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WWE® Takes Over Orlando For WrestleMania® Week

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STAMFORD, Conn., (FNN SPORTS) – Fans from around the world will descend upon Orlando for a week-long lineup of festivities in celebration of WrestleMania, taking place in front of a capacity crowd at the Orlando Citrus Bowl and live on WWE Network at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT on Sunday, April 2. WWE will also host more than a dozen community outreach events designed to give back to the local region. WrestleMania Week begins today, and includes the following events:

  • New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell (NYSE) – Monday, March 27
    WWE Superstars, and the hosts of WrestleMania, The New Day, will ring the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange to officially kick off WrestleMania Week.
  • Veteran Employment Panel & Networking Event – Tuesday, March 28, Full Sail University
    WWE, Central Florida Sports Commission, City of Orlando and Full Sail University will host a Veteran Employment Panel and Networking Event in support of Hire Heroes USA, giving nearly 150 veterans an opportunity to receive one-on-one career coaching and then network with key employers from the Orlando area including Lockheed Martin, Hilton, ADP and many more.
  • Panelists include:
    Tammy Elliott, VP, Career Development, Full Sail University
    Val Nicholas, VP, Multicultural Initiatives, NBC News
    Jim Rice, Managing Director, Supporting Strategies
    John Scheler, VP, Operations, Talent, Live Events and Creative, WWE
    Brian Stann, CEO, Hire Heroes USA
    Michael Waldrop, Chairman, Mayor Dyer’s (Orlando) Veteran Advisory Council

In addition, WWE Superstar Mark Henry®, NXT® Superstars and military veterans Macey Estrella, Montez Ford and Steve Cutler, will be on-site to meet the attendees.

  • WWE Community Caravan – Wednesday, March 29
    WWE Superstars Enzo Amore™, Big Cass™, Sasha Banks™ and Sin Cara®, NXT Superstars Billie Kay™, Liv Morgan™ and Peyton Royce™, and WWE Ambassador Dana Warrior, will visit the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

Additionally, WWE Superstars Bayley™, Titus O’Neil®, Sami Zayn™, Big Show® and Nia Jax™, and NXT Superstar Ember Moon™, will visit Florida Hospital for Children.

Following the hospital visits, Titus O’Neil, Sami Zayn, Big Show, Nia Jax, Ember Moon and Dana Warrior will visit the Englewood Neighborhood Center and host a pizza party, while Mark Henry, Darren Young®, Sin Cara, Billie Kay, Liv Morgan and Peyton Royce will host a pizza party at the Smith Community Center.

At each appearance, WWE and NXT Superstars will take pictures, sign autographs and donate action figures, WWE 2K17 video games and WWE Network subscriptions for the facilities’ play rooms.

  • Hefty Park Clean Up – Wednesday, March 29, Lake Lorna Doone Park
    WWE has partnered with Hefty and the City of Orlando’s Keep Orlando Beautiful, to host a park clean up where WWE Superstars Dana Brooke™, Goldust® and R-Truth® will be joined by District 5 City Commissioner Regina I and volunteers at Lake Lorna Doone Park.
  • Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game – Thursday, March 30, Poinciana High School
    WWE will host a Special Olympics unified event at Poinciana High School in Kissimmee, where athletes from Special Olympics Florida will participate in a unified basketball game. WWE Superstars Big Show, AJ Styles, Mark Henry and Dana Brooke, and WWE Ambassador Dana Warrior, will serve as honorary coaches, while WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel and WWE Announcer Greg Hamilton will serve as announcers.
  • Be a STAR® Anti-Bullying Rally – Thursday, March 30, Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida: Universal Orlando Foundation Branch
    Last year, WWE and The Boys & Girls Clubs of America launched a multi-year partnership focusing on youth development and bullying prevention efforts around Be a STAR, WWE’s anti-bullying initiative (#BeaSTAR).

WWE Superstars Darren Young, Jason Jordan™, Chad Gable™, Sin Cara and Natalya®, and WWE Ambassador Dana Warrior, along with representatives from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, will speak about the importance of bullying prevention to Club members.

  • WrestleMania Axxess – Thursday, March 30 through Sunday, April 2, Orange County Convention Center
    WrestleMania Axxess (#AXXESS) is the ultimate fan experience. This year’s WrestleMania Axxess will take place from Thursday, March 30 through Sunday, April 2 at the Orange County Convention Center. Fans will have unprecedented access to meet their favorite WWE Superstars and Legends through a host of interactive fan experiences, including autograph signings and live matches.
  • WrestleMania Reading Celebration – Friday, March 31, Prairie Lake Elementary School
    Students at Prairie Lake Elementary School, winners of this year’s WrestleMania Reading Challenge, will participate in a Reading Celebration (#WWEReads) featuring WWE Superstars Darren Young and Zack Ryder®, NXT Superstars Ember Moon, Dasha Fuentes™ and Tye Dillinger™, and WWE Ambassador Dana Warrior. In an effort to support local literacy programs, WWE and First Book are donating 20,000 books to Orlando area schools.
  • WWE 2017 Hall of Fame Ceremony Red Carpet – Friday, March 31, Amway Center
    Maria Menounos hosts the most glamorous event on the WWE calendar. WWE Superstars and Legends, and a host of celebrities, walk the red carpet live on WWE Network at 7 pm ET.
  • WWE 2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Friday, March 31, Amway Center
    Kurt Angle, Beth Phoenix, Diamond Dallas Page, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, Teddy Long and The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame (#WWEHOF) at the sold-out Amway Center and live on WWE Network at 8 pm ET. In addition, Eric LeGrand, a former standout from the Rutgers University football team turned motivational speaker, will receive the third annual Warrior Award. The WWE Hall of Fame recognizes the most-celebrated Superstars in WWE history, while The Warrior Award is presented each year to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance, and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of WWE Hall of Famer, The Ultimate Warrior®.
  • Susan G. Komen Project: OM Yoga Event – Saturday, April 1, Full Sail Live
    WWE and Susan G. Komen have teamed up for a Project: OM yoga event with E! News host Maria Menounos and 2017 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Diamond Dallas Page at Full Sail Live in Winter Park. WWE Ambassador Dana Warrior, and WWE Superstars Titus O’Neil and Natalya, will also participate.

Project: OM is a partnership between Susan G. Komen and Manduka to promote health and wellness in support of Susan G. Komen’s Bold Goal of reducing breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026.

  • Make-A-Wish® Luncheon – Saturday, April 1, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food at Universal City Walk
    WWE Superstar John Cena® will host his annual Make-A-Wish luncheon at Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food at Universal City Walk. As part of its more than 30-year partnership with Make-A-Wish, WWE will host 39 wish kids whose wish is to attend WrestleMania, and induct them into WWE’s Circle of Champions. With more than 500 wishes and counting, Cena has granted more wishes than any celebrity or athlete in Make-A-Wish history. WWE Superstars AJ Styles®, Finn Bálor®, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch™ will also meet and take photos with the children.
  • NXT TakeOver: Orlando – Saturday, April 1, Amway Center
    On the eve of WrestleMania 33, NXT comes home to Orlando at a sold-out Amway Center and live on WWE Network at 8 pm ET. Shinsuke Nakamura™ tries to reclaim his title from NXT Champion Bobby Roode™; Asuka™ and Ember Moon, both undefeated, square off in the NXT Women’s Championship Match; and tag teams The Authors of Pain, #DIY and The Revival face off in a Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Elimination Match.
  • WrestleMania – Sunday, April 2, Citrus Bowl
    A sold-out crowd will descend upon the Orlando Citrus Bowl for WWE’s annual pop-culture extravaganza, WrestleMania (#WRESTLEMANIA), airing live on WWE Network at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT. Watch WWE Universal Champion Goldberg™ vs. Brock Lesnar® in a rivalry that started 13 years ago; WWE Champion Bray Wyatt® go head-to-head with Randy Orton®; Roman Reigns® vs. The Undertaker®; United States Champion Chris Jericho® takes on his former best friend Kevin Owens®; a Fatal Four-Way Raw Women’s Championship match between Bayley, Charlotte Flair™, Sasha Banks and Nia Jax; a SmackDown® Live Women’s Championship match between Alexa Bliss™ and the entire SmackDown Live women’s roster; AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon®; Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose® vs. Baron Corbin®; John Cena and Nikki Bella® compete against The Miz® and Maryse™; the Andre the Giant™ Memorial Battle Royal, and more!

For more information on WrestleMania, please visit www.WrestleMania.com.

  • Monday Night Raw® – Monday, April 3, Amway Center
    Monday Night Raw emanates live from a sold-out Amway Center at 8/7C on USA Network with the fallout from WrestleMania. The night after WrestleMania has become one of the most-anticipated events of the year and has never been short on surprises.
  • SmackDown® Live – Tuesday, April 4, Amway Center
    WWE caps off five consecutive nights of sellouts, as for the first time ever, SmackDown Live takes place in the same city as WWE Hall of Fame, NXT, WrestleMania and Monday Night Raw. The WWE excitement will continue with SmackDown Live at a sold-out Amway Center at 8/7C on USA Network.

Source: WWE

Florida

Scottie Scheffler Wins Second Red Cardigan at 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

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Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.

Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

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Golf

Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions

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Lydia Ko win the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Lake Nona resident, Lydia Ko, has won the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations LPGA Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, while Mets All-Star Second Baseman, Jeff McNeil, has won the celebrities and amateurs competition. The four day tournament wrapped up Sunday. Ko takes home $225,000 of the $1.5 million prize pool, while baseball player McNeil wins $100,000 of the $500,000 designated for the athletes and entertainers.

 

Lydia Ko and Jeff McNeil win the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Sunday, January 21, 2024. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

Ko finished at -14, two strokes ahead of Alexa Pano. Defending champion, Brooke Henderson, finished third at ten under par. McNeil ended with 138 points using the Modified Stableford scoring system, in his first time competing in this tournament. Annika Sorenstam finished in second place amongst the celebrity golfers, with 136. Former Major League Baseball pitchers Derek Lowe and Mark Mulder tied for third place at 135.

The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions also announced today that they have extended their agreement with the LPGA to continue this tournament at Lake Nona for another five years, with a 65% increase in the prize pool money.

Stay tuned to Florida National News for more, and be sure to follow our Florida National News page on Facebook for more photos and videos from the tournament.

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Golf

Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions Returns to Lake Nona

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Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions is back at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando Thursday, 1/18 through Sunday, 1/21. This tournament kicks off the LPGA Tour’s 74th season, featuring top women golfers, who have qualified by winning a tournament in 2022 or 2023, playing alongside celebrities from the world of sports, entertainment, and music.

Annika Sorenstam practices on the driving range for the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

 

Comedy fans can watch Larry The Cable Guy entertain the crowd with his one-liners and banter. “Fresh Prince” fans can tune in to Alfonso Ribeiro in hopes of seeing him dance “The Carlton.” Bachelor fans can follow Ben Higgins or Wells Adams to see if they’re passing out any roses.

Sports fans can see some true legends in a different light. Basketball fans can look for Vince Carter, Ray Allen, or Chandler Parsons. Baseball fans can watch for John Smoltz, Albert Pujols, or Roger Clemens. Football fans will find Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith, Marcus Allen, Brian Urlacher, and Charles Woodson.

You’ll find many other actors, musicians, and champions of various sports. If you’d like to watch some fun golf while also celebrity spotting, be sure to visit the tournament’s website to get your tickets, and to see who else will be playing this year.

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