Tommaso Ciampa is reportedly leaving WWE after his contract ends. His absence from recent matches suggests he will not renew his contract with the wrestling company. It's not yet clear whether he plans to join another wrestling organization or take a break.
Key Facts
Tommaso Ciampa, a key figure in WWE's NXT brand, is reportedly leaving WWE.
His contract is nearing its end, and he does not plan to renew it.
Ciampa has been absent from recent WWE TV appearances, suggesting his exit is imminent.
He was last seen wrestling on December 19 on "Friday Night SmackDown."
It's unclear if Ciampa will join another wrestling organization like AEW or take a break.
Ciampa has a history of neck injuries, which might influence his decision to leave.
His departure marks the end of his significant role in WWE, particularly his partnership with Johnny Gargano.
Notre Dame hired Charlie Partridge from the NFL's Indianapolis Colts as their new defensive line coach. This move follows Notre Dame extending head coach Marcus Freeman's contract to ensure his continued leadership of the team. Partridge brings a wealth of experience, having coached at various college programs and with the Colts.
Key Facts
Notre Dame's head coach, Marcus Freeman, received a new contract to keep him as one of the highest-paid in college football.
Charlie Partridge was hired from the NFL's Indianapolis Colts to join Notre Dame as the defensive line coach.
Partridge has coaching experience dating back to 1996, including positions at Iowa State, Wisconsin, Arkansas, and Pittsburgh.
He served as head coach at Florida Atlantic from 2014 to 2016.
Partridge was a co-defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh from 2017 to 2023.
Al Washington was moved from Notre Dame's defensive line coach to linebackers coach.
Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, expressed strong support for Marcus Freeman's role as head coach.
Luke Littler, an 18-year-old darts player, will compete against Gian van Veen in the PDC World Championship final. Littler aims to join an elite group by winning the championship more than once, while Van Veen seeks his first PDC title after overcoming earlier struggles with dartitis. Both have demonstrated strong performances leading up to the final match.
Key Facts
Luke Littler is 18 years old and will face Gian van Veen in the PDC World Championship final.
Littler has reached the world final three years in a row.
He is currently the world's top-ranked darts player.
Gian van Veen won the European Championship in October and has improved after overcoming dartitis.
Van Veen aims to become the third Dutch player to win the Sid Waddell Trophy.
Littler hopes to join a select group of players who have won the championship multiple times.
The World Championship final will take place at Alexandra Palace.
Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin, formerly of Penn State, is interested in recruiting Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds via the transfer portal. Franklin aims to bring Reynolds to Virginia Tech, showcasing his ongoing strategy to recruit players familiar to him.
Key Facts
James Franklin is the head coach of the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Franklin previously coached at Penn State and has flipped multiple former recruits to Virginia Tech.
Franklin is targeting Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds for transfer.
Luke Reynolds had 26 receptions and 257 yards in the past season.
Reynolds is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds.
Franklin was briefly unemployed after being fired from Penn State but continued to recruit.
In December, Franklin secured at least 11 commitments by leveraging his connections.
Tyrhys Dolan, an English football player, joined Spanish club Espanyol after playing non-league football just five years ago. He is now part of a team in La Liga, Spain's premier football league, and preparing for his first Catalan derby. Dolan's journey includes overcoming rejections and personal tragedy to achieve his goal of playing at a high level.
Key Facts
Tyrhys Dolan is an English football player who joined Espanyol in Spain.
Five years ago, he was playing for a non-league team called Clitheroe.
Dolan has become an important part of the Espanyol team in La Liga.
He turned down a new contract with Blackburn, where he had strong ties, to move to Spain.
Dolan experienced personal challenges, including rejection from other clubs and the loss of a friend to suicide.
Dolan is dedicated to connecting with Spanish culture and language.
He aims to prove himself against top players in La Liga.
Espanyol is currently fifth in the La Liga standings.
England's cricket captain, Ben Stokes, has asked his players not to be overly focused on themselves in their final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney. The team, having already lost the series, will name their final players just before the match begins. England and Australia are still deciding on their team line-ups due to uncertainties about the pitch conditions and upcoming weather.
Key Facts
Ben Stokes is the captain of England's cricket team.
England has already lost the Ashes series but will play their final match against Australia in Sydney.
Stokes encourages players to prioritize team performance over personal achievements.
England has not finalised their team and will do so at the start of the match.
Matthew Potts might play in place of the injured Gus Atkinson.
The Sydney pitch's condition and rainy weather forecast are influencing team decisions.
This series marks England's first victory in Australia in nearly 15 years, having won the fourth Test in Melbourne.
The next Ashes series is scheduled for the summer of 2027.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will play a crucial game against the Baltimore Ravens, with the winner securing the AFC North division title and a playoff spot. Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers quarterback, has a financial incentive to win, as it will earn him a $500,000 bonus. He has not yet decided if he will continue playing for the Steelers after this season.
Key Facts
The Steelers face the Ravens in a critical game for the AFC North division title.
The winner of the game will qualify for the playoffs, while the loser will not.
Aaron Rodgers would earn a $500,000 bonus if the Steelers win.
The Steelers will play without their star wide receiver DK Metcalf due to suspension.
Rodgers has played 15 games this season, with a 65.6% pass completion rate.
He has accumulated 3,028 yards, 23 touchdowns, and seven interceptions this season.
Rodgers has yet to decide about playing for the Steelers after becoming a free agent.
The Golden State Warriors are considering trading for Derrick White from the Boston Celtics to improve their team. White is a strong defensive player and could help the Warriors, but his trade would be expensive, and the Celtics may resist letting him go. White has a contract through 2029, making any potential deal complicated.
Key Facts
The Warriors want to improve their team and are looking at Derrick White as a potential trade target.
Derrick White plays for the Boston Celtics and is known for his strong defense and ball-handling skills.
White is under contract for four years, earning $118 million, with a player option in 2028-2029 for $34.8 million.
This season, White is making $28.1 million and will earn over $30 million in later years.
The Celtics may not want to trade White because he is important to their team's success.
The Warriors have other trade options but might face a challenge trading for White due to his value to the Celtics.
The Celtics' roster includes key players like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, making White's role significant.
The Ohio State Buckeyes recently lost to the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl, ending their run for a national championship. With the departure of offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, Ohio State's head coach Ryan Day is looking for a new person to fill this role. Analyst Josh Poloha suggests bringing in Brian Daboll, a former NFL head coach, to enhance the team's offense.
Key Facts
Ohio State Buckeyes lost to the Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl, ending their championship hopes.
Head coach Ryan Day must find a replacement for former offensive coordinator Brian Hartline.
Brian Hartline left to become the head coach at South Florida.
Brian Daboll, who was recently fired by the New York Giants, is a suggested candidate for the role.
Josh Poloha, an Ohio State analyst, believes Daboll’s experience makes him a good fit.
Ryan Day previously hired former NFL head coach Matt Patricia for the defensive coordinator position.
Ohio State has a strong recruiting class lined up for the 2026 season.
Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors, is cautious about making risky trade moves for big players. He believes that going for superstar trades could hurt the team in the long term, as seen with other NBA teams that lack future draft picks. The Warriors are considering trades but are balancing between strengthening their team now and protecting future assets.
Key Facts
Steve Kerr is the head coach of the Golden State Warriors.
Kerr warns against making risky trade decisions.
He mentions other teams that gave up future assets for star players now have no draft picks left.
The Warriors are thinking about trading player Jonathan Kuminga.
The team has been linked to players like Michael Porter Jr., Myles Turner, and Anthony Davis for potential trades.
Kerr trusts Mike, likely Mike Dunleavy Jr., the Warriors’ General Manager, to make smart decisions.
The Warriors need to plan for the future even as they consider current trade opportunities.
Ohio State University head coach Ryan Day faced criticism after the football team's unexpected loss to Miami. Despite a successful season record, some fans called for his firing. However, others defended Day, highlighting his consistent performance in recruiting and on-field results.
Key Facts
Ohio State lost to Miami 24-14 on December 31.
Ohio State had a strong season with a 12-2 record.
Some fans called for head coach Ryan Day's dismissal following the loss.
ESPN's Sam Block defended Ryan Day's overall performance on social media.
Critics mentioned issues with Ohio State's offensive line and kicker.
Ryan Day accepted responsibility for not adequately preparing the team.
Quarterback Julian Sayin admitted the team didn't execute well enough.
Celtic's new manager, Wilfried Nancy, is facing pressure after losing five out of seven matches since taking over. Before a key match against rivals Rangers, Nancy defended his coaching methods, asking for patience despite understanding the high expectations. His team is currently three points behind league leaders Hearts.
Key Facts
Wilfried Nancy became Celtic's manager after Brendan Rodgers left the club.
Nancy has lost five out of seven matches since his appointment.
Celtic lost a recent match against Motherwell with a score of 2-0.
Nancy's team is three points behind league leaders Hearts.
A win against Rangers would allow Celtic to join them on 38 points.
Nancy switched the team's formation from 4-3-3 to his preferred 3-4-3.
Former manager Brendan Rodgers left following internal conflicts at the club.
Nancy acknowledged he needs more time to implement his strategies.
The New York Mets are looking to strengthen their pitching lineup by potentially acquiring Ranger Suarez from the Philadelphia Phillies. Suarez has a strong track record in post-season games and would add experience to the Mets' rotation. The Mets are reportedly avoiding long-term deals, so they might need to offer a higher annual salary for a short-term contract to secure Suarez.
Key Facts
The Mets need to improve their starting pitcher lineup for the upcoming season.
Ranger Suarez is a potential target for the Mets; he currently plays for the Phillies.
Suarez throws with precision and tends to keep the ball on the ground effectively.
Last season, Suarez had a 3.20 ERA, a measure of how many earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings.
The Mets had a high rate of hard-hit balls against them last season and aim to reduce this.
The Mets prefer not to offer long-term contracts to starting pitchers, opting for shorter deals with potentially higher annual payments.
They might use a contract model similar to Alex Bregman’s with opt-outs after each year.
The Chicago Bears are preparing to play against the Detroit Lions in an important game. Quarterback Caleb Williams is close to breaking the franchise record for passing yards in a single season. The game is also significant as a win would secure the Bears a No. 2 seed in the playoffs.
Key Facts
The Chicago Bears are playing the Detroit Lions in a crucial game for playoff seeding.
Quarterback Caleb Williams is nearing a record of 4,000 passing yards for the season, a first for any Bears quarterback.
Williams currently needs 270 more yards to break the record.
The Bears' head coach, Ben Johnson, emphasized the importance of winning the game over individual records.
Winning the game would help the Bears keep their No. 2 playoff seed.
If the Bears lose and the Philadelphia Eagles win, the Eagles would take the No. 2 seed.
Williams was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
Wide receiver Luther Burden III is likely to play despite injury concerns.
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly one of the most active teams in trying to sign star infielder Alex Bregman. They are competing with other clubs, including the Boston Red Sox, to strengthen their team. Bregman is looking for a long-term deal after leaving his previous contract with the Red Sox.
Key Facts
The Toronto Blue Jays aim to sign a top free-agent infielder to improve their team for the next season.
The Blue Jays recently signed pitcher Dylan Cease, boosting their starting rotation.
Alex Bregman, who played for the Boston Red Sox, is being pursued by multiple teams.
The Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly the most active in trying to sign Bregman.
Bregman opted out of the final two years of his contract with the Red Sox, seeking a bigger long-term deal.
Bregman is known for his leadership and strong performance on the field.
The signing of Bregman might mean that Bo Bichette, another player, could leave the Blue Jays.
Bregman's decision on which team to join might not happen quickly, as he took until February 13 to sign last year.
The Philadelphia Phillies are dealing with the future of All-Star outfielder Nick Castellanos. There is speculation that Castellanos could either be traded to the Kansas City Royals or released by the Phillies. The Royals are seen as a potential new team for Castellanos, who could help them improve next season.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Phillies are making offseason changes and need to decide what to do with Nick Castellanos.
Castellanos is a possible trade or release candidate for the Phillies.
Bleacher Report suggests the Kansas City Royals might acquire Castellanos.
The Royals need experienced players who can help them score more runs.
If acquired, Castellanos could strengthen the Royals' outfield.
The potential move is seen as a way to boost the Royals' chances of reaching the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers will play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena. Both teams are looking to improve their performance as they face injuries and recent losses. The game promises to be competitive as each team seeks to regain momentum.
Key Facts
The game between the Lakers and Grizzlies is on January 2, 2026, at 10:30 PM ET.
It will be shown on the FanDuel Sports Network Midwest Extra in Missouri.
You can watch the game live via streaming on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
The Lakers have lost four out of their last five games.
Key Lakers players Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are currently injured.
Luka Dončić and LeBron James are leading players for the Lakers.
Ja Morant is the main player for the Grizzlies.
Both teams have faced injuries and are struggling with consistency.
The Cleveland Browns are considering a change in their head coach position after another unsuccessful season under Kevin Stefanski. Deion Sanders, a well-known college coach, has been mentioned as a potential candidate for the role, partly because his son, Shedeur Sanders, is the team's rookie quarterback. Sanders is currently coaching at the college level with a record of 43 wins and 27 losses.
Key Facts
The Cleveland Browns are expected to replace head coach Kevin Stefanski after the 2025 NFL season.
The team is likely to have a high pick in the 2026 NFL Draft due to their performance.
Deion Sanders, a popular college coach, is rumored to be a potential candidate for the Browns' head coach position.
Sanders' son, Shedeur Sanders, is a rookie quarterback for the Browns.
Deion Sanders has a coaching record of 43 wins and 27 losses in college football.
Sanders recently coached the Colorado Buffaloes to a 3-9 record in the 2025 season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are considering reuniting with Cody Bellinger, a former player of theirs, as he enters free agency. Despite the New York Yankees already making him an offer, the Dodgers are predicted to be strong competitors in trying to sign the star outfielder. Bellinger previously played for the Dodgers for six seasons and had a successful year with the Yankees.
Key Facts
Cody Bellinger is a free agent, meaning he is available to sign with any team.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in bringing Bellinger back to their team.
The New York Yankees have already made an offer to Bellinger.
Bellinger played for the Dodgers for six years and won MVP in 2019.
MLB analyst Jenny Cavnar believes the Dodgers will be strong competitors for Bellinger against the Yankees.
Bellinger had a strong performance with the Yankees, hitting 29 home runs and 98 RBIs last season.
The Dodgers recently signed reliever Edwin Díaz from the New York Mets.
Sam Leavitt, the quarterback from Arizona State, has entered the NCAA transfer portal to find a new team and improve his chances for the NFL Draft. The Kentucky Wildcats have emerged as a leading candidate to recruit him, despite not being traditionally known as a strong football school.
Key Facts
Sam Leavitt was the quarterback for the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Leavitt entered the NCAA transfer portal this offseason to join a new team.
Kentucky Wildcats are currently seen as a top contender to recruit Leavitt.
Kentucky aims to secure the first visit with Leavitt.
In the 2025 season, Leavitt completed 60.7% of his passes with 1,628 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Injuries ended Leavitt’s 2025 season early.
In 2024, he had better stats, with 2,885 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.
Kentucky finished their 2025 season at 5-7, not qualifying for a bowl game.
