The next iteration of The Bloodline’s story seeped into the throes of “Friday Night SmackDown” in Providence, Rhode Island, as Jacob Fatu appeared in the locker room as Jey Uso was getting prepared for his King of the Ring Tournament match with his brother, Jimmy.

There seemed to be a number of moving parts. Fatu said he was at SmackDown to speak to Solo Sikoa – who broke away from Roman Reigns and formed the MFT. Meanwhile, Jey Uso also received a pep talk from Cody Rhodes.

“When I do it, I’m coming after that WWE championship at SummerSlam,” Uso told Rhodes before the match. “Just business, Uce. Just business.”

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Jey Uso makes his entrance during SmackDown at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 12, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)

Rhodes said he hoped Uso does come after the Undisputed WWE Championship. He added that he hoped it was his decision and not because Roman Reigns told him to.

Palace intrigue was at an all-time high.

Fatu found Sikoa in the locker room. He said he had a message from Reigns and that the “Original Tribal Chief” wanted Sikoa to “come home.” Sikoa, one former prominent Bloodline member, laughed.

“Home? He wants me to come home? That’s what your ‘Tribal Chief’ said? That ain’t home, Jacob,” Sikoa said. “That’s a doghouse, and you’re his lap dog. You know what? I don’t understand this. What the hell happened to you? You used to be a killer. A man that everyone was afraid of. The ‘Samoan Werewolf.’ A man who was this close to beating Roman. And now? You’re just his background. And you know I’m right because I am still standing here and you’ve done nothing but come here and deliver a message from who? Your ‘Tribal Chief?’

“Listen to me, Roman has done nothing but embarrass you, humiliated you and make you kneel down like a dog in front of the whole world and in front of our family, Jacob. And that right there is not how you treat somebody that you love. But he wants me to come back? I’m not going back there. So, tell Roman, he can go to hell.”

Fatu said he understood where Sikoa was coming from but he already made his decision and if Reigns wants him to go get him, then he was coming for Sikoa.

Sikoa said if Reigns wanted him back home, “then he can come and get me.”

The tentacles of The Bloodline didn’t end there. While Jey Uso got ready for the match, Sikoa was in Royce Keys’ ear. Uso, Keys, LA Knight and Finn Balor met in the King of the Ring Tournament. Sikoa said he didn’t want Keys to be a “casualty” in Reigns’ war.

Knight took a victory lap, showing that he was right about The Bloodline and its little proxies getting involved in the King of the Ring match. Little did he know, just how involved they would get. As Knight and Keys went to the outside of the ring, Jimmy Uso and Sikoa appeared.

Balor was in control toward the end of the match, nailing his finisher on Jimmy Uso. Keys got distracted by Sikoa and Knight took control. It looked like Knight was going to get the win.

Keys got hit with a big boot, causing referee Charles Robinson to check on him. Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Knight when his back was turned. Keys hit a spinebuster on Knight as Jey Uso went to the top rope for the frog splash. Uso pinned Knight to steal the win.

It appeared Sikoa was trying to help Keys, but instead he gave The Bloodline a win. Uso will take on Je’Von Evans in the semifinals. Oba Femi and Dominik Mysterio will meet in the other semifinal.

Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes’ confrontation

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes addresses the crowd with Sami Zayn during SmackDown at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I., on June 12, 2026. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE)

Sami Zayn wanted to let the crowd in Providence know that he was, in fact, the “last real good guy” in wrestling. He was a little taken aback by the reaction in the city and noted how his “ride or die” fans showed up in “full force” for him in Europe.

Zayn called out Rhodes, and the “American Nightmare” obliged. Zayn was hoping to clear the air with Rhodes after weeks of unfortunate accidents. He rehashed the series of incidents, including last week’s suicide dive from Rhodes that was meant for Gunther. Zayn asked Rhodes for the “truth,” as fans chanted, “Sami sucks.”

Rhodes flashed back to the moment where Zayn was in the ring celebrating the championship win at WrestleMania 40. Zayn asked Rhodes of the names he listed – CM Punk, Kevin Owens, John Cena, Randy Orton – how many of those guys were still his friend and whether Rhodes was the problem? Rhodes said he didn’t need to be “honest” with them the way he needed to be honest with Zayn. Zayn, then, begged for Rhodes’ honesty.

“You want me to be honest with you? You want me to be honest? I’m standing out here for this. I’m taking all this fire, listening to this BS,” Rhodes said. Here’s me being honest with you: They (the fans) are booing you. They are chanting, ‘Sami sucks!’ And the reason is, because lately, you do suck. You’re whining. You’re crying.

“You’re not the Sami Zayn they fell in love with. You’re not the Sami Zayn they took a ride with. You’re not my Sami Zayn. You’re something else. If anything, you are desperate. Let’s not pretend that it’s about anything, anything between you and I other than the WWE Championship. And I owe you an apology, I am sorry. I’m sorry that I have this and that means you never will.”

Zayn slapped Rhodes after the sharp words. Zayn started to apologize while anger started to build in Rhodes.

Rhodes then slapped Zayn across the face.

“Are we good?” Rhodes yelled at Zayn, who exited the ring and grabbed a chair. Zayn threw it down and walked away.

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Gunther sets his stipulation for Undisputed WWE Championship rematch

Gunther got what he wanted in order to get a rematch against Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He told SmackDown GM Nick Aldis that he will choose the referee for the match, after an error cost him the title at Clash in Italy.

Gunther explained to Aldis later he needed to choose someone with the proper knowledge of pro wrestling rules but also needed to take the “human factor into consideration.”

He chose Zayn as his special guest referee – much to the chagrin of Aldis.

So, next week it will be Rhodes defending his title against Gunther with Zayn calling the shots.

Rhea Ripley injury update

Rhea Ripley enters the ring during Clash in Italy at Inalpi Arena in Torino di Sangro, Italy, on May 31, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)

Rhea Ripley appeared on last week’s “SmackDown” with a brace around her knee and it didn’t appear she was ready to compete in any matches. Jade Cargill and Michin ended up defeating Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton.

SmackDown broadcaster Wade Barrett shed some light on Ripley’s recovery.

“The knee injury happened in Italy last week,” Barrett said. “Now, we are evaluating the knee injury as we speak and based on how that knee responds to the treatment, it should give us a better idea on the ETA for the return of Rhea ‘Bloody’ Ripley. Obviously, we all have our fingers crossed for a swift return for the champ.”

Cargill said that she hoped Ripley was resting because she was going to get her “lick back.”

Queen of the Ring Tournament moves along

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair make their way to the ring during SmackDown at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 25, 2025. (Craig Melvin/WWE)

The latest semifinalist for the Queen of the Ring Tournament was revealed on Friday night as Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria fought for a spot in the next round.

Cargill had hoped that winning the Queen of the Ring for a second consecutive year would have brought her back to the top of the women’s division. However, it was the savvy veteran in Flair who took advantage of the younger field.

Valkyria tried to pin Flair but as she was in shock, Flair took advantage. Ruca hit Valkyria with a thrust kick as she went to put Nightwing on Flair. She then gave Ruca a big boot and got Valkyria locked into the Figure Eight Leglock. Valkyria tapped out and Flair had her hand raised.

Flair will take on Liv Morgan in the semifinals. Iyo Sky will take on Raquel Rodriguez in the other semifinals matchup. The winners will square off at Night of Champions.

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SmackDown match results:

Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton makes her entrance during SmackDown at Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 12, 2026. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE)

Charlotte Flair def. Lyra Valkyria, Jade Cargill and Sol Ruca to advance in the Queen of the Ring Tournament.

Paige and Brie Bella def. Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid.

Rey Fenix def. Axiom to retain the AAA Cruiserweight Championship.

Michin and B-Fab def. Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green.

Jey Uso def. LA Knight, Royce Keys and Finn Balor to advance in the King of the Ring Tournament.

Zohran Mamdani got a taste of what it’s like to be a champion on Sunday.

The New York City mayor paraded with an NBA champion in New York, less than 24 hours after his hometown Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973.

After flying overnight from San Antonio back to the Big Apple, Jose Alvarado, also a native New Yorker, took part in a local Puerto Rican Day Parade, and the mayor joined him in the fun.

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Jose Alvarado of the New York Knicks celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy after winning Game Five of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 13, 2026. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Alvarado spent most of his time on the float shirtless and partying, which was totally understandable in the aftermath of a championship.

A video captured from the parade showed Alvarado rapping Jadakiss’ verse from Ja Rule’s 2004 hit, “New York,” while Mamdani also sang some words from the throwback song that’s been revitalized as a Knicks anthem.

Alvarado’s Knicks teammate Jordan Clarkson was also spotted on the float.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends the 69th annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City on June 14, 2026. (NDZ/Star Max/GC Images)

THE ATHLETIC BEWILDERINGLY CELEBRATES ‘ZOHRAN MAMDANI SPORTS SUMMER’ AFTER NEW YORK KNICKS WIN NBA FINALS

Alvarado went to Christ the King High School in Queens and is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent; he represents Puerto Rico in international play.

He was traded to the Knicks from the New Orleans Pelicans as a minor, yet impactful, move for the Knicks’ title run. He played for a majority of the fourth quarter in the team’s 29-point comeback in Game 4.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attends the Puerto Rican Day Parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on June 14, 2026. (Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

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The entire Knicks team will be on floats for their championship parade on Thursday. They won the title with a 94-90 Game 5 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, coming back from double digits again … twice.

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World Cup debutants Curacao made history by scoring their first-ever goal at the tournament, but they suffered a heavy 7-1 defeat to Germany in their opening Group E match in Houston.

Germany, four-time world champions, started strongly and took the lead after just six minutes through Felix Nmecha. The midfielder curled a powerful shot into the net to score the fastest goal of the tournament so far.

Curacao, the smallest nation ever to compete at a World Cup, responded brilliantly. Zurich midfielder Livano Comenencia became a national hero when he scored the country’s first World Cup goal in the 21st minute. His shot from outside the box took a deflection and beat veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

The goal sparked celebrations among Curacao supporters and marked a historic moment for the Caribbean nation of around 155,000 people.

Curacao briefly threatened another surprise when striker Jurgen Locadia appealed for a penalty, but the referee waved play on.

Germany soon regained control. Defender Nico Schlotterbeck restored their lead with a header from Nathaniel Brown’s corner before Kai Havertz converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Felix Nmecha was brought down in the box.

Leading 3-1 at the break, Germany stepped up their performance in the second half.

Just over a minute after the restart, Jamal Musiala scored from a Joshua Kimmich pass to make it 4-1. Brown then added a fifth with a fine volley before substitute Deniz Undav got on the scoresheet for Germany’s sixth goal.

Havertz completed his brace two minutes from time with a delicate finish over Curacao goalkeeper Eloy Room after another assist from Undav.

Six different German players found the net as Julian Nagelsmann’s side began their World Cup campaign in impressive fashion.

Although the result was a painful one for Curacao, the night will always be remembered for Comenencia’s historic strike, which gave the island nation its first World Cup goal and a special place in football history.

With a population of just 150,000, Curacao has smashed Iceland’s record as the country with the fewest inhabitants (350,000) to reach a World Cup.  Curacao covers an area of ​​roughly 440 square kilometers (171 square miles), making it about six times smaller than Rhode Island, the smallest US state.

Curacao is best known for its beaches and diving spots as well as a liqueur named after it. Baseball, not football, is the top sport on the island, which has sent around 15 players to the Major Leagues in the United States. Probably their most famous is Andruw Jones, who after spending 17 seasons in the majors was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York this year.

“Football used to be much bigger here. From the 1960s through the 80s, everyone watched it,” Curacao sports reporter Carl Ruiter told DW.

Ten teams compete in Curacao’s top football league, the Prome Divishon. A domestic cup competition was established last year.

Undefeated in qualifying

World Cup qualifying gave football on the island a major boost. The stadiums were packed for the final home games.

“It’s a sign that the whole nation was truly invested — desperate to reach the World Cup and eager to support our national team,” Ruiter said.

The World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams clearly made it much easier for footballing minnows like Curacao to qualify, but still, their campaign was remarkable as the team went unbeaten throughout.

They went into their final match in Jamaica needing just a draw to qualify. With the score level at 0-0 in stoppage time though, Jamaica were awarded a penalty. However, to the team’s and fan’s relief, the decision was over turned after a VAR review and Curacao were through. After the final whistle, the players shed tears of joy.

“We made the impossible possible,” striker Kenji Gorre shouted into the cameras. “I’m at a loss for words. A dream is coming true.”

Euphoria on the island

“I was in Kingston for the match,” Ruiter said. “We didn’t sleep.”

Back home, fans danced the night away, complete with fireworks and a parade of cars. The team was welcomed by fans the following day.

“World Cup qualifying has really united our country,” he said.

People are clearly proud of the national team and players like captain Leandro Bacuna have become role models for youngsters who now want to play football themselves.

Most players from the Netherlands

But where does the success of the team ranked 82nd in the FIFA world rankings come from? In fact, the national team has only existed since 2011. This is linked to the country’s history, as Curacao was once a Dutch colony. In 1954, it became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands — alongside Aruba and Bonaire — as part of the Netherlands Antilles, complete with its own football team. In 2010, Curacao gained autonomy, with its own government, parliament and, ultimately, football team.

In January 2024, veteran Dutch coach Dick Advocaat took charge of the team and recruited players from his homeland. This was possible because everyone from Curacao holds Dutch passports by default. However, to be eligible to represent the country, a player’s parents or grandparents must have been born on the island.

Midfielder Tahith Chong is one of the few players actually born in Curacao. Most of the others hail from the Netherlands; many were trained in Europe and play there as well. 

Connection to the fans

However, the players are not viewed as mercenaries with no ties to Curacao, Ruiten said.

“Many vacation here regularly and have family here. Most, if not all, speak the local language, Papiamento.”

Fans are now preparing to travel to the United States for the historic first match against their biggest opponent to date: Germany. Ecuador and Ivory Coast are the other teams in Group E. Members of the diaspora in the Netherlands and the United States are also expected to turn out to cheer on their team.

Coaching changes just before the World Cup

However, a hitch emerged just weeks before the World Cup, when Advocaat resigned after his daughter had become seriously ill. He was succeeded by Fred Rutten, also an internationally experienced Dutch coach. But the team lost its first two matches under Rutten.

In May though, with the health situation of Advocaat’s daughter having improved, he again became available. Rutten quickly announced his resignation.

“An atmosphere must not be allowed to develop that undermines healthy professional relationships within the team and the coaching staff,” he explained in a statement issued by the Curacao FA. Media reports suggest that players and sponsors had been clamoring to get Advocaat back.

Advocaat, 78, is now set to become the oldest person ever to coach at a men’s World Cup. That record was broken twice on the tournament’s opening day, first by Hugo Broos of South Africa, who is 74, then later by Czechia coach Miroslav Koubek, who is also 74 but a few months older.

“We have proven that we are difficult to beat,” Advocaat recently told the Reuters news agency.

“But the opponents in this group are of a different quality, of course. We know it will be very difficult, but nothing is impossible.”

This article was originally published in German. 

Remember the guy last month who suggested that Mark and Zygi Wilf could sell the Minnesota Vikings because the franchise did not spend big in free agency? He’s Pioneer Press’s Charley Walters, and after that theory was instantly and utterly debunked, Walters now believes Minnesota could trade quarterback J.J. McCarthy this summer.

All signs point to McCarthy remaining in Minnesota this season, but Walters isn’t buying it.

Vikings’ QB Takes Keep Getting Stranger

Walters: Vikings Could Trade McCarthy

Walters, no stranger to stirring the pot, got in his bag this weekend, writing about McCarthy and the Vikings’ quarterback situation, “It seems unlikely that Carson Wentz re-signed with the Vikings to be the third-string quarterback this season, or that Kyler Murray signed with the Vikings to be the second-string QB.”

“Curiously, a few weeks ago, during the rookie mini-camp, the Vikings brought in former Dallas-Baltimore QB Cooper Rush for a tryout. Remember, it was Rush who five years ago — subbing for injured Cowboys starter Dak Prescott in a Sunday night game in Minneapolis — passed for 325 yards and two second-half TDs to lead Dallas to a 20-16 victory.”

The Vikings often have veteran quarterbacks on speed dial — like Rush — with Desmond Ridder and John Wolford as examples in 2025.

“Depending on training camp performances, if the Vikings were to get a decent offer — say a third-round draft pick — for QB J.J. McCarthy, it wouldn’t be surprising if Minnesota starts the season with Murray, Wentz and perhaps Rush as its top three QBs,” Walters continued.

“Rush, now a free agent, played for $4 million for the Ravens last season.”

One Battle after Another

Walter always has something new and spicy to insert into his weekend column; the McCarthy trade proposition is merely the latest chapter.

He recently claimed the Wilfs could sell the team, as mentioned above, because after two years of heavy spending in 2024 and 2025, Minnesota put the clamps on the salary cap credit card, resetting the finances so that 2027 doesn’t look like a financial nightmare next March.

Walters also infamously claimed in September 2024 that the Vikings might move on from McCarthy six months after drafting him because Sam Darnold could blossom. Darnold later blossomed, and rather than keeping him around, the Vikings stayed loyal to McCarthy — to a fault — and did the opposite of Walters’ hot take.

Vikings Need QB Depth and Insurance

Would it be intriguing to explore a 3rd-Round pick for McCarthy’s services via trade if the club realized that Murray was its meal ticket for 2026 and beyond? Absolutely.

The problem? No one has a crystal ball, and Murray’s takeoff in Minnesota is not guaranteed. And even if Murray plays wonderfully under center, the fact remains that the man misses about one-quarter of all starts due to injury. If Murray gets hurt in 2026, the Vikings will need a Plan B. McCarthy, hungry to disprove the meme caricature of himself, is a fantastic Plan B, given his upside.

What’s more, two of the last three Vikings seasons have been gutted by quarterback injuries: 2023, when Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles tendon, and 2025, when McCarthy encountered a high ankle sprain, concussion, and a broken hand. Minnesota should not be in the business this summer of subtracting QB1 options; it has been hoarding them all offseason to avoid re-runs of the 2023 and 2025 campaigns.

Our Steve Hoikkala noted this week, “McCarthy has been polarizing, especially in Vikings fandom. Fans are choosing sides, and I just prefer to root for all of our players wearing purple.”

“Yes that means I can root for Kyler Murray a Vikings fan growing up like Carson Wentz getting to live out a dream as a kid playing quarterback for their favorite team while still rooting for a 23 year old kid in J.J. McCarthy who is a 1st Round Pick that has only played 10 games while showing ‘some’ upside and development to go with an injury riddled season that didn’t meet expectations as well in terms of production.”

Trading McCarthy Feels like a 2027 Talker

Of course, if the Vikings fire up a 2026 season similar to 2024 — finishing 14-3 and reaching the postseason — with Murray fully thriving in the offense, trading McCarthy in 2027 is a different story. By that time, he’d have one year left on his rookie contract, two if Minnesota or a different team opted into his expensive fifth-year option.

You should absolutely expect the McCarthy trade rumor mill to heat up in 2027 if Murray propels the Vikings to the playoffs and posts 25-40 touchdowns.

Until then, McCarthy-themed trade takes are just silly — unless he demands a ticket out of town. McCarthy requesting a trade would be a whole new ball of wax, but so far this summer, he has claimed that Minnesota is where he wants to be.

Vikings training camp is less than seven weeks away.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Rising staying talent Thebudgiesmugla has justified the decision to bypass the Brisbane Cup in preference for a Listed assignment at Rosehill, maintaining its perfect 2400-metre record.

Trainer Bjorn Baker, currently in England to oversee the Royal Ascot bid of gun sprinter Overpass, opted for Saturday’s The Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2400m) in Sydney, feeling it would provide a better progression towards the Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 4.

Last year’s Caloundra feature was won by Half Yours before he went on to Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup success in the spring, and the Baker stable feels Thebudgiesmugla is showing enough promise to entertain similarly lofty goals next season.

“We needed to see him win it, and we needed to see him do it on top of the ground if he’s going to be competitive in better races,” Baker’s racing manager, Luke Hilton said.

“We’d like to go to the Caloundra Cup with him. It’s in three weeks, 2400, good prizemoney race. It’s also a good form race for a few other races later in the year. Half Yours won that race, so we’ll head the same way.”

Starting his career in New Zealand, Thebudgiesmugla has posted four wins in Australia, all of them over 2400m.

Settling on the heels of the leaders for Dylan Gibbons on Saturday, the even-money favourite relaxed beautifully in the run and finished resolutely down the outside to defeat Black Run ($7.50) by three-quarters of a length, with another half-head to So You Are ($8.50).

Hilton admitted to getting antsy on the point of the corner when the field quickened, but said Gibbons knew what he had up his sleeve.

“I was getting itchy feet coming to the corner and willing Dylan to get going on him, because we know he takes time to wind up,” Hilton said. “But he really fights when he gets there. He doesn’t really dash but he keeps grinding. He’s still really raw, and I think there is plenty to come.”

Gibbons has ridden Thebudgiesmugla to three of its four Australian wins and like Hilton, believes the five-year-old can continue to raise the bar.

“He is built so athletic, he’s got the best attitude. He saves every penny, and he can be tough and outstay them all day,” Gibbons said.

With Baker showcasing Australian racing in London, Sky Racing’s Greg Radley suggested to Hilton that his laconic boss might seize the moment for a photo opportunity sporting a pair of budgie smugglers in front of Buckingham Palace.

“Don’t joke about it. You know he’ll do it,” Hilton quipped.

The Caloundra Cup is the next logical target, and Australian betting sites are already buzzing with anticipation for this exciting race.