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Monday, April 30, 2018

SHOWTIME® ANNOUNCES RAW AND REVEALING DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLING SPORTSCASTER MAURO RANALLO AND HIS LIFELONG BATTLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER Premieres During Mental Health Awareness Month

On Friday, May 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME

NEW YORK – April 30, 2018 – Prolific combat sports broadcaster Mauro Ranallo and his lifelong battle with mental illness are the subject of a new documentary film from SHOWTIME Sports®. BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER – named for the moniker Ranallo gave himself as a broadcast personality and DJ in the early 90’s – will premiere on SHOWTIME during Mental Health Awareness Month on Friday, May 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

First look video: https://s.sho.com/2Ft4Mig

Ranallo has Bipolar Affective Disorder, a condition afflicting nearly five percent of the U.S. population according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org). As a national sportscaster for preeminent boxing, mixed martial arts and WWE events, Ranallo has long been an advocate for ending the stigma of mental illness. Now, for the first time, he exposes the true extent of his daily struggle. Through extensive behind-the-scenes video footage, candid personal interviews and detailed accounts from his loved ones and doctors, BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER takes an unflinching look at mental illness and its effects.

The film explores Ranallo’s career, including his work on the two biggest pay-per-view events in television history, and his relentless pursuit of a childhood dream despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Through this deeply personal portrait, Ranallo hopes that the film might inspire others to persevere in pursuing their dreams despite the challenges of a mental health condition.

“I have always tried to do my part to bring awareness to mental health issues,” said Ranallo. “Over the last several years, I allowed my best friend, Haris (Usanovic), to film me at my lowest points as well as at my highest. The idea is simply to show others who suffer that they are not alone and that, even when the outlook is bleak, you can overcome and achieve success. Mental illness is a life sentence—there is no cure—but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence.”

“Through BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER, Mauro Ranallo has chosen to share not only his life’s dreams, but his nightmares as well,” said Stephen Espinoza, President, Sports and Event Programming for Showtime Networks Inc. “Having reached the pinnacle of his profession, Mauro bravely turns his keen observational skills inward to examine his own life-long battle. The result is a raw, poignant and ultimately inspirational film that personifies Mauro’s courage and selflessness.”

Ranallo is a popular fixture on today’s combat sports scenes. In a career that has spanned more than 30 years, he has called everything from “All-Star Wrestling,” a Canadian professional wrestling outfit, to historic MMA events for PRIDE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS out of Japan, to WWE SmackDown Live on USA Network, to many of the biggest boxing events in the world for SHOWTIME Sports. Ranallo was the first broadcaster to call play-by-play on boxing, kickboxing, MMA and professional wrestling events on national television.

Today, Ranallo is the voice of three prominent nationally televised series: SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®, WWE’s weekly show NXT on WWE Network, and BELLATOR MMA on Paramount Network. Perhaps best known for his dramatic, excitable style, Ranallo is a student of the English language. He has already made a lasting mark on the industry having called the two biggest pay-per-view events in television history: Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao (May 2015, international telecast); and Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor (Aug. 2017, SHOWTIME PPV®).

BIPOLAR ROCK ‘N ROLLER is produced by Brian Dailey, the network’s Vice President, Sports Digital Content and Strategy, and MALKA MEDIA GROUP. Directed by first-time filmmaker Haris Usanovic, the film is executive produced by Stephen Espinoza and SHOWTIME Sports.

Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ and FLIX®, and also offers SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND and FLIX ON DEMAND®, and the network's authentication service SHOWTIME ANYTIME®. Showtime Digital Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of SNI, operates the stand-alone streaming service SHOWTIME®. SHOWTIME is currently available to subscribers via cable, DBS and telco providers, and as a stand-alone streaming service through Apple®, Roku®, Amazon, Google, Xbox One, Samsung and LG Smart TVs. Consumers can also subscribe to SHOWTIME via Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Sony PlayStation™ Vue, Amazon Channels and FuboTV. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution, which offers Smithsonian Channel™, and offers Smithsonian Earth™ through SN Digital LLC. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV. For more information, go to www.SHO.com.

Source: Showtime Sports

Friday, April 20, 2018

MMA Fighter Bryce Logan Joins Soba Recovery in Fighting Addiction Movement

TUNE IN TONIGHT ON AXS TV

April 20, 2018 - Soba Recovery Center is happy to announce its partnership with MMA fighter Bryce Logan (8-2), who battles Dakota Bush (4-0) tonight on Legacy Fighting Alliance on AXS TV. Logan joins Roy "Big Country" Nelson as they join Soba Recover Centers in their movement to fighting addiction.

"Today, we as a society, need to be aware of the dangers that drug, and alcohol addiction has on our families. It brings me great pleasure to join Soba Recovery Centers and their quest to help fight addiction. Addiction does not discriminate, it hits home to every race, religion and culture. Tonight, I'll be wearing a Soba patch on my trunks in honor of fighting addiction."

For a TV listing on AXS TV please click HERE.

About Soba Recovery Centers:

The emphasis at SOBA is "WHEN YOU ARE READY." When you finally realize your life has become unmanageable due to drug and/or alcohol addiction, and you sincerely desire to turn that around for yourself (rather than trying to please someone else)- you have an excellent chance of success. Ready? Pick up the phone and call us at (866) 948-9014. You will be speaking with someone who has similar experiences with the same feelings and emotions you may be going through right now.

Source: Soba Recovery

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Roy "Big Country" Nelson Joins Soba Recovery In Fighting Addiction Movement

LAS VEGAS, NV (April 11, 2018) - During his fight with Matt Mitrione at Bellator 194, MMA fighter Roy "Big Country" Nelson was wearing a Soba Recover Center patch on his trunks. The support for Soba was more than a sponsorship partnership for Nelson, it was union that hits close to his heart. In this in-depth interview, Soba Recovery Center founder and recovering addict, Greg Hannley, goes one on one with Nelson, as they both give their testimony on how addiction has affected their lives. This is a very inspiring video with vital information on how the insurance companies should change their policies when it comes to the opioid crisis that is killing the middle class. Please click on the video link below and get informed.



About Soba Recovery Centers:

The emphasis at SOBA is "WHEN YOU ARE READY." When you finally realize your life has become unmanageable due to drug and/or alcohol addiction, and you sincerely desire to turn that around for yourself (rather than trying to please someone else)- you have an excellent chance of success. Ready? Pick up the phone and call us at (866) 948-9014. You will be speaking with someone who has similar experiences with the same feelings and emotions you may be going through right now.

SOURCE: Soba Recovery

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Alan Wojcik's Review Of HBO Sports’ Andre The Giant Documentary

Andre the Giant was not like anyone you nor will I ever see in professional wrestling. In a business that labels people legends and icons, Andre Roussimoff was all of the above and more. He transcended the business and became a uber pop culture icon, especially to children who grew up in the 1980’s. Sadly he passed away in January 1993 visiting family in France. HBO Sports, producer Bill Simmons and director Hehir bring Andre’s story to life airing April 10th at 10pm and on demand.

We find out through the film Andre’s original ring name was Jean Ferre’, a French lumberjack and it was in the United States he was called the name we all know him under. We follow Andre from his debut in the late 1960’s to his arrival in North America in Montreal through the United States in the mid 1970’s. Thanks to regional promotions having TV and the wrestling magazines like Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Andre became the legend we know today. As heartwarming the stories told in the film are, it is heartbreaking to think the everyday life of someone with giantism (AKA acromegaly). To be oversized for even normal things like flying in an airplane or riding in a car must be extremely difficult. Andre appeared to find solace when he bought a ranch in Ellerbe, North Carolina. People always say either Andre liked you or hated you; there was no middle ground as we find out about superstars like Randy Savage, Big John Studd and the Iron Sheik. The phrase BOSS also was used by the Giant and it is used to describe him with affection. The amazing stories also come out from his legendary consumption of alcohol and those who tried to keep up with Andre’s lifestyle. Andre had to endure the death of the territories at the hands of the WWF (now called WWE) who went national making Hulk Hogan its number one star. The filmmakers wonderfully cover Andre’s transition to the bad guy side; being managed by Bobby “the Brain” Heenan which led to the iconic WrestleMania 3 match with Hogan.

In addition to archived interviews with Andre, many wrestling personalities are featured like Andre’s travel partner Tim White, Hulk Hogan, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, Pat Patterson, WWE chairman Vince McMahon and his son Shane, writer Pat Laprade, Canadian wrestler Gino Brito, writer David Shoemaker, Jerry “the King” Lawler, Gene Okerlund, journalist Dr. Terry Todd and journalist David Meltzer. The filmmakers also got time with Andre’s brothers Antione & Jacques and his daughter Robin Chirstensen plus actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, family friend Jack McAuley, and his co-stars in the Princess Bride Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Billy Crystal and director Rob Reiner.

Even the non-wrestling person will love this film. The only flaw in the film is the focus on WWE’s 1980’s expansion; the film briefly turns into an infommercial for World Wrestling Entertainment and nearly kills the film’s momentum. This segment eats ten minutes of the one hour twenty-four minutes dedicated to the Giant.

I must offer tremendous thanks to HBO Sports; specifically to Gregory Domino, for allowing me to screen this before the general public. For information on Alan Wojcik’s wrestling coverage, check out www.Facebook.com/KayfabeWrestlingRadio & www.Twitter.com/MyNameIsWojcik