The Unknown Poster

Pretty rare these days. July 2011 saw a title win on RAW as a tournament. But one guy beating another, Nov 2010 when Miz cashed in on Orton on RAW. Title swap in an actual "match", June 2009 in a Fatal Four Way. Prior to that, 2006, 2001, 1999. So not very often.

MTS has likely moved to the top of the pile of acquisition material at some Bay Street corporate finance departments. That happened when MTS announced the $425-million sale of Allstream to Colorado-based Zayo Group Holdings last month. The deal is not scheduled to close until the first quarter of 2016. In the meantime, MTS is in the middle of a strategic makeover to become a more customer-focused operation under CEO Jay Forbes and his new, personally appointed executive team. While that process does include trimming staff -- something companies do to prepare for a sale -- selling the firm is not management's focus. "As evidenced by our recent launch of our transformation strategy, we are fully focused on creating a customer-first MTS that is capable of generating an additional $100 million in free cash flow over the next three years," spokesman Andrew Parkinson said. But it will continue to be part of the corporate narrative in the MTS management suite that MTS is a takeover target by one of the big three telcos in Canada at any given time. Forbes made no attempt to pretend otherwise, saying on the day of the Zayo deal, "If anything, I would expect this announcement of an Allstream sale will fuel additional rumours around the potential sale of MTS." In a new report, ostensibly tied to Bell Canada Enterprises' (BCE) $862-million bought deal, Canaccord Genuity's telco analyst Aravinda Galappatthige, made the case that out of the big three -- BCE, Telus and Rogers -- BCE is most likely to buy MTS. He ruled out a Rogers deal primarily because it would leave Rogers with such huge control of the wireless market in Manitoba -- 84 per cent -- it likely wouldn't pass muster with the Competition Bureau. (Wireless market share in Manitoba was always a trade secret, but recently MTS published information noting it holds 53 per cent of the lucrative wireless space, which is the source of most of the sector's growth.) Galappatthige said Telus is more inclined to acquire higher growth verticals such as health care. While consumers might think of complementary services or scalability when it comes to mergers and acquisitions, the corporate finance folks tend to look at the bottom line. In the case of BCE buying MTS, Galappatthige says with $75 million worth of synergies (job cuts) BCE could potentially derive adequate additional free cash flow out of the deal. As a purchase price, Galappatthige is suggesting a 12 per cent premium to the current share price -- which some analysts believe already includes a bump up acknowledging the company is in play. His analysis is about how much additional free cash flow per share could be generated for BCE shareholders. He also attempts to read the tea leaves in the context of a new government in Ottawa. True to its ideological roots, the Harper government supported additional competition in the marketplace, especially in the telecommunications space. Galappatthige suggests, "With the change in government, one expects potentially a more flexible stance on the matter." But that only goes so far. For instance, were BCE or Telus to acquire MTS it is not tough to imagine they might buy more servers and load up MTS's back-office operations onto the purchaser's network. Cutting operations would not sit well. Galappatthige said, "We wonder, however, about the ability to extract that much in savings, particularly given the likelihood of some regional push back against substantial layoffs over and above MTS' previously announced head-count reductions of six to eight per cent." He dismisses an imminent sale. "Considering our belief that Telus is uninterested or less interested in the asset, BCE is essentially the only real suitor," Galappatthige wrote. That means BCE can wait for a better price, and Forbes and his team have more time to thwart that dynamic by stimulating better results from its new commitment to customers. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 15, 2015 B6

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In 100 years this will be a great case study in WWE shoving someone so far down the fans throats that tjey just decide they like it. Every booking trick ever. Iron Mike Sharpe would get a huge ovation in the Roman spot with booking like this. It's masterful really. Surprised vince was back so quick and willing to take so much. They will surely Pop a rating. But now what?

Scuderi's useful days are pretty well over. Good for the Pens in that they got the better player.

Except that contract will probably be $10 million a season... And at that time $10m might be fair market value. Plus you still get first dibs on the player in his prime rather than losing him to free agency.

If by some chance you are serious, what should the Regina team have to give Edmonton for taking their Head coach?They gave permission though.Do you think it would be fair if Steinhauer quit and signed to coach another team despite Hamilton saying no way. You can't just allow people to ignore valid contracts. Morally Ottawa should let the guy go..legally they shouldn't. And yet anyone can give proper notice and quit a job in the real world. Not of you have a contract that contains non-competes. People with contracts are happy to keep making money when they're fired because of the "valid" contract. Works both ways.

$5.5 for 5 for trouba. $7.5 for 6 for Buff $6.25 for 6 for Ladd.

Interesting thought that this is a strategic leak to kick start negotiations or get fans okay with the idea of trades.

If he plays the way we expect for 2-3 more years, I'd sign him to that deal. But if he wants us to show him the money, he has to show us the consistency and top end talent. Plus, bridge makes more sense because 2-3 year bridge plus 8 year keeps him here longer.

Ladd: $6.83 6 Years Buff: $6.9 8 Years Trouba: $7 8 years Trouba is kidding himself. He's an RFA on an expiring rookie deal. If he really thinks that he is in for a rude awakening. Although he could be ripe for an offer sheet from a team willing to go all in (but only 7 years). Wouldnt pay Buff for that lone. Would consider the same money over 4-5 years. Ladd is about $1M per year too much but the right term. Swap out Ladd and Buff with their asks and you've got a deal. But if these are firm, then both ladd and Buff are gone. Trouba takes a bridge deal in the 2-3 year range and then signs for 8 years. How much of Trouba's Free Agency would 8 years right now buy?

Thats very true. But they will likely sign another high priced free agent forward! Actually Ladd would be a good signing for them

They will either give up trying or he will get over. And if he does get over, they will pat themselves on the back when in reality, ANYONE would get over with the push he's getting. Its sort of fitting because Hunter was also a guy that wasnt over and was given numerous chances and a lot of tricks before he finally connected. WWE-history tells us that Hunter was an immediate star ofcourse. But it wasnt true.

So why cant we own rocket launchers or nuclear missiles? Why have any limitations?

Well I think some risks are worth taking when its for the betterment of humanity. Choosing risk over racism would be one of those things.

I would say checking the website and calling the office and in both cases being told he did not have the winning ticket was sufficient on the part of the winner. How many times do you check your lotto ticket numbers? I scan them and when it says I didnt win, I throw it away. I dont keep checking repeatedly in case there is a mistake. The Bombers should have absolutely informed the public there had been an error so anyone who might have checked their ticket, should check it again. Bombers pretty clearly hoped no one would notice and the public would be non the wiser.

There is precedent to banning certain people in times of war. And also there's nothing wrong with it. Look to when Germans, Italians and Japanese weren't allowed in because it was too difficult to separate the good from the bad. Are you saying that was a good thing?

The first real sign that tyranny is on the way? A large push to de-weaponize the citizens. Don't believe me? Study history. I must have missed when Canada devolved into tyranny. Thats just another excuse for the gun nuts to pretend the 2nd Amendment was about letting them stockpile assault weapons for a war with the government that will never come, nor would they ever win if it did come. Really, its just silly.

The U.S. is built with checks and balances so power doesn't get out of control. You're absolutely right when you say the 2nd amendment is there to ensure the people have the means to fight tyranny.And tyranny appears to be approaching. 'Every now and then the tree of liberty must be refreshed with the blood of patriots and tyrants.' No, tyranny is not approaching. And no, the "people" will not over-throw the government. Its moot. Anyone pushed far enough will revolt. I wonder if the French royalty thought as you do before their heads were chopped off. Very different time. Very different place. Could it happen? I suppose. But I have no time for those goofs living in the wild stockpiling masses of weapons waiting for the government to go rogue. Just not going to happen. And its a terrible excuse to assert the 2nd Amendment.

What do they have that can shake lose 2-3 good D-men? They are up against the cap and cant just sign free agents. They must part with some forward talent and guys like Kunitz arent going to garner a ton of interest. I doubt they will trade Crosby or Malkin. They'll probably trade a forward prospect and try to unload Kunitz and get someone good on D in return. But it wont work. They really need to commit to a re-load, if not a rebuild.

That's happened before. I believe they went back to boo'ing him on the ramp. Its a booking trick. And they've been using every trick in the book to present Roman as tough, sympathetic, overwhelmed, over matched, fighting man, brave, emotional, loyal, independent. etc. Every trick in the book. And last night it was having Hunter, who is over as a heel when hes acting like a heel, be the foil. So Roman was cheered. The issue they have is not getting fans to every cheer Roman. Its to get them to consistently cheer Roman and actually want to pay to see him. Thats the difference between getting a pop and being over. Roman got a pop. He isnt over. Last week there were several reports of people streaming out of the building during the main event segment. Which is a very bad sign.

Myers got the ultimate "big guy" penalty when whatshisname ran right into him and fell down.

I assume the issue is that there is nothing in the contract that allows a person to break the contract for a promotion. If there is, then yes case closed. the "gentleman" part, I assume, is that teams release guys for promotions. Ottawa is saying "why should we? We have him under contract".

Usually it does hurt to complain about the officials. Its one thing if the team does it, but the players shouldnt be. Maurice called benching a Buff a "silent protest" against the officiating which sounds pretty stupid so I assume that was his cover answer for why he benched him. If they actually feel there is a conspiracy among the refs to "get" the Jets, then the team President should take that up with the league. I agree about Crosby. Pens need a new GM and a commitment to building a better team. Failing that, they might as well plays balls out and let Crosby, Malkin, Kessler try to win games 6-5 rather than lose 2-0.

In other news, Alberta rednecks plan to hold a Sunday prayer meeting, picnic and lynching for newly elected Premier Rachel Notley. Link? If you insist. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/notley-assassination-comments-bill-6-brian-jean-1.3361063 Utterly ridiculous. I hope those morons are prosecuted.