Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Mina Shirakawa has officially returned to AEW and already has a Women’s World title shot, taking place at this month’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view. During Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, Shirakawa won a four-way title eliminator match by pinning reigning champion Toni Storm to earn the title opportunity. AZM and the returning Skye Blue were also in the bout. The two frenemies have done battle for Storm’s title before, dating back to June 2024’s Forbidden Door when Shirakawa was still a member of the Stardom roster. Shirakawa was also part of the Storm/Mariah May storyline that took place over the last year. Shirakawa departed Stardom this year to sign with AEW. She competed in a Ring of Honor match last month with Wednesday marking her first AEW bout since losing to then-champion May in December 2024. AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mina Shirakawa Owen Hart Foundation men’s tournament final: Will Ospreay vs. Hangman Page Owen Hart Foundation women’s tournament final: Mercedes Mone vs. Jami

This article first appeared on F4WOnline.com and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Report: Fan-favorite superstar signs new deal with WWE following career-altering win at SummerSlam
Wrestling

Report: Fan-favorite superstar signs new deal with WWE following career-altering win at SummerSlam

WWE is making sure they retain their top stars. Having said that, the company has locked in LA Knight for the foreseeable future. As per Fightful Select, The Megastar’s previous deal was set to expire in early 2025. However, it has been restructured with a substantial hike in pay. As of now, the exact length of Knight’s brand-new contract is unknown, but the word is that it’s a multi-year agreement. Last year, in September, it was reported that WWE was looking to re-sign the former TNA Champion on a five-year deal. However, the two sides couldn’t agree on financial terms. It now appears like LA Knight got a favorable deal ironed out by his agent, who began negotiating with WWE post-WrestleMania XL. It’s worth noting that Knight had a career-defining moment at this year’s SummerSlam. At the PLE, he toppled Cleveland native Logan Paul for the United States Championship. Despite rapper Machine Gun Kelly‘s underhanded assist to Paul, Knight was able to plant The Maverick with a BFT. And just like that, the stadium erupted in rhapsody. It was LA’s first title win on the main roster. And now, he’ll look to build some momentum. As things stand, the former Eli Drake finds himself in a legal discourse. As the fans know, he vandalized Logan Paul’s PRIME-themed Hummer before making his way out at SummerSlam. As a result, the boxer-turned-wrestler proceeded to file a lawsuit against his arch-nemesis. Accusing him of civil theft, Mr. Paul said he’d see Knight in court. But it seems like The Defiant One is in a league of his own. Quoting a reply to Paul’s copy of the legal notice on X, Knight reminded him about who’s the reigning US Champion. Does WWE aim to sign Zilla Fatu as well? WWE isn’t done scouting their megastars of tomorrow. Following Roman Reigns‘ thumping return at SummerSlam, it was noted that the company has their eyes on another Anoa’i family member. It’s none other than Zilla Fatu. Although he’s still working for GCW, the latter was in attendance at the PLE in Cleveland. The Bloodline is growing in numbers, and Fatu might be in for a ride down the road. Speaking of which, Bloodline is in shambles right now. With Solo Sikoa‘s loss to Cody Rhodes, thanks to Roman, the villainous stable is walking on eggshells. The original Tribal Chief is back to restore some restraint within his family. However, there’s a civil war brewing among these Samoans. It needs to be seen how the story moves forward.

It's time for the Bengals to meet their disgruntled star halfway
NFL

It's time for the Bengals to meet their disgruntled star halfway

As Trey Hendrickson prepares to end his holdout, it's time for the Cincinnati Bengals to meet their star edge-rusher halfway. On Tuesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that Hendrickson plans to end his holdout amid a prolonged contract dispute by reporting to Bengals camp on Wednesday despite still seeking an extension. "Reporting to camp stops the $50,000 per day fines and also serves as a good-faith gesture to try to jumpstart negotiations," Schefter wrote. Hendrickson is owed $18.7M in 2025. Last season, Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks (17.5). He originally signed a four-year, $60M contract with the Bengals during 2021 free agency and later signed a one-year extension in July 2023 to keep him Cincinnati through 2025. With no guarantees beyond this upcoming season and the edge-rusher market exploding recently, Hendrickson certainly has a valid argument to demand an extension. Meanwhile, Cincinnati has few (if any) good reasons not to reward their best defensive player. Hendrickson, 30, has been one of the league's most prolific pass-rushers since joining the Bengals. Former agent Joel Corry, writing for CBS Sports, brushed aside concerns about a potential drop-off in production while pointing to Pittsburgh Steelers edge T.J. Watt's recent contract extension. As Corry noted, Watt, who became the league's highest-paid non-quarterback when he agreed to a three-year, $123M extension earlier this offseason, is roughly two months older than Hendrickson. "Hendrickson also accounted for 48.6% of Cincinnati's sacks last season while Watt was responsible for 28.8% of Pittburgh's," Corry wrote. On Monday, Schefter shared that the main sticking point in Hendrickson's contract dispute is guaranteed money, with the Bengals hesitant to provide any guarantees beyond 2025 on a potential three-year deal. As productive as Hendrickson has been for the Bengals — his 57 sacks since 2021 only trail Watt and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett — the front office should be doing everything in its power to ensure he finishes his career in Cincy. Hendrickson ending his holdout is the first step to the sides reaching a resolution. The next is the Bengals giving him an extension commensurate to his production.

Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
NHL

Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal

The Boston Bruins have been under pressure to retool after a disappointing season, and now a potential blockbuster move could shake the entire NHL. A major trade proposal has surfaced that could send a star goaltender to the Edmonton Oilers, a move that would give them the elite presence they've lacked in net while forcing Boston closer to a rebuild. The deal being floated by multiple outlets would send Edmonton's current starter, Stuart Skinner, along with Matthew Savoie, Beau Akey, and a 2028 first-round pick to Boston, while the Oilers land a goaltender capable of changing their Cup window overnight. Edmonton's push for a franchise goalie could reshape the Western Conference and challenge the Dallas Stars' path to the Cup If this trade goes through, the Oilers would instantly address one of their biggest weaknesses, setting up a showdown with teams like the Dallas Stars, who already see Edmonton as one of their toughest rivals. Boston, on the other hand, would fully commit to a rebuild, pairing Joonas Korpisalo with Skinner in what could be one of the NHL's weakest tandems, likely boosting their draft lottery odds in one of the most hyped draft classes in recent memory (NHL.com). An insider noted, "They weren't the only ones who had inquired about Swayman, but yes, I was told they poked around." That comment shows just how wide the interest is for this level of goalie talent (Heavy.com). I think this kind of trade would completely shift the balance of power in the West, making Edmonton even more dangerous for teams like Dallas, who could end up facing a vastly upgraded Oilers team in the playoffs. If Boston truly embraces a rebuild, moving their top goaltender could be the first domino in a massive roster overhaul, something that could shake the market for weeks.

Raiders' Pete Carroll has cryptic comments on bizarre Christian Wilkins situation
NFL

Raiders' Pete Carroll has cryptic comments on bizarre Christian Wilkins situation

There have been a couple of different theories floated about why the Las Vegas Raiders made the shocking decision to cut star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, but head coach Pete Carroll has no interest in sharing the real motive. The Raiders released Wilkins on Thursday, which was barely a year after they signed him to a four-year, $110M contract in free agency. Initial reports suggested Wilkins and the team were at odds over how the 29-year-old's foot injury was being handled, but the story has since taken a bizarre turn. ESPN's Adam Schefter said on Monday that there was an incident between Wilkins and a teammate in the locker room that Wilkins viewed as playful, but his teammate did not take it that way. Tashan Reed of The Athletic reported that the incident took place in a meeting room at the Raiders' facility last week and was investigated by the team's human resources department. On Tuesday, a reporter asked Carroll about the alleged incident. The 73-year-old coach refused to get into it. "I have no comment to make,” Carroll said, via The Athletic. “We made a decision on what we’re doing, and we’re moving with it. We’ll see how that all unveils itself in time.” The last part of Carroll's comment is interesting. Carroll may have been saying time will tell how the decision to cut Wilkins will turn out for the Raiders, or he may have been insinuating that more information will come out at some point. Raiders defensive tackle Adam Nelson was also asked about Wilkins on Tuesday. Nelson responded by encouraging people to seek therapy if they are struggling with something in their life. Wilkins had 17 total tackles and a pair of sacks in five games with the Raiders before he suffered his season-ending foot injury.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!