Latest news with #Tryout
Arab News
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Baseball United and Tokyo Broadcasting System launch reality show to find Japan's next baseball stars
DUBAI: A partnership between Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, and leading Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcast System will give young baseball players a shot at becoming professional stars. The reality show, 'Tryout: Plan D,' will feature hundreds of hopefuls competing for two roster spots on the Mid East Falcons, one of Baseball United's founding franchises. The winners will play for the Falcons during the inaugural season in Dubai, which begins on Nov. 14. Participants will compete in several stages of the competition, starting in July and ending in November. Ultimately, one pitcher and one batter will be selected after a series of intense challenges measuring skill, mental toughness, physical fitness and passion for the game. The partnership will be anchored by TBS's long running and widely respected show, バース・デイ('Birthday'), a documentary series that has chronicled the triumphs and struggles of athletes across Japan for the last 20 years. Airing on Friday nights, it explores its subjects' personal transformations and emotional journeys. 'Tryout' will bring to life a compelling mix of reality television, human interest and competitive action, while providing real opportunities for Japanese baseball prospects. 'Japan is one of the greatest baseball nations in the world,' said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United. 'Baseball is engrained into the culture, history and future of this country. And we know there are a lot of talented players that just need an opportunity to showcase their ability. 'Tryout' is more than just a competition — it's a celebration of culture, a catalyst of opportunity and a testament (to) resilience. We are honored to collaborate with TBS and the legendary 'Birthday' team to bring this vision to life.' Tryout will begin airing on TBS in July, with behind-the-scenes content and exclusive footage shared across Baseball United's global channels. The two winners will be officially introduced as members of the Mid East Falcons before the team's game against the Karachi Monarchs on Wednesday, Nov. 19. 'Our program バース・デイ has always sought to showcase the untold stories behind athletic greatness,' said show producer Hidemitsu Takahashi. 'Partnering with Baseball United allows us to elevate that mission by offering young Japanese players the opportunity of a lifetime — to transform their lives through sport, and to do so on a truly international platform. We can't wait to have our two winners take the field in Dubai.' Baseball United was co-founded by Shaikh, John Miedreich, and MLB Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Mariano Rivera in November 2022. Its ownership group now includes 20 MLB legends, including Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre and stars Felix Hernandez, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Ronald Acuna Jr., Robinson Chirinos, and Matt Barnes. The league currently has four franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves and Mid East Falcons, who will all compete in the league's first season from Nov. 14-Dec. 14. All games will be played at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Fan-Favorite Star Admits They Were Surprised By Major WWE Decision
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After establishing a reputation as one of the world's top female performers in Japan, Giulia signed with WWE in mid-2024 but was made to wait until September to make her official debut. Since then, her ascent through NXT and onto the main roster has been a whirlwind. Giulia quickly won the NXT Women's Championship, clashing with top talents like Roxanne Perez, Stephanie Vaquer, and Jordynne Grace. After that impressive run, Giulia was officially called up to the main roster on May 16, 2025, joining the SmackDown brand. Just one week later, she won her way into the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, which takes place on June 7th. During a new interview with MeraWrestling (h/t to SEScoops, Giulia admitted she was surprised to be called up to the main roster so quickly. She joked that she hadn't even had time to learn the language properly yet. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation "I already thought WWE's pace was incredibly fast to begin with but I'm truly surprised by this speed of moving up to the Main Roster in just eight or nine months," Giulia stated. "I'm like 'Oh no, I still haven't properly learned English.' [laughs] So I'm like 'I'm sorry I haven't learned English.'" COLOGNE, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: A WWE Logo at the WWE Live Tryout at the Motorworld on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, Germany. COLOGNE, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: A WWE Logo at the WWE Live Tryout at the Motorworld on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, initially wanted to move up fast, but found her time in NXT flew by. "At first of course I had the feeling of 'I want to go quickly, I want to go quickly.' But as I wrestled in WWE, every single day, every single match, every single show. Everything was new to me," she explained. "So time just flew by in an instant until today. There's definitely a feeling of 'Already?' It all feels like it happened incredibly fast." Before heading to Money in the Bank, Giulia will team with fellow Money in the Bank competitors Roxanne Perez and Naomi on tonight's SmackDown. They will face their ladder match opponents Rhea Ripley, Stephanie Vaquer, and Alexa Bliss in a major six-woman tag team match. This will mark only Giulia's fourth match on the main roster. For many fans, they think that Giulia is just getting started with her career and can become a top star. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
