WWE hosted the biggest event of the year in Las Vegas, and the company is now focused on introducing new stars on all three brands. Recently, EVIL made his debut for the company and broke his silence on X.
There have been times when superstars hone their craft on the independent circuit or train for years in Japan before signing with the Stamford-based promotion. From AJ Styles to Talla Tonga, notable names have had runs in the Land of the Rising Sun before joining WWE. On the recent edition of WWE NXT, EVIL made his debut for the company.
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The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion interrupted Tony D’Angelo with a warning and left the ring. Later, the champion was attacked by Tavion Heights and Will Kroos. Later, the 39-year-old star broke silence on social media when he retweeted his debut with a message.
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“I’ve Arrived. #WWENXT,” EVIL’s tweet on X.
During the show, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion wasn’t addressed mysteriously, but without a proper in-ring name. The company has a trademark filed, which could be for the 39-year-old star, but only time will tell.
Why is EVIL on WWE NXT?
In the past, superstars have joined the developmental brand and had a run under Triple H’s creative leadership before they moved to the main roster. Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, Finn Balor, and more have had prior experience in wrestling, but started from the black and yellow brand.
There have been exceptions to this rule when AJ Styles debuted for the company at the Royal Rumble in 2016. Over the past few years, top names from Japan have joined the company under the new regime and made it to the main roster without a run on the developmental brand.
Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga joined Friday Night SmackDown. According to Bodyslam, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, EVIL, wanted to start from the developmental brand instead of starting on the main roster.
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The 39-year-old star wants to get accustomed to the wrestling scene in the United States, which is why he’s starting with NXT. As for his name, a new report suggests the management is still trying to figure it out. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for EVIL in the Stamford-based promotion.
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MADRID — Atletico Madrid and Arsenal drew 1-1 in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.
It was a gritty encounter in Madrid between the clubs trying to return to the final after a long absence and looking to win the European title for the first time.
It was a harsh contrast to Tuesday’s semifinal, when defending champion Paris Saint-Germain edged Bayern Munich 5-4 in a thriller in France.
Viktor Gyökeres put Arsenal ahead at the Metropolitano stadium by converting a 44th-minute penalty kick. Julián Alvarez equalized for Atletico — also from the penalty spot — in the 56th.
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Arsenal was awarded another penalty in the 78th after Eberechi Eze was brought down by David Hancko inside the area, but the call was overturned — several moments later — after a video review.
The second leg is next Tuesday in England.
Atletico last made it to the Champions League final in 2016, when it lost city rival Real Madrid.
The Cadillac Championship is the newest signature event on the PGA Tour schedule and will bring 72 players back to Trump National Doral to battle the Blue Monster for the first time in a decade.
Leading the field into the fifth signature event of the season is World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who enters as a heavy favorite over a signature event field that is without Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick and Xander Schauffele due to the condensed signature event schedule between the Masters and PGA Championship. With a $20 million purse on the line, those absences present some opportunities for the rest of the field to try and capture a huge victory.
Playing alongside Scheffler for the first two days will be World No. 4 Cameron Young, as The Players champion will look to add a second significant victory in the state of Florida this season. While we haven’t seen the Blue Monster course for 10 years on the PGA Tour, Young appears to be a strong course fit due to his length, which is a necessity on the 7,739-yard long behemoth of a course.
Other notables in the field include Justin Rose — who will be debuting new McLaren golf clubs this week — as well as Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood, Russell Henley, Viktor Hovland, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and more.
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Here is how you can watch those stars and the rest of the field try to tame the Blue Monster and capture the $3.6 million winner’s check this weekend along with our preview and expert picks for the event.
Zaragoza’s Argentine goalkeeper Esteban Andrada was given a 12-match suspension for punching an opponent in a second-division soccer game in Spain this weekend.
Andrada was also suspended for one more match for a red card he was shown before the punch.
The game was in its final minutes when Andrada shoved Huesca defender Jorge Pulido to the ground when he approached the Argentine goalkeeper. After the referee showed Andrada a second yellow card for the shove, the goalkeeper ran after Pulido and hit him in the face with a powerful right-hand punch.
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Pulido dropped to the ground and a brawl between players and staff members from both teams ensued. Andrada later apologized for his actions.
Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez was also sent off for punching Andrada during the melee. Jiménez was suspended four matches for the punch.
The suspensions can be appealed.
Rayo player suspended
Rayo Vallecano player Isi Palazon was suspended a total of seven matches for his harsh complaints about the referee in his team’s 3-3 draw against Real Sociedad on Sunday.
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He had already been substituted and was sent off for complaining from the bench in the final minutes.
Rayo had a goal disallowed after video review instead awarded a penalty kick for Sociedad for an incident earlier in the buildup.
I’ve always struggled to consistently “hit up” on my driver.
Every time I focus on swinging up on the ball and launching it high into the air, my contact tends to suffer. Because of this, I’ve always been content playing with a relatively neutral angle of attack with the big stick.
This approach works for pros on the PGA Tour. But for weekend warriors, it’s not ideal. Tour pros can get away with a neutral (or even negative) attack angle thanks to their high clubhead speeds. When you swing that fast, a flatter strike doesn’t cost much distance, and they’re content to trade a bit of power for accuracy. For recreational players with slower swing speeds, though, hitting up on the ball is crucial for maximizing distance.
During a lesson last winter with GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jason Baile, something finally clicked for me. I didn’t need to overhaul my swing to hit up on the ball — I just needed to make a small tweak to my setup.
At address, Baile had me slightly “bump” my lead hip toward the target. This positioned my lead hip a bit higher than my trail hip, which naturally increased my attack angle without me having to think about it.
Once I incorporated this adjustment, I saw immediate results. Whereas I used to hover around -1 or 0, my attack angle now sits between 2 and 3. As a result, my drives launch higher and with less spin, making my swing more efficient and powerful.
“No one has ever gotten worse by improving their setup,” Baile said.
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When you dial in your setup, the game becomes a whole lot easier. If you struggle to hit up on your driver, give this a try — you’ll be surprised at how much easier it is to deliver the clubhead with a positive attack angle.
3 Things I’m Thinking
1. Data I’m digging. Data Golf has long been the standard for advanced analytics in men’s golf, and now those insights are available in the women’s game as well. It should make for much more informed analysis when it comes to ladies’ game, which is something we can all celebrate.
2. Nelly’s on top. Speaking of Data Golf rankings, it should come as no surprise that Nelly Korda is the top-ranked player in their women’s ranking. And with 2.92 strokes gained per round, she is in the same neighborhood as top-ranked men’s golfer, Scottie Scheffler, who gains 2.95 strokes per round.
3. Rory’s return. Rory McIlroy won’t be teeing it up at this week’s Signature Event at Doral, but he has committed to next week’s Truist Championship. Will the friendly confines of Quail Hollow (where he’s won four times) be enough to stave off a post-Masters hangover?
Gaelic Warrior raced clear to claim the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday.
With Paul Townend on board, the 5-6 favourite powered home ahead of stablemates Fact To File (13-8) and Grangeclare West (28-1). All three are trained by Willie Mullins.
It was eight-year-old Gaelic Warrior who got the better of his rival this time after Fact To File’s win in the Irish Gold Cup came following defeat in the John Durkan.
It was another excellent race with Gaelic Warrior making his move in the penultimate jump and storming home with 26 lengths to spare.
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“It was a huge performance,” Mullins told RTE Sport.
“My heart was in my mouth when Paul joined him (Fact To File) between the fourth-last and the third-last. I was thinking ‘would they knock one another’ or what would they do? They were going some lick.
“Both jockeys just let fly. Over that trip Gaelic Warrior seemed to have the measure of Fact To File. Over a shorter trip it might be different. It was a hell of a horse race.”
With Nolimit (14-1) came through to win the Grade One Punchestown Champion I.N.H. Flat Race.
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Trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Josh Halford, the five-year-old got the better of pre-race favourite The Mourne Rambler (11-8) with Boycetown (5-1) third.
In the Novice Hurdle, Le Frimeur (18-1) maintained his unbeaten record to see off Zanoosh (11-4f) and I Started A Joke (11-1).
Gaelic Warrior (5/6 favourite) completed the Cheltenham-Punchestown Gold Cup double in emphatic fashion at Punchestown this afternoon.
Winner of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding became the first horse since Sizing John to complete the big National Hunt double.
Ridden towards the rear of the field for most of the race, Paul Townend was happy to allow Fact To File (13/8) and Mark Walsh set the pace.
Grangeclare West (28/1) and 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin (8/1) disputed second and third for most of the 3 mile 213 yards race, with the Rich Ricci-owned Gaelic Warrior next, with Danny Mullins aboard Champ Kiely (33/1) in last position.
Once Townend decided to make his move, the result of the Ladbrokes Gold Cup never looked in doubt, as the Closutton inmate ran out a most impressive 26-length victor.
The J.P. McManus-owned Fact To File was runner-up, with Grangeclare West and Brian Hayes in third, 28 lengths behind the runner-up – completing a trifecta for Willie Mullins-handled horses in the five-runner contest.
Former Chicago White Sox All-Star shortstop Alexei Ramírez became the oldest player to ever participate in the World Baseball Classic in March. However, he is accused of doing so illegitimately.
The 44-year-old Cuban tested positive for “metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol,” the International Testing Agency announced in a statement on Wednesday.
The positive test incurs a mandatory provisional suspension of Ramírez from the sport, although he does have the right to challenge the suspension and ask for it to be lifted.
Alexei Ramírez of Team Cuba bats during the second inning of a World Baseball Classic exhibition game against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Ariz., March 4, 2026.(Mike Christy/Getty Images)
The steroids Ramírez took are prohibited at all times, meaning they cannot be taken in or out of competition.
“They are synthetic anabolic-androgenic steroids associated with promoting rapid muscle growth, increased strength and enhanced physical performance,” a statement said of the steroids.
The result of the test came from a sample taken during the tournament, the ITA said. Ramírez played just two innings in left field for Cuba during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Alexei Ramirez of Team Cuba poses for a photo at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Ariz., March 2, 2026.(Jason Hanna/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Cuba did not advance out of pool play in this year’s World Baseball Classic. Ramírez broke Roger Clemens’ record as the oldest player after Clemens set the previous record for the oldest player in the World Baseball Classic when he played for the United States at 43.
Ramírez played with Cuba at the 2004 Athens Olympics, helping win gold over Australia. He won silver with Cuba during the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
Ramírez played in the big leagues for nine seasons, spending eight with the White Sox and parts of a season with the San Diego Padres and Tampa Bay Rays.
Alexei Ramirez plays left field for Team Cuba during the eighth inning of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 9, 2026.(Al Bello/Getty Images)
He finished second to Evan Longoria in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2008. He made his lone All-Star team with the White Sox in 2015.
In Ramírez’s nine seasons, he had a .270 batting average with 115 home runs, 590 RBIs and 143 stolen bases.
Mar 18, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan (6) during warm ups before the game against the LA Clippers at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
New Orleans Pelicans center DeAndre Jordan was named this year’s winner of the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award on Wednesday.
Presented annually since 2012-13, the award recognizes the player deemed the league’s best teammate, based on selfless play, leadership on and off the court as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment to the team.
The 12 finalists were selected by a panel of league executives, with current players voting to determine the winner.
Jordan, 37, narrowly beat three-time winner Jrue Holiday of the Portland Trail Blazers. Jordan received the most first-place votes (66) and finished with 1,445 points, eight ahead of Holiday (1,437). Houston’s Jeff Green (1,420) finished third and Toronto’s Garrett Temple (1,223) was fourth, well ahead of the rest of the field.
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Jordan is a three-time All-NBA player, a two-time All-Defensive Team honoree, a one-time All-Star (2016-17) and an NBA champion with the Denver Nuggets in 2022-23. He appeared in 12 games (seven starts) this season for New Orleans, averaging 4.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Over 1,123 games (798 starts) with eight teams across the last 18 seasons, he is averaging 8.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
Darren England will referee the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley on May 16, and he is no stranger to taking charge of controversial games involving the west Londoners
The FA Cup final between Manchester City and Chelsea will be officiated by Darren England. The Premier League referee has taken charge of numerous City and Chelsea fixtures over the years, whether as the main official, as an assistant referee or in the VAR booth.
His appointment at the blockbuster encounter at Wembley Stadium, which takes place on May 16, was announced by the Football Association in a press release.
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England has been involved in several refereeing controversies when officiating Chelsea, however, with rulings going both for and against them.
Here, Manchester Evening News examines a few from recent times, ahead of the final on May 16.
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Arsenal vs Chelsea: 2025/26
Liam Rosenior’s unbeaten Premier League streak was stopped at the Emirates Stadium, when Arsenal narrowly beat Chelsea 2-1. However, one of the most disputed incidents of the encounter occurred when Declan Rice appeared to knock one of Reece James’ corners away with his elbow.
England was the referee at the time. His original ruling was no penalty, despite Rice appearing to shift his elbow towards the ball as it started to drop downwards.
It’s understood England judged the contact was within normal physical engagement and that any contact with the ball from Rice’s arm was unintentional. VAR also opted to uphold the on-field decision.
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However, former Premier League official Dermot Gallagher suggested Chelsea had been harshly treated. He said: “I thought it was a penalty. I think he moves his arm to the ball and his arm shouldn’t be up that high.
“I get told it’s because he’s engaging with an opponent but in my opinion you shouldn’t be engaged with an opponent that high up, he shouldn’t have his arms around his shoulder.”
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: 2025/26
This was a ruling that had fans and VAR officials frantically consulting the rulebook. Shortly after Estevao and Joao Pedro had handed Chelsea a 2-0 advantage against Crystal Palace, Pedro saw a goal-bound effort blocked by the arm of Palace defender Jaydee Canvot.
England needed VAR to confirm that the ball had struck the defender’s arm and, as he returned to the pitch, many anticipated a penalty and a red card. While the penalty was awarded, the red card remained in his pocket, as England announced: “After review, the ball hits Crystal Palace 23.
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“It is an accidental handball, not deliberate. Therefore it is a penalty kick, however, because it is accidental, this is only a yellow card.”
Given the nature of the offence, many supporters felt the decision was a straightforward choice between a red card and penalty or neither. England settled on a compromise, which split opinion across the football world and left both sets of fans dissatisfied.
Wolves vs Chelsea: 2024/25
When the 2024/25 season got underway, Enzo Maresca marked his first Premier League triumph as Chelsea boss with a stunning 6-2 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
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One of the most talked-about moments of the match arrived when Robert Sanchez played a rapid goal kick beyond the Wolves defensive line to Nicolas Jackson, who laid the ball off to Cole Palmer for the England star to chip Jose Sa and hand Chelsea a 2-1 lead.
The quality of the finish was beyond dispute, yet the same couldn’t be said for its validity. A number of onlookers were convinced Sanchez had struck the ball while it was still moving, and that the goal should therefore have been ruled out.
England was the referee on the day, but neither he nor VAR were satisfied that the ball remained in motion at the point of play. The goal was allowed to stand, and Noni Madueke went on to complete a hat-trick, before Joao Felix wrapped things up with a superb strike to seal a commanding 6-2 win.
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Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
Hitters, pitchers and catchers are not the only beneficiaries of the ABS challenge system. Fans benefit, too.
The ABS challenge system helped Cincinnati Reds’ fans get free pizza during the ninth inning of the team’s 7-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park.
When the Reds strike out 11 hitters in a game, fans get free pizza from the local pizzeria, LaRosa’s. The Reds had 10 strikeouts going into the top of the ninth inning and needed one more to earn their fans some free pizza.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke celebrates with catcher Tyler Stephenson after the final out of the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won the game 7-2 in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 28, 2026.(Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Reds’ reliever Brock Burke was ahead 1-2 in the count against Colorado Rockies second baseman Edouard Julien. Burke fired a 98 mph fastball at the edge of the zone, but home plate umpire Carlos Torres called it a ball.
Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson thought otherwise and tapped the top of his helmet to initiate the challenge. As the challenge appeared on the scoreboard, Reds play-by-play announcer John Sadak set up the moment.
“Stephenson has won one (challenge) tonight, can he win pizza for those in the stands?” Sadak said on the broadcast.
A general view of Great American Ball Park during the seventh inning of the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 14, 2026.(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
The replay confirmed it was a strike, giving the fans free pizza, and the place went bonkers.
“The crowd ready to burst. That’s a strike! He does it for everybody! He does it for the people,” Sadak said.
The broadcast panned to a raucous crowd that celebrated their free pizza. With Burke’s strikeout on the overturned call, all fans got a free small one-topping pizza at LaRosa’s.
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Brock Burke pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning at Great American Ball Park. in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 28, 2026.(Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
For good measure, Burke struck out the 12th Rockies hitter to end the game and secure the win.
With the win, the Reds improved to 19-10 which leads the National League Central. They will take on the Rockies (13-17) on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET in the second game of their three-game series.
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