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- PGA Tour returns to Austin with ‘Good Good’ as title sponsor
- AEW’s Mercedes Mone Wins 12th Title One Day After Breaking Record At WrestleDream
- Joining PWHL Vancouver a homecoming for forward Hannah Miller
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- Fred Couples’ downswing thought? He says it’s really only five words
- Karrion Kross Details How ‘Dignity & Self Respect’ Factor Into Negotiations With WWE
Browsing: role
AEW rescinded plans for a former WWE star, highlighting AEW’s fan-driven booking.
Max Casterâ€s rise as a solo competitor in All Elite Wrestling forced the creative team to scrap plans for a tag-team reunion, leading to the effective removal of former WWE star Billy Gunn from his role alongside The Acclaimed. Caster earned unexpected crowd support as a babyface after a challenge on AEW Dynamite, prompting AEW President Tony Khan to shift course.
Fightful Select revealed that the reunion of The Acclaimed was never in the original roadmap; instead, Caster and Anthony Bowens were slated to pursue individual storylines. Casting aside Billy Gunn, who had joined The Acclaimed as an honorary partner, marked a clear end to his on-screen presence with the team. Gunn, a WWE Hall of Famer known for Road Dogg and D-Generation X, saw his role reduced as Casterâ€s momentum grew.
AEW initially planned separate pushes: Bowens aiming for singles glory and Caster exploring a gritty, heel persona. However, fan reaction to Casterâ€s babyface turn far exceeded expectations, climbing social media and live-event polls. This audience response led AEWâ€s creative team to prioritize momentum over the original blueprint. Reports indicate that Gunnâ€s segments were quietly written off TV, with no future television appearances scheduled alongside The Acclaimed.
WWE Star Off TV Due to Unexpected Fan Reaction
AEWâ€s pivot reflects a broader trend of responsive storytelling, where audience engagement can override preplanned angles. Casterâ€s breakthrough began with backstage vignettes that showcased his charisma and in-ring skill, generating chants and merchandise buzz. As fans rallied behind ‘Platinum Max,’ AEW had to choose between loyalty to an established star and capitalizing on fresh heat, and Tony Khan opted for the latter, confirming that Gunn would no longer be featured in The Acclaimedâ€s storylines.
Bowens and Caster reunited as a duo to chase the AEW World Tag Team Championship. Their recent victory at Collision cemented their status, illustrating the benefits of agile booking. Meanwhile, Gunnâ€s absence remains unexplained on air; his focus seems to shift to backstage coaching and occasional commentary roles.
If this is the end of the road, thank you Billy Gunn for 34 years of greatness. What a career. pic.twitter.com/UT6PDDSt3o
— 🉠(@JustinsFrame) July 23, 2023
While some viewers lament the loss of the veteranâ€s presence, most agree that the decision underscores AEWâ€s commitment to elevating rising talent. Fans can expect The Acclaimedâ€s push to continue without Billy Gunn as they target new milestones and rivalries in AEW.
MROE: Devastating Update On 3-Time WWE Titleholder Currently On Indefinite Injury Hiatus
LOS ANGELES — It takes just four words on repeat and a thumping beat to electrify Dodger Stadium.
Báilalo, Rocky. Suéltale, Rocky. Dance, Rocky. Let loose, Rocky.
It wasn’t long ago that the ninth inning was a time of apprehension for the Dodgers, who experienced the extremes of bullpen volatility this year. They were walked off in four of their last seven regular-season losses, and the other three were charged to relievers who gave up the lead in the eighth inning or later.
Sasaki has changed that, converting three saves and allowing only one run in eight innings as the unlikely postseason closer. No longer is there an air of malaise as the bullpen gate opens ahead of the ninth. As “Bailalo Rocky” blares over the speakers, the Dodgers’ faithful is swept up by the music, rife with anticipation to see Sasaki lock down a win.
The energy is so contagious that it spreads to those in the Dodgers’ dugout, who can typically be seen pounding the rail in time with the beat as Sasaki warms up on the mound.
As many have asked where this resurgent version of Sasaki came from, seemingly out of nowhere, still others have been curious about why he chose his entrance song.
“That was actually MiggyRo’s idea,” Sasaki said in Japanese on Thursday. “Iâ€m really happy the fans are enjoying it.”
An electric entrance song is not the only thing Miguel Rojas has given Sasaki. The veteran infielder also gave up his No. 11 for the rookie when Sasaki chose to sign with the Dodgers this past offseason, hoping it would help him feel comfortable in his first year in the big leagues.
Back in February, the remix of “Bailalo Rocky” by Dj Roderick and Dj Jose Gonzalez was released. Rojas would play it around Sasaki during Spring Training, urging him to use the song as his entrance music.
It took a couple of months, but Sasaki actually did warm up to it once while he was still in the rotation. It was April 26, which ended up being his last home start before he sustained the impingement in his right shoulder that kept him out of big league action for more than four months.
The Dodgers’ dugout loved it, just as they do nowadays. But it felt like a jarring choice at the time, a little incongruous with the version of Sasaki who was working with diminished velocity, command and confidence.
It much better suits the version of Sasaki who returned from injury and shifted seamlessly into a new relief role in late September.
“It’s been special,” Rojas. “I feel like it just fits him really well.”
Besides the fact that “Rocky” sounds like “Roki,” the song matches the attitude that Sasaki brings to the mound. With his four-seamer blazing and his splitter dancing, he all but dares opposing batters to hit his best stuff (and most of the time, they can’t).
It’s a far cry from how Sasaki looked early on, when he showed flashes of elite stuff but often pitched as if he were simply trying to find his footing. He didn’t make it out of the second inning in his first home start and was shown looking visibly emotional in the dugout afterward.
Sasaki is in command now, in multiple senses. He has a hold over those in the crowd, who often keep the energy going when his music dies down by chanting his name.
“I hadnâ€t been able to pitch well at Dodger Stadium before, so honestly, I didnâ€t have the best memories of it,” Sasaki said. “But now that Iâ€m getting results as a reliever, the view from the mound looks completely different.”
Sasaki’s move to the bullpen is not permanent, so as the Dodgers vie for four more wins to defend their World Series title, we may be seeing the last of him as a closer for the time being.
It’s been a brief stint in relief for Sasaki, but his impact has been such that Rojas wants to see even more hype to go along with “Bailalo Rocky.”
“I think he deserves a video and the lights go down and all that stuff,” Rojas said. “I think that’s the next step for him.”
Adam Coleâ€s in-ring future with AEW is more uncertain than ever, and a new update makes it clear—heâ€s still not close to coming back.
During a Fightful Select Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp responded to a fan asking about Coleâ€s status. While many hoped the former TNT Champion was on the mend, Sapp painted a much more serious picture.
“Nowhere near returning last time I checked. I donâ€t want to get into too much private stuff, but he knew he was going to face issues dealing with this concussion and he has.â€
Cole isnâ€t doing any coaching, producing, or behind-the-scenes work either—and for good reason.
“Iâ€ve not heard of him doing coaching or anything like that and I donâ€t think traveling would help him recover.â€
This backs up what many sources have been hearing privately for months: Cole is dealing with a tough recovery, and AEW is giving him all the time he needs. But what happens next is unclear, especially with his absence already affecting the companyâ€s direction.
Back in July, Dave Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio that Coleâ€s abrupt exit from AEW All In: Texas wasnâ€t part of any storyline. It was a legitimate scare that played out in real time. According to Meltzer, Cole was cleared to compete as late as Friday night. Then everything changed overnight.
“So what happened is, again, itâ€s like—I donâ€t know that itâ€s a concussion, but what happened to him would lead one to believe it was a concussion, OK? But I donâ€t know that. Like, look, Friday night he was still doing the match. And it wasnâ€t like it was touch and go. You know, maybe yes, maybe no. I mean, if he was diagnosed with a concussion Friday night, heâ€s not doing the match. Thatâ€s just reality. Theyâ€re not going to let anyone—especially with his history—go out there. Absolutely not.â€
Meltzer said Cole woke up Saturday feeling symptoms that made it impossible to wrestle, and there was no internal debate about whether heâ€d perform.
“Saturday morning, he woke up and something had happened. And it was just like—he canâ€t do the match. And he needs to take time off. And it wasnâ€t a debate. It wasnâ€t his call. It wasnâ€t Tony saying, ‘Can you just go through and drop the title?†It was like, no. It was a no.â€
Both Cole and Tony Khan were visibly shaken during the post-show media appearance. Meltzer added:
“Tonyâ€s reaction, as best I could tell, was—he was really shaken up. And Adam was shaken up. You could tell from the interview. I think what he said was that he doesnâ€t want to make a rash decision or anything, but it was a scary situation.â€
With no firm timeline and no backstage involvement, Adam Coleâ€s role in AEW is effectively frozen. While Khanâ€s loyalty may keep him employed, itâ€s unclear what the future holds—especially if his recovery continues at this pace.
What do you think AEW should do with Adam Coleâ€s role while he recovers? Should they bring him on camera in a non-wrestling capacity or give him complete space to heal? Sound off in the comments below.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
Arsenal should have sold Leandro Trossard over the summer, really: it would have made sense.
The coldest decisions often prove to be the best ones: a fact that has seen Bukayo Saka enjoy an ascendence to the throne of English football, and Mikel Arteta shift his crosshairs to bring in physical beasts over technicality in recent years.
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Leandro Trossard has come back into the Arsenal team – and been exceptional
Arteta looks on against Brighton (Image credit: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Yet Trossard reached an obvious crossroads last season: he was never going to better his Midas goal haul of 2023/24, and at 30 years old, his goals were now punctuating scatter-gun displays in which little would stick.
Arsenal have long struggled to sell at players’ peaks, and with three forwards targeted in Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres and Ebere Eze – not to mention the fact that Arteta had looked to use Mikel Merino on attack ahead of the Belgian – Trossard seemed likeliest for the cut.
Another set piece goal for Arsenal!Leandro Trossard gives the visitors the lead! pic.twitter.com/jhd5yTROWmOctober 18, 2025
It makes his start to 2025/26 all the sweeter, and Trossard has a new role.
The former Brighton man has always excelled in tight spaces, and with Arsenal finding even less room in the final third, Trossard has left his touchline-hugging role to come inside and combine with Eze, Saka and others – yet he hasn’t lost his penchant to drift, find space and play the ghost at the back post, as he did for Arsenal’s winner at the Cottage.
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But more significantly than that, Trossard was Arsenal’s oldest starter against Fulham. Arteta lost Jorginho, Raheem Sterling and Neto as his elder statesmen over the summer, while Martin Odegaard has been in and out of the team following injury.
Seniority matters. Arsenal have more vocal leaders but in the experience of Trossard, Arteta has found a calm presence who has a chameleonic knack of twisting his game around his team-mates.
When Riccardo Calafiori overlaps, the Belgian adds numbers in the centre. When David Raya plays long, Trossard is a runner looking to catch Gyokeres’ second ball. Even when truly on his game, he never does one thing exceptionally: he just does an exceptional amount to a good standard, getting the best out of Eze, Saka and even Martin Zubimendi with his movement and license to roam.
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Trossard controls the ball against Fulham (Image credit: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
And nothing’s particularly changed for Trossard either. This is simply a version of Arsenal that suits him so much more than ever before – he’s not the star, he’s a foil for others.
He is still the pint-sized, silver-haired hard-runner who put in wing-back shifts at the Amex, the false nine who impersonated Gabriel Jesus after signing for Arteta, the wingfielder who filled Odegaard’s time-sheet last term and the man who struck against Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Tottenham and inevitably, Brighton.
Sometimes, he is every one in a transitional 15 minutes for a young Gunners side who are still gelling. He loses the ball, he doesn’t dictate – but he makes life easier for those around him in and out of possession.
Trossard has been a brilliant signing for Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)
Trossard never does one thing exceptionally: he just does an exceptional amount to a good standard
“He has this quality to create these magic moments when the team needs it the most,” Arteta claimed after the win at Fulham. “And that intuition: he’s in the right place at the right moment.
“And that’s a huge quality for the team and a massive weapon for us, so [I’m] really happy. I think he’s been very, very good in recent weeks, and now we have a lot of players in a really high emotional state and performance level, which is really good to see.”
Few saw Trossard becoming anything more than a stopgap for a superstar when he joined, let alone this latest renaissance. In an Arsenal side that made eight signings over the summer, this latest iteration of an existing fringe player might just be the best addition of them all.
Bob Myers is leaving his role as an NBA analyst for ESPN to join Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment as its president of sports, HBSE announced on Friday.
“Our goal has been to hire, grow, and retain the best and brightest executives in the world and we are a stronger, more dynamic organization with the addition of Bob Myers,” Josh Harris and David Blitzer said in a statement. “His experience as an architect of championship teams will complement our existing leadership structure, while also allowing HBSE to maximize opportunities across our portfolio. We’re excited to have Bob continue his storied career here at HBSE.”
Myers will work “goal of maximizing opportunities and bolstering processes” across the company, whose portfolio of teams includes the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, NHL’s New Jersey Devils, NASCAR team Joe Gibbs Racing, and Crystal Palace of the Premier League.
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Myers, 50, was the general manager for the Golden State Warriors from 2012-2023, helping the franchise win four NBA titles. He also won two NBA Executive of the Year awards during his tenure with the franchise.
Myers stepped down as Warriors president and GM in May 2023 and joined ESPN three months later. He worked as a studio and game analyst across the network’s NBA coverage. He also serves as a special advisor for Harris with the Washington Commanders after taking on the role in Jan. 2024 and helping in the hirings of GM Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.
“I have been fortunate to know Josh and David for a long time, and I’ve always greatly admired them and respected how they’ve built such an impressive global sports portfolio,” Myers said. “This role was intriguing because it provides the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s most talented leaders and executives across the world’s biggest sports leagues.
“By leveraging HBSE’s global presence in sports, we can create competitive advantages for our athletes and teams that enhance our ability to win. This is the type of challenge and opportunity I was looking for, and I’m grateful to Josh and David for the chance to be a part of HBSE.”
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has struggled at the plate recently, but he said his hitting slump is not a result of his pitching duties.
“I don’t necessarily think that the pitching has affected my hitting performance,” Ohtani told reporters through an interpreter. “Just on the pitching side, as long as I control what I can control, I feel pretty good about putting up results. On the hitting side, just the stance, the mechanics, that’s something that I do — it’s a constant work in progress. I don’t necessarily think so. It’s hard to say.”
Ohtani played well in the wild-card round but has since gone 2-for-25 with 12 strikeouts. He snapped a 15-at-bat hitless streak with an RBI single in the seventh inning of Tuesday’s Game 2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS.
Ohtani did not pitch in Game 1 of the NLCS as the Dodgers went instead to Blake Snell. Manager Dave Roberts said before the series that Ohtani would pitch at some point, but he wasn’t sure when.
Roberts said before the series that the pitching plan for Ohtani was not related to his hitting struggles.
“No, not at all,” Roberts said. “I think it was just kind of Shohei’s going to pitch one game this series. So, it’s one game and then you have two other guys that potentially can pitch on regular rest.”
Luckily for the Dodgers, Ohtani’s slump hasn’t hurt them too much thanks to outstanding performances from their starters. Snell gave up just one hit in eight innings in the 2-1 win in Game 1, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a complete game in Game 2, allowing just three hits and one run.
At 5:37 p.m. Wednesday, Michael Bubleâ€s “Feeling Good” blared from the Dodger Stadium speakers.
Shohei Ohtani came strolling to the plate with a bat in his hands.
There was no one in the stands, of course. Nor an opposing pitcher on the mound. The Dodgers, on this workout day after returning from Milwaukee, were still some 22 hours away from resuming their National League Championship Series against the Brewers. For any other player, it would have been a routine affair.
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Ohtani, however, is not just any player.
And among the many things that make him unique, his habit of almost never taking batting practice on the field is one of the small but notable ones.
Which made his decision to do so Wednesday a telling development.
Over the last two weeks, Ohtani has been in a slump. Since the start of the NL Division Series, he is just two-for-25 with a whopping 12 strikeouts. He has been smothered by left-handed pitching. He has made poor swing decisions and failed to slug the ball.
Last week, manager Dave Roberts went so far as to say the Dodgers were “not gonna win the World Series with that sort of performance†from their $700-million slugger.
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Thus, out Ohtani came for batting practice on Wednesday in the most visible sign yet of his urgency for a turnaround.
“The other way to say it is that, if I hit, we will win,†Ohtani said in Japanese when asked about Roberts†World Series quote earlier Wednesday afternoon. “I think he thinks that if I hit, we will win. Iâ€d like to do my best to do that.â€
In Roberts†view, Ohtani has already started improving from his woeful NLDS, when he struck out nine times in 18 trips to the plate against a left-handed-heavy Philadelphia Phillies staff that, as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman emphatically put it, had “the most impressive execution against a hitter I’ve ever seen.â€
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In Game 1 of the NLCS against the Brewers, Ohtani was 0-for-two but walked three times; twice intentionally but another on a more disciplined five-pitch at-bat to lead off the game against left-handed opener Aaron Ashby.
The following night, he went only one-for-five with three more strikeouts, giving him 15 this postseason, second-most in the playoffs. But he did have an RBI single, marking his first run driven in since Game 2 of the NLDS. He followed that with a steal, swiping his first bag of the playoffs. And earlier in the game, he scorched a lineout to right at 115.2 mph, the hardest heâ€d hit a ball since taking Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene deep in the teamâ€s postseason opener.
“The first two games in Milwaukee, his at-bats have been fantastic,†Roberts said Wednesday, before heading out to the field and watching Ohtaniâ€s impromptu BP session.
“That’s what I’ve been looking for. That’s what I’m counting on,†he added, while noting the careful approach the Brewers have also taken with the soon-to-be four-time MVP. “You can only take what they give you. So for me, I think he’s in a good spot right now.â€
Shohei Ohtani puts the ball in play in the third inning during Game 4 of the NLDS. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Ohtaniâ€s overall numbers, of course, continue to suggest otherwise. His .147 postseason batting average is second-worst on the team, ahead of only Andy Pages. His seven-game drought without an extra-base hit is longer than any he endured in the regular season.
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“The first thing I have to do is increase the level of my at-bats,†Ohtani said in Japanese. “Swing at strikes and not swing at balls.â€
On Wednesday, Ohtaniâ€s slump also led to questions about his role as a two-way player, and whether his return to pitching this season (and, this October, doing it for the first time in the playoffs) has contributed to his sudden struggles at the plate.
After all, on days Ohtani pitched this season, he hit .222 with four home runs but 21 strikeouts. On the days immediately following an outing, he batted .147 with two home runs and 10 strikeouts.
His current slump began with a hitless, four-strikeout dud in Game 1 of the NLDS, when he also made a six-inning, three-run start on the mound.
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And in days since, Roberts has acknowledged some likely correlation between Ohtaniâ€s two roles.
“[His offense] hasnâ€t been good when heâ€s pitched,†Roberts said following the NLDS. “Weâ€ve got to think through this and come up with a better game plan.â€
Ohtani, on the other hand, pushed back somewhat on that narrative during Wednesdayâ€s workout, in which he also threw a bullpen session in preparation for his next start in Game 4 of the NLCS on Friday.
While it is “more physically strenuous†to handle both roles, he conceded, he countered that “I donâ€t know if thereâ€s a direct correlation.â€
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“Physically,†he added, “I donâ€t feel like thereâ€s a connection.â€
Instead, Ohtani on Wednesday went about fixing his swing the way any other normal hitter would. He went out on the field for his rare session of batting practice. Of his 32 swings, he sent 14 over the fence, including one that clanked off the roof of the right-field pavilion.
“Certainly, there’s frustration,†Roberts said of how heâ€s seen Ohtani handle his uncharacteristic lack of performance.
But, he added, “that’s expected. I don’t mind it. I like the edge.â€
“He’s obviously a very, very talented player, and we’re counting on him,†Roberts continued. “Heâ€s just a great competitor. He’s very prepared. And thereâ€s still a lot of baseball left.â€
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Rashee Rice will be back on the field for the Kansas City Chiefs as they take on the Las Vegas Raiders.
Rice, who had been serving a six-game suspension, is expected to get a “heavy workload” upon return, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano. The wide receiver reportedly is in “peak physical shape” and will be “full bore” against the Raiders, according to Fowler and Graziano.
Even without Rice, the Chiefs’ offense has started to hit its stride after a slow start. They’ve averaged 31.6 points per game over their last three contests, relying heavily on the wide receiver duo of Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy, who returned from injury two weeks ago after missing a pair of games.
Now Kansas City can add another receiver to the mix, but head coach Andy Reid said he’s not yet sure how he’ll divide the snaps between the three.
“There’s one ball, and somebody isn’t going to get every snap,” Reid said, per ESPN’s Nate Taylor. “They got to check that ego and I appreciate that. When they do get opportunities, I appreciate the way they’ve handled that, too. They’re all good players. Hollywood did have a really good game [in the win over the Detroit Lions]. The last two weeks, he’s made some catches that are really incredible.”
Rice had a strong rookie season in 2023, recording 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. The Chiefs hoped he’d continue his momentum in 2024, but he played just four games before suffering a season-ending injury.
In July, Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years’ probation for his role in a multi-car crash during the 2024 offseason. In August, the NFL announced Rice would serve a six-game suspension to start the 2025 campaign.
While he was not with the team during his suspension, he conducted individual workouts with sessions focused on his route running, strength and conditioning and his quickness, according to Taylor.
The start of Rice’s NFL career has been rough, but he’ll look to come back strong from his suspension and make an immediate impact for the Chiefs.
Kansas City started the year 1-2 but has managed to turn things around in recent weeks. The Chiefs are coming off a 30-17 win over the Detroit Lions.
Rice’s return comes ahead of a crucial stretch for Kansas City. Over the next four games, the Chiefs will have a pair of divisional matchups as well as meetings with the Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills.
Dwayne “The Rock†Johnson is proving once again that he doesnâ€t take shortcuts — especially when it comes to transforming for a role.
In a new Instagram post, the wrestling icon-turned-actor shared a behind-the-scenes time-lapse video of his intense transformation into MMA legend Mark Kerr for the film The Smashing Machine. The clip shows Johnson sitting through a grueling four-hour process each morning, applying extensive prosthetics and makeup to become Kerr. He explained the daily ritual in the caption:
“Transformation into The Smashing Machine. 4 hours in the make up chair, every morning. 22 prosthetics (eyes, face, forehead, scars, cauliflower ears, wig).â€
But for The Rock, the transformation wasnâ€t just skin deep. He made it clear this physical change helped him mentally step into Kerrâ€s complicated life.
“By the time I got to set, I felt I was already in Mark Kerrâ€s skin. How he walked, talked, and how he violently, yet tenderly navigated life and dealt with his demons.â€
He also took a moment to express his gratitude for the real-life man behind the story:
“Iâ€m forever grateful to Mark for living a life, so we could all feel it.â€
Johnson didnâ€t do it alone. He credited his team of special effects experts, including Kazuhiro Tsuji, Brooklyn Allen, Glen Griffin, Spring Kun, and Nikki Solow — all responsible for the jaw-dropping transformation thatâ€s already earning Oscar buzz.
The Smashing Machine tells the story of Mark Kerrâ€s rise in the MMA world, along with his personal battles with addiction and relationships. Though the film faced a rocky opening at the box office, critics have praised Johnsonâ€s performance as one of the most powerful of his career.
Would you sit through 4 hours of prosthetics to pull off a role like this? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
WWE had a huge role to play during TNA Bound for Glory’s controversial finish.
On October 12th, TNA Wrestling held one of its biggest shows ever in Bound for Glory 2025. While The Hardy Boyz retained their dual titles and Mike Santana won the World Championship, the X-Division Championship match between Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans ended in a no-contest after The Dark State interfered.
Initially, the match finished in a time-limit draw, following which TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella announced that the match would instead continue until a finish occurred. However, soon, NXT’s Dark State interfered and caused a no-contest finish. The controversial finish was called out by both fans and critics, and the creative decision to not provide a clear winner in one of the most hyped matches of the night was heavily criticized.
Soon enough, sources close to Sports Illustrated (The Takedown on SI) noted that WWE had a significant say in the match’s creative and booking direction. WWE and TNA are currently working together on booking decisions and the use of talent as part of their working partnership.
Sports Illustrated was further notified that even before the positive reaction for the Bound for Glory match arrived, Evans and Slater were already planned to have another singles match soon. Currently, Halloween Havoc is being discussed as the potential next stage for them to collide.
Former WWE Star Believes TNA Can Overtake AEW To Become The Official Number Two
Last month, in an interview with Lucha Libre Online, Santino Marella openedup about TNA’s recent growth and how the promotion could soon overtake AEW.
Yeah, itâ€s incredible. People from TNA in the past are happy for us, and the current locker room is ecstatic about the growth. When I came here, it was not like this. Sometimes we were in Nashville or even in Toronto with 350 to 500 people, but we believed in ourselves.
Now we have the audience size that feels right, and we deliver every time. Every time weâ€ve had a sold-out crowd, weâ€ve never had a bad show. Weâ€ve never wasted an opportunity, and Lowell, Massachusetts, Bound for Glory is going to be another one. Weâ€re going to capitalize on that audience. Weâ€re going to send the message out to the wrestling world: weâ€re here, weâ€re knocking on the door, and you better look out. Once we get that TV deal, weâ€re number two.
I know Tony Khan has lots of money, I get it. But the fans speak. The fans dictate whoâ€s number one, number two, or number three. not your bank account. Of course, WWE is number one. Theyâ€re so far ahead weâ€ll never catch them in my lifetime.
But number two is attainable. Number two is really something we can do, and if we accomplish that, itâ€s humongous.â€
In other news: Controversial former champion wants Ridge Holland to join TNA after WWE exit.