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Will The Company “Smooth Things Over” With The Boss?

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Will The Company “Smooth Things Over” With The Boss?

There’s still a lot of conflicting information out there about Sasha Banks’ WWE status, but a new report suggests the company could be looking to make things right with the former Women’s Champion…

WrestlingInc.com’s Raj Giri, who was the first to break the news about Sasha Banks being released from her WWE contract, has shared some more insights into what’s happening with The Boss.

 

Apparently, the former RAW and SmackDown Women’s Champion secured her release from the company on June 10 courtesy of Erika Schreiber, VP of Business and Legal Affairs for Talent Relations. On a more interesting note, he adds that “leadership is trying to smooth things over [with Banks],” presumably meaning WWE could be looking to re-sign her.

 

Banks is a huge star and someone Stephanie McMahon is known to be a fan of.

 

Inline image

Now she’s serving as WWE’s CEO and Chairwoman, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that she’s looking to make things right with Banks (it would be wise to stop her from heading to AEW).

 

As things stand, neither she nor Naomi have commented since walking out of WWE. That led to WWE publicly shaming their actions on TV and stripping them of their Women’s Tag Team Championships.

 

Keep checking back here for the latest on Banks’ status.

 

Drew McIntyre to battle Sheamus in a high-stakes Irish Donnybrook Match

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Drew McIntyre to battle Sheamus in a high-stakes Irish Donnybrook Match

After two of their one-on-one matchups were postponed due to the shenanigans of Sheamus, Drew McIntyre and The Celtic Warrior will go to war in a good old-fashioned Irish Donnybrook Match.

 

 

Angela the sword has been banned, Shillelaghs and other weapons will be plentiful, and the rules are being thrown out the window. The winner of the showdown with challenge the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at WWE Clash at the Castle.

The New Day to throw down against the new and vicious Viking Raiders

 

In the wake of Ivar & Erik’s victory over Jinder Mahal & Shanky, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods will reignite their brutal rivalry against the new and vicious Viking Raiders when they finally face off in an explosive tag team slugfest.

Aliyah to take on a “disrespected” Lacey Evans

 

After Lacey Evans backed out of several matches because she felt disrespected by the WWE Universe and then blasted her scheduled opponent Aliyah with a cheap shot Woman’s Right on the July 22 episode of the blue brand, WWE Offical Adam Pearce has made it clear that the two Superstars will faceup.

Transfer news: Summer transfer window 2022: Premier League ins and outs

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Transfer news: Summer transfer window 2022: Premier League ins and outs

Latest transfer news 29/7/2022

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Latest transfer news 29/7/2022

Manchester City XI vs Liverpool: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news and injury latest for Community Shield

 

Aymeric Laporte is Manchester City’s only real injury concern heading into Saturday’s Community Shield with Liverpool.

Pep Guardiola has confirmed the Spanish international would likely miss a month or so of action after undergoing knee surgery after City’s Premier League title-winning campaign, leaving the champions somewhat light in that department.

 

John Stones and Nathan Ake could start in the centre of defence with Ruben Dias not yet fully fit.

 

The world, of course, awaits to see what Erling Haaland can do in the Premier League. Already on the scoresheet in City colours after netting on his debut against Bayern Munich, the summer signing is expected to be involved at the King Power Stadium.

 

Still, given the fact Haaland struggled with slight niggles upon arriving at the Etihad Stadium, it’s difficult to judge just how heavily he will be relied on.
 

 

Reds said to be talking to Serie A players Belotti and Ceppitelli

 

Toronto FC’s lineup may be getting even more Azzurri blue.

 

According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, the Reds are still in the hunt to acquire Italian national team striker Andrea Belotti. The 28-year-old is currently a free agent and is also wanted by AS Roma.
Belotti scored 113 goals in 251 total appearances for Torino of Serie A in his seven seasons there. According to TransfersMLS, TFC has offered Belotti $10 million per season and the ball is now in the Italian’s court as to whether he accepts the deal.
A TFC source told the Sun that they have followed Belotti for close to a year. Cagliari defender Luca Ceppitelli, 32, is also said to be talking to the Reds.

Barcelona transfers: How are they able to buy players despite €1 billion debt?

 

Despite being €1.3 billion (£1.1b/$1.3b) in debt at the end of 2021, Barcelona haven’t shied away from spending big this summer.

 

With the recent agreement to sign Sevilla star Jules Kounde, the Catalan club are poised to take their transfer spree this window past €150 million (£125m/$152m).

 

While Franck Kessi and Andreas Christensen have arrived on free transfers, Kounde along with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowksi haven’t come cheaply.

 

To further complicate matters, Barcelona have only pocketed a transfer fee for Philippe Coutinho so far this window with four other players leaving on free transfers.

 

How are Barcelona able to buy players despite their debt?

 

 

“It’s the only club in the world that can buy players without money. It’s kind of weird and crazy,” Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann recently said of Barcelona’s financial situation.

 

The German isn’t the only one confused by Barca’s transfer dealings but the Spanish giants have essentially been relying on what are known as ‘economic levers’.

 

These levers are used to alleviate the impact of existing debt and activated by selling assets of the club to bring in long-term revenue.

For Barcelona this has involved selling portions of the club’s TV rights and part of their Licensing and Merchandising (BLM).

 

“They have sold 10% of their TV rights for €207 million. Then they increased that share to 25% which I think gives them some €350 million more. That would be €500 million and I think they have another third lever worth around €200 million,” La Liga president Javier Tebas explained in late July via SPORT.

Gianluca Scamacca: West Ham complete £35.5m deal for Sassuolo striker

 

Gianluca Scamacca has completed his move from Sassuolo to West Ham in a £35.5m deal; Italy striker has signed a five-year contact plus the option of a further 12 months; the 23-year-old scored 16 goals in 36 Serie A games last season; Scamacca becomes club’s fourth summer signing

 

West Ham have completed the signing of Sassuolo striker Gianluca Scamacca in a deal worth £35.5m.

 

The Italy international, who scored 16 goals in 36 Serie A appearances last season, has signed a five-year contract, plus the option of a further year at the London Stadium.
The Hammers have agreed to pay Sassuolo an initial £30.5m with £5m in add-ons. The deal also includes a 10 per cent sell-on clause for the Italian side.

Scamacca, who has been handed the number seven shirt, said: “I am really excited to join West Ham. I’ve waited a long time for this moment – it’s been a dream to play in the Premier League.

 

“I feel like West Ham is the perfect team for me. They showed they really wanted me and when I spoke to the manager there was an instant understanding. I can’t wait to play and show the supporters what I can do in the West Ham shirt – I hope we will love each other.”

 

West Ham boss David Moyes added: “We’ve been looking to add more strength to our attacking options for a while, so we’re delighted to have got Gianluca in. He comes really well recommended – and we’re looking forward to working with him. He’s a young centre-forward with a really bright future ahead of him.”

Gianluca Scamacca’s stats for Sassuolo in the 2021/22 Serie A season
Scamacca becomes West Ham’s fourth summer signing, following the arrivals of defender Nayef Aguerd, who joined from Rennes for £30m, goalkeeper Alphonse Areola for £7.75m from Paris Saint-Germain, and midfielder Flynn Downes from Swansea City for £12m.

West Ham were also interested in signing Chelsea forward Armando Broja, but while signing both Broja and Scamacca has not been ruled out, it’s increasingly likely to be one or the other.

 

The Irons also want to further strengthen in central midfield having made a bid for Lille’s Amadou Onana, while they are keeping an eye on Piotr Zielinski’s situation at Napoli.

 

Moyes is looking to improve his squad ahead of a season that will see West Ham combine Premier League improvement with a first Europa Conference League campaign.

West Ham make £12.75m bid to sign Frankfurt’s Kostic

 

Following Scamacca’s arrival, West Ham will now work on a deal to sign Filip Kostic from Eintracht Frankfurt.

 

The Hammers have made a £12.75m bid to sign the left-sided player, who has entered the final year of his contract at the Bundesliga side and believes his next deal is likely to be the last big one of his career.

 

The Hammers have offered an initial £10m with £2.75m in add-ons for the 29-year-old, who can play as a left winger or as a left wing-back.

 

The Serbia international likes West Ham and has a lot of respect for the club but remains undecided on whether he will join, given he has the guarantee of Champions League football with Frankfurt next season.

 

Left-back has been a priority position this summer for Moyes and the club have moved for Kostic, who helped Frankfurt win the Europa League last season.

 

 

 

Filip Kostic has one year left on his Eintracht Frankfurt contract

Moyes had a close look at Kostic last season as Frankfurt beat the Hammers in the Europa League semi-finals.

 

Kostic impressed in the competition as he won UEFA Europa League Player of the Season and had the most assists in last season’s tournament with six.

UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2 Official Weigh-In Results

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UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2 Official Weigh-In Results

Main Event – Women’s Bantamweight Title Bout: Julianna Peña (134.5) vs Amanda Nunes (135)

 

Co-Main Event – Interim Flyweight Title Bout: Brandon Moreno (124.5) vs Kai Kara-France (124.5)

 

Heavyweight Bout: Derrick Lewis (264.5) vs Sergei Pavlovich (254)

 

How To Watch UFC 277 In Your Country

 

Flyweight Bout: Alexandre Pantoja (125.5) vs Alex Perez (125.5)

 

Light Heavyweight Bout: Magomed Ankalaev (206) vs Anthony Smith (206)

 

PRELIMS (Live on ABC, ESPN, & ESPN+)

 

Welterweight Bout: Alex Morono (171) vs Matthew Semelsberger (171)

 

Lightweight Bout: Drew Dober (155.5) vs Rafael Alves (155.5)

 

Main Event Preview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

 

Heavyweight Bout: Don’Tale Mayes (255) vs Hamdy Abdelwahab (264.5)

 

Lightweight Bout: Drakkar Klose (155.5) vs Rafa Garcia (155)

 

EARLY PRELIMS

 

Welterweight Bout:  Michael Morales (170.5) vs Adam Fugitt (171)

 

Women’s Bantamweight Bout: Joselyne Edwards* (137.5) vs Ji Yeon Kim (135)

 

Fight By Fight Preview | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2

 

Light Heavyweight Bout: Nicolae Negumereanu (205) vs Ihor Potieria (204)

 

Welterweight Bout: Orion Cosce** (172.5) vs Blood Diamond (169)

 

*Joselyne Edwards weighed in above the women’s bantamweight limit. She forfeits 20% of her purse to her opponent. Fight proceeds as scheduled.

 

**Orion Cosce weighed in above the welterweight limit. He forfeits 20% of his purse to his opponent. Fight proceeds as scheduled.

Julianna Peña weighs in with 90 seconds left, Amanda Nunes rematch official

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Julianna Peña weighs in with 90 seconds left, Amanda Nunes rematch official
DALLAS – The UFC 277 headliner is official after Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes made weight for their anticipated women’s bantamweight title rematch.

Peña (11-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and Nunes (21-5 MMA, 14-2 UFC) both successfully hit the divisional mark for Saturday’s main event, which takes place at American Airlines Center and airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN/ABC and ESPN+.

 

Former titleholder Nunes was first to the scale among the pairing, registering at 135 pounds. The champion Peña was the final fighter to step on the scale in the two-hour window, and was under the limit at 134.5 pounds.
Julianna Pena poses on the scale during the UFC 269 ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Weigh-In Results | UFC 277: Peña vs Nunes 2
The Fighters Have Stepped On The Scales To Make It Official For The UFC’s Return To Dallas

UFC returns to Dallas, Texas for the first time in almost four years, headlined by a thrilling women’s bantamweight championship rematch that will see Julianna Pena go for her first successful title defense against former titleholder and current women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes. The co-main event will feature the crowning of an interim flyweight champion when former titleholder Brandon Moreno runs it back with Kai Kara-France.

 

UFC 277: PENA vs. NUNES 2 takes place Saturday, July 30 at American Airlines Center in Dallas with the main card at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT on ESPN+ PPV. The prelims will be seen on free on ABC, as well as ESPN, ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT with the night’s action starting at 6 pm ET/3 pm PT with Early Prelims on ESPN+ (English and Spanish) and UFC Fight Pass.

 

Main event and co-main event scheduled for five rounds. All other bouts scheduled for three rounds.

Manchester City attempted to make late swoop for Barcelona and Chelsea target

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Manchester City attempted to make late swoop for Barcelona and Chelsea target

Manchester City attempted to make a late swoop for Chelsea and Barcelona target Jules Kounde.

 

Sevilla defender Kounde was at the centre of a transfer saga, with both Chelsea and Barcelona attempting to sign the defender. It now appears that Kounde will be staying in Spain, but will be moving to Barcelona.

 

That’s according to L’Equipe, who claim a deal has now been completed, with Kounde signing a deal at the Spanish giants until 2027.

 

 

 

However, the most interesting part of the report is that the French outlet claims that Manchester City did make a late attempt to beat both Chelsea and Barcelona to the signing of Kounde.

 

A move to Manchester City seemed the least likely of the three clubs, due to them already having a formidable partnership in Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias.

 

The likes of John Stones and Nathan Ake are sat waiting for a chance, so Kounde may have felt his game time would be limited in Manchester.

 

It’s a different story for both Chelsea and Barcelona, with the former losing two central defenders this summer and the latter having a significantly weaker squad to Manchester City.

Confident Tayo Adaramola reveals what drove him to join Coventry City from Crystal Palace

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Confident Tayo Adaramola reveals what drove him to join Coventry City from Crystal Palace

Tayo Adaramola has joined Coventry City with one thing on his mind – helping the club achieve their promotion ambitions.

 

The hugely confident left wing-back touched down at Ryton on Tuesday and will train with his fellow Sky Blues today as Mark Robins continues to prepare his squad for Sunday’s opening day Championship trip to Sunderland. The manager will assess his fitness this week to see how close he is to being able to make his debut at the Stadium of Light.

 

Although he has done pre-season with his parent club Crystal Palace, including their first team tour to Singapore and Australia this month, Robins admitted that the 18-year-old may still be short of match minutes.
The player, however, is clearly straining at the leash, saying: “I’m buzzing and I’m excited to be a part of a big club with a great history, so I can’t wait to get started.

 

“The gaffer had a big interest in me and a desire to play me. It’s a big club that has been in the Premier League and I believe they can still get to that level, so I’m excited.

 

“Like many, I hate losing and I want to win as many games as possible for the fans and the club. The more games we win, the more chance we have of getting to the Premier League: and that was the first thought on my mind.

 

“Playing minutes is all you want to do as a footballer because that’s the way you improve, so hopefully I can play as many minutes as possible.

 

“I’ve had a lot of talks with people close to me and they told me how I need to express myself when I’m playing against top teams in the Championship, so I’m hoping I can learn from that and come in and perform.”

 

Voted Palace Under-18s Player of the Season last year, the defender gave a quick insight into what the Sky Blues fans can expect from him this season.

 

“Energy, for one,” he said, “I’ll run until I get cramp so if then fans see me cramping they’ll know that’s my time done.

 

“Positivity going forward when carrying the ball, but defending well, trying to get as many crosses in and beat players.

 

“I love both sides of the game and I think both sides of the game are really important and I’m coming here to try and express myself as much as possible.

 

“Under-18s is less intense and you’ve got a lot more time and space to do what you want, so here my decision making will have to be quicker and I hope that it will improve me as a player.

 

“I’m excited. Not often from playing Under-18s do you play in-front of fans and stuff like that, so it will be a dream come true.”

Chris Billam-Smith lays out world title plans with hopes of avoiding a Lawrence Okolie fight

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The cruiserweight contender fights back home in Bournemouth against Isaac Chamberlain on Saturday night, headlining a card for the first time in his career.

 

Billam-Smith’s Commonwealth and European belts will be on the line but a greater prize awaits the winner, who will be able to position themselves among the front runners for a world title shot possibly later this year.

 

‘The Gentleman’ is well placed among all four of the major governing bodies in boxing but one fight at the top of the division he won’t be pursuing is against WBO champion Lawrence Okolie.

 

The two cruiserweights are frequent sparring partners and close friends who share a trainer in Shane McGuigan working out of their thriving gym in east London. While Okolie soon plans to move up to the heavyweight division to become a two-weight champion, the thought of the two friends meeting in the ring has never been a serious option.

 

‘Me and Lawrence, we got asked a few years ago about it. But we are friends now and we have both said that fight will never happen,’ Billam-Smith told Metro.co.uk.

 

‘We are in the same gym to start with, one of us wouldn’t have a coach in the corner. I think Lawrence’s plan is to unify and then move up. I have my own plans.’

 

Billam-Smith settled his rivalry with Tommy McCarthy in April (Picture: Getty)

Chamberlain seeks to wreck those plans on Saturday. The Brixton fighter is a previous opponent of Okolie’s, sharing a bitter feud with the former that culminated in their rather anticlimactic clash in 2018.
There is only so much to glean from that fight that took place over four years ago with Billam-Smith and trainer Shane McGuigan plotting the statement win that will catapult the 31-year-old ahead of his British and international rivals and into title contention.

 

The landscape of the cruiserweight division is tricky to navigate with Australia’s Joe Opetaia rocking it with a stunning win over Mairis Briedis last month to take the IBF title after. Ilunga Makabu still holds the WBC strap with Arsen Goulamirian in possession of the WBA title – having not defended his belt since December 2019.

 

 

 

Billam-Smith will not fight stablemate Okolie (Picture: Getty)

There will be plenty of work for Billam-Smith and his team in the second half of the year but opportunities will quickly present themselves should victory come on Saturday.

‘After this fight we will have a proper route,’ he said. ‘The landscape has changed a little bit with Joe Opetaia winning, he’ll presumably be out until the New Year, I imagine.

 

‘Lawrence is a stable mate so I won’t be fighting him. With Makabu and Goulamirian, I’m not sure what will happen with them. It’s a bit crazy but hopefully we will know a little more soon. I have to focus on this and we can map at that route once the dust settles. I am in a good position.’

 

Just who will be guiding the promotional side of Billam-Smith’s career beyond Saturday remains to be seen. The former British champion has signed a one-fight deal with Boxxer and Sky Sports having parted company with Matchroom earlier this year.

 

Boxxer now count some of the UK’s best emerging talent among their ranks including another cruiserweight now on the brink of a world title shot in Richard Riakporhe, someone who Billam-Smith knows every well.

 

Riakporhe plotting his own title shot (Picture: Getty)

His only defeat in 16 professional bouts came against the south Londoner back in 2019 with Riakporhe clinching a split decision win that night. The 32-year-old has smashed his way to the top of the division since, exhibiting his devastating one-punch power in a IBF title eliminator against Fabio Turchi last month. Boxxer chief Ben Shalom also recently revealed there are talks for him to challenge Makabu for the WBC belt.

 

While Billam-Smith is desperate to set the record straight, waiting until there is a world title on the line is likely to serve both fighters best.

 

‘The rematch will always be talked about because it was such a close fight and because of what I have done since,’ Billam-Smith said. ‘I think if we keep winning then that fight makes sense for a world title.

 

‘The Gentleman’ right at home with the McGuigans (Picture: Getty)

 

‘A domestic clash, it is exactly what makes sense. If it happens, it will have to have a world title on the line, be it a vacant one or if one of us goes and claims one first. It is one I would like to happen but I don’t sit and dwell on it and it won’t define my career.

 

‘It is a business at the end of the day, if you have two guys, two Brits fighting for a world title it makes business sense. Especially when there is the rematch angle, the close fight the first time around, everything there is laid out. If we both keep winning the rematch will come.’

 

Billam-Smith is right at home at the McGuigan’s gym, home to fighters at world level in Okolie and Daniel Dubois down to the prodigious young talents looking to join them in Adam Azim and Caroline Dubois to name a few.

 

Should his chance to hold world title aloft present itself, all credit will go to the McGuigan family, in particular Shane who he counts as a close friend as well as his coach.

 

‘The work he [Shane] has done with me, it isn’t a question of how it has shaped my career, it has just made my career in every way. Without him, my career wouldn’t be what it is.

 

‘His work, Barry [McGuigain’s] work, Jake [McGuigan’s] work, the whole family are really good friends of mine, they feel like family. Without them, my career wouldn’t be anywhere near to what it is now. I’m very grateful and I will forever be in debt to them.’

Everton considering move for Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez

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Everton considering move for Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez

Everton like the look of Real Betis defensive midfielder Guido Rodriguez according to Cesar Luis Merlo. The Premier League club have been in touch with the player but are yet to make a formal approach for the 28-year-old Argentine international.

Everton avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season and are keen to strengthen their team this summer to ensure that doesn’t happen again. A sitting number six has been identified as a clear priority and Guido fits the bill.

 

Guido, who’s earned 24 caps for the Argentine national team and will be part of Lionel Scaloni’s squad heading to the Qatar World Cup later this year, joined Betis in 2020 and has since made 100 appearances for the club. He’s been a key part of the team that, under Manuel Pellegrini, has qualified for the Europa League two seasons running and managed to win the Copa del Rey last year.

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