WWE News: CM Punk passes “Macho Man” Randy Savage WWE Title reign

Wrestling News Media: CM Punk passes "Macho Man" Randy Savage WWE Title reign; Pro Wrestling legend news update; The Shield, new WWE faction; Sports Entertainment news...

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CM Punk passes "Macho Man" Randy Savage WWE Title reign...

On Nov. 20, 2011, CM Punk emerged with his hands raised in victory after a hard-fought Survivor Series battle against Alberto Del Rio. That match, which was contested with the WWE Championship on the line, marked day one of what would become one of WWE’s most memorable and controversial title reigns. Now, 372 days later, The Voice of the Voiceless remains at the top of the mountain.

Since that Sunday night more than one year ago, Punk has successfully defended his title against all comers, most recently escaping Ryback and John Cena in a Triple Threat WWE Title Match at 2012’s Survivor Series.

Sunday, Nov. 25, marked the 371st day of The Second City Saint’s Championship reign. For the old-school stat hounds out there, that number should ring a bell — a historic one, in fact. From March 27, 1988, to April 2, 1989, “Macho Man” Randy Savage held the highest prize in all of WWE, claiming the title for exactly 371 days. It’s a number that becomes even more meaningful as CM Punk reaches day No. 372 today.

Punk, a noted Savage fan, has paid tribute to the late, great “Macho Man” many times over the past year, from striking a familiar pose on the top rope before nailing an opponent with an elbow drop, to donning pink tights in tribute to the WWE icon.

Today, as Punk passes Savage, The Second City Saint becomes the second-longest reigning titleholder in the past 25 years, behind only John Cena. While “Macho Man’s” legacy as one of the most beloved Superstars of all time is already etched in stone, Punk’s legacy is still being written and only time will tell when this particular chapter will close on the WWE Champion.


WWE Title reigns...

Wrestler - days holding title * Diesel - 358 * Hulk Hogan - 364 * Randy Savage - 371 * CM Punk – 372 * John Cena - 380 * Pedro Morales – 1,027 * Bruno Sammartino – 1,237 * Hulk Hogan – 1,474 * Bob Backlund – 2,135 * Bruno Sammartino – 2,809


CM Punk bio...

It’s not surprising that CM Punk cites the radical “Rowdy” Roddy Piper as a childhood influence. After all, Punk is the embodiment of the anti-establishment, whose skill at igniting verbal “pipe bombs” is rivaled only by “Hot Rod” himself.

Punk even looks the part of rebel with his too-numerous-to-count tattoos and body piercings. Yet, he waxes way more philosophical than his exterior might suggest, and has shown a diverse set of interests that include ghost hunting, G.I. Joe and the “Straight Edge” movement, a subculture that rejects the use of drugs, alcohol and a dependency lifestyle.

His in-ring repertoire is an assimilation of fighting styles, all of which were put on full display during his debut in The Land of the Extreme in 2006. Since then, Punk has added many accomplishments to his considerable résumé, including the ECW, WWE, World Heavyweight, World Tag Team and Intercontinental Championships.

Today, Punk is headlining pay-per-views — and he’s doing so in spite of the events of 2011, when he assailed Mr. McMahon with his blunt opinions about the business and made a bold promise not to renew his contract with the company. Punk’s criticism struck a nerve with The Chairman who, against his better judgment, granted The Second City Saint a WWE Championship Match at WWE Money in the Bank in the Superstar’s native city, Chicago. Punk not only beat John Cena to win that match, but he also absconded with the WWE Championship as the seconds on his WWE contract ticked down.

Fortunately for WWE fans everywhere, Punk agreed to re-sign with WWE weeks later, compelled to return to the ring to prove that he’s the undisputed “Best in the World.” The Voice of the Voiceless advocated on behalf of disenchanted WWE fans who felt the WWE product was in need of a good (roundhouse) kick in the teeth. He became two-time WWE Champion, proving his mettle by defeating the likes of Chris Jericho, Alberto Del Rio, Daniel Bryan and other elite Superstars.

At Raw’s historic 1,000th episode, CM Punk retained the WWE Championship against John Cena, but refused to save his opponent from an attack by Big Show. Instead, The Rock ran to ringside to save Cena, with the champion slowly retreating to the backstage area. But as soon as The Great One was about to deliver a colossal People’s Elbow to a fallen Show, Punk returned and nailed The Brahma Bull with a clothesline and Go to Sleep.

Following his indelible impact at Raw 1,000, a bitter Punk made it known he felt slighted by the WWE Universe as well as his peers in the locker room, including John Cena. Punk found an ally on his mission for respect in Paul Heyman, the founder of the original ECW who is credited with jump-starting The Second City Saint’s WWE career back in 2006. When asked about the nature of his new association with Heyman, Punk’s reply echoed one of the most quoted portions of his infamous first “pipe bomb” in July 2011: “I’m a Paul Heyman guy.”

The Straight Edge Superstar then defended the WWE Title against not one, but two worthy challengers at Survivor Series 2012. Per Mr. McMahon, Punk competed against both Cena and Ryback at WWE’s fall classic. With Punk’s defeat to Cena on the Nov. 12, 2012, edition of Raw, and with Ryback as ravenous as ever, it appeared as though Punk’s impressive WWE Championship reign was in peril like never before. But after a vicious assault onto Ryback by WWE NXT standouts Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns, Punk once again managed to sneak a pin on John Cena to retain his prize. Whether or not Punk and Heyman orchestrated the attack was ultimately irrelevant. The fact remained that the victory allowed the champion to enter day 365 of his title reign, a distinction that would be celebrated in grandiose fashion on Raw the following night. As Ryback attempted to crash Punk’s party, the WWE NXT rogues once again leveled the juggernaut. What’s their connection, if any, to the WWE Champion?

Love him or loathe him, Punk ranks himself high among WWE’s most iconic Superstars ... and the calculating ring general isn’t planning on loosening his grip on the illustrious WWE Title anytime soon.


Randy "Macho Man" Savage bio...

Few Superstars were as dynamic as "Macho Man" Randy Savage. His style — perfectly punctuated by his entrance music, "Pomp and Circumstance" — was only outshined by his performances in the ring, which led him to two WWE Championships, four WCW World Championships and a 14-month reign as Intercontinental Champion.

Born Randy Poffo, son of wrestling Legend, Angelo Poffo, Macho Man almost chose Major League Baseball over World Wrestling Entertainment. Poffo was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a catcher upon graduating high school. After years developing in the minor leagues, a home plate collision causes an injury to his throwing arm, ending his baseball career.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Randy Poffo debuted as a wrestler in 1973 as a character named “The Spider” who looked like Spider-Man. This was prophetic as Randy Savage scored a role as wrestler “Bone Saw” McGraw in the 2002 motion picture, Spider-Man. It wasn’t until Georgia Championship Wrestling matchmaker; Ole Anderson told Poffo that his name didn’t resemble his savage wrestling style that the name Randy Savage became known to fans.

Joining WWE in June of 1985, Macho Man's impact was such that his services were in demand by the various managers in WWE at that time. But Savage introduced a young woman named Elizabeth to accompany him to the ring and manage him. With the First Lady of Wrestling as his manager, the Superstar’s first major achievement was reaching the finals of a one-night tournament, as part of the Wrestling Classic pay-per-view event in November of 1985. The following February, after a lengthy rivalry with then-Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana, Macho Man defeated the WWE Hall of Famer to earn his first WWE title.

Savage became a WrestleMania staple early on, making his debut on The Grandest Stage of Them All at WrestleMania 2 where he defended the Intercontinental Championship against the intimidating and unpredictable George "The Animal" Steele. From there, he defended the title all the way until WrestleMania III, when he fell short to Ricky Steamboat in what is considered by many to be one of the greatest matches of all time.

Success continued to coincide with Macho Man in 1988, when he won a huge tournament at WrestleMania IV to earn his first WWE Championship. During his reign as champion, he and Hulk Hogan formed one of the most formidable tandems to ever step foot in a ring. The Mega Powers were virtually unstoppable by anyone — except for themselves. A misunderstanding and a touch of jealousy sent Savage into a rage at NBC's The Main Event, leading him to attack his tag team partner. The two took their differences to the ring at WrestleMania V, when Hogan won back the WWE Championship.

Savage went on to dub himself "Macho King" after defeating "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan for the King of the Ring title in 1989. Carrying a scepter and crown, he called on Sensational Sherri to replace Elizabeth as his manager. Savage targeted then-WWE Champion Ultimate Warrior with a series of attacks in response to being denied a title opportunity, which led to a Career-Ending Match at WrestleMania VII. When Savage was pinned, Sherri attacked him as he lay helpless. Fortunately, Elizabeth was in the audience and rushed to his aid, sparking arguably the most romantic moment the WWE Universe had ever witnessed. The sight of Miss Elizabeth and Macho Man embarking in the center of the ring after all those years was one of the fans would not soon forget..

WrestleMania VII's romance may have been topped at SummerSlam 1991. That was when WWE’s favorite couple was married in a special ceremony dubbed the "Match Made in Heaven.”

Macho Man returned to the ring shortly after and eventually earned an opportunity for a second reign as WWE Champion at WrestleMania VIII against Ric Flair. Savage was successful in earning the perfect accessory to match his golden attire, and he also put to rest Flair’s false claims that he and Elizabeth were having an affair. After his run as champion, Macho Man sat next to Mr. McMahon and served as color commentator for the premiere season of Monday Night Raw in 1993.

After defecting to WCW during the infamous Monday Night War, Savage won his first WCW World Championship, winning WCW's first-ever 60-Man Three-Ring Battle Royal in 1995. He would lose the title a month later to his rival, Flair, only to win it back from him for a second reign in early 1996.

Four years later, after a ring career that spanned back to 1973, Savage left the squared circle and left a style, a staggering list of accomplishments and a legacy, which can only be described in two words: "Oooh, yeah!"

Following his untimely passing in 2011, Time Magazine named Macho Man one of their People of the Year. (WWE)


Pro Wrestling legendary announcer Jim Ross Blogs On Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins And Roman Reigns...

Jim Ross posted his latest blog at www.JRSBBQ.com and discussed Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns appearing on RAW tonight. Here is what he wrote about the NXT talents:

Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns on RAW tonight: "Apparently the three men in black, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns will be interviewed by @MichaelCole tonight on Raw. I hope that we get some revealing info but not too much as I feel these three can be significant contributors on RAW but I also feel that this info needs to come over time especially with WWE doing tons of episodic TV. As a fan, I don't need every question answered tonight and, hopefully, their comments will elict even more interest/questions.

"Count on this...no matter what the three, NXT talents have to say, it will be dissected and thoroughly analyzed. In today's social media crazed, info heavy world of sports entertainment, everything is under a microscope and there are more 'experts' sounding off than ever before. Don't take that as a knock and if you do... Lighten Up Francis."

Dean Ambrose: "Ambrose has a little Roddy Piper and Brian Pillman traits in him or so it seems to me. His FCW/NXT bout a few months ago with @RealKingRegal was stellar. I called it with Dusty Rhodes and we had a blast. Ambrose is a blue chip stock and is arguably the most 'unpredictable' of the three. Perhaps 'complex' is an adequate word to describe Ambrose at this point in time."

Seth Rollins: "Rollins reminds me of @CMPunk in some areas of Rollins' game or at least the formative CM Punk of a few years ago. I perceive that as a good thing. Rollins is an Iowa kid who has a sound, skill set, confidence, toughness and is the current NXT Champion. He has a natural swagger and wrestles with a chip on his shoulder which I embrace."

Roman Reigns: "Reigns is a former Georgia Tech nose tackle and has reshaped his body from 300+ to 260ish and is of Samoan decent, father is WWE HOFer Sika, and at times has reminded me of @TheRock when I first inked 'The Great One' to his WWE contract. In that I mean the obvious heritage matter but also the physical frame, intellect, and overall, natural athleticism. We can only hope that Roman Reigns can approach The Rock's accomplishments inside the squared circle some day. Only time will tell if that lofty goal can be reached but Reigns can be special. Watch someone interpret what I just said as being that JR is predicting Roman to be the next Rock. Hey, I wish."

Much more info at Ross' latest blog http://www.jrsbarbq.com including who he'd like to see inducted in the 2013 Hall of Fame, tonight's RAW and more on Reigns, Ambrose and Rollins.


WWE 'The Shield' speaks on record...

"It's not about benefitting Punk. It's about right and wrong. CM Punk, the WWE champion, was forced to defend his title in a triple threat match against two guys he had already defeated. That's wrong. So we stepped in. If it had been Ryback or Cena, we would have done the same thing. If Ryback was champion for 365 days and Punk tried to ruin his party, we would have intervened on Ryback's behalf. 365 days as champion in this era, that's a huge milestone. That should be celebrated, right?"

"Look Cole, we see where you're getting at. We hear everything you guys are saying, we read everything that's being written, okay? We know what you guys are thinking. But we're not renegades, we're not mercanaries, we're not the Nexus; if you're looking for the nWo, go buy the DVD. We're about principles. We're about honor. Where honor no long exists, we're going to step in. It's like he said, we're a shield from injustice. We're a shield from injustice. ... We are The Shield."


*Special thank you to WWE, Pro Wrestling Torch, Wrestling Inc, Jim Ross and Google News for assistance and references in compiling this news report.

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The Richest Pro Wrestlers in the World; Vince McMahon, The Rock, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin and The Big Show lead

Wrestling News Media: The Richest Wrestlers in the World

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The Richest Wrestlers in the World...

Who are the richest wrestlers in the world? For anyone whose parents say you’ll never make any money learning to take a folding chair to the face, immediately show them this list. Over the last 30 years, Vince McMahon has turned the WWE, formerly WWF, into one of most popular and profitable sports companies in the world. In the process McMahan has made dozens of wrestlers extremely rich. He also earned himself an astonishing personal fortune. Today, WWE Raw and SmackDown are consistently some of the top ten most viewed shows on cable television, attracting between four and six million viewers each week. WrestleMania XXVIII aired on April 1st 2012 and was the highest grossing event in the company’s history with nearly $70 million in pay per view revenues. But who are the richest wrestlers in the world?

***The figures contained in this list were acquired from all publicly available information including salaries, real estate holdings, divorces, record sales, royalties and endorsements. The final net worths come from a formula that takes out taxes, manager’s fees, agents’ fees, and lifestyle.***

The Richest Wrestlers in the World:

#1: The Rock Net Worth – $70 Million
#2: Steve Austin Net Worth – $45 Million
#3: John Cena Net Worth – $35 Million
#4: Big Show Net Worth – $30 Million
#5: Triple H Net Worth: $25 Million
#6: Kurt Angle Net Worth – $20 million
#7: Chris Jericho Net Worth – $18 Million
#8: Shawn Michaels Net Worth – $17 Million
#9: The Undertaker Net Worth – $16 Million
#10: Mick Foley Net Worth – $15 Million
#11: Bret Hart Net Worth – $14 Million
#12: Edge Net Worth – $14 Million
#13: Sting Net Worth – $13 Million
#14: Brock Lesnar Net Worth – $12.5 Million
#15: Goldberg Net Worth – $12 Million
#16: Batista Net Worth – $10 Million
#17: JBL Net Worth – $9 Million
#18: Rey Mysterio Net Worth – $8.5 Million
#19: Kevin Nash Net Worth – $8 Million
#20: CM Punk Net Worth – $7.5 Million
#21: Jerry Lawler Net Worth – $7 Million
#22: Randy Orton Net Worth – $6 Million
#23: Alberto Del Rio Net Worth – $6 Million
#24: Hulk Hogan Net Worth – $5 Million

***Hogan lost an estimated $25 million in his divorce from ex-wife Linda Hogan. Linda was awarded 70% of the couple’s liquid assets, a 40% stake in all of Hulk’s companies, six luxury cars and millions more in property***

#25: Ric Flair Net Worth – $5 Million
#26: The Miz Net Worth – $5 Million
#27: Rowdy Roddy Piper Net Worth – $4 Million
#28: Chyna Net Worth: $1.5 Million

Other:

Vince McMahon Net Worth – $500 Million
Randy Savage Net Worth – $8 Million

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Brings His Action-Oriented Brand to TV: New Reality Show 'The Hero' Poised to Premiere in 2013 ... Likeable action-oriented film star, and wrestler, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson brings his brand to TV in the TNT reality competition show, “The Hero.” Set to premier in the summer of 2013, “The Hero,” (a working title), pits 10 housemates against one another in missions that will “test their brains, their brawn and even their morality,” TNT says. Johnson will serve as mentor and executive producer along with Dany Garcia, his production partner. The network has ordered eight episodes from Ben Silverman’s multimedia entertainment studio, Electus and 5×5 Media, and the show plans to use social media extensively, seizing on Johnson’s 10 million fans on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Viewers will vote each week for the contestant they consider to be the most heroic. “The Rock is the embodiment of ‘The Hero’ and an inspirational superstar with an unwavering moral compass,” said Ben Silverman, founder and chairman of Electus. “‘The Hero’ will deliver on his brand as an incredible action-filled series that test the limits of real people in extraordinary circumstances while also activating the Rock and Turner’s audience with seamless digital and social media tie-ins. “Dany and I couldn’t be more excited to enter into our first official foray in TV production,” said Rock. “The Hero speaks to everything I believe in when it comes to challenging ourselves, to becoming better people every day and to making the right choices while growing from the wrong ones. Bridging the digital and physical world on the small screen in a way that’s never been done before will enable fans to use social media and on-screen decision making to determine the fate of the show’s contestants, and our goal is to make each TV moment impactful and exciting.” The premise of Hero is bringing together ten "ordinary people" in one house and then assigning them "various missions that will test their brains, their brawn, and even their morality." Social media will be a strong component of the show. TNT described the social media aspect. "In a unique twist on the reality-competition format, The Hero will incorporate social media into every facet of the show, from pre-production and casting to on-location shooting and live broadcasts. Through the show’s interactive digital platform, viewers will be able to vote each week for the contestant they consider to be the most heroic. The series will also leverage the power of Johnson’s enormous social-media following, which includes more than 10 million fans through Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube."

Hulk Hogan to star in new reality show... Los Angeles - Hulk Hogan is to star in a new reality TV show to find the next big British wrestling star. The legendary wrestler is to be a mentor onTNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp, which will follow the company's search for a breakout star who can make it in the US. The series will air in December in the UK. Dominic Wilkins, acting Director of Challenge TV who will air the series, can't wait to see Hogan put the hopefuls through their paces. 'The series will provide entertainment content' Wilkins said: "TNA Wrestling has a huge fan base in the UK and it's great to be able to commission exclusive original content which cements Challenge TV as the UK home for TNA Wrestling. This series will provide unmissable entertainment content which resonates with our viewers." The six-part series will feature four of the best wrestlers Britain has to offer competing for a contract with TNA IMPACT Wrestling. Twins Hannah and Holly Blossom will be joined by Marty Scrull and Rockstar Spud as they seek to impress mentors Hogan and British World of Sport legend Rollerball Rocco and TNA President Dixie Carter. Winner to join company's roster The winner will earn a place on the company's roster, joining the likes of Sting and former Olympic Gold medallist Kurt Angle on the UK's most-watched wrestling programme. They will also feature on TNA's Road To Lockdown Tour of the UK and Ireland in 2013, which culminates with a TV taping at Wembley Arena, London. TNA Wrestling British Boot Camp marks the first non-game show commission from Challenge TV since their relaunch last year, and is the channel's first full commission with TNA Productions.

*Special thank you to WWE, TNA Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Torch, Wrestling Inc and Google News for assistance and references in compiling this news report.

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Australian and international gaming, business and interactive entertainment news

Australian and international gaming, business and interactive entertainment news: Crown Limited; Echo Entertainment, IGT, Virgin Games, Aussie Millions, Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment, WWE, THQ, Marvel Entertainment, Disney, Warner Bros and more...Media Man reports


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Contender in Echo Entertainment CEO race drops out: report...


An undisclosed senior United States casino executive has emerged as the frontrunner to replace departing Echo Entertainment Group Ltd chief executive Larry Mullin after frontrunner Grant Bowie reportedly pulled out of the selection process, according to News Limited owned newspaper The Australian.

The New Zealand-raised Mr Bowie is president of US giant MGM Grand's Macau operations, and was seen as an ideal candidate given his record in Australia while working with Park Place Entertainment and Asian experience.

With Mr Mullin set to depart the company January 31, Echo is expected to name his replacement by the end of the year.

Marina Bay Sands casino head Andrew MacDonald and Skycity Entertainment's Nigel Morrison had been named as candidates, and the leading internal candidate is Echo chief financial officer Matt Bekler, according to The Australian newspaper.


IGT debuts trio of mobile slots...

American computerised gaming equipment and systems designer and manufacturer International Game Technology (IGT) has released mobile versions for three of its most popular slots.

Las Vegas-based IGT stated that Elvis: A Little More Action, Wolf Run and Kitty Glitter have been ‘optimised for the industry’s fastest growing sector’ and are now ready for users of iOS and Android-enabled smartphones and tablet devices to enjoy via its remote game server Casino series.

“The size of the mobile market is expanding by the day and a selection of superior branded content and consistently high performing games helps make IGT a driving force behind this growth,” said Leigh Nissim, Interactive Commercial Director for IGT. “Choosing the right casino game supplier in the world of mobile gaming is crucial [and] our experience, expertise and compliance record at IGT is second to none.”

Elvis: A Little More Action is a 50-payline slot with stacked wilds that features audio from one of Elvis Presley’s most recognisable tunes, A Little Less Conversation. It also offers players up to 255 free spins via its Free Spins Bonus. IGT described the 40-payline Wolf Run and the 30-payline Kitty Glitter slots as two of its ‘all-time best performers’ and revealed that the mobile new versions come complete with the titles’ expected free spins bonuses.


Three New Games Launch on Virgin Mobile Casino...

Virgin Games, the leading online gaming company, has today announced the release of three new mobile games - Elvis, Kitty Glitter and Wolf Run. All are by leading game developer, IGT, and will be available exclusively at Virgin Mobile Casino.

Virgin Mobile Casino, which now accounts for more than 10 per cent of Virgin Games' gross revenue, was launched in December of 2011 to offer a range of slots, table and instant win games. It currently has content partnerships with both IGT and Microgaming, with the intention of introducing additional partners later down the line in order to offer the same variety and choice through the Mobile app as customers experience at the web based Casino.

Joshua Morris, Commercial Director at Virgin Games, commented: "The three latest mobile games to be added to Virgin Mobile Casino continue the trend of bringing our best games from the web onto mobile. We are already seeing 10% of our gross revenues come from Mobile in less than a year since launch and with the addition of top titles such as those launched today we are strengthening our position as a multi-game aggregator."

Virgin Games has attached its single wallet system to the new mobile product, meaning its players use the same account to play at Virgin Casino, Virgin Bingo, Virgin Poker and now mobile casino. Customers can register, manage their account, play for bonuses, deposit and withdraw seamlessly, whether they are on the web or on the move. Launched in 2004, Virgin Games is one of the UK's leading online gaming sites.


Aussie Millions Poker Tournament coming up...

The Aussie Millions (Jan 17th – 3rd Feb): Held at the awesome Crown Casino, the average temperature in Melbourne in January is about 26 degrees. Not only that the tournament runs at the same time as the Australian Open Tennis. Sweet!


PKR Gains Five Millionth User; 3-D Online Poker Room Hits Milestone After Seven Years...

PKR, the 3-D online poker room, has registered its five millionth user. The website was launched in 2006.

Simon Prodger, marketing director for the company, said, “We’re delighted to hit this major milestone, and we look forward to continuing to welcome more and more poker players from around the world to PKR.

“We have a range of marketing initiatives and product developments scheduled for launch in 2013 that we’re sure will continue to grow the PKR brand, including new TV advertising campaigns and the eagerly-awaited launch of our first mobile poker product.”

The company, which is hosting the upcoming World Poker Tour Dublin event, recently told the E-Gaming Review newsroom that it had launched a seven figure investment prospectus.

PKR told the industry magazine it had been unofficially searching for an investor for two years and it was not ruling out a sale.


Crown Limited sweet tax deal?

In Australia, Crown Ltd.’s controversial ‘unsolicited proposal’ to build a second casino in Sydney won’t be of much benefit to the taxpayer, according to ex Citigroup analyst and current independent research consultant Jenny Owen. Crown’s plan is for an international VIP-focused casino, meaning the applicable tax rate would be 10%, about one-third the rate applied to other gambling revenue, like most of the action going on down the street at Sydney’s existing casino, The Star. Ms. Owen told the Sydney Morning Herald this made for "a very attractive business model, certainly one that I would have thought would go to public tender and should attract a reasonably significant license premium. Clearly that doesn’t appear to be the case.". Time will tell as "It sure looks like the casino - hotel will be going ahead" according to a Media Man gaming spokesperson.


Online Gaming Execs Respond to Detention of bwin.party CEO...

Leaders of the world’s top online gaming firms are mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore. In response to last Tuesday’s detainment of bwin.party co-CEO Norbert Teufelberger in Brussels, Belgium, 14 executives from 12 internet gambling companies penned a public letter to the Financial Times saying that enough is enough when it comes to European Union (EU) countries ignoring EU law.

To recap, Teufelberger was set to make the closing remarks at Responsible Gaming Day, put on by the European and Betting and Gaming Association (EGBA), of which he is Chairman, when he was detained by Belgian police. The authorities reportedly kept him for two hours (he was allowed to make his speech first), questioning him about bwin.party’s activities in Belgium.

bwin.party has found itself on the short end of extremely strict Belgian gaming regulations, which, among other things, require online poker operators to have a brick-and-mortar presence in the country in order to be granted an online gaming license. Only six operators – PokerStars.be, Poker770.be, Partouche.be, Win2day, GoldenPalace.be, and Unibet – have received licensed. To make matters worse, some of bwin.party’s websites have been put on the Belgian Gaming Commission’s (BGC) blacklist. Despite the blacklist status, bwin.party has continued to operate in Belgium.

While Belgium’s regulations may be cut and dry, they are not without controversy. bwin.party, as well as other gaming companies and organizations, feel they run contrary to EU law and have been fighting them for several years.

Norbert Teufelberger himself was one of the 14 executives to sign the letter to the Financial Times, along with co-CEO Jim Ryan. The others were:

Michael Carlton – CEO, Victor Chandler International Denise Coates and John Coates – Joint CEOs, bet365 Stéphane Courbit – President, Betclic Everest Group Canel Frichet – CEO, Winamax Noel Hayden – Managing Director, Gamesys Denis Kelly – CEO, Stan James Brian Mattingly – CEO, 888 Holdings Andrew McIver – CEO, Sportingbet Magnus Silfverberg – CEO, Betsson Ralph Topping – CEO, William Hill Ed Ware – CEO, 32Red

In the letter, which was posted at FT.com, the executives expressed their resentment towards both the EU Belgian law enforcement, saying, “While the Belgian authorities are free to intimidate Europe’s leading online gaming groups with threats about the consequences of challenging their domestic gambling laws, the European Commission has yet to receive an answer to its own concerns regarding the regulatory regime in Belgium that have remained unresolved since issuing its detailed opinion back in 2009.”

The letter reminded the Financial Times’ readers of the complaints against Belgium two years ago, quoting the head of the European Commission, Michel Barnier, from 2010 , “’…ensuring compliance of national law with the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) is a prerequisite of a successful EU policy on online gambling…if blatant infringements persist, I will not hesitate to propose to my colleagues that the appropriate proceedings be taken or relaunched.’”

The letter concluded, “We hope that the commission will now enforce compliance with the European treaty and do so swiftly. Countries such as Belgium and Greece that are in clear breach of EU law and that are seeking to enforce those laws domestically are likely to be at the top of the list. The time for polite rhetoric is now over. It is time for deeds not words.” (Poker News Daily)

THQ being sued by tattoo artist...

Chris Escobedo, creator and owner of Elite Tattoo, has sued THQ because one of his tattoos has been used by the developer in their game, UFC Undisputed 3 without his consent.

His tattoo, a lion, has been used on the arms of current welterweight champion of UFC Carlos Condit in the game. Escobedo claims that THQ never came to him to seek permission to use the tattoo in the game.

People often believe that they own the images that are tattooed on them by tattoo artists,” said Escobedo’s lawyer Maria Crimi. “In reality, the owner of the tattoo artwork is the creator of the work, unless there is a written assignment of the copyright in the tattoo art.”

Escobedo said: “I would not have agreed to the recreation of the tattoo by an animator.”

Well, it certainly is a violation of the copyrights, as silly as it may seem.

"WWE ’13" receives rave reviews from video game gurus..

“WWE ’13,” available in stores now, gives WWE fans the most seamless, realistic and exciting WWE video game experience to date. With the new addition of WWE Live, enhanced Predator Technology and an enormous Creation Suite and talent roster based on the Attitude Era, it’s no surprise that “WWE ’13” is a hit with reviewers. Look at what some of the leading reviewers have to say about “WWE ’13” and pick up your copy today!

IGN Review score: 8.4 out of 10 “At its core, ‘WWE ’13’ continues last year’s legacy with already solid gameplay refined via a few new moves. Aptly named OMG Moments let you tackle opponents through barricades and break the ring with top-rope suplexes, while the creation suite has been slightly upgraded with improved arena types that should facilitate better community creations.” (MORE)

Game Informer Review score: 9 out of 10 “I’ve always pointed to 2000’s WWE No Mercy as the best wrestling game I’ve ever played, but nostalgia is certainly a factor in that. After playing ‘WWE ’13,’ I’m hard pressed to think of a more enjoyable and complete wrestling game in history.”

Official XBOX Magazine Review score: 8 out of 10 “Of particular note is the game’s superb single-player experience, which should serve as the foundation for all future endeavors. If anything, the smart objective design and use of archival WWE footage makes us want more.”

AtomicGamer Review score: 8 out of 10

Bleacher Report Review score: 8 out of 10

Canadian Online Gamers Review score: 85/100

Click Online Review score: 4.5 out of 5

GamesBeat Review score: 86/100

GamesRadar Review score: 4 out of 5

IRB Gamer Review score: 4.5 out of 5

PlayStation Official Magazine – UK Review score: 80/100

RTV Review Score: 4 out of 5

TotallyGN Review score: 8 out of 10

Disney honors Black Friday in Avengers Alliance, Gardens of Time et al...

When it comes to the biggest shopping day of the year, Disney ain't playin' no games ... or something like that. The company's social gaming arm has lots planned for Black Friday in its most popular Facebook games, namely a number of enticing deals for in-game boosts and items for Marvel: Avengers Alliance, Gardens of Time, Ghosts of Mistwood and Blackwood & Bell Mysteries.

Each game will offer reduced prices on in-game currency in addition to specific offers for in-game goodies. Here's the list of the delectable deals straight from Disney and Playdom:

Marvel: Avengers Alliance: Starting Nov. 23, Mockingbird will be on sale for all players until Nov. 26. Mockingbird was originally only available as the ultimate reward for achieving 15 mastery stars in the first Special Operation, but starting on Black Friday, players will have four days to recruit this secretive S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent from the Heroes section and get her before she is gone.

Ghosts of Mistwood: From Black Friday through Cyber Monday on Nov. 26, the hit Facebook game, Ghosts of Mistwood, will be having a special Black Friday bundle sale to help players solve the mysteries of Mistwood Estate. Players can gobble up lantern oil, coins, special ingredients and a Limited Special Stardust Relic for a limited time in the Market and at a festive price.

Gardens of Time: For Disney Social Games' super sales weekend, Gardens of Time players will be able to purchase any of the in-game gold decoration items at a discount when sending them to their friends. That's over 100 items discounted for this offer.

Blackwood and Bell & Threads of Mystery: Two more amazing hidden object games from Disney Social Games, Blackwood and Bell & Threads of Mystery, will be having sales on in game gold. Players need to head on over to take advantage of these limited time Black Friday Sales.


Tolkien's estate sues over Hobbit gambling games...

JRR Tolkien's estate is suing the makers of The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies for allegedly overstepping their merchandising rights by making gambling games based on the books' characters.

Tolkien's family and publisher HarperCollins are suing Warner Brothers, its subsidiary New Line Cinema and Saul Zaentz for $80 million.

In papers filed in a Los Angeles court, they accuse the defendants of copyright infringement and breach of contract.

They say the companies are entitled to develop and sell only tangible merchandise such as clothes, figurines and stationery, not downloadable video and gambling games.

The Tolkien estate has asked for an injunction on such products, which it claims have caused irreparable damage to the author's legacy and reputation.

"Not only does the production of gambling games patently exceed the scope of defendants' rights, but this infringing conduct has outraged Tolkien's devoted fan base, causing irreparable harm to Tolkien's legacy and reputation and the valuable goodwill generated by his works," the lawsuit stated. The suit claimed Warner Brothers has earned millions of dollars from legal merchandise licensing revenue related to The Lord of the Rings trilogy of films, which have grossed nearly $3 billion at the global box office.

Representatives for Warner Brothers, Tolkien's estate and HarperCollins were not immediately available for comment.

The lawsuit comes a week ahead of the New Zealand premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of a new trilogy of films returning to Tolkien's world of elves, goblins and wizards of Middle Earth, based on the Lord of the Rings prequel novel, The Hobbit.


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Whedon to reunite with his Avengers for sequel; Marvel Entertainment news

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Promotion: PartyCasino.com Marvel Slots - New players get up to $3000 sign up bonus

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Joss Whedon will return to write and direct a sequel to The Avengers, Bob Iger, the chief executive of the Walt Disney, has announced.

The superhero movie, made by Disney's Marvel Entertainment subsidiary, is one of the biggest hits in modern Hollywood history, with global ticket sales in excess of $US1.46 billion.

The film's ticket sales of $US616.8 million in the US make it the third-highest-grossing film of all time, trailing just Avatar and Titanic in non-inflation-adjusted dollars.

Iger made the announcement in a conference call with analysts to discuss the media company's third-quarter earnings, which were up 24 per cent thanks in part to theme park results and Avengers income.

He also said Whedon is developing a Marvel-themed, live-action television series for US network ABC.

The Avengers sequel has not yet been dated, but Disney is already set to release two movies from Marvel Entertainment in 2014, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy, meaning the next Avengers film will likely come out in 2015. LA TIMES


Marvel Entertainment Movies: Amazing Spider-Man, Thor 2, The Avengers Et Al Boost Popularity Of Marvel Slot Games...

The Media Man agency reports that Marvel themed online slot games across the network, and featured at partner, PartyCasino.com , are boosting the popularity of the superhero themed online slot games. Bwin.Party currently offers The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The Amazing Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, with more expected to soon hit the popular gaming and entertainment website destination.

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Media Man World Blog: World Series of Poker (WSOP) has announced dates for its 54th annual tournament, May 30 to July 18, 2023.

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World Series of Poker (WSOP) has announced dates for its 54th annual tournament, May 30 to July 18, 2023.

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Skyfall James Bond Sydney, Australia red carpet movie premiere; Daniel Craig, Bond girls - 17th November 2012

Skyfall James Bond Sydney, Australia red carpet movie premiere; Daniel Craig, Bond girls...

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Movies Hollywood Skyfall James Bond Daniel Craig Entertainment Sydney Australia

Australia paid tribute to Skyfall with rain coming down on the red carpet outside Sydney's State Theatre last night.

The parallel was picked up by new Bond girl Berenice Marlohe.

"It is Skyfall," she said on Friday night, gesturing at the rain.

"I remember on set it was raining before a scene I had to do. And it is like an homage to Skyfall."

The weather did not put off hundreds of the Bond franchise's fans.

They jammed in like cattle or sardines if you prefer, behind barriers on the sidewalk to get pictures and autographs from Craig, Marlohe and fellow Bond girl Naomie Harris, who's on her first trip to Australia and said, "The reception makes it sunny".

"It's been a two month whirlwind of going all around the world promoting the movie, but it ends in Australia, so I finally have some free time on my hands and I'm going to spend it in Byron Bay," Harris said.

Craig, who visited Australia for Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, said he won't be doing any sightseeing this time around.

"This is the final leg," he said earlier.

"I spent like a week here the first time I came, so I've seen quite a lot.

"I always try and do something when I go to a new city."

Skyfall hasn't been released yet in Australia, but elsewhere in the world it's already grossed $446.5 million and is being pitched by critics as one of the very best Bond films.

Craig, who has admitted 2008's Quantum of Solace suffered from the writer's strike, was determined Skyfall, the 23rd film and released in Bond's 50th anniversary year, would be a step up.

"Just to be better," he said, about how he had wanted it to be different.

"So we kind of had a plan and Sam (Mendes, the director) and I had it from very early on that we wanted to make the best Bond movie we could, obviously, but to try and get some of ... the old style of it."

* Skyfall will be released in Australian cinemas on November 22.

News...


Skyfall is record breaking Bond movie...

The movie has broken records wherever it has been released.

It snatched the biggest US opening ever for a 007 movie at the weekend with a whopping $87.8 million in ticket sales.

Quantum of Solace debuted to a series-best $67.5 million in mid-November 2008, and Casino Royale - marking Craig's first turn as 007 - opened to $40.8 million in November 2006.

In the UK, the Sam Mendes-directed film has passed Titanic as the highest-grossing 2D film. The film opens Australia next Thursday.

The secret to Skyfall's success, according to exhibitors, is Craig's universal appeal.

"Women love him. Men love the action," said Samantha Philp, national film promotions and partnership manager at Event Cinemas.

Even seven-time Bond Roger Moore has given Craig the official stamp of approval, calling him the best Bond ever.

"To me, he looks like a killer. He looks as though he knows what he's doing. I look as though I might cheat at backgammon," he said.


Plot Outline: Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Promo...

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Director: Sam Mendes Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan Stars: Daniel Craig, Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Bérénice Marlohe, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Rory Kinear, with Albert Finney and Judi Dench as "M" Produced By: Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli


News...

Craig is the best Bond: Moore...

Bond legend Roger Moore, enthralled with ‘Skyfall,’ now thinks Daniel Craig is the best actor to play the legendary spy...

Moore, who began his stint as the action hound in the ’70s, once gave that honor to Sean Connery. ‘They’ve guaranteed Bond another 50 years of life,’ he said of the new film.

Bond alum Roger Moore used to think Sean Connery was the best James Bond, but now thinks that designation belongs to Daniel Craig.

"I went to a screening of ‘Skyfall,’ and I’ve changed my opinion. I think that he (Daniel Craig) is the Bond. He’s quite brilliant," Moore told TIME magazine.

Moore has been a fan of Craig’s ever since the opening scene of 2006’s “Casino Royale,” Craig’s first time in the role.


James Bond's world of movie intrigue explored in 'The Untold Story Of 007'...

“I thought ‘Casino Royale’ was tremendous,” Moore said. “I thought his action was quite extraordinary — he did more action in the first 30 seconds of the film than I did in 14 years of playing Bond. To me, he looks like a killer. He looks as though he knows what he’s doing. I look as though I might cheat at backgammon.”

Craig put his own spin on the iconic spy, just as Moore did when he first took over the role of 007 with 1973’s “Live and Let Die.”

On playing a role already associated with Connery, he said, “You don’t really think about that. How many millions of actors during the last 400 years have played Hamlet? They don’t worry about how the other fella did it — they just get on with doing it their way.”

Moore’s own way endeared his Bond to the public for seven consecutive films by Eon Productions. His third Bond film, “The Spy Who Loved Me,” is often considered his best, just as Connery’s third, “Goldfinger,” is often considered his.

Now Moore thinks Craig’s third performance is the best of the franchise.

"I wrote to Barbara (Broccoli) and Michael (Wilson) and said…they’ve guaranteed Bond another 50 years of life," he said.


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Georgia May Jagger in Sydney, Australia; Sunglass Hut floats on water - 14th November 2012

Georgia May Jagger in Sydney, Australia; Sunglass Hut floats on Sydney Harbour with celebrities and product pitch...

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Sunglass hut... the sunglasses retail company is back to publicity tricks using the good old fashioned celebrity sells... in this case with Mick Jagger's daughter, Georgia May Jagger, and friends, aboard a floating product promotional boat on Sydney Harbour. Not a bad combo and it achieved the goal - free headlines.

Looking at Georgia May Jagger, it’s impossible to miss the shades on her famous parents. Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall. Some press is saying she’s the very best blend of her parents’ charisma and good looks. Ah, the benefits of being a famous offspring... and good work opportunities often come your way including product promotions.

In Australia on a promotional tour with Sunglass Hut, she stars in their current advertising campaign with boyfriend musician and model, Josh McClennan. She told Fairfax Media "We’d never worked together before – so it was an interesting experience. Kind of a laugh seeing your boyfriend posing – we had a lot of fun", she said. Guest stars at tonight’s A-list party aboard the Sunglass Hut floating store, they are checking out the sights of Sydney "We’re climbing the Harbour Bridge today, we’ve seen sharks at the aquarium and we’re in love with Bondi Beach".

Georgia is a hot, smart and music appriciating Brit. "There was always music in the house growing up – I love all kinds from blues through to rock 'n' roll. I tried the violin and guitar when I was young, but never really learned to play…and my Mum doesn’t play anything either."

Georgia May is familiar with the modeling and advertising world with cosmetic contracts, major advertising campaigns and her fair share of magazine covers including UK Vogue, UK Elle and this month’s Australian Harper's Bazaar. Yes, we know its got something to do with her famous parents, but good luck to her. That's the world and that's the business. "I’m really trying to have fun with it [modeling]. Obviously, I enjoy the travelling and getting to meet people from all over the world. It’s wild to be working in London one day and then in Australia the next – I just want to keep doing it for as long as I can".

After modeling, she hopes to move into a career in photography. She mentions her mum's Helmut Newtown pictures as inspiration. "I was at university before my career took off and my plan is to be a photographer – my dream would be to travel and take pictures" she said.

Moving like Jagger in the Sunglass Hut campaign...

When it comes to style, the model is a fan of Vivienne Westwood – she’s the face of the new Westwood jewellery line – and has a try-anything-once approach to fashion. "I pick up style from everywhere I go, I like to mix it up. I‘ve got some incredible vintage pieces from my mother’s wardrobe - amazing dresses from her Studio 54 days”. And what about her father’s closet – has she managed to get her hands on any of Dad’s iconic threads? “My sister [Lizzie] has a lot because she’s got the tall skinny figure. I do have one thing of my Dad’s that he doesn’t know I’ve got it and if he did he’d want it back immediately…for a museum".

Sunglass Hut floating store is moored in Darling Harbour, Sydney from November 15 - 18. 10 per cent of all profits from the Floating Store will be donated to OneSight, a leading global vision care charity.

About Sunglass Hut...

Sunglass Hut is an international retailer of sunglasses and sunglass accessories founded in Miami, Florida in 1971. Sunglass Hut is part of the Italian-based Luxottica Group, the world’s largest eyewear company. As of December 31, 2008, the Luxottica Group operated 2,286 stores worldwide, most of those as part of the Sunglass Hut brand. Sunglass Hut stores are located in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Brazil, continental Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, the Middle East, India and most notably in megalopolis Montreal, Canada.

In popular culture...

Sunglass Hut’s fashion-oriented positioning has seen it mentioned on a number of popular fashion blogs, including Slaves to Fashion, complex.com, psfk and Splendicity. Sunglass Hut also appeared in an episode of the animated series American Dad.

Put Them On...

Sunglass Hut's new brand identity, ‘Put Them On’, launched internationally in 2008. The campaign has appeared over 20 countries in the form of press, radio, outdoor, direct marketing, online and point of sale advertising.


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GQ 'Men Of The Year' Awards; Sydney, Australia

GQ 'Men Of The Year' Award; Sydney, Australia; Chris Hemsworth wins the big one...

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Pitch...Hosted by men's magazine GQ the GQ Men of the Year Awards are an annual initiative that salutes the most innovative and influential gents that best represent GQ's message. Past winners include actor Joel Edgerton), Alex O'Loughlin, Ryan Kwanten, Formula 1 driver Mark Webber, actor Firass Dirani and celebrity chef Curtis Stone.

This year's Man of the Year nominees include Hugh Jackman, Liam Hemsworth, Keith Urban, Matthew Cowdrey, Guy Sebastian, Chris Hemsworth and Michael Clarke.

It was last night Hollywood action hero, former Home and Away star and all round hulk Chris Hemsworth was named GQ Australia's man of the year, the grand prix of an annual gong show for the nation's hottest hunks. But what made Hemsworth an intriguing recipient was that he took the gong, as voted by the magazine's readers, after beating Keith Urban, Hugh Jackman, Matthew Cowdrey, Michael Clarke, Guy Sebastian, and most interestingly, his brother Liam Hemsworth. CH is reportedly busy planning three weddings with his US pop star fiancee Miley Cyrus. Neither of the Hemsworths made it back for last night's event at the Ivy, with Chris filming Thor 2 in Iceland and Liam busy at the Cyrus ranch, leaving it to proud parents Craig and Leonie to accept their son's trophy.

News...

Hamish MacDonald is GQ Media Personality of the Year!

News...

Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth was given GQ's highest honour at the 2012 awards in Sydney last night.

The 29-year-old said he was "thrilled" to have taken the top prize and appeared via video link to accept the accolade.

"GQ has been so supportive of me right from the beginning of my career," he said during his acceptance speech, "and it’s an honour and a privilege to be acknowledged within their pages.”

The GQ Men of the Year Awards celebrates the country’s finest actors, comedians, sportsmen, artists, rock stars, fashion designers and creative visionaries recognizing the diverse and inspirational talents amongst them and honouring their contribution to Australia’s cultural landscape.

Australian actress Bella Heathcote, who has celebrated a meteoric rise from Neighbours to starring alongside Johnny Depp in Dark Shadows was named the 2012 Woman of the Year.

News limited caught up with the Aussie..."It feels really good. GQ is an institution and its even an honour to be mentioned by them," Heathcote told News. "I was genuinely surprised, I didn't think GQ would have even thought of me!

Heathcote said it was flattering to be named in the same league as last year’s winner Rachael Taylor, and it was wonderful to be recognised by the local industry.

"The praise here is more genuine, we don’t give it out as freely, so it's even lovelier when I do receive it," she said.

More GQ winners for 2012 included:

Sportsman of the year – Matthew Cowdrey Breakthrough of the year – Callan McAuliffe Media Personality of the year – Hamish Mcdonald Fashion Designer of the year – Brent Wilson Man of Style – Sam Sparro Chef of the Year – Matt Moran Actor of the year - Richard Roxburgh Band of the year - PNAU Solo Artist of the year – Guy Sebastian Woman of the year – Bella Heathcote Man of the year – Chris Hemsworth Businessman of the year – Radek Sali Creative Force of the year – Wayne Blair Social Force of the year - Matthew Mitcham Men of Chivalry – Cast of Howzat!


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World class performing artists and entertainers to tour Sydney, Melbourne... Australia

Performing artists and entertainers upcoming Australian tours: Mick Foley, Mike Tyson, Fozzy, Pink, Jennifer Lopez, KISS with Mötley Crüe, Black Sabbath, Blondie, Journey with Deep Purple and more; Promoters include Live Nation; What gigs will sell out or do well, News media reactions, predictions, backgrounds and updates...

The Media Man agency has another in depth report on the upcoming tours set to his Australian soil in early 2013.

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Mick Foley and Brendon Burns: Good God Almighty!...

Ex WWE World Heavyweight Champion wrestler / pro wrestling living legend and world class comedian Brendon Burns are coming down under to Australia to perform stand up comedy together! Foley, who you probably know as Mankind, Cactus Jack or Dude Love from the squarded circle is a New York Times bestselling author and has been doing stand-up comedy for over a year now, having performed with Burns at the Montreal Just for Laughs festival in 2012. Burns, a wrestling fan met Foley on his UK tour and will now join him onstage for Good God Almighty! Wrestling laughs, stories from the road and much more. You don't have to be a hard core wrestling fan to enjoy the show, but it will help. Get ready to be bodyslammed into laughter. WrestleMania might not be coming to Australia but this WrestleMania calibre headliner along with his funny as mate are, so check em out, and as Mick says 'Have a nice day'! www.realmickfoley.com

'Iron' Mike Tyson to entertain Aussie fans...

The man formally known as 'The Baddest Man On The Planet' is ready to entertain, inform and education Australian fans (and even non fans). This gig will offer lots more than just pro boxing stories, but true boxing fans will of course lap up what Mike has to share. Head of Markson Sparks!, Max Markson, is the mastermind behind the Australian tour. The Aussie leg is going ahead, but unfortunately for Kiwi's, the New Zealand leg is now happening due to political and visa issues. The 'Day Of Champions' promo reads "Behind The Headlines And The 'Drama' Is The Real Mike Tyson. A Man Who Is Dedicated, Hard Working, Courageous,Intelligent, Insightful And Funny...

He is coming to Australia to share his story from his perspective - to share his demons, his victories, his life experiences - and to pass these stories on, not as a man on a pedestal, not holding himself up as an example of how to live, but to share a very real, very powerful, human story that will profoundly affect everyone who hears it. But That's Not All...

The 'Day Of The Champions' show also features some of the finest entrepreneurs on the planet - and you will hear their stories firsthand.

These entrepreneurs are real people who are making great money in the current economy by embracing savvy investment opportunities, new online business strategies or implementing clever marketing techniques to traditional ' bricks and mortar' businesses.

Sure, we all know its pretty tough at the moment, but this is not the time to bunker down or put your head in the sand - this is the time for innovation, reinvention and tenacity- its a time where real champions are made.

Mike Tyson's 'Day Of The Champions' Will Inspire Anyone Who Aspires To Be More Than They Are,So Secure Your Ticket NOW *tour starts in Brisbane on 16th November. See the official website for full details. dayofchampions.com.au www.marksonsparks.com.au


Fozzy headed up by Chris Jericho to perform in Sydney and Melboune, Soundwave Festival in Australia...

The full Soundwave Festival 2012 card is as follows:

Metallica Linkin Park Blink-182 A Perfect Circle The Offspring Paramore Garbage Tomahawk Stone Sour Kyuss Lives Anthrax Sum 41 Dragonforce All Time Low Flogging Molly Ghost Duff McKagan’s Loaded Motion City Soundtrack Lawrence Arms Kingdom Of Sorrow Fozzy Sleeping With Sirens Cancer Bats Madball Vision of Disorder Pierce the Veil Periphery Shai Halud Of Mice & Men Miss May I Danko Jones Woe Is Me The Wonder Years While She Sleeps Such Gold Lucero Six Feet Under Deaf Havana Red Fang Chunk! No Captain Chunk! Memphis May Fire!

February 23 - Brisbane, Australia - Soundwave 24 - Sydney, Australia - Soundwave

When USA-born Canadian-raised performer Chris Jericho was growing up in his tentative hears he had two main goals. He wanted to be a pro wrestler and a rock star. These days he is both.

Having completed a 12 year run in the squared circle, in which he snatched a total of 29 championships at the professions highest level with the WCW and WWE, including a stint in Japan, he's now wrapt to be fulfiling the second part of his dream, fronting heavy metal act Fozzy.

His band is not quite the main event yet, but they do have a passionate fan base... just as greats such as KISS developed, which helped take them to the megastar level. Jericho is cool to see Fozzy take its place on the undercard of Soundwave 2013 (Sydney Showground, Sunday, February 24), alongside metal gods Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax.

Fozzy was founded in 1999, when guitarist Rich Ward and members of his legendary rap/metal act Stuck Mojo, sought out a cool meathod to to do justice to their own scene idols.

Jericho was recruited to sing under the alias Moongoose McQueen and together they devised a set of live covers with material from the likes of Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, WASP and the Scorpions.

To the band's surprise, they were signed to a record deal and released two albums [Fozzy and Happenstance], mostly containing cover tracks.

Jericho told the Fairfield Champion newspaper...

"I've been playing in bands since I was 12-years-old," he said. "I didn't just wake up one day and say I'm gonna be the singer in a band. I've been playing in bands - singing and playing guitar - my whole life basically.

"When I was a kid I wanted to be in a rock band and I wanted to be a wrestler - those were the two things that I wanted to do and I didn't know I was going to do either one of them, but I just decided this is what I want to do.

"I think sometimes kids say they want to be an astronaut or a geologist or whatever and move on to the next thing. But for me, I never moved on. It was always about both of those things."

www.soundwavefestival.com www.fozzyrock.com

*The Soundwave 2013 tour starts in Brisbane on the 23 February and at this stage all tickets are sold out.


Pink - The Truth About Love Tour...

Presented by: Live Nation

Pink will make her hugely anticipated return to this country for what will be the hottest tour of the year – The Truth About Love Tour 2013. Pink tickets are on sale now.

Renowned around the world as one of the most dynamic live performers of her generation – and by far the most successful female touring and recording artist ever in the Australian market - Pink’s 2009 Funhouse Tour was one of the biggest Australian tours ever.

Starting off as a 20 show run, overwhelming demand meant that the tour extended into a three-month stay, with Pink eventually playing a phenomenal 58 sold out shows to more than 670,000 fans around the country. Funhouse broke Australian box office attendance records, reaching a staggering 17 sold out shows and 220,000 ticket sales at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, 12 stunning shows at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and 11 at Brisbane’s Entertainment Centre.

‘The Truth About Love Tour’ is primed to deliver awe-inspiring performances in the now trademark Pink style - thoroughly captivating audiences with her rockin’ vocals and a formidable catalogue of hits, all delivered with a kick-ass attitude and spectacular staging.

The 2013 tour announcement follows shortly after the release of Pink’s sixth studio album, the ARIA #1 debut, triple-Platinum ‘The Truth About Love’, featuring the massive airplay and ARIA #1 smash ‘Blow Me (One Last Kiss)’ and Top 10 second hit single, ‘Try’.

Thursday 22 Aug - Rod Laver Arena additional show on sale Mon 5 Nov, 2.30pm

Additional P!nk Shows Announced! Mon 19 Aug, 20 & 22 Aug - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Thu 29 Aug & Fri 30 Aug - Brisbane Entertainment Centre Wed 4 & Thu 5 Sep - Allphones Arena, Sydney

www.pinkspage.com

*special thanks and credit to to Live Nation for re publication of tour information.


Jennifer Lopez; JLO to tour down under in Australia: Dance Again World Tour...

Jennifer Lopez is hot hot hot.

Celebrity is an often a strange thing, but Lopez has long lived an interesting life, since getting her break as a dancer on US TV show In Living Colour in the early '90s. In the ensuing years, through her many hit albums (On the 6, J.Lo, This Is Me... Then), occasional hit movies (1998's Out Of Sight was good!) and a navel-bearing Versace dress that garnered world attention just thought it was pretty"), she's become a global superstar.

At 43, she's enjoying something of a career revival. Her two seasons as a judge on American Idol (she was the nice, nurturing, constructive one) reintroduced her to the public and reinvigorated her career, which had floundered for much of the past decade.

Thanks to the show, her recording career has taken off again, too, and her 2011 single 'On the Floor' became her most successful in eight years. It was also the most viewed video on YouTube that year.

"American Idol made people look at me differently, which surprised me because I always thought people knew how I was," she explains. "I'd always get confused when the media would paint me to be different - it was so weird to me. But with reality TV, you really are exposed for who and what you are. I was lucky people saw the real me, and that changed some people's opinion of who I was."

For the past year, she's been dating her former back-up dancer Casper Smart, 25, who's now the choreographer on her Dance Again World Tour, which heads to Australia in December. "We work well together creatively. He inspires me, I inspire him, and we can do something that someone who doesn't have that kind of love for you can't", she told media outlet News Limited.

It's another reason she left American Idol this year (happy to let Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj duke it out at the judge's table), despite advice it would hurt her career. "I loved Idol, but I had to go with my gut that it was time to get back to doing what I do," she says. "It's fun to be a judge and it was a great thing for me. But, creatively, it wasn't fulfilling to me as a person."

And that means going back on tour, kids in tow. "They watch the show almost every night - they love it, they're excited by it." Max and Emme, it seems, are starting to show signs of their parents' talent.

Jennifer Lopez brings her Dance Again World Tour to Australia from December 6 to 18. For more information, visit www.ticketek.com.au www.jenniferlopez.com


KISS and Motley Crue rumoured Australian tour for March 2013...

KISS and Motley Crue‘s heavily rumoured Australian tour in early 2013 is likely to be happening in March, rather than January or Feb at this stage of the game.

A post on a tour fanpage – crediting ‘Brett Bartlett’ as the source – indicates the heavy rock titans’ joint tour will now be happening in March, not January as has been predicted all along.

KISS will be touring in March...pushed back from January.

Rumours of the Kiss and Motley Crue tour first surfaced in September when Motley drummer Tommy Lee mentioned on his Facebook page that he had "A little break till Jan 2013 then off to Australia with Kiss n Motley”.

Fans on the KISS Army Australia forum are speculating that the tour could include an appearance at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 V8 Supercars Race, which also takes place in March. The live music lineup for the weekend of racing is to be announced in the near future. www.kissonline.com www.motley.com


Black Sabbath to tour Australia...

One of the most influential bands of all time have announced their widely rumored and highly anticipated reunion for their first Australian shows in nearly 40 years. Original band members - the Prince of Darkness himself: Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler and guitarist Tony Iommi will make a thunderous return in April 2013.

Tickets for these once-in-a-lifetime shows will go on sale at midday on Thursday, November 8th.

In June, 2012 Black Sabbath headlined the 10th Download Festival at Donington before a crowd of 100,000. The group followed that show in August with a headlining set at 2012’s sold-out Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago.

Black Sabbath is currently recording the band's first new studio album in more than 33 years, helmed by seven-time Grammy winning producer, Rick Rubin. The album is due for release in April 2013.

4/25 BRISBANE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE 4/27 SYDNEY ALLPHONES ARENA 5/1 MELBOURNE ROD LAVER ARENA 5/4 PERTH PERTH ARENA www.blacksabbath.com


Blondie to tour Australia...

Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s.

Heart of Glass, Atomic, Rapture, Hanging On The Telephone, Call Me, One Way Or Another, Picture This, Rip Her To Shreds, Maria, Denis, In The Flesh, Dreaming, Union City Blue and The Tide Is High... all super hits from the one and only Blondie aka Deborah Harry.

If your a fan of the 80's this is a can't miss as Blondie was one of the hottest acts in the world and still maintains her universal appeal, even as we approach 2013.

6th Dec 2012 SYDNEY ENMORE THEATRE 8th Dec 2012 SYDNEY THE DOMAIN, ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN (HOMEBAKE 2012) *Hobart, Melbourne and Adelaide concerts also likely to go ahead. Visit the official website for updates. www.blondie.net


Deep Purple and Journey to tour Australia together...

English rock pioneers Deep Purple are heading down under in 2013, bringing four decades worth of music to our shores.

Deep Purple's classics such as Smoke on the Water, Hush, and Highway Star are all going to be played, as well as a few not so well known numbers.

Journey background...

If you didn't already know, Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded. During that period, the band released a series of hit songs, including 1981's "Don't Stop Believin'", which became in 2009 the top-selling catalog track in iTunes history. Australia is blessed to have them performing in early 2013, so seriously consider checking them out as they tour with Deep Purple.

Dates: Tue. 02.26.13 Brisbane, Australia Brisbane Entertainment Centre Fri. 03.01.13 Melbourne, Australia Rod Laver Arena Sat. 03.02.13 Sydney, Australia Sydney Entertainment Centre Mon. 03.04.13 Adelaide, Australia Adelaide Entertainment Centre Thu. 03.07.13 Perth, Australia Perth Arena

www.deeppurple.com www.journeymusic.com


More Entertainment - Australia December 2012...

RUSSELL BRAND – I AM A WALRUS...

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TOUR 2012

Inc Sydney Entertainment Centre - 8th December 2012

Superstar comedian Russell Brand returns to Australia for his first full national tour in December!

Russell Brand shot to fame in the U.S. in 2008 when he was seen as rocker 'Aldous Snow' in the Judd Apatow-produced comedy FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL. Since then, the British star has become an international comedic success.

Beginning his career as a stand-up comedian, Brand rose to fame in the UK in 2003 for his “Big Brother” spin-off, “Big Brother’s Big Mouth.” He launched his first nationwide UK tour, Shame, in 2006; the show was released on DVD as Russell Brand: Live. Brand launched his second nationwide UK tour in 2007, Russell Brand: Only Joking; released on DVD as Russell Brand: Doin’ Life. He brought his stand-up comedy tour to the United States and Australia with his tour, Russell Brand: Scandalous. www.russellbrand.tv


Australian Artist News...Delta Goodrem injured; Will still perform Australian shows...

Singer Delta Goodrem has advised Aussie fans she will be fit enough to perform at her scheduled concerts, despite suffering nasty burns to her legs in an accident last Friday. Ms Goodrem was forced to abandon a concert at Sydney's State Theatre on Friday night, after succumbing to the injuries suffered when she spilt boiling water from a humidifier onto herself. "Unfortunately the pain and effects from treating the burns got greater and greater as the night progressed and ultimately there came a point that I could not continue performing," Ms Goodrem said in an official statement. "I want everyone to know that I am recovering well and will be in fine form for my forthcoming Melbourne shows next week. Thank you again for your support and understanding." Australian based Promoter, Paul Dainty, advised patrons at the Sydney concert would be entitled to a generous 50 per cent refund. "Delta showed incredible courage and dedication to her fans by soldiering on through the pain and dizziness to perform a brilliant first hour of her show to a full house at the Sydney State Theatre," Mr Dainty said. "We are all just so proud of her trying to do the best for her fans and at least deliver half of her show under such difficult circumstances." Ticket agency Ticketmaster will contact all patrons regarding the refund procedure. Ms Goodrem is due to play at the Hamer Hall at the Melbourne Arts Centre on Wednesday, November 7 and Thursday, November 8. www.deltagoodrem.com


Celeb rumour of the day: The Rock will not be on "I'm A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here'...

'I'm a Celebrity': The Rock issues denial...


WWE and pro wrestling living legend and Hollywood actor The Rock has issued a denial of his involvement in I'm a Celebrity on Twitter. Retweeting a comment from a fan about him taking part in the ITV1 show, The Rock, real name Dwayne Johnson, wrote: "Garbage rumour." 'The Rock' will however be in the upcoming reality TV program which he helped produce: 'The Hero'.


Wrap Up - The Last Word...

Fans, thanks for reading our update on the hot acts that will be touring the land down under of Australia. Time a moment to reflect on the great Aussie and Yankee promoters who help put these gigs together, as well as the unsung heroes - the roadies who travel from city to city, busting there backs, erecting and packing up the stages et al.

Stay tuned - Don't change your dial...

Watch this space fans as the Media Man team will be providing reviews to most, if not all of the above gigs. Your fan contributions are also welcome, and also be watching out for more hot upcoming events. Rock on!


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