Former WWE star Andrade made a shocking return to AEW on the sixth anniversary of the Dynamite episode.
His unexpected appearance caught fans by surprise, adding an exciting twist to the milestone event. Andrade’s return has sparked discussions across the wrestling community, signaling a potential new chapter in his career within AEW.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/3-things-wwe-can-combat-andrade-signing-aew
**Women’s WC: Crowd Attendance in IND-SL Match Breaks Records**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 1, 2025, 09:26 AM*
The opening match of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 between India and Sri Lanka has set a new milestone in women’s cricket attendance. Held on September 30 at Guwahati’s Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the game attracted an unprecedented crowd of 22,843 fans.
This figure marks the highest attendance ever recorded for any group stage match in Women’s World Cup history, surpassing the previous record of 15,935 set during the India-Pakistan clash in 2024. The record turnout reflects the growing popularity and support for women’s cricket across the nation.
**Tendulkar Praises Progress in Women’s Cricket**
ICC Hall of Famer Sachin Tendulkar applauded the remarkable strides made in women’s cricket in recent years. He credited the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as a game-changer that has significantly enhanced visibility and provided financial security to female cricketers.
Tendulkar also expressed his gratitude to former BCCI secretary Jay Shah for championing equal match fees for men and women and playing a pivotal role in laying the foundation for the WPL. According to him, these efforts are transforming the landscape of the sport by promoting equality and professionalism.
**ICC’s Record Prize Money Lauded**
Tendulkar further praised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for announcing record prize money for the Women’s World Cup, which even exceeds the amount offered in the men’s 2023 World Cup.
He emphasized that such administrative decisions are life-changing and send a powerful message: women’s cricket deserves equal respect. Tendulkar highlighted that these initiatives inspire every young girl with a passion for cricket by showing them that their dedication is valued equally.
**Match Highlights: India Defeats Sri Lanka by 59 Runs (DLS Method)**
In a rain-curtailed encounter, India batted first and posted a competitive total of 269/8 in their allotted 47 overs. Middle-order batswomen Amanjot Kaur and Deepti Sharma played crucial innings, each scoring fifties that rescued the team from a precarious position.
Sri Lanka, struggling to keep up, suffered a middle-order collapse and were eventually bowled out for 211. Deepti Sharma also contributed with the ball, taking three wickets for 54 runs. Her performance elevated her to become India’s second-highest wicket-taker in women’s ODI cricket, surpassing former spinner Neetu David.
The match not only showcased thrilling cricket but also demonstrated the growing enthusiasm and support for women’s cricket, setting an inspiring tone for the tournament ahead.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/ind-sl-women-s-wc-encounter-sets-benchmark-with-22-843-fans/story
Two-time Xfinity Series champion Tyler Reddick recently competed in the Cup Series race, the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, September 28, 2025. However, there was something else weighing heavily on his mind besides crossing the finish line in first place—his four-month-old son was hospitalized.
In a heartfelt story, Mrs. Reddick was seen holding their infant son, Rookie, who was connected to multiple health monitoring machines. Despite the serious situation, Rookie looked much better in the image and even posed with a smile on his face. The infant had undergone a transfusion after showing signs of heart failure at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was admitted to the cardiovascular intensive care unit for extensive testing.
Reflecting on Rookie’s improved condition, Tyler Reddick’s wife shared an encouraging update, captioning the story:
“Came off oxygen today, got some answers & perked right up after a transfusion!”
In a follow-up message, Rookie was seen playing with his blanket in the intensive care unit, and Alexa expressed her gratitude to everyone for their support. She wrote:
“He’s saying thank you all for your prayers & kind messages!”
Despite the emotional strain of his son’s critical condition, Tyler Reddick still competed in the Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, finishing among the top ten drivers. He secured a P7 finish after qualifying 12th in the grueling 267-lap race.
—
### The Story Behind Rookie’s Name: A Bet During NASCAR Xfinity Series Days
Tyler Reddick and his wife Alexa named their first son after a friendly bet made during his NASCAR Xfinity Series days.
Back in 2019, Alexa was pregnant with their first child while Tyler was competing full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship for Richard Childress Racing. At that time, the couple disagreed on what to name their baby boy. Tyler wanted to name him Beau, while Alexa was set on the name Ryker.
To settle the disagreement, Alexa suggested making a bet. She proposed that if Tyler won the championship, he would earn the right to name their firstborn son.
“I thought it was cute, but that was not my first choice,” Alexa recalled. “I was pretty stuck on Ryker at that point, and he was not hopping on that train. If you know Tyler, once he gets his mind on something, it’s stuck.”
After a strong season with JR Motorsports in 2018, Tyler stepped up his game in 2019. Racing for Richard Childress Racing, he secured six wins and claimed his second Xfinity Series title.
“I don’t know what came over me,” Alexa admitted. “I guess pregnancy brain is a real thing, and one day I was like, ‘Listen, you win this championship, you can name him whatever you want, but I don’t want you calling him anything until you are in victory lane holding up that championship trophy in Miami.’ I shook on it, and here we are, and now the baby’s name is going to be Beau.”
—
Tyler Reddick currently competes for 23XI Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. This season, he is battling to secure his spot in the Round of Eight, currently sitting 29 points below the cutoff line as the playoffs continue.
Despite the challenges on and off the track, Reddick remains determined to compete at the highest level for his family and fans alike.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nascar/news-tyler-reddick-s-wife-alexa-provides-health-update-son-rookie-transfusion
Hugo Ekitike believes Alexander Isak’s presence will aid his development as the young striker welcomed the increased competition at Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions made waves in the summer transfer window, with the 23-year-old Ekitike following the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez to Anfield. Ekitike joined from Frankfurt in a deal worth £69 million plus a potential £10 million (approximately €11.45 million) in add-ons and has hit the ground running, scoring five goals in eight appearances across all competitions.
But Liverpool maintained a strong interest in Newcastle sharpshooter Isak throughout the summer and secured the striker for a British record £125 million on deadline day.
“I think it’s good to have players in such a big club,” Ekitike said. “I can’t see one big club playing with only one striker, so I think it’s good that he’s here. Even for me at my age, I think I still have a lot of things to improve and learn, so for me it’s good that he’s here.”
He added, “As for if we can play together, that’s for the coach to decide how he wants to play. That’s not me. But obviously, he’s a great player. I’ve been playing in two-striker compositions and one-striker systems, so I can do a lot of things. If we have to play together, I can do that.”
Ekitike certainly appears to be loving life at Liverpool, having joined despite interest from the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle.
“It was just the best choice,” he said. “You know, it’s the champions of England. For me, they have great players, a great history. It just fitted with what I was looking for after Frankfurt.”
Ekitike was speaking on the eve of Liverpool’s Champions League match at Galatasaray, where the young striker is in line to make his first appearance since last Tuesday’s embarrassing sending-off.
The Frenchman replaced Isak at half-time of the Carabao Cup clash against Southampton and went on to score a late winner. He famously removed his shirt and held it up to the cameras in celebration. However, the substitute had already been booked and received what Slot called a “stupid red card” that ruled him out of Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace.
“I think that wasn’t smart,” Ekitike admitted. “Obviously, I punished myself alone, I’d say. I felt a bit disappointed to watch the boys from home last Saturday, but as I said on Instagram, I apologise to everybody already, to my teammates. That kind of thing won’t happen again. I just move on now. I am just looking forward to playing and I just focus on football.”
Ekitike will hope to make amends in Istanbul, where Liverpool arrived without Federico Chiesa due to what Slot described as a “little niggle.” The Liverpool boss did not want to take any risks ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea—a match he hopes to approach on the back of a morale-boosting victory against Galatasaray.
“I think we always have to do, no matter if you win, lose, or draw, what is asked of you if you want to compete for trophies, but let alone if you wear a Liverpool shirt,” Slot said. “That is giving everything you have and combining that with the best football you can play.”
“We created more chances during the course of the game, more chances than we had in all the three games we played before against Palace, but we also conceded many more chances than we did before. So we can improve, and the things we can improve I will show tonight to the players.”
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/hugo-ekitike-reckons-alexander-isak-competition-will-boost-him-at-liverpool-1812742.html
Spiritual guru Sadhguru was warmly welcomed at the legendary San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, where he attended a high-profile Serie A clash between AC Milan and Napoli. His presence drew admiration from fans and media alike, highlighting the unique intersection of spirituality and sport.
Adding to the excitement, AC Milan icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic personally presented Sadhguru with a team jersey, making the occasion even more memorable. The gesture was widely appreciated by attendees, who captured the moment on camera and shared it across social media platforms.
Known for his teachings on mindfulness and inner wellbeing, Sadhguru graciously accepted the jersey and waved to the crowd, eliciting cheers and applause. His visit to San Siro, capped by the personal gesture from Ibrahimovic, left a lasting impression, blending the thrill of football with the wisdom of a globally respected spiritual leader.
The event served as a powerful reminder of sport’s ability to bring people together. It also highlighted the inspiration that figures like Sadhguru provide, bridging cultural and global divides through both athletic passion and spiritual insight.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/spiritual-guru-sadhguru-gets-warm-welcome-at-san-siro-stadium-receives-jersey-from-zlatan-ibrahimovic-check-pics
LOS ANGELES – Bad Bunny will bring his Latin trap and reggaeton swagger to the NFL’s biggest stage next year. The Grammy winner has been announced as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show in Northern California.
The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation revealed on Sunday that Bad Bunny will lead the halftime festivities at Levi’s Stadium on February 8 in Santa Clara, California. The Puerto Rican superstar’s selection comes amid another career-defining run. He recently completed a historic residency in Puerto Rico that drew more than half a million fans and is currently the leading nominee at the Latin Grammys this November.
Bad Bunny has become one of the world’s most streamed artists with albums such as Un Verano Sin Ti, an all-Spanish-language LP that has reached global acclaim.
Speaking about the opportunity, Bad Bunny said in a statement, “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown. This is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”
Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, expressed his admiration for Bad Bunny’s achievements: “What Bad Bunny has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”
Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, the 31-year-old artist boasts three Grammy wins and 12 Latin Grammys. Beyond music, he has become a global ambassador for Latin culture, starring in films such as Bullet Train, Caught Stealing, and Happy Gilmore 2, while also collaborating with prominent fashion houses.
At the upcoming Latin Grammys, Bad Bunny leads the nominations with 12 nods, overtaking producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera.
The Super Bowl halftime show will be co-executive produced by Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins, with Hamish Hamilton serving as director.
Last year’s halftime show featured Kendrick Lamar and guest SZA in New Orleans, breaking records with 133.5 million viewers—the most-watched performance to date—surpassing even Michael Jackson’s iconic 1993 appearance.
https://abc7.com/post/bad-bunny-announced-super-bowl-lx-halftime-performer/17900968/
PHOENIX (AP) — Alyssa Thomas scored 23 points, and DeWanna Bonner made two key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Phoenix Mercury overcame a 13-point deficit in the final period to beat the short-handed Minnesota Lynx 86-81 in Game 4 on Sunday night. With the victory, Phoenix advances to the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2021.
The Mercury will face the winner of the Indiana-Las Vegas series in the championship round. Indiana forced a decisive Game 5 earlier Sunday with a 90-83 home victory. Phoenix won the final three games of the best-of-five semifinal series to secure their spot in the Finals.
The top-seeded Lynx were without head coach Cheryl Reeve, who was suspended for Game 4 due to her behavior and comments toward officials during Game 3. Minnesota also played without All-Star guard Napheesa Collier, who suffered an ankle injury near the end of the previous game.
Phoenix trailed 68-55 heading into the fourth quarter but began their comeback with a 3-pointer from Sami Whitcomb that brought the score to 70-69 with 4:46 left in the game. Bonner then hit a crucial three-pointer to give the Mercury a 72-70 lead, followed by another triple with 2:03 remaining to extend the lead to 77-73.
Minnesota’s Kayla McBride responded by hitting her sixth 3-pointer of the second half, cutting the gap to 77-76 with 1:04 left. The 38-year-old Bonner then made a pair of free throws to push Phoenix ahead 79-76. Bonner finished the quarter with 11 points.
Satou Sabally led the Lynx with 21 points, while McBride scored a game-high 31 points, shooting 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. Courtney Williams added 20 points for Minnesota.
Earlier in the game, Phoenix’s Kahleah Copper hit a 3-pointer early in the third quarter to give the Mercury their first lead at 41-38. However, the Lynx countered with a 23-9 run, fueled by three three-pointers from McBride, regaining control of the game. Minnesota had jumped out to an early 12-1 lead, but Phoenix steadily chipped away at the deficit.
Just before halftime, Thomas assisted Bonner for a layup that tied the game at 38. Sabally led Phoenix with 18 points before the break.
Phoenix will now play in the WNBA Finals for the first time in four years, aiming to win their first championship since 2014.
MIAMI (AP) — Pete Alonso has announced he will opt out of his contract with the New York Mets and enter free agency again, following the team’s failure to make the playoffs this season.
Alonso previously tested the free agent market last offseason before deciding to stay with the franchise that drafted him in 2016 out of Florida. In February, he signed a two-year, $54 million contract that paid him $30 million this season, with a $24 million player option for the next year.
The All-Star first baseman indicated he would like to return to the Mets once more but emphasized his desire to win a championship.
“There’s some great guys in this clubhouse, there’s some great people on the staff,” Alonso said. “And every single day, it’s just been a pleasure coming to work and putting on the orange and blue. I’ve really appreciated it and been nothing but full of gratitude every single day. Nothing’s guaranteed, but we’ll see what happens. I’ve loved being a Met, so hopefully they’ve appreciated me in the same way.”
At 30 years old, Alonso earned his fifth All-Star selection this season, batting a career-best .272 with 38 home runs, 126 RBIs, and a career-high 41 doubles. Along the way, he broke the Mets’ franchise record for home runs, surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s previous mark of 252.
“I think the biggest thing is, I want to win,” Alonso said. “I know we didn’t this year, but we had the right pieces — I think we just didn’t do it. At the beginning of the year, you just want to have the best possible chance to hold up the trophy at the end and see yourself being a champion. So for me, it’s why I do this. I want to be on top of the mountain. I want to win a World Series. That’s the ultimate goal.”
The Mets entered Sunday’s regular-season finale needing a win and a Cincinnati loss at Milwaukee to make the playoffs. However, New York could not overcome a four-run fourth inning by the Miami Marlins and was eliminated from postseason contention following a 4-0 loss.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes the goals are coming for striker Ollie Watkins after he opened his account for the season in the 3-1 win at home to Fulham.
England forward Watkins made amends for a penalty miss in the narrow Europa League win against Bologna in midweek when he brought Villa back on level terms before the break, following Raul Jimenez’s early headed opener for the visitors.
Villa put Fulham on the canvas with two goals right at the start of the second half. John McGinn’s drilled effort found the bottom-left corner, making it 2-1, before Emi Buendia added another less than two minutes later to give Villa lift off.
Emery said of Watkins:
“Hopefully he keeps going, but it’s the consequence of how he played on Thursday. He missed the penalty, which was important, but the most important and the first step forward is sticking to your tasks, and he was doing that on Thursday and today. The goals are coming hopefully for the next matches.”
Emery admitted Villa’s first Premier League victory of the season was much-needed and he could see confidence flooding back.
“We needed to win, it was very clear,” he said. “We played with energy and passion and changed through the match because we recovered confidence. In the second half, we started aggressive, trying to use those minutes, taking chances to score, and we did it. It was a fantastic response from some players after the goal.
“We started poor but we showed the same enthusiasm as we did on Thursday, and through that we won, and some players have started scoring.”
Fulham wanted a couple of penalties in the first half when goalkeeper Emi Martinez made contact with Josh King, but referee Andrew Madley booked the latter for simulation. King also saw a goal-bound strike blocked by the arm of Matty Cash, but no penalty was given. Marco Silva’s first-half frustrations landed him a yellow card.
Silva said:
“We have to blame ourselves for the goals we conceded; they were too soft for the level the Premier League demands. The things we cannot control have happened too often this season, and this afternoon was another good example.
“The reality of our season so far: we have lost two games and see the way we lost the two games — Chelsea, the VAR decisions, and this afternoon again. Very quick decision from the referee to go yellow card on Josh King. I’ve seen the images and it’s clear. He was tackled 100 per cent by Martinez, I’m sure. No one can tell me he wasn’t. Cash did not do it on purpose at all but he made his body bigger with the left hand.
“Last week it was a penalty against us but this week it was no penalty.”
https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/unai-emery-expects-goals-to-start-flowing-for-aston-villa-striker-ollie-watkins-1812302.html
**ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Decoding India’s Strongest XI**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Sep 28, 2025, 01:58 pm*
As co-hosts of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, India enter the tournament as one of the favorites. The competition is set to begin on September 30, with Harmanpreet Kaur leading the team for the first time in a Women’s World Cup. Smriti Mandhana, the star opener, will serve as her deputy. India’s squad features a balanced mix of seasoned players and emerging talent, creating a well-rounded unit ready to compete at the highest level.
### Top Order Batters: Mandhana, Rawal, Deol
India’s top order looks solid with Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, and Harleen Deol occupying the first three batting slots. Mandhana has been a consistent performer, scoring the most WODI runs since the 2022 tournament in New Zealand where India finished fifth. Young sensation Pratika Rawal has impressed with 802 WODI runs at an impressive average of 50.12. Meanwhile, Harleen Deol has been in excellent form recently, adding valuable runs at a crucial time.
### Strong Middle Order
The middle order boasts experienced campaigners like captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and wicket-keeper Richa Ghosh. Harmanpreet, Deepti, and Jemimah have maintained averages above 38 while striking at over 100 in WODIs this year. Deepti Sharma has particularly shone in 2025, amassing runs at a remarkable average of 76.20. Richa Ghosh has excelled in the finisher’s role with an aggressive strike rate of 130.26, making her a key player down the order.
### The Bowling Attack
Sneh Rana adds depth to the lower order with her valuable batting and reliable off-spin. Her ability to contribute crucial runs and tight bowling makes her an asset in pressure situations. Alongside Rana and Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav is expected to be the second spinner, which suits the slow pitches of India and Sri Lanka. The pace attack will be led by the return of Renuka Singh Thakur, providing a significant boost to the team. Emerging pacer Kranti Goud, who has been a revelation, is likely to complete the bowling lineup.
### Final Playing XI for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025
– Smriti Mandhana
– Pratika Rawal
– Harleen Deol
– Harmanpreet Kaur (captain)
– Jemimah Rodrigues
– Deepti Sharma
– Richa Ghosh (wicket-keeper)
– Sneh Rana
– Renuka Singh Thakur
– Kranti Goud
– Radha Yadav
This squad represents a perfect blend of experience and youth, combining solid batting depth with versatile bowling options. As hosts, India will aim to leverage their home conditions and the balanced team composition to make a strong push for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 title.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/india-s-probable-xi-in-2025-women-s-world-cup/story
