Browsing: Alex

Itâ€s hard to think of anyone in tennis who works harder than Alex de Minaur, the Australian who next month will once again carry the hopes of a nation as he tries to become the first home winner of the menâ€s title at the Australian Open for 50 years. No one is faster around the court, no one more diligent off it than the 26-year-old. Itâ€s a work ethic that has helped him to 10 titles so far in his career and he ends 2025 as the world No 7, his highest year-end ranking, and having won the prestigious Newcombe medal for a fourth time.

But in a sport where success at the very top level is ultimately judged by performances at grand slams, De Minaur has so far fallen short. He has made the quarter-finals of a major six times – including five of the past eight – but with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner having split the last eight majors, opportunities are scarce.

The pressure at home to win a big one is immense but with age also comes a little clarity. Andy Murray lost his first four grand slam finals, the fourth a particularly painful one, to Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2012. It was only then, as Murray accepted that he might never win a slam, that he found the freedom to play his best tennis, winning the Olympics just four weeks later, the start of a golden period in which he won three slams, another Olympic gold medal, the Davis Cup and became world No 1.

De Minaur may not be quite on Murrayâ€s level but the thinking is the same. “That is the narrative, itâ€s never good enough, right?†De Minaur says. “For me, more than anything, itâ€s using that as motivation towards achieving that [a slam title], which is obviously a big goal of mine, but at the same time, accepting that some things may happen, some things may not. Ultimately, I want to be happy with what I do in my career, and that goes down to what I can control. I canâ€t control if I win slams or not. I can control if I get better and I put in the right attitude and effort. And at the same time, give myself a pat on the back every now and again. Itâ€s the little wins. I need to be a little bit nicer to myself.â€

Alex de Minaur is seen on a big screen after being
awarded the Newcombe medal at a ceremony in Melbourne this week. Photograph: Graham Denholm/Getty Images for Tennis Australia

The eureka moment for De Minaur came last month in Turin, at the ATP Finals. After losing to Lorenzo Musetti from match point up, De Minaur admitted it was “mentally killing him†to continually lose tight matches against the best players. But two days later, he played one of his best matches of the year to beat Taylor Fritz and qualify for the semi-finals. Beaten in the semis by Sinner, he nevertheless emerged from the event a changed man.

“You live and die by the results, but ultimately, the best way to perform is to not give results that much importance, and you can play more free,†he says. “Itâ€s something that Iâ€ve been working towards for a while now, to not put so much expectation and pressure on myself, because I know that when I donâ€t, thatâ€s when my best tennis comes. Instead of focusing on those results, just try to embrace a little bit more the process and the way I want to play, because thatâ€s one of the biggest things [about] all the shifts in mindset I had in Turin. I was going to be completely OK if the result didnâ€t go my way, but ultimately, I just wanted to stick to my game plan and play my way, and I know that that was going to make me feel a whole lot better than if I didnâ€t do that.â€

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That means playing a little more aggressively, as Murray did, hoping it will pay off against the top players in the biggest matches. “It is something thatâ€s going to be in the works, in the pipeline, and hopefully I can show it off more often than not,†he says.

After the “luxury†of a week and a half off, De Minaur is already well into his pre-season and on Sunday, he picked up a cool $964,000 for winning the UTS exhibition event in London for the second year in a row. Heâ€ll have Christmas in Spain with his family for the first time in almost a decade before flying to Australia on Boxing Day.

“Itâ€s now about building for Australia, making sure I arrive there ready to go but just being wary of not getting too burnt out,†he says. “I donâ€t think I want to be playing too much more, ideally playing less, but that all depends on results as well. So hopefully the results can help me out, and then Iâ€ll gladly play [fewer] weeks. That means Iâ€m doing well.â€

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The Olympic triathlon champion Alex Yee has become the second-fastest British marathon runner in history after a stunning run in Valencia.

The 27-year-old finished seventh in a strong field in a time of two hours, six mins and 38 seconds – quicker than any Briton in history apart from Mo Farah, who ran 2:05:11 in Chicago in 2018.

It was a remarkable performance, especially given Yee only took up the marathon this year as a mini-sabbatical from triathlon after he won gold in Paris. As Yee crossed the line he roared to the skies before placing his hands to his head, in disbelief at the time he had just achieved.

It also came after Yeeâ€s first attempt over 26.2 miles in London in April had not gone entirely to plan after a series of illnesses had interrupted his preparations. After finishing in 2:11:08, he admitted: “God damn, marathon is hardâ€.

However Yee, who has always had serious running pedigree, having competed for Britain over 10,000m at the European championships as a 20-year-old, felt he had more to give.

His training posts in the buildup to Valencia, where he had run alongside seasoned marathon runners Emile Cairess and Phil Sesemann, suggested that he had put in the miles and sessions to go much quicker. And so it proved.

Paced by Cairess, who had finished fourth in the Olympic marathon in Paris and has a personal best of 2:06:46, Yee looked comfortable as he went through halfway in 1:03.32.

And despite warmer-than-ideal conditions, with temperatures climbing into the mid-teens, he still had plenty left in the tank to run the second half in a negative split of 1:03:06.

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The chances of Yee breaking Farahâ€s record are slim. He has promised to return to his main sport full time next year, and the likelihood is that he will not run another marathon until after the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

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Brandon Nimmoâ€s time in the Big Apple has come to an end.

The outfielder spent his first 10 years with the Mets after being selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2011 Draft.

Nimmo fought through his share of ups-and-downs over the years, but he established himself as a fan favorite with his infectious smile and the high-energy play he brought to the field everyday.

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He expressed his desire to remain a Met his entire career after signing an eight-year extension ahead of the 2023 season, but two years into that deal the organization had other plans.

David Stearns said it was not an easy decision, but the Mets opted to ship Nimmo out of town on Sunday night in a deal with the Texas Rangers for veteran 2B Marcus Semien.

His chapter with the Mets comes to a close with a .262 average, 135 homers, 188 doubles, 463 RBI, a .364 on-base percentage, and a .802 OPS over 1,066 games.

Owners Steve and Alex Cohen released a statement shortly after the deal became official on Monday afternoon.

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“Brandon represented our organization with heart, grit, and passion,†they wrote. “He embodied everything it meant to be a Met on and off the field. We are grateful for everything he gave to our team and community. We wish Brandon, Chelsea, and Tatum all the best.â€

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Jeff Hardy (artist Travis Beaven © PWTorch)

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

The following report originally published 20 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com…

TNA 2 Hour Impact Special
Aired November 3rd, 2005
Taped at Universal Studios Orlando, FL
Aired on Spike TV at 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
Report by Paul Madavi, PW Torch TNA Specialist

The Lowdown: TNA Comes Through with 2 Hour Special

Mike Tenay announces that tonight is a night of firsts to kick off the show. The camera pans around the Impact Zone, before a video package airs. The video package goes over some of the recent history of TNA, including footage of Hogan, Nash, Sting, and Hey Yo (Scott Hall)! Afterwards, the package focuses on the current stars of the promotion. We then begin the show with our first match of the evening.

(1) Lance Hoyt & Jeff Hardy & Sabu defeat The Diamonds in the Rough (Simon Diamond & Elix Skipper, & David Young) at 2:52. Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring first, during which they air a clip of his suicide dive from Bound for Glory. Hoyt comes down next, wearing his sunglasses over his skully, for some reason. Sabu makes his way down next, steel chair in hand. His right arm is wrapped up, probably from the barbed wire from earlier in the taping. The Diamonds in the Rough make their way down in unison.

6:43 into the show and the bell rings. Simon Diamond and Lance Hoyt kick off the action. Hoyt hits a side slam early. Diamond ducks a big boot attempt, and tags in Young. Hoyt tags in Hardy. While Hardy and Young wrestle, Tenay asks the TV audience to call up their wrestling friends who don’t know about TNA and have them tune in. Jeff Hardy hits a twisting dive on Young. He tags in Sabu, but Young is able to tag in Skipper. Skipper and Young hit a double face plant on Sabu. Skipper works over Sabu briefly, before Young tags back in. Sabu manages to turn a whip from Young into a mid rope moonsault. This allows him to tag in Hardy. Everything breaks down, as all six men get in the ring. During the ensuing shmoz, Jeff Hardy is able to hit his Swanton bomb on Elix Skipper for the pin.

After the match, Sabu crawls around the ring, and sells an ankle injury. At this point, Abyss runs in and hits a Black Hole Slam on Sabu. Jeff Hardy and Lance Hoyt fend off Abyss and tend to Sabu.

The Breakdown

Psychology: This was a very short match, so it featured little very little psychology. I’m not sure what the point was, other than to give the babyface heavyweights some air time, which is fine. No real story to tell, other than some back and forth action until a shmoz led to a quick pin.

Action: Quick, fast, hard hitting action from the get go was the M.O. here. With little time to develop a sequence of moves, the effort fell a little flat.

Entertainment: Not a bad match to get the crowd and TV audience warmed up. It certainly lacked anything of real interest though.

Impact Scale Rating: 4.0/10 – There wasn’t much to this match, but the wrestlers kept it moving along well enough. There were a couple of nice spots.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage, Shane Douglas interviews Jeff Jarrett. He says tonight is the biggest night of his career as Larry Zybysko has granted him a rematch with Rhino for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Jarrett says management hates him, and he hates them. Tonight he needs to get the job done, otherwise he’s gone. However, it’s moments like this that define Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett compares certain historically famous moments to his upcoming victory. Monty Brown walks in and cuts a promo on Jarrett. He says that he is the one who deserves the title shot. However, he’ll settle for taking on the winner. He says he hopes Jarrett wins so he can take the belt from him. Both Jarrett and Brown do a decent job on the promo.

(2) Monty Brown defeats Brian Gamble at 2:17. Monty Brown makes his way to the ring, neck twitching all the while. Brian Gamble awaits him in the ring.

The bell rings at 19:59. Brown and Gamble circle each other briefly, before they lock up. Brown quickly takes control with a couple of clubbing blows. He hits a butterfly over the head suplex. He then hits his backbreaker and fall away slam. Brown whips Gamble and hits him with The Pounce. The crowd starts chanting “one more time,” and Brown obliges. He hits a second Pounce. Gamble can’t stand as Brown hits a third Pounce at the request of the crowd. This one is for the pin.

After the match, Brown drools on himself a little as the camera gets up close. Brown mugs for the camera.

Psychology: This was another straight forward Monty Brown squash match, putting over Brown as a devastating force. Nice work by Gamble who went limp after the first Pounce, forcing Brown to prop him up for the next two.

Action: Brown looked pretty good throughout the match, hitting all of his signature moves.

Entertainment: This match was made a little more entertaining that it actually was by the crowd being so into it, and Brown actually giving them what they wanted with a couple of extra finishers.

Impact Scale Rating: 5.0/10 – The interaction between Brown and the Impact Zone audience made this a better than average squash match.

A video package for Rhino airs. During the package, Tenay touts Rhino having won three matches during Bound for Glory.

[Commercial Break]

A video package for the X Division airs. The package includes much highlight footage and spits out a few of the key X Division names.

(3) A.J. Styles & Sonjay Dutt & Austin Aries defeat Christopher Daniels & Samoa Joe & Alex Shelley at 9:53. Christopher Daniels comes out first. He waits for Shelley near the chute. Samoa Joe comes out neck, towel over his shoulders. The heels then walk down to the ring in unison. Austin Aries is the first babyface out of the chute. Sonjay Dutt is next. The Playa from the Himalaya and Aries bump knuckles. Styles then comes out to the ring to the loudest cheers of the entire entrance. The faces come down to the ring together.

The bell rings at 31:54. Alex Shelley and Austin Aries start the match, and what sounds like a “ROH” chant can be heard. Shelley and Aries lock up. They chain wrestle for a while, which culminates in a dropkick from Aries. They chain wrestle again, leading to a drop toe hold for Aries. Aries then hits a twisting splash on Shelley. Aries tags in Dutt. They both hit their elbow spots, leading to Dutt picking up a two-count. Dutt works a nice springboard arm drag spot, before walking the rope for a chop drop. Aries manages to recover and hit a back suplex, allowing him to tag in Samoa Joe. Joe nails Dutt with four stiff kicks. He whips Dutt into a corner and hits a couple of running high knees. Samoa Joe is about to hit his face wash, when Daniels tags himself in a great heel move.

Dutt manages to recover from Daniel’s kicks enough to get on the second rope and hit a hurricanrana. He leaps to tag in Styles, who surges on Daniels. Styles hits a couple of arm drags and a dropkick. Samoa Joe tags himself in. Joe opens up with a kick to the knee. They work the ropes, which leads to a dropkick by Styles. He follows up with a deadlock w/ bridge. Shelley steps out to break it up, but Dutt runs in and slaps on an octopus submission hold. Daniels then comes out to break it up, but Aries attacks him. He applies a head scissors w/ leg lace, which leads to the crowd chanting “TNA.”

The ref clears out the illegal men, which leads to Austin Aries surging on all the heels as they run back in. Aries hits a suicide dive on Daniels and Shelley at ringside. However, this allows Joe to nails him with a running kick. Joe drags Aries back in the ring. He hits a chop, a kick, and a big knee drop for a two-count. Joe then follows up with a ridiculous powerslam. Joe then tags in Daniels, who signals this is the end of the match. He goes for a flying forearm, but Aries ducks, which leads to Daniels hitting Joe. Styles is tagged in. He works Joe over with a couple of flying forearms, and then finally takes him down with a top rope forearm. Styles hits an amazing facebuster on Shelley in the ring.

Thing break down as Daniels runs in and hits a backbreaker on Styles, Dutt hits a facebuster on Daniels, Joe hits a massive clothesline on Dutt, and Aries hits his crucifix bomb on Joe. Aries signals for the 450 splash, but is pushed off the top rope by Shelley. Shelley then hits a suicide dive on Aries. The crowd chants “TNA” once again. Back in the ring, A.J. Styles is left alone with Joe and Daniels. Daniels and Joe take turns missing Styles and hitting each other with their offense. Shelley runs in to break up a Styles Clash attempt on Daniels. However, A.J. just manages to hit in on Shelley for the pin

Psychology: This was an excellent tag team match that flowed very nicely from spot to spot. Despite having a lot of big spots early on, the wrestlers still managed to build to a strong, exciting finish. Samoa Joe provided an interesting stylistic variation in the match; he came off as smart and brutal. All the wrestlers gained some good heat coming out of this match. The storyline was very much back and forth, but they planted some nice seeds of dissent between Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels in the process, to give the match a little extra spice.

Action: Austin Aries really shone in this match. His offense was crisp, exciting, daring, and dynamic. Samoa Joe was stiff and menacing with every move he made. Overall, this was an impressive, action packed match. Everyone was performing at a very high level, and they blended their styles together well.

Entertainment: This was an extremely entertaining 10 minute match. TNA really did a good job of setting up this match with the two short squashes. The crowd went nuts, and the wrestlers worked their butts off. Very simple (but well thought out) psychology combined with top notch action make this an excellent wrestling match. This match is Monday replay worthy.

Impact Scale Rating: 8.0/10 – Really, 10 minutes of wrestling doesn’t get anymore fun than this.

A video package for Jeff Jarrett airs. It sells him as a despicable heel, who considers TNA his personal playground.

[Commercial Break]

We return to Shane Douglas interviewing Rhino. Douglas described Rhino’s title ascension as courageous. Rhino’s arms look as big as my torso. Rhino says he’s proven he’s got the heart of a champion. Raven interrupts the interview, and says Rhino stole his title. Zybysko runs in with security. They haul him out, and Zybysko yells. Rhino ignores the mess, turns to the camera and gets pretty intense as he tells Jarrett to expect a Gore! Gore! Gore!

A video package airs recapping the Team 3D versus AMW feud. It’s a nice summary of the feud with all the key moments spliced together very well.

(4) Team 3D (Brother Devon & Brother Ray) defeat Team Canada (Bobby Rood & Eric Young w/ Scott D’Amore & A1) at 14:28. Our wrestling neighbors from the North make their way out first. Devon and Ray come out looking tough and ready to rumble.

The bell rings at 52:59. Devon and Eric Young start off the match. Young stomps around a little before tagging in Bobby Roode. Roode and Ray lock up, but Roode quickly ducks under. Roode and Ray work the ropes for a while, leading to a flying shoulder tackle by Devon. Devon follows with a leg drop for a two-count. Roode recovers and drives Devon into his corner, tagging in Young. Young is quickly dominated by a Devon body slam. Ray tags in and hits a series of elbow drops. Ray hits a delayed suplex. Young gets in an eye poke, and Roode runs in, but Ray handles both of them. Devon goes for “wassup” but is thrown off the ropes by Bobby Roode. The heels begin to dominate as we go to commercial

[Commercial Break]

When we return, Roode is in control of Devon. Young and Roode isolate Devon for a while with some clubbing blows and holds. Devon recovers with a powerslam after a few minutes, but the ref is distracted and does not see or hear him tag in Ray. The heels then continue to isolate Devon. Bobby Roode and Young hits a knee and elbow drop respectively. Devon eventually hits a double clothesline and tags in Ray, who surges on both heels. He tosses Roode out of the ring, and hits a side slam on Young for a two-count. He follows up with a neckbreaker. Roode runs in, but gets a Samoan drop for his trouble. Ray gets a two-count on a powerbomb, which is broken up by Roode. They hit the 3D on Bobby Roode, who rolls out of the ring. Young gets back in the ring. A1 threatens to run in with the stick, delaying the 3D. However, 3LK comes down to ringside and takes care of Team Canada. This allows Team 3D to finish off Young with a 3d for the pin.

Psychology: This match displayed some more traditional tag team psychology, with lots of surges and a strong heel isolation period. The back and forth action was well played and provided nice swings of momentum. The isolation period lasted far too long.

Action: The action was very good until an unnecessarily long and particularly boring isolation period killed all the momentum. They recovered well from the

Entertainment: This was a good match, but very formulaic. The majority of the match was well executed and fun, except for the brutally boring isolation period.

Impact Scale Rating: 5.5/10 – I hate isolation based tag team matches. If they had come up with something a little more interesting than the standard isolation spot, I would’ve given this match another point.

[Commercial Break]

(5) Petey Williams (w/ Scott D’Amore) defeats Chris Sabin and Matt Bentley (w/ Traci) at 15:15. This is an Ultimate X rematch. The winner is #1 contender. Williams makes his way down first. Chris Sabin is next, and gets some good cheers. Bentley and Traci strike their pose and come down to the ring.

The bell rings at 1:16:20. Sabin and Bentley double team Williams to start the match. They then take turns pulling each other off the turnbuckle, going for an early victory. They battle for a minute, until Williams gets back into the action. Williams gets a dropkick in the back, driving his head into the scaffolding. Sabin climbs up on Williams, but receives a superplex from Bentley. Williams then decides to stalk Traci, but it leads to Bentley whooping his ass outside of the ring. Sabin tries to use the opportunity to steal the match, but he is caught by Bentley at the top rope. Bentley then hits a top rope, spinning neckbreaker. Jeff Hardy Girl gets a close up. Wassup JHG! Sabin hits a running dropkick on Williams, after he is put in the tree of woe. Sabin repeats the spot, but cannot climb to the top turnbuckle. After a couple of out of the ring dives, all three competitors wind up trying to recover at ringside

[Commercial Break]

When we return, Williams is hanging from the suspension rope, but Sabin lands a dropkick, knocking Williams off the rope. Bentley hits a running kick on Sabin. Bentley climbs up and almost gets his hands on the X, but is caught by a Williams power bomb. The X is now hanging by only one strap. Williams climbs to the top rope, but Sabin jumps up there and hits a release overhead German suplex, which is unbelievable. Bentley then climbs up to the suspension cable. He wraps his legs around the cable to avoid being pulled down. Sabin stands underneath him, trying to figure something out. When Williams rushes, Sabin kicks him in the stomach and sets him up for a powerbomb. With Williams on Sabin’s shoulders, Bentley hits a dropkick on Williams, which in turn hits Sabin with a hurricanrana, in another amazing spot. Bentley hits a superkick on Williams. Sabin, however, then hits a Cradleshock on Bentley. Sabin then climbs up onto the suspension ropes. Williams hits an inverted atomic drop on Sabin off the ropes. Williams then hits a Canadian Destroyer. Bentley climbs the ropes, and once again cradles it as D’Amore runs in. Traci runs in and takes down D’Amore. Williams then climbs up to the ropes and he and Bentley trade mid-air kicks. Williams hits a low blow, and unhooks the carabineer to grab the X and win the match.

After the match, Williams tries to celebrate, and D’Amore yells and yells. They hug in the middle of the ring.

Psychology: Well, this was a spotfest, so psychology was not a primary concern, which is a shame, because this match really lends itself to interesting storytelling as much as it does to incredible spots. There’s so much to take advantage of that it’s a shame more thought wasn’t put into getting from spot to spot. Never the less, the finish of the match was built to relatively well, even if the low blow is a disappointing way to win the match.

Action: The action was the true shining gem of this match. The competitors delivered non stop action, much of which was mind bending.

Entertainment: This is a fun match to watch, but throughout, the missing psychological elements gnaw at viewer, not because the match is not good without them, but because it could’ve been much, much more.

Impact Scale Rating: 7.0/10 – Despite lacking psychology, the match still provides the viewer with a lot of fun, innovative wrestling on cable television.

[Commercial Break]

(6) Jeff Jarrett defeats Rhino at 12:57. This match is for the NWA Heavyweight Championship. Jeff Jarrett makes his way to the ring first, guitar in hand. Rhino rushes down to the ring as per usual. Rhino gets a good ovation and his name chanted. Jeremy Borash announces the competitors in the middle of the ring, which is a nice touch for the big match. The belt is held aloft as we break for commercial

[Commercial Break]

The bell rings at 1:46:20. The competitors lock up after a little cat and mouse. They break up and lock up again. Rhino hits a shoulder block off the ropes, but Jarrett counters with a dropkick off the ropes directly after. Jarrett hits a drop toe hold and proceeds to strut, but Rhino gets up right away and takes advantage with a press slam. Rhino sets up for an early Gore, but Jarrett bails out of the ring. Rhino follows him out, and throws him over the railing into the crowd. They brawl around the crowd for a while. A fan holds up a steel chair, and Rhino whips Jarrett’s head into it. Rhino continues to dominate Jarrett in the crowd.

Back at ringside, Rhino pulls out a table from underneath the ring. Jarrett sneak attacks Rhino and tosses him back in the ring. Rhino recovers with a back elbows and sets up for a Rhino driver. Gail Kim shows up and distracts Rhino long enough to allow Jarrett to shove Rhino off the top rope out to ringside. Jarrett then bounces Rhino off the various metal parts at ringside. Back in the, ring Jarrett dominates Rhino, and then applies a standing gut wrench. Jarrett then goes to a headlock. Rhino breaks out, and hits a mediocre fireman’s carry into a neckbreaker. Both men rest for a minute before getting up. Rhino surges on Jarrett, but Jarrett recovers with a kick to the knee.

This leads to a figure four leg lock by Jarrett. Rhino turns it over. Gail Kim goes for a leg drop, but Rhino rolls out of the way. Rhino then presses Kim, which leads to a roll up by Jarrett for a two-count. Rhino hits a spinebuster for a two-count, catching Jarrett arguing with the ref. Jarrett comes right out of the pin attempt punching. However, Rhino hits a belly to belly suplex. Rhino sets up another Gore. Jarrett side steps the Gore. Rhino then goes for a clothesline, and misses Jarrett, but hits the ref. Jarrett misses with the guitar, which leads to a Gore. However, the ref is out so no pin is counted. AMW then come to ringside, as Rhino wields the guitar. AMW manage to get to Rhino after Jarrett hits a low blow. They hit The Death Sentence on the table set up at ringside earlier in the match. This leads to Jarrett hitting The Stroke for the pin.

After the match, AMW, Jarrett, and Gail Kim celebrate in the ring. We cut to backstage footage of Team 3D cuffed to some railing, bleeding profusely. Tenay and West scream wildly as we go off air.

Psychology: This match actually featured the best story telling of the night. Lots of interference at the end of a match like this would usually be a bad thing. However, given that Rhino had a mere two week reign, it makes sense to have him screwed out of the title, so that he doesn’t look like a fluke champion – even though that’s essentially what he was. The match was well laid out and had good timing. The back and forth action was tilted to give Rhino the edge. Furthermore, they did a good job of contrasting the wrestling styles of Rhino and Jarrett.

Action: Rhino and Jarrett probably packed in as much action as they’re going to in a match. Jarrett and Rhino worked well together, showing good timing. There were a couple of sloppy moments, and a weak looking figure four, but otherwise solid.

Entertainment: While it wasn’t the best match of the evening, this was a very capable main event. If you can get past the history of these two wrestlers prior to TNA, then they should’ve come off as two strong wrestlers working hard for the heavyweight title.

Impact Scale Rating: 6.5/10 – This was a solid main event with strong story telling and good action.

Overall Breakdown

Psychology: TNA hit a home run tonight. They proved that they could produce a very fun, very watchable two hour show that had a consistent amount of action. More importantly, they were able to stick with the Impact formula of putting over their stars with quick matches, and then providing one or two longer, stronger matches. It was a well balanced show. While it could’ve used one money promo or comedy segment to help give TNA a little personality, TNA still came off as a fresh, exciting product tonight, fulfilling their most important goal for the evening.

Action: It was an action packed evening, with each and every last match focusing heavily on providing as much action as possible. The action ranged from traditional to completely innovative. TNA really showed off their brand of wrestling action tonight.

Entertainment: From start to finish, this was a very entertaining show. Even Jeff Jarrett and Rhyno were able to put together an entertaining main event. The X Division really shone tonight, and proved beyond any doubt that they are the breath of refreshment that televised wrestling needs.

Impact Scale Rating: 7.5/10 – TNA effectively managed to spread Impact out into a two hour show. It was solid through out, and should have excited any wrestling fans looking for something new and different from WWE.

(Paul Madavi writes his Impact reviews from Madison, WI where the beer is fresh, and the cheese is aged. If you’d like to respond to any of the content above, please email him and make eventful his otherwise boring existence.)

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MONTREAL — Alex Ovechkin padded his NHL goals record and moved up a couple other big lists in the Washington Capitals†8-4 romp over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.

Ovechkin had his 33rd career hat trick to tie Brett Hull for fourth in NHL history and added an assist as he moved past Joe Sakic into 10th on the points list.

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“I just try to do my job and try to enjoy the moment and enjoy the time,†Ovechkin said

Ovechkin has 10 goals in 21 games this season to push his NHL-record to 907. The 40-year-old Russian has 1,643 points, two more than Sakic.

Ovechkin opened the scoring on a power play a minute into the first period, firing a wrist shot past goalie Sam Montembeault off a faceoff. Ovechkin assisted on Ethen Frankâ€s goal two minutes into the second that gave the Capitals the lead for good at 2-1.

The Washington star scored twice late in the third period, the first on a rush with 4:57 to go and the second into an empty net from his own zone with 2:04 remaining. He has scored in four straight games and has seven goals in his last six games.

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Linemate Dylan Strome assisted on Ovechkinâ€s first two goals, the second after learning during the first intermission that wife Tayler had given birth to their third daughter. The couple named the girl Sutton Kimberley.

“Since like first shift, I think Stromer was feeling it,†Ovechkin said. “I think he was unstoppable today.â€

Coming off a 7-4 home victory over Edmonton on Wednesday night, Washington has won three in a row to improve to 11-8-2. It was the Capitals†lone road game in an eight-game span.

Montreal has lost five straight and seven of eight.

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Alex Ovechkin became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer earlier this year. He continued to make history on Thursday.

In an 8-4 blowout win over the Montreal Canadiens, the Washington Capitals legend scored the 33rd hat trick of his NHL career. Those goals also represent the 905th, 906th and 907th goals of his career.

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With those three goals, Ovechkin became the sixth player in NHL history to score a hat trick in his 40s, joining Jaromir Jagr, Gordie Howe (three times), Johnny Bucyk (twice), Teemu Selanne and Nicklas Lidstrom. At 40 years and 64 days old, he represents the ninth oldest player to accomplish the feat.

Ovechkin’s 33 hat trick also ties him with Brett Hull for the fourth-most all-time, behind Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Mike Bossy.

Alex Ovechkin is moving further and further into the 900-goal club. (Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ovechkin began his season in a small slump, with only two goals in his first 12 games. It’s been a different story recently, with seven goals and three assists in his past six games, a span of time in which the Capitals are 4-1-1.

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It’s unclear how much time Ovechkin has to further enter uncharted territory in the record books. He has declined to say if the 2025-26 season will be his last in the NHL, but his contract is up next summer and there has long been speculation he wants to play his final years in his native Russia. He’s already done plenty in his 21 seasons with the Capitals, and Thursday was simply a continuation of that.

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KANSAS CITY – The Royals signed right-hander Alex Lange to a one-year deal on Thursday night, bringing in the reliever with Kansas City ties to add to their bullpen. Langeâ€s deal is worth $900,000 in 2026 with $100,000 in performance bonuses, a source told MLB.com.

Lange, 30, will still be arbitration-eligible after the 2026 season and is under club control through 2028. He was designated for assignment by the Tigers on Nov. 12, going unclaimed on waivers and electing free agency.

On the injured list for most of the 2025 season because of right lat surgery, Lange made just one appearance for the Tigers before he was optioned to Triple-A Toledo in August. In 24 Triple-A appearances, Lange posted a 4.63 ERA.

Lange is not that far removed from being a key piece of Detroit’s bullpen. He notched 26 saves for the Tigers in ‘23 — with 32 save opportunities — and posted a 3.68 ERA across 66 innings that year, which included a 27.4% strikeout rate. Between 2022-23, he appeared in 138 games and posted a 3.55 ERA. Langeâ€s stuff — including a sinker and knuckle curveball — really plays in the ‘pen when heâ€s healthy, generating a lot of whiffs and weak contact, although he can get a bit wild at times with control.

His strikeout rate plummeted in 2024, though, and he was optioned to Triple-A before the significant lat injury ended his season.

Lange went to Leeâ€s Summit West High School in Leeâ€s Summit, Mo., just outside of Kansas City. He went to Louisiana State University and was a first-round pick by the Cubs in the 2017 Draft.

If Lange is healthy again and his stuff still plays like it did in ‘23, the Royals are getting a bounce-back candidate who could add depth to their ‘pen. Plus, a cheap deal with a player who has years of control is a low-risk, high-reward kind of gamble.

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Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat has been a streaky goal scorer throughout his entire NHL career, and he’s currently on one of his usual heaters.

DeBrincat has scored five goals in his past three combined games, including back to back contests in which he tallied twice.

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For his efforts, he was named one of the NHL’s Three Stars of the Week, an honor that he described as “pretty cool”.

“It’s pretty cool, there are a lot of good players in the League,” DeBrincat said following practice on Tuesday. “I got a couple of chintzy goals there, but I’ll take them all. But I think for us right now, it’s keeping this momentum. Obviously, Buffalo wasn’t great, but we had some good parts of the game and we gotta keep this good attitude going.”

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-daycoverage, and player features.

DeBrincat also tallied during Sunday evening’s 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden, which was overshadowed by a postgame confrontation involving nearly all players from both clubs.

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It began after Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick, who was on the bench for an extra attacker, took exception to Mason Appleton firing the puck into the empty net a split second after the final horn sounded. Quick charged at Appleton as both teams made their way onto the ice, resulting in a melee.

DeBrincat said that while he understood Quick’s beef with Appleton, he didn’t think his teammate broke one of the unwritten hockey codes.

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Cat Scratch Fever: Red Wings’ Alex DeBrincat Recognized By The NHL

Cat Scratch Fever: Red Wings’ Alex DeBrincat Recognized By The NHL Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat is being recognized by the NHL after scoring five goals and adding an assist for six total points in his last three games.

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“It is what it is, I think I see his point, but I thought it was close enough to the buzzer,” DeBrincat said of the experience. “Obviously, his (Quick’s) view on it was different.”

“It’s valid, I like the fire, it was kind of fun to get in there and got some cool pictures out of it,” the smiling DeBrincat continued. “It is what it is, I think everyone has their own view on the play, and maybe if it was their team, I’d have a different stance.”

“But I thought it was close enough to the buzzer.”

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

AEW COLLISION REPORT
NOVEMBER 15, 2025
ERIE, PA. AT ERIE INSURANCE ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON TNT & HBOMAX
REPORT BY JOSHUA WHITE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Commentators: Nigel McGuiness & Tony Schiavone & Matt Menard

Ring Announcer: Arkady Aura

Attendance: WrestleTix reported that 909 tickets had been distributed while arena was set up for 2,819. However, these numbers hadnâ€t been updated since 10-28, so the final attendance was likely higher.

[HOUR ONE]

-Schiavone welcomed everyone to the show as the camera panned across the crowd. The cut to graphics hyping the nightâ€s upcoming matches before throwing to a video.

-A video running down the results of Wednesdayâ€s Blood and Guts matches, focusing first one the womenâ€s and then transferring to the menâ€s. It was violent.

(1) THE DEATH RIDERS (Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia & Pac) vs. JEY LETHAL & ADAM PRIEST & “DYNAMITE KID†TOMMY BILLINGTON

-The Death Riders†music played as Yuta, bathed in red light, walked through the backstage area. He was met by Garcia before they came across Pac sitting in a chair. The group made their way through the crowd before Garcia got in Menardâ€s face at the commentary desk. Garcia slapped Menardâ€s headset off, precipitating a brawl between Garcia and Menard, until Pac and Yuta dragged Garcia off.

Jay Lethalâ€s music played and brought out Lethal himself along with Adam Priest and Tommy Billington. Moxley and Marina appeared at ringside and Moxley took Menardâ€s place at the announce desk. The bell rang six minutes into the hour as Priest, Billington and Lethal attacked the distracted Death Riders.

The teams returned to their corners as Priest punched away at Garcia in the corner. Priest hit a dropkick before Garcia crawled to make a tag to Pac. Lethal tagged in and caught Pac with a hiptoss into a cartwheel and low dropkick. Lethal made the cover, but Pac kicked out at one. Pac landed a knee to the midsection and made the tag to Yuta.

Yuta ran into an armdrag from Lethal. Billington tagged in and he and Lethal dropped Yuta with a double back elbow. Garcia entered on a blind tag and dropped Billington with a clothesline. Billington countered a suplex attempt and landed one of his own. Priest tagged in and hit Garcia with a tandem back suplex.

Priest landed a chop in the corner followed by a snap suplex into a pin for a two count. Moxley discussed Menard on commentary, saying “your mouth can get you in trouble†before chastising him for bringing negativity.

Priest and Billington dropped Garcia with a double shoulder block. Yuta entered, knocked Priest out of the ring, but then ate a jumping knee from Billington. Billington and Yuta ran the ropes perpendicular to each other for a moment, missing each other in the center, until Garcia dropped down and Billington leapt over him, but crashed to ringside as Yuta pulled down the top rope. Pac rammed Billingtonâ€s face into the apron as they went to commercial. [c]

Back from break, Pac stomped on Billington in the ring. Yuta entered and set up for a suplex, but Billington blocked it. Yuta bit at his face and forced him into the corner. Yuta, Garcia, and Pac hit Billington in the corner with running attacks nonstop, probably twelve times before Pac stuck him with a tombstone piledriver. Pac made the cover, but Lethal and Priest made the save.

Yuta set Billington up onto the top rope and went for a superplex, but Billington blocked it and headbutted Yuta repeatedly, knocking him back to the mat. Billington hit Yuta with a missile dropkick, leaving both men down. Billington crawled for the tag, but Garcia ran into the ring and knocked Lethal and Priest off of the apron. Billington caught Garcia with a crossbody against the ropes and both men rolled to ringside.

Lethal and Pac tagged in and Lethal took Pac and Yuta down with a pair of dragon screws. Lethal caught Yuta with the Lethal combination backbreaker and flatliner and then locked Pac into a figure four. Pac struggled against the hold until Gacia broke it up. Priest tossed Garcia out of the ring and Pac hit him with a pump kick.

Lethal set up for the Lethal Injection on Pac, but Pac dodged and pushed Priest into the way, so Lethal nailed Priest with the Lethal Injection. Pac followed up with a rollup. Lethal kicked out at two, but Pac transitioned directly into The Brutalizer. Lethal struggled but submitted.

WINNERS: The Death Riders in 12:00

-After the match, Pac took the microphone and called out Darby Allin, even though he wasnâ€t in the building. Pac said what he did to Darby at Blood and Guts was “bloody beautiful.†Pac said watching Darby burn was the greatest thing heâ€s ever done. Pac said if Darby was still alive, he would likely be out for revenge. Pac said itâ€s no skin off his ball sack (is that a saying?). Pac said anytime, anywhere, but then said Full Gear would be the best spot. The Death Riders all stop by Moxley at desk before he decided heâ€s going to stay out on commentary.

(Whiteâ€s Take: A good opener, but nothing amazing. Pac looked like a full-blown beast and gave an intense promo afterwards, while Moxley sounded pretty relaxed on commentary. Interesting development for the Death Riders, hinting at Pac possibly stepping up in the group.)

-Lexy Nair was backstage with Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher. Fletcher said heâ€s sick of talking about Mark Briscoe, and promised to put him in his place for good at Full Gear. Davis told “chicken man Briscoe†that heâ€s not even going to make it to Full Gear, ‘cause his word of the night is “dinner.†Davis then screamed and walked off. Fletcher said the roll that he is on stops for nobody. [c]

-They returned from commercial, backstage with Lexi, asking Mina and Toni Storm about Blood and Guts. Toni said that they made her watch a massacre. She said they can do what they like to her, as she lives and dies every day. But when you mess with the girl that brings color to a world that is black and white, you gain admission to a horror show. She said anytime, any place, and “donâ€t ask God for mercy; heâ€s a big fan of our work.â€

(Whiteâ€s Take: Toni Storm is out for revenge. Even when sheâ€s deadly serious, sheâ€s still hilarious.)

(2) MARK BRISCOE vs. MARK DAVIS

Briscoeâ€s music played and he came to the ring with an abundance of energy. Mark Davis doesnâ€t have music, as he entered to Don Callis†singular brown note. Briscoe met Davis on the ramp and they went to brawling. Davis rammed Briscoe into the barricade before rolling him into the ring.

The bell rang 29 minutes into the hour to actually start the match as Briscoe knocked Davis off of the apron and followed up with a dropkick through the ropes. Briscoe followed up with a blockbuster from the ring apron onto the floor. Briscoe dropped Davis with a low dropkick on the outside before returning to the apron. He gave the “bang bang†hand gesture before jumping into a big forearm from Davis.

Davis lifted Briscoe up and slammed him down onto the apron. Davis threw Briscoe onto a steel chair leaning against the barricade and then rolled him back into the ring. Davis choke Briscoe on middle rope before hitting a pair of hard chops.

Briscoe came back with a bit of redneck kung fu. Briscoe climbed onto the top rope, but Davis met him up there with a. flurry of punches. Davis climbed up to the top rope with him and delivered a big superplex. Davis made the cover, but Briscoe kicked out at two. Schiavone noted that Davis hadnâ€t been pinned on Collision and Moxley questioned those stats as they went to commercial. [c]

Back from commercial, Briscoe struggled out of an abdominal stretch and attempted a hip toss, but Davis dropped him with a lariat. Davis lifted Briscoe up by the wrist and dropped him with a big chop. He hit a second one, but the third and fourth seemed to fire Briscoe up. The fifth even more so, until Briscoe ducked the sixth and came back with a flurry of chops of his own.

Briscoe hit the ropes and dodged a few shots before hitting a shoulder block followed by a flying forearm that brought Davis down. They traded loud chops in the center of the ring. Briscoe seemed to get the better of it. Briscoe landed a jumping gamengiri and rollup for a two count.

Briscoe hit a low kick to the face and then drilled Davis with a fishermanâ€s buster. Briscoe climbed to the top rope and went for the Froggy ‘Bo, but Davis got his knees up. Davis hit the ropes and blasted Briscoe with a running lariat. Moxley said if Briscoe had any teeth left theyâ€d be in the thirtieth row now. Davis made the cover, but Briscoe kicked out at two.

Briscoe retreated to ringside, sitting on a chair at ringside. Davis followed him and plowed into him, checking him into the barricade. Davis rolled Briscoe into the ring and then tossed a few chairs into the ring. Shockingly, Briscoe set up on of the chairs and nailed Davis with a flipping dive over the ropes.

Briscoe quickly rolled Davis back into the ring and climbed the turnbuckle. Briscoe leapt, but Davis rolled out of the way. Briscoe charged him, but Davis lifted him up and dropped Briscoe crotch-first across the top rope.

Davis climbed onto the top rope for something, but Briscoe got out of his predicament and swept Davis†feet out from under him. He landed on the turnbuckle and tumbled to the mat. Briscoe climbed back to the top rope and this time connected with the Froggy ‘Bo. Briscoe hooked the leg and got the win.

WINNER: Mark Briscoe in 12:00

(Whiteâ€s Take: Solid match, and I was relived we didnâ€t get any “letâ€s go Mark†chants. The winner was never in doubt, but it was an enjoyable, hard-hitting affair that gives Briscoe a bit of momentum heading towards Full gear.)

-Christopher Daniels was telling Scorpio Sky that is was time to regain the gold. Scorpio said itâ€s been 1200 days since he lost the title, but he thinks everyday about getting it back. Scorpio said Fletcher is as good as he thinks he is, but “defeat comes for us all.†He snapped his fingers, and the screen went black. [c]

-They returned from commercial as there was a report of something happening backstage. A camera man caught up with Josh Alexander had some random guy in an ankle lock. He called out Kenny Omega, mocking Kota Ibushi and saying itâ€s fun for him. Alexander knocked the random guy to the ground, and it turned out to be the miraculously-still-employed Michael Nakazawa.

-MxMTV made their way to the ring, led by Taya Valkyrie in an insane, giant, rubber, spiky hat. Moxley said he likes these guys. Mansoor asked everyone to shut up, before announcing the casting call.

(3) TAYA VALKYRIE (w/Johnny TV & Mansoor & Mason Madden) vs. TAY MELO

Presumably the graphics team already knew who was accepting the challenge, as the chyron for read “Taya Valkyrie with MxXTV†when they entered. Arkady Aura announced it as a singles match as Tay Melo made her way to the ring.

The bell rang 49 minutes into the hour, and Tay immediately hit Valkyrie and her giant hat with a pump kick. Tay hit a flurry of forearms in the corner. Valkyrie dodged Tay in the corner and set her up in the ropes. Valkyrie landed a kick to the back and then a running, sliding German suplex on Tay.

Valkyrie stopped to make out with Johnny, allowing Tay to toss Valkyrie into the steel steps. MxMTV helped Valkyrie to her feet as Tay slid into the ring and climbed to the top rope. Tay hit a flipping splash from the top rope onto Johnny and Mansoor, while Valkyrie and Madden escaped.

Tay hit a pump kick on Madden and then delivered one to Valkyrie as well. Tay rolled Valkyrie into the ring and then lifted her into position for a Gory bomb, before she spun her off into a knee strike (thatâ€s a Tay-K-O, if memory serves). Tay made to the cover and got the victory.

WINNER: Tay Melo in 3:00

-Moxley said that was “cute†as Marina Shafir slid into the ring behind Tay and hit her with a kick to the back. Marina took Tay down with a Judo throw and then locked Tay into the Motherâ€s Milk submission, which Moxley described as a “smothering choke†before saying that people have paid to be put in the hold. Toni Stormâ€s music played and she sprinted down the aisle, stopping briefly to blast Taya Valkyrie before rolling into the ring and nailing Shafir with a dropkick. Toni planted Marina with the Storm Zero and posed as Moxley said he likes Toni, ‘cause sheâ€s got balls.

-They threw to a video running down the Falls Count Anywhere match between Hangman Page and Powerhouse Hobbs from Blood and Guts, and the ensuing encounter with Samoa Joe leading to their cage match at Full Gear.

(4) KYLE FLETCHER vs. SCORPIO SKY (w/Christopher Daniels) – TNT Championship match

Scorpio Skyâ€s music played, and Dante Martin excitedly jumped out onto the stage. Scorpio met him out there with Darius and Christopher Daniels. Dante and Darius went to the back and Scorpio proceeded to the ring with Daniels. Fletcherâ€s music played and he made his way to the ring by himself.

The bell rang to start the match 58 minutes into the first hour. Scorpio offered a handshake, but Fletcher just mocked him and kicked his hand away. They locked up and Fletcher forced Scorpio into the corner. The ref broke it up and the returned to the center of the ring.

Scorpio locked in a wristlock, but Fletcher countered it an executed an armbreaker before bringing Scorpio to the mat with an armlock. Scorpio forced Fletcher into the corner and the referee broke it up. Fletcher rolled to ringside and told Daniels to back off.

[HOUR TWO]

Meanwhile, in the ring, Scorpio tried on Fletcherâ€s pink jacket and mocked him. Fletcher slid into the ring where Scorpio took him to the mat and grabbed an armlock. Fletcher got to his feet and shoved him back into the corner. Fletcher charged Scorpio in the corner and Scorpio went up and over Fletcher to dodge, but seemingly tweaked his ankle as he landed. Fletcher tried to immediately take advantage, but the ref backed him off to check on Scorpio.

Scorpio suddenly caught Fletcher with a roll-up for a two count, having apparently feigned the ankle injury. They traded forearms in the center of the ring until Fletcher hit a combination that dropped Scorpio to his knees. Fletcher hit the ropes but ran into a flying back elbow from Scorpio. Fletcher rolled to ringside and Scorpio followed.

Scorpio landed a few punches on the outside, but Fletcher decked a punch and then dropped Scorpio onto the apron. Daniels tried to cheer Scorpio on, but Fletcher hit him with a running boot. Scorpio fired up, hit Fletcher with some punches and whipped him into the ring steps as they went to commercial. [c]

They returned from commercial as Scorpio struggled in a grounded headlock. Scorpio got to his feet, but Fletcher hit a knee to the midsection. Fletcher landed a pair of boots to the face, but Scorpio shook them off. Fletcher hit a flurry of forearms, but Scorpio got to his feet and hit a combination of his own. Scorpio pushed Fletcher into the corner and hit a flurry of punches.

Scorpio bit at Fletcherâ€s forehead before clotheslining him over the top rope to the floor. Scorpio jumped over the top rope, but Fletcher sidestepped up. Fletcher went for a powerbomb onto the apron, but Scorpio escaped, laned on the apron and then leapt off, taking Fletcher down with a hurricanrana to the floor.

Fletcher struggled to his feet as Scorpio slid into the ring, hit the opposite ropes, and nailed Fletcher with a flipping dive to the outside. Back in the ring, Scorpio planted Fletcher with the Sky High sitout spinebuster into a pin, but Fletcher kicked out at two. Scorpio got Fletcher on his shoulders for a TKO, but Fletcher slipped out and nailed a half and half suplex.

Fletcher hit his running kick in the corner and went for the brainbuster on Scorpio, but Scorpio blocked it. Scorpio bit Fletcherâ€s hand before taking him down with a dragon screw. Fletcher rolled to the apron, where he dodged Scorpio and pulled him out onto the apron with him. Fletcher set up for a brainbuster, but Scorpio slipped out, into the ring, and caught Fletcher with a guillotine across the top rope. Scorpio used the top rope to slingshot onto the apron, catching Fletcher with a cutter onto the apron.

Scorpio climbed to the middle rope as Fletcher stumbled to his feet in the ring. Scorpio leapt off and caught Fletcher with a flying DDT that spiked him. Fletcher came back with a running boot, but Scorpio managed to lock in a single leg crab. Fletcher made his to the rope to break the hold.

Scorpio charged Fletcher in the corner, but Fletcher caught him with a thrust kick. Fletcher drilled Scorpio with a Michinoku driver into a pin for a two count. Fletcher wasted no time, nailing Scorpio with a running kick in the corner straight into the sheer drop brainbuster. Fletcher hooked the leg and got the three-count.

WINNER: Kyle Fletcher in 15:00

(Whiteâ€s Take: The “good match with an obvious winner†horse has been beaten death, but Collision continues to bludgeon the corpse. Fletcherâ€s match with Briscoe is already scheduled with a stipulation, so there was no world where Scorpio Sky had any chance. Still, an entertaining back and forth match that made Scorpio look good while giving Fletcher a solid win.)

-After the match, Mark Davis slid into the ring and continued to be Scorpio down. Top Flight and Mark Briscoe hit the ring to break it up. Davis and Fletcher escaped, talking trash on their way up the ramp. Briscoe grabbed a microphone and said he wouldnâ€t be stopped. He said Mark Davis didnâ€t slow him down, in fact, he whooped his big, burly ass. Briscoe told Fletcher to shine up his TNT title belt while heâ€s shining Donâ€s bald head, ‘cause the belt is coming home with him. Fletcher responded, saying he had nothing to do with the attack on Wednesday. Fletcher noted that his victory was his eighth successful defense, and by beating Briscoe at Full Gear he would break the record for most defenses of the TNT championship. Fletcher said thereâ€s a spot waiting for him in the family, and heâ€ll have no choice but to say his full name.

-Bowens and Caster were backstage, saying $200,000 isnâ€t worth it to have to tag together at the Tailgate Brawl. But since theyâ€re being forced, theyâ€ll take the money. Juice Robinson said he and Austin were going to win the match and invest the money in a tax-deferred 401k, ‘cause they play for keeps. Bryan Keith said $200,000 is a big bounty, while Big Bill said itâ€s nothing to sneeze at. The Outrunners said they have “size to win the prize.†[c]

-They went to a “by the numbers†video on Mercedes Mone and Kris Statlander, narrated by Renee. They noted her 23 TBS title defenses, 12 belts, from nine countries, and one loss to Toni Storm. They highlighted Statlanderâ€s 63-day title reign and being the woman with the most wins in AEW history.

(5) ALEX WINDSOR & RIHO vs. HYAN & MAYA WORLD

“Windsor†echoed through the arena as Alex Windsor stepped out. Rihoâ€s music played to bring her out and the pair made their way to the ring, without a cringe-inducing portmanteau for a team name. Hyan and Maya World, were already waiting in the ring.

The bell rang to start with match with Riho and Hyan circling each other 25 minutes into the second hour. Hyan and Riho traded pin attempts before Riho hit a shotgun dropkick followed by a running knee in the corner. Riho went for a second one, but Hyan caught her and lifted onto her shoulders. Riho escaped into a roll up, but Hyan kicked out and then delivered a boot to Rihoâ€s face.

Maya tagged in and connected with a single leg dropkick that knocked Riho back into her own corner. Windsor tagged in and landed a combination of punches. Maya went for a hurricanrana, but Windsor countered it into a sharpshooter attempt. Maya kicked her way out of it and Riho made a blind tag. Riho hit Maya with a running dropkick, that sent her tumbling over the grounded Windsor.

Windsor helped Riho up into a headscissor on Maya. Hyan entered the ring and Windsor met her with strikes, forcing her into the corner where Riho hit her with an assisted running dropkick. Riho ran, jumped off of Windsorâ€s back and hit Maya with a flying forearm.

Windsor hit a flipping dive off of the apron onto Hyan and Maya at ringside. Windsor then held them in place as Riho climbed to the top rope. Riho flew off and hit Maya and Hyan with a flying crossbody to the floor as they went to break. [c]

They returned from commercial as Riho struggled to her feet out of a headlock from Maya. Maya set up for a suplex, but Riho escaped and stumbled back into her corner where Windsor tagged in. Windsor dropped Maya with back-to-back shoulder blocks and a clothesline in the corner followed by a flying clothesline.

Windsor got Maya onto her shoulders, but Maya escaped before running into a weak blue thunder bomb. Windsor held on for the pin, but Hyan broke it up. Riho tagged in and hit a double stomp on Hyan followed by pump kick from Windsor.

Maya shoved Windsor into Riho before delivering a German suplex on Windsor. Riho tried a German suplex on Maya but couldnâ€t quite get her up. Riho adjusted and landed a snap half and half suplex instead.  Riho set up for a crucifix on Maya as Windsor hit her with a simultaneous lariat (thus completing the crucifix driver). Riho held on for the pin and got the win.

WINNERS: Alex Windsor & Riho in 7:00

(Whiteâ€s Take: Basically, a squash match stretched across a commercial break. Although, you have to wonder if Hyan and Maya World getting seven minutes is a direct result of the Nixon Newell and Miranda Alize drama that dominated a weak news cycle in the wrestling world over the past week.)

-As Windsor and Riho exited the ring, Toni Storm appeared on the screen with Mina. Toni congratulated them, but said they consider them wonderful athletes and nonsexual friends, so itâ€ll be nothing personal when they “rip of their heads and shit down their necks.†Toni said theyâ€re on a rocky road to revenge and nobody can stop them.

-They threw to a video of Kyle Oâ€Reilly and his teammates after Blood and Guts, all still covered in blood. Kyle noted how heâ€d been beaten by Moxley three years ago and lost the next two years of his career. Oâ€Reilly said Moxley is a shark, but he tapped him out. Oâ€Reilly signed off saying anytime, anywhere.

(Whiteâ€s Take: Interesting content from Kyle here, as I was unaware that his previous match with Moxley had cost him two years of his career. Seems like they wouldâ€ve wanted to lean into that during the recent matches between Kyle and Mox, particularly the very recent, ultra-violent match where Kyle finally got Moxley to tap out.)

-Back in the arena, Schiavone asked Moxley if he wanted to respond to any of that, as a small portion of the fans chanted “you tapped out.†Moxley didnâ€t answer. Instead, he took off his headset and grabbed a microphone. Moxley said Kyle and his team had the night of their lives, but theyâ€re nothing like him or his team. Moxley went on to call out Kyle and The Conglomeration, telling them anytime, any place, any match. Moxley said something to Schiavone before leaving through the crowd as they continued to chant “you tapped out.†[c]

-Tay Melo was backstage with Lexi who congratulated her on her victory. Tay told Toni she respected her, but doesnâ€t need her help and is still coming for the tag titles. She went on to address Marina Shafir, saying she was “the solution†to Shafirâ€s “problem.â€

(6) LFI (Sammy Guevara & Rush) & FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler w/Stokely) vs. JUICE ROBINSON & JETSPEED (“The Jet†Kevin Knight & “Speedball†Mike Bailey) & BANDIDO

Sammy Guevara and Rush entered first. Sammy was a sporting a moustache which added to his already unmatched face-punchability. FTR entered next, accompanied by Stokely. They threw to a video of Dax and Cash attacking Ricky Steamboat on Dynamite, and the save from Brodido. Juice Robinson made his entrance, followed by JetSpeed, and finally Bandido. Bandido and Juice bonded over their love of finger guns on their way down the aisle.

Dax and Bandido started the match as the bell rang 46 minutes into the second hour. Dax forced Bandido into the corner and then landed a cheap shot as the ref broke them up. Dax hit a snap suplex and a leg drop before making the cover for a one count. Cash tagged in and slammed Bandido into the corner and gave him a chop.

Bandido caught Cash with a back elbow followed by crossbody. Bandido hita. Kick to the gut followed by a thrust kick and then tagged in Bailey. Bailey hit his repeated side kicks capped off with a roundhouse. Cash caught Bailey on a leapfrog attempt and planted him with a powerslam.

Sammy tagged in and went to the top rope, and posed before nonchalantly hopping down and kicking Bailey in the head. Bailey came back with a chop as Sammy posed. Knight tagged in and he and Bailey hit Sammy with a double hip toss. Bailey followed up with double knees and Knight hit a running, twisting splash. Knight laid out, mocking Rushâ€s tranquilo pose.

Sammy forced Knight into the corner, allowing Rush to tag in and assault Knight. He stomped away at Knight in the corner before Rush and Sammy hit a double kick to Knight before they both assumed the tranquilo pose. Knight stumbled into a powerslam from Rush.

Dax tagged in and Knight caught him with a. jumping clothesline, leaving both men down. Juice got the hot tag and dropped Dax with a running elbow. Juice caught Cash with a backdrop, hit Dax with an inverted atomic drop and then planted Sammy with a flapjack. Juice took Dax down with a Russian leg sweep and then knocked Rush off the apron with left hand.

Juice hit Dax with a combination of jabs. Cash tried to break it up, but Juice had some jabs for him as well, going back and forth between both members of FTR before slamming their heads into each other. He hit Dax with a leg lariat and then nailed Cash with a spinebuster. Rush came out of nowhere and blindsided Juice with a back elbow.

Rush set up for a vertical suplex, but Juice flipped out, landed on his feet, and shoved Rush into a thrust kick from Bandido. Sammy came in and hit both Juice and Bandido with thrust kicks. Sammy went for a tornado DDT, but Bandido tossed him, clear allowing Bailey and Knight to hit him with a running double kick.

Bailey clotheslined Sammy over the top rope. Bailey and Bandido performed simultaneous springboard moonsaults to the outside, wiping out Sammy, Rush, and Cash. In the ring, Knight panted Dax with a jumping DDT. Juice, the legal man, made the cover, but Dax kicked out at two. [c]

They returned from commercial as Bailey nailed Sammy with a missile dropkick from the middle rope. Bailey dove to make the tag to Bandido, but Dax dragged him off the apron before he could make the tag. Sammy grabbed Bailey from behind and flipped him over into a DDT (Logan Paul called this the “Paulverizer,†but Iâ€m not sure who he stole it from). Sammy made the cover, but Bailey kicked out at two.

Cash tagged in and cut off Bailey from the tag. Cash tried a piledriver, but Bailey countered it into a backdrop. However, Cash turned it around into a sunset flip attempt, but he couldnâ€t get Bailey over. Bailey knocked Cashâ€s hands away and executed his moonsault double knees onto Cash.

Rush tagged in as Bailey made the hot tag to Bandido dropped Rush with a running boot and then Sammy and Dax with forearm shots. Bandido took Dax down with a headscissor before pressing Sammy over his head and slamming him into Rush. Bandido climbed to the top rope and connected with a frog splash onto Rush. Bandido hooked the leg, but Rush kicked out at two.

Bandido attempted to climb the ropes, but Rush met him with a running forearm. Rush deadlifted Bandido from the apron, over the turnbuckle and into the ring with a suplex. Rush went for the pin, but Juice broke it up. All eight men brawled into the ring, with Bailey, Knight, and Juice all getting knocked out through the ropes.

Rush, Sammy, Dax, and Cash surrounded Bandido in the center of the ring. Bandido hit Rush with a kick and JetSpeed dragged FTR out of the ring when they missed a double clothesline attempt. Bandido backdropped Sammy over the top rope and he crashed to the floor, leaving Rush and Bandido alone in the ring.

Rush caught a charging Bandido with an overhead belly to belly throw that launched Bandido into the corner. Rush set up for the Bullâ€s Horns, but when he charged, Bandido lunged out of the corner, slipped behind him and nailed Rush with a German suplex. Rush came back with a German suplex of his own. They traded strikes before Bandido popped Rush up and slammed his face down into the mat. Bandido hit the ropes, but ran right into a headbutt from Rush, and both men collapsed to the mat.

Sammy looked for a springboard move from the apron, but Juice grabbed his foot from behind. Sammy kicked Juice off and then executed a high springboard moonsault the took Juice out. Knight charged Sammy on the outside, ducked a clothesline, ran onto the apron and leapt off to hit Sammy with a flying clothesline. Cash grabbed Knight, put him into position for a Gory bomb, and turned so that he slammed Knight face first into the apron.

Bailey nailed Cash with a running kick and then rolled him into the ring as he climbed to the top rope. Dax grabbed Bailey off of the turnbuckle and dragged him onto the apron, where he attempted to German suplex Bailey to the floor. Bailey held onto the top rope and swept Daxâ€s leg out from under him. Bailey went for the moonsault knees onto Dax, but Dax rolled off the apron and Bailey hit hard on his knees.

Dax hopped onto the apron where Bandido caught him with a kick. Rushed rolled Bandido up from behind, but Bandido kicked out at two, launching Rush towards the ropes where he collided with Dax and Cash. Rush was left in perfect position and Bandido connected with the 21-Plex, holding on to the pin and getting the three count.

WINNERS: Bandido & Juice Robinson & JetSpeed in 14:00

(Whiteâ€s Take: Classic, action-packed chaos that one would expect from a Collision main event. I had figured that FTRâ€s team would get the victory, given their impending title match with Brodido and their loss last week. While this was the only match without a clear-cut, obvious winner, itâ€s also a match where it doesnâ€t really matter. Neither group of four had anything to gain, save for the ephemeral momentum of winning a match seen by almost no one.)

-Juice, Bandido, Knight and Bailey celebrated in the ring and Stokely yelled at ringside, blaming Rush and Sammy for the loss. Schiavone and Nigel ran down some of the upcoming matches on Dynamite and then Full Gear before signing off.

FINAL THOUGHTS: This weekâ€s episode of Collision was another week of good wrestling matches with no intrigue, some fun promos courtesy of Toni Storm, and baby steps in storyline developments. Having Moxley on commentary for most of the show was interesting. I know he serves a separate role, but he was better than most of the AEW commentary team. Dynamite will likely feature clips from the more important developments from this show. That is to say, there will likely be no clips from Collision on Dynamite, because nothing remotely important happened.

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Jannik Sinner defeated Alex Alex de Minaur to reach the title clash at the ATP World Tour Finals. (AP/PTI) Jannik Sinner booked his place in the ATP Finals championship match for the third straight year, extending his flawless run in Turin with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Alex de Minaur. The semi-final had its tense moments early, but once Sinner found rhythm on serve, the contest tilted firmly in his favour. The opening set offered De Minaur brief opportunities. He saved two break points in the first game and later earned three chances on Sinnerâ€s serve, but none were converted. Sinner absorbed the pressure, created his own at 5-5 and edged ahead. The break proved decisive, and the Italian closed the set with composure. Sinner then struck early in the second set, pulling away to a 4-0 lead and maintaining control until the finish. The win stretched his domination over the Australian to 13 matches and continued a run in which he has not dropped a service game all week. Reflecting on the contest, Sinner acknowledged the early resistance. “It was a very tough match, especially at the beginning of the first set. I felt like he was serving great, very precise,†he said. He added that the shift came after the early break in the second set. “I tried to be a bit more aggressive and it worked well but it was a tough match.â€

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How do you feel about Jannik Sinner’s chances in the final of the ATP Finals?

Turin has been a happy venue for Sinner. Last season, he finished his year here by defeating Taylor Fritz in the final. This yearâ€s path has been even cleaner, extending his streak of sets won at the event to 18. “It is the last event of the year and it is great to finish in this way,†he said. Sinner now awaits the winner of the Carlos Alcaraz -Felix Auger-Aliassime clash for Sundayâ€s final. A third consecutive title-match appearance marks another steady finish. “Making the final for three consecutive years means a lot to me,†he said. “Tomorrow I will enjoy and try my best to get the best possible result.â€

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