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CALGARY — Dusty Nickel was midway through his bag of press-box popcorn when his phone delivered the news.

As the Calgary Flames†resident EBUG (emergency backup goalie), the 34-year-old construction company owner had been summoned downstairs after Vegas netminder Adin Hill left Tuesdayâ€s game with an injury.

While rushing outside to grab his gear from his truck, Flames forward Sam Honzek smashed into Golden Knights backup Akira Schmid, opening up the very real possibility Nickel could be pressed into action.

However, Nickel was oblivious to the anxious moments being felt on the visiting bench.

“I got stuck with a new security guy on the elevator that wasnâ€t letting me down,†chuckled Nickel.

“He needed to see my credentials. Iâ€ve got a suit jacket with eight or nine game passes and I didnâ€t know which one it was, and while I showed him them all I said, ‘I donâ€t have time for this, youâ€ve gotta call this in because Iâ€ve got to go.’â€

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Shortly after Schmid was cleared to resume, Nickel arrived in the Saddledomeâ€s alumni dressing room, where he went through a fruitless procedure with which he’s all too familiar.

He put on half his equipment, stretched, signed some paperwork, watched the intermission panel discuss him and the possibilities, and longed to finish that bag of popcorn.

Flames assistant equipment manager, Ben Duhaime, double-checked the spelling of Nickelâ€s last name for a Vegas jersey they were preparing.

As EBUGs are instructed to remain neutral, and out of sight unless summoned into action, Nickel never wound up seeing the jersey, the bench, or any action.

Just another night for the backupâ€s backup.

Nickel is a bit of a legend around these parts, and not just because of that fantastic handle of his.

Heâ€s been the Flames’ EBUG the last handful of years, striding into the Domeâ€s media lounge buffet area just before puck drop every night wearing a suit, a toque and a massive grin on his face.

“Itâ€s $100 a game, and to be honest, I put most of it on 50-50 tickets,†he laughed.

“I havenâ€t won yet. Iâ€m 0-for-82 the last two years. I havenâ€t even won a secondary prize. Actually, Iâ€m not even sure if Iâ€m allowed to claim it if I win.â€

He won second prize, of sorts, two years ago when the former Calgary Canuck was whisked into the Flames dressing room prior to puck drop to spell Jacob Markstrom, who got sick just before puck drop.

That night he was paid $500, and got to keep the jersey.

Just two minutes in, all eyes turned to Nickel after Dan Vladar was run by Vegas forward William Carrier and needed medical attention on the ice.

“I knew that was coming,†he smiled, recalling his brush with the then-defending Cup champs.

“I remember in warmies I was stretching out and LT (Logan Thompson) and Stoney (Mark Stone) and (Jack) Eichel were all at centre ice and they were looking at me and kind giving me the nod, and I was like, ‘You guys are going to do something arenâ€t you?†I knew something was coming.

“They probably figured, ‘Hey, weâ€ll throw the EBUG in and have an easy point night.’Â

“Everyone thought I was nervous that whole time, but the adrenaline had worn off — I just didnâ€t know where my gloves were after I gave them to Benny, and I thought my skates were kind of dull.â€

The Flames have kept Nickel busy in other ways, using him 100 times last year as a practice fill-in for the Flames and Wranglers.

He doesnâ€t do it for the money, as it amounts to little more than free gear and a couple grand at the end of the year he calls “beer and gas money.â€Â

Given this seasonâ€s compacted schedule, theyâ€ll likely use him even more.

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• 32 Thoughts: The Podcast

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However, the real carrot comes next year when the new CBA calls for every team in the league to employ a full-time EBUG who travels and practices with the team.

“The Never Hungry League — itâ€s a pretty exciting thing,†said Nickel, who also runs a goalie school.

“Youâ€d have a lot of people lining up for that job. Per diem and food. What an experience to see a bit of the world that way. What a cool experience to be able to do that, to kind of be a bullpen catcher and be able to go on road trips and hang out with the guys. I think it would be an absolute blast.â€

While Nickel has been told the EBUG will be paid roughly $75,000 US, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told Sportsnet each team will decide what compensation will be involved.

“These positions likely wonâ€t be exclusively dedicated to EBUG status,†said Daly.

“The individual would likely have other full-time responsibilities with the club.â€

Thatâ€s just fine with Nickel, who has the flexibility to continue dropping everything to help the Flames.

“Every year I keep saying, ‘One more year, one more year,†but then maybe next year I could get to travel, and then the new rink… maybe two more years,†said the affable Calgarian, who has become part of the team in many ways.

“I love skating with the guys, and itâ€s a great culture. As long as you can keep playing, play as long as you can.â€

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WWE Monday Night Raw will take place at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, on October 20th. However, Alicia Taylor will not be announcing for the show next week, as Lilian Garcia will be stepping in as her replacement.

Lilian Garcia took to her Instagram and announced that she will be stepping in for Alicia Taylor on next weekâ€s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. She shared her excitement, saying sheâ€ll be “back in her playground†in just a few days and canâ€t wait to reunite with fans once again.

“Back in my playground in 3 days as I sub in for the awesome @aliciataylorwwe on @wwe Monday Night Raw! 😊🤘🼠Canâ€t wait to be reunited with all of you again! â¤ï¸â€

Lilian Garcia, who stepped away from full-time announcing earlier this year, continues to make special appearances for WWE. Known for her incredible voice and emotional connection with the crowd, her return is sure to keep the energy high when Raw hits Sacramento.

With Lilian Garcia filling in for Alicia Taylor, next weekâ€s Monday Night Raw will be even more exciting. Her friendly personality and great style will make the show in Sacramento even more fun for the fans and thatâ€s all that matters in the end.

What do you think about Lilian Garcia returning to WWE Raw for one night? Would you like to see her take on more WWE appearances again? Sound off in the comments.

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The Friday Four is a collection of thoughts and information on some intriguing storylines from around the NHL. On deck this week:

· The Buffalo Sabres need to create an environment where players want to be

That sound you hear is the city of Buffalo collectively exhaling.

Iâ€m not sure any team in the history of hockey has been under more pressure in Game 4 of 82 to have a strong showing than the Sabres were on Wednesday night. Buffalo responded with an 8-4 thrashing of the Ottawa Senators, with every goal feeling more and more like a cathartic experience for a team letting out its frustrations.

Things werenâ€t supposed to get this bad this quickly. The Sabres lost their first three games and it took them five-and-a-half-periods to score a goal. It wasnâ€t so much the results, as much as it was the optics. Buffalo looked overmatched and listless at times, which is inexcusable for a team that desperately needed a good start. It would be easy to say donâ€t panic after only a few games but when youâ€ve missed the playoffs for 14 straight years, you no longer get the benefit of the doubt.

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Sabres fans are getting tired of watching it and the players are getting tired of hearing about it. Forward Tage Thompson voiced his displeasure at Buffaloâ€s start following a loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, while also preaching thereâ€s plenty of time left to figure things out. “We have a long season to go,†Thompson said. “You guys are acting like the world is ending right now. We just have to find a way to claw ourselves out of this. Weâ€re obviously in a hole we donâ€t want to be in and we have to find our way out of it.â€

Rasmus Dahlin shared a similar sentiment: “This is not acceptable. Itâ€s not good enough.”

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams should be just as concerned with the comments of his top players as he is about Buffaloâ€s slow start. The organization has had its challenges to say the least when it comes to keeping high-end talent and you could put together the core of a solid team from all the players that have left the Sabres in the past six or seven years. Ryan Oâ€Reilly was dealt in the summer of 2018 and lifted the Conn Smythe Trophy a year later. Then came 2021, a year that saw a trio of talented players make their exit from Western New York. Linus Ullmark left in free agency in the summer and went on to win a Vezina in 2023. Sam Reinhart was traded and has gone on to win a pair of Cups while developing into one of the top scorers in the league. Then Jack Eichel was shipped to Vegas later that year and heâ€s now arguably one of the 10 best players in the NHL who also has his name on a Cup.

Not to mention Dylan Cozens and JJ Peterka, two young talented players that were traded in the past calendar year. The Cozens deal was a massive gamble centred around Josh Norris, a player with a ton of upside who has struggled to stay healthy. That gamble has yet to pay off, as Norris is already going to miss a substantial amount of time with an early-season injury. The jury is still out on the Peterka deal as Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan are two decent pieces the Sabres got in return, but itâ€s undeniable Peterka was the best player in the trade.

You could argue that a lot of those players wanted out and Buffalo had little choice but to move them, but at the end of the day itâ€s the organizationâ€s job to create an environment where players want to stick around. It has to be extra painful to watch all that talent thrive in other organizations when the Sabres couldnâ€t make it work in Buffalo.

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• 32 Thoughts: The Podcast

  Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.

  Latest episode

If the Sabres have another rough season, itâ€s fair to ask how long players like Thompson, Dahlin and Alex Tuch are going to want to stick around. Tuch will be a free agent this summer and will be looking for a long-term deal with a significant raise. Buffalo needs a good showing this year to help entice him to stay. Thompson and Dahlin are both locked up long term but the Sabres have seen players asked to be shipped out of town before. Neither skater has even sniffed the playoffs in their career and theyâ€re not going to remain patient forever.

Whatâ€s most surprising about the Sabres futility over the past decade-plus is the team has actually drafted and acquired some quality players. The majority of those players have gone on to be significant contributors to championship teams and have won some major individual awards, it just hasnâ€t been in Buffalo. The Sabres have never had trouble finding talent. They just havenâ€t been able to keep it.

The New York Rangers have gotten off to a lukewarm start, but not for lack of trying from Igor Shesterkin. Heâ€s been borderline unbeatable thus far in the 2025-26 campaign, allowing only five total goals across five starts. His save percentage currently sits at .962 and Shesterkin is already up to 8.1 goals saved above expected. Heâ€s been at his absolute best right out of the gate.

What has to be frustrating for Shesterkin, though, is that despite his excellent start, he only has two wins to his credit. New York has been shut out twice in games Shesterkin started and three times overall, all at home. The Rangers have set a record for offensive futility to start a season, as theyâ€ve become the first team in NHL history to be shut out in three straight home games to begin a campaign. Theyâ€ve also wasted a strong showing from Jonathan Quick, who stopped 20-of-21 shots against the Washington Capitals, but ultimately took a 1-0 loss because the Rangers were held off the scoresheet.

Part of the problem is that Artemi Panarin is off to an uncharacteristically slow start. The Rangers forward only has two assists and hasnâ€t scored yet this season. Heâ€s also managed two shots or less in five of his six games. Panarin is a 90-point player all day long and heâ€s entering a contract year, so the slow start comes at a less than ideal time. Itâ€s still early and thereâ€s plenty of time for Panarin to turn things around but if the Rangers want to start getting back into the win column more regularly, theyâ€ll need their superstar forward to get back on track.

Shesterkin had a down year for his standards in 2024-25 with a .905 save percentage, and that, combined with a season for the ages from Connor Hellebuyck, made Shesterkin somewhat forgotten about a year ago. Now heâ€s reminding everyone just how good he is when heâ€s at his best and if the Rangers hope to return to the playoffs, itâ€s going to be because Shesterkin carried them there.

Chris Kreider probably needed a lot of arm twisting to join the Anaheim Ducks back in June. The New York Rangers were the only team he had ever known, but they were keen to move Kreiderâ€s $6.5 million salary off their books for the final two years of his deal. Kreider, coming off a down year where he managed just 22 goals, had to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate the move. That meant going to a team in a rebuild that had missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons. He ultimately did and so far, itâ€s worked out swimmingly.

Kreider is excelling on the Ducks top line, scoring four goals in his first four games, with a couple of them being very timely. The 34-year-old scored in the final minute against the San Jose Sharks last week, paving the way for Anaheimâ€s first victory of the season in overtime. Then this week, Kreider found the back of the net again in the final two minutes for a game-winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Heâ€s looked more like the player weâ€re used to seeing this year and seems poised to hit 30 goals once again.

The Ducks were probably excited about adding Kreider for more than just his on-ice abilities. Many people picked Anaheim to break through and return to the post-season in 2025-26 due to a talented young core, but they were perhaps lacking some veteran leadership. Kreider has several deep playoff runs under his belt and scored 24 goals between 2021 and 2024 over three post-season appearances. If the Ducks were to return to the playoffs, Kreider is a proven performer that has delivered in many big games in the past.

Ultimately, the Ducks are only going to go as far as players like Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Jackson LaCombe, Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke and other young talents are going to take them, but not all of those players are ready to be key contributors just yet. Having someone like Kreider around to mentor that group as they try to get to the next level is invaluable and heâ€s proving he still has a lot to offer on the ice as well.

Scott Wedgewood, Colorado Avalanche

In a two-week stretch late last fall, the Colorado Avalanche shook up their crease in a big way. Alex Georgiev and Justus Annunen were out, and Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood were in. The Avs acquired both in separate deals less than two weeks apart, with Blackwood slated to be the biggest difference maker. That was true last season, as Blackwood stepped in provided the steady play between the pipes the Avs had been missing, but now Wedgewood is really starting to prove his worth as well.

Blackwood was not available to start the season because of injury and if the Avs had to turn to a subpar backup, they wouldâ€ve been at risk of watching the start of their campaign get derailed by poor goaltending once again. Wedgewood, though, has been stellar and is proving to be one of the biggest surprises of the first two weeks of the season. The 33-year-old boasts a 4-0-1 record with a .939 save percentage and has allowed just a single goal in four of his five starts. He also has 5.2 goals saved above expected.

If Wedgewoodâ€s play thus far has caught some people by surprise, the Avalanche may very well have expected it. He was excellent after joining Colorado last season, winning 13 games and losing just four times in regulation, to go along with a .917 save percentage. They clearly have confidence in Wedgewoodâ€s abilities, as the Avs didnâ€t rush out to grab another veteran goalie for insurance when Blackwood was sidelined for training camp and thought enough of him to give up on the much younger and once highly touted Annunen.

If you remember, Colorado started out last season 0-4-0 after allowing 25 goals in four games. The Avs were probably worried about a similar fate this year when Blackwood went down, but Wedgewood has erased all those fears. Wedgewood has been just as important as Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar and Martin Necas have to this hot start. Now a Blackwood return seems like itâ€s on the horizon, but if Wedgewood continues to play at this level, heâ€s going to really make Blackwood earn his playing time going forward.

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So, it was no surprise to see the Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender shoot the referee a dirty look and an earful of opinion after he stopped a J.T. Miller one-timer at close range — with no helmet.

And it should be no surprise that Stolarz, speaking more measuredly after Torontoâ€s 2-1 overtime victory over the New York Rangers, criticized the rule that allowed him to face a clapper with, well, a bare face.

After a Matt Rempe shot dislodged Stolarzâ€s mask, the Rangers still controlled the puck down low and quickly created Millerâ€s attempt. Referees Garrett Rank and Justin Kea called the book. (Play can continue against a maskless goalie in event of an imminent scoring chance.) But Stolarz suggests the book could use a rewrite.

“This is the second time itâ€s happened. Happened to Adin Hill the other night as well. So, hopefully we can find a compromise. Itâ€s not like goalies are trying to knock our helmets off,†Stolarz argued.

“I mean, without the buckle, you canâ€t really see the puck, you canâ€t really track or do anything. As soon as you move your head, it falls off. So, hopefully the league can look at it and talk to some goalies or people who have knowledge of the position, and we can come to some sort of compromise where our safety isnâ€t put at risk there.â€

Stolarzâ€s 1950s-style battle level proved the highlight of a Throwback Thursday in which scoring chances were hard to come by, and most were turned aside by goaltenders at the top of their game.

“Just trying to be a competitor and slide across,†Stolarz said of kicking out Millerâ€s blast without his most important piece of equipment. “Obviously, itâ€s not an ideal situation. But at that stage of the game, youâ€re just trying to do anything to keep the puck out of the net.â€

The sequence slapped an exclamation point on a 28-save star turn for Stolarz, who was awarded Torontoâ€s player-of-the-game belt for his badassery.

But in real time, the helmet-free save both frightened and confused his teammates.

“I was a little scared to be honest,†Matthew Knies said. “I don’t know how it came to that. You know, I thought it was supposed to be blown. It was a shocker for sure, for everyone.â€

Superstars William Nylander and Auston Matthews — who connected for a 3-on-3 winner in the first shift of OT — were both surprised that play could continue after a lost mask, based on a judgment call.

“Thankfully it didnâ€t hit him there. I was completely unaware of the rule. I thought the second the helmetâ€s off, I mean, the playâ€s gotta be dead with no helmet on,†Matthews said.

“Just another example of what a gamer he is. I mean, he just goes in there, he wants to compete. And heâ€s a big communicator back there. He lets you know whatâ€s going on, and heâ€ll let you know when he doesnâ€t like what he’s seeing. So, I think you can really appreciate that.â€

Nylander believes “itâ€s crazy†that pucks can be shot in that scenario.

“I mean, thatâ€s so dangerous. Like, it should be blown off right away,†Nylander said. “I guess you could argue that sometimes a goalie could maybe try to shake his helmet off or whatever, but I think thatâ€s pretty dangerous.â€

Head coach Craig Berube agrees.

“It’s a tough call. Your goalie loses his mask, heâ€s in a very vulnerable position, a position to get really hurt,†Berube said. “And I don’t think anybody wants to see that — ever. So, in my opinion, blow it down.â€

Stolarz described Thursdayâ€s grind-it-out affair as “playoff-like†because it was so defensively sound and tight checking. Only one goal, a third-period tip by New Yorkâ€s Jusso Parssinen, was scored at even-strength.

“I like the way that we stuck with our game and stayed patient. Didnâ€t try to try to open it up too much,†said Stolarz, who outduelled the mighty Igor Shesterkin.

“Heâ€s one of the best, if not the best. So, for me, itâ€s just worrying about stopping the puck. You see him making save after save, and as a goalie you want to match that and just try to give the team some time to put one by him.â€

Stolarz did precisely that.

No masking who the home teamâ€s hero was on this night.

• Easton Cowan has already thrown six hits and taken seven in just three games, including a dangerous one into the post from Nashvilleâ€s Ozzy Wiesblatt on Tuesday when he didnâ€t have the puck and a late shot from Filip Forsberg during a delayed penalty.

“Heâ€s a smaller guy, but heâ€s not afraid to go in those dirty areas,†Matthews said. “Took a couple kind of cheap hits, the one going to the net, stuff like that, but heâ€s strong. Heâ€s deceptively a lot stronger than he maybe looks.â€

Cowan grinned after it was relayed that his centreman said heâ€d been targeted with a couple cheap shots.

“I think itâ€s just the game,†Cowan replied. “Just get back up and keep playing.â€

Berube and Matthews have both commended the 20-year-oldâ€s ability to handle the physicality of the pro game.

“Heâ€s handled it really well,†Matthews said. “Thereâ€s obviously a lot of big guys out there, strong men, and you got to protect yourself. And I think he does a good job of that.â€

Sure. But should Cowanâ€s teammates be protecting him better?

“Weâ€ve got a power play on the (Weisblatt) one, so you canâ€t react to that,†Berube countered. “You gotta stay disciplined. All scenarios are different when it comes to that. Our team, Iâ€m not too worried about it. I think our teamâ€s going to stand up for each other and get in there. I know they are. They did it last year; I expect them to do the same. But, at the same time, itâ€s situational for me. We got a power play out of it. Power playâ€s job is to make them pay.â€

• Cowan played just two shifts in the third period and not at all in the final 14:17 of action with the score tied.

Berubeâ€s explanation: “Our team maybe lacked a little energy, so I was just trying to find some lines and some energy together. Thatâ€s all.â€

Cowanâ€s 11:47 ice time marked his first time under 14 minutes.

The rookie committed a game-high five giveaways.

• The Rangers still donâ€t have a forward who has scored more than once. Meanwhile, in Anaheim, Chris Kreider has four goals in three games.

• Steven Lorentz, who inked a three-year contract extension over the summer, was healthy-scratched for the first time since joining the Maple Leafs.

“Heâ€s an important player,†Berube said. “We all like him, we want him, but sometimes these are the decisions coaches gotta make — and theyâ€re not easy for the guys that arenâ€t playing.â€

Berube believes the Leafs were coming off their best two games, which just happened to coincide with Lorentzâ€s absence due to an upper-body injury.

Our take: It was too early to sit Dakota Joshua, whoâ€s trying to find his footing with a new club. Calle Järnkrok has been one of Berubeâ€s most productive and reliable forwards. And Nick Robertsonâ€s trade value would only be harmed by a trip to the press box.

• Bit of a sleepy night at the rink, perhaps because the Blue Jays were playing a more important game. Still, the goalie deserves more love.

Not sure why “Sto-lie!†chants donâ€t punctuate Stolarzâ€s monster saves the way “Sam-my!†“Soooup!†and “Fred-dy!†cheers did for his predecessorsâ€.

The big guy committed to this town on a team-friendly deal and has been a stud most nights.

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Every tournament exit has led to questions about his future, but Djokovic said he had no plans to retire and took inspiration from stars in other sports who have defied age to play at the top.

Speaking at a conference at Joy Forum in Riyadh, Djokovic said: “Longevity is one of my biggest motivations.

“I really want to see how far I can go. If you see across all the global sports, Lebron James he is still going strong, he is 40, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40-something years old, it is unbelievable.

“They are inspiring me.

“In the next couple of years tennis is a sport that can be greatly transformed and I want to be part of that change.

“I want to be playing when we rejuvenate our sport and set the new platform that is going to go on for decades to come.”

Leading players are pushing the Grand Slams for a greater share of revenue, while the Professional Tennis Players Association – co-founded by Djokovic – launched lawsuits against tennis’ governing bodies earlier this year in an effort to force through changes.

Djokovic was speaking in Saudi Arabia for the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament, where he and six-time major champion Alcaraz have been given byes to the semi-finals.

There is a reported $4.5m (£3.4m) in prize money on offer, with some players also likely to have been paid seven-figure sums to appear.

Reports say the winner could take home up to $6m (£4.5m).

Djokovic faces Italy Sinner on Thursday night, with Alcaraz taking on American Taylor Fritz.

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WWE fans were enraged when R-Truth departed from the company when they didnâ€t sign a new deal with him. It didnâ€t take long for cries to “Bring Back Truth†to snowball into his return. However, they quickly changed direction for him after that.

R-Truth returned at Money in the Bank this year to take out John Cena. That was a big surprise, and it also appeared that Ron Killings was going in a new, serious, direction.

Things didnâ€t stay serious for long in R-Truthâ€s world. Although he cut his hair and displayed a bit of ruthless aggression like his childhood hero John Cena, he is cracking jokes again and has seemingly moved away from the Ron Killings persona.

While speaking to NYP Sports, R-Truth expanded on his return to a less serious character. He discussed what it was like to step away from his usual character and show a more serious version of himself, returning to the Ron Killings persona. He said the experience was fulfilling but explained why he ultimately went back to his lighthearted approach.

“It felt good. I think everybody has that part of them inside of them they want to let go and just come back with purpose and come back with selfish purposes… just like—it felt exhilarating.â€

R-Truth also acknowledged what fans expect from him. After all, heâ€s made the WWE Universe laugh for a long, long time at this point. Since heâ€s known for his comedic bits, that is simply what he is going to give them.

“But like, when you go back to it, thatâ€s not—those people want to see R-Truth. The guy that made chicken salad out of… you know what Iâ€m saying? They want to see that guy that can take your emotions and make you feel. And the generational connection you had with my mom, my dad, my grandfather, my niece, my nephew, my uncle…â€

R-Truth said fans relate more to his upbeat personality, which connects across generations. “When I was like down and out,â€he continued, “when I was like hitting adversities in life, you made me believe, you made me feel, you made me… Thatâ€s who they miss. I think everybody has that Ron Killings that come out and hit me raw. We all got that inside of us.â€

We will have to see what R-Truth does next in his WWE career. At this point, his fans have certainly proven to the company that they love having him around. However, they might prefer to see him in the way theyâ€ve known him for years.

Although R-Truth did perform as Ron Killings for years, prior to joining WWE, R-Truth built a notable career in TNA Wrestling. During his tenure there, he became a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion and held the NWA World Tag Team Championship twice alongside B.G. James and Konnan. He also captured the TNA World Tag Team Championship and won the 2003 Gauntlet for the Gold Tag Team match with B.G. James. So, heâ€s done a lot in pro wrestling to warrant a serious character, but thatâ€s just not what this stage of his career calls for.

What’s your take on R-Truth’s return to WWE and moving away from a serious persona? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

October 16, 2025 11:06 am

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John Cena’s retirement match caused major plans to be changed by a WWE Hall of Famer.

Last year, John Cena confirmed that 2025 will mark the final year he will compete in WWE as a superstar before officially retiring in December. Throughout his Farewell Tour, he faced the likes of AJ Styles, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and more. After Crown Jewel last weekend, he only has four appearances left before his retirement match.

Last month, WWE confirmed that John Cena’s last match will occur on December 13, at Saturday Night’s Main Event at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Although a final match for The Cenation Leader has already been announced, his final opponent has yet to be revealed.

Throughout his Farewell Tour, John Cena paid tribute to his former rivals by doing their finishers during his matches. Now, it’s one of his former rivals’ turns to honor the 17-time World Champion before he officially hangs up the boots.

Booker T Moves Wrestling Event For John Cena’s WWE Retirement Match

On X (Twitter), Booker T, WWE Hall of Famer and owner of the Reality of Wrestling promotion, announced that he will move the company’s Subzero event to December 20 so that fans can properly support John Cena’s retirement match. The two-time Hall of Famer added that he wanted the wrestling world to come together to watch and honor The Cenation Leader as he wrestles for the final time.

In honor of @JohnCenaâ€s final match taking place December 13th on Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event, we at @TheOfficialROW have made the decision to move our annual winter event, #SubZero, to December 20th. Some moments in this business are bigger than any one show — and this is one of them. We want the entire wrestling world to come together to watch, reflect, and honor the greatest of all time as he takes his final bow. #ThankYouJohn“

In honor of @JohnCenaâ€s final match taking place December 13th on Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event, we at @TheOfficialROW have made the decision to move our annual winter event, #SubZero, to December 20th.

Some moments in this business are bigger than any one show — and this is one… pic.twitter.com/clY9afQm8p

— Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) October 15, 2025

John Cena and Booker T shared the ring several times since 2004, mainly feuding for the United States title. At that year’s No Mercy event, the former defeated the latter in a Best of Five Series match to become the new US Champion.

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Salford City’s supporters have voted to change the club’s primary home shirt colour back to orange.

The Ammies have played in red ever since the arrival of the Class of 92 group in 2014 however they played in orange and black for around 40 years before their arrival.

The club said that 77.1% of fans chose to revert the primary club colour back to orange, with the change set to take place before the 2026-27 season.

The change comes after Gary Neville and David Beckham completed a takeover of the club in May as part of a new consortium which bought out the rest of the Class of 92.

“This landmark choice will evolve the club into a bold, new era by combining our tangerine heritage with modern style to create a striking orange identity,” a club statement said., external

“From the terraces to the training ground, from the park pitches to the supermarket queue – when you see orange, you will know what it means. This is Salford. Proud. Unmistakable.”

The club added that “significant work will be undertaken” at their Peninsula Stadium to update cladding and seats as well as “other infrastructure upgrades that are already due to take place”.

In addition, the club said that a further consultation with supporters about their crest – which was also changed in 2014 – will follow.

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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders was unhappy to learn of the Big 12’s rules against rushing the field following his team’s 24-17 upset of No. 22 Iowa State.

The home crowd celebrated the victory by running onto the playing surface, which will draw a fine from the conference.

“How is it $50,000 for rushing the field?” Sanders said in his postgame press conference. “Wow. Shoot. I’m sorry. Wow, fifty grand.”

Still, Coach Prime said that “I absolutely love” to see Colorado students running out of their seats in jubilation and that the automatic fine “ain’t right.”

The Hall of Fame cornerback called the result “kind of vital” for his previously 2-4 squad.

“Your season could go this way or that way. And the most frustrating part about it is that we’re good,” he told reporters. “And I know this sounds crazy, especially when you say the record aloud, but we’re good, we haven’t really gotten our butts kicked. I take a good whooping. I grew up taking a good whooping, so I don’t mind that, but when we’re losing it with self-inflicted wounds, it bothers you.

“But today, right before we completed that third down pass [on the final drive], we said, guys, this is it. This is game. We get this first down, we’re gonna win. We don’t, we can put it on the defense. Anything can happen. They had two or three timeouts at the time, so it was gonna be tough, but we got it. We persevered.”

A three-yard touchdown pass from Kaidon Salter to Joseph Williams put the Buffs ahead 21-17 in the third quarter, and Alejandro Mata added a 29-yard field goal with 5:13 left in the contest.

Iowa State had three opportunities in the fourth quarter to either reclaim the lead or tie the score.

Rocco Becht threw an interception on a 3rd-and-goal from the Coloado 7-yard line at the 13:29 mark. The Cyclones’ next possession ended in a turnover on downs, and their last drive culminated in a punt.

Colorado also kept the Iowa State offense off the field for the final 3:48. A critical 38-yard completion to Williams from Salter on 3rd-and-16 effectively iced the game.

Colorado’s outlook is much different at 3-4 than it would’ve been at 2-5.

Matching last year’s nine wins will require running the table in the regular season and then winning a bowl game. Three victories from five games will at least guarantee bowl eligibility for the second straight season, something the Buffs haven’t achieved since 2005.

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Inter Miami defender Jordi Alba admits he changed his mind after signing a contract extension with the club through the 2027 Major League Soccer season, choosing instead to retire from football at the end of the current campaign.

“It’s true that I renewed my contract in May, but the conversations were much earlier, and well, maybe it’s true that the time in May, now October, hasn’t been long, but it’s a decision I’ve been meditating on, that I’ve been making over time, and it’s been a while, well, three or four weeks since I communicated it to the team, to the club,” Alba said.

“Obviously, it was a decision that I had to say. I understood that it was me who would share this type of situation, and in the end, well, the considered decision, I think, is the best. Obviously, I’m still physically fine, but I’ve weighed everything up and I think it’s the most honest, the fairest, and it’s also a decision that I made alone.

“Well, it changed, just like you, because any human being changes their mind from one day to the next.

“Mine has been several months, so to be in a place where I’m not going to be 100% or I’m not going to give everything I want to give or perhaps what I should give, well, I prefer to step aside. I think it’s the right time.”

His career will now come to a close at the end of the 2025 MLS campaign, after two years with Inter Miami.

Former Barcelona and Spain left-back Jordi Alba has enjoyed a trophy-laden career. Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Head coach Javier Mascherano admitted Alba’s decision to retire will be difficult for the club, though the announcement did not come as a surprise.

“It’s difficult. We knew it, it didn’t come as a surprise. We knew it a few days ago, both he and Busquets told the group before it was released to the press,” Mascherano said.

“Well, look, sometimes you talk, you sniff things out, but it always surprises especially when a player is in his prime. He’s in his prime. It’s not like he’s passing the numbers, the number of games he plays a year, he has very few injuries.

“But hey, there are also personal decisions. Saying I want to retire this way doesn’t mean I have to reach a stage in my life where I have to get injured a lot or no longer have as much continuity to make the decision.

“They’re decisions; everyone experiences them in their own way. The important thing, I repeat, is that he does it in a very natural way.

“He’s totally convinced, and obviously he knows he could play for one or two more years. He wants to retire and wants to start a different kind of life, and that’s totally acceptable.”

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Alba first joined Inter Miami in 2023, arriving at the club alongside longtime teammates Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi. He formed a part of the team that lifted the 2023 inaugural Leagues Cup trophy, 2024 Supporters’ Shield and helped set the league record for most points in a single campaign.

Prior to Miami, Alba also clinched six LaLiga titles and a Champions League trophy among other achievements across 11 years at Barcelona.

His 16-year career now comes to a close, chasing one final triumph as Inter Miami head into the MLS playoffs.

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