Browsing: defeats

Few WWE Superstars have been as dirty as Dominik Mysterio, but then again, there has never been anyone to proclaim themselves as “dirty†like him. He proved that, yet again, this week as Rey Mysterioâ€s son retained his title on RAW.

WWE Raw went down on October 20, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. The night included a couple of title matches as well.

Rusev has been trying his best to get his footing in WWE since his return. During RAW this week, the Bulgarian Brute had a chance to get his hands on Dominik Mysterio and the IC Title.

This was an interesting title match to watch, especially considering the fact that WWE is toying with the idea of giving John Cena a run with that belt.

This match went down right after Dominik Mysterioâ€s Judgment Day brothers lost their Tag Team Titles to AJ Styles and Dragon Lee. As many would expect, Rusev took an early advantage as he beat Dom around the ring.

This match stretched through a commercial break, and then Penta showed up at ringside to distract Dominik Mysterio. That prevented Dom from escaping. Then Penta got in Rusevâ€s face, and the Bulgarian Brute knocked him out. They returned to the ring and Rusev stopped Dom from hitting a 6-1-9 and using the timekeeperâ€s hammer. The referee was distracted by the hammer and Dom nailed a lowblow, a 6-1-9 and a frog splash to retain the title once again.

Whatâ€s your take on how the IC Title has been booked with Dominik Mysterio? Do you think that Mysterio makes a good champion? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

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Other than a four month reign by Hirooki Goto earlier this year, Zack Sabre Jr. has largely owned the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship scene in New Japan Pro Wrestling after first winning the title nearly a year ago. Since then, Sabre has held the title twice in dominant fashion, headlining Wrestle Kingdom and Wrestle Dynasty and defeating the likes of Shota Umino, Shingo Takagi, Ricochet, and Nigel McGuinness along the way.

Unfortunately for Sabre, this morning his second run came to an end at the hands of a top AEW star. In front of 5,000+ fans at New Japan’s King of Pro Wrestling event in Tokyo, G1 Climax winner Konosuke Takeshita defeated Sabre in 31 minutes to claim the title. The hard fought back and forth match saw Takeshita connect with several hard strikes while Sabre worked over Takeshita’s arm; in the end, Takeshita powered through and hit two knee strikes, including one with his knee pad down, to put Sabre away.

Takeshita didn’t have long to celebrate, however, as he was immediately confronted by Goto, who challenged for the title. Takeshita mocked Goto and the fans, and notably criticized the younger stars in New Japan’s locker room for not stepping up to challenge him. Even still, he accepted Goto’s challenge, though it remains unclear whether the match will take place soon or at Wrestle Kingdom in January.

The victory makes Takeshita, who holds contracts with AEW, New Japan, and DDT, the second AEW star to hold the IWGP World Title in the last year, following Jon Moxley’s three month championship reign in 2024. He will look to add more gold this weekend at AEW WrestleDream, when he and Don Callis Family stablemate, and budding frenemy, Kazuchika Okada challenge Brodido for the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

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Valentin Vacherot closed out one of the most shocking big tournament runs in the history of professional tennis by becoming the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters 1000 title as he roared back from a set down to defeat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and triumph at the Shanghai Masters.

There is little precedent for so many of Vacherotâ€s achievements over the past two weeks. At No 204, the 26-year-old had only narrowly entered the qualifying draw, where he was the second-lowest ranked direct entrant, due to a number of late injury withdrawals. He is also the third qualifier to win a Masters 1000 title in the 35-year history of the format and the first Monegasque player in history to win any ATP title.

“Itâ€s unreal what just happened,†said Vacherot. “I have no idea what is happening. Itâ€s just crazy. Iâ€m just so happy about my performance these past few weeks. I just want to thank everyone who put a brick into my career since the beginning. Sharing this [with Arthur] was really tough, there has to be one loser. But I think there are two winners today, one family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, this story is unreal.â€

Vacherotâ€s performances in Shanghai, which yielded wins over Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune, have been astounding enough but his opponent across the net has made this so much more special. Rinderknech and Vacherot, whose mothers are sisters, grew up together.

It was the 30-year-old Rinderknech, ranked No 54, who convinced Vacherot to compete in the Texas A&M Aggies US college team before turning professional. They have played doubles together on numerous occasions and throughout this tournament, they clearly inspired each other to keep on advancing. On Sunday morning, they warmed up on Shanghaiâ€s stadium court with each other.

Arthur Rinderknech (left) and his cousin Valentin Vacherot after the Shanghai Masters final. Photograph: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

By far the biggest challenge of the tournament for both players was putting their relationship to the side for the day in the biggest occasion of their careers. They had only faced each other once before, with Rinderknech beating Vacherot in a lowly ITF event in 2018, a result that earned the Frenchman roughly $400. Here, Vacherot earned $1,124,380, more than double his entire career earnings.

For a while, as Rinderknech eased through the opening set, it appeared that the more accomplished and experienced player might run away with the match. However, Vacherot gradually worked himself into the match, finding his feet by building rhythm behind his enormous first serve. When he finally generated an opportunity on Rinderknechâ€s first serve, he took it, snatching the decisive break in set two with a searing backhand down-the-line winner and roaring in delight.

By 2-0 in the final set, Vacherot had won five consecutive games and was in full flow. As he desperately dragged himself to the biggest opportunity of his life, Vacherot conceded just three points on his serve in the final set and he closed out his ninth win in two magical weeks with some of his very best tennis.

After Vacherot fired a down-the-line forehand passing shot to seal the win, he shared an emotional hug with Rinderknech at the net. He then scaled his player box and as he hugged Benjamin Ballarat, his coach and brother, tears began to fall. Throughout this week, the two cousins have used the customary post-match camera lens signing to encourage each other. This time, Vacherot had only one thought on his mind. “Grandpa and grandma would be proud,†he wrote

Valentin Vacherot fires back a return. Photograph: Jade Gao/AFP/Getty Images

The two men sat together as they waited for the trophy ceremony, Rinderknech putting an arm around Vacherot, and they both broke down in tears on multiple occasions as they attempted to address and congratulate each other in their speeches. The effort it took for them to break new ground reach this point in their careers was illustrated by Rinderknech rolling off the podium while writhing in pain due to cramps in the middle of Vacherotâ€s speech.

“Two cousins are stronger than one,†said Rinderknech, addressing his relative in French. “You won today, congratulations. I gave it my all. Iâ€m so happy for you, I hope there will be more. I love you so much.â€

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UAE will face Qatar on October 14, 2025, needing only a draw to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup/ Image: X With a dramatic win over Oman, the UAE take a vital step toward a long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup. The result not only cements their position at the top of Group A but also sets up a high-stakes face-off against Qatar, with direct qualification within reach.

UAE beat Oman in World Cup qualifier: How the match unfolded

The UAE national football team staged a resilient 2–1 comeback victory over Oman on Saturday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, in their opening match of the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Oman opened the scoring in the 12th minute after sustained early pressure. Forward Issam Al Subhi unleashed a shot that deflected off UAE defender Kwame Atun, wrong-footing goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and handing Oman the lead via an own goal. Oman controlled possession through much of the first half, applying pressing tactics that limited the UAE’s movement and creativity. The Emirati side struggled to find rhythm, with their attacking attempts disrupted by injuries and tight Omani defense. A pivotal moment came in the 32nd minute when UAE’s key winger Yahya Al Ghassani was forced off with an injury following a promising run. Head coach Cosmin Olăroiu brought on Ali Saleh as his replacement. Despite intermittent flashes of individual brilliance from Nicolas Giménez and Fabio Lima, the UAE went into halftime trailing 1–0. Defensive gaps and miscommunication marked their first-half display, while Oman maintained momentum through sharp midfield control and quick transitions.

Tactical shifts and substitutions spark a turnaround

The second half saw a strategic overhaul from coach Cosmin Olăroiu, who introduced three key substitutes — Harib Abdalla, Caio Canedo, and Yahya Nader. The changes had an immediate impact, increasing attacking urgency and opening up the flanks. In the 72nd minute, UAE appeared to have won a penalty when Ali Saleh was brought down in the box. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned, and play resumed without the spot kick. Undeterred, the UAE continued to press. Persistence finally paid off in the 76th minute. Ali Saleh delivered a perfectly measured cross into the box, where Marcos (or Milos) Miloni rose to head in the equalizer, breaking Omanâ€s resistance and bringing the game level. Just seven minutes later, the comeback was completed. Caio Lucas received the ball outside the penalty area and fired a thunderous long-range shot into the bottom corner in the 83rd minute. The goal, showcasing calm precision under pressure, became an instant viral hit on social media, capturing the joy of both players and fans. The final minutes saw Oman push forward in search of an equalizer, but UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa stepped up, making two critical saves to preserve the lead. His composure in the closing moments sealed the win and solidified his role in the team’s hard-fought victory.

Group A standings and what comes next

This result places the UAE at the top of Group A in the AFC Asian playoff qualifiers with three points. Oman and Qatar, who played out a goalless draw in their opening match, each hold one point. The stakes remain high. The UAE will face hosts Qatar in their next match on Tuesday, October 14. A draw would be enough to secure direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a historic milestone that would mark the UAEâ€s first return to footballâ€s grandest stage since 1990. For Oman, the road is now more complex. With only one point from two games, their path likely leads to the intercontinental playoff, unless results elsewhere swing heavily in their favor.

‘A Nationâ€s Dream’ rekindled after 35 years

The UAEâ€s only World Cup appearance came in 1990, during the tournament held in Italy. Since then, qualification has remained elusive. Under the leadership of Romanian coach Cosmin Olăroiu, appointed earlier in 2025, the team has demonstrated new tactical cohesion and resilience. Olăroiu has managed to maintain an unbeaten streak so far, blending experienced internationals with younger talents like Harib Abdalla and Yahya Al Ghassani. Support for the team is swelling. Thousands of UAE fans made the trip to Doha, turning the stadium into a sea of white shirts and flags. After the wign, prominent voices, including Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, congratulated the team online. “Congratulations to our national team on their well-deserved victory, and hard luck to our Omani brothers†team,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The viral video of Caio Lucas†goal, now circulating widely across social platforms, has become emblematic of the UAEâ€s campaign: focused, spirited, and ambitious. With one final step remaining, the UAE are within touching distance of rewriting history. All eyes now turn to Tuesday, as they prepare to face Qatar, and potentially seal their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Seth Rollins is the new Crown Jewel Champion.

The Architect went into the latest WWE PLE with a lot of questions. Having never beat Cody Rhodes in singles action, Rollins had a lot to prove in this main event match both to his fans and The Vision faction.

The Heavyweight Champion did not leave any stone unturned in his quest, and he busted out a number of high-risk moves to try and put the WWE Champion away.

When the American Nightmare refused to quit, however, Seth was forced to use the object the whole feud was built around – the Rolex watch gifted to him by Cody after WrestleMania 40.

Seth Rollins had hesitated in using the watch he wore to the ring to his advantage earlier in the match. He finally gave in to the temptation and quietly grabbed it from the ringside.

The World Champion first knocked the referee out with a push and then hit Cody with the watch as the Quarterback went for a Cross-Rhodes. Seth then hit his opponent with not one but two stomps to finally pick up the victory.

Triple H came out to award him the Crown Jewel title as well as the diamond ring, and the show ended with Seth Rollins standing tall with Stephanie Vaquer who won the Women’s Crown Jewel title match earlier in the night.

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Tuesday night’s NXT North American Championship fight was over 750 days in the making, as former WWE talent and current TNA star Mustafa Ali took on current champion Ethan Page in a long-overdue opportunity for NXT gold. The night’s contest had Orlando crowd’s hearts in their throats, but when the bell finally rang, Page was the one standing tall, still the North American Champion.

Ali was relentless in his NXT title pursuit from the beginning, with his agile in-ring style overwhelming Page early on. The champion eventually found his footing when he threw himself against the ropes to trip up a top-rope bound Ali, but the match remained into a back-and-forth brawl, where Page’s wily use of the ring’s surroundings weathered Ali’s explosive in-ring finesse to keep Orlando on edge.

Tuesday’s contentious match-up came to a climax when the men took a trip over the ringside commentary table. While Page came out unscathed, Ali’s foot got caught in the table’s equipment wires. Ali’s entanglement prevented him executing a likely match-ending top rope dive, and Page opportunistically capitalized by pushing Ali from the top rope. With an incredible crash to the outside breaking Ali’s exhausted body, Page only needed a Twisted Grin to retain his title.

Ali “politicked” his way to Tuesday’s title opportunity on the recent September 30 episode of “NXT,” where he delivered a passionate promo about his missed opportunity in WWE. Reports have since come out to claim that NXT head Shawn Michaels previously had plans to bestow the gold onto Ali prior to his 2023 release, which came just days before his North American title match with previous champion Dominik Mysterio.

Lexis King and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. appeared in a backstage segment following the match to show interest in Page’s title, but no official challenge has been made as of writing.

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WUHAN, China — Naomi Osaka dropped the first set before rallying to beat Leylah Fernandez 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 on Tuesday to advance to the second round of the WTA’s 1,000-level Wuhan Open.

Osaka was back in the central Chinese city for the first time since 2017 and, in the day’s first match on center court, facing the player who produced a major upset to beat her at the 2021 US Open.

Fernandez converted one of her two first-set breakpoint chances and served consistently. But Osaka stepped up pressure on the service returns in the second set, which featured five service breaks, and finished over the top of the 2021 US Open finalist.

Emma Raducanu, who beat Fernandez to win the US Open title four years ago, was trailing Ann Li 6-1, 4-1 when she retired from their first-round match due to dizziness.

In other early matches, Sofia Kenin edged Anastasia Zakharova 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 to set up a second-round meeting against No. 16 Liudmila Samsonova, who beat Emiliana Arango 6-1, 7-5.

No. 2 Iga Swiatek was scheduled to make her Wuhan tournament debut in a second-round match against Marie Bouzkova in the night session.

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No. 3 Coco Gauff were due to open Wednesday. No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, the runner-up at both the US Open and Wimbledon this year, withdrew from the Wuhan Open citing a left calf muscle injury after winning the China Open title.

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