Three WWE stars, Grayson Waller, Montez Ford, and Angelo Dawkins, will not participate in the Royal Rumble 2026 event. Instead, they are scheduled for "NXT" live shows in the U.S. this weekend. Their absence from the Royal Rumble is due to other commitments, and in the case of The Street Profits, a break from regular appearances.
Key Facts
Grayson Waller, Montez Ford, and Angelo Dawkins are not expected to attend the Royal Rumble 2026.
They will instead be part of "NXT" live events in Knoxville, Nashville, and Birmingham.
Marty Miller, a longtime WWE director, will also not travel to Riyadh for the Royal Rumble.
Grayson Waller, known to "Raw" viewers, recently participated in a WWE match involving top stars.
The Street Profits, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, have been given time off WWE TV to refresh their acts.
There is no reported injury preventing The Street Profits from attending Royal Rumble.
Mike McDaniel has joined the Los Angeles Chargers as their offensive coordinator after leaving his head coach role at the Miami Dolphins. The Chargers brought him in to develop their offense and support quarterback Justin Herbert. McDaniel expressed appreciation for his time with the Dolphins but is ready to start this new opportunity.
Key Facts
Mike McDaniel was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers as their offensive coordinator.
McDaniel previously served as the head coach for the Miami Dolphins before being let go.
The Chargers want to improve their offense, focusing on quarterback Justin Herbert.
McDaniel is known for his creative play designs and developing quarterbacks.
He joined the Chargers during an off-season where the team has financial and roster flexibility.
McDaniel appeared on "The Pat McAfee Show" and shared that he valued his time with the Dolphins.
The Chargers have the third-largest salary cap space in the NFL heading into this off-season.
The team has the 22nd pick in the upcoming NFL draft, giving them options to strengthen their roster.
David Adler from MLB.com predicts that Addison Barger, a player for the Toronto Blue Jays, will have a standout season in 2026. With Bo Bichette leaving the team, the Blue Jays will see new players join and current players like Barger stepping up. Barger's past performance shows potential with strong stats in bat speed and hitting, making him a key player for the team's future.
Key Facts
Bo Bichette has left the Toronto Blue Jays to join the New York Mets.
The Blue Jays fell short in the World Series, losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Toronto's team will change with Dylan Cease and Kazuma Okamoto joining and Bichette leaving.
Addison Barger is expected to improve significantly in the 2026 season.
Barger is a 26-year-old third baseman and outfielder for the Blue Jays.
His 2025 performance included 21 home runs and 74 RBIs, with strong bat speed and hitting stats.
Barger will likely play more in the outfield with Okamoto as the primary third baseman.
The Chicago Cubs have signed 24-year-old shortstop Karson Simas to a minor-league contract. Simas, who previously spent over six years with the Boston Red Sox, is known for playing many positions in the field but needs to improve his batting performance to advance in his baseball career.
Key Facts
The Chicago Cubs signed shortstop Karson Simas to a minor-league deal.
Simas was previously with the Boston Red Sox organization.
He chose free agency in November after over six years with the Red Sox.
Simas has played every position except pitcher and catcher in the minor leagues.
His career minor league batting performance (OPS) is .602 over 1,239 plate appearances.
Simas has stolen 57 bases but only hit nine home runs in the minors.
For lasting success, he needs to improve his hitting skills to advance in the Cubs system.
Novak Djokovic is aiming to win his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. He has performed well in the tournament so far, but questions remain about his physical ability to compete against younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Djokovic has history on his side at the Australian Open but will face tough challenges ahead.
Key Facts
Novak Djokovic is competing for his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.
Djokovic has not lost a set in his last three matches in the tournament.
Djokovic faces Lorenzo Musetti in the next round and has a strong track record against him, having won 9 out of 10 previous matches.
Djokovic received a walkover in the last round after his opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew due to injury.
Djokovic could potentially face Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, both young Grand Slam winners, in future rounds.
Djokovic has had recent physical challenges, including a leg injury and other injuries from past Grand Slam tournaments.
He has historically been successful at the Australian Open, having won the tournament 10 times.
Sam Darnold, the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks, will start in Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots. This game marks a significant achievement for Darnold, who will become the first quarterback from USC to start a Super Bowl. He has had a challenging career path, moving through several teams before finding success with the Seahawks.
Key Facts
Sam Darnold is the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks.
Darnold will start in Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots.
He is the first quarterback from the University of Southern California (USC) to start in a Super Bowl.
Darnold's career journey involved playing for multiple teams, including the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings.
He joined the Seattle Seahawks after a stint with the San Francisco 49ers.
Darnold had an outstanding game in the NFC Championship to help the Seahawks reach the Super Bowl.
He will face New England's quarterback, Drake Maye, in the Super Bowl.
Both Darnold and Maye were selected third in their respective drafts.
The New York Jets are making changes to their coaching staff after a poor NFL season, finishing with a 3-14 record. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand has been let go, and the team is looking for a new offensive coordinator. The Jets need to improve their offensive performance, as they ranked low in yards gained per game last season.
Key Facts
The New York Jets ended their season with a 3-14 record, placing last in the AFC East.
Justin Fields was their quarterback last season, but the team struggled offensively.
The Jets plan to change their coaching staff, starting by parting ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
Aaron Glenn remains the team's head coach.
The Jets ranked fourth-to-last in offensive yards, averaging 263.6 yards per game.
The team will search for a new offensive coordinator to improve their offensive play.
They hold the No. 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, potentially selecting Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese.
Some analysts suggest they might choose a quarterback with their No. 16 pick.
Caitlin Clark, a professional women's basketball player, will join NBC Sports as a special contributor for "Sunday Night Basketball" starting February 1. She will work alongside well-known figures like Maria Taylor and NBA Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter. This takes place as Clark prepares for her third season in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever.
Key Facts
Caitlin Clark will be part of NBC Sports' "Sunday Night Basketball" as a special contributor.
The show will start on February 1 with "Basketball Night in America."
Clark will work with Maria Taylor and NBA legends Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady, and Vince Carter.
This new role comes ahead of Clark's third WNBA season with the Indiana Fever.
Clark's previous season in the WNBA was limited to 13 games due to injuries.
NBC Sports’ Executive Producer praised Clark as a captivating player and dynamic scorer.
Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, apologized to referee Farai Hallam if he felt offended by Guardiola's remarks after a match. The issue arose when Hallam, in his first Premier League game, did not award Manchester City a penalty despite a review. Guardiola explained his role in defending his team and questioned refereeing decisions this season.
Key Facts
Pep Guardiola is the manager of Manchester City, a football team in the Premier League.
Guardiola apologized to referee Farai Hallam for any offense caused by his comments.
The controversy involved a decision not to award a penalty in a match against Wolves.
Guardiola noted that referees usually change decisions after reviewing pitchside monitors, but Hallam did not.
Guardiola stated he needed to defend his club's interests.
He expressed intent to receive an explanation from referees' chief Howard Webb.
Guardiola highlighted previous instances of controversial refereeing decisions this season.
Manchester City must win an upcoming match against Galatasaray to advance in the competition.
Clendon Thomas, a former NFL player who was a standout in college football at the University of Oklahoma and later played for the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers, has died at age 90. Thomas was known for his achievements both as a college athlete, where he was a leading scorer, and as a professional player, making the 1963 Pro Bowl as a defensive back.
Key Facts
Clendon Thomas was a star football player at the University of Oklahoma and a Heisman Trophy candidate.
He helped Oklahoma win 47 straight games, the longest winning streak in major college football history.
Thomas was drafted in the second round of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
He played as both a safety and a player in the offensive backfield during his NFL career.
Thomas recorded 27 interceptions over 11 seasons in the NFL.
He played in the 1963 Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro three times.
After retiring from football, he founded a company in Oklahoma City and was involved in community service.
In 2011, Clendon Thomas was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
DraftKings is offering a promotion where users can get a $300 bonus if they bet $5 on certain NBA or college basketball games, and their initial bet wins. The offer applies to specific betting markets with particular odds, and there are several additional promotions available for various sports.
Key Facts
DraftKings offers a $300 bonus for new users who bet $5 and win.
The initial $5 bet must have odds of at least -500.
NBA games such as Bucks vs. 76ers are part of the betting options.
College basketball games, including Nebraska vs. Michigan, are also available for bets.
Users can get additional promotions like profit boosts on NBA, college basketball, and other sports.
The $300 bonus bets must be used within one week if awarded.
Other offers include chances to win a share of bonus bets for specific achievements in sports events.
Pittsburgh Steelers' new head coach, Mike McCarthy, talked about the possibility of quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning to the team during his introductory press conference. Rodgers, who has been playing football for 21 seasons and is now 42 years old, joined the Steelers in 2025 after leaving the New York Jets. McCarthy expressed a positive view about Rodgers' impact on the team.
Key Facts
Mike McCarthy is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Aaron Rodgers is a veteran quarterback with 21 seasons of experience.
Rodgers is 42 years old and facing uncertainty about his playing future.
Rodgers joined the Steelers as a free agent before the 2025 season.
The New York Jets previously moved on from Rodgers before his signing with the Steelers.
McCarthy spoke about the possibility of Rodgers returning for the 2026 season.
McCarthy praised Rodgers as a valuable asset to the team.
The final of the 2030 men's World Cup will take place in Spain, according to the president of the Spanish Football Federation. The tournament will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with early matches played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay to celebrate the World Cup's 100th anniversary. There is some disagreement about the final venue, with Morocco also interested in hosting it.
Key Facts
The 2030 men's World Cup final will be held in Spain.
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco are co-hosting the tournament.
Opening matches will be played in Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Spain's Bernabeu stadium and Nou Camp are top choices to host the final.
Morocco wants to host the final at the Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca.
Fifa has not yet made a final decision about the venue.
The opening games mark the 100th anniversary of the World Cup, first held in Uruguay.
Morocco's stadium is expected to hold 115,000 spectators and be completed in 2028.
A key director for WWE, Marty Miller, is not expected to attend the Royal Rumble 2026 event in Riyadh. Instead, he will work on a Zuffa Boxing event in Las Vegas. Lee Lipschulz, the "Friday Night SmackDown" director, is likely to fill in for Miller at the Royal Rumble.
Key Facts
Marty Miller, a longtime WWE director, will not attend the Royal Rumble 2026 in Riyadh.
He will be working on a Zuffa Boxing event in Las Vegas at the same time.
Lee Lipschulz, who directs "Friday Night SmackDown," will likely cover for Miller at the Royal Rumble.
Marty Miller has been with WWE since 1995, starting during the "King of the Ring" event.
He praised WWE cameramen for their work in his past interviews.
Directing WWE events is described by Miller as "chaotic" but also thrilling.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts credits the team's strong commitment and support as the key reason for their 2025 World Series win. The team maintained unity despite injuries, and this harmony attracted top free agents, who praised the Dodgers' positive culture. Players like Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker cited the organization's first-class reputation as motivation for joining the team.
Key Facts
Dave Roberts managed the Dodgers to a World Series win in 2025.
Roberts highlighted the team's support and commitment as crucial factors.
Players never questioned Roberts' decisions, believing in their valued roles.
The Dodgers' positive culture attracts free agents beyond just their success.
Edwin Diaz joined the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million contract.
Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers.
Both players mentioned the team's excellent reputation and player treatment.
Bournemouth signed 19-year-old Brazilian striker Rayan from Vasco da Gama for £24.7 million. The team also added Greek goalkeeper Christos Mandas on loan from Lazio.
Key Facts
Bournemouth signed Rayan from Vasco da Gama for £24.7 million with potential add-ons of £5.6 million.
Rayan is a 19-year-old Brazilian striker who plays primarily as a center-forward and can play on both wings.
Bournemouth competed with clubs from Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Russia to sign Rayan.
Rayan is meant to replace Antoine Semenyo, who transferred to Manchester City for around £65 million.
Christos Mandas joined Bournemouth on loan from Lazio with an option for a permanent deal.
Bournemouth paid a £1.3 million loan fee for Mandas, with an additional cost of £860,000 if he is not signed permanently.
Mandas has played 33 games for Lazio and has represented Greece at different youth levels.
Bournemouth had also signed Fraser Forster, a 37-year-old goalkeeper, earlier this month.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton might lose Davis Webb from his coaching staff as Webb is a strong contender for a head coaching role with the Las Vegas Raiders. If Webb leaves, Payton acknowledges it would be challenging for him, but Webb seems interested in advancing his career.
Key Facts
Davis Webb, part of Sean Payton's coaching staff, is a candidate for a head coach role with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Denver Broncos lost the AFC Championship and may face further changes if Webb leaves.
Webb is one of the main contenders for the Raiders' job, along with Brian Daboll.
The Buffalo Bills hired Joe Brady, removing him from consideration for the Raiders' position.
Sean Payton has expressed uncertainty about Webb's future if he stays or moves to the Raiders.
The Raiders play in a competitive division with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers.
Webb currently serves as the offensive pass game coordinator for the Broncos and has been coaching since 2023.
Tony Romo, a former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, is now a well-known NFL commentator for CBS. After completing his ninth season, Romo addressed the fan backlash he faced and emphasized that criticism is part of the job. He expressed his passion for his role and how he focuses on positive feedback from viewers.
Key Facts
Tony Romo played as a star quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys before becoming a commentator.
He started his broadcasting career with CBS in 2017.
Romo works alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on CBS’s lead NFL team.
He has faced criticism but believes it is a normal part of being a commentator.
Romo focuses on feedback from fans who enjoy his work and does not let online criticism affect him.
His latest Super Bowl broadcast with CBS occurred in 2024.
Next year's Super Bowl broadcast will be on ESPN/ABC, with CBS returning to the rotation in 2028.
The New York Mets are hopeful about Bo Bichette's transition to playing third base this upcoming season. Although Bichette has predominantly played shortstop, early workouts at third base have shown promise. Manager Carlos Mendoza expressed confidence in Bichette's ability to adapt to the new position after observing his training sessions.
Key Facts
The New York Mets signed Bo Bichette to a three-year deal, expecting him to play third base.
Bichette has mostly played shortstop in his career.
Manager Carlos Mendoza watched Bichette's early workouts at third base and was encouraged by his performance.
There is optimism about Bichette's transition to third base despite his lack of game experience at the position.
Third base requires similar footwork to shortstop since both are on the same side of the field.
Bichette's arm strength will be tested with longer throws to first base.
Bichette's game experience at third base will increase during spring training before the regular season.
The New York Mets faced problems with team chemistry during their last season's downfall. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discussed this issue, noting differences in player personalities and changes in the team roster. The team seeks to improve their dynamics for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
The New York Mets had the best record in Major League Baseball in early June but did not make the playoffs.
Mets' manager Carlos Mendoza spoke about the team's clubhouse not having strong enough chemistry last season.
The Mets lost four of their longest-tenured players after the season ended.
Two remaining star players, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, have very different personalities that impact team dynamics.
Lindor is known for being outgoing while Soto is more reserved and businesslike.
The Mets have made roster changes, swapping out key players for new ones.
There is pressure on the team to prove their capabilities this season and questions about how the team will work together.
