28.8 C
Lagos
Saturday, October 4, 2025
type here...
Home Blog Page 108

Charlotte Flair’s loss; Sasha Bank’s gain

Editor
-
0
Charlotte Flair’s loss; Sasha Bank’s gain

Eric Bischoff Thinks ‘The Queen’s injury may lead to free ‘The Boss’ WWE Return

 

Charlotte Flair smiling

 

A recent report indicated that the once working plans between AEW and Mercedes Mone were no longer in place, Ella Jay reports for Wrestling Inc.

 

This development has since fueled speculation that Mone may be headed back to her former home of WWE, where she previously resided as “The Boss” Sasha Banks.

 

On the latest episode of “Strictly Business,” former WCW President Eric Bischoff weighed in with his thoughts on Mone’s potential return to WWE, which he believes may be more likely to happen now that “The Queen” Charlotte Flair is out of action with a trio of knee injuries.

 

“I tend to look at things analytically, or I try, so if I’m Sasha Banks, here’s what I’m excited about, or Mercedes Mone, either one. [I’m] equally as excited for both, because she’s got a great relationship.

 

“She has an established market value. There’s anticipation, she’s obviously got a fan base,” Bischoff said. “Oh, and Charlotte’s down for a while. That creates, oh what’s it called – opportunity.

 

“You’ve got all that over here [in WWE] on this side of the equation … If either [Sasha Banks or Mercedes Mone], or both of them, decided they wanted to make a move to AEW currently, does that make any sense at all?

 

“I think not, but maybe I’m wrong. She’s gotten the leverage, and if Sasha Banks wants [or] Mercedes wants to just go do her thing somewhere and ride it out at AEW until whatever happens, happens, be a part of a big resurgence perhaps, or be on the ship when it goes down, that would be a really bad choice.

 

There’s too much money on the table. She’s too smart to make not smart decisions.”

 

While it remains to be seen what route Mone will decide to venture down next, her asking price is reportedly higher than the recent WWE deal signed by Charlotte Flair, who is now believed to be one of the highest-paid women in WWE history (h/t Fightful). Mone’s last WWE match took place on May 15, 2022, just one day before she and Naomi infamously walked out of the company.

 

No Christmas Day Monday Night Raw

Editor
-
0
No Christmas Day Monday Night Raw

Stacked Day 1 edition of WWE Raw is a hot ticket

 

WWE has gained more faith in Raw star in recent months

WWE has gained more faith in Raw star in recent months © Provided by WrestlingNews.co

 

WWE is giving its talent and crew off for Christmas before returning to the road for the annual post-Christmas live event tour, meaning there will not be a live episode of Monday Night Raw this night, Andrew Ravens reports for Wrestling News.

Instead, WWE will be airing a best-of episode of the company’s flagship show. They will return on January 1st with a new episode and a stacked show with the Day 1 theme.

Past show

The inaugural Day 1 show took place in January 2022 from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The main event saw Brock Lesnar become the new WWE Champion after defeating Big E, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, and Kevin Owens in a Fatal-Five Way match.

Originally, Lesnar was supposed to wrestle Roman Reigns for the Universal title, but the match was nixed due to Reigns testing positive for COVID-19. The idea for the show was from WWE President Nick Khan.

Ticket sales

WrestleTix, which does a great job with tracking ticket sales, reports the show has sold 10,585 with 132 left for a setup of 10,717. In the last week, it has sold 434 tickets. The last time WWE was at the venue, which was for a July 4th episode of Raw in 2022, they drew 6,121 fans.

Matches on tape for this year include World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defending against Drew McIntyre, Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley defending against Ivy Nile, Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax, and Natalya & Tegan Nox vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark in a Women’s Tag Team Championship number one contenders match.

 

Amari Cooper catches 75-yard throw

Editor
-
0
Amari Cooper catches 75-yard throw

But, Dameon Pierce responds with 98-yard kick return

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Amari Cooper #2 of the Cleveland Browns is introduced prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 17: Amari Cooper #2 of the Cleveland Browns is introduced prior to a game against the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) © Diamond Images/Getty Images

 

Amari Cooper and Joe Flacco are showing off their chemistry in Houston. But the Texans put together a strong response to the duo’s second long hookup of the day, Myles Simmons reports for Pro Football Talk.

 

Cooper caught a 75-yard touchdown to give Cleveland a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter. But Houston kick returner Dameon Pierce returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to cut Cleveland’s lead back to just seven points.

 

Flacco hit Cooper with a 53-yard deep pass on the Browns’ first play from scrimmage, but the Browns’ offense hadn’t done much since. Then early in the second quarter, Flacco dropped back and found Cooper again deep down the left side. Cooper caught the pass 43 yards in front of the line of scrimmage and ran the rest of the way for his fourth touchdown of the season.

 

But on the kickoff, Pierce fielded the ball on the left side, crossed through the coverage team to the right and flew by all the players in orange pants to score. It was just the third kick returned for a touchdown in the entire 2023 season.

 

Already dealing with plenty of injuries, Houston’s defense has three starters go down early in the contest. Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard (ankle), cornerback Steven Nelson (foot), and safety Jimmie Ward (quad) are all questionable to return.

 

Ohtani gives Porsche to Joe Kelly’s wife

Editor
-
0
Ohtani gives Porsche to Joe Kelly’s wife

For Hubby’s No. 17 with Dodgers

 

New York Post on X: "Joe Kelly's wife snaps at Lance McCullers in escalating Astros-Dodgers feud https://t.co/2tzusqN7nf https://t.co/GANZc7a1GB" / X

 

Ashley Kelly, the wife of Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly, has a good reason to be in the holiday spirit after offering up her husband’s No. 17 to new acquisition Shohei Ohtani via a social media campaign, ABC News reports.

Her gift to Ohtani was reciprocated Saturday, with Ohtani delivering a new silver Porsche to a stunned Ashley Kelly in return.

A video that the Dodgers posted to social media Saturday night showed Ashley opening the front door to see the new car parked at the curb.

“It’s yours. From Shohei,” the delivery driver told her. “He wanted to gift you a Porsche.”

Ashley Kelly publicly lobbied for Ohtani to sign with the Dodgers with her #Ohtake17 social media campaign. She comically reached out to Ohtani, showing him all the No. 17 garb in the family’s closets that could be converted for use by him and his family. She even offered to rename the couple’s baby, Kai, to ShoKai.

 

After Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers earlier this month, Kelly  posted a video on Instagram of her throwing all her No. 17 Kelly garb on her front lawn and then drawing a “Kelly 99” on the back of her husband’s shirt with a Sharpie.

Joe Kelly, who had worn No. 17 since 2019, has officially given up the number to Ohtani, who wore that number during his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.

The veteran reliever now will don No. 99 for the Dodgers.

Charles Bassey remains on injury sideline

Editor
-
0
Charles Bassey remains on injury sideline

Update on the injury situation of the San Antonio Spurs rising star

By Ed Emeanua
San Antonio Spurs Season-In-Review: Charles Bassey Has ...
Charles Bassey has Potential, yet still ‘learning to play’

Charles Bassey PF  #23

Current Team: San Antonio Spurs

Born: Oct 28, 2000 (23 years old)

Birthplace/Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

Nationality: Nigeria / United States

Height: 6-10 (208cm)     Weight: 230 (104kg)

@cb_ones23 charlesakemini7 @CB_ONES23

Current NBA Status: Under Contract (San Antonio Spurs)

Free Agent: UFA-2026

Agent: Adie von Gontard, Daveed Cohen

Draft Entry: 2021 NBA Draft

Early Entry Info: 2019 Early Entrant (Withdrew), 2021 Early Entrant

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 23, Philadelphia Sixers

Pre-Draft Team: Western Kentucky (Jr)

High School: ASPIRE Basketball Academy [Louisville, Kentucky (United States)]

AAU Team: YIIS (TX), YIIS (TX)

San Antonio Spurs center Charles Bassey remains sidelined and continues on his spell on missing out on the rest of the season after tearing his left ACL on December 10 in the G League matchup with the Legends.
Following re-examination in mid December, the D’ Tigers of Nigeria Starline is also adjudged to be a major risk for an extended time on the injury sideline.
His re-evaluation on Tuesday, December 10, in San Antonio, confirmed initial fears of a serious injury for the 23-year-old.
The Nigeria international NBA professional was before his injury, on the verge of attaining a new career record in minutes played this season, duking out 3.3 points and 4.0 rebounds, at the same time shooting 72.5 percent from the field in 10.8 minutes per game across 19 outings.
Meantime, Dominick Barlow has become a vital piece for San Antonio’s G League associate, and is in line to move up when the Spurs require offensive profundity. Sandro Mamukelashvili also stands to ascend in the intensity chart in Bassey’s lengthy absence.
The NBA G League represents the NBA’s official subordinate entente, getting players ready, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA, at the same time, fronting as the league’s exploration and initiation scientific workshop.
Bassey will be optimistic to make a full recovery before the start of the 2024-25 season, but it’s significant that his current injury also affects the same left leg involved in a tibial plateau fracture during his stay at Western Kentucky.
Bassey returned to the Spurs in early December, s day after he was in the clad up for the G League’s Austin Spurs and posted 30 points (12-24 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals in a 115-111 loss to the Texas Legends.
He apparently sustained the left knee injury at some point during the game with Austin and wasn’t available Monday for the NBA team’s loss to the Rockets, and the third-year center is now in danger of a long-term absence.
Bassey remarkably also saw his 2022-23 season screech to an abrupt end in mid-March, after he copped a non-displaced fracture of the patella in the same knee.

Mozambique calls-up 23 players for AFCON 2023

Editor
-
0
Mozambique calls-up 23 players for AFCON 2023

Everything you need to know about TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nation

 

Coach Chiquinho Conde of Os Mambas (The Mambas) of Mozambique

 

  • Mozambique will make their fifth TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations appearance
  • Coach Chiquinho Condé has called up 23 players
  • The Mambas placed in Group B with Egypt, Ghana and Cape Verde

 

Coach Chiquinho Conde has named the 23 players who will represent Mozambique at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast 2023.

 

The Mozambican team finds itself in group B alongside Egypt, Ghana and Cape Verde.

 

The 23 Mozambique players selected for the TotalEnergies AFCON 2023

 

Goalkeepers
Ernan Siluane
Fasistencio Joao
Ivane Urrbal

Defenders
Domingos Macandza
Infren Matola
Edmilson Dove
Bruno Langa
Reinidlo Mandava
Edson Sitoe
David Malembana
Feliciano Jone
Amade Momade

Midfielders
Joao Bonde
Ricardo Guimaraes
Shaquille Nangy
Alfonso Amade

Strikers
Elias Pelembe
Geny Catamo
Witness Ouembo
Gildo Vilanculos
Stanley Ratifo
Pachoio King

 

All squads are provisional until the final list of 27 players is announced by CAF, following their submission by participating teams, on 3 Janaury 2024.

 

Mozambique’s Match Schedule in Group B:

 

– January 14, 2024: Egypt vs. Mozambique, 17:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
– January 19, 2024: Cape Verde vs. Mozambique, 14:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan
– January 23, 2024: Mozambique vs. Ghana, 20:00 GMT, Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan

Guinea names 25-man AFCON 2023 squad

Editor
-
0
Guinea names 25-man AFCON 2023 squad

Everything you need to know about TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nation

 

 

  • Guinea will be making its 13th TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations appearance
  • Coach Kaba Diawara has called up 25 players
  • Syli National are in Group C with Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia

 

Kaba Diawara, Guinea coach, has named 25 players to represent the Syli National at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

 

The Syli National are in Group C alongside Senegal, Cameroon and Gambia.

 

The 25 Guinea players selected for the TotalEnergies AFCON 2023

Goalkeepers
Aly Keita
Moussa Camara
Ibrahim Koné

Defenders
Antoine Conte
Ibrahima Diakite
Issiagha Sylla
Sékou Oumar Sylla
Mouctar Diakhaby
Julien Janvier
Saidou Sow
Mohamed Aly Camara

Midfielders
Amadou Diawara
Seydouba Cisse
Aguibou Camara
Naby Keita
Aboudoulaye Toure
Mory Konate
Moriba Kourouma
Karim Cisse

Forwards
Francois Kamano
Morgan Guilavogui
Serhou Guirassy
Mohamed Bayo
Jose Martinez Kante
Facinet Conte

 

All squads are provisional until the final list of 27 players is announced by CAF, following their submission by participating teams, on 3 Janaury 2024.

 

Guinea’s Match Schedule in Group C:

– January 15, 2024: Cameroon vs. Guinea, 17:00 GMT, Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro
– January 19, 2024: Guinea vs. Gambia, 20:00 GMT, Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro
– January 23, 2024: Guinea vs. Senegal, 17:00 GMT, Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro

 

LeBron James Had Perfect Festive Reaction

Editor
-
0
LeBron James Had Perfect Festive Reaction

To Season-Best 40-Point Performance

 

LeBron James scores 40 as Lakers end skid with 'big win ...

 

LeBron James put on a show in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 129–120 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night, pouring in 40 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists. The victory halted the Lakers’ four-game losing streak ahead of their big Christmas Day matchup at home against the Boston Celtics, Daniel Chavkin reports for Sports Illustrated.

 

Although the Celtics-Lakers game is expected to be the highlight of the NBA’s five-game Christmas slate, James isn’t looking that far ahead. The 38-year-old said after Saturday’s win that he was looking forward to celebrating the holiday with his family and not stressing about the Monday game.

 

“All I care about is tomorrow’s day off,” James said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I can give a damn about Monday. The only thing I care about Monday right now is my daughter waking up and opening up her gifts. That’s it. Please don’t even talk to me about Christmas Day right now. Christmas Eve is what I’m looking forward to. I’m ready to get my a– on this couch.”

 

James has become a staple in the NBA’s Christmas Day schedule, as the NBA typically features its biggest stars on the holiday slate. Indeed, James is tied with Dwyane Wade for the NBA record for most Christmas Day wins with 10. James likely has a routine for celebrating the holiday while also having to play, and he gave the public a glimpse at his mindset on Saturday.

 

The Lakers enter Monday’s game with a 16–14 record as they host the Celtics, who are tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves with an NBA-best 22–6 record.

 

The Celtics and Lakers are scheduled to tip off at 5 p.m. ET Monday at Crypto.com Arena.

 

Sir Ratcliff finally gets a piece of ‘Man U’

Editor
-
0
Sir Ratcliff finally gets a piece of ‘Man U’

Buys into 25 percent stake in club after Glazier deal

 

pictureINEOS Group chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe pictured during the signing of an investment pact between chemicals group Ineos and the Antwerp harbor, Tuesday 15 January 2019 in Antwerp. BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM (Photo credit should read DIRK WAEM/AFP via Getty Image

The Manchester United ownership saga has finally reached a major milestone, with the Ineos founder and chief executive officer Sir Jim Ratcliffe completing the purchase of a 25 per cent stake in the club. Ratcliffe, alongside Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford, will reportedly take control of footballing matters at the club, while the Glazers retain their majority control, James Hilsum reports for Eurosport.

 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has completed a deal worth £1.3 billion with the Glazer family to acquire a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United.
Ratcliffe, the CEO of petrochemicals company Ineos, was officially unveiled as a minority owner at United, bringing an end to the protracted 13-month saga which began last November when the Glazers announced they would be willing to listen to offers for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
The deal will see Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford assume control of football operations in what is another major development in the overhaul of the senior hierarchy at Old Trafford, following news of Richard Arnold’s resignation as chief executive on November 15.
Ratcliffe expressed an interest in investing in United back in January and faced competition from Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, who had a bid reported to be worth around £5bn to buy the club outright rejected before withdrawing from the process.
That left the path clear for Ratcliffe, one of the UK’s richest men and a boyhood United fan, to negotiate a deal that would allow him and Brailsford to take charge of football matters while leaving the Glazers with a majority stake.
In statement on the club’s website, Ratcliffe, said: “As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the Club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United Board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the Club. Whilst the commercial success of the Club has ensured there have always been available funds to win trophies at the highest level, this potential has not been fully unlocked in recent times.
“We will bring the global knowledge, expertise and talent from the wider INEOS Sport group to help drive further improvement at the Club, while also providing funds intended to enable future investment into Old Trafford.
“We are here for the long term and recognize that a lot of challenges and hard work lie ahead, which we will approach with rigors, professionalism and passion. We are committed to working with everyone at the Club – the Board, staff, players and fans – to help drive the Club forward.
“Our shared ambition is clear: we all want to see Manchester United back where we belong, at the very top of English, European and world football.”
The deal is subject to approval..
Ratcliffe and Ineos’ portfolio includes investments in other sporting organizations, so it is expected he will bring what he’s learnt to Old Trafford in a bid to turn the club’s fortunes around.
The 71-year-old owns French side Nice and holds a 33% stake in the Mercedes Formula 1 operation.
He also bought over the cycling outfit formerly known as Team Sky in 2019, renaming it Ineos Grenadiers. Brailsford joined Team Sky from its inception in 2010 and was instrumental in its success, with his ‘marginal gains’ approach helping the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome win the Tour de France.
Brailsford retained his position as team principal during the takeover and was appointed director of sport at Ineos in 2021.

Osimhen won’t leave Napoli now-Agent

Editor
-
0
Osimhen won’t leave Napoli now-Agent

‘If we wanted to leave Napoli, we would have said so’

 

 

Victor Osimhen’s agent Roberto Calenda says that he and his client are delighted to be staying with Napoli following the official announcement of the striker’s contract extension on Saturday, and has shut down rumour that the Nigerian could still be open to a move in the summer, Peter Young reports for Football Italia.

 

Osimhen officially put pen to paper on a new deal running until the summer of 2026 on Saturday, in a deal which also includes a release clause for teams outside of Italy.

 

The release clause, believed to be set in the region of €120m-€130m, is valid for teams outside of Serie A during the summer transfer window, a figure which may not be out of the question for some of Europe’s wealthier sides.

 

Calenda gave an in-depth interview in Saturday’s print edition of Il Corriere dello Sport, in which he described Osimhen’s extension as an ‘historic’ deal for Italian football.

 

Calenda added that the extension required lots of hard work. He continued: “It is recognition for what Osimhen has done and continues to do on the pitch. He’s an extraordinary player.

 

“This year as well, despite his injury, he is scoring. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that he dragged Napoli to a first league title in 33 years. Along with his teammates, he built something incredible.

 

Calenda was asked about the release clause in his client’s contract, but he refused to provide any further details, asserting that the terms of the contract are confidential.

 

“Victor is doing very well in Naples and wants to take the team as high as possible. He has always said it and backed it up on the pitch. We just closed an historic deal in the history of Italian football. Let’s enjoy it.

 

“I’ve heard that I didn’t want him to renew and that I’d rather take him elsewhere. It’s the usual blame game. It wasn’t true. I represent Victor and I want what’s best for him. We’ve both wanted a renewal since the summer.

 

“Last summer, plenty of offers arrived, some monstrous ones, but De Laurentiis wanted to keep Victor and we made ourselves available. If we wanted to leave, we would have said so.

 

“Instead, we worked, a lot, to get the renewal done. Next summer it will be the same, we will speak to De Laurentiis and see what to do.”

 

1...107108109...222Page 108 of 222

© 2025 - All rights reserved.
Designed By Aceon Technology

About Us

Popular Category

Editor Picks