Devas Dixit

BY JITU JANGIR

SmackDown commentary is getting a temporary reshuffle, with Kevin Patrick stepping down and veteran announcer Michael Cole filling in alongside Corey Graves. This sudden switch, effective for this week's Royal Rumble go-home episode, leaves fans wondering about the future of the commentary team.## PWInsider reports that the long-term plan remains unclear. Will this be a brief shake-up or a permanent shift? Will Kevin Patrick find a new role within WWE?## The decision to remove Patrick, reportedly made just last minute, surprised many. He was initially scheduled to be on SmackDown this week. While he's well-liked within WWE, some executives reportedly felt he wasn't the perfect fit for the lead announcer role.## So, tune in to SmackDown this week to see Cole and Graves in action, and keep your eyes peeled for further updates on the commentary team's future. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

Cody Rhodes has set his sights on a singular goal – concluding his narrative and clinching the World Championship at WrestleMania 40. Unfortunately, recent developments cast doubt on the realization of this ambition. ## The uncertainty surrounding Cody Rhodes's WrestleMania status stems from widespread speculation regarding a potential return to the squared circle by none other than The Rock. This twist in the narrative could potentially alter Rhodes's assumed role as Roman Reigns's adversary at the grand spectacle.## Despite the swirling speculations, The American Nightmare remains resolute and undeterred, emphatically asserting his belief that he will headline WrestleMania 40 and ultimately bring his story to its conclusion. ## According to insights from Sports Illustrated, various sources with close ties to WWE's Head of Creative, Triple H, have intimated that Cody Rhodes is unlikely to be in the main event at this year's WrestleMania. These sources suggest that Rhodes will not have the opportunity to bring his narrative to a close at the highly anticipated event. ## Recent backstage discussions between Cody Rhodes and The Rock have only fueled further speculation about WrestleMania. The Rock's participation at WrestleMania 40, following revelations about his TKO position, remains uncertain. Only time will tell whether Rhodes will indeed miss the chance to conclude his story at WrestleMania 40 this year. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, January 24 - Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone's aerial action thriller Fighter, which reunites the duo with director Siddharth Anand, is all set to hit the big screens tomorrow, January 25, amid a lot of expectations. ## Touted as one of its kind aerial actioner in Indian cinema, "Fighter" was censored with a 'U/A' certificate with an approved runtime of 2 hours and 43 minutes. The movie is expected to have a wide release on over 4200 screens nationwide, as per the industry buzz. ## "Fighter" was expected to be a frontloaded opener at the box office and keeping that in mind, the makers opened the bookings on January 20. The movie did receive a very good response in advances in the first 24 hours but the pace got slow as the release date got nearer. ## With a few hours to go for the first show to begin, the pre-sales are nearing 7 crores gross with over 214K tickets sold. The final sales are expected to be around 8 crores which is much better than Hrithik's last film "Vikram Vedha", but is still underwhelming as the scale of "Fighter" is huge, plus director Siddharth is coming after the mega-blockbuster success of "Pathaan" with superstar Shah Rukh Khan. ## The pre-sales trend of "Fighter" is indicating an opening in the range of 25 crores net and if it receives positive word of mouth, there is a good chance of it going beyond this mark as January 26 is the Republic Day holiday which means evening and night shows could go houseful on the opening day.## The star power involved will drive the opening of the film that initially looked like a frontloaded one. The Republic Day weekend should work in favour of it but the overall box office prospects beyond the Holiday frame will depend on what kind of reception it gets from paying audiences in the first 4-days. ## Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, January 24 - Pan India superstar Prabhas-fronted action drama Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire scored a decent viewership on its Netflix debut after concluding the box office journey with over 600 crores gross worldwide. ## Directed by Prashanth Neel, "Salaar: Ceasefire" was made available to watch digitally on 20 January in South Indian languages, 28 days after the theatrical release. In the first two days, the movie scored 4.7 million viewing hours from 1.6 million views. ## It was the third most-watched non-English film worldwide on Netflix during the week of January 15 - January 21. While the numbers are decent, Netflix would have hoped for more considering the film's box-office performance. The viewership of "Salaar" is in the lines of any other mid-range Indian film on the streamer. ## "Salaar" is trending only in 4 countries in the top 10, including number 1 in India. This is another sign that the movie failed to reach wider audiences outside India and this was also reflected in its overseas box office performance as it grossed around 130 crores, which is less compared to most of the recent Pan India biggies. ## Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Mumbai, January 24 - Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone's Fighter was supposed to be a frontloaded starter at the box office but the table seems to have turned since last week with unexpectedly slow response in the bookings. ## Directed by Siddharth Anand, "Fighter" has been one of the most-awaited movies of the year and the recently released trailer also looked like a big-screen spectacle, however, the reality is hinting at a different scenario with the way pre-sales are progressing at the moment. ## The bookings of the film were opened on January 20 and the initial response looked positive but as the release date is getting nearer, the advances have stuck and are progressing at a very slow pace. At one point, it looked like the opening day pre-sales would easily be around 15-20 crores for the opening day, but now, it is expected to finish at around 8 crores. ## The current pre-sales of "Fighter" are around 5.50 crores gross which is underwhelming and the movie needs a massive turnaround to have an opening of around 25 crores. The pre-sales trend has also almost confirmed that "Fighter" won't be a big opener in the range of 40-50 crores. ## The film will need super positive word of mouth, a must for it to work big at the box office. The Republic Day weekend should help the film on some level, but overall, "Fighter" will have to depend on WOM which will make or break its box office prospects. ## It is quite a turnaround for director Siddharth Anand whose "Pathaan" starring superstar Shah Rukh Khan opened with a bang during the same frame in 2023. The movie scored huge pre-sales and went on to create many records at the box office. Anand will be hoping "Fighter" to have a long run even if it may not open or even close to "Pathaan's" number. ## Stay tuned...

BY JITU JANGIR

Here are the full results for this Wednesday's AEW Dynamite Episode which is slated to air live on January 24, 2024, at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA. ## AEW Dynamite airs every Wednesday at 8 pm ET on TBS in the United States. In Canada, AEW Dynamite is available through the TSN website. In India, AEW Dynamite airs on Eurosport every Thursday at 6:30 AM IST. ## The show is available on the TSN Direct streaming service at 10 pm Eastern, the same time that the show will air live on TNT and FITE TV. ## AEW Dynamite Results January 24, 2024: Highlights ## -Results will be ongoing once the show starts off! ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

WWE and Netflix recently announced that WWE Raw will be making its way to the streaming giant come January 2025. The monumental shift in the wrestling landscape has left fans and industry insiders alike buzzing with anticipation.## Nick Khan, WWE's President and Chief Revenue Officer, shed light on the potential implications of this move during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. Addressing the question of whether WWE Raw would remain on Monday nights, Khan emphasized that, at least for the time being, the plan is to maintain its traditional Monday slot. However, with over ten months until the Netflix deal kicks in, Khan acknowledged the need to navigate the changing television landscape.## Khan highlighted the formidable competition that Monday Night Raw faces on traditional television, ranging from Monday Night Football to an enhanced Disney package and other high-profile sporting events. Despite these challenges, he pointed out Raw's resilience by citing a noteworthy .6 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic, even when pitted against major football games.## Remaining optimistic about Raw's potential success, Khan expressed WWE's willingness to explore alternative scheduling options. He stated, "If we stay on Mondays, it'll work, if we move to a different day, we think it'll work too," indicating a flexible approach to ensure the continued success of the flagship program. ## An SEC filing disclosed that Netflix holds the option to extend the WWE Raw deal beyond the initial ten years or opt out after five years. This flexibility introduces an element of uncertainty to the long-term arrangement, allowing for potential renegotiations and adjustments based on the evolving dynamics of the streaming and entertainment industries. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made waves with his recent return to WWE TV at Raw Day One, hinting at a potential clash with Universal Champion Roman Reigns. In a candid interview on ESPN First Take, The Rock shared his thoughts on the speculated WrestleMania showdown, underscoring his love for the business and the desire to contribute to its growth. ## Acknowledging the intricate nature of professional wrestling, The Rock expressed his interest in playing the long game. The allusion to a main event at WrestleMania against Roman Reigns ignited anticipation and excitement among fans, who eagerly await the possibility of witnessing these two iconic figures face off on the grandest stage of them all. ## In a subtle nod to Reigns' "Head of the Table" moniker, The Rock hinted at the prospect of sitting at that symbolic head, adding a layer of intrigue to the potential storyline. The excitement in The Rock's voice was palpable as he spoke about the opportunity to create something extraordinary and potentially host the greatest WrestleMania in history. ## The Rock's confidence in the match's impact and his deep respect for the history of WrestleMania resonated with fans, fueling speculation about the significance of a bout between these two generational talents. As the wrestling community eagerly awaits further developments, The Rock's dual announcement of joining the TKO Board of Directors emphasizes his continued influence inside and outside the ring. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

WWE is currently experiencing another shift in its commentary lineup, as confirmed by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. According to reports, Kevin Patrick, who had been part of the SmackDown commentary team alongside Corey Graves, is no longer in that role. The replacement for Patrick on the show has not been revealed as of now. ## The initial report, disclosed on Monday night by Aaron Varble, highlighted that SmackDown is set for a change with Kevin Patrick's departure, and no successor has been named yet. The reason provided for this change was stated as, 'It just wasn't working out.' ## Despite the news, WWE has not officially announced the details or implications for the future.## Previously, Patrick, Graves, and Michael Cole formed the new SmackDown commentary team after a reshuffling in August last year. The decision to pair Cole and Patrick was reportedly made with the intention of aiding Patrick's growth as a broadcaster.## In another recent development this month, Cole left the SmackDown team and is now exclusively calling Raw.## Kevin Patrick, also known as Kevin Egan, joined the WWE broadcast team in March 2021, assuming roles as a backstage correspondent, play-by-play commentator, and host of Raw Talk. Beyond his WWE responsibilities, he brings extensive experience as a soccer announcer.## It's noteworthy that Patrick co-hosted WWE After the Bell with Corey Graves until the conclusion of that podcast in November of last year.## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

n January 23, 2024, the company unveiled a strategic partnership between WWE and Netflix. Commencing in January 2025, Netflix is set to become the exclusive new home for Raw in key territories, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America, among others, and will gradually expand to encompass additional countries and regions. ## This collaboration extends beyond Raw, as per the terms of the agreement, making Netflix the exclusive platform for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. This includes WWE's weekly programs - SmackDown and NXT - along with the organization's Premium Live Events, such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. ## WWE's extensive library of documentaries, original series, and upcoming projects will also find a global audience on Netflix, starting in 2025. ## The agreement, structured with an initial 10-year term, involves an aggregate rights fee surpassing $5 billion. Additionally, Netflix holds the option to extend the agreement for an additional 10 years or opt out after the initial five years. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

WWE, a division of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) have jointly announced a groundbreaking long-term partnership, signifying a pivotal shift in programming. ## Raw, WWE's flagship weekly program, will make a historic move away from linear television for the first time in its 31-year history. ## Commencing in January 2025, Netflix will serve as the exclusive new platform for Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America, with plans to expand its availability to additional countries and regions in due course. ## Moreover, as part of this comprehensive agreement, Netflix will be the go-to destination for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. This includes Raw, as well as WWE's other weekly programs, SmackDown and NXT. Furthermore, Netflix will become the exclusive platform for WWE's Premium Live Events, such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. International audiences can also look forward to accessing WWE's acclaimed documentaries, original series, and upcoming projects on Netflix starting in 2025. ## Netflix to Become New Home of WWE Raw Beginning 2025## Long-Term Deal Brings Weekly Live Sports Entertainment to Netflix## STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) today announced a long-term partnership that will bring WWE’s flagship weekly program – Raw – to the world’s leading entertainment service. This marks a major programming shift as Raw leaves linear television for the first time since its inception 31 years ago.## Beginning in January 2025, Netflix will be the exclusive new home of Raw in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Latin America, among other territories, with additional countries and regions to be added over time. Likewise, as part of the agreement, Netflix will also become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S. as available, inclusive of Raw and WWE’s other weekly shows – SmackDown and NXT – as well as the company’s Premium Live Events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble. WWE’s award-winning documentaries, original series and forthcoming projects will also be available on Netflix internationally beginning in 2025.## “This deal is transformative,” said Mark Shapiro, TKO President and COO. “It marries the can’t-miss WWE product with Netflix’s extraordinary global reach and locks in significant and predictable economics for many years. Our partnership fundamentally alters and strengthens the media landscape, dramatically expands the reach of WWE, and brings weekly live appointment viewing to Netflix.”## “We are excited to have WWE Raw, with its huge and passionate multigenerational fan base, on Netflix,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria. “By combining our reach, recommendations, and fandom with WWE, we’ll be able to deliver more joy and value for their audiences and our members. Raw is the best of sports entertainment, blending great characters and storytelling with live action 52 weeks a year and we’re thrilled to be in this long-term partnership with WWE.”## “In its relatively short history, Netflix has engineered a phenomenal track record for storytelling,” said Nick Khan, WWE President. “We believe Netflix, as one of the world’s leading entertainment brands, is the ideal long-term home for Raw’s live, loyal, and ever-growing fan base."## With 1,600 episodes to date, Raw is the most iconic show in sports entertainment. Since its debut in 1993, Raw has delivered action, compelling drama and unmatched athleticism – 52 weeks a year. Blending the best of scripted content with unpredictable live entertainment, the three-hour show has helped launch the careers of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair.## The show is currently the No. 1 show on USA Network, where it brings in 17.5 million unique viewers over the course of the year. One of television’s best performing shows in the 18-49 advertising demographic, Raw trends on X 52 weeks a year while each new episode is airing. On social media, WWE has more than one billion followers across its platforms. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Mumbai, January 23 - Bollywood stars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone Fighter has failed to get censor approval in Gulf countries. The Siddharth Anand's directorial aerial action flick is scheduled to be released on January 25. ## According to the latest reports, entire Gulf countries, except for UAE, have banned "Fighter". The film was submitted to the censor on January 10, and on January 23, it was officially communicated that the movie wouldn't be hitting the big screen in the Gulf. However, the film will be released in UAE as scheduled with a PG-15 rating. ## The reason behind the ban has not been revealed yet. Recently, superstar Salman Khan's "Tiger 3" was also banned in Kuwait and Qatar for its theatrical release. The Gulf has been a big overseas market for Indian movies so the ban will put a dent in "Fighter's" business. ## Produced by Viacom18 Studios and Marflix Pictures, the movie stars Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone, and Anil Kapoor in prominent roles. It is the first-of-its-kind aerial action thriller which has references to the 2019 Pulwama attack, and the 2019 Balakot airstrike. ## Stay tuned...