Real Betis reschedules debt in €125m deal as focus turns to stadium renovation
Credit: Inside World Football
September 24 – LaLiga’s Real Betis has received €125 million in a deal brokered by Goldman Sachs to restructure its debt and provide financial stability, Paul Nicholson reports for Inside World Football.
The club said that the improved arrangement over the next 10 years will provide “it with sufficient liquidity, solvency and financial depth for the coming years”.
The new deal also has the flexibility to be extended if required. “The covenants package of the new financing preserves flexibility and autonomy in the future management of the Club, even allowing its expansion should it prove necessary,” said a club statement.
The new arrangements don’t just provide the club with financial stability but clear the way “to tackle new important strategic projects such as the construction of the new Benito Villamarín Stadium.”
Betis is working with Bibium Capital and Goldman Sachs on the financing of the stadium, which it says will generate an increase in income that will make “it self-financing without undermining the Club’s resources”.
Federico Martínez Feria, corporate general manager of Real Betis, said that the roadmap set out in the 2022 – 2026 Strategic Plan for the financial consolidation of the club, puts the new stadium as the key route to generating new income.
“In the Strategic Plan we also have included the optimization of costs and the increase in income with new lines of business. Here the Stadium is a fundamental pillar that will allow us to increase this income. It will have independent financing that will be paid with the increases in income that will be generated and, consequently, it will not affect this restructuring of the debt,” he said.
Betis has recently opened its new Rafael Gordillo Sports City training complex and sports city which consists of 11 training fields and an office building. The next focus is the €60 million renovation of its Benito Villamarin Stadium.
The club’s home since 1929, it has a capacity of 60,379 that will be retained under the new plans which predict to increase stadium income from €30 million to €50 million annually.
Betis finished seventh in LaLiga last season and qualified for the UEFA Conference League. The club currently lies 11thin LaLiga after six matches.
TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup Poster Officially Unveiled
CAF Super Cup 2024 official poster Image credit CAFonline
CAFonlinereports that with only a few days to kick-off, the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) has unveiled the official poster of the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2024 Final.
The match is scheduled on Friday, 27 September 2024 at 21h00 Local Time (18h00 GMT).
The TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup will be contested by TotalEnergies CAF Champions League champions, Al Ahly SC as well as their old-time rivals Zamelek SC who won the CAF Confederation Cup.
Ahead of the globally anticipated encounter between the two African club football giants, CAF has released a uniquely designed and bespoke event poster which is inspired by the CAF Super Cup’s recently launched and re-branded identity.
The design sees the coveted TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup Trophy taking centre stage as the hero of the design, along with colored elements of the new identity which allow the two club logos to stand out as the two contenders of the centered Trophy.
The uniquely designed poster is freely available for download HERE.
The TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup, which was officially sold out in just 24-hours of tickets going on sale will take place at the award-winning Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Fans can start engaging and following the conversation across all CAF’s Digital Platforms using #TotalEnergiesCAFSC.
Zizo: “Winning the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup against Al Ahly will be even more special”
Ahmed Mostafa Sayed, affectionately known as “Zizo” spoke on titanic clash with Al Ahly
Zizo on why it would be even more special to win the title against their arch-rivals
It is every player’s dream to add their name to the rich history of African football
Zamalek attacking midfielder, Ahmed Mostafa Sayed, better known as “Zizo”, says the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup 2024 final between them and their old-time foes, Al Ahly will be a highly intense, CAFonline reports.
As champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, Zamalek face their Egyptian rivals who lifted the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League in what promises to be an action-filled match up on Friday, 27 September at the award-winning Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Kick-off is at 21h00 Local Time (18h00 GMT)
In an exclusive sit-down with CAFonline.com, the dangerous attacked expressed his ambition of winning the title for the fifth time in the club’s history since last winning it in 2020.
Zizou also shares how special the victory will be should it come at the hands of their rivals, Al Ahly who are the most successful club in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup with 8 titles.
CAFonline.com: You are facing Al Ahly, the most successful club in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup, which you know well. What would you say is required to win such a match?
Zizo: Not only is this one of the most important trophies to win in Africa, but it involves two arch-rivals that have a rich history in African football. We want to deliver a high-quality match that shines a spotlight on Egyptian football. Portuguese coach José Gomes and his staff are working hard with us to prepare for this challenge. It will require a lot of mental toughness. We can prepare well tactically but mental toughness will be key in such a match.
Image credit: CAFonline
What is your technical analysis of the match and what message did the technical staff give you before the final?
The most important thing will be to stay fully focused and take advantage of every opportunity. Our ambition is to win this cup, especially since Zamalek can count on the support of its many fans in the Gulf, who will be there to cheer us on. Our goal is to make them proud. Technically, we know that they are a very good and disciplined side who will be very difficult to break but equally so, we have the quality and ambition to get the job done and make our fans happy.
Tickets for the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup sold out in 24 hours. How do you perceive this atmosphere that promises to be electric at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh?
The atmosphere at the Kingdom Arena will be exceptional, with a strong presence of Egyptian and Saudi supporters. This will delight us as players and give us an added push, as this match will be between the two biggest clubs in Africa and the enthusiasm of the fans will be immense, pushing us to give our best.
Personally, what would it mean to win the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup?
As a player, my ambition is to win the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup for the second time with the “White Knights”. I already won this title in 2020 against Espérance de Tunis, a highlight in my career. I hope to relive it to further inscribe my name in the history of Zamalek.
It is every players dream to play such matches and more importantly, lift the title and add your name to the long list of great African footballers who won this tournament.
Zamalek’s last victory in the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup was in 2020. The fans must be eager to relive that experience, right?
Zamalek fans are eagerly awaiting this title, and we are determined to win it, especially since this edition against Al Ahly has a special significance. Since my arrival in 2019, I have had the chance to contribute to several successes for Zamalek, and we want to continue to enrich the club’s record.
What message would you like to send to Zamalek supporters ahead of the final?
I ask the fans to support us, whether in the stadium or in front of their screens. We need your energy and confidence at this time. Believe in us, and God willing, we will bring back this title for the fifth time in the history of Zamalek.
Jey Uso became a singles champion for the first time ever as he took down Bron Breakker to win the Intercontinental Title. Plus, Rhea Ripley revealed “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio would be locked inside a shark cage for her title match against Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, World Heavyweight Champion Gunther once again refused to face Sami Zayn and so much more!
Image credit: WWE
Rhea Ripley revealed “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio would be in a shark cage during her title match with Liv Morgan
Sami Zayn defeats Ludwig Kaiser
https://youtu.be/zGRRX-PdD5E
Looking to receive a title match against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, Sami Zayn took on The Ring General’s right-hand man Ludwig Kaiser.
Kaiser used the ringside area to his advantage by knocking Zayn off to the top of the barricade into the timekeeper’s area and by drop-kicking Zayn directly into the ring steps.
Despite the repeated abuse from Kaiser, Zayn hit the Helluva Kick to gain the impressive win.
After the match, Gunther once again refused to defend the World Heavyweight Title against Zayn.
Dragon Lee defeats Carlito
Looking to finally gain retribution after being taken out of WrestleMania earlier this year, The LWO’s Dragon Lee took on The Judgment Day’s Carlito.
In a huge surprise, Rey Mysterio came out of nowhere to neutralize The Judgment Day.
Lee used the fracas to land a unique twisting slam and gain the win over Carlito.
Braun Strowman interrupts “Big” Bronson Reed’s match against The Miz
Drew McIntyre promises to take CM Punk to hell
Damage CTRL defeats The Unholy Union
After defeating Bianca Belair last week, IYO SKY teamed with Kairi Sane against The Unholy Union.
Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn focused on Sane’s injured eye, using it to their advantage.
SKY bombarded Fyre and Dawn with her unique offense, nearly putting away Fyre with a Meteora.
Sane hit the Insane Elbow onto Fyre on the outside, while SKY nailed the Over the Moonsault on Dawn to get the victory.
The Creed Brothers defeats The New Day
With the 10-year anniversary of The New Day approaching, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods looked to get back on the same page as they took on The Creed Brothers.
The New Day employed great teamwork until American Made used cunning tactics to use the referee against them.
Kingston hit a huge trust fall dive to the outside before landing Trouble in Paradise on Julius Creed, giving Woods the chance to win the match.
Chad Gable got involved, however, igniting the frustrations in Woods, who leveled Gable with kicks.
With Woods distracted, The Creed Brothers executed the Brutus Ball on Woods to secure the win.
Jey Uso defeats Bron Breakker to win the Intercontinental Championship
Seeking his first singles championship, Jey Uso looked to dethrone Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental Title.
Breakker mocked his opponent, going for push-ups instead of covering Uso for a pinfall attempt.
Deep into the match, Breakker and Uso dug deep as Breakker collided onto Uso on the announce table.
After getting Speared on the outside, Uso somehow Speared Breakker as the Intercontinental Champion looked for a Spear himself.
An Uso Splash could not put away Breakker, who kicked out milliseconds before the three-count.
Uso leveled Breakker with a Spear through the barricade, followed by a Spear in the ring and an Uso Splash to become the new Intercontinental Champion.
Jey Uso faces Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental Title
The Intercontinental Championship will be on the line when Bron Breakker defends his title against “Main Event” Jey Uso.
Since dethroning Sami Zayn at SummerSlam, Breakker has enjoyed an impressive reign, highlighted by his hard-earned title retention against Zayn in a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match on Raw.
Image credit: WWE RAW Sept. 16, 2024
Uso, meanwhile, won a Fatal 4-Way Match against Ilja Dragunov, Braun Strowman and Bronson Reed on the Sept. 9 episode of Raw, solidifying his spot as the No. 1 Contender to the Intercontinental Title.
Can Uso capture his first singles championship, or will the dogs be barking for the champion? Tune in to Monday Night Raw at 8/7 C on USA to find out.
Drew McIntyre returns en route to his Hell in a Cell Match against CM Punk at WWE Bad Blood
Several weeks ago, Drew McIntyre unleashed a brutal attack on CM Punk, breaking his bracelet, shoving it in Punk’s mouth, and continuing to attack his adversary backstage while The Second City Saint was laid out on a stretcher.
Image credit: WWE RAW Sept. 16, 2024
With a career-altering Hell in a Cell showdown between Punk against McIntyre set for WWE Bad Blood, The Scottish Psychopath is slated return to Monday night.
What will McIntyre have to say about his date with destiny inside the twisted structure?
Sami Zayn looks to take down Ludwig Kaiser en route to Gunther
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther refuses to allow Sami Zayn to challenge him for his title, repeatedly rebuking the man who defeated him and ended his legendary Intercontinental Title reign at WrestleMania XL.
Zayn has not relented, however, as he continues his quest to challenge The Ring General. Standing in his way is Gunther’s right-hand man Ludwig Kaiser, who has made it known that he does not think Zayn is on the same level as the World Heavyweight Champion.
Can Zayn take down Kaiser to perhaps get one step closer to facing Gunther for the World Heavyweight Title?
We are on the road to AEW Grand Slam 2024! Tonight’s AEW COLLISION was broadcast on TNT from the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA!
Tony Schiavone and former ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! This is for the Sickos!
ROH World Tag Team Championship Bunkhouse Brawl!
“The Natural” Dustin Rhodes & “The Spanish God” Sammy Guevara (c.)
versus
Undisputed Kingdom—Matt Taven & Mike Bennett!
Sammy and Dustin brought the fight to Taven and Bennett, charging at the Undisputed Kingdom as they made their entrance! Dustin wrapped a leather belt around his feet and struck Bennett in the forehead. Sammy moonsaulted off the guardrail, wiping out Taven. Sammy battered Bennett and Taven with a kendo stick. Sammy tried for a tope suicida, but Bennett cracked him in the skull with a steel chair!
Bennett had Sammy on his shoulders while Taven jumped out of the ring with a Doomsday Device delivery to the Spanish God. Dustin had a taser, but the Undisputed Kingdom countered with a double thrust kick. Dustin drilled Taven with a bulldog off the ramp, sending both men crashing through tables wrapped in barbed wire on the arena floor! Sammy sent Bennett through a table with a cutter off the apron!
Guevara climbed to the top of the ladder. Taven shoved the ladder, sending Sammy plummeting from the top of the 12 foot ladder, smashing through a table on the arena floor. The Undisputed Kingdom double teamed a bloody Dustin, but Dustin fought back. Bennett nailed Dustin with a spine buster.
Dustin was looking for a Cross Rhodes on Bennett, but Taven came to Bennett’s aid. Dustin power slammed Taven on top of a steel chair. Dustin followed up with a suplex to Taven on to a steel chair.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Bennett decimated Dustin with a Death Valley Driver through steel chairs. Sammy jumped into the ring to break up the pin attempt on his partner. Sammy hit Taven with the GTH! Sammy connected with a thrust kick to Bennett. Dustin wrapped barbed wire around his cowboy boot. Dustin smashed Bennett with a kick to the jewels. Sammy splashed Bennett with a Swanton dive from the top of the ladder. Sammy covered Bennett and the champs retained their titles via pinfall!
Lexy Nair was attempting to interview Hologram and The Conglomeration’s Kyle O’Reilly and ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe backstage when The Premier Athletes interrupted them!
Briscoe brought in Rocky Romero, and they said Rocky would help them even up the odds against the Premier Athletes!
Trios Match!
Hologram, & The Conglomeration’s Kyle O’Reilly and ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe (with Rocky Romero)
versus
The Premier Athletes’ Ariya Daivari, Josh Woods, and Tony Nese (with “Smart” Mark Sterling)!
Hologram and Kyle hit a double suplex on Daivari, showing great synergy. Hologram hit Nese with a shotgun dropkick. After distraction, Sterling kicked Kyle with his shoes.
Nese nailed Hologram with a spin wheel kick to Hologram’s face. Briscoe tagged in and served up a spicy dish of redneck Kungfu to Woods and Daivari! Briscoe tossed Daivari with a suplex. Briscoe followed up with a Death Valley Bomb to Woods.
Sterling tried to distract Briscoe, but Hologram flew out of the ring and wiped out Sterling with a tope. Mark spiked Woods with the Jay Driller and scored the pin!
“The fans are going bananas for AEW! What a tremendous win,” said Schiavone.
MxM Collection were backstage!
Mansoor: “Last week we said we’d give Max Caster’s jacket and extreme makeover!”
Mason Madden: “That’s exactly what we did!”
Mansoor: “Exactly one week from tonight, Grand Slam Collision, we’ll present our finale to NY fashion week and Max Caster’s jacket will be something everyone loves!”
Eliminator Match!
AEW Women’s World Champion “The Glamour” Mariah May
versus
Lady Frost!
Lady Frost cradled Mariah for a near fall after Mariah blew a kiss to Nigel. Mariah picked up Lady Frost and planted her with a Mariah-Go-Round. Mariah connected with a John Woo dropkick to Lady Frost.
Lady Frost took down Mariah with some gymnastics offense. She followed up with a twisting tornillo from the top rope to the champion. Lady Frost hurled Mariah with a suplex but Mariah fired back with a headbutt and a knee strike. Mariah spiked Lady Frost with a Storm Zero and picked up the pin fall victory!
Willow: “I’m still in a lot of pain after my loss to Kris Statlander. Life is full of ups and downs, and this is just part of it. I’m inspired by Yuka Sakazaki and her upcoming match at Grand Slam this week.”
“The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo and Taya Valkyrie interrupted. Deonna said Willow should be in her friend’s corner, but instead, Deonna offered Yuka protection. Willow challenged Taya to a match and Taya accepted.
Daddy Ass, “Platinum” Max Caster and Anthony Bowens had words for MxM Collection!
They said it was time to nut up or shut up, because everyone loves the Acclaimed!
Darby Allin vs. Dark Order’s Evil Uno (with Alex Reynolds)!
Evil Uno slapped Darby to the mat. Uno battered Darby with chops and strikes in the corner. Reynolds distracted the ref while Evil Uno whipped Darby with Uno’s leather belt.
Darby rocketed out of the ring with a fearless tope suicida. Evil Uno whipped Darby into the steel ring steps and followed up with a pounce, Darby’s back crashing against the guardrail.
Darby had Uno in a bulldog choke, trying to make a statement to Moxley, but Uno reached out to turnbuckles. Evil Uno nailed Daby with a buckle bomb and then a flatliner for a near fall. Reynolds tried to help Evil Uno and Darby jumped at him with a tope suicida.
Evil Uno tried for a cannonball, but Darby moved out of the way, dodging it. Darby connected with a Coffin Drop to Evil Uno on the floor! Darby hit another Coffin Drop, this time to Uno in the ring, and pinned Evil Uno.
“The Last Outlaw” Jeff Jarrett challenged “Hangman” Adam Page to a lumberjack strap match next week!
“The Professor” Serena Deeb versus Queen Aminata!
Deeb stomped on Queen Aminata’s hand. Deeb tried for a shoulder block, but Queen Aminata didn’t budge. Serena hooked Aminata’s legs and put her in a surfboard submission. Aminata got up, holding the small of her back.
Deeb annihilated Aminata with a draping neck breaker over the ropes. Queen Aminata rallied back with a snap suplex and a swinging fishermen neck breaker for a near fall on the Professor. Queen Aminata hurled Deeb with a release German Suplex and then connected with a running kick for a (very) near fall!
“How on Earth did Deeb kick out?” asked Nigel in disbelief.
Deeb decked Queen Aminata with a vicious lariat. Queen Aminata bashed Deeb with the Brain Drain headbutt, knocking the Professor out of the ring.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Deeb caught Aminata with a dragon screw leg whip through the ropes. Deeb followed up with the Deeb Tox and pinned Queen Aminata!
“That is how quickly Serena Deeb can win a match,” said Tony.
“And boy did she have to earn it,” replied Nigel.
“What a showing by both women here tonight,” added Tony.
Renee Paquette was backstage with Saraya and Harley Cameron!
Renee asked about Saraya’s upcoming match against Jamie Hayter which will be under Saraya’s Rules. Harley clarified the rules, and the rules greatly favor Saraya.
Saraya: “Jamie, make sure you learn those rules.”
Lexy Nair interviewed ROH World Tag champions “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes and “The Spanish God” Sammy Guevara.
Sammy said he was motivated by Dustin holding two belts. Sammy challenged Okada to a match under Continental Rules, challenging for Okada’s title. Dustin told Sammy he believed in him.
All-Star 10-Man Tag Match!
FTR—Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, The Outrunners—Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd, & FTW Champion HOOK
versus
The Beast Mortos, The Grizzled Young Veterans—James Drake & Zack Gibson, Rush, & Roderick Strong!
Things broke down quickly with all ten men brawling. Rush chopped at Dax. Rush punted Dax in the face with his boot. Dax got up and battered Rush with chops of his own. Gibson tagged in but Dax knocked down Gibson with a chop and a suplex.
Hook tagged in and bludgeoned Gibson with knees and forearms. Drake got a tag and he and Gibson hit a double clothesline on Hook. Roddy entered the fray, wanting a piece of Hook. Roddy and Hook lit up one another with stiff chops. Hook hurled Roddy across the ring with a great suplex. Hook threw Gibson and then knocked Rush down. Hook hit the T-bone suplex on Roddy, cleaning house on the opposition!
Turbo Floyd tagged in and took care of both members of the Grizzled Young Veterans with scoop body slams. The Beast Mortos and Rush jumped into the ring, but Turbo rammed them together headfirst. Truth and Turbo hip tossed Gibson and then hit their double elbow. The Outrunners used the Shatter Machine, but Drake was saved by his team.
Magnum ate a throat shot from Gibson as the ref was distracted. Gibson choked Magnum across the ropes. Roddy tagged in and mauled Magnum with a back breaker. Rush tagged in and dropkicked Truth.
The Grizzled Young Veterans double teamed Magnum. The Beast Mortos splashed Magnum from the top rope for a two-count! Dax tagged in and rocked Rush with German Suplexes. Roddy and Hook brawled up the ramp and backstage.
Rush and Dax blistered one another’s chests with stiff chops. They staggered one another until Dax sent Rush down with a short arm lariat. The Beast Mortos flew out of the ring with a tornillo to the opposition. FTR went for the Shatter Machine on Rush, but the Beast Mortos broke it up. Rush smashed Dax with the Bull’s Horns and pinned Dax!
“He messed with the bull, he got the horns! I guarantee you Don Callis is impressed,” said Nigel.
“Everyone is impressed,” replied Tony.
Serena Deeb was backstage with harsh words for Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.!
Deeb: “Let’s talk about the people that are here, not the ones who aren’t here. The 5th year anniversary of Dynamite is coming up in two weeks. Dr. Britt Baker, I challenge you to a match. But that’s only if you’re down to get your ass beat in your own hometown.”
Nigel McGuinness gave his final words to AEW World Champion “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson ahead of their match at Dynamite: Grand Slam!
Nigel: “True to form, the American Dragon has refused to answer my challenge from last week. The AEW World Champion, a representative for this company…how pathetic. What’s even worse is this clam digger is hiding behind this fake injury when the truth of the matter is Bryan fears Nigel.
“But Bryan, if you’re not going to do it for me, or for you, or for your family, maybe you should do it for the fans. The truth is, while they cheer you, they identify with me. If you deny me, you deny them!”
Tony Schiavone: “I’ve been working beside you since last year as your broadcast partner. I hear what you say about Danielson each week and I see what you’re trying to do to Danielson. Your claims are ridiculous. Bryan Danielson is not afraid of you. He is not cleared to wrestle. If he was cleared to wrestle, he’d get in the ring with you. We’ll find out at Grand Slam if he’s cleared to wrestle. He’s not afraid of you! Bryan Danielson is the greatest professional wrestler I have ever seen in my career.”
Nigel: “You are one of the luckiest SOBs I have ever seen, because if anyone else said those words to me, I would have knocked their head off. Tony don’t tempt fate twice. Go and sit down and shut your mouth now!
“You might be drinking the Coward Aid, but I’m not! Bryan, I don’t care who you do it for, but on Wednesday night, I want you to walk down this rampway, walk up these steps and meet me in the middle of this ring for the final chapter of our rivalry! Because it is my destiny! Ever since I have retired, I have told anyone who would listen, shouting at the moon, like a lunatic, saying I was as good as you Bryan! But nobody listened to me! Nobody believed me!
“And why would they Bryan? Because the truth of the matter is there are only two people in the world today who know that what I’m saying is true! Me and you! And that is exactly why you have refused to answer my challenge! You know that if you show up this Wednesday, I will beat you! I will destroy you! And I will finally have vindication!
“Once again, you’re taking away from me the one thing I deserve. But this time it doesn’t matter. This time even if you don’t show up, I will still be vindicated because the world knows why. The ball is in your court. I hope you choose option A and show up because if there is a God in heaven it will happen. And if there’s not, may the devil hear my prayer!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE: Grand Slam on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, NY!
Mark your calendar! AEW WrestleDream is taking place at the Tacoma Dome on Saturday, October 12th, and will also be live on pay-per-view! Secure your tickets now!
In a back-and-forth showdown, LA Knight successfully defended his United States Championship when he hit the BFT in his first-ever singles matchup against Andrade.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns met at Georgia Tech to determine if they will have each other’s back en route to their epic tag team match against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu at WWE Bad Blood.
Apollo Crews defeats Giovanni Vinci
Two weeks after Giovanni Vinci suffered an embarrassing debut loss in less than 10 seconds against Apollo Crews, SmackDown’s newest Superstar failed to right the wrongs of his tarnished SmackDown reemergence when his opponent humiliated him by scoring another quick pinfall out of nowhere.
In the aftermath, the irate Vinci unleashed a vicious post-match attack on Crews.
When The Bloodline picked a fight with an already frustrated Kevin Owens, KO received a surprise from #DIY, and General Manager Nick Aldis set a Six-Man Tag Team Match between the heated adversaries.
Bayley & Naomi def. Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton in a Tornado Tag Team Match
In the final moments of a Tornado Tag Team Match to determine the No. 1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Champion, Tiffany Stratton accidentally hit a Swanton Bomb on her partner Nia Jax. Moments later, both Bayley and Naomi appeared to pin the titleholder, leaving the question of who earned the right to challenge The Irresistible Force at WWE Bad Blood.
Kevin Owens & The Street Profits versus The Bloodline ended in a no-contest
When The Bloodline took out #DIY before they could team with Kevin Owens in a Six-Man Tag Team main event, The Street Profits emerged to help KO even the odds on a pre-match brawl and replaced Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa.
When order broke down in the subsequent match, the official was forced to call for the bell. The Bloodline then unleashed post-match bedlam on The Street Profits, the reemerging #DIY and Owens, until Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes came to KO’s aid. Cody blistered The Bloodline with chair strikes, dropped Jacob Fatu with an emphatic Cody Cutter and shook hands with and hugged Owens as SmackDown concluded.
Ndiaye scores against Leicester Image credit Premier League
Stephy Mavididi’s equaliser means Leicester City and Everton are still waiting for their first win of the campaign after a 1-1 draw in torrential rain at the King Power Stadium, Premier League reports.
After losing their opening four matches in the Premier League, Sean Dyche’s side are off the mark for the season but will have to wait for their first three points.
Iliman Ndiaye gave Everton the lead in the 11th minute as he turned to create space in the box before slotting the ball into the net with such precision it ricocheted in off the left post.
Leicester’s response came with 17 minutes left on the clock as Mavididi reacted first to sweep home from a corner.
The Toffees passed on a strong chance just five minutes in as Ndiaye fired a pinpoint cross to the far post, but Jesper Lindstrom could not get his volley on target.
Ndiaye would get the job done himself just seven minutes later though – Ashley Young threaded an incisive pass into the box and the winger cut inside to fire low into the bottom corner.
Mavididi’s goal against Everton Image credit Premier League
The torrential rain in Leicester nearly helped the hosts to a goal a minute later as Mavididi unintentionally tested Jordan Pickford with a wayward cross, but the goalkeeper kept it out.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was played in down the right of the box by Dwight McNeil in the 65th minute, but he saw his shot across goal palmed away at full stretch by Mads Hermansen.
Mavididi eventually found the equaliser for Leicester after Everton failed to clear Harry Winks’ corner, and the winger pounced first to direct the loose ball into the net after 73 minutes.
Poor weather Image credit: Premier League
The goal refreshed the home side’s impetus in the closing stages as both Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte saw shots blocked by a desperate Everton defence in the last five minutes.
Rain soaks Leicester’s chances
Playing at home is meant to provide an advantage for the home side, but Leicester could not find a way to use the adverse weather conditions in the East Midlands to aid them to all three points, despite causing problems for Pickford.
Mavididi almost took advantage of the wet conditions in the 35th minute through an attempted cross that flew dangerously close to the near post.
While Pickford stopped the delivery, he could not hold onto the slick ball, allowing it to bounce before reclaiming it. The goalkeeper appeared off-balance, causing premature celebrations among the home fans as they thought it was in, but his blushes were spared.
The conditions showed no improvement as referee Darren England postponed the second half by five minutes due to thunder and lightning, with the torrential rain continuing to provide a torrid test for both defenses as shots skidded off the wet turf with awkward bounces.
In the end, Mavididi’s breakthrough came through inattentive defending from Everton rather than any rain-assisted play.
Dyche’s men hold on to a vital point
Everton had taken the lead in their last two matches before falling to defeat. Against both AFC Bournemouth and Aston Villa, the Toffees led 2-0 before going on to lose 3-2.
Once more they went ahead and were perhaps reluctant to go two goals to the good for fear of repeating their tendency to collapse.
Their defence fared better against the experience of Leicester’s attack, led by Jamie Vardy, but eventually conceded a seemingly inevitable equaliser in the 73rd minute.
It was a lapse in concentration from a struggling Everton defence as James Tarkowski and Michael Keane both attempted to clear Winks’ corner before it dropped into the melee and Mavididi pounced.
The visitors, however, managed to hold off the onslaught of a rejuvenated Leicester attack in the closing stages to stop a losing run.
While it was not a win, it is a significant point for Dyche’s side, as they finally gain something from a match in which they led.
Nicolas Jackson stars as Chelsea beat West Ham to go second
Jackson-Palmer-Madueke Image credit: Premier League
Most say Stamford Bridge are currently on a rebuilding phase but chances are, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea could be said to have started flying already.
Forward Nicolas Jackson netted twice and turned provider for Cole Palmer with an assist as Chelsea continued their impressive start to life under their new boss in a 3-0 mauling of West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Premier League reports that Jackson needed only 18 minutes to breach a porous West Ham defence twice, breaking in behind to produce two composed finishes and leave the hosts with a mountain to climb.
Julen Lopetegui‘s team briefly improved before half-time but their hopes of a comeback were dashed almost immediately after the interval. Jackson turned provider for Cole Palmer‘s second Premier League goal of the season.
In truth, Maresca’s men could have won by a greater margin as they extended their unbeaten run to four league matches, moving second in the table with 10 points.
West Ham’s third successive home defeat leaves them in 14th spot ahead of Saturday’s other fixtures, with four points from five matches under Lopetegui.
Jackson caught West Ham cold with the opener inside four minutes, slotting his finish through Alphonse Areola‘s legs after being played in by Jadon Sancho, who was making his first Chelsea start after assisting Christopher Nkunku‘s winner at AFC Bournemouth last Sunday.
Cole-Palmer-scores-v-West-Ham Image credit: Premier League
Fourteen minutes later, Jackson had his and Chelsea’s second, finishing with the outside of his boot after receiving a pinpoint through-ball from Moises Caicedo.
West Ham thought they had one back with 32 minutes gone, but Mohammed Kudus strayed offside before finding the bottom-left corner, with the on-field decision to disallow the goal confirmed by the VAR.
Chelsea started the second half even faster than they began the first, with Jackson slicing through the hosts then teeing up Palmer to find the goal with a near-post finish just 68 seconds after the restart.
Image credit: x.com/Premier League
Noni Madueke should have added a fourth when West Ham were caught short on the break again on the hour, but Areola was able to parry his low drive.
Areola was called upon again to prevent further damage with 15 minutes to play, making a stunning reflex save to keep out Nkunku’s header, but that could not put a dampener on an enjoyable outing for Chelsea.
Jackson and Sancho leading new-look Chelsea
Much was made of Chelsea’s choice to double down on their busy approach to recruitment in the recent transfer window, but there have already been positive signs under Maresca, whose only defeat at the helm came against champions Manchester City on the opening matchday.
For that, he had Jackson and Sancho to thank, the duo dovetailing brilliantly in the early stages as the Blues cut through West Ham time and again.
Jackson displayed rapid thinking in the build-up to his opener, taking a quick free-kick in midfield with the Hammers napping, then playing one-twos with both Enzo Fernandez and Sancho before finishing neatly.
Another predatory finish brought up his fourth Premier League goal of the season and he added an assist for Palmer’s strike after the break. Sancho was a constant threat on the Blues’ left, showing the self-confidence and incision that evaded him in three difficult years with Manchester United.
Maresca has plenty of attacking options to call upon as he oversees Chelsea’s latest rebuild, but Jackson and Sancho have wasted no time in staking their claims for key roles in the Blues’ new era.
Lopetegui’s slow start continues
With Aston Villa, Man City and Chelsea the opponents for West Ham’s first three home matches of 2024/25, Lopetegui may not have expected a flying start to his tenure at the London Stadium.
However, the Spaniard has now suffered the ignominy of becoming the first West Ham manager in history to oversee three straight home defeats to start a league campaign.
The nature of Saturday’s loss will surely concern Lopetegui, whose decision to have Edson Alvarez drop into a centre-back position when Chelsea had possession allowed them to pick West Ham’s undermanned midfield apart with ease early on.
Just 38 minutes had gone when Lopetegui sacrificed Guido Rodriguez to introduce Tomas Soucek, but by that point, much of the damage had already been done.
With another London derby at Brentford next up for his men, Lopetegui will be demanding major improvements.
Julen Lopetegui: “It was a bad day, for sure. We lost. It was one match that we had a big expectation to compete much better and to be able to win. I have to review the match but it was very soft goals that we suffered in the first 20 minutes.”
Enzo Maresca: “It was a good game, a good result and the clean sheet was important, but I have said many times, we have many things we can improve. We can attack better, we can defend better, but overall we are [heading] in the right direction. Since I arrived he [Nicolas Jackson] is working very good, on the ball in terms of numbers of goals and assists, off the ball in the way he works. Today he has been important because he scored twice, but also he did fantastically off the ball and we are very happy.”
Match facts
Enzo Maresca is only the eighth manager in Premier League history to win each of his first three away matches in the competition, and is the first to do so since Pep Guardiola in September 2016. Indeed, Chelsea have won five consecutive away top-flight matches for the first time since December 2021 under Thomas Tuchel.
West Ham have begun a league campaign with three consecutive home defeats for the first time in the club’s history.
Since Cole Palmer made his debut for Chelsea in September 2023, only Erling Haaland (44) has scored more goals for a Premier League club in all competitions than the Englishman (27).
West Ham have conceded five goals in the opening five minutes of Premier League matches in 2024, at least three more than any other side.
All Elite Wrestling is coming to Springfield, MA and the MassMutual Center for an all-new edition of COLLISION tonight. With GRAND SLAM 2024 just a few days away, AEW has got a collection of tremendous matches coming your way including a Bunkhouse Brawl between ROH World Tag Champions Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara and Undisputed Kingdom! Plus, Darby Allin will be in action against Dark Order’s Evil Uno ahead of his fight with Jon Moxley. AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May will face Lady Frost, and there is the All-Star 10-Man Tag on tap that will no doubt be a wild fight on Saturday night!
All that and more is coming your way tonight when COLLISION drops beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TNT! Before showtime, make a point to visit AEW’s official YouTube channel to watch highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, previous editions of COLLISION, HEY! (EW), Time Lines, Close Up, and more! Then the time has come for All Elite Wrestling to return to Arthur Ashe Stadium for a loaded GRAND SLAM 2024 where Darby Allin puts his AEW World Title opportunity on the line against Jon Moxley, FTW Champion HOOK takes on Roderick Strong, The Young Bucks defend the AEW World Tag Titles against Kyle Fletcher and AEW International Champion Will Ospreay, and pending doctor’s clearance, we may experience Bryan Danielson versus Nigel McGuinness for the first time in 15 years!
ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP BUNKHOUSE BRAWL..
“The Natural” Dustin Rhodes & “The Spanish God” Sammy Guevara(c)
It was just 35 days ago that Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara came into Arlington, TX as the unlikeliest of allies to face Matt Taven and Mike Bennett, but left as the 69th ROH World Tag Team Champions. Dustin and Sammy found a way to put their ugly past behind them and put their respective talents together for a collective good. That meant dethroning Undisputed Kingdom as ROH World Tag Champions, that has since meant uniting with Hologram for trios victories over Premier Athletes and Dark Order, not to forget the multi-man chaos during the ALL IN: LONDON 2024 ZERO HOUR that also included Katsuyori Shibata and Dustin’s ROH World Six-Man Championship partners Ross and Marshall Von Erich. Despite their history, Rhodes and Guevara have meshed quite well as a team and when they bring others into the mix, but tonight it’s just about their duo on this first defense of their championship run.
Together Matt Taven and Mike Bennett have carried the ROH World Tag Titles three times, ending the reigns of The Addiction, LFI, and (technically) MJF/Adam Cole to begin theirs, collectively spending 352 days as champions with a total of eight defenses. Should Undisputed Kingdom enter into Dustin’s Bunkhouse world and walk out with the belts, they will be just the second team to hold them on four occasions, with only the 13-Time Briscoes ahead of their personal record. Jimmy Jacobs has held them more, but he’s got three different partners to go along with his five reigns while Christopher Daniels has three partners for four reigns. Undisputed Kingdom will join rarefied air if they can defeat Sammy and Dustin, but as mentioned, they are entering Rhodes’ world and match stipulation he’s experienced more than a dozen times. It’s been nearly four years since Dustin’s last Bunkhouse bout, a tag team victory over The Butcher and The Blade with QT Marshall as his partner, but it’s not something either UK member has ever experienced in their career. Neither has Sammy Guevara for that matter, but at least he has the experience and guidance of “The Natural” on his side, Undisputed Kingdom just has their willingness to do anything it takes to try and get those titles back around their waist.
Will tonight mark the dawn of another Undisputed reign over the tag division, or will the Texas duo assert their dominance over the division with a second victory over Taven and Bennett?
MULTI-MAN MADNESS…
FTW Champion HOOK, FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood), & The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)
versus
Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson), Roderick Strong, RUSH, & The Beast Mortos
This is quite the intriguing, and utterly mad, 10-Man tag that All Elite Wrestling is becoming increasingly adept at presenting to the fans around the world! Take the cornucopia of talented in-ring athletes occupying the AEW locker room, smash them all together, and see what wild bouts come as a result of the multitude of issues between our fierce competitors.
In this contest tonight on COLLISION, we’ve got a preview of GRAND SLAM 2024’s FTW Title match between champion HOOK and challenger Roderick Strong, and we’ve got another meeting between FTR and GYV after the 2-Time AEW World Tag Champions defeated Drake and Gibson last week on COLLISION, not to mention the inclusion of The Outrunners who helped run off GYV when they elected to assault FTR after the match. Then there is “El Toro Blanco” RUSH returning to AEW after a month away looking to fight anything that moves, and last, certainly not least, is The Beast Mortos, the man who pushed Ricochet to his limits in their DYNAMITE match, then just last night teamed up with Roderick Strong for an utterly dominant tag team victory.
There is no question this bout will be chaotic, hard not to have that take place with so many individuals involved and so many issues building up between them, but there is also no doubt it will be an example of how All Elite Wrestling is stacked with the best professional wrestlers on the planet. Singles wrestlers, tag team wrestlers, multi-man bouts like this, AEW always gives fans the most exciting action, and this one is no doubt going to have an impact on the face of GRAND SLAM 2024 in just a few days time!
Five years, five months, and twenty-nine days; that’s how long it has been since the last time Darby Allin and Evil Uno shared a ring. Months before AEW had its premiere event, nestled in a venue in Montreal, QC, Canada, Uno defeated Darby in that lone singles match, and they’ve never occupied the same ring since. Not as friends, foes, or even in a battle royale, but that changes tonight on COLLISION when they go one-on-one once again!
Darby is on a crash course with Jon Moxley this coming Wednesday at Arthur Ashe, a situation where Darby will put the title shot he earned via Royal Rampage on the line, and yet still wants a fight tonight to make sure he’s ready for the violence that is sure to come. Singles competition in All Elite Wrestling is a rarity for Evil Uno, he’s 1-1 in 2024, and it has been four months since his last singles matches where he lost to Brandon Cutler in a non-televised bout. Don’t take that as an indicator of Uno’s abilities though, or that he’s more suited to multi-man competition with Dark Order, he’s won five of his last six, he’s gotten in there and mixed it up with Moxley, Bryan Danielson, as well as Adam Cole, just to name a few, and has a vicious streak that has really emerged in his Ring of Honor competition as of late.
Evil Uno could prove a disruptor to Darby’s aims for GRAND SLAM 2024, putting him in a rough spot for that Arthur Ashe bout with the 3-Time AEW World Champion, but Darby clearly has no fear of that, nor of his opponent after what we witnessed on Wednesday night. Will Allin use Evil Uno to send a message for Jon Moxley, or will the Dark Order member shake up the situation?
SINGLES MATCH…
AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May vs. Lady Frost
Mariah May will defend her AEW Women’s World Championship against Yuka Sakazaki at GRAND SLAM 2024 next week, but before we get there, the Women’s Champion will step back into the ring with one of her first AEW opponents, the ever-dangerous Lady Frost! Frost comes into this after taking ROH Women’s World TV Champion Red Velvet to her limits in a Proving Ground match during HONOR CLUB 80 and is looking to even the score with Mariah for that defeat back in January!
Lady Frost has all the talent in the world to take down the Women’s World Champion, but “The Glamour” is on a roll like no other woman in All Elite Wrestling and Frost is going to have her work cut out for her trying to stop that momentum ahead of GRAND SLAM 2024!
Springfield, MA is going to be rocking tonight when COLLISION comes to town! Starting at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TNT, we’ve got a Bunkhouse Brawl for the ROH World Tag Titles on tap pitting Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara against Undisputed Kingdom of Matt Taven and Mike Bennett! Plus, there’s a 10-Man All-Star tag set to pop off when FTW Champion HOOK unites with FTR and The Outrunners to face The Beast Mortos, Roderick Strong, RUSH, and Grizzled Young Veterans! And we’ve got Darby Allin versus Evil Uno, Lady Frost facing Mariah May, and much, much more! So before the night gets underway drop by the official AEW YouTube channel to catch-up on highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, as well as previous editions of COLLISION, HEY! (EW), the Nigel McGuinness & Athena Time Lines, Close Up with FTR, and more!
Then journey with All Elite Wrestling to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the stacked GRAND SLAM 2024 event featuring Darby Allin putting his AEW World Title shot up against Jon Moxley, FTW Champion HOOK defending against Roderick Strong, AEW World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks facing the challenge of Kyle Fletcher and AEW International Champion Will Ospreay, and pending doctor’s clearance, AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson facing Nigel McGuinness for the first-time since September 25, 2009!
Image credit: WWE Raw September 16, 2024
Image credit: WWE RAW Sept. 16, 2024
Image credit: WWE RAW Sept. 16, 2024
