Yas Marina Formula One Circuit — and a plot near the city’s port among the sites being considered,” according to Bloomberg.

For its part, Ras Al Khaimah, the capital city of the emirate of the same name, is the sixth-largest city in the UAE. It’s also home to various tourist attractions, including an aquarium, Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building — and Flamingo Beach.

Dubai’s decision to delay casino efforts and the emergence of Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah as front-runners doesn’t appear to impact Wynn Resorts, which recently broke ground on its Wynn Al Marjan Island. Slated to open in early 2027, that venue is located in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, and it’s widely expected the $3.9 billion property will be the first in the UAE to have casino gaming.

Wynn previously noted the casino there will be larger than what’s found at Wynn Las Vegas. But as a percentage of square feet, the gaming area will represent a scant percentage of Wynn Al Marjan Island. Rather, the property’s emphasis will be luxury hotel rooms, glamorous retail shops, and high-end dining and entertainment.

UAE Casino Outlook Still Bullish

Although Dubai is out of the UAE casino competition for now, analysts and industry insiders remain bullish on the long-term prospects for casino gaming in the region.

Over the long term, it’s possible that casino gaming in the UAE generates more revenue than in Singapore. But surpassing the enviable profitability heights established in the city-state by Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa could prove to be a tough task.

“Benchmarking against Singapore, UAE’s gaming revenue could reach $6.6 billion, and implied gaming outlay per tourist in UAE might fall below that in Singapore and Macau,” according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

DraftKings King of Online Gaming Stocks, Says Analyst

Fresh off a 26.69% gain this week, which extended its year-to-date rise to 196.31%, DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) is royalty among online gaming equities.

That’s the sentiment of Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon, who, in a new note to clients, anointed the sportsbook operator the best avenue to play the online gaming market. He reiterated an “outperform” rating on the shares while increasing his price target to $42 from $38. That implies upside of 24.44% from Friday’s closing print of $33.75.

DraftKings’ stellar earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the remainder of this year and 2024, coupled with leadership in domestic internet gross gaming revenue (GGR) were among the catalysts behind a Friday surge that saw the stock pop 16.46% on more than triple the average daily volume a day after the operator delivered third-quarter results.

DKNG reported another strong revs/EBITDA beat and raise in 3Q, driven by OSB/iGaming share gains as the operator took the pole position for US Online GGR in 3Q,” wrote Beynon. “During the quarter, DKNG experienced stronger retention/engagement, higher structural hold, and more efficient marketing/promo spend, partially offset by game outcomes given a tough YoY comp.”

Along with delivering third-quarter earnings Thursday, DraftKings told investors it now expects to post a 2023 EBITDA loss of $105 million on revenue of $3.695 billion. That compares with prior forecasts calling for an EBITDA loss of $205 million on sales of $3.5 billion.

DraftKings Guidance Supports “Best” Stock Thesis

DraftKings forecasts a 2024 EBITDA of $350 million to $450 million on sales of $4.5 billion to $4.8 billion. Even at the low end of those ranges, the gaming coming would be on pace to notch its best year on record in 2024.

As a result of the bullish guidance, Beynon boosted 2023 through 2025 revenue estimates to $3.7 billion, $4.59 billion, and $5.63 billion, respectively. Assuming DraftKings continues its tradition of beating and raising forecasts, it could well live up to the Macquarie analyst’s best of billing.

“We view DKNG as the best way to play the bourgeoning US Online market given its first-mover advantage, strong brand recognition with the younger demographic, and superior tech,” Beynon added.

The analyst noted those are among the reasons why DraftKings and rival FanDuel have jumped out to a seemingly insurmountable lead in the US online sports wagering space.

Just Scratching the Surface

DraftKings is roughly three and a half years into its journey as a standalone publicly traded company. Beynon believes the internet casino and online sportsbook operator is just getting started and continue delivering double-digit revenue growth for the foreseeable future.

DraftKings is just starting to realize benefits of unparalleled national scale, and “is just starting to show in operational efficiencies, evident by flow-through margins of 38% in 3Q and management’s 2024 guide which implies 53% flow-through (midpoint) and meaningfully positive FCF. Given these trends, we think DKNG is well positioned to protect its leadership position by continuously reinvesting in its business/tech,” concludes the analyst.

Westlife gigs, Grand Prix could help Macau Nov GGR: MS - November 6, 2023

November casino gross gaming revenue (GGR) in Macau could get a lift from the Macau Grand Prix motor racing meeting in the first half of November, and the concerts by Irish pop ensemble Westlife (pictured), on November 18 and 19, at the Londoner Macao Arena, says a note from Morgan Stanley Asia Ltd.

The institution forecasts market-wide November GGR to be MOP16.9 billion (US$2.10 billion), or about MOP564 million per day.

That would be about 74 percent of the level in the same month of 2019, during pre-pandemic trading conditions, added the note.

Morgan Stanley estimated daily GGR run-rate in the last week of October at between MOP600 million and MOP610 million, “helped by concerts”.

“This may bode well for November GGR which could be helped by the Grand Prix… and Westlife Concerts,” stated analysts Praveen Choudhary and Gareth Leung.

The November  tally – if realised - would also represent about a 13 percent decline month-on-month, the brokerage stated in its note, following the release of Macau’s October GGR result, which saw the highest monthly gaming revenue since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020.

But if the November forecast is realised, that would actually be better than what the brokerage termed the “normal seasonality” following a typical autumn Golden Week holiday period in October, when it says the market can typically expect a 14 percent sequential decline in monthly GGR during November.

Wrestling News

AEW Collision Preview for October 28, 2023

This Saturday night, at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, All Elite Wrestling presents the biggest edition of COLLISION thus far as AEW World Champion MJF puts his title on the line against former champion Kenny Omega in their very first meeting inside the squared circle! But it's more than just the championship at stake, with 343 days as champion to his reign, MJF is just four days away from breaking Omega's 346 day record as longest reigning champion of all-time. This is history in the making, but it's not all that's going down on Saturday night! Abadon will challenge Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women's World Championship, Jay White will take on AR Fox, and The House of Black are back in action after all the damage they caused a week ago!

COLLISION is coming to you this Saturday night on TNT, beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT, so before the night begins swing over to the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week's episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!

AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...

MJF(c) vs. Kenny Omega

343 days; for 343 days Maxwell Jacob Friedman has reigned over All Elite Wrestling as the World Champion, just three weeks shy of completing a full year as the top guy in the company, and three days away from breaking the current record of 346 days held by Kenny Omega. That record, and MJF's egotistical need to be viewed as the greatest champion of all-time, is why these men are heading for a collision on COLLISION this Saturday night!

It wasn't Kenny Omega who came seeking Maxwell Jacob Friedman, it wasn't Kenny who first broached the subject when they two men hadn't so much as shared the same room over the past four years much less the same ring, it was MJF who sought out Kenny. It was MJF who whispered “13 days” into Kenny's ear, as if to rub it in Omega's face that he was going to break the record, and perhaps even thinking Kenny would do nothing about it.

If that was MJF's thought, well he was dead wrong, because Omega stepped onto the stage following MJF's fight with Juice Robinson this past Wednesday, and laid the challenge on the table. Would MJF be the kind of champion who would risk it all, knowing he's got a title fight with Jay White already lined up at FULL GEAR 2023, and give Omega an opportunity to defend his streak? MJF may be a scumbag, but he's also got an ego that would not allow the moment to pass him by, that wouldn't let the opportunity to cement himself as the greatest AEW World Champion just slip away. If Max hadn't accepted the challenge, when Wednesday morning came and he woke up as the longest reigning AEW World Champion in history, he would know there's an asterisk because he didn't fight Kenny Omega. 

Once MJF made the choice to whisper into Kenny Omega's ear, he made the choice to take on a fight with Kenny Omega, and risk seeing his title reign end before the 346-day streak was broken. In confronting Kenny, MJF added yet another target on his back, joining those already placed there by Jay White, The Gunns, Juice Robinson, Samoa Joe, and Wardlow. The World Champion is always the most wanted man in any sport, but MJF may have more on this plate than he can possibly eat, and that was before “The Cleaner” was heaped on there as well.

This is the biggest match in COLLISION's short history, one of the biggest in All Elite Wrestling history, and it is happening on TNT this Saturday night! For the very first time, Kenny Omega and MJF, the AEW World Championship on the line, Omega's 346-day record at stake, and it's going down at the Mohegan Sun! History will be made if MJF survives this title fight, with but one World Championship record let to chase, that being the nine successful title defenses Jon Moxley accomplished during his first reign. An Omega victory would make eight for MJF, but regardless of who walks out of Connecticut as AEW World Champion, “Switchblade” Jay White will be waiting at the KIA Forum come FULL GEAR 2023! 

AEW WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...

Hikaru Shida(c) vs. Abadon

This past Friday night on RAMPAGE Abadon made her return to AEW competition for the first time since June 14th, and did so against some pretty stiff competition with seriously high stakes. Abadon, Willow Nightingale, Skye Blue, and Anna Jay went to battle with a shot at Hikaru Shida on the line, and when the final bell rang, it was Abadon who scored the victory! Luckily for both women, they don't have to wait long for the championship fight because it is going down this Saturday night live on COLLISION!

This won't be the first dance for Abadon and Shida, as a matter of fact their very first battle on the March 10, 2020 edition of AEW DARK was also Abadon's first match in All Elite Wrestling. Unfortunately for her, Abadon's first match also took place just days before the world shut down, and it would be several months before “The Living Dead Girl” returned to the AEW stage. When she did, Abadon would win six straight matches, positioning herself for a championship opportunity, and thus a rematch with Hikaru Shida with much greater stakes than their first encounter.

Abadon was unsuccessful in this second attempt at conquering Shida, and at claiming her first AEW championship, but it clearly served as a motivational tool because the woman would rack up 18 consecutive victories en route to facing Dr. Britt Baker in a bloody Trick or Treat match. Though Baker was the champion at the time, the title was not on the line, but given how hard the two women fought, one would never have known.

That fight with Baker was the last time Abadon competed on AEW TV before this past Friday, her fights largely taking place on DARK or DARK: ELEVATION, but now she is back in the mix, healed up and hungry, with the opportunity to be champion once more at her feet. It just feels appropriate that it is once again Hikaru Shida who will stand across the ring from Abadon this Saturday given their connection, and the fact that she is the only woman in AEW to hold two victories over Abadon.

Will this night be different than their previous encounters? Can Abadon take everything she's learned since their last encounter in January of 2021 and put it together to end the 3rd championship reign of Hikaru Shida? The pressure is on Abadon in this Fright Night Fight, will she unleash the monster on Shida?

ONE-ON-ONE...

AR Fox vs. “Switchblade” Jay White

After the night the Bang Bang Gang had on Wednesday, with Juice being beaten but The Gunns getting their ROH World Tag Team Championship match at FULL GEAR 2023, it's time for Jay White to step into the ring and fight on Saturday night! His opponent on this explosive edition of COLLISION will be a man in need of finding himself once again, someone who has been out of action since early September, the high-flying AR Fox!

Fox was last seen on the receiving end of a Jon Moxley beating on the September 6th edition of DYNAMITE, his first match after being excommunicated from The Mogul Embassy, and an opportunity to right his ship by winning the International Championship. Unfortunately Fox did not claim the title, leaving him without a championship, and with a great deal of doubt hanging over his head. Darby Allin seemed willing to forgive Fox's transgressions, Nick Wayne less so, and perhaps that feeds into why Nick chose TNT Champion Christian Cage over his relationship with Darby.

Now that he's back in action, it's time for AR Fox to prove he deserves that forgiveness from Darby, and that he's willing to do the work rather than take another Mogul Embassy type shortcut. Taking on the next challenger to the AEW World Champion is a tremendous way to begin that quest, and a victory over “King Switch” would be a huge boon to Fox's career moving forward. 

Jay White will obviously have one eye on the Omega/MJF match as it shapes White's FULL GEAR 2023 future; will that distraction give Fox the opening he needs to score the upset victory?

THE HOUSE OF BLACK IN ACTION!

A week ago The House of Black returned to AEW in full force, laying waste to Bryan Danielson after his fight with Andrade El Idolo, taking out FTR before they could even finish their tag team fight, and coming after the rest of the Blackpool Combat Club following their championship loss to Big Bill and Ricky Starks. The chaos that resulted brought Jon Moxley back to the fight for the first time since his AEW International Championship loss to Rey Fenix, and left Ricky Starks laid out by the combined efforts of FTR and BCC.

This Saturday on COLLISION, The House of Black will be back in trios action, but no doubt the men they assaulted a week ago will have a close eye on the situation, and have to have some form of retribution in mind! 

This Saturday night AEW returns to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT for the biggest episode of COLLISION to date with Kenny Omega challenging MJF for the AEW World Championship, Shida defending her AEW Women's World Championship against Abadon, Jay White in action against AR Fox, The House of Black, and more! Prior to the night getting started, be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week's episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!

John Cena Reveals SAG’s Response To WWE Return - November 4, 2023

John Cena has opened up about the ongoing SAG strike in Hollywood and revealed he sought clearance from the union ahead of his WWE return.

John Cena has wound down his full-time WWE career over the last five years as his focus turns to building a career for himself in Hollywood. But La-La-Land does not play by the same rules as WWE and unions have a say over the working conditions of their workers.

The Writer’s Guild of America recently ended their strike but the Screen Actor’s Guild remains on the picket line meaning Hollywood productions are still shut down. It was this stalemate that opened space in the sixteen-time WWE Champion’s calendar and allowed John Cena to make his return to WWE in September.

Speaking on the After The Bell podcast, John Cena discussed the ongoing strike and explained how he sought permission from his union about a WWE return before speaking to the company itself:

“Well, that’s certainly a happening that’s beyond my control. So I’m fortunate enough to have a lot of things on the movie and television side lined up. None of which I can talk about, we’re in the middle of a labour dispute.

“Then the labour dispute happens and the Screen Actors Guild decides as an entirety to go on strike, which either leaves me idle or asking questions of ‘Well, what can I do what is within my control?’ And I wanted to see if it was okay to come back to tour.

“So we call the proper people at SAG, we got written, legal okay, that it’d be okay to come back to WWE. And once I had that, then I could ask the question of ‘Hey, WWE, do you guys want me to come back and hang out for a little bit?’ So here we are.”

John Cena Grateful For WWE Return

Cena confirmed that there was no resistance from SAG about him returning to WWE while many of his colleagues in the movie industry remain on the picket line:

“No, I just think at the beginning of the strike, and it’s, you know, has been going on a long time, I do hope we can find a resolution soon that everybody’s happy with. But in the beginning of the strike, I think everyone was trepidatious on what can you do and what can’t you do.

“I know along the path of the strike there have also been some situations of ‘Well, we shouldn’t do this and we shouldn’t do this. I’m very grateful to have a home in WWE and very grateful to the Screen Actors Guild to allow me to be part of it.”

WWE Absolutely In The Picture For Will Ospreay

Will Ospreay looks to be on his way out of New Japan Pro Wrestling and while many think his future could be in AEW, WWE remains a very viable option.

Will Ospreay will be a free agent on February 1st when his contract with NJPW expires. Ospreay had noted in the past he did not want to live in the US full time which may have limited his options but he recently noted a shift in that thinking, saying he’d be open to living Stateside.

Will Ospreay has been featured in several AEW matches in the past and is considered a member of The Don Callis Family. It was in that role with Callis that Will Ospreay defeated Chris Jericho in Wembley Stadium at All In. But Tony Khan’s company seems to be just one option for the English star moving forward.

Will Ospreay Keeping WWE Options Open

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer commented on the situation surrounding Will Ospreay after his social media back and forth with Seth Rollins:

“Will Ospreay is on the way out [of NJPW], and might be, he certainly teased WWE today because he and Seth Rollins tweeted back and forth.

“I wouldn’t say anything is definite with Ospreay, but people who think that it’s a guarantee it’s AEW, just put it this way, WWE is absolutely in the picture. I’ve said this before WWE is in the picture, AEW is in the picture, it’s whoever’s going to give him the best offer, and he’s going to go for both sides.”

Will Ospreay is still the reigning IWGP UK Champion and he looks like he could be putting that title on the line against both Jon Moxley and David Finlay after Finlay attacked both men at NJPW Power Struggle after Ospreay retained his title against Shota Umino.

Wrestling News

AEW Champion MJF on X

Defending the championship from people the likes of 

Bryan Danielson 

Ethan Page 

Sammy Guevara 

Jungle Boy 

Darby Allin 

Hiroshi Tanahashi 

Adam Cole 

Samoa Joe 

Kenny omega 

And soon Jay White 

Can be mentally taxing. 

Find things that keep you Sane. 

Like cats and pirate hookers

Is Elon Musk a threat to Australia? - August 28, 2023

The mercurial billionaire, who is unusually involved in his companies, has huge commercial interests in China, and a growing foothold in Australia.

Five hundred and fifty kilometres above the Earth, satellites speed across the sky, beaming internet to more than 120,000 Australians. Across the globe, the same network helps Ukrainian soldiers get online in areas where Russia has knocked out infrastructure on the ground.

The extent to which the surprisingly sleek units from Elon Musk’s Starlink are undermining the National Broadband Network, and exciting the country’s largest phone companies, shows how the influence of the world’s richest man is growing in Australia.

But Musk’s deployment of Starlink after the war started, and subsequent threats to withdraw it just months later, caused alarm in Kyiv and Washington. The episode showed the potential problems of one mercurial man controlling such vital infrastructure.

“I am a fan of Musk in many respects,” says Dr Malcolm Davis, a space researcher at defence think tank the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. But, “in a geopolitical sense, obviously, I have concerns.

“You have one person, Elon Musk, who is unpredictable in terms of his personality and his beliefs. And I think everyone just needs to look on Twitter [now known as X] to see exactly what we’re talking about.

“And he does have links with China that I think are concerning.”

Those links come through Tesla, Musk’s electric vehicle manufacturer. More than half of its cars were made in China last year, according to its annual report, and Tesla hopes the Chinese government will let it expand its enormous Shanghai factory.

Davis’ fear is that the Chinese government will use carrots or sticks to put pressure on Musk to curtail access to Starlink as a geopolitical tool. Musk is a United States citizen and has much larger business interests there than anywhere else. But he has nonetheless flirted with positions contrary to American foreign policy, such as advocating a ceasefire in Europe that could result in Ukraine formally surrendering swaths of its territory.

If Musk were to try to buy an Australian internet provider, he and his companies would face extensive due diligence from the Foreign Investment Review Board that might consider his actions in Ukraine and elsewhere. But Starlink, which is part of the rocket company SpaceX where he is founder, chairman and CEO, has been built by Musk from scratch, allowing him to escape such scrutiny. The upstart satellite company already has a foothold in Australia’s $33.5 billion telecommunications sector, giving rise to some concern among experts about what Musk could do with it.

Starlink is now the world’s largest network of satellites delivering internet from space. A simplified version of it works like this: ground stations, such as one on the outskirts of Broken Hill in far west NSW, beam data up to the satellites, which are about the size of a pizza box and powered mostly by solar energy. The data is then beamed back down to customers who connect via a small dish, and vice versa for uploads.

The actual logistics and engineering behind Starlink are enormously complex. The system relies on a growing number of satellites, which number more than 4000 and must be replaced as they fall out of orbit and burn up.

But while the costs of deploying so many satellites are vast – Musk has suggested between $US20 and $US30 billion – their value once installed is enormous. The more users who join, the more satellites Starlink can afford to deploy, and the better the system gets, giving it some of the self-reinforcing characteristics of a natural monopoly like an electricity grid or rail network.

Already the National Broadband Network is bleeding rural customers to Starlink because its pair of Sky Muster satellites orbit much farther from Earth and therefore have longer delays when sending data to customers. Service on the dishes is being expanded, but they are still hundreds of thousands of customers short of their potential.

In an earnings call earlier this month, NBN Co chief executive Stephen Rue pre-empted questions from analysts about Starlink, which did not respond to a request for comment.

“I’m often asked whether [low earth orbit satellites like Starlink] are an existential threat to our business,” Rue said. “Well, the answer is no.”

He insisted wired connections would always be needed to handle the huge volumes of data Australians need to watch things such as Netflix and TikTok. But that has not stopped the NBN asking low earth orbit satellite companies, which include the British One Web and Amazon’s Project Kuiper alongside Starlink, for information on potential partnerships.

Could the NBN partner with Starlink, despite Musk’s spotty record? “Things like security, for example, is a key thing that we think about a lot, as you can imagine,” Rue told The Australian Financial Review in an interview in mid-August. “But I have no specific comments to make on individuals.”

Regardless of which way the NBN goes, Starlink’s growth in Australia will accelerate. Telstra has signed a deal to provide home internet via Starlink, starting later this year.

Optus has made a bigger move, striking a pact to let customers connect to Starlink directly from their mobile phones, beginning with text messages late next year.

Though the Optus Starlink service will initially be limited (it won’t work inside, for example), the deal represents a glimpse at a tantalising prize: letting users get online anywhere in Australia, no matter how remote. It could make Starlink the kingmaker in Australia’s telecommunications sector.

What do Aussie telcos think?

Optus did not directly respond to questions about whether it trusted Musk. A spokesman said instead that “a group of smart technologists and serious businesspeople run Starlink” and pointed to its existing customer base in Australia.

Telstra was more forthright, with a spokeswoman saying “of course” it trusts Musk and Starlink. “We would not enter an agreement with a supplier we did not think was trustworthy,” she said.

In June, the US government announced a deal to fund Starlink access in Ukraine. Musk, despite his frequent anti-government posturing, is no stranger to agreements with governments. Tesla is a beneficiary of electric vehicle subsidies, including in Australia. SpaceX is paid by NASA for rocket launches.

“[Musk] has been able to wrangle extraordinary sums of taxpayer money to fund everything he’s doing as well,” says Mick Ryan, a retired Australian Army major general who is now a non-resident fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a US think tank. “That shouldn’t go unstated.”

But Ryan sees Musk’s web of contracts with Western governments, duties to his US-based companies, and a thicket of security laws as buttressing his reliability. “So perhaps [Musk’s ties to China] are not as big a threat as we think,” he says.

A bigger risk, Ryan says, is that China will develop a rival network to Starlink, depriving the West of a strategic advantage.

Jim Bridenstine, a former NASA administrator, has a different view of just how much the US government has come to rely on Musk.

“There is only one thing worse than a government monopoly. And that is a private monopoly that the government is dependent on,” Bridenstine told the New Yorker. “I do worry that we have put all of our eggs into one basket, and it’s the SpaceX basket.”

Australia is not nearly so reliant on Musk. Starlink is a licensed internet company here and is bound by laws that require the operators of critical infrastructure to identify risks. Telstra and Optus are within those laws too, and will have to think about issues with Starlink as part of their partnerships.

“We expect entities with obligations under relevant legislation to meet these obligations and to take all reasonable steps to ensure the security and integrity of their operations,” a spokesman for the Home Affairs Department said.

(AFR)

David Rowe wins Cartoonist of the year 2023 - October 29, 2023

The Australian Financial Review’s editorial cartoonist David Rowe has won the Australian Cartoonists Association’s Gold Stanley for best cartoonist of the year.

This is the ninth time Rowe has won the overall award since 2002, breaking the record set by the late Bill Leak, which stood for 27 years.

Rowe was also named caricaturist and illustrator of the year at the 39th Stanley awards in Melbourne on Saturday.

Cathy Wilcox of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age won political cartoonist and Megan Herbert won the Climate Council’s cartoon of the year at the same awards.

Blue Ocean Equities bulks up corporate finance team - November 5, 2023

Brent Potts’ Blue Ocean Equities has added a new member to its advisory ranks, picking up Elaine Faddis from Jefferies Australia.

Faddis will work in Blue Ocean’s corporate finance team, focusing on emerging natural resources companies. Faddis, originally an American, moved to Australia a few years ago and has also worked at Gresham.

There, Faddis was part of the team that advised on ASX-listed Iluka Resources’ demerger of the BHP MAC royalty into Deterra Royalties which now has a $2.5 billion market cap. She was also involved in the establishment of the Gresham Royalties Fund in 2019 in partnership with Regal Funds Management. She left to join Jefferies in 2020, rising from analyst to associate in under two years.

The hire comes just under two months after the stockbroker and corporate advisory firm picked up Ord Minnett’s head of natural resources, Richard Saywell, as a senior corporate adviser. Saywell, who got his feet under the desk last week and is a former UBS and Citi managing director, was tasked with advising emerging miners and explorers on M&A and equity capital markets deals.

Earlier in the year, Blue Ocean recruited the now-defunct small-cap broker CCZ Equities’ team and ex-Baker Young head of corporate advisory Matthew Baker. The firm is best known for its stealth trades on behalf of retail billionaire and Premier Investments chairman Solomon Lew.

Media Man Int X

Organic search results don't contain ads and differ from paid search results, which are also known as pay-per-click advertising. Advertisers can't buy organic search results

The business of sports. The business of media. The business of politics. The business of corruption. The business of everything (except pure Mother Nature) 

“What really decides consumers to buy or not to buy is the content of your advertising, not its form.” – David Ogilvy

“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.” - Mark Twain

“Ignoring online marketing is like opening a business but not telling anyone.”

Organic search results don't contain ads and differ from paid search results, which are also known as pay-per-click advertising. Advertisers can't buy organic search results!

WWE news: Sponsorship revenue nearly tripled that of last year, but much of that came from the more than $1 million paid by Pepsi, which owns the Mountain Dew brand, in sponsoring the Pitched Black match - Dave Meltzer

Advertising agencies are responsible for initiating, managing, and implementing paid marketing communications. In addition, some agencies have diversified into other types of marketing comms, including public relations, sales promotion, interactive media, and direct marketing.

The term promotion derives from the Old French, promocion meaning to "move forward", "push onward" or to "advance in rank or position" which in turn, comes from the Latin, promotion meaning "a moving forward". The word entered the English language in the 14th century. (Wikipedia)

If I do a job in 30 minutes it’s because I spent 20 years learning how to do that in 30 minutes. You owe me for the years, not the minutes 

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the quality and quantity of website traffic to a website or a web page from search engines. SEO targets unpaid traffic (known as "natural" or "organic" results) rather than direct traffic or paid traffic

Advertising is a marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea. Sponsors of advertising are typically businesses wishing to promote their products or services. Advertising is differentiated from PR

The Media Man Group believes ownership of your own content via your own online platforms such as websites, is more valuable that the publishing of it on social media channels, which can be disrupted by other big tech owners.  Google vs the Aust gvt - getting interesting 

Playboy vs Penthouse vs FHM vs Maxim; Men's magazines remain popular on internet but bottom line profits fall says Media Man agency

Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena"

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Sylvester Stallone Recalls Verbal and Physical Abuse From His Father, Frank Stallone Sr.

Sylvester Stallone is not hiding anything when it comes to his past and career, including his troublesome relationship with his father. According to PEOPLE, Netflix's Sly details how Stallone's father would attack him during polo matches.

Stallone is now 77 but recounts in the documentary all of the physical and verbal abuse his father, Frank Stallone Sr., would lay on him. "I was raised by a very physical father, so I was no stranger to serious pain," Stallone reveals in the documentary.

Young Sly Stallone was raised in rural Maryland with his father after his divorce from Jackie Stallone, mother to Sly and his brother Frank Stallone Jr. While growing up, Sly Stallone became a top nationally-ranked polo player at age 13. But his father apparently would erupt at any time, even during a polo match.

"I was going for a nearside backhand, and I didn't do anything wrong – he goes, 'You're pulling too hard on the horse!'" Stallone recalls in the documentary. "I said, 'I know what I'm doing.' He goes, 'You don't!' Screaming from the stands. I pulled the horse up to get ready for another throw, and [Frank] comes out of the stands, grabs me by the throat, throws me on the ground, takes the horse, and walks off the field."

"I laid there and I went, 'I never want to see a horse again in my whole life,'" Stallone added. He did reveal that he later returned to the sport around age 40, after reaching the heights of fame with Rambo and Rocky. Despite all the success and investing in the best horses and players, to play with his father, things still went south.

"I'm gonna field my father a super team with ten-goal players. And we'll play against each other in the Wellington, the number one field in the world," Stallone remembers. "[Frank] spears me in the back. Hit me so hard, I went down... The horse walked right over, I don't know how it didn't kill me."

His father just rode away. It was the straw that broke the horse's back you could say, which is incorrect but it feels silly to mention camels in this story. Stallone would give up the horses and polo for good.

"I never played polo again from that moment on. I sold everything, I sold every horse, the ranch, the truck, and that was the end," Stallone said. Footage from a press conference after the game also shows how sour he was at the moment. "If you notice, the first cheap shot – and only cheap shot in the game – was administered from my father to his son."

In a rich moment, Stallone later visits his father on his deathbed in 2011, telling the story about his final chat with the man. "He goes, 'You know, Sly... you should learn to love and forgive people.' I said, 'Really! That just come to you now as the f--ing angels are about to whisper in your ear?... Like you just had an epiphany on the way out?' He goes, 'Yeah, I did.'"

Paige VanZant on OnlyFans

During a recent interview with Barstool Sports, she has revealed she made more from one day on the platform than during her whole fighting career.

“I would say when I made the switch to OnlyFans, there’s a lot of stuff I’ve done in my career. I’ve been. I’ve been really fortunate that my career, even outside of the UFC and outside of fighting, has been pretty successful. I’ve worked pretty hard in other industries and trying to cross over to, like, I guess, more of a mainstream personality. But yes, OnlyFans is definitely been my largest source of income. I would say combined in my fighting career, I think I made more money in 24 hours on OnlyFans, and I had my entire fighting career combined.” Paige VanZant

National Wrestling Alliance - Drugs themed - November 2023

“We have learned that the recent cocaine spot upset higher-ups at The CW. We were also told that the cocaine spot was Corgan’s idea, and he pushed for it to be on the pay-per-view. As it stands, Haus of Wrestling is told that there is an active push by those higher-up at The CW to have the NWA’s content air solely on their The CW app and not on their actual television airwaves.

Apparently, when negotiations were going on to bring the NWA to The CW, Corgan was told that the network would not be watching the PPVs and would only be concerned with what happened on the TV show airing on their platform.”

(Haus Of Wrestling)

Avoiding Keyword Cannibalization Between Your Paid and Organic Search Campaigns

Maximize online visibility and budget efficiency by preventing keyword cannibalization in SEO and paid search campaigns.

Organic (search engine optimization) and paid search (or pay-per-click) have enough technical intricacies and strategic aspects to them to start with.

Keyword cannibalization is an issue that can make them even harder — and one that can be overlooked if your search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) efforts are siloed, contained within separate teams, or otherwise are not integrated to a level that allows you to understand, manage, and minimize it.

Keyword cannibalization is when there’s a conflict or overlap in your content, strategy, ads, or in how a search engine interprets them.

That conflict can cause unintended negative consequences ranging from creating competition with your own brand for search engine results page (SERP) space to having content ranking that isn’t the strongest option for the user intent desired.

It can happen within organic search, paid search ads, or between SEO and PPC. This article focuses on the latter, with SEO vs. PPC.

Avoiding keyword cannibalization between SEO and paid search campaigns is crucial to ensuring that cross-channel efforts are working in tandem in order to maximize your online visibility and get the most out of your marketing budget.

*full article via Search Engine Journal

(Search Engine Journal)

Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.

Egypt had one of the largest and most complex pantheons of gods of any civilization in the ancient world. Over the course of Egyptian history hundreds of gods and goddesses were worshipped. The characteristics of individual gods could be hard to pin down. Most had a principle association (for example, with the sun or the underworld) and form. But these could change over time as gods rose and fell in importance and evolved in ways that corresponded to developments in Egyptian society. Here are a few of the most important deities to know.

Osiris

Osiris, bronze figurine of the Late Period; in the Egyptian Museum, Berlin

Osiris, one of Egypt’s most important deities, was god of the underworld. He also symbolized death, resurrection, and the cycle of Nile floods that Egypt relied on for agricultural fertility.

According to the myth, Osiris was a king of Egypt who was murdered and dismembered by his brother Seth. His wife, Isis, reassembled his body and resurrected him, allowing them to conceive a son, the god Horus. He was represented as a mummified king, wearing wrappings that left only the green skin of his hands and face exposed.

Isis

The origins of Isis are obscure. Unlike many gods, she can’t be tied to a specific town, and there are no certain mentions of her in the earliest Egyptian literature. Over time she grew in importance, though, eventually becoming the most important goddess in the pantheon. As the devoted wife who resurrected Osiris after his murder and raised their son, Horus, Isis embodied the traditional Egyptian virtues of a wife and mother.

As the wife of the god of the underworld, Isis was also one of the main deities concerned with rites for the dead. Along with her sister Nephthys, Isis acted as a divine mourner, and her maternal care was often depicted as extending to the dead in the underworld.

Isis was one of the last of the ancient Egyptian gods to still be worshipped. In the Greco-Roman period she was identified with the Greek goddess Aphrodite and her cult spread as far west as Great Britain and as far east as Afghanistan. It is believed that depictions of Isis with the infant Horus influenced Christian imagery of Mary with the infant Jesus.

Horus

Depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcon’s head, Horus was a sky god associated with war and hunting. He was also the embodiment of the divine kingship, and in some eras the reigning king was considered to be a manifestation of Horus.

According to the Osiris myth, Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, magically conceived after the murder of Osiris by his brother Seth. Horus was raised to avenge his father’s murder. One tradition holds that Horus lost his left eye fighting with Seth, but his eye was magically healed by the god Thoth. Because the right and left eyes of Horus were associated, respectively, with the sun and the moon, the loss and restoration of Horus’s left eye gave a mythical explanation for the phases of the moon.

Seth

Seth was the god of chaos, violence, deserts, and storms. In the Osiris myth, he is the murderer of Osiris (in some versions of the myth, he tricks Osiris into laying down in a coffin and then seals it shut.)

Seth’s appearance poses a problem for Egyptologists. He is often depicted as an animal or as a human with the head of an animal. But they can’t figure out what animal he’s supposed to be. He usually has a long snout and long ears that are squared at the tips. In his fully animal form, he has a thin doglike body and a straight tail with a tuft on the end. Many scholars now believe that no such animal ever existed and that the Seth animal is some sort of mythical composite.

Ptah

Ptah was the head of a triad of gods worshipped at Memphis. The other two members of the triad were Ptah’s wife, the lion-headed goddess Sekhmet, and the god Nefertem, who may have been the couple’s son.

Ptah’s original association seems to have been with craftsmen and builders. The 4th-dynasty architect Imhotep was deified after his death as a son of Ptah.

Scholars have suggested that the Greek word Aiguptos—the source of the name Egypt—may have started as a corruption of Hwt-Ka-Ptah, the name of one of Ptah’s shrines.

Re

(Ra).

One of several deities associated with the sun, the god Re was usually represented with a human body and the head of a hawk. It was believed that he sailed across the sky in a boat each day and then made a passage through the underworld each night, during which he would have to defeat the snake god Apopis in order to rise again.

Re’s cult was centered in Heliopolis, now a suburb of Cairo. Over time, Re came to be syncretized with other sun deities, especially Amon.

The goddess Hathor was usually depicted as a cow, as a woman with the head of a cow, or as a woman with cow’s ears. Hathor embodied motherhood and fertility, and it was believed that she protected women in childbirth. She also had an important funerary aspect, being known as “the lady of the west.” (Tombs were generally built on the west bank of the Nile.) In some traditions, she would welcome the setting sun every night; living people hoped to be welcomed into the afterlife in the same way.

Anubis

Anubis was concerned with funerary practices and the care of the dead. He was usually represented as a jackal or as a man with the head of a jackal. The association of jackals with death and funerals likely arose because Egyptians would have observed jackals scavenging around cemeteries.

In the Old Kingdom (c. 2575–2130 BCE), before Osiris rose to prominence as the lord of the underworld, Anubis was considered the principal god of the dead. According to the Osiris myth, Anubis embalmed and wrapped the body of the murdered king, becoming the patron god for embalmers.

Thoth

Thoth, the god of writing and wisdom, could be depicted in the form of a baboon or a sacred ibis or as a man with the head of an ibis. He was believed to have invented language and the hieroglyphic script and to serve as a scribe and adviser for the gods. As the god of wisdom, Thoth was said to possess knowledge of magic and secrets unavailable to the other gods.

In underworld scenes showing the judgment undergone by the deceased after their deaths, Thoth is depicted as weighing the hearts of the deceased and reporting the verdict to Osiris, the god of the dead.

Bastet

Egyptian statue of a cat, representing the goddess Bastet.

In her earliest forms, the cat goddess Bastet was represented as a woman with the head of a lion or a wild cat. She took the less ferocious form of a domestic cat in the first millennium BCE.

In later periods she was often represented as a regal-looking seated cat, sometimes wearing rings in her ears or nose. In the Ptolemaic period she came to be associated with the Greek goddess Artemis, the divine hunter and goddess of the moon.

Amon

Bas-relief of deity Amon, Karnak, Luxor, Egypt. (Karnak Temple complex, Amun, Ammon, Ancient Egypt).

Before rising to national importance in the New Kingdom (c. 1539–1292 BCE), the god Amon was worshipped locally in the southern city of Thebes. Amon was a god of the air, and the name probably means the “Hidden One.” He was usually represented as a man wearing a crown with two vertical plumes. His animal symbols were the ram and the goose.

After the rulers of Thebes rebelled against a dynasty of foreign rulers known as the Hyksos and reestablished native Egyptian rule throughout Egypt, Amon received credit for their victory. In a form merged with the sun god Re, he became the most powerful deity in Egypt, a position he retained for most of the New Kingdom.

Today the massive temple complex devoted to Amon-Re at Karnak is one of the most visited monuments in Egypt.