Colombia 'extremely concerned' over Rodriguez fitness for England tie
World Cup 2018: James Rodriguez injury of 'extreme concern' to Colombia coach
James Rodriguez provided two assists during Colombia's 3-0 win over Poland - but injury brought a premature end to his night against Senegal
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman says he is "extremely concerned" about an injury to James Rodriguez, who came off in the 1-0 World Cup win over Senegal.
The South Americans play England in the last 16 on Tuesday and 2014 Golden Boot winner Rodriguez is already a doubt.
Rodriguez did not start Colombia's opening Group H game against Japan. because of a calf niggle.
"It is not comfortable for us," Pekerman said. "Right now, I do not know where he stands."
The Real Madrid forward, 26, was integral to Colombia in their 3-0 win over Poland, but played only 30 minutes against Senegal before he was substituted.
Pekerman added: "He trained normally until today and he stayed on after practising his free-kicks and penalties.
"He was fully fit in training and in the last session, no hint of injury."
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman says he is "extremely concerned" about an injury to James Rodriguez, who came off in the 1-0 World Cup win over Senegal.
The South Americans play England in the last 16 on Tuesday and 2014 Golden Boot winner Rodriguez is already a doubt.
Rodriguez did not start Colombia's opening Group H game against Japan. because of a calf niggle.
"It is not comfortable for us," Pekerman said. "Right now, I do not know where he stands."
The Real Madrid forward, 26, was integral to Colombia in their 3-0 win over Poland, but played only 30 minutes against Senegal before he was substituted.
Pekerman added: "He trained normally until today and he stayed on after practising his free-kicks and penalties.
"He was fully fit in training and in the last session, no hint of injury."
It's part of my rehab': Banned in Australia, Smith makes comeback in Canadian T20
Steve Smith: Ex-Australia captain hits 61 in Canadian T20 in first game since ball-tampering ban
Smith has scored 23 Test match centuries and tops the world Test batting rankings
Former Australia captain Steve Smith hit 61 off 41 balls in his first competitive appearance since he was banned for ball-tampering in March.
Smith, excluded from national and state cricket for his "leadership" role in the incident in South Africa, is playing for the Toronto Nationals in the inaugural Global T20 Canada league.
"I didn't feel as good as I would've liked but it's nice to score runs when you're not feeling good," said Smith.
He said playing was "part of my rehab".
Smith was eventually out stumped as Toronto beat Vancouver Knights by six wickets.
The 29-year old, who still tops the International Cricket Council Test batting rankings, has not played since he admitted to being part of the "leadership group" that conspired to "get an advantage" by illegally tampering with the ball during a Test match in South Africa.
Smith, whose 12-month ban does not extend to competitions outside Australia, said the scandal was not on his mind during his first game back.
"Honestly when I am out in the middle everything else is a blur. Just concentrate on what I am doing and it's almost like my haven I guess," he said.
"I'm not going to lie, it's been a difficult time in my life, there's no doubt about that.
"But I've accepted my punishment, I've accepted what I've gone through and I'm moving forward, and part of my rehab is playing cricket as well and that's what I love doing," he added.
Former Australia captain Steve Smith hit 61 off 41 balls in his first competitive appearance since he was banned for ball-tampering in March.
Smith, excluded from national and state cricket for his "leadership" role in the incident in South Africa, is playing for the Toronto Nationals in the inaugural Global T20 Canada league.
"I didn't feel as good as I would've liked but it's nice to score runs when you're not feeling good," said Smith.
He said playing was "part of my rehab".
Smith was eventually out stumped as Toronto beat Vancouver Knights by six wickets.
The 29-year old, who still tops the International Cricket Council Test batting rankings, has not played since he admitted to being part of the "leadership group" that conspired to "get an advantage" by illegally tampering with the ball during a Test match in South Africa.
Smith, whose 12-month ban does not extend to competitions outside Australia, said the scandal was not on his mind during his first game back.
"Honestly when I am out in the middle everything else is a blur. Just concentrate on what I am doing and it's almost like my haven I guess," he said.
"I'm not going to lie, it's been a difficult time in my life, there's no doubt about that.
"But I've accepted my punishment, I've accepted what I've gone through and I'm moving forward, and part of my rehab is playing cricket as well and that's what I love doing," he added.
David Willey: Yorkshire all-rounder risked future for IPL sting
David Willey: Yorkshire all-rounder risked future for IPL stint
England all-rounder David Willey says Yorkshire threatened to "rip up" his contract after he missed the start of the season to play in the Indian Premier League.
Willey, 28, joined Chennai Super Kings as a late injury replacement in April and played three games for the side.
He has signed a new Yorkshire deal until the end of the 2019 season.
"I was threatened with them ripping my contract up - which wasn't great - but that's been resolved now," Willey said.
"It was a no-brainer. You don't get the chance to go and play in the biggest Twenty20 competition in the world every day."
England edge Australia in first ODI - report & highlights
Willey scored the winning runs as England beat Australia at The Oval in the first of five one-day internationals.
He has scored two centuries and taken 11 wickets in three One-Day Cup matches for Yorkshire as the Tykes reached the knockout stages of the competition.
The former Northants player has not appeared in the County Championship since April 2017.
"I think the landscape of the modern game is changing, and I do think counties should try and work with it rather than work against it - and look at the longer-term picture," Willey added.
"I think if counties had that outward look at these competitions as a longer-term benefit it would be better for everyone involved. There would be less arguments and fall-outs along the way.
"I may not be around as much as Yorkshire would like at the minute, but I see myself as having a long-term benefit to the county I'm at."
England all-rounder David Willey says Yorkshire threatened to "rip up" his contract after he missed the start of the season to play in the Indian Premier League.
Willey, 28, joined Chennai Super Kings as a late injury replacement in April and played three games for the side.
He has signed a new Yorkshire deal until the end of the 2019 season.
"I was threatened with them ripping my contract up - which wasn't great - but that's been resolved now," Willey said.
"It was a no-brainer. You don't get the chance to go and play in the biggest Twenty20 competition in the world every day."
England edge Australia in first ODI - report & highlights
Willey scored the winning runs as England beat Australia at The Oval in the first of five one-day internationals.
He has scored two centuries and taken 11 wickets in three One-Day Cup matches for Yorkshire as the Tykes reached the knockout stages of the competition.
The former Northants player has not appeared in the County Championship since April 2017.
"I think the landscape of the modern game is changing, and I do think counties should try and work with it rather than work against it - and look at the longer-term picture," Willey added.
"I think if counties had that outward look at these competitions as a longer-term benefit it would be better for everyone involved. There would be less arguments and fall-outs along the way.
"I may not be around as much as Yorkshire would like at the minute, but I see myself as having a long-term benefit to the county I'm at."
India v Afghanistan: Test debutants beaten inside two days
India v Afghanistan: Test debutants beaten inside two days
Shikhar Dhawan became the first Indian to hit a Test century before lunch with his 87-ball knock
First Test, M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore (day two)
India 474: S Dhawan 107, Vijay 105; Ahmadzai 2-32
Afghanistan 109 & 103: Shahidi 36, Jadeja 4-17
India win by an innings and 262 runs
Afghanistan lost 20 wickets in a day as their Test debut ended in a two-day defeat by India in Bangalore.
Responding to India's total of 474, Afghanistan were dismissed for 109 and 103 to lose by an innings and 262 runs.
Hashmatullah Shahidi (36) was the top scorer for Afghanistan in either innings as all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja finished with match figures of 6-35.
It is only the fourth time in Test history that a team has been bowled out twice in a day.
It is also the 21st time a Test has ended inside two days, and the first time in India.
There were some positives for debutants Afghanistan - who were awarded Test status in June 2017 - notably the bowling of Yamin Ahmadzai, who took 3-51 in India's sole innings.
India pushed on from an overnight score of 347-6 to reach 474, a total Afghanistan never looked like threatening.
They batted for a combined total of 66.3 overs, with only four batsmen reaching double figures in the second innings.
"The learning curve is huge - it's a mountain to climb. But they want to succeed and they work very hard," Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons said.
"Now we know that we have to work five times as hard".
Lack of discipline & patience costs Afghanistan - analysis
BBC Sport's Sam Sheringham in Bangalore
Afghanistan found out exactly how tough Test cricket is here in Bangalore.
Being beaten by India is no disgrace, but to lose inside two days will be a huge disappointment to the Afghan players and their fans after coming into this historic occasion with such high hopes.
In reality, their batting lacked anything like the discipline and patience required but, given that their preparations involved a three-match Twenty20 series against Bangladesh, perhaps that is hardly surprising.
An established force in the limited-overs forms, Afghanistan have plenty to learn at Test level, but their remarkable story remains one of the most heart-warming in sport.
First Test, M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore (day two)
India 474: S Dhawan 107, Vijay 105; Ahmadzai 2-32
Afghanistan 109 & 103: Shahidi 36, Jadeja 4-17
India win by an innings and 262 runs
Afghanistan lost 20 wickets in a day as their Test debut ended in a two-day defeat by India in Bangalore.
Responding to India's total of 474, Afghanistan were dismissed for 109 and 103 to lose by an innings and 262 runs.
Hashmatullah Shahidi (36) was the top scorer for Afghanistan in either innings as all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja finished with match figures of 6-35.
It is only the fourth time in Test history that a team has been bowled out twice in a day.
It is also the 21st time a Test has ended inside two days, and the first time in India.
There were some positives for debutants Afghanistan - who were awarded Test status in June 2017 - notably the bowling of Yamin Ahmadzai, who took 3-51 in India's sole innings.
India pushed on from an overnight score of 347-6 to reach 474, a total Afghanistan never looked like threatening.
They batted for a combined total of 66.3 overs, with only four batsmen reaching double figures in the second innings.
"The learning curve is huge - it's a mountain to climb. But they want to succeed and they work very hard," Afghanistan coach Phil Simmons said.
"Now we know that we have to work five times as hard".
Lack of discipline & patience costs Afghanistan - analysis
BBC Sport's Sam Sheringham in Bangalore
Afghanistan found out exactly how tough Test cricket is here in Bangalore.
Being beaten by India is no disgrace, but to lose inside two days will be a huge disappointment to the Afghan players and their fans after coming into this historic occasion with such high hopes.
In reality, their batting lacked anything like the discipline and patience required but, given that their preparations involved a three-match Twenty20 series against Bangladesh, perhaps that is hardly surprising.
An established force in the limited-overs forms, Afghanistan have plenty to learn at Test level, but their remarkable story remains one of the most heart-warming in sport.
2 Huge WWE Returns That Could Reinvigorate The Company
2 Huge WWE Returns That Could Reinvigorate The Company
CM Punk
Following his civil trial lawsuit victory over WWE doctor Chris Amann, CM Punk himself seemed to have put the kibosh on a possible pro wrestling return, but the former WWE Champion has slowly but surely reopened the door to the pro wrestling world, where truly anything is possible.
Punk, of course, unceremoniously left WWE in early 2014 and has since made the transition to UFC, appearing to put pro wrestling in the rearview mirror in the process. But if names like Bruno Sammartino, The Ultimate Warrior and Goldberg, who all had troubled relationships with WWE at one point, can return to the company, it’s certainly possible that Punk could too, especially after suffering his second straight bad loss at UFC 225. And though we may never for sure, it would be a shocker if Vince McMahon didn’t let bygones be bygones and welcome him back with open arms.
Once rivaling Cena in terms of merchandise sales, Punk proved to be a tremendous draw for his first UFC fight, and the evidence indicated that he was a great draw during his record WWE Championship reign as well. Punk is still clearly very popular in the pro wrestling world and was even offered $1 million to return to the ring last year, showing that fan interest in seeing him back in the squared circle is definitely still there.
Other than perhaps only The Rock, Punk is the name most commonly brought up by fans when they talk about which major stars they’d like to see return to the company, and with good reason. Punk is one of the most well-rounded performers in WWE history, and as someone who’s demonstrated that he can be a must-see attraction both in and out of the ring, it would be an absolute no-brainer for WWE to bring him back if all the cards fell the right way.
To use an old cliche, never say never in pro wrestling, even when it comes to something seemingly as unlikely as a return for Punk, who for now appears to be done with pro wrestling but could ultimately change his mind, especially if he continues to struggle in MMA.
Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to the Forbes @SportsMoneyBlog, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.
Other than perhaps only The Rock, Punk is the name most commonly brought up by fans when they talk about which major stars they’d like to see return to the company, and with good reason. Punk is one of the most well-rounded performers in WWE history, and as someone who’s demonstrated that he can be a must-see attraction both in and out of the ring, it would be an absolute no-brainer for WWE to bring him back if all the cards fell the right way.
To use an old cliche, never say never in pro wrestling, even when it comes to something seemingly as unlikely as a return for Punk, who for now appears to be done with pro wrestling but could ultimately change his mind, especially if he continues to struggle in MMA.
Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to the Forbes @SportsMoneyBlog, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.
The Rock
A recent poll indicated that Hulk Hogan is the only pro wrestler on the planet who is more recognizable than The Rock.
Given that The Rock has been the world’s No. 1 or 2 highest paid actor in each of the past two years (according to FORBES), however, it’s safe to say that there is no bigger movie or wrestling star on the planet right now than “The Great One.” Although The Rock hasn’t wrestled a legitimate WWE match since WrestleMania 29 in 2013, WWE tried to secure the biggest name in Hollywood for a WrestleMania 34 match alongside Ronda Rousey but was unable to do so.
Still, that won’t prevent WWE from attempting to bring back The Rock for at least one more major feud and match, nor should it. The biggest holdup that may stop The Rock from ever wrestling again is an insurance issue, essentially meaning that Hollywood execs won’t want the production of a blockbuster film to be delayed if The Rock were to get injured while competing inside the squared circle. Combine that potential roadblock with The Rock’s busy schedule, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll ever be able to work for Vince McMahon again.
However, The Rock is obviously a proven draw, whose WrestleMania 28 match against John Cena generated the most PPV buys in company history, and with his star power growing exponentially since then, WWE will continue to try to land The Rock for one last major rivalry. With new lucrative TV deals looming, WWE will have both the funds and the motivation to bring back a name like The Rock to start off on the right foot under the terms of their new deals on USA Network or FOX.
There is no bigger star in the pro wrestling world than The Rock, and his return, even a short-lived one, could be a game-changer that both spices up WWE’s programming and brings back lapsed fans.
CM Punk
Following his civil trial lawsuit victory over WWE doctor Chris Amann, CM Punk himself seemed to have put the kibosh on a possible pro wrestling return, but the former WWE Champion has slowly but surely reopened the door to the pro wrestling world, where truly anything is possible.
Punk, of course, unceremoniously left WWE in early 2014 and has since made the transition to UFC, appearing to put pro wrestling in the rearview mirror in the process. But if names like Bruno Sammartino, The Ultimate Warrior and Goldberg, who all had troubled relationships with WWE at one point, can return to the company, it’s certainly possible that Punk could too, especially after suffering his second straight bad loss at UFC 225. And though we may never for sure, it would be a shocker if Vince McMahon didn’t let bygones be bygones and welcome him back with open arms.
Once rivaling Cena in terms of merchandise sales, Punk proved to be a tremendous draw for his first UFC fight, and the evidence indicated that he was a great draw during his record WWE Championship reign as well. Punk is still clearly very popular in the pro wrestling world and was even offered $1 million to return to the ring last year, showing that fan interest in seeing him back in the squared circle is definitely still there.
Other than perhaps only The Rock, Punk is the name most commonly brought up by fans when they talk about which major stars they’d like to see return to the company, and with good reason. Punk is one of the most well-rounded performers in WWE history, and as someone who’s demonstrated that he can be a must-see attraction both in and out of the ring, it would be an absolute no-brainer for WWE to bring him back if all the cards fell the right way.
To use an old cliche, never say never in pro wrestling, even when it comes to something seemingly as unlikely as a return for Punk, who for now appears to be done with pro wrestling but could ultimately change his mind, especially if he continues to struggle in MMA.
Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to the Forbes @SportsMoneyBlog, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.
Other than perhaps only The Rock, Punk is the name most commonly brought up by fans when they talk about which major stars they’d like to see return to the company, and with good reason. Punk is one of the most well-rounded performers in WWE history, and as someone who’s demonstrated that he can be a must-see attraction both in and out of the ring, it would be an absolute no-brainer for WWE to bring him back if all the cards fell the right way.
To use an old cliche, never say never in pro wrestling, even when it comes to something seemingly as unlikely as a return for Punk, who for now appears to be done with pro wrestling but could ultimately change his mind, especially if he continues to struggle in MMA.
Blake Oestriecher is an elementary school teacher by day and a sports writer by night. He’s a contributor to the Forbes @SportsMoneyBlog, where he primarily covers WWE. You can follow him on Twitter @BOestriecher.
The Rock
A recent poll indicated that Hulk Hogan is the only pro wrestler on the planet who is more recognizable than The Rock.
Given that The Rock has been the world’s No. 1 or 2 highest paid actor in each of the past two years (according to FORBES), however, it’s safe to say that there is no bigger movie or wrestling star on the planet right now than “The Great One.” Although The Rock hasn’t wrestled a legitimate WWE match since WrestleMania 29 in 2013, WWE tried to secure the biggest name in Hollywood for a WrestleMania 34 match alongside Ronda Rousey but was unable to do so.
Still, that won’t prevent WWE from attempting to bring back The Rock for at least one more major feud and match, nor should it. The biggest holdup that may stop The Rock from ever wrestling again is an insurance issue, essentially meaning that Hollywood execs won’t want the production of a blockbuster film to be delayed if The Rock were to get injured while competing inside the squared circle. Combine that potential roadblock with The Rock’s busy schedule, and there’s no guarantee that he’ll ever be able to work for Vince McMahon again.
However, The Rock is obviously a proven draw, whose WrestleMania 28 match against John Cena generated the most PPV buys in company history, and with his star power growing exponentially since then, WWE will continue to try to land The Rock for one last major rivalry. With new lucrative TV deals looming, WWE will have both the funds and the motivation to bring back a name like The Rock to start off on the right foot under the terms of their new deals on USA Network or FOX.
There is no bigger star in the pro wrestling world than The Rock, and his return, even a short-lived one, could be a game-changer that both spices up WWE’s programming and brings back lapsed fans.
4 Huge WWE Returns That Could Reinvigorate The Company
4Huge WWE Returns That Could Reinvigorate The Company
WWE is set to ink a pair of massive new TV deals that could rekindle the company’s desire to improve its rosters.
While the company attempted to create more interest in its product with April’s Superstar Shakeup, historically low ratings for both Raw and SmackDown suggest that swapping major stars like Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and The Miz simply wasn’t enough. Perhaps WWE would have been better off moving slightly bigger names like Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns, but because it didn’t and because the company will soon be looking to load up its rosters to impress officials on both FOX and the USA Network due to its upcoming landmark TV deals, we could see even bigger moves made in the future.
In 2016, when WWE moved SmackDown to a live format on Tuesdays, it shocked the world by sending John Cena to the blue brand in hopes of giving the show a marquee star to build around. Now, on the heels of WWE reportedly set to sign a pair of blockbuster deals for Raw and SmackDown that will be game-changers for the pro wrestling industry, the belief is that WWE will be looking to build its shows around major names to make them more appealing to their networks, advertisers and the mainstream in general.
That means WWE, like it often does in situations like these, will search high and low to bring back must-see attractions to reinvigorate the product. Who might the company pursue this time around? Here are five major names who could soon return to WWE and instantly provide a jolt of excitement and a boost in business for Raw or SmackDown.
Batista
Former WWE star Dave Bautista, known simply as Batista in the wrestling world, has been busy starring in record-breaking movies, but he hasn’t forgotten about his pro wrestling roots and has made it clear he wants one last WWE run.
In fact, Batista recently revealed that WWE stopped returning his calls in regards to a potential return in which he would have liked to work one last feud with Triple H before riding off into the sunset for good. While there has been some speculation that Batista’s claims of WWE ghosting him have been a work to lay the foundation for a potential return feud, that doesn’t appear to be the case. However, despite any apparent issues between the two sides, you can still never rule out the possibility of a Batista return given the way his Hollywood career has really taken off over the past few years.
WWE is all about cross-promotion and mainstream media attention, and Batista, who’s starred in blockbuster hits like Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Infinity War, is quickly rising up the ranks in the acting world, which would presumably be quite appealing to WWE. Although Batista’s last run with the company in 2014 was widely considered to be a colossal failure, that was an over-exaggeration, and things are much different this time around anyway.
For WWE, the company seems more concerned about garnering mainstream media attention (see: Ronda Rousey and anything involving John Cena or Total Bellas), and for Batista, he’s a significantly bigger mainstream star now than he was just four years ago. With Batista consistently expressing his desire to return to WWE and the company really lacking in the mainstream star power department, a Batista return should be a no-brainer for both parties and could be one that washes away the stench of Batista’s recent failed run and gives WWE a short-term star to boost TV ratings and the WWE Network subscriber count.
Batista, after all, has really won over fans with his role as Drax the Destroyer and could bring that popularity back with him to WWE.
Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho has proven that he doesn’t need the WWE machine to be a massive draw.
Jericho’s high-profile match against Kenny Omega at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 back in January was a huge hit for NJPW, and much of the credit for the success of that show can be attributed to Y2J. According to Fightful.com, Jericho’s first non-WWE match in nearly two decades helped boost the show’s attendance by nearly 9,000 from the previous year and resulted in a jump of nearly 20,000 subscribers (from 70,000 to 90,000) for NJPWWorld, which is the company’s equivalent to the WWE Network.
Likewise, according to Ringside News, Jericho had the No. 1 selling t-shirt at Hot Topic, outranking popular independent stars including Omega, Cody Rhodes and Bullet Club as well as all WWE shirts for sale at the store. That truly demonstrates how Jericho continues to reinvent himself and remain relevant even without the backing of WWE, and it also shows why WWE would be foolish not to bring him back because of the potential boost he could give the company as both a proven draw and very unselfish superstar.
The great thing about Jericho is that, even though he is obviously a major attraction, he’s also more than willing to put over other superstars for the sake of WWE’s long-term future. Jericho has a long history of unselfishly elevating up-and-coming superstars, as evidenced by his brief appearance at the Greatest Royal Rumble or recent feuds with names like Kevin Owens and AJ Styles, and he could do just that upon another WWE return.
For now, Jericho is still busy with NJPW (he just won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship), but as someone who has a long history of signing short-term contracts with WWE, the door always seems to be open for him to return and provide an instant boost to both WWE’s business and the quality of its programming.
Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose has been out of action since undergoing triceps surgery last December, but he’s nearing an in-ring return.
Kurt Angle and Seth Rollins have both said that Ambrose will return “soon,” and boy oh boy, is his presence is badly needed on both Raw and SmackDown. Although Ambrose’s character sort of hit a wall prior to his injury last fall, his popular never waned as he has likely been a top five or six merchandise seller for each of the past three years (2015, 2016 and 2017) and was generating some of the company’s best crowd reactions before he was unfortunately sidelined.
Now, it’s clear that Ambrose could provide quite the burst of energy and excitement to either Raw or SmackDown, the first of which really could benefit from “The Lunatic Fringe” being unleashed as a maniacal heel while the blue brand could utilize him as either a heel or a babyface. Raw already features a loaded babyface core that includes most of the company’s top merchandise movers and strongest draws, including Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman, so it’s likely that, barring a heel turn, he’d have a bigger impact on SmackDown than he would in a sea of other fan favorites on the red brand.
Ambrose is one of WWE’s most reliable stars both as a wrestler and overall performer, which explains why he is always featured prominently and pushed better than the majority of the other stars on the roster. While Ambrose isn’t as well known in the mainstream as stars like Jericho or Batista, he’s been, along with Reigns and Rollins, pushed as a cornerstone of WWE over the last four years, and as such, is obviously someone WWE views as a star who can increase interest and improve its product.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and with Ambrose set to return from the first extended injury absence of his career, he should come back red hot as a main event star who can provide some much needed depth and energy for either brand.
WWE is set to ink a pair of massive new TV deals that could rekindle the company’s desire to improve its rosters.
While the company attempted to create more interest in its product with April’s Superstar Shakeup, historically low ratings for both Raw and SmackDown suggest that swapping major stars like Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and The Miz simply wasn’t enough. Perhaps WWE would have been better off moving slightly bigger names like Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns, but because it didn’t and because the company will soon be looking to load up its rosters to impress officials on both FOX and the USA Network due to its upcoming landmark TV deals, we could see even bigger moves made in the future.
In 2016, when WWE moved SmackDown to a live format on Tuesdays, it shocked the world by sending John Cena to the blue brand in hopes of giving the show a marquee star to build around. Now, on the heels of WWE reportedly set to sign a pair of blockbuster deals for Raw and SmackDown that will be game-changers for the pro wrestling industry, the belief is that WWE will be looking to build its shows around major names to make them more appealing to their networks, advertisers and the mainstream in general.
That means WWE, like it often does in situations like these, will search high and low to bring back must-see attractions to reinvigorate the product. Who might the company pursue this time around? Here are five major names who could soon return to WWE and instantly provide a jolt of excitement and a boost in business for Raw or SmackDown.
Batista
Former WWE star Dave Bautista, known simply as Batista in the wrestling world, has been busy starring in record-breaking movies, but he hasn’t forgotten about his pro wrestling roots and has made it clear he wants one last WWE run.
In fact, Batista recently revealed that WWE stopped returning his calls in regards to a potential return in which he would have liked to work one last feud with Triple H before riding off into the sunset for good. While there has been some speculation that Batista’s claims of WWE ghosting him have been a work to lay the foundation for a potential return feud, that doesn’t appear to be the case. However, despite any apparent issues between the two sides, you can still never rule out the possibility of a Batista return given the way his Hollywood career has really taken off over the past few years.
WWE is all about cross-promotion and mainstream media attention, and Batista, who’s starred in blockbuster hits like Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Infinity War, is quickly rising up the ranks in the acting world, which would presumably be quite appealing to WWE. Although Batista’s last run with the company in 2014 was widely considered to be a colossal failure, that was an over-exaggeration, and things are much different this time around anyway.
For WWE, the company seems more concerned about garnering mainstream media attention (see: Ronda Rousey and anything involving John Cena or Total Bellas), and for Batista, he’s a significantly bigger mainstream star now than he was just four years ago. With Batista consistently expressing his desire to return to WWE and the company really lacking in the mainstream star power department, a Batista return should be a no-brainer for both parties and could be one that washes away the stench of Batista’s recent failed run and gives WWE a short-term star to boost TV ratings and the WWE Network subscriber count.
Batista, after all, has really won over fans with his role as Drax the Destroyer and could bring that popularity back with him to WWE.
Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho has proven that he doesn’t need the WWE machine to be a massive draw.
Jericho’s high-profile match against Kenny Omega at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 back in January was a huge hit for NJPW, and much of the credit for the success of that show can be attributed to Y2J. According to Fightful.com, Jericho’s first non-WWE match in nearly two decades helped boost the show’s attendance by nearly 9,000 from the previous year and resulted in a jump of nearly 20,000 subscribers (from 70,000 to 90,000) for NJPWWorld, which is the company’s equivalent to the WWE Network.
Likewise, according to Ringside News, Jericho had the No. 1 selling t-shirt at Hot Topic, outranking popular independent stars including Omega, Cody Rhodes and Bullet Club as well as all WWE shirts for sale at the store. That truly demonstrates how Jericho continues to reinvent himself and remain relevant even without the backing of WWE, and it also shows why WWE would be foolish not to bring him back because of the potential boost he could give the company as both a proven draw and very unselfish superstar.
The great thing about Jericho is that, even though he is obviously a major attraction, he’s also more than willing to put over other superstars for the sake of WWE’s long-term future. Jericho has a long history of unselfishly elevating up-and-coming superstars, as evidenced by his brief appearance at the Greatest Royal Rumble or recent feuds with names like Kevin Owens and AJ Styles, and he could do just that upon another WWE return.
For now, Jericho is still busy with NJPW (he just won the IWGP Intercontinental Championship), but as someone who has a long history of signing short-term contracts with WWE, the door always seems to be open for him to return and provide an instant boost to both WWE’s business and the quality of its programming.
Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose has been out of action since undergoing triceps surgery last December, but he’s nearing an in-ring return.
Kurt Angle and Seth Rollins have both said that Ambrose will return “soon,” and boy oh boy, is his presence is badly needed on both Raw and SmackDown. Although Ambrose’s character sort of hit a wall prior to his injury last fall, his popular never waned as he has likely been a top five or six merchandise seller for each of the past three years (2015, 2016 and 2017) and was generating some of the company’s best crowd reactions before he was unfortunately sidelined.
Now, it’s clear that Ambrose could provide quite the burst of energy and excitement to either Raw or SmackDown, the first of which really could benefit from “The Lunatic Fringe” being unleashed as a maniacal heel while the blue brand could utilize him as either a heel or a babyface. Raw already features a loaded babyface core that includes most of the company’s top merchandise movers and strongest draws, including Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman, so it’s likely that, barring a heel turn, he’d have a bigger impact on SmackDown than he would in a sea of other fan favorites on the red brand.
Ambrose is one of WWE’s most reliable stars both as a wrestler and overall performer, which explains why he is always featured prominently and pushed better than the majority of the other stars on the roster. While Ambrose isn’t as well known in the mainstream as stars like Jericho or Batista, he’s been, along with Reigns and Rollins, pushed as a cornerstone of WWE over the last four years, and as such, is obviously someone WWE views as a star who can increase interest and improve its product.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and with Ambrose set to return from the first extended injury absence of his career, he should come back red hot as a main event star who can provide some much needed depth and energy for either brand.
WWE star Braun Strowman claims he’s STRONGER than Brock Lesnar
WWE star Braun Strowman claims he’s STRONGER than Brock Lesnar
GIANTS: Braun Strowman claims he's stronger than Brock Lesnar
Standing tall at a mammoth 6ft 8in, the wrestling goliath has claimed the WWE legend simply can’t match his strength.
Speaking at the For Your Consideration Emmy event in Hollywood, Strowman, 34, took the opportunity to claim the WWE strongman title.
He is yet to prove himself in the ring however, having been bettered by Lesnar, 40, on multiple occasions.
Strowman was defeated at No Mercy in September after challenging the WWE Universal Champion.
Lesnar landed a crucial F-5 to end his opponent’s title dreams.
Sable defined what it means to be a woman in the rough world of WWE
Lesnar also managed to pin Kane this year at Royal Rumble to retain his title – another chance missed by Strowman.
Strowman was full of gusto when speaking to reporters on Wednesday however.
Initially boasting about how much he has to eat to maintain a 385-pound frame, Strowman went on to discuss his fellow giant.
He said: ”I’m a big eater, if I went to Waffle House, I would order ten eggs – four yolks – two grilled chicken breasts, a double order of hash browns, smothered, covered, and chunked, and a coffee.
GIANTS: Braun Strowman claims he's stronger than Brock Lesnar
Standing tall at a mammoth 6ft 8in, the wrestling goliath has claimed the WWE legend simply can’t match his strength.
Speaking at the For Your Consideration Emmy event in Hollywood, Strowman, 34, took the opportunity to claim the WWE strongman title.
He is yet to prove himself in the ring however, having been bettered by Lesnar, 40, on multiple occasions.
Strowman was defeated at No Mercy in September after challenging the WWE Universal Champion.
Lesnar landed a crucial F-5 to end his opponent’s title dreams.
Lesnar also managed to pin Kane this year at Royal Rumble to retain his title – another chance missed by Strowman.
Strowman was full of gusto when speaking to reporters on Wednesday however.
Initially boasting about how much he has to eat to maintain a 385-pound frame, Strowman went on to discuss his fellow giant.
He said: ”I’m a big eater, if I went to Waffle House, I would order ten eggs – four yolks – two grilled chicken breasts, a double order of hash browns, smothered, covered, and chunked, and a coffee.
Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho identifies three-man shortlist after Alderweireld doubts
Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho identifies three-man shortlist after Alderweireld doubts
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho is preparing to miss out on Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld.
Man Utd transfer news: Jose Mourinho is preparing to miss out on Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld
The Belgium international has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks.
Alderweireld, 29, has two years remaining on his current Spurs contract, but Tottenham are resigned to losing the defender this summer.
However, according to ESPN, Tottenham are demanding around £70m for the centre-back, with United currently willing to pay £50m.
The Red Devils wanted to land the Belgium star before the World Cup starts next week, however, Alderweireld has already flown to Russia, meaning the deal will have to wait.
Spurs are refusing to sell Alderweireld - and strengthen United - without forcing the Red Devils to pay up for the defender.
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho is preparing to miss out on Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld.
Man Utd transfer news: Jose Mourinho is preparing to miss out on Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld
The Belgium international has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks.
Alderweireld, 29, has two years remaining on his current Spurs contract, but Tottenham are resigned to losing the defender this summer.
However, according to ESPN, Tottenham are demanding around £70m for the centre-back, with United currently willing to pay £50m.
The Red Devils wanted to land the Belgium star before the World Cup starts next week, however, Alderweireld has already flown to Russia, meaning the deal will have to wait.
Spurs are refusing to sell Alderweireld - and strengthen United - without forcing the Red Devils to pay up for the defender.
England's World Cup winning women's team set to double salary by 2021
England's World Cup winning women's team set to double salary by 2021
Heather Knight: Pay increase is a sign of interest in our game
England v South Africa & New Zealand
Dates: 8 June - 13 July. Full summer schedule
Coverage:Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW and BBC Sport website & app. Live text commentary and in-play highlights on BBC Sport website & app
England's elite female players will be paid twice as much in 2021 as they were during last year's World Cup win, if plans come to fruition.
Since February, 10 of the 22 contracted England players have had their wages increased by at least 50%, after the money available was raised by 40%.
"It's a sign of how professional the women's game is going," England captain Heather Knight told BBC Sport.
England's three-match series against South Africa starts on Saturday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also confirmed a bonus pot for series wins has also been introduced for the the first time.
England to beat India by nine runs to win the Women's World Cup at Lord's in July last year
"It's a sign of how brilliant last year was as well and how many people were interested in where the game's going," added Knight.
Heather Knight column: England's summer, a possible women's IPL and the ECB's new competition
The Professional Cricketers' Association confirmed the new contracts are until the end of 2019, while negotiations for 2020 and beyond ongoing.
The list of 22 includes teenage left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who turned 19 in May and is added to the list of contracted players for the first time, while three young players - Katie George, Alice Davidson-Richards and Freya Davies - have been awarded rookie contracts.
In April, Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole were named among Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year.
"At the moment it's not about equal pay [for women], but we should be bold - I'm always looking to be ahead of other women's team sports at international level - and demonstrate a commitment to closing that gap with a bit of urgency," said ECB director of women's cricket Clare Connor.
"The objective is to get to a situation in 2020 - when the new investment in the game kicks in. It's the direction of travel that's important."
England v South Africa & New Zealand
Dates: 8 June - 13 July. Full summer schedule
Coverage:Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, Radio 4 LW and BBC Sport website & app. Live text commentary and in-play highlights on BBC Sport website & app
England's elite female players will be paid twice as much in 2021 as they were during last year's World Cup win, if plans come to fruition.
Since February, 10 of the 22 contracted England players have had their wages increased by at least 50%, after the money available was raised by 40%.
"It's a sign of how professional the women's game is going," England captain Heather Knight told BBC Sport.
England's three-match series against South Africa starts on Saturday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) also confirmed a bonus pot for series wins has also been introduced for the the first time.
England to beat India by nine runs to win the Women's World Cup at Lord's in July last year
"It's a sign of how brilliant last year was as well and how many people were interested in where the game's going," added Knight.
Heather Knight column: England's summer, a possible women's IPL and the ECB's new competition
The Professional Cricketers' Association confirmed the new contracts are until the end of 2019, while negotiations for 2020 and beyond ongoing.
The list of 22 includes teenage left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who turned 19 in May and is added to the list of contracted players for the first time, while three young players - Katie George, Alice Davidson-Richards and Freya Davies - have been awarded rookie contracts.
In April, Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole were named among Wisden's five Cricketers of the Year.
"At the moment it's not about equal pay [for women], but we should be bold - I'm always looking to be ahead of other women's team sports at international level - and demonstrate a commitment to closing that gap with a bit of urgency," said ECB director of women's cricket Clare Connor.
"The objective is to get to a situation in 2020 - when the new investment in the game kicks in. It's the direction of travel that's important."
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