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WWE Superstar Randy Orton made an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” and openly talked about his retirement.

He also touched on NFL legend Tom Brady’s comments on WWE, challenging him to take an RKO.

Randy Orton on His Eventual Retirement

According to Sportskeeda, Orton got candid withh McAfee about his 26-year-long career and how long he thinks he has left in the ring.

“I’m 46 in a couple of months, and you know, I can’t do this forever,” the 14-time World Champion said. “I’ve been doing it for 26 years. If I could do it another decade, I will.”

“The work rate, the way that I wrestle, you know, maybe I could pull that out,” he added. “But I know that time’s coming.”

Orton also touched on the one thing he wants to be able to do before he retires, whenever that may be.

According to The Viper, he said he wants to become a world champion one more time.

“That’d be huge. I think right now you’ve got Triple H and myself tied at 14. John Cena, of course, just retired with 17 World Championships,” he said. “You got Ric Flair, I think it’s 16. I’d love to get one more, at least one more.”

“It would mean the world to me,” he admitted.

Orton Challenges Tom Brady to Take an RKO

Orton likewise addressed the comments made by Tom Brady, who called professional wrestling “cute.”

“10, 15, 20 years ago, I would have been hot. I would have had choice words to say for Tom Brady,” Orton admitted. “But every second I’m in that ring, I am soaking it up.”

According to SEScoops, Orton then went on to challenge Brady, saying, “Tom, if you want to take an RKO, dude — call Pat. Pat will call me.”

Watch Randy Orton’s full interview on “The Pat McAfee Show” below:

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav may have been counting on watching one last round in the Netflix vs. Paramount Skydance boxing match to acquire the media company he runs. What he might not have anticipated was that Netflix wouldn’t even bother re-entering the ring.

Thursday after the market close, WBD announced that Paramount Skydance’s last and best offer of $31 a share for its film studio, streaming platform and cable networks was superior to Netflix’s previously accepted bid of $27.75 a share for the studio and streaming assets.

WBD’s declaration started a countdown clock: Netflix was granted four business days to match or beat Paramount’s new bid, but just an hour and 10 minutes later, Netflix left the arena.

NETFLIX BACKS OUT OF WARNER BROS BIDDING WAR AFTER PARAMOUNT MADE ‘SUPERIOR’ OFFER

WBD said Paramount Skydance’s last and best offer of $31 a share for its film studio, streaming platform and cable networks was superior to Netflix’s previously accepted bid of $27.75 a share for the studio and streaming assets. Netflix co-CEO Ted Sa (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix / Getty Images)

In a joint statement, the streamer’s co-CEOs, Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters, said, “The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval. However, we’ve always been disciplined, and at the price required to match Paramount Skydance’s latest offer, the deal is no longer financially attractive, so we are declining to match the Paramount Skydance bid.” 

Considering Sarandos’ tone in the final days of the process, the market should have been ready for the quick exit. In an interview Feb. 20 on FOX Business’ “Claman Countdown,” Sarandos, when pressed as to whether he’d match a potentially higher bid by Paramount Skydance, seemingly took a page out of former Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett’s “never overpay for an asset no matter how much you want it” playbook.

Netflix was granted four business days to match or beat Paramount’s new bid, but just an hour and 10 minutes later, Netflix left the arena. (Mario Tama/Getty Images / Getty Images)

“We’ve been very disciplined buyers in our careers. Our shareholders know us and they expect us to continue to do what we do, which is remain a disciplined buyer,” Sarandos told FBN.

Netflix shareholders have never fully embraced the merger since the official bidding process began Nov. 20. Since then, Netflix shares have shriveled more than 19%.

Much of the concern focused on whether the $82.7 billion dollar cost might shake Netflix’s solid balance sheet, and whether the deal would pass regulatory muster.

NETFLIX CO-CEO ACCUSES JAMES CAMERON OF SPREADING ‘MISINFORMATION’ ABOUT WARNER BROS. ACQUISITION

Netflix shareholders have never fully embraced the merger since the official bidding process began November 20. (Mario Tama/Getty Images / Getty Images)

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Thursday evening when WBD confirmed the superiority of Paramount’s bid, Netflix shares saw a relief rally, soaring nearly 10% in after-hours trade.

In its statement, Netflix’s co-CEOs intimated they agreed with shareholders.

“This transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price,” Sarandos and Peters said.

On-demand laundry and dry-cleaning platform Laundryheap has accelerated its international growth strategy with launches in four new markets: Colombia, Mexico, Malaysia and Scotland.

The latest expansion sees the company enter Bogotá, Mexico City, Kuala Lumpur and Edinburgh, taking its total footprint to 28 cities across 16 countries. Existing markets include the United States, Singapore, the Netherlands, the UK, the UAE and France, with further launches planned throughout 2026.

Founded by Deyan Dimitrov, Laundryheap positions itself as the world’s largest on-demand laundry service, having served more than 400,000 customers globally and processed over 110 million items to date. The business has grown rapidly over the past five years, reporting 700 per cent growth since 2020 as consumers increasingly embraced app-based convenience services.

Dimitrov said the new openings marked a significant step in the company’s ambition to become the most trusted global brand in the sector.

“Our launches into Colombia, Mexico, Malaysia and Scotland mark another major milestone in Laundryheap’s journey to becoming the world’s most trusted name in on-demand laundry and dry cleaning,” he said. “Expanding into these vibrant markets reflects both the strength of our technology platform and the growing global demand for reliable, 24-hour turnaround services.”

Laundryheap’s app-based model allows customers to book collections for clothes and bedding, which are laundered or dry cleaned and returned within 24 hours. In select cities including London, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the company introduced an Express Overnight service last year, offering turnaround times of as little as eight hours.

Beyond individual customers, the company has expanded into commercial partnerships, working with bars, restaurants, hotels and short-term rental operators. Corporate partners include Emirates Skywards, CitizenM and Klarna.

The expansion follows a series of strategic acquisitions aimed at consolidating the fragmented on-demand laundry market. Over the past three years, Laundryheap has completed seven acquisitions, including France’s Lavoir Moderne and Singapore-based Oppa Laundry. It previously acquired UK rival Laundrapp in 2022.

The company has raised £17 million in funding to date from investors including Alex Chesterman, Nickleby Capital, Verb Ventures, The Side by Side Partnership and Claret Capital Partners.

With fresh market entries in Latin America and Southeast Asia, and further planned growth in the United States and the Gulf region, Laundryheap is pursuing what it describes as its most aggressive international expansion strategy to date, as competition intensifies in the global on-demand services sector.

Amy Ingham

Amy is a newly qualified journalist specialising in business journalism at Business Matters with responsibility for news content for what is now the UK’s largest print and online source of current business news.

Analysts note ‘quiet revolution’ at FTSE 250 company as its profit before tax reaches £152.9m

FTSE 250 firm Rathbones has declared its ambition to become the “best wealth manager in the UK by far”.

Shares climbed 9% to 2,410 pence in early trading on Friday, notching up a 24.6% gain year to date, after the group said pre-tax profit leapt 53.5% to £152.9m, up from £99.6m the prior year. That was underpinned by the performance of integrated synergies and higher funds under management (FUMA) at the Liverpool-founded business.

The strong results come on the heels of a turbulent period for the broader UK wealth management sector, after several firms witnessed their share prices tumble following the launch of a new AI tool, prompting investors to question how artificial intelligence might reshape or even threaten the industry.

However, Rathbones chief executive Jonathan Sorrell, who assumed the role in August 2025, dismissed such fears, describing AI as a powerful tool that enables advisers to devote greater time to clients and nurture relationships, as reported by City AM.

He said: “We just feel that is a massive opportunity in terms of how it’s going to help achieve…change in our productivity as a business and the quality of service offering that we can provide.

“What it does is free up time to focus…on the human relationship we have with our client.”

The recent acquisitions of Schroders by American investment firm Nuveen and Evelyn Partners by high street bank Natwest has further fuelled debate around sector trends, though Sorrell maintained the market possesses “long term growth dynamics” and is not “cyclical”. He observed that Rathbone’s clientele, individuals holding assets between £1m and £5m, represent the fastest expanding segment of the market, whilst the drive by the sector and government to encourage greater investment presents “an exciting proposition”.

Whilst he recognised that the “industry will consolidate further over time” he emphasised Rathbone’s is solely seeking to “optimise” its existing operations, with dependable shareholders and the IW&I division positioning the firm for continued expansion.

FUMA climbed to £115.6bn, up from £109.2bn, supported by the market rebounding from first half lows triggered by Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff upheaval.

The firm confirmed it was extending its £50m share buyback scheme, which it completed in mid February, by £20m, with the group stating that it aims to deploy its “shareholders capital as efficiently as possible”.

The board proposed a final dividend of 68.0 pence per share, taking the annual total to 99.0 pence, a 6.5 per cent rise. The firm also highlighted the performance of its Investec Wealth and Investment (IW&I) division, which successfully completed its integration earlier in the year.

The operation surpassed expectations, delivering £76m on an annualised run-rate basis, considerably above Rathbones’ £60m target, and establishing the group as the UK’s largest discretionary wealth manager. Sorrel added that it had always set out “to maximise the opportunity” of integrating the business and “identified more areas” where IW&I could contribute to overall growth.

Rathbones also confirmed it wants to become the UK’s leading wealth manager, by establishing itself as the preferred choice for both clients and talent, whilst also enhancing its operational efficiency.

Rathbones still has a base at the waterfront Port of Liverpool Building, while it has another 20 offices across the UK including in Bristol, Cheltenham, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle.

Rae Maile of Panmure Liberum observed that there is a “quiet revolution underway”, but cautioned that the wealth manager must stay committed to nurturing client relationships and strengthening capital efficiency.

He said: “Rathbones enjoys strong client relationships, but it must seek to grow new ones as well as managing more effectively inherent redemption activity. “.

“It will seek to do this through clearer definition of and enhancement to its investment capabilities, further penetrating its financial planning and advice capabilities.

“The intention is to simplify the operating model, removing internal frictions and barriers to decision-making and activity, but also to develop further its capital efficiency.”

Group finance director, Iain Hooley, further noted that rather than concentrating on securing a place in the FTSE 100 in its pursuit of market leadership, the firm is instead focusing its efforts on attracting older clients. Hooley stated: “The opportunity in the wider market with the ageing population, growing levels of wealth…the intergenerational transfer of wealth that’s going to happen, all of these things are definitely playing right into our space.”

The Development Bank of Wales and its predecessor Finance Wales invested £3.5m into the business

Swansea medtech firm Calon Cardio-Technology is being liquidated, owing creditors – which include the Development Bank of Wales and Swansea Council – more than £5m.

Founders of the Swansea University spin-out company, which had developed an implantable heart pump for patients with severe heart failure, included Professor Stephen Westaby and Prof Marc Clement, who was sacked for gross misconduct as dean of Swansea University’s School of Management in 2019.

The business, which employed 17 people, entered administration last summer. However, efforts to acquire the business out of administration, as well as hopes of securing investment to agree a company voluntary arrangement with creditors, failed to materialise. Prior to the administration the company had been locked out of its premises in Swansea after the landlord served a forfeiture notice.

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Gareth Stones, administrator from Swansea-based insolvency firm Stones & Co, has informed creditors that the business will now be liquidated. He said: “The administration has proved unsuccessful and so the proper course of action is for the company to be placed into liquidation.”

The creditor position of the Development Bank of Wales, which is wholly-owned by the Welsh Government, includes a loan, over which it held a floating charge over company assets, of £1.6m. It also had two convertible loans with a combined value of £425,000.

In total the development bank – including through its predecessor Finance Wales – invested £3.5m through a combination of debt and equity. Equity holders are the lowest ranked in terms of any returns from the administration process. In the case of Calon shareholders, they will get nothing back.

The UK Government, through its £1.1bn Future Fund – which was set up to support tech businesses during the pandemic – is also a shareholder in the business with a stake of just over 6%.

As well as backing from the Development Bank of Wales (and Finance Wales), Calon Cardio-Technology secured more than £20m through a number of equity fundraising rounds following its formation in 2007. Through dilution, the development bank’s stake had been reduced to less than 10% at the point of Calon entering administration. Another major equity backer of the company was Longbow Capital, which, as well as its equity backing, is also a creditor to the tune of £78,000.

The latest statement of affairs estimates a total deficit to creditors of £5.4m. That assumes realisations of assets and didn’t include administrator fees. Non-preferential and unsecured creditors are not expected to receive anything from the liquidation of any assets.

There is an estimated realisation for the development bank on its floating charge debt of £50,000 from any sale of the company’s assets and intellectual property.

As well as the Development Bank of Wales and Longbow Capital, other creditors include HMRC (£277,847); law firm Pinsent Masons – which issued a winding-up petition – (£150,056); Swansea-headquartered accountancy firm Bevan and Buckland (£45,027); Swansea Council (£68,342); and Swansea University (£2,800).

There is an estimated £21,000 being available for preferential creditors for whom the first claim would be former employees of the company.

Mr Stones said in his latest statement of affairs to creditors: “The company employed 17 staff (including one of the directors), and substantial monies were owed to them in respect of outstanding holiday pay and wages. Outstanding holiday pay and wages of employees are subject to statutory limits.”

A spokesperson for the Development Bank of Wales said: “The initial investment in Calon Cardio was made in 2010 by Finance Wales. Between 2010 and 2018 the business received £3.5m in a combination of debt and equity, some of which was secured. The majority was from the EU-backed JEREMIE Fund. We have not made any material investments since 2018 and currently hold a 9% shareholding. We anticipate a return on our secured debt following the liquidation process.”

Speaking to Nation Cymru in 2023, Prof Clement, who chaired Calon, was upbeat about the commercial potential of the business, with the promise of creating 100 high-skilled jobs in Swansea.

That optimism was supported by a non-binding heads-of-terms agreement for Calon to be acquired in a £39m deal by AIM-listed special purpose acquisition company Ashington Innovation. However, the reverse takeover of Calon was conditional on Ashington acquiring another company called Cell Therapy, which was founded by Cardiff University academic Sir Martin Evans and former dentist Ajan Reginald. However, the planned acquisitions failed to materialise.

After being dismissed by Swansea University, Prof Clement and university colleague Steve Poole – who was also sacked for gross misconduct – had their joint unfair dismissal case against the university rejected by an employment tribunal.

Mr Poole is listed as a creditor of Calon Cardio with a convertible loan of £41,000, as is Prof Clement to the tune of £36,000.

Prior to the administration, Mr Stones said the board of Calon had informed him that $2.6m had been attempted to be transferred into the company’s HSBC bank account from an identified potential lender.

He added: “Draft documents were received via the directors that had emanated from the potential lender and cited New York, USA law as applicable. I made it clear to the representatives that the law of England and Wales must prevail and that identification required under the UK Anti-Money Laundering Regulations was essential. The potential lender was repeatedly requested to engage UK solicitors to assist them with the matter.”

Mr Stones added: “During the course of a Zoom call (in December), it became apparent that the potential lender’s solicitors were averse to their client lending monies to fund a company voluntary arrangement proposal via administration, and that their client was best advised to formulate an offer for the intellectual property rights and the tangible fixed assets.

“There are now potentially three other interested parties, of which I am presently aware, who may be prepared to formulate an offer for the company’s remaining IP rights and tangible assets. I have not pursued these potential leads to date, as the prospective lender was the primary focus in order to rescue the company as a going concern. Such leads would be best pursued by a liquidator.”

It is proposed that Mr Stones be appointed to liquidate the business.

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