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On Games debut, shuttler Isharani Baruah ‘ready’ to challenge Asian powerhouses | Asian Games 2026 News

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On Games debut, shuttler Isharani Baruah ‘ready’ to challenge Asian powerhouses
Isharani Baruah made it to the quarterfinals of Syed Modi International (BAI)

NEW DELHI: When Isharani Baruah looks at India’s badminton squad for the Asian Games, she doesn’t see a team overawed by Asia’s traditional powerhouses.The 22-year-old from Assam will make her Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya, stepping into a squad that brings together the experience of two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu and the emergence of youngsters such as Tanvi Sharma, Unnati Hooda and the doubles pair of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand.For Isharani, the journey to this stage began almost by accident. Growing up in Dibrugarh, she was a regular fixture among the boys playing different kinds of sport in her neighbourhood. A neighbour noticed her enthusiasm and suggested badminton to her mother. There was no sporting pedigree at home, no elaborate plan for a career in badminton — just a young girl, a racquet and an opportunity that changed the course of her life.India’s medal ambitions in Aichi-Nagoya come against a backdrop of steady progress on the Asian circuit. The gap with China, Japan and other established powers may still exist, but Indian players are increasingly finding themselves on the latter stages of tournaments rather than merely entering them.For Isharani, the evidence is there week after week.“If you see the Super 100 and Super 300 tournaments, there are always three or four Indians reaching the quarterfinals or semifinals. Even in the 500s, we’re competing well. Badminton has definitely grown in India, and we’re going to reach the level of countries like China and Japan quite soon. We’re ready to challenge these powerhouses at the Asian Games,” she said.Her own rise has followed that same route. Consistent performances on the lower-tier circuit have helped her climb the rankings and, more importantly, exposed her to opponents from the badminton-heavy nations of Asia.“To reach the Super 750 and 1000 events, you first have to perform in the 100s and 300s because that’s how you earn ranking points. Playing against Chinese and Japanese opponents there and beating them gives us confidence before the bigger tournaments,” Isharani said.But perhaps the biggest change in her game has not been technical. It has been between the ears. Once prone to tightening up after mistakes, Isharani has learned to treat composure as part of her game plan. The smile that often appears on court is not simply an expression of enjoyment; it has become a way of resetting herself.“For me, the most important thing is to enjoy playing. Even if I’m making mistakes, I don’t want to become tense because then I lose focus on the next point. I keep smiling, I talk to my coaches more, and I trust the process,” she said.

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Maple Leafs Notebook: McKenna ‘will remember this day forever’

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TORONTO — The future Hall of Fame goaltender, the flashy leading point-getter, the loyal leading goal scorer, and the locally raised prized free agent defenceman were all introduced by name at Scotiabank Arena as the Toronto Maple Leafs took the ice for the first time in five months.

None of them received an ovation as loud as the one shown upon Gavin McKenna, No. 92 in your program and No. 1 on the draft board.

“To know I got this fan base behind me, it feels good,” the teenage phenom said, following his first game in his new barn. “When you hear that, you get almost chills. So, it was pretty cool.”

Cool that McKenna’s extraordinary vision and silky hands were on full display Saturday. In his first taste of pro hockey, McKenna flexed elite poise and made several buttery passes to billet dad John Tavares to generate scoring chances. He ripped three shots of his own and logged more than 19 minutes of ice, including looks on Toronto’s second power-play unit and at 6-on-5.

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The rookie also committed a hooking penalty in the O-zone and coughed up a couple of pucks in the neutral zone. He stood out. He fit in. And, like the rest of an A group that dropped a 4-1 decision to the Montreal Canadiens split squad, he left room for improvement.

“I felt pretty good. I thought I created a bit but also had a couple turnovers, which I think kind of just happens with nerves,” McKenna said. “But I think it was a good start and a lot to build on.

Jim Hiller has already identified his youngest weapon as a smart self-evaluator and has no interest in being too critical too soon, lest McKenna start overthinking his game. The coach doesn’t want to pile any more pressure on a prospect that already arrives with sky-high hopes.

 “In a game where I didn’t think there was a lot of offence from either team, he was in on three or four chances, so you’ll take that every day,” Hiller said.

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“If I say one thing to him, it’s just to be a little bit closer to the puck. We want him to have the puck. Sometimes in the NHL, you got to get right there and surround it, and then make plays out of that, rather than waiting to see if somebody can get it to you. So, he’ll figure that part of the game out.”

“It’s not easy. You jump into your first game after a very short two practices, and then right into a preseason game in the NHL. But he’s got a great head on his shoulders. He’s going to continue to get better as camp goes on, as he gets more comfortable and adjusts to this pace of play,” Matthews assessed. “But obviously he had moments out there where you can tell just how skilled and how talented he is.”

McKenna and Tavares carpool to camp every day from the leader’s west-end home, and the 18-year-old has only taken the wheel once so far. Tavares drove Saturday.

“We lost today, so we might have to change it up,” McKenna smiled.

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“I’m very lucky to be able to step on that ice for my first time with guys like Matthews, Knies, J.T., Willy, all those guys. So, just super lucky, and I’ll remember this day forever.”

Tanev ‘healthy as anybody’

Chris Tanev may have endured worse injury luck in 2025-26 than anyone in the league.

The 36-year-old defenceman suffered a concussion, dealt with a spinal issue, then tried to rehabilitate a lingering core muscle injury before eventually succumbing to season-ending surgery. 

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Tanev was limited to a measly 11 games played, and his absence was a major reason Toronto surrendered a conference-worst 3.6 goals per game.

How encouraging, then, is it that the veteran was a full participant in his first Maple Leafs game Saturday, reuniting with shutdown partner Jake McCabe after 265 days away?

“Tanny looks awesome out there. Skating real well,” McCabe enthuses. “His presence is certainly felt within our group.”

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Considering the wear and tear Tanev has endured and his importance to the NHL’s oldest D corps, concern over his availability will linger. But management assures Tanev is all systems go.

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“He’s had an amazing recovery,” GM John Chayka said. “He pushes himself as hard as anybody in the gym and on the ice. So, I feel really confident that his injuries are in a good place. He’s as healthy as anybody.”

To start, coach Jim Hiller will reunite his best two pure defenders as opposed to balancing his top four with, say, McCabe–Raddysh and Rielly–Tanev pairings.

“The other team’s top line hops out, we’re anxious to pop out there too and try to shut ’em down. D-zone draws, penalty killing, all these responsibilities that we have. And Chris brings leadership in the room,” McCabe said.

“I mean, he’s honestly probably the toughest guy I’ve played with — with what he’s played through and what he can play through. Yeah, we’re for sure excited to see him back up.”

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No one is more excited than Tanev himself, who keeps on tickin’ after every lickin’.

“I still love hockey. I love being around the guys,” Tanev said. “I want to win more than ever. It is pretty simple for me.”

Good on Marshall Rifai (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) for dropping the gloves with Florian Xhekaj (6-foot-3, 195 pounds) after the Canadiens winger delivered a few cross-checks to Matthews and hit William Nylander.

Xhekaj landed more punches in the heavyweight tilt, but the Marlies defenceman held his ground and showed some pushback.

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“That’s appreciated,” Matthews said. “Guys sticking up for each other — that’s what it’s all about. 

“Marshall’s been around here for a bit now, and he’s one of the hardest-working guys I’ve ever come across. A guy, anytime he’s been called up, never complains. Always doing extra, always finding ways to try to get better, and it’s something you really appreciate when you see guys like that in the organization. That was very appreciated, him dropping the gloves like that.”

Why Matthews–McKenna will wait

One day Leafs Nation will witness the inevitable: Gifted setup man McKenna regularly putting pucks on a platter for Matthews.

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But there is some logic to starting Matthews alongside old U.S. National Development Team pal Jack Roslovic, who signed a two-year, $8 million contract in free agency.

“I’m really excited to play with him again. We’ve definitely stayed in touch and stayed pretty close over the years. But hanging out and seeing him again, he’s a lot of fun to be around. He’s funny. He’s always got something to say. Definitely a chatty guy, which is great in the locker room,” Matthews said. “I’m excited to rekindle that chemistry with him.”

“Stoked,” Roslovic echoed. “It is going to be awesome. I am really familiar with his game. I am really familiar with the person and who he is as a guy and a leader. I’ve seen him grow in a lot of ways, and I’ve been able to be on his journey a little bit from the outside. Every time we get a chance to talk, picking up the phone has been super easy. It just feels like we left off where we started.”

The 29-year-olds’ reunion arrives after a false start.

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Former GM Brad Treliving explored a Roslovic signing in the 2025 off-season as well, before the versatile forward settled for a one-year contract with Edmonton on Oct. 8.

Roslovic says he was “definitely” disappointed that the mutual interest didn’t result in a contract a year ago, but his productive flashes alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl encouraged Chayka to reopen abandoned negotiations.

“It is definitely the right time to sign here. I am excited that it happened this way and look forward to what is in store here,” Roslovic said.

“Connor and Leon are highly, highly skilled guys. There is obviously a God-gifted talent that they have there. But it’s like the story with Auston — it is the drive, the dedication, and the little things that make them special, more than any skill that was given to them. It is all work ethic. It is all your ability to come in and want to win every day, put your best foot forward in what is needed. I was really impressed by them. I can’t wait to see what this group has as well.”

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Hiller began talking line combos with his forwards weeks prior to camp’s opening. Matthews sees Roslovic — a 20-goal man thrice over — as a fleet winger who can complement him by carrying the puck through the neutral zone and finish plays.

“Austin and Rosie have played together, so that’s kind of an easy one,” Hiller said. 

“You spend all summer doing this, and then the second period of the second game looks different. So, this is the plan for now. But nothing set in stone.”

Brendan Brisson was eight years old when John Tavares — one of Brendan’s super-agent father Pat’s clients — came and lived at his house in California for a stretch.

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Now winger Brendan, who inked a one-year deal in Toronto and is skating with the Marlies, is hunkering down with McKenna at Casa Tavares for training camp.

A wild full-circle moment, as the 24-year-old Brendan finds himself hanging out with Tavares’s young boys between skates.

When Brendan was a kid, Tavares introduced him to wonders of the protein shake. Now he’s invited Pat’s boy into High Park’s 24-hour hockey-prep experience.

“It’s pretty dialed,” Brisson said. “He’s very structured. It’s cool for me and Gavin to see that.”

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That Tavares, 35, was the only Leaf to appear in all 82 games last season is no accident.

“He’s got everything you need,” Brisson, 24, marveled. “He’s got the saunas, the cold tubs, the Normatec (compression therapy), the red light (therapy), everything to help your game. And it’s awesome to watch his everyday routine. Me and Gavin are maybe making a few jokes about it, but we’re also following along a bit too.”

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Asiad 2026: Quimcy misses bronze, India suffer double Teqball heartbreak | Asian Games 2026

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India’s Quimcy Dsouza’s spirited campaign endured a heartbreaking double setback on Sunday, narrowly missing out on a women’s singles bronze before returning minutes later to lose the mixed doubles bronze-medal clash alongside Mohamed Anas Beg at the Asian Games here on Sunday.

The Mumbai girl pushed Japanese world No. 7 Yuina Sakamoto all the way in the singles bronze-medal match, going down 0-2 (11-12 11-12), before the physical toll of an intense battle caught up with her in the mixed doubles contest, where the Indian pair lost to Vietnam’s Hoang Minh Tan Nguyen and Gia Ngih Trinh 0-2 (9-12 6-12).

Playing in front of a partisan home crowd, Sakamoto may have won in straight sets but the scoreline did little justice to the fight Quimcy produced. Check Asian Games 2026 September 20 India schedule, medal events, live streaming here  

 

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The match is played in a best-of-three sets format, with the first player to win two sets taking the contest.

Quimcy had a set point in the opening game and then raced to a 10-8 lead in the second as she looked to force a decider.

She even saved a match point and served a winner, only to commit a foul that handed Sakamoto the match.

There was barely any time to recover as moments after her singles loss, Quimcy was back on court alongside Anas for their mixed doubles bronze-medal clash against the Vietnamese pair.

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Trailing 5-9 in the second game, the physical toll of playing two intense matches in little over an hour began to show.

Quimcy grimaced in pain as her lower back was massaged before she took a 10-minute medical timeout.

She returned with a strapped waist but could not sustain the momentum, with the Indian duo eventually going down 0-2 (9-12 6-12).

Despite the heartbreaking finishes in both events, India’s deep run in the tournament underlined the country’s rapid progress in a sport that is still relatively new back home.

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As per the rules, the first player to reach 12 points wins a set. In the first two sets, a player can win by a single point, while if the match goes to a deciding third set, the winner must secure a two-point margin to seal the issue.

Teqball is a non-contact sport that combines a bit of football and table tennis, played by hitting a standard football back and forth over a specially curved TT-like table.

Players use any part of their body except their hands and arms, with a maximum of three touches allowed per side to return the ball.

The sport made its debut at the 20th edition of the continental showpiece.

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Lane Kiffin’s big-game struggles: LSU coach has history of failure when leading top-10 team vs. ranked foe

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Lane Kiffin’s big-game struggles: LSU coach has history of failure when leading top-10 team vs. ranked foe originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There is no doubt Lane Kiffin can energize a locker room, and there is no doubt he can coach up an offense.

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For LSU, that isn’t going to be enough. A national championship is the expectation in Baton Rouge, whether that’s in year one, year two, or some point in the years that follow.

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If Kiffin’s track record as a top-10 team is any indication, winning the big games shouldn’t be taken as a given. LSU’s faceplant against Kiffin’s former team on Saturday goes down as another big-game loss for the highly-paid coach, and this loss might be the most painful yet given the circumstances.

Here’s a look at Kiffin’s struggles against ranked teams when leading a top-10 squad.

MORE:Lane Kiffin jeered by Ole Miss fans after arrival in Oxford

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Lane Kiffin record when leading top 10 vs. ranked opponents

Kiffin is now just 1-7 when facing a ranked opponent as a top-10 team in his head coaching career. Here’s a look at every game:

Season

School

Ranking

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Opponent

Result

2012

USC

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No. 2

No. 21 Stanford

L, 21-14

2021

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Ole Miss

No. 10

No. 18 Auburn

L, 31-20

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2021

Ole Miss

No. 8

No. 6 Baylor

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L, 21-7

2023

Ole Miss

No. 10

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No. 1 Georgia

L, 52-17

2024

Ole Miss

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No. 9

No. 13 LSU

L, 29-26

2025

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Ole Miss

No. 5

No. 9 Georgia

L, 43-35

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2025

Ole Miss

No. 8

No. 13 Oklahoma

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W, 34-26

2026

LSU

No. 7

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No. 8 Ole Miss

L, 32-24

Kiffin only had one such game — a loss — while at USC, facing No. 21 Stanford as the No. 2 team in the country early in a memorably disappointing 2012 season. At Ole Miss, Kiffin started 0-5 in such games, including two losses to Georgia, before finally beating a ranked opponent as a top-10 team with a win over Oklahoma last season.

Now at LSU, Kiffin had a chance to make it two in a row but lost as the slight favorite on the road in Oxford, dropping to 1-7 in such games.

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Lane Kiffin overall record vs. ranked opponents

Kiffin is 13-26 in his career against ranked opponents. Here’s the full breakdown:

Team

Record vs. ranked opponents

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Tennessee

1-3

USC

2-7

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FAU

0-5

Ole Miss

10-10

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LSU

0-1

Overall

13-26

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Kiffin started his head coaching career 3-15 against ranked opponents, going just 2-7 in such games at USC and finishing 0-5 in such games at FAU, which is no surprise given the Owls are not a power-conference program.

At Ole Miss, Kiffin proved that a 3-15 record wasn’t totally representative of his ability. He went 10-10 against ranked opponents with the Rebels, holding his own against some of the SEC’s powerhouses at a school that historically hasn’t been one of them.

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Now at LSU, Kiffin is hoping for much greater achievements than ranked wins, so an 0-1 start in that department isn’t what he envisioned.

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LSU remaining schedule

Date

Matchup

Time (ET)

Sept. 26

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vs. Texas A&M

7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3

vs. McNeese

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7:45 p.m.

Oct. 10

at Kentucky

TBD

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Oct. 17

vs. Mississippi State

TBD

Oct. 24

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at Auburn

12 p.m.

Nov. 7

vs. Alabama

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TBD

Nov. 14

vs. Texas

TBD

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Nov. 21

at Tennessee

TBD

Nov. 28

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at Arkansas

TBD

LSU will head back home to Baton Rouge to host a reeling Texas A&M team next Saturday, after the Aggies suffered a home upset at the hands of Kentucky.

The Tigers don’t have it as bad as some other SEC teams, but they still have to face Alabama and Texas at home before going on the road at Tennessee during their toughest stretch of the season in November.

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Ciryl Gane crowned UFC heavyweight champion and defends title vs controversial Josh Hokit

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Ciryl Gane has been elevated to undisputed UFC heavyweight champion and will defend the title against Josh Hokit in November.

In the main event of UFC 334, Gane makes his first defence of the belt as he fights a controversial opponent in Hokit, who is known for playing a WWE-style character.

The news comes after UFC president Dana White “misspoke” on Friday, per the promotion’s ringside commentary team on Saturday, with White having said that Gane would not be upgraded.

Ciryl Gane won the interim title at the White House in June
Ciryl Gane won the interim title at the White House in June (Getty)

Last October, Gane failed to take the undisputed belt from Tom Aspinall in their fight, with the Frenchman’s multiple eye pokes forcing a no-contest in round one. Those fouls also led Aspinall to undergo numerous surgeries, and he is still not fully healthy; as such, he vacated the undisputed title this week.

With Gane having won the interim belt in June – by stopping Alex Pereira at the White House – he has now been elevated to undisputed champion after Aspinall’s decision.

Gane, 36, therefore becomes the UFC’s first-ever undisputed champion, having twice reigned as an interim-title holder.

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Gane vs Hokit will take place at Madison Square Garden, with the co-main event being a reorganised title fight between champion Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes. All-time great Nunes will come out of retirement to challenger her former teammate for the women’s bantamweight belt.

Even Gane’s interim-title win in June was controversial, with many fans believing he landed numerous illegal blows to the back of Pereira’s head.

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5 Mistakes WWE has already made with Money in the Bank 2026

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Money in the Bank is the next big WWE PLE on the calendar. Worlds Collide takes place next weekend, but it’s not as important to everyday operations as Money in the Bank.

The ladder matches provide a star with the opportunity to become a World Champion. Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams have qualified for the men’s match.

Solo Sikoa, Dominik Mysterio, and Dragon Lee will battle for a spot on RAW. CM Punk, Gunther, and Finn Balor do the same on next week’s SmackDown.

Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, and Jacy Jayne made it to the women’s ladder match. Roxanne Perez faces IYO SKY and AAA’s La Catalina in another qualifier on the upcoming episode of RAW.

Charlotte Flair, Lash Legend, and Giulia have a chance to qualify on SmackDown. Roman Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against LA Knight is currently the only other match booked for the show.

Some booking decisions have been headscratchers. WWE has already made the next five mistakes with Money in the Bank.


#5. Using stars from other brands in qualifying matches

WWE has done this mostly with qualifiers for the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Sol Ruca beat Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri to advance. RAW’s other two triple threats have utilized stars from other brands.

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Lola Vice debuted in a qualifier by beating NXT Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Raquel Rodriguez. AAA’s La Catalina will face Roxanne Perez and IYO SKY on RAW.

The final triple threat is weaving in a match for next weekend’s Worlds Collide show. Becky Lynch, Ivy Nile, or Natalya could have been used instead. Lynch could have still lost and pivoted to facing Liv Morgan or Stephanie Vaquer. Using a few names from other brands usually means those stars won’t advance.


#4. Too many newcomers qualified

The best field of Money in the Bank competitors is a blend of one or two younger stars mixed with several veterans. The veterans could be stars like LA Knight who’ve never captured a major WWE Title, or others like Finn Balor and Kevin Owens who haven’t held major gold in years.

Naomi gained steam by turning heel last year. Picking her to win made sense since she hadn’t won a major title in years. The stars who’ve already qualified are either under 30 or relatively new to the main roster.

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Only Bron Breakker has been around for more than a few years. Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams joined RAW and SmackDown in early 2026. Sol Ruca and Jacy Jayne debuted after WrestleMania 42. Lola Vice debuted in her qualifying match and won.

Other than Breakker, those names shouldn’t win the case. It is a way to represent the future, but those spots could have gone to other names that are closer to being World Champions.


#3. Trick Williams advances over Randy Orton

SmackDown’s first qualifier pitted Randy Orton against United States Champion Trick Williams and AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix. Fenix was in the match to eat the pin.

Since Williams currently holds the United States Title and is feuding with Baron Corbin, it would have made much more sense for Corbin to cost Trick the match. Interference is legal under triple threat rules.

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Orton has mentioned winning a 15th title numerous times over the last three years. Putting him in Money in the Bank would have at least given the illusion that he could win it via the case.

Trick should be focusing on rebuilding the US Title after a mediocre run with the title. The belt feels more like a prop and a joke. It’s lost a lot of prestige in a year due to match quality and ending the US Open Challenges.


#2. WWE doesn’t put Bayley in a qualifier

Bayley returned to RAW during Lyra Valkyria’s Money in the Bank triple threat. She missed the previous six weeks to sell Lyra’s attack following their match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in July.

The former Hugger paid Lyra back by costing her a chance to qualify for this year’s Money in the Bank. WWE has felt the need to use stars from other brands, but why isn’t Bayley in a qualifier?

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She’s one of the best workers and biggest stars in the division. Lyra could have cost her in her triple threat. If she’s back on RAW, use her.


#1. Putting current champions in the qualifiers

WWE has done this with Money in the Bank qualifiers and King of the Ring tournament matches. Champions should focus on their titles. It’s the easiest thing to book.

If a champion advances, it takes an opportunity away from a different star that could use it. Where’s Carmelo Hayes? He could have been in Trick’s triple threat instead. WWE could have used Damian Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura, or Corbin.

Jordan, Rodriguez, La Catalina, Jayne, Williams, and Breakker all hold titles. Breakker is a tag champion, and WWE doesn’t focus much on those belts. Putting so many champions into triple threats often means one will lose or be pinned. This happened when Vice pinned Rodriguez to advance.

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