Tag Archives: championship

The Miz put up with a lot of “nonsense” in WWE during his early years, claims wrestling veteran (Exclusive)

Posted on by
Reply

Former wrestler and WWE trainer Bill DeMott recently shared his insights on The Miz’s rising popularity. Currently a prominent member of the SmackDown roster, The Miz had formed a powerful alliance with Carmelo Hayes over the past few months. The veteran wrestler helped Hayes sharpen his in-ring skills, creating a formidable tag team. However, tensions arose between the two stars, both known for their huge egos, leading to a dramatic fallout.

Two weeks ago, when Carmelo Hayes attempted to answer Sami Zayn’s United States Open Challenge, The Miz unexpectedly attacked him, preventing Carmelo from competing in the match.

During an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda Senior Editor Bill Apter, Bill DeMott reflected on witnessing The Miz carve out a name for himself in the wrestling business. He recalled how The Miz was initially dismissed as just an outsider and reality TV star but persevered to elevate his craft to become a two-time Grand Slam Champion and a respected backstage figure within WWE.

“I’ll say this. I’ve never claimed to train anyone, but I’ve always been thankful to have a hand in what they’ve done. The guy who’s at the top of my list is The Miz. He fought the good fight. He knew what he wanted to do. He put up with a lot of the nonsense, if you will, and he stayed with it. People thought he was a nothing, reality star. To me, he’s the hands-on top dog in the company right now. He’s the media guru, he’s the in-person guy, he’s with the kids, he’s in the movies, he’s on TV.”

Last week on SmackDown, The Miz answered Sami Zayn’s United States Championship Open Challenge. In a surprising turn, Carmelo Hayes attacked his former tag team partner, allowing Ilja Dragunov to step in and win the match, becoming the new US Champion.

Watch the full interview with Bill DeMott below:

Transcript courtesy of Sportskeeda. Special thanks to 90’s Wrestling Con for allowing Sportskeeda to conduct this interview.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-the-miz-put-lot-nonsense-wwe-early-years-claims-wrestling-veteran-exclusive

Germany to face Spain in Women’s Nations League final after edging past France

Posted on by
Reply

CAEN, France (AP) — Germany will face defending champion Spain in the Women’s Nations League final next month, setting up a repeat of this year’s European Championship semifinal.

Germany advanced after a hard-fought 2-2 draw with France on Tuesday, progressing 3-2 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Spain secured their spot with a commanding 5-0 aggregate win over Sweden.

The final will be held over two legs, with Germany hosting Spain on November 28 before the return match takes place four days later at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

France, having lost 1-0 in Germany on Friday, came back strongly in the semifinal second leg. Melvine Malard, starting in place of the injured Marie-Antoinette Katoto, headed in a cross in the third minute to give France an early lead. However, Nicole Anyomi equalized just nine minutes later, and Klara Bühl put Germany ahead with a precise angled drive early in the second half.

France’s Clara Mateo then headed in a cross from fellow substitute Kadidiatou Diani in the 89th minute, setting up a tense finale. Despite the pressure, Germany held on to secure their spot in the final.

Spain’s path was less nerve-wracking, having routed Sweden 4-0 at home on Friday. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas scored the only goal of the game in Sweden in the 75th minute, marking her third goal of the semifinal.

At Euro 2025, Spain defeated Germany 1-0, but the World Cup champion Germany went on to lose to England in the final.

___
AP Soccer
https://mymotherlode.com/news/europe/10116530/germany-to-face-spain-in-womens-nations-league-final-after-edging-past-france.html

“He does nothing for me if I fight him” – Denis Puric quick to dismiss potential Johan Ghazali grudge match

Posted on by
Reply

**‘The Bosnian Menace’ Denis Puric Shows No Interest in Facing ONE Teen Sensation Johan Ghazali**

Denis Puric, known as ‘The Bosnian Menace,’ has once again expressed no interest in facing ONE Championship’s teenage striking sensation, Johan Ghazali. The prospect of a generational showdown between the 40-year-old veteran and the 18-year-old phenom has been the subject of speculation for some time, fueled by their ongoing back-and-forth exchanges online.

Ghazali has been eager to step into the ring with Puric, but the Bosnian-Canadian warrior remains unfazed, making it clear he sees no benefit in taking on the young contender. In a recent interview with the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Puric bluntly explained his stance:

> “No, bro. I’m not f***ing looking at that kid. What is he doing for my career? He does nothing for me if I fight him; win or lose, it does nothing for me. I’m not looking at that kid, I’m looking to fight beasts. The beasts that I’ve been fighting.”

Puric’s words reflect his focus on battling the elite within the 135-pound striking division. Over the years, he has faced some of the best, including former ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon. His upcoming fight is set for November 16 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, where he will take on Japanese superstar Takeru Segawa at ONE 173.

For Puric, Ghazali still has considerable ground to cover before earning a fight against him.

—

**Denis Puric Honored to Compete at Star-Studded ONE 173**

ONE 173 is shaping up to be the biggest event in ONE Championship history, featuring seven world titles on the line and a spectacular roster of bouts across multiple martial arts disciplines. Even seasoned veterans like Denis Puric are impressed by the caliber of this card.

“The whole card looks crazy,” Puric told SCMP. “I feel like this is the best card ONE Championship has ever put together. You got basically the best fighters in ONE on this card.”

‘The Bosnian Menace’ is honored and excited to face Takeru Segawa at this landmark event.

—

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda and ONE Championship for all the latest updates on Denis Puric’s upcoming clash at ONE 173.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-he-nothing-i-fight-him-denis-puric-quick-dismiss-potential-johan-ghazali-grudge-match

WWE Champion Shows Up On Crutches; Hands Title To Top Star

Posted on by
Reply

WWE NXT Halloween Havoc has been making headlines around the world, thanks to the thrilling action featured on the show. Fans have been captivated by the intense matches and spectacular moments that define this special event.

Among all the exciting bouts, a massive title match has now grabbed the spotlight, drawing widespread attention from wrestling enthusiasts everywhere. This high-stakes contest promises to deliver unforgettable drama and elevate the excitement surrounding Halloween Havoc.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-champion-shows-up-on-crutches-hands-title-to-top-star

“So sorry”- Rhea Ripley issues an apology following heartbreaking personal update

Posted on by
Reply

Rhea Ripley’s Upcoming Appearance Canceled Due to Injury

Rhea Ripley, the former WWE Women’s World Champion and one of WWE’s top superstars, has canceled an upcoming appearance outside the company. The news was confirmed after Ripley took to social media to apologize for the cancellation.

Over the past few years, Ripley has been highly active in WWE’s international tours, including recent shows in Australia and Japan, where she competed in nearly every event. However, during a match at the Tokyo house show on October 18, she suffered a nose injury and was assisted backstage.

As a result of this injury, Ripley was forced to cancel an in-store appearance at Hot Topic in Irvine, California. Hot Topic shared the update on their Instagram page, which Ripley reshared along with a heartfelt apology to her fans.

“So sorry to everyone that paid to meet me at Hot Topic 😔 Hopefully we can reschedule and I can meet you all!” she wrote.

Rising WWE Star Kendal Grey Expresses Desire to Face Ripley

At just 29 years old, Rhea Ripley has quickly become one of the most prominent members of WWE’s roster and a dream opponent for many female wrestlers.

Kendal Grey, the recent Evolve Women’s Champion, spoke about her interest in wrestling Ripley someday. “One person I would like to eventually wrestle would be Rhea Ripley. I think she’s so bada** and she’s so cool,” Grey said.

She added, “With her size, and obviously, I’m a little bit smaller, but I think with my technicality and my speed, it would be a cool little matchup. (Who wins?) I mean, I’ve got to bet on myself, but I think I’ve got some work to do before I get into the ring with Rhea, for sure.”

Recent Feud with The Kabuki Warriors

Recently, Ripley has been involved in a heated feud with the Kabuki Warriors. She teamed up with Iyo Sky to defeat Asuka and Kairi Sane at WWE Crown Jewel. However, the heel duo took revenge on Raw by attacking Ripley after her match against Kairi Sane.

Fans will be hoping for Ripley’s speedy recovery and a rescheduled appearance, as well as more exciting matches in the near future.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-so-sorry-rhea-ripley-issues-apology-following-heartbreaking-personal-update

Remembering the 2000 Subway Series 25 years later: New York’s ‘Baseball Woodstock’ as told by those who lived it

Posted on by
Reply

Twenty-five years ago today, the New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets in Game 5 of the 2000 World Series. To this day, it remains the only championship meeting between these two iconic teams.

The final out came when Mike Piazza hit a deep fly ball to center field, which landed securely in Bernie Williams’ glove just a minute after midnight. This moment marked the culmination of an unforgettable week—a week that Michael Kay recalls as a time when “New York baseball was the center of the universe.”

This is the story of the city, the stakes, and the noise surrounding that legendary series, told through the memories of those who played it, called it, and lived it.

God bless October baseball. ’TIS THE SEASON.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/25/sports/remembering-mets-yankees-subway-series-25-years-later/

North Texas’ QB Drew Mestemaker throws for insane 608 yards vs. Charlotte

Posted on by
Reply

North Texas quarterback Drew Mestemaker delivered a historic performance on Friday night, throwing for 608 yards and four touchdowns as the Mean Green crushed Charlotte 54-20 in American Conference action.

Mestemaker’s 608 passing yards set a new school record and American Conference single-game mark. To put this in perspective, Army has thrown for just 599 yards as a team this entire season through seven games, according to On3’s Brett McMurphy. He completed 37 of 49 passes with only one interception in the dominant road victory.

He’s the 22nd player in FBS history to surpass 600 passing yards in a game. The Mean Green offense was unstoppable throughout the night, totaling 754 yards. Mestemaker connected on touchdown passes of 41, 6, 7, and 70 yards.

His top target, Wyatt Young, caught nine passes for 190 yards and a touchdown.

North Texas jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, scoring 37 unanswered points at one stretch. The game was tied 17-17 at halftime before the Mean Green exploded in the second half to pull away.

Just one week earlier, Mestemaker threw for 277 yards and four touchdowns in a 55-17 victory over UTSA. That performance earned him two conference awards for his outstanding play. His consistency over the past two games has been remarkable.

The win improved North Texas to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in American Conference play, keeping them in the hunt for a conference championship. Charlotte’s loss dropped the 49ers to 1-7 and 0-5 in conference play.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/north-texas-football-news-drew-mestemaker-throws-insane-608-yards-vs-charlotte

8 WWE Superstars who could enter a tournament to crown the new World Heavyweight Champion

Posted on by
Reply

Seth Rollins was kicked out of The Vision on last week’s WWE RAW, and it is believed that the creative team had to book the shocking angle to write The Visionary off television due to his reported shoulder injury. If that is indeed the case, the World Heavyweight Championship could be vacated this week.

Last week, CM Punk became the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Title by defeating Jey Uso and LA Knight in a Triple Threat Match. With Rollins seemingly out of the picture, The Second City Saint’s opponent could be decided by a tournament. Since Punk has a guaranteed title shot, his place is secured in the bout for the vacated World Heavyweight Championship.

To decide who faces “The Best in the World,” these eight superstars could participate in a tournament to potentially earn an opportunity to compete for the world title:

### 8. AJ Styles
AJ Styles recently locked horns with his longtime rival, John Cena, at WWE Crown Jewel. Despite being unable to secure the victory, The Phenomenal One’s performance was nothing short of incredible and had fans buzzing. The veteran’s inclusion in a potential tournament to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship would add more prestige and credibility to the competition, while giving Styles the major spotlight he deserves.

### 7. Gunther
Gunther was last seen at WWE SummerSlam 2025, where he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk. The Ring General has been sidelined due to a nose injury since then. If the Austrian is cleared to compete, his inclusion in the potential tournament would be a no-brainer. Not only would he receive an opportunity to regain the World Heavyweight Title, but it could also be against the man who dethroned him.

### 6. LA Knight
LA Knight is on a quest to win his first world title in WWE. If there is a tournament that could get him closer to his goal, The Megastar will find a way to be in it. Moreover, CM Punk has been mocking Knight for never winning a world title. Therefore, the former United States Champion may have extra motivation to participate in the tournament, as he could get a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship against his rival.

### 5. Jey Uso
After seemingly parting ways with Roman Reigns at WWE Crown Jewel, Jey Uso will likely refocus on his goal of regaining the World Heavyweight Title. While he failed to become the number one contender last week, a tournament could be the second chance he needs to get back to the top. Moreover, The YEET Master is one of the most popular stars on the red brand, making his participation in the potential tournament very likely.

### 4. Jimmy Uso
Jimmy Uso has something to prove to fans and to his family—that he can be a successful singles star as well. Big Jim’s inclusion in the potential tournament to get a shot at the World Heavyweight Title could add more drama, especially if Jey Uso is involved as well.

### 3. Bron Breakker
Bron Breakker seemingly has his sights set on the World Heavyweight Championship. The Dog of WWE held up the title after turning on Seth Rollins. With The Visionary sidelined, Breakker is the top heel of the red brand. Hence, if there is a tournament that could crown a new World Heavyweight Champion, the 27-year-old is likely to participate.

### 2. Bronson Reed
Bronson Reed could serve as Bron Breakker’s insurance policy to ensure the World Heavyweight Title stays in The Vision. The Aus-zilla scored one of the biggest wins of his career at WWE Crown Jewel, defeating Roman Reigns in an Australian Street Fight. He could now carry this momentum into the potential tournament to determine CM Punk’s opponent for the world title.

### 1. WWE Superstar Roman Reigns
The current situation has presented a perfect opportunity for Roman Reigns to re-enter the title picture. The OTC has been at odds with The Vision since the faction’s formation and also has unresolved issues with the number one contender, CM Punk. Therefore, his inclusion in the potential tournament for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship makes perfect sense.

—

With Seth Rollins sidelined and the World Heavyweight Championship possibly vacated, this tournament could shake up the WWE landscape and provide fresh matchups as one superstar rises to claim the top prize on the red brand. Fans can expect intense competition and high-stakes drama in the coming weeks.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/8-wwe-superstars-enter-tournament-crown-new-world-heavyweight-champion