Browsing: Rising

Up-and-coming WWE star predicted to follow in the footsteps of Booker T.

There have been several rising stars from NXT who have impressed fans and professionals alike, among them being Je’Von Evans. The 21-year-old has impressive skills that could put up entertaining matches, even against veteran main roster stars like Randy Orton and Sami Zayn.

While still being in WWE NXT, Evans has also been slowly integrating himself on Friday Night SmackDown. Just on this week’s episode, Je’Von put up an exciting tag team match with Rey Fenix against Berto and Angel of Los Garza, even walking away with the victory.

Je’Von’s performance on the brand further showcased that he could compete against main roster talent, and not only that, but he has even showcased to a WWE Hall of Famer that he has what it takes to be a notable wrestling legend like Booker T when the time comes.

WWE Hall Of Famer Mark Henry Sees Je’Von Evans As A Future Booker T

In the recent episode of the Busted Openpodcast, Mark Henry recalled Je’Von’s match on WWE SmackDown and praised the young star and his recent match with Rey Fenix. The Hall of Famer shares that Evans has a bright future as seen from his expression, charisma, and how he captivates the audience.

Je’von Evans is going to be shining in the future when you see some of these guys that are older start to get away from the business. Je’Von Evans is exciting. It’s his energy. It’s his expression. It’s his ability to make you feel. And that’s just charisma and an innate ability to make you care. The match that he had, he and Fenix, they need to have more matches like that.”

Mark Henry added that despite all this, he prefers not to involve the 21-year-old in any WWE title picture now and just focus on his growth and character. The veteran then added that Evans has the potential to be like Booker T or even Sami Zayn.

I’m not ready for him to get in there, in the championship category. You gotta let him grow into the guy that he’s gonna be. He’s got the potential to be a Booker T, a Sami Zayn. Imagine when he grows up and he’s got that grown man feeling inside. Let’s revisit this conversation in a year from now. Let’s see where Je’Von Evans is. The future is really, really bright.”

In other news: Booker T breaks his silence on the controversial Jade Cargill comments.

Source link

CHICAGO — When it comes to his plans for the Chicago Blackhawks, general manager Kyle Davidson is focused on the growth and maturation of the organization’s top prospects. That group includes a total of 11 first-round picks since the 2022 draft.

Such is life these days for the NHL’s rebuilding teams, looking to chart a course back to the playoffs in a league with a rising salary cap. Financial flexibility — when it comes to free agency, or using cap space to facilitate a trade — isn’t what it used to be, putting an even bigger emphasis on player development.

“(Free agency) is something thatâ€s definitely a tool in our toolbox in roster building,†Davidson said. “But I think the main one has to be and will be growing from within and building from within.â€

The salary cap for this season is $95.5 million, up from $88 million. It goes up to $104 million for the 2026-27 season and $113.5 million in â€27-28. Making the most of the NHL’s healthy financial outlook, many of the league’s top teams retained their best players this summer.

Mitch Marner went from Toronto to Las Vegas in a sign-and-trade deal before free agency started, and Nikolaj Ehlers waited until July 3 before agreeing to a $51 million, six-year contract with Carolina. But depth pieces made up most of the free agent market.

Kirill Kaprizov agreed to a $136 million, eight-year contract with Minnesota that was announced on Tuesday. The 28-year-old Kaprizov could have hit free agency after this season, but the talented forward stayed with the Wild for a record-setting deal.

“You saw it this summer,†Columbus general manager Don Waddell said. “Summers before youâ€d always have seven, eight, nine teams that had to move money to get under the cap. You didnâ€t see that this summer. … I think going forward youâ€re going to see less free agency. Youâ€re going to see teams locking up their own players if they can.â€

• 
• 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

A diminished level of free agency puts the NHL’s non-playoff teams in the same boat, facing even more pressure to grow their own stars.

“Ultimately, for teams in our situation, I think you need those young players coming in to build that core,” Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman said.

Developing those young players goes beyond the organization, stretching to its draft picks on college, junior and international club teams. Anton Frondell, an 18-year-old forward who was selected by Chicago with the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, is staying in Sweden this season, and Vaclav Nestrasil, another first-rounder for the Blackhawks, is playing for the University of Massachusetts.

When it comes to their prospects in other programs, NHL teams stay in close contact with their players and the coaching staffs on their teams. It doesn’t sound as if Davidson and the Blackhawks have any plans to alter their approach even with their development focus.

“We let the player, weâ€re an input into their decision-making process, and then we let them go,†Davidson said. “And then once theyâ€re in an environment, in a program, we try and work with and alongside the coaching staff, because what we donâ€t want is our player to be put in the crosshairs or at an intersection of our direction and the coaching staff direction with where theyâ€re at, and then the player has just got a million things in their head.”

Technology has become a major part of player development across the NHL. The Blackhawks use an internal app to share video, tips and other information with their current players and the prospects in their system. Davidson described the Blackhawks as “actively investigating†how it can use artificial intelligence within the organization.

“Weâ€re working on that,” Waddell said. “Weâ€ve actually brought it in this year to our prospects and add some AI tests and so forth to find out. But I donâ€t think itâ€s any secret. Other teams are doing it, too. But I think with AI coming and with your analytics department … the two could be tied together where it may help in certain areas.”

Source link

When Ottawa Senators prospect Stephen Halliday arrives at a new level, he seems to figure things out quickly. At every level he moves up to — whether it’s the USHL, the NCAA, or the AHL — he’s found a way to not only stick with the club, but to thrive, moving quickly to the top of his team’s scoring list. That’s part of what makes the 23-year-old forward so intriguing as he pushes toward the NHL.

Halliday doesnâ€t come with the prospect status of, say, a Carter Yakemchuk, the Senators†2024 first-round pick. But he’s not far off. With his size (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) and skill, he checks off a lot of boxes, and he’s also got a history of quickly figuring things out at each level.

Back in 2021–22, a few months shy of his 20th birthday, Halliday put up 95 points in 62 games for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. But because he was an older junior player who had been passed over in two NHL drafts, those were red flags. The Senators’ scouting still liked him, though, and by the fourth round of the 2022 draft, they decided to book some Halliday time.

Halliday went on to lead Ohio State in scoring for two straight seasons, then did the same in his first full year with Belleville last season, collecting 51 points in 71 games. Each time heâ€s climbed a rung, heâ€s found a way to adjust, then take over.

Now, the biggest challenge lies ahead: carving out a place in the NHL.

Halliday gave fans a glimpse of that potential on Sunday afternoon in Quebec City, when the Senators blanked the New Jersey Devils 2–0 in preseason action. With the game scoreless late in the third period, he broke through with a perfectly placed snap shot that beat Devils goalie Georgi Romanov high to the glove side.

“Yeah, Timmy kind of drove the middle, and I was just kind of trying to be there if there was a rebound. And then a guy poked it to me, and then I just kind of shot it.â€

Halliday’s Late Power Play Goal Leads Ottawa Senators Past Devils 2-0
The Ottawa Senators improved their preseason record to 2–1 on Sunday afternoon with a 2–0 victory over a New Jersey Devils split-squad at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City.

Halliday made it sound like a lucky shot, and maybe it was. But his release was quick and decisive, the kind of finish NHL coaches notice. That said, Senators head coach Travis Green is always careful not to give a player too much public praise.

“Heâ€s a smart player,” head coach Travis Green said after the game. “Heâ€s got good hands. Heâ€s big. Heâ€s got good hockey sense.

If you sensed a ‘but’ coming, you’d be right.

“Heâ€s still adapting to the pace of the league. Heâ€s had a few days where heâ€s tired. But heâ€s hanging in there.â€

Greenâ€s message was clear: thereâ€s still work to be done. Halliday is aware of that, but right now, he says he feels great.

“I feel like I am making more plays, more confident,” Halliday said. “The D-zone, I think, was a big thing for me, just making sure Iâ€m strong on pucks. Iâ€ve been working on that a lot and just kind of taking it day by day. So Iâ€m really happy with my game so far.â€

Halliday is still a little shy when the microphones come out, but after Sundayâ€s win, he lit up when talking about Thomas Chabot, who suited up in his hometown region of Quebec City.

“Yeah, you can just see how cool the city is, and he’s been showing us around and taking us to cool spots, and we went golfing on his golf course on our off day. So it means a lot for a guy like me who’s just coming up here.

“So it was really cool and we’re really happy to get that (win) for Chabby.”

Looks like we can check off the “great teammate” box as well.

Halliday’s rise to the next level might not happen this fall, but his day is coming. And if the Sens decide to let him cook some more at the AHL level, he’s going to be a handful down there, and a nightmare for opposing goalies.

More Sens Headlines From The Hockey News Ottawa:
Why Wasn’t Sunday’s Senators-Devils Game On English Radio Or TV?
After Barkov Injury, Atlantic Division Suddenly Feels Up For Grabs
Former Senator Josh Norris Embraces New Opportunity To Prove Himself
Will This Be Shane Pinto’s Breakout Year With The Senators?
Drake Batherson Joins Ottawa Senators List Of Preseason Injury Concerns
After Two Broken Clavicles, Kaliyev Targets Capital Comeback

Source link

Ben Danford is getting more and more confident as Toronto Maple Leafs training camp rolls on.

After the 19-year-old missed the entirety of last yearâ€s camp with a concussion, which he suffered during Torontoâ€s rookie camp, heâ€s entered this season with the belief that his game has taken a step forward.

Danford has played four games thus far, dating back to the Prospect Showdown in Montreal. And after every game, the coach (Marlies bench boss John Gruden or Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube) has spoken glowingly about his play.

“I thought Danford played a good, solid hockey game,†Berube said after Torontoâ€s opening pre-season win against the Senators on Sunday. “Itâ€s not a flashy game by any means, but itâ€s just, first-pass, defending well, plays a hard game. Pretty much mistake-free. It was impressive.â€

Danfordâ€s last appearance came in Torontoâ€s 3-2 overtime loss to the Senators on Tuesday night. The defenseman had 15:55 of ice time, the lowest among players on the teamâ€s back-end. However, he was playing with the Maple Leafs†regulars, including Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev, whom Danford got to train with this summer.

“He just had a good attitude. He worked hard, and heâ€s a great skater. He was just doing everything that I was doing, and it was a good skate,†Rielly told The Hockey News of skating with Danford.

“I think itâ€s nice when you’ve got a guy like that thatâ€s motivated and has something on his mind that he wants to go out and prove. And I mean, he looks great, so I think heâ€s doing an outstanding job.â€

Maple Leafs See Big Growth In Easton Cowan As Craig Berube Praises His Simplified Game
Has Easton Cowan done enough through two preseason games to warrant serious consideration for the clubâ€s opening lineup? While it may be too early to judge, Toronto Maple Leafs top prospect is making a strong case by doing all the right things.

Danford hasnâ€t been shy to voice that Rielly and Tanev are players he admires. “Iâ€ve looked up to (Tanev) for quite a few years now. I feel like thatâ€s someone I can really learn off of,” the young defenseman said.

To skate with those players during a summer training is one thing. To get into game action with them during the pre-season is another. Itâ€s a huge step for Danford, and he understands that.

“Last year, I didnâ€t get the full experience, so to get into a game with all those guys was really cool,†Danford said on Wednesday. “Last year, I didnâ€t really get to be around them that much, just having the injury. So to get to know them, play in a game with them, be on the ice with them in practice, theyâ€re all great guys.â€

‘We’re All Here For Him’: Maple Leafs React To Joseph Woll Taking A Personal Leave of Absence, Lend Support
The Toronto Maple Leafs revealed some unexpected news on Tuesday when they announced that goaltender Joseph Woll had stepped away to deal with a personal family issue.

Thereâ€ll be plenty of memories from Danfordâ€s first game inside Scotiabank Arena. The fans and the atmosphere will surely be the number one thing. Heâ€ll also remember returning to the bench and hearing the positive feedback from the Maple Leafs†top defenders as well.

“All the guys I played with on the back-end (Rielly, Tanev, Brandon Carlo, Jake McCabe, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson), you come off for a shift and you had a good one, and theyâ€ll make sure to let you know,†Danford said.

“Theyâ€re really good at being positive. That definitely helped last night. They were really positive when I made a good pass. That definitely helped my confidence throughout the game. They did a great job, and I look up to them.â€

On Wednesday, Rielly reflected on when he was a young defenseman trying to make a name for himself in the league. He earned a full-time role with the Maple Leafs in the fall of 2013, following a season which was split between the WHLâ€s Moose Jaw Warriors and the AHLâ€s Toronto Marlies.

“Itâ€s a strange feeling. You come in here and youâ€re trying to make the team. Youâ€re essentially trying to take someoneâ€s job and trying to prove yourself and start your career,†the 31-year-old said.

“It can be a little bit strange. You donâ€t have a ton of communication with the coaching staff, just because thereâ€s lots happening. And so you just try to come in every day and work hard and perform and execute and do whatâ€s asked of you. And I think all our young guys are doing that, so itâ€s been good to see.â€

‘My Goal Was To Leave No Stone Unturned’: How Morgan Rielly’s Summer Could Set Him Up For Success With Maple Leafs
Shortly after the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in May, Morgan Rielly and general manager Brad Treliving sat down to review the year.

As Rielly watches Danford, he sees a younger version of himself: a prospect with plenty of upside, whoâ€s just trying to navigate the early goings of his hockey career. And even when Rielly is preparing for a massive season ahead personally, he sees the importance of guiding Danford along.

“I think you just want to support your teammates. But also for a young guy, you want him to build confidence, and you also want to make him feel good about himself. Itâ€s not easy being in that position. Iâ€ve been there,†Rielly said.

“Iâ€ve had relationships with guys that are very supportive, and Iâ€ve had relationships with guys that are kind of s****y to you. You look back at those, and I donâ€t want to be one of those guys. I want to be someone that can support the young guys, and heâ€s doing a great job for us. I think all of us, between O (Ekman-Larsson), myself, Caber (McCabe) and Tany (Tanev), weâ€re just really impressed with him, so I think itâ€s worthwhile to tell him.â€

Danford added, “Iâ€m just trying every day here at training camp. Trying to put my best foot forward, not overdo things. Just take it day by day. And to hear that, itâ€s obviously great feedback, but I just got to keep rolling, just keep taking it day by day, keep getting better every day.â€

‘The Issue Has Been The Number’: Maple Leafs, Anthony Stolarz’s Camp Reportedly Continue Going Back And Forth In Negotiations
With just over two weeks until the beginning of the regular season, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Anthony Stolarzâ€s camp are reportedly still grinding away at getting a deal done.

Itâ€s not often you get a defensive prospect who makes this much of an impression at camp, especially at his first. He has another year of junior under his belt after being picked in the first round (31st overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. But still, it usually takes a defender several years to develop into a meaningful player at the NHL level.

Danford might have another season with the OHLâ€s Oshawa Generals coming up, but he might be a step closer to the NHL than previously thought.

“Hockey IQ and feet,†said Berube, of why Danford has fit so seamlessly into the teamâ€s game. “I watch him play; he just knows what heâ€s doing. He knows where the puckâ€s going. Heâ€s simple. He doesnâ€t overcomplicate it.

“Iâ€m not saying he doesnâ€t ever, but for the most part, he sees the outlet, makes the play, and heâ€s a good defender. He plays with a little bite, too, like heâ€s a physical guy and plays with some edge. But I love his feet, and I love that his headâ€s up all the time seeing the play, and heâ€s a pretty smart player.â€

Maple Leafs’ Nick Robertson Credits John Tavares For Lessons On Recovery
Nick Robertson had a standout performance in the Toronto Maple Leafs†first scrimmage on Saturday, scoring the only two goals of the session. While it may have been just a scrimmage, this kind of success is a welcome boost for the 24-year-old, who is fighting to earn a consistent spot in the lineup.

Source link

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

Welcome everyone!

After a week away AEWâ€s Rising and Fading Stars returns with a post-All Out Toronto edition.

Oh boy do I have a lot to say about something specific. AEWâ€s All Out fallout episode of Dynamite is almost here. So letâ€s fire up the list and go!

Rising Star of the Week

Kris Statlander

• AEW Original
• Won 3 out of last 4 Four-Way matches
• On Dynamite and/or Collision every week.

Kris Statlander is a staple of AEW television and has been for years. With what this column is, Stat has to be at the top of the list. The new AEW Womenâ€s Champion pinned Toni Storm clean in the middle of the ring to become champion.

This came out of nowhere, but sometimes thatâ€s the best part of pro wrestling. It came out of nowhere because of the fact there were four total women in this match. Prior booking has told us that even if Toni Storm was losing the title, she wouldnâ€t be in the finish. Stat pinning Storm really makes this a big deal.

So going forward they need to clarify if Stat is a member of the Death Riders or not. Stat using Wheeler Yutaâ€s move means that story is not finished. Honestly, this part makes her becoming champ really interesting. Having Stat slowly turn works for me because by her third or fourth defense, she should have the entire Death Riders helping her retain the title.

Her first feud appears to be with the former champion Storm with how the match concluded. With Storm looking like sheâ€s close to becoming unhinged again. That against a becoming heel Stat with the Death Riders lingering behind her could make for a really good feud.

1st Runner Up: Kyle Fletcher

• Current TNT Champion
• 1st AEW PPV Main Event
• (Sort of) Dominated the AEW World Champion during their match

Say his full name! Kyle Fletcher has made himself into a main event player so quickly. Fletcher has been with the Don Callis Family for almost two years but really turned into this current Kyle Fletcher less than a year ago in October after AEW WrestleDream.

So to go from a tag team wrestler and a guy that looked like a young Will Ospreay clone to one of the most over heels in the company has been amazing. His turning on Ospreay and then losing the feud could have hurt Fletcher but it didnâ€t. After that Fletcher went on to feud with, and in storyline take out, Adam Cole before capturing the TNT Title.

Again, Fletcher won in losing at All Out. This will not be his last shot at the AEW World Title, but I will say it here he will win his next shot at that same title. Fletcherâ€s best years are still to come and Iâ€m really glad he is in AEW.

Fletcher now just needs to be a dominant TNT Champion who is defending his title weekly or biweekly. Make him the main event of Collision each week. It will help establish him and give you a solid to really good TV main event each week. Just an idea if you are reading this TK! (sarcasm)

Honorable Mention: The Jurassic Express

Okay, I am someone who was a little tired of this duo by the time they broke up, but putting them back together and having Jack Perry as a face truly closes the door on the C.M. Punk era. The fans are welcoming Perry so they are over it as am I. AEW is better just being its quirky violent (more on that) self than worrying about the other wrestling companies.

This also just adds to the tag team world and they are former AEW Tag Champs so they are instantly credible. Also, if that crowd on Saturday was any indication they are going to be over big with the crowd, again. (“Oh oh oh oh oh ohhhh oh oh!”)

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of “Wrestling Night in America,” 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)

Fading Star of the Week

• AEWâ€s over-the-top violence

This really should be on the Rising Star list, considering the things that were allowed to happen on Saturday afternoon. How violent is too violent? All Out gave you that answer AEW as you had a better part of 12,000 fans chanting “This is murder!†during the Darby Allin and Jon Moxley match. Funny enough (sarcasm again) it got even worse from there.

AEW has always been violent, it has always been a part of its appeal during the very polished WWE days. Itâ€s obvious TK has a love of ECW. The issue is the last 16 months it has gotten out of control. AEWâ€s All Out history now has back-to-back years where a plastic bag was placed over someoneâ€s head. This is not something that needs to be on pro wrestling. It doesnâ€t add drama because the characters in these worlds whom we try to lose ourselves in do not get killed off. Unless you are Lucha Underground, which was a different type of pro wrestling world. You and I both know that.

Had the two plastic bag spots been the worst thing AEW had done in the last year, then maybe I would give them a pass.

So letâ€s talk about fire in the world of pro wrestling. We had MJF threaten to light Mark Briscoe on fire on TBS, when we all knew he would not do it, which made the entire thing just campy and hack. Then we just had Darby light Mox on fire at All Out. Mox isnâ€t even the first wrestler Darby set on fire. Darby has set Jack Perry on fire at Double or Nothing in May 2024 and then at AEW Blood & Guts two months later he threatened to set Perry on fire again. Itâ€s too much. Regardless if Darby is one of the only pro wrestling characters who could pull this off.

So over the last 16 months, AEW has crossed the line for a company thatâ€s on national television. Then, to debut on the brand new HBO Max PPV and you do what Darby did to Mox, I think, just shows a lack of understanding your bigger fan base. Also itâ€s the first live PPV EVER on HBO Max not just their first PPV on the platform.

Remember they werenâ€t chanting “This is awesome!” they were chanting “This is murder!” That should show TK how this did not land the way, I assume, Mox and Darby wanted it to land. It makes me worried for Mox and the Death Riders response to this.

Also, I should say that I am a huge horror movie fan. Itâ€s the genre my wife and I watch the most of. I say that to show that Iâ€m not opposed to violence in my TV shows or movies. I just donâ€t want something like that in my pro wrestling.

I am also writing this as a huge fan of Darby Allin and Jon Moxley. Both are such unique humans who have overcome a lot in their lives. I am just over the CZW style of violence.

Did you know you can read an ad-free, silky-smooth-loading version of this website with a PWTorch VIP Membership?

Also, unlock 35+ years of archives including nearly 2,000 PWTorch Weekly Newsletters dating back to the late 1980s, hundreds of retro radio shows from the 1990s, and two decades of podcasts including Post-PPV Roundtable Podcasts dating back to the mid-2000s. Plus, new VIP-exclusive articles and podcasts throughout the week, fully compatible with the native Apple Podcasts app.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON VIP MEMBERSHIP

Source link

WorldofVolley :: Men’s World Championship in the Philippines: Surprises, Setbacks, and Rising Teams – WorldOfVolley By continuing to use the…

The Buffalo Sabres are facing a massive amount of pressure as they try to end the team’s 14-year Stanley Cup…

Image credit: Edward Florentino (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Most freshly-signed prospects spend years grinding in the…

Sean AllenSep 12, 2025, 05:00 AM ETCloseSean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He…

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.With more talent in the system than…