ITV

Tag: wrestling

  • GroupM sports report: Cricket leads in online buzz, but Olympics and Football are flexing their muscles

    GroupM sports report: Cricket leads in online buzz, but Olympics and Football are flexing their muscles

    MUMBAI: India’s digital sports scene is a proper riot, with cricket still the undisputed king, but other sports are making a right racket too, according to GroupM ESP’s  Sporting Nation report for 2024. According to the data, a whopping 74.70 per cent of online sports conversations revolve around cricket, proving it’s more than just a game; it’s a national obsession.

    The Indian Premier League (IPL) takes the crown for sporting event chatter, accounting for a staggering 56.65 per cent of all online discussions. It’s a two-month T20 spectacle that keeps fans glued to their screens and keyboards.

    But the Paris Olympics also made a significant splash, grabbing 24.46 per cent of the online conversation. It seems India’s medal hopes in shooting, wrestling, javelin, and badminton whipped up a proper frenzy. And while the T20 World Cup saw a 15.17 percent share of discussion, the Olympics still pipped it to the post.
    Football, meanwhile, trails behind at 12.62 per cent, showing a more “nuanced but demographically concentrated following.”

     It’s not just the Indian Super League (ISL) getting tongues wagging; global events like the FIFA World Cup and European leagues are also part of the digital discourse.

    When it comes to individual athletes, cricket’s Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dominate, accounting for over two-thirds of all athlete-related discussions. Rohit’s T20 World Cup victory and Kohli’s “generational talent” debates keep them firmly in the spotlight.

    Outside cricket, wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic disqualification sparked a wave of online sympathy, placing her third in athlete chatter. Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker, Lakshya Sen, PV Sindhu, and chess champ Gukesh Dommaraju also made their mark, capturing the nation’s imagination.

    Team-wise, Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lead the IPL pack, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant reigns supreme in the ISL.

    The data reveals that Indian sports fans are a passionate bunch, shaping narratives and amplifying their voices through digital platforms. They’re not just spectators; they’re active participants in the sporting drama. And with increased media penetration and improved streaming, their voices are louder than ever. It’s a proper digital sports carnival.

  • The right mat: Boosting performance and safety in wrestling and kabaddi

    The right mat: Boosting performance and safety in wrestling and kabaddi

    In contact sports such as wrestling and kabaddi, the playing surface plays a critical role in determining athlete safety, comfort, and performance. The mat not only cushions falls but also influences how athletes move, grip, and balance during high-intensity encounters. While both sports are contact-driven and demand immense physicality, they have distinct characteristics that shape how the mat interacts with the athletes.

    Injury prevention and safety

    The prevention of injuries is a paramount concern in both wrestling and kabaddi, given the physical intensity and frequent body contact involved in both sports. The right mat can significantly reduce the risk of injury by providing adequate cushioning to absorb the force of falls, tackles, and other impacts.

    In wrestling mat must be soft enough for cushion falls yet firm enough to allow for proper improvement and grip. Wrestlers engage in intense grappling, throws and takedowns all of which put pressure on the body. Mats that are too firm may fail to absorb the impact effectively, leading to increased risk of concussions, joint injuries, and bruising. Conversely, mats that are too soft may cause instability, making it harder for athletes to maintain their balance, potentially increasing the risk of sprains and twists. Additionally, modern wrestling mats are often coated with antimicrobial substances to prevent infections, which are which are common in close-contact sports  

    Athlete comfort

    Athlete comfort is another critical factor influenced by the mat choice in both wrestling and kabaddi. Comfort not only affects an athlete’s immediate experience but also their long-term performance by reducing fatigue and injury.

    In wrestling, the mat’s ability to provide a stable yet cushioned surface is crucial for minimizing joint stress. Wrestlers spend significant time grappling on the ground, and a comfortable mat can reduce the wear and tear on their bodies. The material and thickness of the mat play a significant role in determining the level of comfort. High-density foam mats are often preferred for wrestling, as they provide both comfort and support, allowing athletes to perform at their best without experiencing undue fatigue from harsh landings or prolonged groundwork.

    Similarly, in kabaddi, where athletes must make rapid sprints and execute tackles in a small playing area, the mat’s comfort is critical. A surface that is too hard can lead to discomfort, reducing the players’ ability to make explosive movements, while a surface that is too soft can make it difficult to change direction quickly, affecting agility. The transition from traditional mud surfaces to synthetic mats has led to a need for materials that minimize discomfort and reduce the impact on joints during fast-paced action. Properly designed mats can help reduce fatigue, enabling players to maintain high performance over longer durations.

    Impact on performance

    The type of mat used in wrestling and kabaddi can directly impact athletic performance. In athletic mats, the right amount of grip allows athletes to execute takedowns, throws, and holds with precision. If the mat is too slippery, it can result in failed techniques or unnecessary slips, hindering performance. Grip is especially important in wrestling where leverage and positioning are key to gaining an advantage over the opponent. The surface texture of the mat should allow wrestlers to move fluidly while providing the necessary traction to maintain stability during aggressive movement.

    In kabaddi, mat design is equally important for performance. As the game involves rapid sprints, sudden directional changes, and quick tackles, the mat must provide adequate grip for the feet. This prevents slipping during crucial movements, allowing players to maintain balance and control. A good quality mat can enhance player agility, giving them the confidence to perform complex maneuvers without the fear of losing their footing. Furthermore, the elasticity of the mat can affect how a player rebound from tackles and how quickly they can regain their footing which is crucial in a game where speed is paramount.

    The choice of mats in kabaddi and wrestling is more than just a matter of comfort it is integral to injury prevention, athlete well-being, and peak performance. In wrestling, mats that balance the softness and firmness reduce the risk of injury while promoting optimal movement and grip. Similarly in Kabaddi, modern mats have evolved to provide comfort, safety, and agility allowing athletes to perform at their best.  As both sports continue to develop, innovations in mat technology will play an increasingly important role in enhancing athlete safety, comfort, and performance on the mat.

    The article has been authored by Gravolite director Paras Maheshwari.

  • TNA Wrestling expands partnership with Warner Bros Discovery’s Eurosport India

    TNA Wrestling expands partnership with Warner Bros Discovery’s Eurosport India

    Mumbai: Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc, a global multi-platform media company, announced that TNA Wrestling has expanded its partnership with Warner Bros Discovery’s (WBD) premium sports channel Eurosport India. The exclusive multi-year agreement, encompassing hundreds of hours of content, extends TNA’s offerings, broadcasting all-new original series, iconic matchups, PPV events, and more throughout India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

    The deal builds upon the agreement previously announced in March, which featured eight new TNA+ presents specials each year, as well as all-new episodes of the tailor-made Hindi-language series Pehlwani Patakha—showcasing top highlights from TNA iMPACT!, as well as groundbreaking moments from TNA’s storied legacy.

    Now, in addition to these popular offerings, Eurosport India viewers will be able to enjoy even more hard-hitting TNA action, with over 200 hours of original programming annually from TNA’s complete first-run output. The new deal includes the weekly flagship series TNA iMPACT! and cornerstone pay-per-views such as Bound for Glory and Slammiversary; to content from TNA’s extensive library spanning 20 years of the promotion’s history, selected from over 6,000 hours of original series and landmark events boasting appearances by some of the biggest stars in professional wrestling. Highlights include access to legacy series such as epics, TNA’s greatest matches, legends, British Boot Camp, and TNA Unfinished Business, as well as classic pay-per-views, and much more.

    Warner Bros Discovery began broadcasting curated TNA programming in the region in the first quarter of 2020. The promotion continues to resonate with viewers in India and its Sub-Continent, and has firmly established itself as the #2 data-supported genre brand in India—amassing more than 2.5 million Facebook followers in the country. TNA’s global reach has grown, as well, with the promotion attracting over 4.94 million YouTube subscribers worldwide.

    Warner Bros Discovery head of distribution and sports, South Asia, Ruchir Jain stated, “We are delighted to extend our partnership with TNA Wrestling and bring their exclusive content to our viewers in India. Pro-Wrestling has been an integral part of childhood in India, creating a nostalgic connection for many. Cultivating this connection has been key to the growth of Eurosport’s passionate fan base. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering top-tier sports entertainment, and we look forward to providing our thrill-loving audience with exceptional wrestling experiences through this partnership.”

    “This expanded deal is a testament to how powerfully TNA has resonated with audiences throughout India and its sub-continent,” said Anthem Sports Group SVP of content, distribution and marketing Ariel Shnerer. “WBD clearly recognizes the value that TNA brings to the Eurosport India platform, and we are proud to continue our successful partnership with them. We look forward to providing these loyal viewers with even more of the high-quality professional wrestling content they enjoy.”

    TNA is one of the largest professional wrestling organisations in the world, and the premier destination for wrestling fans across the globe. Since its inception in 2002, TNA has been home to legendary wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Sting, Kurt Angle, Kevin Nash, AJ Styles and many more. TNA’s current roster is headlined by TNA world champion Nic Nemeth and knockouts world champion Jordynne Grace, X-Division champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey, world tag team champions (ABC) Ace Austin and Chris Bey, knockouts world tag team champions Alisha Edwards and Masha Slamovich, and digital media champion PCO as well as rising Indian powerhouses Bhupinder Gujjar and Shera.

     

  • discovery+ launches investigative docuseries ‘Dangals of Crime’

    discovery+ launches investigative docuseries ‘Dangals of Crime’

    Mumbai: Streaming app discovery+ has launched an investigative docuseries “Dangals of Crime – The Untold Truth About Indian Wrestling,” which traces the meteoric rise of the Olympic sport of Wrestling in India while exploring in-depth the dark underbelly of crime often associated with it.

    Former wrestlers and coaches, eminent sports journalists, and law enforcement officials weigh in with their experiences, insights and memories, in the two-part series produced by Vice Studios Production and directed by award-winning director Niyantha Shekar.

    Notable former coaches and wrestlers whose views are reflected in the documentary include names such as Satbir Singh, Virender Kumar, Anil Mann and Ramphal Mann.

    Wrestling is by far India’s most successful individual sport (seven medals) in terms of medals won at the Summer Olympics. Its popularity reached a crescendo after iconic wrestlers Sushil Kumar and Yogeshwar Dutt won three medals collectively across two successive Games (Beijing 2008 and London 2012). “Dangals of Crime” showcases this journey towards success and highlights the deep-rooted akhada culture, strict discipline and the unparalleled devotion that makes a champion wrestler.

    The series explores how the sport, which has been instrumental in bringing sporting laurels for India, has also been witness to some dark moments which overshadow its glorious journey and malign wrestling and its athletes.

    “Dangals of Crime delves deep into the realms of wrestling, a sport that has churned out some of India’s greatest homegrown champions. Reflecting on the sport in the most informative way, the discovery+ Original dissects every aspect of the making of a Pehelwan, coupled with its current realities and the crime related to it. It will surely leave our viewers thinking,” said Discovery Inc MD – South Asia Megha Tata.

  • Eurosport India to bring New Japan Pro-Wrestling

    Eurosport India to bring New Japan Pro-Wrestling

    KOLKATA: Discovery’s Eurosport and Eurosport HD India are all set to captivate Indian pro-wrestling fans with high octane action from New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) with the dawn of the new year. The addition of NJPW expands Eurosport’s portfolio of pro-wrestling offerings with the exclusive India broadcast slated to begin 9 January 2021 from 6 pm, with weekly episodes to be telecast every Saturday and Sunday from 6 pm onward.

    Eurosport’s partnership with the 48-year-old pro-wrestling franchise for 2020-21 will include broadcast of all the marquee fixtures of the NJPW calendar for the year – Wrestle Kingdom, New Japan Cup, Best of Super Juniors and G1 Climax.

    Discovery South Asia sports business affiliate sales senior vice president and sports business head Vijay Rajput said, “India has a potent fan base for pro-wrestling and with the addition of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Eurosport is taking a major step towards providing quality sports content to the Indian audiences.”

    He also added, “This partnership only adds to our commitment of building vertical ownership and gives our viewers the much-needed ingredient to get their adrenaline pumping while experiencing some of the world’s best pro-wrestlers in action.”

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling president and representative director Takami Ohbari said, “New Japan Pro-Wrestling is very excited to partner with the best sporting network in the world to reach out to the Indian audience. India’s passion for professional wrestling is a known fact and with Eurosport we surely make the perfect tag-team to provide some of the best action from the world of pro-wrestling and fuel the desire of the Indian fans.”

    New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s iconic Rainmaker Kazuchika Okada heads a roster of world-leading athletes, including the double IWGP heavyweight and intercontinental champion Kota Ibushi, Jay White, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito and many more.

  • Sony Pictures Sports Network aims to serve sports fans with all-day live multi-sports action on Republic Day

    Sony Pictures Sports Network aims to serve sports fans with all-day live multi-sports action on Republic Day

    This Republic day, Sony Pictures Sports Network (SPSN) will serve sports fans whole day programming across a diverse range of live sporting events ranging from cricket, football, tennis, wrestling, boxing, basketball to golf and squash. Marquee sports events include the third test of South Africa vs India, the women’s double finals as well as men’s single semi-finals in the Australian Open and the finals of the Pro-Wrestling League.

    Viewers can tune in and indulge on the very best of live action across sports.

    Live Events Schedule:

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  • FICCI Frames 2016: Live Updates: Sports gets serious what’s next?

    FICCI Frames 2016: Live Updates: Sports gets serious what’s next?

    MUMBAI: The sports ecosystem has seen a see of development in recent past. Non-cricket as a whole graduated from a flying bubble to a serious entity. Pro Kabaddi, from an un-orthodox experiment has become a case study. Cricket is a serious business for the broadcast ecosystem and has been from a long period of time, but now Sports as a whole has become serious business: But What’s next? and that is what the next session of FICCI Frames 2016 is all about.

    Indiantelevision.com will bring to you the updates of the session live and exclusive.

    The panelists will be quizzed by ESPN Cricinfo, Senior Editor: Gaurav Kalra
    Star Sports, President, Nitin Kukreja 
    Owner Gujrat Lions IPL franchise: Keshav Bansal
    USports CEO Supratik Sen
    SE TransStadia MD and CEO: Udit Sheth
    FC Goa CEO Sukhwinder Singh

    Kalra throws the ball at Nitin’s court. Asks him for his initial comment.

    “This Country is in verge of witnessing something special,” Nitin gets the ball rolling.

    “I still remember the morning we launched Kabaddi. We were still unsure. From there to now, we have learned a lot.” “We have learned that all stakeholders need to work together. Some stake holders need more convincing,” ‘collaboration is the key’ the biggest outcome from Nitin’s initial remarks. “Judging our success, it has come at the back of all our stake holders,” he gives credit to all the stake holders.

    Now Kalra goes to the CEO of the most successful PKL team, Supratik Sen narrates how the interest on PKL came. “Ronnie came and said we are going to invest on Kabaddi and that’s where it all started. It was quite a challenge, in the initial days we heard ab gilly danda kyun nhi khel lete, but when we spoke to the 40 plus age group, the women and men have played it in their lives, the answer became easier.”

    He further talks about the challenges, “Our challenge was to take it to the masses, so we reached out to them and got our talent, the we transformed these athheletes, into stars as we could mould them.

    Nitin now asked about the perception ‘Kabaddi won’t work’ He terms it ‘Outsiders view’ “The second season has completely changed the face of the game, the stakes are higher now. You need to go to Ranchi to know how big Hockey is, go to Hyderabad to see how popular Kabaddi is” he remarks.

    “Sporting has become even more local, even when it comes to sporrt revenuee. We were used to ccheer for team Inddia, but now there is a team Goa and team Kolkata” Nitin now talks about the paradigm shift.

    “We don’t expect to make profit from our IPL investment. This investemt is more about marking and building a brand that will reach to millions,” realistic Keshav narrates.

    Kalra quizzes on how to build interest on football to FC goa?

    Singh now has the mic, “While cricket remains the religion, but if we manage to package well and make it more and more engaging for the fans, and allow financial partneers to come forward and be a part pf the process, there is a way to sustain it.”

    “We are not sitting idle when the games are done. We are investing in the grassroots and keeping the aspiration about the game alive in the nine months when there is no league” Singh adds.

    Is there an area we need to pay urgent attention, which has been neglected, to develoe a culture around sport? — kalra

    Udit: Sport infrastructure wasnt thought of as a montisisng asset in our country. India has about 80 stadiums, but none of them are designed for television broadcast. When I was in talks with the Gujarat government, we told them we werent there to build a stadium, but to buld a sporting culture,” infrastructure is too a key, its not about getting them there but keeping them there and provide them quality experience……. great thoughts from Singh.

    What role can broadcasters play in developing a sports culture? A heavyweight question and there can be no one better than Nitin to answer this.

    “Ratings are important,  from an advervenue perspective. But we realise that sport is not just a television product. We realise that grassroots play an important role too,” he is not done yet now he sheds light on the fact that the clubs too need to take a lot of responsibilities “we can do it to a certain extent, but the clubs will have to take it upon themselves to build the culture foreward”

    Keshav now has the mic, “The success of any team worldwide largely depennds on how they perform, Brand building is important, and its a gradual process. The teams who have been in the league from thhe staart have an advantage. They had the time to build their legacy, and meerchandisisng followed. We are also working on building a brand, ut it will take time. Ultimately performance will speak.”

    Are you monetisisng kabaddi enough? shoots a delegate sitting in the ballroom……Well can there be enough monetising ever? ……… Karla diverts the question to Nitin, “As long as you are dong the right thing for the sport, as long as you are investing in the right areas, the money will follow. Its a question whether its in one year two year or three years,”…….. answers Nitin

    Karla now follows the ticker and wraps the session……

    It was Indiantelevision.com Reporter Papri Das sending all the live updates from the venue…

    Hope you liked the coverage….

    Please give us your feedback…. tweet us @ITVNewz…

    This is Anirban Roy Choudhury signing off for today……. 

  • FICCI Frames 2016: Live Updates: Sports gets serious what’s next?

    FICCI Frames 2016: Live Updates: Sports gets serious what’s next?

    MUMBAI: The sports ecosystem has seen a see of development in recent past. Non-cricket as a whole graduated from a flying bubble to a serious entity. Pro Kabaddi, from an un-orthodox experiment has become a case study. Cricket is a serious business for the broadcast ecosystem and has been from a long period of time, but now Sports as a whole has become serious business: But What’s next? and that is what the next session of FICCI Frames 2016 is all about.

    Indiantelevision.com will bring to you the updates of the session live and exclusive.

    The panelists will be quizzed by ESPN Cricinfo, Senior Editor: Gaurav Kalra
    Star Sports, President, Nitin Kukreja 
    Owner Gujrat Lions IPL franchise: Keshav Bansal
    USports CEO Supratik Sen
    SE TransStadia MD and CEO: Udit Sheth
    FC Goa CEO Sukhwinder Singh

    Kalra throws the ball at Nitin’s court. Asks him for his initial comment.

    “This Country is in verge of witnessing something special,” Nitin gets the ball rolling.

    “I still remember the morning we launched Kabaddi. We were still unsure. From there to now, we have learned a lot.” “We have learned that all stakeholders need to work together. Some stake holders need more convincing,” ‘collaboration is the key’ the biggest outcome from Nitin’s initial remarks. “Judging our success, it has come at the back of all our stake holders,” he gives credit to all the stake holders.

    Now Kalra goes to the CEO of the most successful PKL team, Supratik Sen narrates how the interest on PKL came. “Ronnie came and said we are going to invest on Kabaddi and that’s where it all started. It was quite a challenge, in the initial days we heard ab gilly danda kyun nhi khel lete, but when we spoke to the 40 plus age group, the women and men have played it in their lives, the answer became easier.”

    He further talks about the challenges, “Our challenge was to take it to the masses, so we reached out to them and got our talent, the we transformed these athheletes, into stars as we could mould them.

    Nitin now asked about the perception ‘Kabaddi won’t work’ He terms it ‘Outsiders view’ “The second season has completely changed the face of the game, the stakes are higher now. You need to go to Ranchi to know how big Hockey is, go to Hyderabad to see how popular Kabaddi is” he remarks.

    “Sporting has become even more local, even when it comes to sporrt revenuee. We were used to ccheer for team Inddia, but now there is a team Goa and team Kolkata” Nitin now talks about the paradigm shift.

    “We don’t expect to make profit from our IPL investment. This investemt is more about marking and building a brand that will reach to millions,” realistic Keshav narrates.

    Kalra quizzes on how to build interest on football to FC goa?

    Singh now has the mic, “While cricket remains the religion, but if we manage to package well and make it more and more engaging for the fans, and allow financial partneers to come forward and be a part pf the process, there is a way to sustain it.”

    “We are not sitting idle when the games are done. We are investing in the grassroots and keeping the aspiration about the game alive in the nine months when there is no league” Singh adds.

    Is there an area we need to pay urgent attention, which has been neglected, to develoe a culture around sport? — kalra

    Udit: Sport infrastructure wasnt thought of as a montisisng asset in our country. India has about 80 stadiums, but none of them are designed for television broadcast. When I was in talks with the Gujarat government, we told them we werent there to build a stadium, but to buld a sporting culture,” infrastructure is too a key, its not about getting them there but keeping them there and provide them quality experience……. great thoughts from Singh.

    What role can broadcasters play in developing a sports culture? A heavyweight question and there can be no one better than Nitin to answer this.

    “Ratings are important,  from an advervenue perspective. But we realise that sport is not just a television product. We realise that grassroots play an important role too,” he is not done yet now he sheds light on the fact that the clubs too need to take a lot of responsibilities “we can do it to a certain extent, but the clubs will have to take it upon themselves to build the culture foreward”

    Keshav now has the mic, “The success of any team worldwide largely depennds on how they perform, Brand building is important, and its a gradual process. The teams who have been in the league from thhe staart have an advantage. They had the time to build their legacy, and meerchandisisng followed. We are also working on building a brand, ut it will take time. Ultimately performance will speak.”

    Are you monetisisng kabaddi enough? shoots a delegate sitting in the ballroom……Well can there be enough monetising ever? ……… Karla diverts the question to Nitin, “As long as you are dong the right thing for the sport, as long as you are investing in the right areas, the money will follow. Its a question whether its in one year two year or three years,”…….. answers Nitin

    Karla now follows the ticker and wraps the session……

    It was Indiantelevision.com Reporter Papri Das sending all the live updates from the venue…

    Hope you liked the coverage….

    Please give us your feedback…. tweet us @ITVNewz…

    This is Anirban Roy Choudhury signing off for today……. 

  • Dave Batista to headline Wrestlemania XXX, conquers Royal Rumble 2014

    Dave Batista to headline Wrestlemania XXX, conquers Royal Rumble 2014

    MUMBAI: He came. He saw. He conquered.

     

    Dave Batista a.k.a The Animal made his come back after nearly a four-year absence from WWE. And he proved he hadn’t lost any of his killer instinct as he eliminated Roman Reigns to win the 2014 Royal Rumble Match.

     

    Batista  With his epic victory – his second in the 27-year history of the over-the-top-rope brawl – Batista began his calculated march toward WrestleMania XXX, where he will attempt to achieve the one goal that led to his return: win the WWE World Heavyweight Title.

     

    It was a commanding performance from The Animal, who entered the fray at No. 28 and eliminated four Superstars to stand tall. Long before that, however, it was CM Punk who kicked things off, entering at No. 1 for the second time in his career.

     

    The first Royal Rumble shocker came at No. 14 when the massive Kevin Nash returned to WWE and immediately eliminated Jack Swagger before going after both Rollins and Dean Ambrose of The Shield at the same time. Big Sexy didn’t last long, though, as the No. 15 entrant – Roman Reigns – tossed Nash, Kofi and Dolph Ziggler in short order. It was just the beginning of what would become a legendary Rumble Match performance for the muscle of The Shield.

     

    The next unforeseen entrant was JBL, as he left the commentary table at No. 24, and entered the ring in a shirt and tie. Yet by the time he handed off his coat to Michael Cole, he was sacked by the domineering Reigns. Despite his limited appearance, JBL still inspired chants of “You still got it!” from the WWE Universe. With that, Punk, Batista, Sheamus and Reigns stood as the final four, but The Straight Edge Superstar didn’t last long as Kane reemerged and pulled Punk out of the ring (thus tying Shawn Michaels for all-time Royal Rumble Match eliminations with 39). The Director of Operations continued his vicious assault on the former WWE Champion by chokeslamming him through the Spanish announce table.

     

    Sheamus was the next to go as he was dispatched by Reigns, who eliminated 12 Superstars – 40 per cent of the contest’s participants – to break Kane’s 13-year-old record for the most competitors eliminated in a single Royal Rumble Match. With anticipation reaching a fever pitch, Batista and Reigns squared off. Bone-jarring spears followed as the upstart tested the veteran’s resolve; ultimately, though, it was The Animal who survived as he launched Reigns out of the ring with one arm.

     

    With the ring now clear of every Superstar but one, Batista stood supreme as the winner of his second Royal Rumble Match. As many greats have done before him, The Animal pointed into the rafters where the WrestleMania XXX sign hung. What awaits him there remains to be seen, but the Road to WrestleMania has begun, and a determined Animal is leading the stampede to New Orleans.

  • WWE announces 24/7 streaming service starting 24 February

    WWE announces 24/7 streaming service starting 24 February

    MUMBAI: One of the biggest sporting brands ever in the world of entertainment just got bigger. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) under the managerial brilliance of its chairman and CEO Vince McMahon has decided to go over the top (literally).

     

    Today, the Network announced the first-ever 24/7 streaming network that will launch live in the US on Monday, 24 February. It is a one of its kind over the top (OTT) distribution platform that will feature all 12 WWE live pay-per-view events – including WrestleMania – valued at more than $600 per year for $9.99 per month with a six-month commitment. It will also include groundbreaking original programming, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches and more than 1,500 hours of video on demand at launch.

     

    The build-up to the big announcement started two days ago on social media platforms, raising the level of curiosity among the sports fans. However, the announcement came at the Consumer Electronic Show taking place at Las Vegas at 8:00 am (IST) today. 

     

    Fans can subscribe to the WWE Network beginning 7:30 pm, 24 February, at WWE.com. For a limited time, the network will be free for a one week trial. Delivered to fans through OTT digital distribution, the network will be available on desktops and laptops via WWE.com. It will also be available through the WWE App on: Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices, Android devices, iOS devices, Roku streaming devices, Sony PlayStation 3 & 4 and Xbox 360. Availability on additional devices, including Xbox One and select Smart TVs, will follow suit.

     

    “Today is a historic day for WWE as we transform and reimagine how we deliver our premium live content and 24/7 programming directly to our fans around the world,” said WWE Chairman & chief executive officer Vince McMahon. “WWE Network will provide transformative growth for our company and unprecedented value for our fans.”

     

    WWE Network will also offer fans a revolutionary second screen experience for all original programming and live events via the WWE App, similar to the interactive fan experience currently available for flagship TV programs Raw and SmackDown.

     

    WWE collaborated with MLB Advanced Media (MLBAM) to build a powerful solution for delivering 24/7 WWE content to fans. MLBAM will provide its industry-leading technology services, including video streaming infrastructure, application development and operational support for reliable cross-platform distribution.

     

    MLBAM has been at the forefront of streaming technology for more than a decade now, powering its own live video subscription product since 2002. Last year, MLBAM managed live video content for more than 25,000 events, covering 80,000 hours of broadcast programming, across its sports and entertainment partners.

     

    “We applaud WWE for this bold, timely and strategic move to fully optimise the power and potential of live entertainment,” said MLBAM president & CEO Bob Bowman. “We are proud to work with WWE to help provide its millions of loyal fans with unencumbered access to distinctive and engaging live content across the devices they use most.”

     

    WWE Network is scheduled to launch in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Nordics by the end of 2014 or early 2015.

     

    Programming Highlights

     

    WWE Network will officially launch with the live Monday Night Raw Post-Show on 24 February at 9:36 am, and fans will instantly have access to the most comprehensive WWE video-on-demand library upon signing up. In addition to live Raw and SmackDown pre and post-shows every week, new programming including a live studio show and additional on-demand content will be added in the future.

     

    At launch, WWE Network will include all 12 Live Pay-Per-View Events, including WrestleMania, and will be available to subscribers live, as well as on demand. It will also include Live pay-per-view 30 minute pre and post-shows.

     

    Original Programming

     

    Every Monday and Friday night, WWE Network will air 30 minute pre and post-shows for WWE’s weekly cable programs Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.

     

    The Monday Night War: A series exploring the shocking real-life stories that fueled the mid ‘90s rivalry between WWE and WCW. Battling for ratings dominance, WWE’s Vince McMahon and WCW’s Ted Turner engaged in a masterful game of one-upmanship, and in the process, elevated WWE Monday Night Raw and WCW Monday Nitro to all new levels of pop-culture relevance.

     

    WrestleMania Rewind:  A comprehensive look back at the most groundbreaking matches and dramatic moments in WrestleMania history, including never-before-seen footage and in-depth interviews.

     

    WWE Countdown: A one-hour, groundbreaking, interactive, countdown series that puts the power squarely in viewers’ hands by giving the audience the chance to discuss and rank WWE’s most spectacular superstars, unexpected moments, best catch phrases and more through digital polling and social media interaction.

     

    WWE Legends House: Starting in April, WWE’s greatest Legends will reunite for a new title. Only that this time they’re competing outside the ring. Imagine a beautiful house in the suburbs – perfectly furnished, with gorgeous landscaping, a lovely pool and quiet, respectable neighbours. WWE Superstars from the past including “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Tony Atlas and “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will turn the neighborhood upside down as the house staff tries their best to keep these legends on time, on speaking terms, and out of trouble in this new reality show.

     

    WWE NXT: WWE Superstars and Divas of tomorrow face off every week on WWE NXT, a one-hour weekly show that features the brightest and best of WWE’s rising stars. WWE NXT showcases the Superstars and Divas from WWE’s Performance Center as well as appearances from WWE Superstars and Legends in an intimate setting. WWE NXT broadcasts from the state-of-the-art Full Sail Live venue on the Full Sail University campus in Orlando, Florida.

     

    WWE Superstars: An hour long weekly show highlighting the best of WWE Superstars and Divas in heart-pounding matches. Features highlights from all WWE programming, as well as a special glimpse at everything going on in the WWE Universe.

     

    Video On Demand

     

    WWE Network will offer all WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-views as well as classic matches uncut and uncensored, encores of Raw, SmackDown and WWE Main Event totalling more than 1,500 hours of video on demand at launch.

     

    All episodes of original programming on WWE Network will be available on demand immediately after the premiere, allowing the viewers to watch on their schedule. Good times are certainly ahead for all WWE fans.