The Spindle

Sports. Hollywood. Entertainment. An independent look at the deals and decisions behind the headlines. By @trimoirai_adv.

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

#IAmNotUncertain 🎯

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

Breaking into entertainment media?

I’m meeting freelance hosts, journalists, producers, videographers & editors for The Spindle + The Scythe in 2027.

Targets: @SXSW, @C2E2, @MEGACON, Atlanta Film Festival & @ATXFestival.

Interested in paid, project-based opportunities? Email/DM your work + city.

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

Hollywood loves a big announcement. I’m more interested in what happens after everyone stops applauding.

Introducing The Spindle, my new home for reporting on the business behind film, television, and media rights.

I’m also pulling back the curtain on what we’re building at TriMoirai Advisory.

The first edition is live.

https://t.co/9i2m6o646v

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

.@Netflix is unlikely to carry another @MostVpromotions MMA event anytime soon, according to sources within the company familiar with the situation.

A blockbuster Francis Ngannou fight against a marquee opponent like Jon Jones could bring Netflix back to the table, but Jones remains under @UFC contract with no release in sight.

This comes amid a major shakeup at Netflix, with Peter Rice replacing Bela Bajaria as Chief Content Officer on October 26, assuming oversight of live events and sports.

I’m also hearing Netflix’s live-events team is expected to meet with new leadership at an upcoming @WWE Monday Night Raw as the company works through its restructuring.

With Netflix’s content operation undergoing massive changes, the bigger question is whether MVP MMA still has a place in its future plans.

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

Been working on a couple of new ventures.

TriMoirai Advisory (@trimoirai_adv) is a new firm focused on commercial partnerships, media rights, and developing film, television, and sports projects. We’re particularly interested in exploring adaptations of overlooked IP and new concepts in sports.

The Axe Files is also becoming The Spindle (@the_spindle_tm), with a broader focus on the business behind sports and entertainment. We’re making a few changes behind the scenes as we rebrand the newsletter, and will re-launch with weekly Friday editions starting in November.

[The Spindle @the_spindle_tm]

#NewProfilePic

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

Yesterday, @WWE released a wave of talent, resetting part of the market overnight.

What doesn’t happen every year is that same group hitting free agency at the exact moment a new model is taking shape.

#MuchaLuchaUniversity starts with animation and expands into live events, giving characters a life beyond one promotion.

The timing matters.

More here:
https://t.co/qEExkY4Zfw

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

.@TKOGrp President Mark Shapiro told a University of Alabama class that TKO has full control over @WWE creative.

He defended the increase in celebrity involvement (@LoganPaul, @PatMcAfeeShow, @markwahlberg) as a growth strategy, while admitting it may alienate parts of the fanbase.

Seems like this is the trade-off they’re willing to make as they continue forward.

🎥: u/South-Persimmon-5342 via @Reddit

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

With the potential #UFC329 approved for July 11 at T-Mobile Arena, Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) has hinted at his return while tagging @paramountplus.

Sources say the @UFC has centered its discussions around Jorge Masvidal and Max Holloway as the leading potential opponents for McGregor’s International Fight Week return.

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

.@WWE has already crossed over with Scooby-Doo before.

They just haven’t used the one character who actually belongs in that universe.

.@DanhausenAD

A Scooby-Doo x Danhausen mystery could revive @FinnBalor’s Demon and end in WWE’s #HIAC.

New on the @Axe_Files:
https://t.co/NaNfY6Sch2

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

UPDATE: @AMC_Networks might be active in conversations with @ThisIsTNA. That part tracks. The other side is that AMC is operating under James Dolan’s broader posture, including the ongoing @MSGNetworks restructuring and the possible sale or merger paths involving @YESNetwork and @gothamsports. Situations like that usually create discipline, not aggressive spending.

There is also the @WWE factor. Their partnership with TNA is built to serve WWE’s interests. They want visibility, leverage and a way to keep @AEW boxed out. For that plan to work, TNA needs a platform with sports infrastructure, crossover value and reach. That points to @TheCW_Sports or @NBCSN and @Peacock, not AMC.

AMC can make a deal work, but the ceiling is lower and it does not advance the strategic goals WWE has tied to its TNA partnership. With @Disney exploring a sale for @AETV, both networks look more like stalking horses that help TNA close with their real long-term partner, unless TNA decides autonomy and creative control matter more than ecosystem reach.

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

NEW: @TKOGrp’s monopoly isn’t just reshaping combat sports; it’s rewriting the playbook for every rival left standing.

From @AEW’s fragility to @bareknucklefc’s financial smoke, the entire ecosystem is shifting under @Endeavor’s weight.

https://t.co/nS47XS2hae

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

@GM’s & @Cadillac’s debut on the @F1 grid in 2026 is the moment. But the real play?

“Discover Cadillac Formula 1® Team”

@CapitalOne owns @Discover. Cadillac owns the car. Together, they can own America’s place on the grid, something Haas F1 has struggled with.

Full breakdown:
https://t.co/fk5a6rne3h

[Blake “Axe” Avignon @bobby_s_axelrod]

@MonsterEnergy has renewed with @UFC in the biggest sponsorship deal in their history. What began as a roughly $10M deal ballooned after @CelsiusOfficial came in with a $30M bid… forcing Monster into a nine-figure renewal to keep the canvas green:

Full Story:
https://t.co/UMpQ6zHubC