Browsing: English

Bellingham’s start to the season was inevitably difficult, having had shoulder surgery in July for a long-standing injury he sustained in 2023.

He missed 63 days of training and playing, including five matches for Los Blancos.

In his first appearance back in late September, he was welcomed to the pitch with a huge roar as his return thrilled the Madridistas.

“Bellingham has nothing to prove on Sunday,” said Real supporter Carlos Campillo. “He already does that with every game he plays in and every assist he makes. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone but himself.

Fellow fan Juan Antonio Lillo added: “It’s not a decisive game for him. He needs to keep picking up pace and getting a feel for the game. It’s just one more step towards reaching the level he needs to be at and he’ll get there sooner or later.”

Since Bellingham’s return, he has appeared in six more fixtures in all competitions, slowly increasing his minutes and trying to rediscover his best form.

For much of that stretch, however, his influence was limited – until this week, where his match-winning goal in the Champions League against Juventus reignited the Bernabeu’s belief – and perhaps his too.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team”, Bellingham told US broadcaster CBS after scoring his first goal of the season.

“To score a winner here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important, and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”

Bellingham shone in his debut season at the Bernabeu, scoring 19 goals in La Liga, but his form dipped slightly in 2024–25 as Madrid finished the campaign without a major trophy.

“I didn’t think last year was a disaster,” he reflected. “[It was] still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year.

“There were still good moments, but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play.”

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Pre-match there are plenty of sore heads, which most opt to medicate with a free pint being offered by the Fog on the Tyne pub to the first 100 Truro fans who show up.

Gateshead have the lowest average attendance in the National League, but play in a 11,800-capacity stadium designed to also host athletics events and gigs.

The home stands are almost entirely empty, the temperature has dropped, and teeth are chattering on the away terrace as Truro kick off.

The away attendance is 185, higher than usual, partly swelled by those enticed by the novelty of the journey and the presence of a few neutral groundhoppers wanting to be part of history.

Truro are uncharacteristically electric when the match begins. They deservedly lead after five minutes through Dominic Johnson-Fisher.

After two more goals are disallowed, they double their lead just before half-time through defender Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose father Mark and brother Alex played for England during their careers.

At half-time the away end is bedlam.

But after the break Gateshead improve and score twice to equalise, the second goal coming in the 70th minute through striker Frank Nouble, who played in the Premier League for West Ham at the start of his senior career.

Truro have a golden chance to win it in stoppage time, one-on-one with the keeper to beat, but Luke Jephcott puts his finish wide.

“I’d have taken a point before kick-off, I suppose,” says Sharon Hinds, a decades-long fan who also played for the club’s women’s team.

“I’d be lost without coming to matches. We’ve been tiny for so long but feel like giants now.

“We’re a proper family that takes care of each when things are hard. It’s beautiful, really.”

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IYO SKY has become one of the most popular women in WWE today, all while conversing in a language that isn’t her native tongue. Appearing on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast, SKY shared that even after years of working in WWE, conversing in English is still a struggle.

“Every single day I struggle to speak English… Promos make me so nervous, even only [a] short line, makes me so nervous. Even backstage promos, everything.”

SKY studied English at school in her native Japan, but those lessons only covered writing and grammar, not speaking. Upon joining WWE, SKY enrolled in an English Language course, though that did little to help.

“I went to English school once I get contract with WWE. But [the school was] only 30 minutes in a week or one hour a week or twice a week or something like that. So it didn’t so much help, better than nothing.”

SKY continues to develop her skills speaking English with every appearance for WWE. For the ‘Genius of the Sky,’ her desire is to properly convey WWE’s storylines to even its youngest audience members.

“We are on TV. Behind the screen, behind the camera, has a lot of children [watching.] So that’s why I’m always careful [to] speak proper English.”

SKY’s dedication to improving has been rewarded as the former Women’s & Women’s World Champion is one of WWE’s top women today. Her story shows the importance of perserverance and how SKY continues to strive to be her very best as a WWE Superstar.

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

CMLL “92ND ANNIVERSARY SHOW” REPORT
SEPTEMBER 19, 2025
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO AT ARENA MEXICO
REPORT BY ZACH BARBER, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Do not adjust your screens. This isnâ€t my normal beat, but CMLL presented itâ€s 92nd Anniversario show, its equivalent of WrestleMania. For the first time ever they presented the show with an English commentary team so I decided to check it out. Here are my thoughts.

Production:

As I mentioned, this event marked the first time in its history that CMLL offered English commentary for one of its shows. The speculation per Luchablog is that it was a Triller call which is makes sense given tha=t the English commentary was only available on the Triller feed and not on CMLL’s regular YouTube subscription channel which also carried the show.

From the moment the show started, it was apparent that from a technical standpoint the commentary was thrown together. The show began with the commentators (Veda Scott, Samuray del Sol fka Kalisto, and Miguel Castro) literally testing their mics on air. There were audio blackouts that marred the first 15 or so minutes of the show and happened sporadically throughout. I think this was a function of the commentary having to be patched over the actual audio feed of the show.

Initially I thought the ring was mic’d poorly but that may actually have been an issue caused by this weird audio mix. The other major production issue I noticed – also possibly caused by the audio issues – was that the viewing audience couldnâ€t hear the announcer make ring introduction. Samuray del Sol had to do the intros himself.

Commentary:

Veda Scott continues to be the most underrated announcer in the game. The fact that a major promotion hasnâ€t snapped her up is crazy. She worked her ass off as the glue that held this commentary team together. It was evident from the start that this team came in at a deficit having never worked together before. Veda did her homework and competently conveyed the background of each match to the audience. Samuray del Sol was able to add some color about Lucha and the Luchadors. Miguel definitely felt like a third wheel most of the time but he shined in the Mistico-MJF match.

Arena/Vibe:

Arena Mexico is such a unique and cool-looking venue. The crowd was loud and boisterous for everything including military band/mariachi performance in between the second and third matches. It was wild how much more over “Cielito Lindo” was at this show than a lot of the musical performances on WWE shows.

Matches:

Lluvia & La Jarochita vs Reyna Isis & Persephone

This match opened the show. In addition to the aforementioned audio issues, this match simply wasnâ€t very good. The women didnâ€t have much chemistry and even though Lucha rules are looser, having all four women in the match most of the time was a little much. All of that said, the sold-out crowd in Arena Mexico ate this up. They booed vociferously when Lluvia & La Jarochita got the win. Still, I wish the show had started hotter and I definitely wish the Womenâ€s Division had been given an opportunity to redeem itself.

Villaino III Jr & Hijo del Villiano III vs Angel del Oro & Niebla Roja

An improvement on the first match, for sure. These two teams did battle for the CMLL World Tag Team titles. The use of the Lucha tag rules in this one wasnâ€t as obnoxious as in the first match. The action was solid with both teams flying around the ring and the faces repeatedly going for submissions until they were able to lock on simultaneous swinging surfboards to retain their titles. Interestingly, the crowd was much more on the side of the heel Villiano brothers and actually booed the outcome.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of the “All Elite Conversation Club” with Joel Dehnel and Gregg Kanner, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “pwtorch†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

Atlantis Jr. & Neón, & Mascara Dorada vs. Hechicero & Volador Jr, & Zankodan Jr. – Two out of Three Falls

This was the chaotic spotfest that youâ€d expect from these six. Mascara Dorada is a tremendous talent. He was executing high-flying moves with such fluidity and ease. Dorada scored the first fall on Zankodan Jr. before getting triple-teamed by all three heels and pinned by Hechicero. Dorada got even though, scoring the decisive fall for his team with his beautiful shooting star press on Hechicero.

Difunto & Barboza vs. Títan & Templario – Copa Independencia final

Difunto officially has my new favorite lucha mask. Itâ€s this really cool pirate skeleton thing. That said, this match was good although not as good as the one before it. The commentators were starting to gel more at this point and did a good job telling the story of Títan and Templario going from rivals to partners. This match featured another double pin, which must be a staple of lucha wrestling. The faces going over makes sense given that it seems like CMLL is trying build up this unlikely partnership.

El Felino vs. Rey Bucanero (Hair vs. Hair)

This was the legends match on the card (Felino is 61, Bucanero is 51). Once I realized these were older luchadors, I wasnâ€t expecting much, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Felino was still pretty spry for his age, even hitting a top rope huracanrana at one point. It was still the slowest match on the card though, which it made it stick out, although it wasnâ€t bad by any means.

The finish was both historic yet unsatisfying. Each man kicked the other low in full view of the referee resulting in a double disqualification and, for the first time ever, both combatants getting their heads shaved. Itâ€s just nice to know that bad finishes arenâ€t just limited to American promotions. I did like the added touch of having a professional barber on hand to do the hair cutting, though.

Mìstico vs. MJF – Mask vs Title

As well-worked and incredible as “Hangman” Page vs. Kyle Fletcher, I have to give the slight edge to Místico and MJF for match of the weekend. This was everything you want in pro wrestling. From the moment “Mi Muero” hit, Místico may as well have been a deity. All of Arena Mexico was behind him. MJF was the perfect foil as the nationalistic American heel.

MJF attacked Místico before the bell. He ripped a hole in Místicoâ€s mask and slammed him face first into the ringpost which split him wide open. From that point on, Místico fought from underneath bleeding like a stuck pig the entire time. The crowd would will him to rally and MJF would quickly quash it. MJF reversed an attempt at La Mistica into a tombstone. He hit a package piledriver on the apron and then demanded the ref count only for Místico to narrowly make it back into the ring.

Místico rallied one last time hitting a crazy standing top rope huracanrana and successfully put MJF in La Mistica. MJF attempted to reach the rope, but Místico rolled through and re-applied the hold. This time he cranked it and forced MJF to tap much to the thundering adoration of the crowd. CMLL owner Salvador Lutteroth came out with his son to present Místico with the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title. This was incredible. Excellent work from both men and the atmosphere just put over the top. A match of the year contender in my book.

Drágon Rojo & Barbaro Cavernario vs. Esfinge & El Valiente vs. Último Guerrero & Averno

The rules to this main event were unique. Essentially it was two matches in one. In the first match, three teams of rivals competed in a triple threat elimination tag match. The action was fast and furious. It also gave Último Guerrero and Averno, who are on the older side the luxury of not having to carry a match themselves.

Each wrestler had a chance to shine before Esfinge eliminated Cavernario and Rojo by pinning Cavernario after a 540 Kick. Rojo then fought Cavernario up the ramp to the back. Último Guerrero and Averno were the next go following a double pin off of a simultaneous lung blower and top rope splash.

That left Esfinge and Valiente to battle in a mask vs. mask match. They went around 20 minutes. Valiente worked over Esfingeâ€s arm early. Esfinge mounted a comeback and hit a 540 kick which Valiente kicked out of. He also kicked out of a top rope splash. Esfinge finally got win with a painful looking twisting figure-four into a bridging pin. The show closed with Valiente unmasking.

Overall Thoughts:

I thought this was a very fun show that didnâ€t overstay its welcome. The show got better after the clunky opener and peaked with the incredible Místico-MJF match, although the main event was more than solid. Given the relationship between CMLL and AEW, the exposure of the CMLL talent to an American audience. I think it would behoove CMLL to consider making English commentary a regular feature of their programming so that theyâ€re show is more accessible to a non-Spanish speaking audience.

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FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – The European team moved to within two points of retaining the Ryder Cup on Sunday after Viktor Hovland was forced to withdraw prior to his singles match because of a neck injury.

Per the captains’ agreement, the anchor match between Hovland and Harris English will now result in each team receiving a half-point.

The scoreboard now stands Europe 12, U.S. 5, with 11 singles matches set to begin at 12:02 p.m. local time.

Each team, before the start of singles, has to put a player’s name in a sealed envelope before the start of singles in case of an injury.

It’s the first time since 1991 that the rule has come into effect.

“There is nothing more I would like to do than be out there representing Team Europe and trying to help them win the Ryder Cup today,†Hovland said in a statement. “Not being able to do so is pretty heartbreaking. I will be backing my team as hard as I can and rooting them on.â€

Hovland has been dealing with a neck issue for the past two months and was a late scratch for the Saturday afternoon fourballs session. He was replaced by teammate Tyrrell Hatton, who teamed with Matt Fitzpatrick to win their match.

Europe’s chief medical officer said that an MRI on Saturday night confirmed that Hovland had re-aggravated a prior injury, a bulging disc in his neck. Hovland said Sunday that he was unable to move or flex his neck from side to side.

English, making his second Ryder Cup appearance after qualifying for the team automatically, had gone 0-2 for the Americans in foursomes play.

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – U.S. captain Keegan Bradley isn’t deviating from his plan – even with the Americans staring at a three-point deficit at home.

After getting rolled, 3-1, in the opening foursomes session, Bradley will send back three of the same pairings on Saturday morning at Bethpage Black. The only change is Bryson DeChambeau’s partner in the leadoff spot, swapping out Justin Thomas for Cameron Young. Young, who was in the same pre-event practice pod with DeChambeau, Thomas and Ben Griffin, was the best U.S. player statistically on Day 1, racking up five birdies in what became a 6-and-5 fourballs victory.

“We’re not going to panic,†Bradley said.

Pairings and starting times for Saturday morning’s foursomes session of the 45th Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

The Europeans made Ryder Cup history on Friday morning when they won each of the first three matches on foreign soil. Their 5 ½ to 2 ½ advantage at the end of Day 1 is their biggest lead on the road since 2004.

Bradley’s most surprising move was to re-pair Harris English and Collin Morikawa for another round of foursomes on Saturday morning. Facing off against arguably Europe’s strongest team of Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, the American duo lost, 5 and 4, making just a single birdie on the rain-softened course while the Europeans were 5 under in the alternate-shot format.
The same teams will go again in Match 2.

“They were really bummed out that they lost their match today,†Bradley said of English and Morikawa. “They were eager to get back out on the course, and that’s why we did that.â€

English, who qualified for the U.S. team automatically on the strength of a pair of runner-up finishes in majors, was the Americans’ third-worst player on Friday, losing more than a stroke and a half on the greens.

“I think your natural instinct is to (change course), but we came in here this week with a plan, and the players are prepared for that plan,†Bradley said. “We’re going to stick to that plan and make sure the players are ready to play. We feel really confident about this lineup, and we love all those players.â€

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