Browsing: prospect

Former New York Yankees top prospect Jesús Montero has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 35.

Montero was reportedly involved in a motorcycle crash in Venezuela earlier in October and had been in a medically induced coma, according to the New York Post.

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The Yankees did not provide details of Montero’s death, but the team did confirm the former catcher died.

For many years, Montero was thought to be the next big Yankees superstar. After signing with the team in 2006, he tore up the minor leagues in 2007 and 2008 and was ranked as the No. 38 prospect in baseball entering the 2009 season, per Baseball America.

Montero hit .337/.389/.562 across multiple minor-league levels that season, vaulting him up prospect boards. He came into the 2010 season ranked the No. 4 prospect in the game, per BA. Another strong performance moved him to No. 3 on BA’s list before the 2011 season. He made his major-league debut that year, playing in 18 games with the Yankees.

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That offseason, the Yankees dealt Montero to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Michael Pineda. It was a challenge trade, as both players were still incredibly young. To that point, Pineda had accomplished much more in the majors, making the All-Star Game as a rookie in 2011.

Montero retained his rookie eligibility entering the 2012 MLB season. He came into the season ranked as the No. 6 prospect on BA’s list.

After being blocked with the Yankees, Montero finally saw a full season of playing time in the majors. He hit .260/.298/.386 over 553 plate appearances for the Mariners in 2012.

Montero got off to a slow start again in 2013 and was demoted to the minors after just 29 games. He tore his meniscus in June and then received a 50-game suspension for allegedly using performance-enhancing drugs.

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Montero reported to spring training overweight in 2014 and played just six games in the majors that year. During the season, he was involved in an incident in which he angrily confronted a minor-league coach. The Mariners shut him down for the rest of the year following the altercation.

He returned to the team the following season, playing in 116 games in the majors. Montero hit just .223/.250/.411, however, causing the Mariners to find replacements in the offseason.

The Mariners also paid tribute to Montero on Sunday.

Montero was designated for assignment by the Mariners in 2016. He joined the Toronto Blue Jays and wound up making the Triple-A All-Star team. But he received another 50-game suspension at the end of the season, this time for reportedly using a banned stimulant.

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He signed with the Orioles ahead of the 2017 season and served his suspension. But he was released after just 51 plate appearances in Triple-A and spent the next few seasons in the Mexican League.

Montero never returned to the majors following the 2016 season. He posted a 253/.295/.398 slash line over five seasons in the majors.

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Nearly everyone wrote Aleksei Kolosov off after a season that was disastrous for all Philadelphia Flyers goalies, but he’s just firmly put himself back on the prospect radar.

Kolosov, 23, was never going to make the Flyers’ NHL roster outright this season after Philadelphia went out and signed veteran Dan Vladar to a two-year deal this summer, but the fact that Kolosov returned to the organization at all shows a renewed commitment to the goal of becoming a full-time NHLer.

That said, through two AHL games, the Belarusian has backed it up with his play.

On Friday night, playing for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms against Ivan Fedotov and the Cleveland Monsters, Kolosov posted a remarkable 35-save shutout – his first as a member of the Flyers organization and first on North American soil.

For those curious, this was Kolosov’s first professional shutout since Feb. 4, 2024, when the 23-year-old made 23 saves for Dinamo Minsk in a 4-0 win over Admiral Vladivostok in the KHL.

Aleksei Kolosov Must Change Attitude Towards NHL, Legendary Coach SaysThe Philadelphia Flyers haven’t fully given up on Aleksei Kolosov yet, but has Aleksei Kolosov given up on the Flyers?

Last weekend, on Oct. 11, Kolosov earned his first win of the season for the Baby Flyers, stopping 27 of 29 (.931%) in a 5-2 thrashing of the Belleville Senators.

Overall, the forgotten Flyers goalie prospect is quietly 2-0-0 on the year with a 1.00 GAA and .969 save percentage after the shutout over Fedotov and Co., stopping 62 of the first 64 shots he’s faced this year.

Again, the Flyers still have Vladar and Sam Ersson, but Kolosov, like Ersson, is in a contract year.

If, for example, Ersson can’t take the next step, and Kolosov even remotely maintains this level of play throughout the season, what do the Flyers do then?

Flyers Brass Not Giving Up On Aleksei KolosovThe Philadelphia Flyers may appear set at the goalie position at the NHL level this year, but anything can happen, and the book isn’t closed on prospect Aleksei Kolosov yet.

As it always has been, the talent is there with Kolosov, and the next step is a matter of consistency.

Clearly, he’s the Phantoms’ starter over first-year pro Carson Bjarnason, and the Flyers won’t be seeing Egor Zavragin for a little while longer yet.

Don’t count Kolosov out just yet.

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After a number of delays, Topps Pro Debut 2025 is set to release on Nov. 12. That’s good for Baseball America readers, as Iâ€m not sure thereâ€s a baseball card product on the calendar that captures the essence of BA like Topps Pro Debut.

You donâ€t buy this set just for the big chases and speculative future value—you buy this set because youâ€re a prospect nut.

This prospect-laden product features tomorrowâ€s stars in their minor league uniforms set against the styling of the 2025 Topps flagship design. And in recent years, when weâ€ve seen prices climb on flagship Bowman to a point where itâ€s almost unattainable for the average collector to get their prospect fix, Topps Pro Debut has quietly been one of the better-value products on the market for prospect autograph chasers.

With autographed cards of Nick Kurtz, Konnor Griffin, Leo De Vries, Roman Anthony and a ton of Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects, this year is sure to be a good one. Letâ€s dive into the latest Topps Pro Debut offering with a complete breakdown of what to expect for 2025.

The Most Famous Names In Topps Pro Debut 2025

At release, the 2025 Topps Pro Debut checklist features 82 of Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects, including all of the top 13. Here are the top names to look out for:

You’ll also find a number of players on the Pro Debut checklist who have recently graduated from our Top 100. So, in addition to the players listed above, be on the lookout for some of your favorites from the 2025 rookie class like, Nick Kurtz, Cade Horton, Cam Smith, Chandler Simpson, Colson Montgomery, Jac Caglianone, Kristian Campbell, Kyle Teel, Luke Keaschalland Matt Shaw.

Jumbo Autograph Relics & The Logoman Chase

A few weeks back, BA’s own Seth Mates broke the story about the MiLB ‘Logo Man†chase cards featured in this set. This is a big chase for this product, and I am compelled to put the jumbo autograph relics set right alongside it!

A warning: If you like texture with your patch cards, this may not be the set for you. Minor league uniforms and their design features are notoriously screen-printed. This doesn’t deter me from collecting these cards, but before you shell out the big bucks on a chase, keep this in mind.

(Image courtesy of Blowout Cards)

We know that there are 28 total cards in the Logoman Auto Relic set featuring 23 total players. There are some big names included in this set, including Marcelo Mayer, Walker Jenkins, Josue De Paula (x2), Colson Montgomery (x2) and Kyle Teel.

The Jumbo Auto Relic set features 27 total cards across mostly the same players found in the Logoman set. MiLB teams are known for a variety of themed uniforms and mascots, so this set has a chance to announce itself in a loud way if the swatches come out looking as bright and fun as anticipated.

New Insert Sets: Drafted, League Elites, Stars of MiLB & Ballpark Promos

One of the fun new inserts for 2025 is Drafted, which depicts each player sketched on a notepad with colored pencils lying over the top. Itâ€s a 20-card set including both Konnor Griffin and JJ Wetherholt. Wetherholt also features in the six-card autograph subset that includes Nick Kurtz.Â

League Elites is another new insert set with an autographed subset. Look for Tigers prospects Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark in the 22-card set, with Roman Anthony and Colson Montgomery featured in the 12-card autograph variation run.Â

One can assume that the 24-card Stars of MiLB set mimics the well-known insert offering from Topps Flagship. Ballpark Promos, meanwhile, is a 16-card die-cut set designed to resemble a ticket stub. Samuel Basallo is your highest-rated prospect in that set.

While the MiLB Legends insert set checklist is limited to 10 names, there are some fun inclusions to look out for, including Buster Posey, Cliff Lee and Chase Utley in both standard and autograph variations.

Who We’re Hunting

Or, rather, what we’re hunting, as I would bet there are going to be some nasty swatches in the Jumbo Auto Relic set. Iâ€ll have my eyes out for Kyle Teel (Portland Sea Dogs), Walker Jenkins (Fort Myers Mighty Mussels) and Carson Williams (Montgomery Biscuits). Sign me up for a game-used swatch of a biscuit with huge googly eyes.

Seriously though, vibrant colors and unique mascots are what MiLB is all about. This set has a chance to produce some special cards.

For the collector who doesnâ€t have the money to shell out for a Konnor Griffin Bowman First auto, the top tier of autos in this set still features Griffin, as well as Kevin McGonigle, Jesús Made, JJ Wetherholt and Leo De Vries. This makes Pro Debut a really cool opportunity to tap into the traditional Topps flagship refractor colors for top prospects at a fraction of the price.

While the top of the crop is plentiful in this product, there are a number of players available who I think have a shot to make a leap up or into the Top 100 next year. Here are some players Iâ€ll be trying to take advantage of scoring some low-numbered chrome: Bryce Rainer (BA’s No. 24 prospect), Caleb Bonemer (No. 71), Slade Caldwell (No. 96), Chase Harlan, Cole Mathis, Dante Nori, Griffin Burkholder, Jack Penney, JD Dix, Ryan Waldschmidt and Tyson Lewis.

Breaker Value & Teams To Target

Topps Pro Debut 2025 is tricky for team breaking because players are featured in their MiLB uniforms. As such, I went through and deciphered every affiliation in the set as part of my pursuit of helping collectors find the best value in their breaks. Iâ€m looking at volume (of inserts, autographs, etc.) and mostly the quality of position players in the marquee sets. For this set, Autographs, Jumbo Autograph Relics and Logoman Auto Relics are my main considerations.

Below, you can find notable teams broken into tiers with value scores:

• Tier 1: Dodgers [3830], White Sox [2904], Red Sox [2501], Tigers [2433]

Surprise, surprise—the Dodgers have volume and quality. Josue De Paula and Thayron Liranzo (now a Tigers prospect but featured here with a Dodgers affiliate) each have two Logoman cards to chase. Throw in a Jeral Perez Logoman for good measure, and the Dodgers have five total. A smattering of De Paula (BA’s No. 18 prospect), Zyhir Hope (No. 21), Dalton Rushing (No. 17) and Eduardo Quintero (No. 56) add a really solid middle layer for Dodgers collectors. Autographs from Kellon Lindsey and Chase Harlan only further the intrigue, making the Dodgers the clear team to target.

Staying at Camelback Ranch, the White Sox come in at number two with five Logoman chases of their own: Noah Schultz, Colson Montgomery (x2), Jacob Gonzalez and Samuel Zavala. A heavy dose of Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery and Caleb Bonemer stoke the collectible flames even higher for the White Sox. Schultz and Hagen Smith round out the excitement as a pair of hard-throwing lefties with top-of-the-rotation potential.

For the Red Sox, Kyle Teel features in the Logoman set with the Portland Seadogs, and Marcelo Mayer joins him. Despite having only two Logoman chases, thereâ€s no shortage of Mayer, Kristian Campbell and Roman Anthony autographs in this product. Franklin Arias also has a healthy offering of autographs as a lower-level prospect who comes in at No. 48 in Baseball Americaâ€s Top 100.

Itâ€s impressive to see the Tigers in this top tier given they have no Logoman chases. They may, however, have the most impressive stash of prospect autographs in the whole set. If you land the Tigers in a break, expect plenty of chances at autographs for Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Bryce Rainer and Thayron Liranzo.

• Tier 2: Twins [1872], Mariners [1569]

The Twins are buoyed by a strong helping of Walker Jenkins and Luke Keaschall—Jenkins being BA’s No. 11 prospect and Keaschall having hit .302 across 207 plate appearances in his debut MLB season. As if that pairing wasnâ€t enough to pique your interest, youâ€ll find a depth of autos in this set tied to Minnesota, including Kaelen Culpepper, who had a solid MiLB season this year by going 20-20 across two levels while hitting .289. Other Twins names of note who signed for this set include Charlee Soto, Billy Amick, Khadim Diaw and Kyle DeBarge.

The Mariners may be the deepest group in the entire set thanks to a strong group of position players who signed for this checklist. Harry Ford features as the Logoman and Jumbo Auto Relic chase. Behind him, Colt Emerson found his way into the Future Cornerstones insert set (which we believe to be autographed) and onto a triple autograph card with fellow Mariners prospects Harry Ford and Felnin Celesten. Jonny Farmelo, Michael Arroyo and Lazaro Montes are all Top 100 Prospects who have signed across multiple sets in this product. Youâ€ll find Ryan Sloan (BA’s No. 64 prospect) in there, as well. Itâ€s not the lack of player quality or depth that finds the Mariners in Tier 2 instead of Tier 1, but rather, the lack of inclusion in the chase sets.

• Tier 3: Cubs [1260], Padres [1175]

The Cubs are a little top-heavy in this product. The primary reason for inclusion in Tier 3 is the Matt Shaw Logoman and Jumbo Auto Relic chases. If Shaw isnâ€t your cup of tea, keep scrolling. Youâ€ll also find Shaw teamed with Baseball America’s No. 55 prospect Owen Caissie and NL Rookie of the Year contender Cade Horton in the Pro Debut Duals and Triples checklists. Beyond that, you can find some lower-level prospects like Ty Southisene and Cole Mathis. Jonathon Long, who hit .305 with 20 homers at Triple-A this year but is limited defensively to first base, rounds out the short list.

Whatâ€s a prospect product without the Padres? Donâ€t overthink this one—this is all about Leo De Vries. And while he was traded midseason to the Athletics, he features in this product with Padres A-Ball Lake Elsinore affiliate. Though there isnâ€t a Logoman or Jumbo Auto Relic to chase, De Vries is across the autograph checklists from base to chrome to insert autograph variations to Pro Debut Duals (with Jesús Made) and Triples (with Joendry Vargas and Sebastian Walcott). If you’re targeting the Padres, confirm where De Vries sits in the eyes of your breaker (Aâ€s or Padres), as he should be a Padre for this product. Confirm how your breaker handles multi-autographed cards with multiple organizations represented. If itâ€s not De Vries, there isnâ€t much else behind him for the Padres in this product.Â

• Avoid: Yankees [136], Braves [88]

Excluding the 2025 MLB Draft, thereâ€s not a whole lot cooking down on the farm for the Bronx Bombers right now, and that is reflected on this checklist (and, no, Cam Schlittler is not included). George Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ top prospect and No. 22 prospect overall, has a base paper and chrome auto in this set. Ben Hess and Bryce Cunningham are two big, bruising pitching prospects who have autographs to accompany Lombard Jr., but overall, the checklist is weak on pinstripes.

Whoever is organizing your break should randomize any Braves hits, as there are no Logoman or Jumbo Auto Relic chases for Atlanta. They have just 11 total cards across the entire 940-card checklist. The biggest card to look for is a Cam Caminiti chrome auto. If you are a Braves fan, skip the group break and go to eBay.Â

Formats, Pricing & Where To Buy

Topps Pro Debut is a hobby-only release, and while last year the product was available in both hobby and jumbo orientations, this year it appears that there will only be one format.

Each hobby box is set to feature 144 cards (six packs with 24 cards per pack) and will have, on average, four autographs. Right now, presales for 2025 Topps Pro Debut hobby boxes are circulating on secondary markets in the ballpark of $150-$200 after initially being made available for $109.99 on Topps.com. It remains to be seen if that price will hold when the product officially drops (and goes up for sale once again) on the Topps website on Nov. 12.

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OWEN SOUND, Ont. — Los Angeles Kings prospect Carter George earned a 29-save shutout as the Owen Sound Attack extended their winning streak to four games with a 6-0 victory over the Barrie Colts. on Wednesday.

Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick Harry Nansi, with two goals, Nicholas Sykora, Max Delisle, Masen Wray and Pierce Mbuyi scored for Owen Sound (8-2-0).

Ben Hrebik kicked out 20 of 26 shots for Barrie (3-5-0-2), which had its losing streak stretched to three games.

SAULT STE. MARIE, Ont. — Christopher Brown had a goal and three assists as the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds defeated the Saginaw Spirit 5-2.

Jordan Charron, Marco Mignosa, Travis Hayes and Quinn McKenzie, with an empty-netter, also scored for Sault Ste. Marie (7-4-0). Landon Miller made 25 saves.

Jacob Cloutier and Egor Barabanov netted goals for Saginaw (2-3-3-1), which lost its third in a row. Stepan Shurygin stopped 28 of 32 shots.

Barabanov’s goal at 7:29 of the second period put the Spirit ahead 2-0.

Charron scored 1:29 later for one of three second-period goals for the Greyhounds. Mignosa had a power-play marker to cap the second-period scoring, while McKenzie’s empty-netter came short-handed.

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There are several Pittsburgh Penguins’ prospects who have been making headlines as of late.

But there is one prospect who has quietly been putting up numbers.

Forward Mikhail Ilyin, 20, is in his fourth season with the Severstal Cherepovets of the KHL. So far this season, Ilyin has registered three goals and nine points in 14 games, and he has continued to impress.

Selected by the Penguins in the fifth round (142nd overall) in 2023, the 6-foot, 180-pound right wing is known for his playmaking ability as well as his hockey IQ. Ilyin has been playing in a league of grown men since he was 17 years old, and he continues to get better and better with each passing year.

Pretty much every scoring play Ilyin is involved in nowadays involves dangling, maneuvering, net-crashing, and elite playmaking vision. The forward – who we ranked 12th on our Top-20 Penguins’ Prospects 2025 List – is certainly showing some NHL potential up to this point.

Ilyin signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins this summer, and he is playing for Severstal on loan this season. He attended Penguins’ Prospect Development Camp in July.

Top-20 Penguins’ Prospects 2025: Don’t Sleep On This Russian Winger
Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

Bookmark THN – Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!

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The New York Islanders have sent forward prospect Calum Ritchie to Bridgeport of the American Hockey League.

The 20-year-old was rather impressive during training camp and the preseason, but due to a lack of an opening in the top nine, especially at the center position, it was unlikely that he’d make the team.

Calum Ritchie Continues Making Waves In Bid for Islanders Roster Spot
NEW YORK, NY — The chances of New York Islanders prospect Calum Ritchie making the team out of training camp are slim — it’s not zero.

Because Ritchie sustained a minor lower-body injury in the Islanders’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Flyers, he began the season on Season-Opening Injured Reserve.

The belief was that when he was healthy, if the Islanders were healthy, he’d be heading back to Bridgeport, where he could play big minutes for head coach Rocky Thompson and a new and improved AHL squad.

Ritchie had practiced the last two days, so it was only a matter of time before he was optioned to the AHL.

Last season, after making the Colorado Avalanche out of training camp, Ritchie played seven NHL games — all on wing — scoring one goal, which happened to come against Ilya Sorokin.

The Avalanche returned him to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals for the remainder of the season, as he was not eligible due to his age to play in the AHL.

He’ll likely get his first taste of that league, when Bridgeport on Friday, Oct. 2 host the Providence Bruins at 7 PM ET.

Bridgeport is coming off a 6-2 win over the Belleville Senators and is 1-0-1-0 on the young season.

Defenseman Marshall Warren is tied atop the AHL leaderboards with four points (two goals, two assists).

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Oct 12, 2025, 12:27 PM ETDemetri Mitchell used an unusual form of assistance when negotiating his move to Leyton Orient. Pete Norton/Getty Images

Former Manchester United youth prospect Demetri Mitchell has claimed he used AI platform ChatGPT when negotiating his move to League one side Leyton Orient, saying that the software has been his “best agent to date.”

Mitchell began his career at Old Trafford, going on to make one league appearance for the club before spells at Hearts, Blackpool, Hibernian and Exeter City.

This summer, the 28-year-old left Exeter to join Orient on a free transfer and has said he navigated the move without an agent, a largely unprecedented move in professional football.

“They [Leyton Orient] sent me an offer, and I started using ChatGPT, asking it how to negotiate a deal, and what to say in it,” Mitchell said on the From My Left podcast.

“This is what I was on last season, moving to London, cost of living, missus is gonna move down with me, my little one. I did think I was worth a little bit more as well, but you don’t want to be like that, ‘Oh, yeah I think I should be worth an X amount.’

“And then, also because I didn’t use the agent, I get that [agent fee] as a signing-on fee. [An] agent might have got me a couple hundred pound more, because in these deals there’s not loads of money going on, it’s not big, big amounts.

“So the agent might have got me a couple hundred more, and then the percent that I would have to pay them, the difference, is going to be eaten up anyway.”

Mitchell also launched a wider critique on agents in football and said that the options for representation open to lower-league footballers leaves a lot to be desired.

“There’s three types of agents,” he said.

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“There’s the agent that works for an agency, who’s just getting a salary, then you got agent number two, who works for a big agency and they’re trying to sign young, up-and-coming prospects and then once you’re not one of them prospects anymore, they’re not interested.

“And then there’s agent number three, the one that’s got their own business, [that are] just money-hungry … So they just want to get moves anywhere and anywhere fast.

“When you’re in the lower leagues, it’s difficult to get a good agent, because that’s all you’ve got to work with.”

Mitchell has played for England youth teams ranging from the Under-16s to U20s and made the preliminary 60-man squad for Jamaica ahead of the 2025 Gold Cup.

He has made eight appearances at Brisbane Road this season but is yet to get his first goal for the club.

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Cameron Grimes (photo credit Wade Keller © PWTorch)

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

The following report originally published 5 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com…

NXT ON USA
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, 8PM EST
LIVE IN ORLANDO, FLA., AT FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY
AIRED ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY KELLY WELLS, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Commentary: Tom Phillips, Beth Phoenix

[HOUR ONE]

-Recaps from last week opened with last weekâ€s Gauntlet Eliminator match, followed with the womenâ€s battle royal and finished with the setup for tonightâ€s mixed tag match.

(1) SHOTZI BLACKHEART vs. DAKOTA KAI (w/Raquel Gonzalez)

Shotzi was introduced first and drove her tank to the ring and howled. Tom Phillips mentioned that Wade Barrett is off again this week, so although NXT is coy about this kind of thing, this was likely taped after last weekâ€s show.

Kai shoved Shotziâ€s face. Both missed some shots early leading to a Kai waistlock. Standing switch. Rope run, Kai missed a PK. Rollup by Shotzi for two. Both women got two counts on rollups. Inverted atomic drop by Shotzi. She dropped her legs on Kaiâ€s midsection, making her wait while she yelled out “Welcome to the ball pit.†Armbreaker by Shotzi, who rolled up Kai again for two. Shotzi tied up Kaiâ€s legs and bridged, looking for a submission, but Kai escaped and looked for an armbar. Shotzi powered out of it and cleared out Kai, then took some shots in the corner. Kai took Shotzi to another corner and leaned in with a boot. Shotzi threw some forearms but Kai knocked her to a seated position and leaned in with a boot again. Suplex by Kai for two; Kai complained about the slow count.

To a corner, Kai threw shots. She leaned on Shotzi with a knee against the ropes, then charged in but Shotzi hit a drop toe-hold. Rope run by Shotzi, but Raquel was waiting. Kai hit a big backbreaker and the match went to split-screen.

Kai missed a pump kick. Shotgun dropkick by Shotzi, followed by a bulldog. Rising knee and a discus forearm. Step-enzuigiri. Shotzi hit a senton against Kai, who was draped on the ropes. Bridging chicken-wing German got two for Shotzi, who sold frustration. Shotzi charged the corner but Kai stomped her with double knees. Slam by Kai got two. She communicated with Raquel and they nodded at one another. Firemanâ€s carry and Shotzi escaped. Action went to a corner and both spilled to the apron and exchanged shots. Kick exchange. Shotzi blocked a pump kick and hit a question mark kick, then hit Sliced Bread off the top turnbuckle onto the apron, after which both spilled to the ground. Good Lord.

The referee headed out and checked on both wrestlers. Shotzi got back in the ring and she ran the ropes for a tope, but Raquel tripped her. Rhea Ripley charged down the ramp and slammed Raquel into the apron. In the ring, Kai went for a face wash. Shotzi moved, then quickly rolled up Kai for the win.

WINNER: Shotzi Blackheart at 13:08.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: Rhea is a surprise when she shows up, just because sheâ€s been so far below where sheâ€s been in the past. Rhea and Raquel doesnâ€t look like itâ€s going to make the TakeOver card, but weâ€ll get a few more weeks of TV out of it. The match here was a second straight very strong outing for Shotzi. This is a precarious position for either talent, who are hovering below the main event scene. Both need some signature wins, but it looks like Shotzi is the higher priority for the moment.)

-Tom Phillips moderated a chat between Santos Escobar and Isaiah “Swerve†Scott, in split screen. Swerve said he was the only one to beat Santos Escobar, and heâ€d do it again. He said previous opportunities werenâ€t fair, but this one will be. Escobar said he hates things that linger. He called Swerve a loose end. He said the match will be fair, and Swerve asked if it really would be. He said thereâ€s always something with Escobar. Escobar says all he hears is excuses, but when it really counts, Swerve canâ€t deliver. Swerve said the reality is that heâ€s adapted to everything in this business. Every roadblock. Heâ€s ready for everything. He said he was going to showcase to the world what heâ€s really capable of, and that Santos Escobar is a fraud. Escobar said thatâ€s the difference between them. Swerve made it about himself, and thatâ€s where heâ€ll fail. Escobar said he built the cruiserweight title in his image. He said Swerve has no respect for his culture, and all of Swerveâ€s showcasing wonâ€t be enough. He said what Swerve calls “a bag of tricks†is a century of tradition, and heâ€ll bury Swerve with it. Swerve said heâ€d like to see him try.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: Not sure why these two have seen so little ring time lately. Theyâ€ve done a great job of selling the match with what theyâ€ve been given, but I have to assume thereâ€s something keeping them from being able to bring it to the ring, beyond the obvious explanation of too little time to go around)

-TakeOver 31 spot briefly promoted the three singles championship matches.

-Another spot like last week hyped the return of a former NXT talent returning at TakeOver. It was lit in green and the talent, with a manipulated voice, rode a motorcycle and talked about going home again.

-Kyle Oâ€Reilly vignette. He said he would still be wrestling even if it was just for five dollars a weekend. He said Undisputed Era was the best thing that ever happened to him, and they were his legit best friends. Adam Cole put him over as a great friend and one of the best heâ€s ever shared the ring with. Cole said being NXT Champion meant more than anything to Kyle. Oâ€Reilly said heâ€d had his sights on Finn Balor for a long time, and theyâ€re finally in the same place. Some videos of old Kyle Oâ€Reilly matches from the indies, interspersed with some shots in the PC, played as he promoted his match. He said if he wins, the Undisputed Era sticks together. This is just the second wave of the golden prophecy, and thatâ€s Undisputed.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: Good hype package, as always, showing Oâ€Reilly in a pure babyface light even though UE are in a very disjointed place right now. Today on the NXT Conference Call I asked Triple H about Oâ€Reillyâ€s push, and he acknowledged that the timetable was being sped up because of the Karrion Kross situation, but theyâ€ve had a singles run in mind for him for some time. I wouldnâ€t be hugely surprised if Oâ€Reilly is the next NXT Champion, but I donâ€t think this will be the match; I expect this match to blow up UE to some degree and for Kyle to get another shot completely free of the group)

-Tegan Noxâ€s legit torn ACL was framed as being the result of an attack by Candice LeRae. The Garganos were interviewed and they said it was karma, really; Nox broke their TV, and Candice tore her ACL. Johnny said tonight the power couple teams up, and their destiny is to become the first married couple to be NXT Champions at the same time. LeRae said it starts tonight, and Sunday, itâ€s finished. Gargano mocked interviewer Sarah Schreiber as she walked off, saying she was so good.

(2) ARIEL DOMINGUEZ vs. CAMERON GRIMES

Grimes, introduced first, said he wasnâ€t in the best mood right now. He said it was all taken away by the Gauntlet Eliminator. He said it couldnâ€t be Regal because heâ€d think of something way better. He said he had an idea: The Cameron Grimes Invitational Stepping Stone to the Moon match. He said heâ€d hand-picked the opponents. Ariel was introduced as Grimes made up a fake name (Joey Pistachio) and attributes for him. Grimes hit an immediate Cave In.

WINNER: Cameron Grimes at 0:07.

Grimes introduced the second competitor, Joey Strong (who had the name “Lockhart†on his gear) but Ridge Holland destroyed Lockhart on the ramp and inserted himself, against Grimesâ€s wishes.

(3) RIDGE HOLLAND vs. CAMERON GRIMES

Holland went at Grimes with forearms, then stomped him quickly and repeatedly until the ref called for the bell. After the “match,†Holland glared out at Grimesâ€s carcass and walked up the ramp.

WINNER: Cameron Grimes via DQ at 0:36.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: It looks like Holland will be a brute babyface, and not heel. Thatâ€s a good thing given the breakdown right now)

-Sarah Schreiber asked Austin Theory about his struggles. Theory said he shouldâ€ve been in the Gauntlet Eliminator. He said it was inspirational that it took Kyle Oâ€Reilly 15 years to get a championship opportunity. He said thatâ€s over half his life now. He said Kyle should be trying to catch up to Austin Theory.

-Kushida vignette. He said it was hard to concentrate with his life in transition when he got here, and injuries set him back, but the time has come to gear up a notch and go ballistic. He said heâ€d explode at TakeOver and dance into the core of NXT. He said the new Kushida is vicious.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: With Kushidaâ€s presentation coupled with Velveteen Dreamâ€s real-life struggles right now, Iâ€m expecting a decisive win for Kushida at TakeOver before we inevitable start asking the question again about what theyâ€ll do with Dream next. Kushida doesnâ€t seem ready for the main event scene quite yet, but can be a realistic and credible opponent for the North American Championship or Cruiserweight Championship as soon as thereâ€s room for a challenger)

(4) KUSHIDA vs. TONY NESE

Beth said Kushida was sick of people mistaking his humility for weakness, and heâ€s done with that. Nese, introduced second, hasnâ€t been on NXT since shortly after the Cruiserweight tournament.

Nese flexed and Kushida kicked him in the face. Another boot to the face. Rope run and Nese put on the brakes and hit a forearm. Slingshot. Action went outside and Kushida put Neseâ€s shoulder into the post. Back inside. Kicks by Kushida. Nese hit a pumphandle to set up a slam, but Kushida, wrenched his arm and slammed down on it. He ran with it again and drove the arm to the canvas. He stomped on Neseâ€s chest while holding his arms, then did the spot again. Hoverboard Lock.

WINNER: Kushida at 2:12.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: Theyâ€re not kidding around with Kushida this time. Hereâ€s hoping he doesnâ€t get lost in the shuffle)

-After the match, a purple filter went out over the arena and Velveteen Dream showed up on the tron. Dream said he always puts on his best performances under the biggest spotlight.

-Backstage, Cameron Grimes was whining and he wanted to know where William Regal was. He stopped cold when he ran into Dexter Lumis backstage, unseen since injury took him out of the North American Championship ladder match. “Do you know where Mr. Regal is?†Grimes asked. After Lumis of course said nothing, Grimes said “Whatever. Youâ€re a freak†and he walked off as Lumis followed him with his eyes.

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of “Wrestling Coast to Coast” with Chris Maitland and Justin McClelland, 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)

[HOUR TWO]

-Adam Cole was in the ring with a mic. He said for three years, Undisputed Era has dominated. He said the prophecy of winning every championship came true. Even more importantly, people in the locker room knew that if you crossed Undisputed Era, youâ€d pay. Then the prophecy ended. People felt the UE changed and they could say what they wanted to them without repercussion. He said they were the same UE that won the first WarGames match in NXT. The same UE who dominated the brand like no one else. So Austin Theory…you want to run your mouth about Kyle Oâ€Reilly? Bring your ass to the ring.

Theory hit the ramp and told Cole to calm down and not be so mad. Theory wouldnâ€t come down the rest of the ramp. Cole said he had two options: fight him like a man, or stay right where you are because he and the rest of the Undisputed Era will make him wish he chose option one. Theory hit the ring.

(5) ADAM COLE vs. AUSTIN THEORY

Cole beat Theory from one corner to another. Mudhole stomp. Knee and a pump kick by Cole. Neckbreaker. Rope run and Theory ducked a pump kick and bailed. Cole followed him out and hit the pump kick on the NXT logo. Cole battered Theoryâ€s head into the apron, then tossed him into the steps. Back inside, Theory tried to catch Cole but he hit a step-up kick and entered. Rude Awakening by Cole for two. Theory, from his back, said he could do this all day.

Another neckbreaker by Cole. Cole tied up Theory in the corner and hit a dropkick. Sleeper hold on the mat and Theory still jawed, saying “Undisputed Crap.†Theory hit his feet and took a couple of shots but ran into a back elbow. Cole tossed Theory into a corner. Irish whip, reverse, and Theory hit a big dropkick for two. The match went to commercial after Theoryâ€s first offensive move.

Theory stomped a mudhole as Phillips said Theory had controlled through the break. Chinlock by Theory, who rubbed his elbow in Coleâ€s face. Cole tried some shots but Theory hit a backbreaker. Standing moonsault got two for Theory. To a corner, Theory charged a boot. Cole hit two back elbows and a pump kick to put Theory down. Step-up kick and a backstabber by Cole for two. Another pump kick and an ushigoroshi by Cole got two. I guess Phillips doesnâ€t know what the move is called either.

Panama Sunrise was blocked. Theory kicked the back of Coleâ€s head. Blue Thunder Bomb got a long two. Theory jawed at Cole some more and the two, from their knees, exchanged forearms. To their feet. Lefts by Theory. Rights by Cole. Rope run and Cole hit a superkick. Theory rolled to the apron. He rolled into the ring and took another superkick. Last Shot by Cole finished. Cole got into the cameraâ€s face and said Kyle Oâ€Reilly was born ready. He said Oâ€Reilly would shock the world on Sunday, but he wouldnâ€t shock Cole.

WINNER: Adam Cole at 12:57.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: I love guys like Cole and Tommaso Ciampa having multiple finishes so they can fail at one and swiftly fall back on the other. Itâ€s another long match with a star and another loss with Theory, whoâ€s winless since his TV return. Even in the case that the losing streak is a sort of punishment for Theoryâ€s role in #speakingout, heâ€s benefiting huge from being in this spot and his ring work continues to deliver in a big way. Adam Coleâ€s heavy endorsement of Oâ€Reilly continues to suggest the two might end up babyface while the other two members of UE donâ€t follow them)

-Sarah Schreiber interviewed Damian Priest and Io Shirai ahead of their mixed tag. Priest and Io, the rock stars of NXT, would take care of business. Io spoke for a minute in Japanese, and then put up devil horns and said “rock star.†Priest fist-bumped her with his own devil horns and said “Sheâ€s cool as hell†to Sarah and walked off. Io said “Heâ€s not bad.â€

(6) KAYDEN CARTER (w/Kacy Catanzaro) vs. XIA LI

Xia still went with her babyface entrance so I guess sheâ€s still got another heelish thing or two to do before the full turn. Quick rollups and reversals to open. Reset. Waistlock, switch, rollup by Kayden for two. Dropkick by Kayden for two. Li bailed. Li tripped Kayden from outside, then yanked her hard to the floor outside. Catanzaro tried to fire up Kayden as Xia went back to the ring and waited. Carter entered and Li stomped her down for two. Xia hit some knees and a thrustkick for two. Li covered again out of frustration and got one. Again.

To a corner, and Carther threw several chops. Rope run and Carter hit a superkick to a kneeling Li. Cover for two. Sunset flip by Li for two. Carter semi-awkwardly rolled up Li for the win. Li sulked in the corner. Carter helped her up, but Li shoved her to the mat. Catanzaro tried to talk to Li but she shoved her away as well.

WINNER: Kayden Carter at 3:23.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: This seems like taking the same step with Xia that was already taken, but I guess they wanted one more week out of the turn. A heel turn might do something for Xia Li, but losing to women on the lower end of the current totem pole with rollups wonâ€t do her many favors)

-Shawn Michaels was in the ring with Kyle Oâ€Reilly and Finn Balor, in an empty arena in low light. HBK said there doesnâ€t seem to be any animosity, and said they could shake hands, which they did. The two put each other over briefly. HBK said Finn was doing his best work and he asked him about Oâ€Reilly. Balor said Oâ€Reilly wasnâ€t a secret to him. He might be a secret to the fringe wrestling fan, but not him.

Oâ€Reilly said Finn was so…good…at stroking his own ego. He said Finn was facing certain defeat. He said UEâ€s success was great but this Sunday is about Kyle Oâ€Reillyâ€s moment. HBK asked about the “elephant in the room,†which was problems that might arise if Kyle wins the Championship. Kyle started getting pretty goofy comparing himself to Adam Cole and Finn made some threats. Kyle said this is the Finn he wanted. Finn said there would be no room for jokes on Sunday. Kyle said this Sunday wasnâ€t just the biggest match of his career, it was the biggest match of his life. Finn said he needed to know the difference between a main event that lasts a night, and a main event that lasts forever. Kyle said that the fact heâ€s considered the underdog is bulls**t. He said Finnâ€s never stepped in the ring with a man like him. He said this Sunday a so-called “tag team champion†would do it again. HBK said Finn, the champion, got the final word. Finn said Kyle was really, really good, and he would be the champion if the belt was on the waist of literally anyone else.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: Kyle has leaned more and more babyface for so many weeks, it was jarring to see him heel from his first comment. Thatâ€s another hint that Kyleâ€s story has a lot more left in it. They didnâ€t have a lot of time to work with for this championship match, but they put some somewhat believable doubt on Sundayâ€s outcome throughout the show tonight and Oâ€Reillyâ€s credibility should continue to get a big boost from it after a probable hard-fought loss that earns Balorâ€s respect)

-Tom and Beth ran down the five-match card for TakeOver 31, finishing with my call for the main event, Candice LeRae and Io Shirai (though I also wouldnâ€t be shocked if it opens)

(7) DAMIAN PRIEST & IO SHIRAI vs. JOHNNY GARGANO & CANDICE LERAE

Gargano & LeRae were introduced first as the announcers asked the question of whether they could walk out of TakeOver both wearing gold. Priest, then Shirai, each got their music played and got revved up on the ramp. They hit the ring and cleared it while the light show was going on. The ref got everyone to their corners to get the match underway.

The men started. Gargano tried to duck, punch and move. Rope run and Priest hit a big boot. Big forearm and shots in the corner by Priest. Irish whip and a huge sidewalk slam by Priest. Gargano tagged LeRae and Priest, who wanted to continue the onslaught on Johnny, reluctantly tagged.

Palm strikes in the center of the ring. LeRae took Io to a corner and charged but ate boots. Candice blocked a German and rolled up Shirai for two. Flapjack by Shirai. Candice collapsed in a corner and Io went in for the kill, but Gargano charged in and blocked her. Priest entered and hit a big thrustkick with Io between them. The Garganos headed outside the ring, and Priest put Io up on his shoulders and she splashed both of them as the match went to split screen.

The women were in the ring upon return, with Candice in control. She stomped Io as Johnny cheered demonstratively on the apron. Candice jawed down at Shirai, who hit a big palm strike followed by a German suplex with a release. Hot tag and the men were in the ring. Lariat by Priest. Charging elbow in the corner. Broken Arrow got two. Gargano slipped out of Razorâ€s Edge and took down Priest, who returned fire with some kicks. The women tagged in and Io took down Candice with some blocks. Candice blocked the Tiger Driver but Io hit the crossface. Gargano yanked Shirai off of Gargano. Shirai knocked Gargano from the apron with Priestâ€s help, but LeRae took control in the ring. LeRae missed a moonsault and LeRae hit a backbreaker and went up for the moonsault. Gargano rolled LeRae from the ring and Priest hit him with a bell clap to knock him down. Shirai hit the moonsault on Gargano and tagged Priest. Priest wanted the Reckoning, but the ref tied up with Shirai, and LeRae hit a low blow on Priest. One Final Beat by Gargano was enough.

After the result, the Garganos took a couple more shots at the champions. Replays played, after which Gargano went out and grabbed both belts so he and Candice could pose with them. He presented the Womenâ€s Championship to Candice like he was proposing to her with it. They held the belts high as the show ended.

WINNERS: Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae at 10:14.

(Wellsâ€s Analysis: The conceit of a tag match where each person can only face one of the other team is absurd, but WWE has gotten a lot better at the formula. There was a lot of pure fun in here and the Priest/Shirai pairing seems like it could have legs if there was such a thing as a mixed tag division. The challengers of course went over heading into TakeOver, where Iâ€m predicting Candice but not Johnny to win gold.)

FINAL THOUGHTS: This week was a lot more polished than last weekâ€s show, where nearly everyone on the roster had a shot to be on TakeOver as a challenger. The build to Sunday has been short and lacking, but as go-home shows go, this was fairly strong and put some new intrigue on a couple of the matches. Then thereâ€s the big question of whoâ€s returning to NXT on Sunday, and Iâ€ve heard every answer from Bo Dallas to Kevin Owens, though I think the pick I like most is Tom Stoupâ€s suggestion of Ember Moon, who never found much footing on the main roster and might be right at home in NXT again, though the womenâ€s division is as crowded as ever.

The in-ring minutes were fairly light this week at 42 compared with the average of about 50-55 (with last week surpassing 70), but the three matches that got time were all worth seeing, so itâ€s a thumbs up this week, with the caveat that I hope future TakeOvers donâ€t seem to take the booking team by surprise.

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Gavin McKenna admits he didnâ€t watch a lot of college hockey growing up in Western Canada.

But the projected 2026 NHL draftâ€s top prospect saw enough last season to know he wanted to play for Penn State.

McKenna met with reporters Monday for the first time since shocking the hockey world in July by announcing his departure from the Western Hockey League to commit to Guy Gadowskyâ€s Nittany Lions.

“Seeing what these guys did last year, making it to the Frozen Four, that was a big influence on me,†McKenna said. “I wanted to come to a winning team and I thought this was the spot.â€

The 17-year-old was already the main man for a winning program.

He finished second in the WHL with 129 points (41 goals, 88 assists) in 56 games last season and was the leagueâ€s player of the year. He led the Medicine Hat Tigers to the WHL championship and Memorial Cup finals.

In his three seasons for Medicine Hat, McKenna had 79 goals and 165 assists.

Now he aims to provide even more scoring and playmaking for the Nittany Lions who return their top six scorers from last seasonâ€s squad that fell a game short of playing for an NCAA title.

“Itâ€s continuing on where we left off and I think Gavin was really adamant about that when coming in and talking about the reasons why,†Gadowsky said. “Heâ€s here to enhance that, not change that.â€

McKenna is joined by new teammates Lev Katzin, Luke Misa and Shea Van Olm, and defencemen Jackson Smith and Nolan Collins who are among the nearly 325 CHL players who have committed to Division I college programs this year.

The NCAA lifted its ban on CHL players in November, paving the way for McKenna and other CHL players — previously considered professionals because they received stipends for living expenses — to defect to the NCAA ranks.

McKenna, living on his own for the first time nearly 3,500 miles from his home in Whitehorse in Canadaâ€s Yukon Territory, has already made a strong first impression on his coaches and teammates.

Gadowsky said McKenna, is a “chill, great hang†while team captain Dane Dowiak called him a normal guy who “just wants to win.â€

Theyâ€ve all been mesmerized by the wingerâ€s hockey IQ, speed and ability to think and react before defenders can get a bead on him.

“He does think the game differently,†Gadowsky said. “Heâ€s a different animal when it comes to that. Not only compared to any other freshman, compared to anybody.â€

But there are areas where the phenom will be tested, Gadowsky said.

Notably, McKenna goes from being one of the older players in the WHL where players as young as 15 can suit up, to one of the youngest in the NCAA ranks.

“Heâ€s going to be playing against guys eight years older that have been lifting weights in a very structured environment for a long time,†Gadowsky said. “Donâ€t forget, heâ€s 17 so there is going to be a transition process, there really is.â€

McKenna is counting on it.

“I think thereâ€s a lot less time and space,†McKenna said. “The guys are bigger, faster, older. Itâ€s not too different in terms of skill and stuff. Obviously both leagues are very skilled and guys can make plays, but in terms of speed and size, I think thatâ€s the biggest difference.â€

Listed at six-foot, 170 pounds, McKenna said he considered the length of the NCAA season a positive and negative when making his decision.

A negative because he loves the game and wants to play as much as possible. Even with a post-season run, Penn State played 40 games last year. McKenna skated in more than 60 games each of the last two seasons with Medicine Hat.

The positive? Heâ€ll have some time to develop physically for what comes after his time in Happy Valley.

“Iâ€m itching to play games,†McKenna said. “With that though, thatâ€s a reason I came here is because less games, more time in the gym. Iâ€m not a big guy, so I want to put on weight and that was part of the reason I came here.â€

Aiden Fink, the teamâ€s leading scorer last season with 23 goals and 30 assists, is looking forward to skating with McKenna and is ready for the extra attention on the program.

“Itâ€s going to be an exciting year for us, definitely,†Fink said.

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In what is shaping up to be a race to the bottom in the battle for a roster spot on defense, injured Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk is, unfortunately, missing out on a big opportunity.

Players like Helge Grans and Noah Juulsen, two favorites for a roster spot due to their right-handedness, have largely flattered to deceive or played poorly outright in training camp and the preseason thus far.

Egor Zamula appears to have plateaued, and Emil Andrae has only appeared in one preseason game to this point; he’ll play against Boston on Monday night.

An underwhelming roster battle has left the Flyers in a precarious position with only a few preseason games left on the schedule, and you have to wonder what a healthy Bonk could have done for himself going against this group.

Bonk, 20, was deemed day-to-day by the Flyers with an upper-body injury on Thursday, along with forwards Lane Pederson and Karsen Dorwart, and has technically been day-to-day since the Flyers’ first announcement on Sept. 18.

Flyers Roster Battles Leaving Much to Be Desired Early in NHL Preseason
Through three NHL preseason games, several Philadelphia Flyers roster battles look far from being decided any time soon.

The 2023 first-round pick was meant to play in the rookie series games against the New York Rangers, too, only to be held out of those before training camp started.

Considering Bonk was also left off the ice during development camp in July to recover from a long season, he’s quietly missed a decent amount of on-ice development with NHL coaches and NHL-caliber players this year.

The timing of it all has been awful, frankly, as Rasmus Ristolainen is expected to miss time well into the start of the season (potentially as late as November as of now)

Given that Ristolainen will inevitably return at some point, this would have been an easy opportunity to see Bonk play a month or so’s worth of NHL games and how he holds up doing so.

The same premise applied to Grans, in a way, where the 23-year-old is no longer waivers-exempt. If the Flyers want to get a real good look at Grans, there was no better time to do so than while Ristolainen can’t play.

By all accounts, it would seem that Bonk is destined to start his 2025-26 campaign – his first as a professional player – in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Most likely, he would’ve spent most of the season there anyway, but you can’t help but feel a healthy Bonk makes this Flyers team out of training camp to glean some valuable experience while Ristolainen is on the shelf.

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