Despite all the anticipation and buzz, Chris Jericho didn’t return at WWE Royal Rumble 2026. The Men’s Rumble match rarely saw any major surprise returns, but Roman Reigns‘ victory was a fitting conclusion to the match.
With Y2J’s absence from the show, fans are confused, especially since the Saudi Arabia PLE appeared to be the perfect spot for his comeback. In this article, we will discuss three reasons why Chris Jericho didn’t make his comeback at the Royal Rumble this year.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
#3. Chris Jericho is busy with his band
Besides professional wrestling, Chris Jericho is part of the band Fozzy. One of the key reasons he did not return at Royal Rumble could be his passion for music. Recently, the band confirmed its upcoming UK tour, running from February 6 to 21.
Advertisement
Even if Jericho had returned at Royal Rumble, it was unlikely that he would have appeared on weekly television shows. Considering this, WWE might have decided not to pull triggers on Chris’ return at the recent premium Live event.
The Stamford-based promotion may consider his comeback after he finishes his commitment with the Fozzy band.
#2. Is he still part of AEW?
So…no Chris Jericho? #RoyalRumble
Although reports confirmed that Chris Jericho is now a free agent and no longer associated with the All Elite Wrestling promotion, fans noticed that the former WWE star is still listed on AEW’s official website as active talent.
Advertisement
This means that either Jericho is still part of the Tony Khan-led promotion and could be on a break, or he may have a few days left in his contract expiration. This serves as another major reason why he didn’t return at WWE Royal Rumble.
#1. Triple H might bring Chris Jericho for WWE WrestleMania 42
The Royal Rumble show officially kicks off the Road to WrestleMania. Meanwhile, Elimination Chamber will still be a major PLE. So the company will first focus on the Elimination Chamber show and later put all efforts into the ‘Mania 42 card.
There is a slight chance that the Chief Content Officer of WWE might be saving Chris Jericho for this year’s Showcase of the Immortals. This could explain why he failed to appear in the traditional Men’s Rumble match.
The Game might bring Jericho after Elimination Chamber PLE and directly insert him in a major way for The Show of Shows.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, speaking in Washington on Wednesday, announced that his nation’s security agencies had “foiled a series of cyberattacks” of “Russian origin.”
Tajani said the attempted attacks targeted numerous “Foreign Ministry offices, starting with Washington, and also some Winter Olympics sites, including hotels in Cortina.”
Past Olympic-related cyberattacks came in Paris in 2024, and Pyeongchang in 2018. It is widely thought that Russian actors were behind them.
Russian bans from games — both for doping infractions as well as its war of aggression in Ukraine — are seen as motivation for such acts of aggression.
Advertisement
British intelligence services say Russian hackers were also eyeballing attacks on Tokyo in 2021.
Russia has been excluded from this year’s event over Ukraine. However, 13 Russian and 7 Belarus athletes have been allowed to compete as neutrals alongside 3,500 global Olympians.
Is Europe ready for a hybrid war? — To the Point
Diverse Olympic protests and highly policed ‘red zones’
The northern Italian city of Milan and the neighboring Cortina d’Ampezzo region are hosting this year’s Winter Olympics between February 6 and 22.
Advertisement
Some 2 million visitors are expected, including 60,000 at Friday’s opening ceremonies at San Siro Stadium in Milan, which will be attended by US Vice President JD Vance among others.
Numerous protests are scheduled to take place throughout the course of the event, they will highlight issues ranging from the environmental destruction caused by the Olympic business model to Israel’s inclusion in the games despite the situation in Gaza.
Police say Milan’s city center will be declared a “red zone” closed to all pedestrian and vehicular traffic beginning on Friday.
Advertisement
Authorities say they have stepped up security checks at border crossings and rail stations, and that K-9 and bomb crews are conducting regular security sweeps at Olympic venues.
Additionally, snipers have been deployed across the network of tightly controlled red zone sites.
Concerns about shady deals ahead of 2026 Winter Olympics
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi on Wednesday said US counterparts from ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) would serve solely in an advisory capacity.
“ICE does not and will never be able to carry out operational police activities on our national territory,” Piantedosi said.
He said it was entirely normal for such forces to be deployed, noting that Italy had done the same in Paris in 2024. He also called anger voiced by regional citizens and political leaders over the presence of US agents “completely unfounded.”
Minnesota killing spurs backlash over ICE enforcement
24-hour Olympic Operations Room in Rome will coordinate security
Beyond fending off cyber attacks, Italian authorities say some 6,000 police and 2,000 military personnel have been deployed across the region stretching from Milan to the Dolomites.
Italy’s Defense Ministry is providing hardware including hundreds of trucks as well as aircraft, drones and radar to secure the event.
Bomb experts, anti-terror outfits, snipers and skiing police will all be on site said Interior Minister Piantedosi.
Overall security for the event will be coordinated remotely, at the Rome-based International Olympic Operations Room (SOIO). The command center will run around the clock from start to finish, coordinating numerous international and national operations and police headquarters.
Advertisement
Nationally, this means coordination with police in the northern Italian cities of Bolzano, Milan, Sondrio, Trento, Venice and Verona.
“Officers from foreign police forces, as well as Interpol and Europol personnel, will be present to ensure timely information-sharing and the management of any critical issues requiring international cooperation,” read a police statement.
Warzone and Black Ops 7 Season 2 Battle Pass is set to launch on February 5, 2025, at 9 am PT. The new BlackCell BP has also been revealed in an official YouTube video and the Call of Duty blog. The headline skin in the pass is likely the Phantom BlackCell Operator skin. It’s a more grounded mil-sim-focused cosmetic addition to the game that fans may appreciate.
This article will go over the brand new Warzone and Black Ops 7 Season 2 Battle Pass and explain what it includes.
Warzone and Black Ops 7 Season 2 Battle Pass and BlackCell Price
Warzone and Black Ops 7 Season 2 Battle Pass is available in the usual three tiers, which are:
Standard Battle Pass:1,100 COD Points ($9.99)
Battle Pass Bundle:2,400 COD Points.
BlackCell:$29.99
All three tiers offer different rewards to players, with the BP bundle granting you 20 Battle Pass Tokens and BlackCell providing additional cosmetics. The theme this time seems to focus on mil-sim versions of popular Operators such as Mason and Kagan. Here’s more.
Advertisement
What’s included in Warzone and Black Ops 7 Season 2 Battle Pass and BlackCell?
Warzone and Black Ops 7 Season 2 Battle Pass Mason skins (Image via Activision)
After purchasing the Black Ops 7 Season 2 Battle Pass, you’ll be able to gain access to the Instant Rewards Page, which will offer the following items:
10% Battle Pass XP Boost
The “Sage” Operator Skin for the new Victoria Atwood Operator plus a BlackCell variant for those who purchase BlackCell
The “Malcontent” Legendary Blueprint for the Razor 9mm
The “Arm Up” Animated Calling Card
The “Warped Skull” Emblem
As usual, you can play games to gain XP and make progress in the Warzone and Black Ops 7 Season 2 Battle Pass. Similarly, if you purchase BlackCell, you’ll gain rewards from the BlackCell Instant Rewards page:
The “Phantom” BlackCell Operator
The “Eclipse” BlackCell alternate Skin for Phantom.
1,100 COD Points
The “Initiator” Mastercraft Blueprint for the AK-27 Assault Rifle with Tracers and Death FX
The alternate “Fatalist” Mastercraft Blueprint for the AK-27 Assault Rifle with Tracers and Death FX
The “Sic ’Em” Companion Finishing Move
The “Go Time” Gun Screen
The “BlackCell” Clan Tag (showcased in Lobbies and Winner’s Circles)
The Season 02 HUD Theme (BlackCell only)
10% XP Loyalty Boost
New Kagan skin in Black Ops 7 (Image via Activision)
Players can also unlock bonus content by playing the game and unlocking various pages. They can earn seven BlackCell exclusive skins, including the following:
Instant Reward Page: The “Sage” BlackCell Skin for Atwood
BP Completion Page: The “Axial” BlackCell Skin for Atwood
Page 2: The “Zenith” BlackCell Skin for Mason
Page 4: The “Prognosis” BlackCell Skin for Falkner
Page 7: The “Guardsman” BlackCell Skin for Nikolai
Page 9: The “Devious” BlackCell Skin for Vermaak
Page 12: The “Forgenought” Skin for Reaper EWR-3
Furthermore, seven BlackCell Weapons Blueprints will also be available to the players, including:
Page 1: The “Paragon BlackCell” Blueprint for the MXR-17 Assault Rifle
Page 5: The “Deregulator BlackCell” Blueprint for the Warden 308 Marksman Rifle
Page 8: The “Big Pill BlackCell” Blueprint for the VS Recon Sniper Rifle
Page 10: The “Slim Chance BlackCell” Blueprint for the M10 Breacher Shotgun
Page 11: The “Accendo BlackCell” Blueprint for the REV-46 SMG
Page 13: The “Biosiphon BlackCell” Blueprint for the RK-9 SMG
Page 14: The “Photon BlackCell” Blueprint for the ERGT-17 Assault Rifle
Christophe Dubi, the IOC executive director for the Olympic Games, added: “We make a point to receive those petitions, and we have to recognise climate is a challenge for all of us.
“What we have to do as an organisation is to be at the forefront of sustainability, and our principles are very clear.”
One area the IOC is aiming to make the Olympics more sustainable is having Games take place over a wider area with more pre-existing facilities, and Coventry said Milan-Cortina is an acid test for whether this is a viable future.
Milan-Cortina takes place in three hubs spread across northern Italy – in Milan, Cortina and Livigno – with only two newly built sporting facilities: the Santagiulia ice hockey arena and Cortina Sliding Centre.
Advertisement
The next two Winter Olympics – French Alps 2030 and Utah 2034 – will also have sports spread more widely, while the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane is will have venues across Queensland.
“We are really experiencing a spread out Games here for the first time – we are going to learn a lot,” Coventry said.
“We have taken this decision for sustainability reasons, climate and not having to have new venues. We are seeing there is an impact on National Olympic Committees because of the spreadness [sic], also for broadcast and media, making it harder to get around.
Advertisement
“What is really cool is that you get to see iconic venues in beautiful places – but now we have to weigh this up, the balance between a spread games for sustainability reasons but not shifting complexity and sustainability to different areas.”
While the action got underway on Wednesday with the start of the curling events, the 2026 Winter Olympics will officially start with the opening ceremony on Friday.
Coventry said she hoped all nations would be treated with respect by spectators, including the USA team amid criticism from Italian authorities about the presence of ICE agents in Milan.
“I hope the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as a chance to be respectful,” she said.
Advertisement
“For me, when we went to the Olympic village that is the best reminder of how the Games should be. I hope the opening ceremony will do that.”
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain is joining the reigning NBA champion.
The Oklahoma City Thunder reportedly agreed to a trade for Jared McCain, sending a 2026 Rockets first-round pick and three second-round picks, per ESPN.
McCain, who turns 22 in a few weeks, was the 76ers’ first-round draft choice in 2024 after a stellar season at Duke.
Jared McCain of the 76ers dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Jan. 29, 2026, in Philadelphia.(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
However, injuries have gotten in the way of his play early in his NBA career.
McCain tore his meniscus in his left knee on Dec. 14, 2024, and the Sixers would announce in January 2025 that he would be sidelined for the rest of the season.
Things got worse to start this season, though, as McCain underwent surgery to repair a tear in the UCL in his right thumb, forcing him to miss more time on the court.
In 37 games this season, McCain has averaged just 6.6 points after pouring in 15.3 per night in his rookie season. However, he has been getting back into a groove of late, playing more minutes for Philadelphia and seeing some stat changes.
Sixers’ Jared McCain looks to make his move against Brooklyn Nets’ Dennis Schroder, Oct. 16, 2024, in Philadelphia.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
He joins a Thunder team that already has a good set of guards, including the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Luguentz Dort also runs the shooting guard post that McCain has been used to.
If McCain will get playing time, it’s likely off the bench, with the Thunder using Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell in those roles.
Advertisement
The Thunder picked up right where they left off from the 2024-25 season, owning a 40-11 record, which is the best mark in the NBA this season.
Jared McCain of the 76ers during the Sacramento Kings game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Jan. 29, 2026, in Philadelphia.(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Oklahoma City made their way to the NBA Finals after posting a 68-14 regular-season record, and defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games to notch the franchise’s first-ever Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Manchester United loaned academy prospect Sekou Kone to Ineos‑owned Lausanne Sport as a way for both clubs to assess how effective their broader multi‑club partnership could be.
Manchester United youngster Sekou Kone has made an instant impression Lausanne Sport after joining the club on loan. The 19‑year‑old will spend the rest of the season with the Swiss side as he continues his development.
According to the Daily Mail, it hasn’t taken long for the midfielder to settle in, with coaches already blown away by his technical quality on the ball. There is also genuine excitement about his ball‑winning ability.
He will be handed the opportunity to feature in Europe, as his new side are still in the UEFA Conference League. Lausanne face SK Sigma Olomouc in the upcoming play-off round.
Kone has linked up with fellow United youngster Enzo Kana‑Biyik, who is also on loan at the club. He could make his Lausanne debut against St. Gallen on Sunday.
His loan is said to be viewed as something of a litmus test for the Lausanne-United partnership, offering both clubs a chance to gauge how productive their wider multi‑club collaboration could become.
Advertisement
United will be monitoring Kone’s progress closely, especially with the need for reinforcements in midfield this summer.
Casemiro confirmed earlier this month that he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, bringing an end to a remarkable four‑year spell at the club.
The midfielder joined the Reds for £1million from Guidars in his native Mali in 2024 and has now become the latest academy prospect to head out on loan.
During the winter window, Harry Amass, Toby Collyer, Ethan Wheatley, Gabriele Biancheri and James Scanlon all secured temporary moves to EFL clubs, while Jacob Devaney joined St Mirren until the end of the season.
On the incoming front, it was a quiet month at M16, with Michael Carrick focused on pushing for Premier League success with his current group of players.
The Reds are next in Premier League action on Saturday against Tottenham at home (12:30pm).
The pounding music and disco lights lent a sense of occasion to the first action of this year’s Games in the high-end Italian resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo.
The snow which had hammered down all day in the Dolomites had turned to sleet by the time the four matches started in front of a healthy crowd inside the 3,500-capacity arena.
But many of those spectators were cast into darkness for four or five minutes early on until someone put some change in the meter,the scoring screens flickered back into life and play resumed.
“I didn’t mind the lights going off,” said Mouat. “It was a bit of a boogie, a rave… it was like a nightclub.”
Advertisement
When the dancing stopped, Norway’s husband and wife team of Magnus Nedregotten and Kristin Skaslien initially took control before the sides fell into a cagey contest.
Mouat and Dodds seized the initiative in a splendid second end – the final accounting reached after some lengthy deliberation with the measuring stick – and led 4-3 at the break after edging a tight fourth against the 2002 silver medallists.
The interval did check the momentum of the childhood friends a little, as Norway – who also won bronze in 2018 – drew level again.
Nedregotten’s flawless play was keeping Norway in it – wife Skaslien’s struggles threatening a little domestic disharmony – but even his efforts could not prevent Team GB snatching three in the sixth end thanks to a stunning Dodds throw.
Advertisement
That opened a three-shot lead with two ends to play.
And, although the Norwegians invoked the powerplay to cut the deficit to one, Mouat and Dodds did likewise in the last end to close out a statement 8-6 win.
“It took us a bit of time to work out one end was curling more than the other, but once we did we took a step up in performance and took control from there,” Dodds said.
“It’s a good confidence builder to start the week.”
Players of the Rivers state handball team have sent strong messages of warning to their opponents at the forthcoming Niger Delta Games that they will be in Benin City for the Gold medal this time.
Speaking after the conclusion of the Handball trials for Edo 2026 at the Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the players that spoke were unanimous in their resolve to hit gold later this month.
It could sound unrealistic, given that their performances at the inaugural edition in Uyo last year were not up to scratch, but the players remain adamant that the experience combined with their preparations for this edition will bring them good returns.
Advertisement
Fully prepared this time
Goalkeeper Richard Harrison led his male teammates in declaring their readiness to take Benin by storm, hinging his belief on his team’s good preparation.
“We are very very prepared. For me, I will say it’s a 100% for us. We have been training basically, morning and evening, so the preparation is there, just to put in the team work and I think we can go for Gold,” said Harrison.
Advertisement
His teammate ThankGod David also echoed Harrison’s thoughts, adding that they have put in enough work in preparations that should see them come out tops when they face their regional opponents as from February 20.
“We are very confident in our abilities as we have put in enough efforts in our trainings. So we believe that as we are heading for the competition, we, as a team are emerging victorious,” said David.
Anticipating a better, sweeter experience
The Rivers Handball team are aware of their poor past and ready to create a new experience.
Advertisement
For Godspower Idango, he says that their lacklustre performance last year has brought a renewed hunger in them ahead of this year’s competition and assures of a great outing this year.
“We are looking forward to this year’s Games. We didn’t do well last year so my teammates and I are hungry and angry so much that we are putting in much work both in the morning and evening.
“So, I want to assure you that we will come out victorious in Edo state.”
Lily Emmanuel is a young lady who spoke on behalf of the women’s team and she believes the team is ready and equipped to make the state proud this year.
Advertisement
“I wasn’t actually proud of the experience last year but this year, we are going prepared. We are going to win, we are not coming to dull or fail. We are Team Rivers and we are going to make Rivers state proud.
“We’ve been training from like the beginning of January intensively with consistency. We’ve been able to do endurance trainings that has given us greater strength so, the result will be different this time,” said Lily.
The Rivers state trials for Edo 2026 Niger Delta Games continued on Wednesday with Volleyball and Taekwondo taking centre stage.
In-form Ishan Kishan continued his red-hot form with a rapid half-century as India secured a 30-run win over South Africa in their only warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday at DY Patil Stadium. The wicketkeeper-batter raced to 53 off just 20 balls, smashing seven sixes and two boundaries, cementing his spot in the top order alongside Abhishek Sharma. The Indian batters collectively posted a daunting 241 for five on a flat track, with Ishan and Abhishek putting on an explosive 80-run partnership inside the powerplay. Abhishek contributed 24 off 17 balls before retiring, allowing Ishan to continue his onslaught and retire unbeaten after reaching his fifty, ensuring both got a final hit ahead of India’s opener against the USA on February 7.
Are India favourites to win 2026 T20 World Cup? | Greenstone Lobo makes a HUGE PREDICTION
India rotated their bowling arsenal, using nine different bowlers, including Abhishek Sharma, who picked up 2/32 in three overs, to restrict the Proteas to 210/7. Harshit Rana, however, was forced to leave after just one over due to discomfort in his run-up. South Africa’s experimental opening pair of George Linde (0) and Aiden Markram (38 retired out) failed to make an impact, with Linde dismissed for a duck by Arshdeep Singh. Ryan Rickelton top-scored for the visitors with 44 off 21 balls, while Jason Smith contributed 35 off 23. Dewald Brevis fell cheaply, but Tristan Stubbs provided resistance with a 21-ball 45 not out, including four sixes. Other notable performances for India included Tilak Varma, who made a quick 45 off 19 balls before being bowled by Marco Jansen, and Suryakumar Yadav, who struck 30 off 16 balls. Vice-captain Axar Patel added 35 off 23, while Hardik Pandya finished with a fiery 30 from just 10 deliveries. Rinku Singh contributed 16 before being hit on the helmet. India’s batting dominance, combined with disciplined bowling, ensured a comfortable 30-run victory in their final warm-up ahead of the tournament. Brief scores: India 240/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 53, Tilak Varma 45; Marco Jansen 1/18) beat South Africa 210/7 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 44, Tristan Stubbs 45*; Abhishek Sharma 2/32) by 30 runs.
The defending NBA Champions are adding to their roster.
McCain has experienced a sophomore slump in his second year in the NBA, after bursting onto the scene as a rookie in 2024-25.
The 21-year-old is averaging 6.6 points, two rebounds and 1.7 assists on 38.5 per cent shooting through 37 games this season.
Last campaign, he was a Rookie of the Year favourite before going down with a torn meniscus. McCain averaged 15.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists on 46 per cent shooting in 23 games in 2024-25.
Advertisement
McCain became expendable in Philadelphia after the 76ers drafted VJ Edgecombe third overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The move also provides them with the flexibility to bring Quentin Grimes back in free agency and convert two-way guard Dominick Barlow, per Charania.
Former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder opens up about his mental health struggles, and says he’s now “at peace” before his fight against Derek Chisora on 4 April at London’s O2 Arena.
![P Square - Taste the Money (Testimony) [Official Video]](https://wordupnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1770240048_maxresdefault-80x80.jpg)
