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TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater has suddenly pulled out of two major independent wrestling events this weekend, and all signs point toward a potential WWE appearance at Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event on December 13.

Slater was originally scheduled to compete at wXwâ€s 25th Anniversary show in Germany on Saturday in a four-way match for the vacant European Championship, and then head to the UK for RevProâ€s Uprising 2025 on Sunday. But both promotions have now confirmed that Slater is off the card. wXw issued a statement announcing Slaterâ€s withdrawal, writing:

“Leon Slater has informed us that he will unfortunately no longer be available for #wXwAnniversary on Saturday. We are working on a solution for his announced match.â€

Over in the UK, Slater was set to challenge for the Undisputed British Heavyweight Championship in a triple threat match at RevPro, but heâ€s since been removed from the lineup there as well.

While no official reason has been given, the timing is impossible to ignore. Slater just competed at NXT Deadline as part of the menâ€s Iron Survivor Challenge, and his tag team partner Jeâ€Von Evans won the match to earn a shot at the NXT Championship at New Yearâ€s Evil.

With WWE pushing cross-brand matchups for Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event, Slaterâ€s absence from the indie circuit may signal a surprise NXT appearance on the undercard. WWE has already announced several exhibition matches for the special, including Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi and Bayley vs. Sol Ruca. The nightâ€s main event will see John Cena wrestle his final match against Gunther.

Slater has been gaining traction across multiple brands, splitting time between TNA and NXT, and this sudden schedule shake-up could be WWEâ€s way of integrating him further into the fold—especially on a show that blends main roster stars with NXT talent.

Do you think Leon Slater is about to show up at Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event? Would you want to see him mix it up with WWEâ€s top-tier talent? Sound off in the comments—we want your take.

December 8, 2025 11:17 am

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Edgecombe shows knack for doing ‘whatever it takes’ on 1st career game-winner originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

VJ Edgecombe didnâ€t pause.

For rookies — and for anyone — itâ€s natural to stop and stare as a crunch-time shot is launched. But the Sixers†20-year-old guard saw Deâ€Anthony Melton block Tyrese Maxeyâ€s jumper and reacted first. As is his habit, he knew where to be and was determined to get there.

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The result was a first career NBA game-winner, a put-back layup with 0.9 seconds on the clock. Despite blowing a 24-point lead Thursday night to the Warriors, the high-drama Sixers sit at 12-9.

Edgecombeâ€s vital rebound was no fluke. Heâ€s grabbed 1.9 offensive rebounds per game — second among rookies to 7-foot-1 Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner — and has at least one offensive board in 16 of his 18 games.

“Iâ€m athletic,†he said. “Just try to use my athleticism. The shot goes up, people tend to relax. Iâ€m a victim of it. So I know the opportunity is going to present itself for me to grab the board. And like I said, I can jump, so I just try to jump before them, to be honest.â€

Maxey sat to Edgecombeâ€s left at the postgame press conference podium. Instead of being grateful after Edgecombeâ€s put-back and celebrating a presumed win, he chased down Melton and blocked his layup attempt on the other end at the buzzer.

“Rese probably ran a 4.2 (40-yard dash) or something,†Edgecombe said with a smile.

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Maxey enjoyed swatting his good friend and former teammate, who returned Thursday from a torn ACL.

“Honestly, I just didnâ€t want him to call me in a couple minutes saying he beat us,†Maxey said of Melton. “Iâ€m just happy to see him out there. He was at my house for two, three hours yesterday just chopping it up and talking about life. … I told him Iâ€d give him one jump shot because he was struggling early. I gave him one middie in the third. But Iâ€m just happy that out he was out there, man. It was good to see him. I told him he canâ€t guard me, so itâ€s all good.â€

While Maxey continued to be a scorching scorer, posting 35 points, Edgecombeâ€s final box score stats were not sparkling. He chipped in 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, but he committed five turnovers and only played 24 minutes in his third game since returning from a left calf injury.

None of his previous mistakes ever seem to matter in the final moments.

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“Heâ€s had some of these games where he just hasnâ€t done much, and then down the stretch heâ€ll hit a big three, get a big rebound,†Sixers head coach Nick Nurse said. â€I just thought, ‘Letâ€s go back with him and maybe heâ€ll make a play.†Heâ€s got a nose for the ball and heâ€s got a nose for whatâ€s going on out there. Even though heâ€s a rookie, he can make those plays.â€

The Sixers had their game-winning chance because Edgecombe stole Pat Spencerâ€s inbounds pass and called timeout with 8.2 seconds left.

“Just watching basketball, to be honest,†Edgecombe said of his defensive instincts. “I knew how much time they had to inbound the ball and I knew they had no timeouts left. He had to throw the ball somewhere and everyone was just contesting that one little spot. I just dove on the ball.

“Itâ€s more just reading their eyes because people tend to telegraph their passes a lot. So just trying to read their eyes and make a quick play on the ball.â€

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Edgecombe has shined late in many of the Sixers†ultra-tight early-season contests.

Heâ€s played 54 minutes in “clutch†situations, which the NBA defines as the final five minutes of games within five points. Edgecombe has shot 10 for 13 from the field and 4 for 6 from three-point range, pulled down 11 rebounds and dished out seven assists.

“I just want to win,†he said. “Whatever it takes for me to do that, Iâ€ll do it. I donâ€t care about (anything) else.

“If they need me to make a shot, Iâ€m going to make the shot. If they need me to grab a rebound, Iâ€ll grab the rebound. Get a steal, get a stop … Iâ€ll do it. Whatever it takes to win, because winning feels great and losing (doesnâ€t).â€

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For the first time, WWE Raw did not crack the top 10 English-language shows on Netflix globally last week, but this doesnâ€t necessarily mean the episode saw a drop in viewership.

The November 24 Raw dropping out of the rankings was mainly due to separate seasons of Stranger Things occupying five of the 10 spots on the list. Stranger Things Season 5 topped the rankings with just under 60 million views, while seasons 1–4 also saw a surge in viewership.

The number 10 ranked show on the list this week did 3.96 million views. The November 17 episode of Raw did 3.1 million views, which was the best the show has done in seven months.

As a result of Raw not cracking the top ten, viewership information for the November 24 episode is not currently available.

Dave Meltzer wrote:

“Because of the debut of Stranger Things and its multiple episodes, Raw last Monday 11/24 was not in the top ten among English TV shows for the first time. So no numbers at all are available nor will they be until likely January for this past week. The No. 10 show did 3,962,000 worldwide views, far more than Raw ever does, so this is not an indication at all that Raw did a bad number.”

Because of the debut of Stranger Things and its multiple episodes, Raw last Monday 11/24 was not in the top ten among English TV shows for the first time. So no numbers at all are available nor will they be until likely January for this past week. The No. 10 show did 3,962,000…

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) December 2, 2025

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Ian Carey

Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.

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• Paula Lavigne

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  Paula Lavigne

  ESPN Investigative Reporter

  • Data analyst and reporter for ESPN’s Enterprise and Investigative Unit.
  • Winner, 2014 Alfred I. duPont Columbia University Award; finalist, 2012 IRE broadcast award; winner, 2011 Gannett Foundation Award for Innovation in Watchdog Journalism; Emmy nominated, 2009.

• David Purdum

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  David Purdum

  ESPN Staff Writer

  • Joined ESPN in 2014
  • Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008

Dec 1, 2025, 07:20 PM ET

The Internal Revenue Service recently released the $8.2 million tax lien filed against embattled NBA veteran Terry Rozier, according to a county clerk record obtained by ESPN.

The release was filed Oct. 29, a day after ESPN reported on the tax lien and less than a week after Rozier was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering related to his alleged role in a gambling scandal.

Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, initially told ESPN in October that Rozier owed only $9,000 in unpaid taxes, before later revising the amount to $3,000. He said the lien had been issued due to an e-filing error.

Billups, Rozier among 34 arrested by FBI

Here’s what you need to know about the arrests that rocked the NBA:

• FAQ: Answering 22 questions on the cases
• Timeline: Sports betting scandals since 2018
• Windhorst: What to know about Damon Jones
• Fletcher: Sports mafia ties run deeper
• Greenberg: How FBI says poker games were rigged

The lien release, which was recorded with the Broward County Courthouse in Florida on Nov. 20, lists $8,218,211 under “unpaid balance of assessment.”

“Once the accountant clarified the situation with the IRS, Terry was found to owe only $3,000 in unpaid taxes for 2021,” Trusty told ESPN in October. “That amount has been taken care of and we fully expect the defunct lien to be withdrawn in the near future.”

Trusty did not provide documentation of the amount owed or when it was paid. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

An IRS spokesperson said Monday the agency cannot disclose information about individual taxpayers and declined further comment.

The IRS has 30 days to file a lien release after a debt has been paid. The lien was issued in November 2023 in Broward County, where Rozier had purchased property in June 2021.

Taxpayers are generally notified within hours, if not minutes, if an e-file has been accepted, according to Tom O’Saben, director of tax content and government relations for the National Association of Tax Professionals. A failed attempt to e-file and an unpaid tax bill would have generated multiple notifications to Rozier or his tax representatives, O’Saben said.

Rozier is accused of providing nonpublic information about his plans to leave a game in March 2023 to a friend, who then allegedly sold it to bettors.

Rozier is scheduled to be arraigned in federal court Dec. 8 in Brooklyn. Trusty has said his client is not guilty.

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WWE could run another stadium for next yearâ€s Survivor Series.

Tonightâ€s show from Petco Park in San Diego is set to be the biggest gate and attendance for any Survivor Series in history. Our own Bryan Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X that there is already talk of WWE running a stadium again for next yearâ€s event.

“Around 40,000 for todayâ€s show. Already talk of running another stadium for 2026 Survivor Series.â€

Ticket sales for the event were discussed in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, with Dave Meltzer writing that just under 43,000 tickets are out.

Meltzer wrote:

“At press time Survivor Series has 42,750 tickets out with about 1,200 left, which is by far the biggest Survivor Series ever for tickets and even more for gate. The secondary market get-in price is $113.“

He also mentioned there is expected to be at least one major tease of a WrestleMania 42 match on tonight’s show.

“The belief is that a major tease of the top WrestleMania match or even matches will be this weekend at Survivor Series on 11/29 at Petco Park in San Diego.”

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Ian Carey

Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.

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LOS ANGELES — In one sweeping motion, Luka DonÄić threw his former teamâ€s defensive coverage in disarray, leaving him face-to-face with Cooper Flagg — the Mavericks rookie thrust into the spotlight following DonÄicâ€s emotional departure from Dallas nine months ago.

DonÄić swung his arms and shifted his body to his right — the side Flagg was desperately attempting to shield — and charged toward the rim. With the Mavericks†hopes of help defense eliminated, DonÄić was presented with a gift — and he opened it with the veracity of a wide-eyed child on Christmas Day.

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In actuality, DonÄićâ€s basket was a muted response to Flaggâ€s midrange jumper over him a few possessions earlier. Lost amid the high stakes of Fridayâ€s NBA Cup group play finale — the Lakers had already punched their knockout stage ticket while the Mavericks had reached their limit — was the first matchup between DonÄić and Flagg, and the first matchup between the Lakers and Mavericks since Nico Harrison’s firing earlier this month.

The intertwining of DNA between both franchises is undeniable, stronger than a late November meeting. Players and coaches have switched sides over the years. And on Friday evening, there were a few other underlying storylines at Crypto.com Arena; a tale of two franchises heading in opposite directions, the juxtaposition of a team with an array of multi-faceted creators and one still searching for stability, and Anthony Davis†first matchup against the Lakers since being traded.

But the DonÄić-Flagg tilt was the most important affair on the docket.

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And to be fair, Flagg didnâ€t shy away from the moment. On multiple occasions, his aggression and versatility were on display — whether it was going band for band with DonÄić, stepping in LeBron James†way to send the 40-year-old to the ground in a transition-saving play, or trying to make the right reads.

“I think he’s a good player,” DonÄić said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of pressure that comes with the first pick. He has a lot on his shoulders. But I think he will be a great player.”

Flagg finished with 13 points, 11 assists, 7 rebounds and 3 steals, but ultimately proved no match for DonÄić, who finished with 35 points, 11 assists and 5 rebounds on 10-for-18 shooting in a 129-119 win.

Such is life these days in the city of angels. The Lakers have historically been a one-name town. Magic. Shaq. Kobe. Kareem. LeBron.

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Now, Luka. This is his team, his city.

When DonÄić emerges from the tunnel to take the floor for his pregame warmup, the entire arena soars with praise. During player introductions, his name is called last, a privilege routinely reserved for the gameâ€s most important players. When he touches the ball, heâ€s greeted by an array of defensive coverages — outright blitzes to take the ball out of his hands, early and late rotations, traps, zone and everything thrown his way but the kitchen sink.

There arenâ€t many NBA players that could reduce James, arguably a top-two player of all time, to a weakside cutter and tertiary playmaker. But such is the marvel of DonÄić, leading the way for a scorching-hot Lakers team that has won six in a row and sits in second place in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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DonÄić entered Fridayâ€s game averaging 38.5 points, 9.3 assists and 8.5 rebounds per game — despite a usage rate that has skyrocketed to a career-high 44.9% since James†return. That DonÄić is churning out production for himself while remaining a central figure for his teammates — assisting on nearly 42% of their shots, per Cleaning the Glass — is nothing short of MVP status. The presence of Deandre Ayton, a mobile, rim-running two-way talent has enabled DonÄić to lean fully into his pick-and-roll attack, too.

On Friday, the Lakers finished the game shooting nearly 60% from the field and dished out 27 total assists.

“Over the last two games, weâ€ve made our shots,†DonÄić said. “When we share the ball and play how we need to, we get a lot of good shots and thatâ€s what we need to take.â€

Itâ€s DonÄićâ€s gravity that creates room for the rapid rise of Austin Reaves, who finished with an efficient 38 points and looks the part of an excellent release valve and offensive engine in his own right. Itâ€s the fear of DonÄićâ€s pick-and-roll dominance that has given way to Aytonâ€s resurgence as a screener and finisher. Itâ€s the trust in DonÄić as a lead option that allows James to fill in the gaps as a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer finding optimal screening angles and being connective tissue. Head coach JJ Redick has preached about the importance of the scheme, but DonÄić isthe system.

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“I think heâ€s done a good job throughout the year of finding balance, whether heâ€s on or off-ball, of hunting 3s and touching the paint,†Redick said. “When heâ€s in that mode, heâ€s just really hard to guard. Heâ€s really been in a groove with that balance, particularly late in games.â€

Still, the Lakers will tell you theyâ€re far from a finished product. For one, Redick is still experimenting with his Big 3 to find the best usage and synergy. Prior to Fridayâ€s win, the Lakers had somehow been outscored by 18 points in the 55 minutes that DonÄić, James and Reaves shared the floor. Last season, that trio barely registered as a net positive.

Simple reads that involve high-level thinkers, such as the opening possession of the game, are a good place to start. When the Mavericks immediately sent a double at DonÄić, he sent an over-the-top pass to James, who found Reaves on the wing for an open 3. Given that the Lakers are just 26th in attempted and made 3s (and 21st in 3-point percentage), opening more looks that stem from DonÄić, James or Reaves being pressured should result in good processes.

“We play four on three, thatâ€s the easiest basketball we can play,†DonÄić added. “I always accept that.â€

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The DonÄić-led Lakers are now owners of the NBA’s fifth-ranked offense. And DonÄić has proven himself worthy of a team and system being built in his image. As long as he continues on this path — and Reaves and James maximize their opportunities — thereâ€s no reason why this Lakers team canâ€t be considered a legitimate threat to the Thunder and the rest of the Western Conference.

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Baseball America continues its series of fall baseball updates with a look at Coastal Carolina’s deep roster, Wake Forest’s potential on the mound and more programs shaping their 2026 outlooks.

Coastal Carolina Chasing More History

Coastal Carolina enters 2026 chasing more history under Kevin Schnall, who last year became the first coach ever to win BA’s College Coach of the Year award in his first season as a Division I head coach.

The Chanticleers won 56 games and reached the national championship series behind one of the best pitching staffs in the country and the all-around excellence of catcher Caden Bodine, who was one of the most well-rounded backstops in the nation. With a strengthened returning core and a staff Schnall believes can again be elite, Coastal looks positioned to remain on college baseballâ€s biggest stage.

According to Schnall, five key position players return and have each taken noticeable steps forward physically:

• Blake Barthol hit .274/.387/.468 with a team-high 12 home runs.
• Colby Thorndyke produced a .303/.395/.445 line with four homers and 18 doubles.
• Walker Mitchell reached base at a .443 clip.
• Dean Mihos posted the teamâ€s best batting average at .332/.418/.453.
• Blagen Pado added power with a .267/.364/.543 line and eight home runs.

Schnall told Baseball America that all five appear “primed for an even better season this year,†noting they look bigger, stronger and faster than they did a year ago.

The weekend rotation is set to feature Cameron Flukey, one of the top pitching prospects in the 2026 draft class, along with lefthander Hayden Johnson and righthander Ross Norman, a transfer from Georgia State. Johnson posted a 2.82 ERA with 55 strikeouts and 18 walks in 38.1 innings last season, all in relief.

“This staff could rival our elite rotation from last year,†Schnall told BA.

The bullpen returns four important arms who combined for 117.1 innings: Ryan Lynch, Dominick Carbone, Darin Horn and Scott Doran. Lynch (0.56), Carbone (2.36) and Horn (2.73) were dominant, while Doran flashed significant promise in 17.1 innings. Flukey, Carbone, Lynch and Doran were kept on lighter workloads this fall.

Horn has been one of the most improved arms on the roster. He now features a sinker, slider and cutter, the last of which is new to his arsenal. Schnall said Hornâ€s mechanics are more synced up, producing more consistent strikes with the slider and rounding out his mix.

With a reinforced lineup, a top-tier rotation core and a bullpen anchored by outstanding returners, Coastal Carolina again looks capable of contending for another historic season in 2026.

Wake Forest Hopeful Pitching Will Shine In 2026

Wake Forest has garnered a reputation as one of the nationâ€s premier programs for pitchers thanks to significant investment into its player development on that side of the ball. After ranking fifth in the ACC last year in ERA, the Demon Deacons are confident they can return to nationally-ranked dominance on the mound.

Demon Deacons coach Tom Walter told Baseball America his squad has a chance to be “elite on the mound.” He credited the impact of first-year pitching coach and program alum Eric Niese and first-year pitching lab coordinator and director of player development Ezra Bye, the two of which Walter said have “done a great job elevating everyone on the staff.â€

Added Walter: “In terms of velo, pitch shapes and pitch packages we will have as many weapons as anyone in the country.”

The centerpiece is righthander Blake Morningstar, who posted a 3.87 ERA in 79 innings last season and has taken a notable step forward. Morningstar has refined his arsenal so that his two- and four-seam fastballs now show clearer separation in movement profiles, and he also added a sweeper that has already posted standout metrics. Walterâ€s confidence in him is immense as Wake prepares to build its rotation around a more complete and more deceptive version of one of its most reliable arms.

Walter is equally optimistic about the teamâ€s defense, saying Wake Forest should be “as good as we have ever been†with speed up the middle and a strong catching corps.

Offensively, the Demon Deacons return a productive nucleus led by Kade Lewis and Dalton Wentz. They are joined by key returners Austin Hawke, Matt Conte, Luke Costello and Javar Williams—a group that accounted for 47% of Wake Forestâ€s home runs last season. The lineup also received a boost from the transfer portal with a group of additions in Boston Torres(VMI), Jackson Miller (Ole Miss) and Blake Schaaf (Georgetown), all of whom were highly recruited.

On the mound, Wake added one of the ACCâ€s most significant transfer arms in Cam Bagwell from UNC Wilmington, giving the staff even more depth.

With a more advanced arsenal across the pitching staff, a strengthened defense behind it and a deep returning lineup supplemented by impact transfers, the Demon Deacons have a realistic path to prominence in 2026.

More Fall Ball Notes

• Illinois State expects to contend in a competitive Missouri Valley Conference, with twin brothers Ryan Bakes and Brayden Bakes at the center of that optimism. Redbirds coach Steve Holm told Baseball America that both brothers “played like draft picks this fall.†Brayden hit .313/.407/.542 with eight home runs, 10 doubles and 26 walks to 28 strikeouts last season. Ryan transferred from South Carolina after logging only 28 at-bats with the Gamecocks, but he produced a loud Northwoods League summer with a .313/.481/.495 line, four home runs, seven steals and 24 walks to 18 strikeouts in 29 games. Holm, who caught 52 major league games between 2008 and 2011, said Ryan improved his operation behind the plate this fall.
• Cal Baptist earned a dominant fall scrimmage win over Arizona State on Nov. 7 in Southern California, beating the Sun Devils 21-5 in the first of two games before tying Game 2, 1-1. The Lancers hit five home runs in the opener, including two from outfielder Ben Castelli. Outfielders Bryce McFeely and Riley Hunsaker and catcher Matt Chavez also homered. Lefthander Cody New threw three shutout innings. While the outcome has no W-L bearing on the season, it’s a strong early sign for a Cal Baptist roster with the pieces to be competitive in 2026. It also marks a difficult showing for an Arizona State team facing significant pressure to perform next spring, though the Sun Devils bounced back nicely in a scrimmage against Grand Canyon on Thursday in Tempe.

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Kris Statlander is showing the horrors of competing at AEW Blood and Guts.

Statlander was among the twelve women who went to war in the first-ever Womenâ€s Blood and Guts match in All Elite Wrestling history. The AEW Womenâ€s World Champion teamed up with Jamie Hayter, Willow Nightingale, Harley Cameron, Toni Storm, and Mina Shirakawa.

Their opponents were AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Moné, Marina Shafir, Megan Bayne, and The Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Julia Hart, and Skye Blue). The match was brutal from the opening bell, as all the competitors were busted open inside the unforgiving steel cage. The bout ended after Toni Storm surrendered on behalf of her team to stop the heels from further attacking Mina Shirakawa.

Taking to social media, Kris Statlander showed off the wounds and lacerations she suffered during the AEW Blood and Guts match on Dynamite. Statlander also took the opportunity to take a jab at Mercedes Moné before praising everyone who competed in the extremely brutal matchup.

“New hobby: acupuncture Revisited hobby: putting Mercedes through a table An honor to stand in the ring with all of the incredible women in Blood and Guts last night. Onward to Full Gear now,†she posted.

Fans can check out WrestleZoneâ€s full coverage of AEW Blood and Guts here.

New hobby: acupuncture
Revisited hobby: putting Mercedes through a table
An honor to stand in the ring with all of the incredible women in Blood and Guts last night. Onward to Full Gear now. pic.twitter.com/PAEUVYK1UU

— Kris Statlander (@callmekrisstat) November 13, 2025

ALSO READ: Injury Update After AEW Blood & Guts — Report

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By Thierry Verviers

Something important is happening right now, from November 9 to 21: the 15th Chinese National Games.

For those unfamiliar with the event, letâ€s be clear — this is not just an ordinary national championship. Itâ€s often described as a “mini–World Cupâ€, and for good reason. The level of play is so high that many consider it tougher than the World Championships themselves. Every top player from Chinaâ€s provincial teams is there, creating an environment where intensity, skill, and precision reach their absolute peak.

A Glimpse into the Future of the Sport

For coaches and analysts around the world, especially here in North America, the Chinese National Games offer a window into the future of international table tennis. What happens here often sets the tone for the global circuit in the months ahead.

Early observations already point to clear technical and tactical themes:

• Heavy spin on serves and third-ball attacks
• Surgical precision on the first ball
• Lightning-fast transitions between attack and defense

Itâ€s a condensed version of the very best — a masterclass in whatâ€s currently working at the top level.

More Than a Tournament: A True Laboratory

Beyond the spectacle, the National Games serve as a giant testing ground — a laboratory where innovation in technique, equipment, and strategy happens in real time.

Coaches meticulously study everything:

• Equipment fine-tuning and blade–rubber combinations
• New serve and receive variations
• Micro-sequence management (the first 2–3 shots)

For us coaches in Québec, this event is a treasure trove of pedagogical insight. It provides inspiration and structure for our winter training sessions — from drills that focus on opening up against a short receive, to variations of the backhand flip, to precise work on the first lateral step.

The Chinese National Games offer not just a competition to admire, but a blueprint to learn from — an evolving picture of where world-class table tennis is heading.

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For those who want to explore the tournament further — including draws, results, and match highlights — here are two excellent resources:

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With WWE announcing a new deal with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Wednesday, AEW fans were concerned that arrangement would affect the possibility of future shows in Toronto venues like the Scotiabank Arena and Coca-Cola Coliseum.

According to MLSE, those concerns can be assuaged.

TSN reporter Steve Argintaru posted on X Wednesday that when he asked MLSE specifically that very concern, “an MLSE spokesperson told me the new agreement with WWE “does not prevent other events in our venues.â€

The new agreement with MLSE, owners of both the Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs, will see “exclusive merchandise collaborations, original content development, community-focused programs, and regular cross-brand appearances from team players and WWE Superstars.†Athletes from both teams are also expected to appear at a January Raw at the Scotiabank Arena and vice versa for Raptors and Maple Leafs games.

AEW ran at the Scotiabank Arena both at this past September’s All Out and for June 2023’s Forbidden Door. Collision also emanated from the arena in 2023 while AEW made its Toronto debut at the Coca-Cola Coliseum back in 2022, returning there in 2024.

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Josh Nason

Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He’s a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.

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