The Sports Insanity Network

American League Preview

By : Mike Rifkin

With Major League Baseball ready to get started on Thursday here is my preview and predictions on each division in the American League.

AL EAST

5) Orioles – Baseball America ranks the Orioles with the fourth best farm system in MLB. Once they get to the big leagues they would join a core with Cedric Mullins who had an unbelievable season and Trey Mancini. The Orioles are on the rise but not ready yet.

4) Yankees – I want to preface this by saying the East will be very competitive this season. I think of the four teams outside of Baltimore you can flip them in any order. I just think the Yankees have more question marks than the other teams. Who steps up behind Gerritt Cole? Can Judge, Stanton, and Donaldson stay healthy? Can Gleyber Torres bounce back? If all of those things happen the Yankees could win the East.

3 ) Rays – Nobody does more with less than the Tampa Bay Rays who won 100 games last season and the AL East. In 2021 the Rays were tied for sixth in MLB with 222 home runs and were fourth with a 3.67 ERA. The Rays will be able to hit with guys like Brandon Lowe, Randy Arozarena, Wander Franco all in the everyday lineup. There are questions about their rotation; they have some injury concerns and hope to have ace Tyler Glasnow back for the stretch run. Learn never to count Tampa out of it so don’t be shocked to see them in the playoff chase down the stretch.

2) Red Sox – The Red Sox won 92 games and lost to the Astros in six games in the ALCS. Boston added ShortStop Trevor Story to play second base in a lineup that will also have J.D Martinez, Xander Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers. I have some concerns about their pitching staff. Eduardo Rodriguez went to Detroit, Chris Sale and James Paxton will start the season on the injured list. Somebody is going to have to step up after Nathan Eovaldi.

Blue Jays – Toronto won 91 games a year ago and missed out on the wild card by one game. They were one of the most active teams this offseason adding Kevin Gausman and Yusei Kikuchi to a rotation with Hyun Jin Ryu and Jose Berrios who they acquired at the trade deadline. They added Third baseman Matt Chapman who had a down year in Oakland offensively but will definitely benefit from a very good Blue Jay lineup and is one of the best defensive third basemen in all of baseball. The Blue Jays are definitely a World Series contender with a nucleus of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and George Springer.

AL Central

5) Guardians – Shane Bieber’s 2021 season was derailed with a right shoulder strain but he headlines a very young rotation with Zac Plesac, Triston Mckenzie and Aaron Civale who led the team with 12 wins. Jose Ramirez led the team in 2021 with 36 home runs and 103 RBI. Ramirez has a club option for 2023 so if the Guardians fall out early Ramirez could get them a solid return at the trade deadline.

4) Royals – Similar to the East I think teams 2-4 in this division are interchangeable. I don’t believe the Royals will get another 48 home run season out of Salvador Perez. If young starting pitchers Brady Singer and Kris Bubic take a step forward the Royals future looks brighter. Star prospect Bobby Witt Jr. has made the team.

3) Twins – The Twins were the biggest disappointment in baseball last season and they took it to heart this offseason. They signed star shortstop Carlos Correa from the Astros, traded Josh Donaldson to the Yankees for Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez, and added Sonny Gray and Dylan Bundy to their rotation. The only teams with a lower ERA than the Twins last year were the Cubs, Pirates, Diamondbacks and Orioles.

Tigers – The Tigers were busy this offseason they signed former Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez to a five year contract. Putting Rodriguez in a rotation that will feature 2018 first overall pick Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal gives Detroit a solid top three in their rotation. They also signed short stop Javier Baez to a six year contract joining an offense that will now feature 2020 first overall pick Spencer Torkelson. I expect the Tigers led by AJ Hinch to have a very good season.

White Sox – Lance Lynn will miss the first month with a knee injury, but the White Sox rotation is still really good with Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease and Dallas Keuchel at the top of the rotation. In the bullpen they just traded Craig Kimbrel but still signed Joe Kelly and Kendall Graveman to team with Aaron Bummer who had 75 strikeouts in 56.1 innings pitched and Liam Hendriks one of the best closers in baseball. An offense led by former MVP Jose Abreu, Tim Anderson and Yasmani Grandal should continue to be very good for manager Tony Larussa.

AL West

5) Athletics – The Athletics traded away Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Sean Manea, Chris Bassit and lost manager Bob Melvin. The rebuild is back on in Oakland.

4) Angels – Baseball needs the Angels in the playoffs so everyone can watch Mike Trout who hopefully can stay healthy this year and reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani. The Angels signed former Met Noah Syndergaard to a one year 20 million dollar contract, but Syndergaard has only thrown two innings over the last two years due to Tommy John Surgery.

3) Rangers – They say everything’s bigger in Texas. This offseason it was contracts as the Rangers added former World Series MVP Corey Seager on a 10 year 325 million dollar contract, Marcus Simien on a seven year 175 million dollar contract, and Pitcher Jon Gray on a four year 56 million dollar contract. Texas should do damage offensively but their pitching will be a question.

Mariners – Mariners added Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez from the Reds and added them to their lineup which will have their top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez. They declined the option on Yusei Kikuchi and replaced him with Robbie Ray who won the 2021 CY Young award with the Blue Jays.

Astros – Yes they lost some pieces this offseason most notably Carlos Correa but this team is still really good. Altuve, Bregman, Alvarez, Gurriel and Michael Brantley are still in this dynamic lineup. They brought back Justin Verlander to a rotation with Framber Valdez, Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy and eventually Lance Mccullers Jr. will make the rotation very good as well.

Playoff teams

EAST : BLUE JAYS (1)

CENTRAL WHITE SOX (2)

WEST : ASTROS (3)

WILD CARDS : RED SOX (4), TIGERS (5), RAYS (6)

WILD CARD ROUND ( top 2 seeds get bye)

Astros def Rays

Red Sox def Tigers

LDS

BLUE JAYS DEF RED SOX 6 GAMES

ASTROS DEF WHITE SOX 7 GAMES

LCS

BLUE JAYS DEF ASTROS 6 GAMES

Awards

MVP: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

CY Young : Lucas Giolito

Manager of the Year : AJ Hinch

Comeback Player of the Year Justin Verlander

Pressure On Bob

By : Mike Rifkin

With their victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday the Florida Panthers were the first team in the NHL to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Panthers have made the playoffs for the third consecutive season, but the team has not won a playoff series since 1996 where they lost in the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Panthers have loaded up on talent to gear up for a run at the franchise’s first Stanley Cup. They acquired former Flyers Captain Claude Giroux and Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot at the trade deadline. Since the trade Giroux has yet to score a goal but has seven assists and is a Plus five. Chiarot has one goal and three assists in seven games. Chiarot will be asked to do a little bit more with an injury to Aaron Ekblad. Former third overall pick Jonathan Huberdeau is in the conversation for the Hart Trophy with 24 goals and a franchise record 97 points so far this season. Two-way Center Aleksander Barkov has 33 goals and 72 points in 56 games so far. Barkov is also always in the conversation for the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward.

With all of this talent the Panthers are one of the legit Stanley Cup contenders, but they need their 10 million dollar a year goalie to be huge. I don’t believe there is a player under more pressure this playoff than Sergei Bobrovsky. Bobrovsky so far this season has a record of 33-6-3 with a 2.64 goals against average a.914 save percentage and three shutouts. Bobrovsky, a two time Vezina Trophy winner has struggled in the playoffs with a 13-23 record, 3.24 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. In his two playoffs with the Panthers Bobrovsky has a 2-5 record 3.80 goals against average and .880 save percentage. With Spencer Knight ready to take over the net it is very important for Bob to have a good playoff run not only for himself but because the Panthers are good enough to win the Stanley Cup.

Offseason Contracts I like/Dislike

By Mike Rifkin

With Major League Baseball out of lockout and ready to begin their regular season next week. Here is a look at three signings I like and dislike

Likes

Kevin Gausman/ Yusei Kikuchi – Toronto Blue Jays. Last season the Blue Jays won 91 games and finished fourth in the AL East, this offseason they have been very active. Gausman had a career year with the San Francisco Giants last season going 14-6 with a 2.81 ERA and had 227 strikeouts in 192 innings pitched.Gausman has experience pitching in the division when he was with the Orioles. Kikuchi was an All Star in 2021 for the Mariners but finished with a 7-9 record with a 4.41 ERA. Lining these two up behind Hyun Jin Ryu and Jose Berrios gives the Blue Jays a solid rotation. And with the Blue Jays lineup as lethal as it is they don’t have to be perfect.
Justin Verlander – Houston Astros : Verlander missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery. In 2019 his last full season pitching Verlander won the AL CY Young Award going 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA and had 300 strikeouts in 223 innings pitched. The future hall of famer will give the Astros rotation a boost.
Kendall Graveman – Chicago White Sox: : Graveman was acquired by the Astros at the trade deadline last year to help Houston’s bullpen on their way to the AL Pennant. Graveman signed a 3 year contract with the White Sox to help Liam Hendricks at the back end of the bullpen. Graveman had 49 strikeouts in 51 innings last season for Seattle and Houston. Graveman and Hendricks give the White Sox bullpen versatility and depth. And now with the White Sox trading Craig Kimbrel Graveman should have a bigger role on the South Side.

Dislikes

Noah Syndergaard – Angels. Every free agency period everyone says the Angels need starting pitching, because we want to see Mike Trout on the biggest stage. The Angels signed Noah Syndergaard to a one year 21 million dollar contract. Syndergaard has thrown two innings the last two years due to Tommy John Surgery. The Angels could have used that money on two starters but are taking a risk on Syndergaard.
Marcus Semien – Texas Rangers. Semien bet on himself in 2021 signing a one year deal with the Blue Jays and he did not disappoint having a slash line of .265/.334/.538 with 45 home runs and 102 RBI. The Rangers gave Semien a seven year contract worth 175 million dollars at 31 years old. The Rangers went all in this offseason and they are banking on Semien to deliver.
Kris Bryant Rockies. This is nothing against the player I like Bryant a lot, but I am confused by the Rockies. Last offseason they traded star third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Cardinals and then this offseason lost Trevor Story for nothing but a draft pick. Signing Bryant after letting go of two prominent players is a weird strategy but in a division where the Dodgers, Padres and Giants all are better than the Rockies and the National League is deep, how long until the Rockies actually believe they can contend? If you were to ask me who I would rather have between Arenado and Story or Bryant I think the answer is simple Arenado and Story so the Bryant signing is confusing. But Bryant, if healthy, can put up some monster numbers at Coors Field.

Favorite Matches and Moments In WrestleMania History

When it comes to the spring time there are many things that come to mind. Losing an hour of sleep due to daylight saving time, allergies due to pollen coming back and longer days of daylight due to daylight savings time. But for Lawrence Patchman Lang , Mike the Pun Master Rifkin and Jeff 2 Sweet Knapp springtime brings a special for them in the world of professional wrestling and that’s Wrestlemania season. With Wrestlemania 38 two nights slated for Saturday April 2nd, and Sunday April 3rd the three guys have decided to count down their top five favorite Wrestlemania moments and matches from its history.

Rifkin’s top 5 Mania Matches

5) Edge vs Mick Foley WM 22: Mick Foley needed a Mania moment and Edge wanted to cement himself as a main eventer. This hardcore match in Chicago gave both men what they needed. There were thumbtacks, barbed wire baseball bats and a spear through a table set on fire this match gave both men what they wanted and it was a great match.

4) Kurt Angle vs Shawn Michaels- WM 21 Two of the best performers in the history of the WWE on the grandest stage of them all, what else can you ask for. Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle put on a wrestling clinic in Los Angeles and stole the show.

3)The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin : WM 17 – Out of the three Mania matches these two legends had 17 stands out because the end was arguably one of the craziest swerves in WWE history. Owner Vince Mcmahon comes out to ringside and helps the rattlesnake and Austin and Mcmahon become allies to the shock of WWE fans everywhere.

2) Hardy Boyz vs Edge and Christian vs Dudley Boyz : WM 17 – Three of the greatest tag teams of all time in the match that might have defined their legacy. Tables, Ladders and Chairs match for the tag titles and it stole the show, Just watch Edge from a ladder spear Jeff Hardy who was hanging from the belts. These three teams will always be remembered for this match in their iconic careers.

Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels : WM XXV – In my mind the two best of all time put on an absolute classic on the grandest stage of them all. Michaels was known as Mr. Wrestlemania and Undertaker had the streak. This match also told a story for the next year. Also this whole list could have been just Undertaker and Shawn Michaels matches.

Jeff Knapp’s Top Wrestlemania moments

This is Wrestlemania season, and we are on the road to it. Since 1984 we have been witnesses to some of the greatest matches in history. It’s time to do the impossible, and it’s not leaping tall buildings in a single bound. I had a list of 42 matches that could have made the list, so narrowing it down was hard work. So now It’s time to pick 10 of my favorite WWF / WWE Wrestlemania matches.

In no particular order the 10 I will put on the list, and later possibly doubt myself are…

1. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs Randy Savage for the WWF IC title at Wrestlemania 3. I was a huge Steamboat fan at the time and when Macho Man “crushed Steamboat’s Larynx” I was 100% angry with Savage and legit hated him for that at the time.

2. Razor Ramon vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 10 in a ladder match for the IC Title. That became the standard bearer for all ladder matches to come after that.

3. Edge & Christian vs The Dudleys vs The Hardys in the 1^st TLC match at Wrestlemania 17. This was the 1^st TLC match and still to this day one of my all-time favorites. Nobody knew what to expect that night and brought those 3 teams to a different level

4. The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 25. Although Michael’s career was on the line the following year, this was my pick between the two.

5. Daniel Bryan vs Randy Orton vs Batista at Wrestlemania 30. This was the culmination of the YES movement, and the ultimate underdog finally captured the championship.

6. Eddie Guerrero vs Kurt Angle at Wrestlmania 20 for the WWE Championship.

7. The Rock vs Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 18 in Toronto. That crowd was absolutely electric. Two of the biggest icons in the business on the grandest stage of them all it doesn’t get bigger or better than that.

8. Bret Hart vs Steve Austin in a submission match at Wrestlemania 13. The iconic image of Austin bleeding down his face before he passed out. A double turn happened that night too.

9. Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff at Wrestlemania. I was brand new Hulkamaniac, but I was a HUGE Mr. T fan from The A Team. I legit thought that he was a real street fighting brawler and was going to give everybody a run for their money.

10. Hogan vs Andre The Giant at Wrestlemania 3. Still was a Hulkamaniac and at that age had serious doubts that Hogan could defeat Andre. When he slammed him I was in total awe. Nowadays, Wrestlemania is sold out due to the name of it, but at WM 3, that match was the sole reason they sold out the Pontiac Silverdome.

Lawrence Patch-Man Lang top Wrestlmania moments

5. Edge vs Mick Foley Wrestlmania 22. Nothing screams a WM moment with a match that involes the Hardcore stipulation and this match had it all. To foley coming out to black and gray flannel and it was him hiding barb wire under it take down edge and when he took of the flannel trade mark black and red flannel would show that the hardcore legend was here to paly. To edge taking the bump in the tumb tacks showing that edge can even play the hardcore game and take the pain and suffering to take that bump. What makes this a WM moment for me is the table spot where Edge does the suicde dive thru the second rope to spear Foley threw the flaming table to win the match. This showed that Edge could still hang and be at the top of his game even after losing the WWE Championship to John Cena earlier in the year. Plus this would pay off for Edge cause two year later he would be the main event of Wrestlemania 24 with the Undertaker.

4. John Cena vs Shawn Michaels Wrestlmania 23 ( WWE Championship) in what was supposed to be Cena vs Triple H II but Triple H tore his right quadricep at the January PPV New Year’s Revolution. But when you have an opportunity to strike gold you take the shot and WWE did that. Having Cena vs Michaels as the main event of WM all over it and to have the WWE championship on the line make it perfect. In this match I wanted Michaels to win because who doesn’t want to see Cena lose. Regardless of that this match showed that Cena could go toe to toe with one of the greats and it showed another passing of the torch from Michaels to Cena and showed that Cena will be the Man for many years to come and hey after this matched happened and over sea tour gave us one of the greatest raw matches ever in England when they went 40 minutes 47 seconds and it showed that these two had great cemortsy in the ring and proved that no matter were they could put on a 4 star match.

3. Undertaker vs Kane Wrestlemania XX. This match still gives me goosebumps even though it is a short match. This was the return of the deadman and what better way to bring him back in front of a sold out Madison Square Garden and at Wrestlemania. The iconic OOOOHHHH YESSSS from Paul Bearer and him walking out with the Druids to the shock on Kane’s face thinking that his brother was dead after he buried him alive a few months prior and Taker walking out and the crowd going bananas cause they knew that the Deadman was back and ready to dig holes and take souls. This stands out because it showed it was the right time for Taker to once again evolve his character from American Badass to back being the deadman.

2. Shawn Michaels vs Ric Flair Wrestlemania 24. What better way to send one of the G.O.A.T. in the business then have a match against another G.O.A.T. These two had a fantastic match that people still talk about today. When Michaels said “I’m Sorry I Love You” gets me every time because the end of an era/ career was about to happen with flair losing and it’s a Wrestlemania moment that I won’t forget.

The Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels Wrestlemania 25. This is a perfect match and even better story because you have heaven vs hell. HBK coming down from the heavens and Taker coming up from hell. These two put on a perfect match and gave it their all in the ring and it set up what would be three matches to follow one the greatest long term storytelling in WWE history with HBK at WM 26 in what would be his then final match and then WM 27 and WM 28 with Triple H and bring and end of an era with the the three men. Taker vs HBK at Mania 25 will be talked about until the end of time because of how great the match was.

NCAA Tournament: Final Four Kansas Vs Villanova Preview

By: Mike Rifkin

In the 2018 Final Four Villanova defeated Kansas 95-79, on Saturday four years later they will meet again. In that game both teams entered as a one seed this time Kansas is a one seed and Villanova a second seed. The last three times these two teams have played in the NCAA Tournament the winner has won the National Championship.

Villanova enters this game after defeating Houston 50-44 in the Elite Eight. In that game the Wildcats held the Cougars to 29.8 percent from the field including 1-20 from three. The Wildcats shot the ball at 28.8 percent from the field and were 5-21 from three. Jermaine Samuels had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats. Samuels has scored in double figures in every game this tournament thus far, and the Wildcats are going to need him to step up even more in the absence of Justin Moore who tore his Achilles. Moore was second on the team in scoring averaging 14.8 points per game. The Wildcats will also need leading scorer Collin Gillespie to shoot better. In the last two games Gillespie has 18 points on 5-20 from the field.

Kansas is coming off of their best half of the tournament. In their 76-50 win over the Miami Hurricanes, the Jayhawks held the Hurricanes to 15 points in the second half. Kansas held the Hurricanes to shoot 34.5 percent from the field and 3-21 from three. The Jayhawks defense also forced 14 Miami turnovers. Kansas was also +13 rebounding the basketball, but if Kansas wants to play for the national championship they have to make their free throws, against Miami they were 13-26 from the free throw line. Ochai Agbaji had his best game of the tournament going 8-12 from the field including 2-2 from three, for 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The last three times these two teams have played in the tournament the winner has won the National Title. These are two tremendous programs with two hall of fame head coaches and this should be a great game. I think the Moore injury is huge and Kansas will take advantage of their depth and move onto the National Title Game.

Taking The Rivalry To The Next Level

By: Mike Rifkin

North Carolina and Duke is the best rivalry in College Basketball and one of the best in sports as a whole. For the first time in history the Blue Devils and Tar Heels will play in the Final Four with a spot in the National Championship on the line. It will be the tiebreaker for the season series as each team won on the other’s home court, including Carolina defeating Duke in Coach K’s final home game. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said Tuesday “ I haven’t looked at it as us vs North Carolina, I’ve looked at it as we’re playing in the Final Four, so the history of the rivalry I have not paid attention to. Saturday is the most amazing day in College Basketball to bring four champions together and to play for another championship.”

Krzyzewski said before the season that he would retire after the season has his team playing their best basketball of the season. Freshman Paolo Banchero is averaging 18.5 points per game in the tournament. In the two prior games against the Tar Heels Banchero shot 16-40 from the field. Duke defensively is going to have to slow down Armando Bacot who has had a double double in each game of the tournament including 20 points and 22 rebounds against Saint Peters in the Elite Eight. Bacot is averaging 12.5 rebounds per game in the tournament.

In the second matchup whoever won the turnover battle won the game. In the second meeting Carolina shot 22 free throws to Duke’s eight. With the series tied at one and both teams playing their best basketball of the season this should be a great game.

Prediction: The Duke players have to be angry after losing Coach K’s final home game to the Tar Heels, and they get revenge and move on to play for the National Championship.

The Machine Returns

By: Mike Rifkin

For the first time since 2011 Albert Pujols will play regular season games for the St. Louis Cardinals. The future Hall of Famer signed a one year contract with the team he helped win two World Series. After winning their second World Series in 2011 Pujols signed a 10 year 254 million dollar contract with the Angels. Pujols’ time with the Angels was marred with injuries and the team never won a playoff game. In May of last year the Angels Designated Pujols for assignment and eventually released him. Pujols signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and had a limited role.

Pujols is not the same guy he was when he was in St. Louis for a decade when he won two World Series, three MVP’S, two Gold Gloves, but he is a franchise icon who deserves this. He might not be the first baseman due to Paul Goldschmidt, but with the Universal DH in play Albert should be in the lineup most days. His longtime friend and teammate Yadier Molina has already said that 2022 will be his final season, will it be the last for Albert Pujols who sits 21 home runs shy of 700. Pujols’ return is nostalgic and it will be great seeing him in a Cardinals uniform once again.

TWIW – This Week In Wrestling (3/19 – 3/25)

Jeff Knapp

WWE – RAW

Stone Cold Steve Austin’s music hits and out comes Kevin Owens dressed as Austin. Owens asks Chicago if they’re ready to “see Kevin Owens open up a can of whoop ass on Stone Cold at WrestleMania, give me a hell yeah!” He then “what’s” the He continues to get the crowd all upset before he has the ring assistant bring him a beer and give it to him in the ring. He then tells him to “get your sorry ass out of my ring” then hits the Stunner on him then pours a beer all over the man.

The Mysterios vs the Dirty Dawgs – Dom connects with a 619, then connects with a Frog Splash on Roode for the 1-2-3.

Backstage, WWE Officials Sonya Deville & Adam Pierce are with Seth Rollins. Deville reminds Seth that he had a chance last week but blew it but Adam Pearce tells him to calm down as he’ll see if there’s something he can do. Rollins cackles at the thought and walks off.

Two-on-One Handicapped Match: Apollo Crews & Cmdr. Azeez vs Omos – Crews is double-handed choke slammed, dragged upon Azeez, and Omos pins them both for the win.

AJ Styles comes to the ring to addresses Edge and as he’s talking, he is interrupted by Seth Rollins. He wants to take AJ’s spot against Edge at Wrestlemania. Pierce and Deville come out and end up making the match for later tonight and the winner will face Edge.

Liv Morgan & Rhea Ripley vs Natalya & Shayna Baszler – Shayna rolls up Liv for the pinfall.

United States Champion Finn Bálor vs Austin Theory – Theory looks for his springboard rolling cutter but Pat McAfee distracts him just long enough to allow Balor to roll him up for the 1-2-3.

Non-Title Tag Team Match: Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro vs the Alpha Academy – Riddle connects with a Bro Derek on Gable for the win.

After the match Otis attacks both Orton and Riddle until the Street Profits make the save only to have Dawkins lays out Riddle with a Spinebuster and thenMontez Ford follows it up with a skyscraper Frog Splash.

Mixed Tornado Tag Match: 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke & Reggie vs Akira Tozawa & Tamina – Handspring Elbow from Brooke to both Tozawa & Tamina which allows Tamina to fall forward into the privates of an already fallen Akria. Reggie covers Tozawa for the victory.

Main Event Match: AJ Styles(s) vs Seth Rollins – At the end, Edge hits the ring and attacks AJ with a steel chair, causing the DQ victory for Styles.

After the match Seth flips out, gets on the mic and yells “this is bullshit!” He then says that he won’t be at Raw next week unless he gets what he wants, which is a WrestleMania moment

NXT

North American Championship Qualifier: Solo Sikoa vs Roderick Strong w/ Malcolm Bivens – Solo connects with a top rope splash for the win and advances to Stand & Deliver.

Tony D’Angelo vs Dexter Lumis w/ Indi Hartwell – Persia and Indi end up struggling over Tony’s crowbar as he attempts to get it. Tony and Indi struggle with it, and when he snaps it away, he clocks Dexter with the crowbar, which is missed by the ref. Tony tosses the crowbar and gets the 1-2-3.

Elektra López w/ Legado Del Fantasma vs Fallon Henley w/ Briggs & Jensen – Elektra slams Fallon for the pinfall

Bron Breakker vs Robert Roode w/ NXT Champion Dolph Ziggler – Roode attempts a 2^nd rope attack, but Bron catches him mid-air and plants him in the middle of the ring for the 1-2-3.

North American Championship Qualifier Singles Match: Grayson Waller w/ Sanga vs A-Kid – Waller with a rolling Stunner for the win.

The Grizzled Young Veterans vs the Creed Brothers w/ the Diamond Mine – The Creed brother hit Top Gear for the 1-2-3.

After the match we see 2 people trashing and spray painting the Diamond Mine’s locker room.

Duke Hudson w/ Persia Pirotta vs WALTER w/ Imperium – WALTER chops the hell out of Hudson in the corner, hits a powerbomb for the pinfall

Main Event: Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Io Shirai & Kay Lee Ray vs Dakota Kai & Wendy Choo – Shirai hits the Over the Moonsault on Wendy for the win.

AEW – DYNAMITE

Dax Harwood vs. CM Punk – Punk locks in the Anaconda Vice for the submission victory.

Backstage the Jericho Appreciation Society talks about being the group that “beats up pro wrestlers” then mentioning their attack on Jericho’s former Inner Circle faction last week.

Eight-Man Texas Tornado Tag Match: The Hardys & Darby Allin & Sting vs. Private Party, The Butcher & The Blade – This match goes all over the place, including the merch area, where Jeff Hardy hits a window balcony swanton onto The Butcher. Back in the ring, Matt hits the Twist of Fate on Marq Quen for the 1-2-3.

Tony Schiavone is backstage with FTR and they talk about how the Gunn Club was ringside and wanted to get into their business. They degrade Colten and Austin. They talk about the respect they have for Billy, but not the sons and will refer to them as the ass boys going forward.

Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson vs. The Varsity Blonds – The ref stops the match due to both Varsity Blonds being unable to keep going after Bryan and Mox beating the hell out of them.

After the match Moxley, Danielson & Regal put the AEW locker room on notice and talk about being part of the Black Pool Combat Club, and if anybody else wants in then there’s only one way to get in, “the hard way.”

MJF comes out and runs down Wardlow until Wardlow comes out. He is held back by security. MJF reminds him that he doesn’t have a contract with AEW, but with MJF. He informs him that he is going to pay him to sit at home until he becomes irrelevant.

Wheeler Yuta and Trent Baretta are with the best friends and are arguing about how they never liked each other. This stems from Yuta attempting to shake Regal’s hand the previous week. What’s the fate of Best Friends?

Adam Cole vs. Jay Lethal – In the end, Lethal tries for his Lethal Injection but is hit with a low blow when the ref is distracted by reDRagon. This allows Cole to hit the Lower The Boom for the 1-2-3.

After the match, Cole calls out Adam Page and while in the ring Page gets attacked by Cole and reDRagon until the Jurassic Express and Christian Cage make the save.

“Legit” Leyla Hirsch vs. Red Velvet – Hirsch hits Velvet with a turnbuckle item when the ref isn’t looking and scores the pinfall.

Main Event: Jericho Appreciation Society vs. John “No. 5” Silver & “No. 10” Preston Vance – Jericho nails Reynolds in the back with a bat allowing Garcia to lock in the sharpshooter for the submission victory.

IMPACT

Josh Alexander starts the show in the ring and talks about Moose going to his house last week and that is something there is no going back from. Moose comes out and Moose vows to take another trip to Alexander’s home after he beats him at Rebellion. Alexander attacks Moose, but they are eventually pulled apart.

Rebellion X-Division Title Match Qualifier: Willie Mack vs Laredo Kid vs Mike Bailey – Mike Bailey hits Ultima Weapon on Mack for the 1-2-3 and advances to Rebellion

Steve Maclin vs Heath w/ Rhino – Maclin counters the Wake Up Call and then uses the ropes to steal a win

After the match, Rhino delivers a Gore to Maclin

The talk show “All About Me”Tenille with Dashwood is back as Kaleb With a K who asks Kaleb where his loyalties lie; is it withThe Influence or The IInspiration. Kaleb dodges the question and runs right onto the set of Madison Rayne’s talk show, “Locker Room Talk”. Madison tries to get Kaleb to answer the question while taking a lie detector test but Kaleb escapes once again.

It’s announced that NJPW’s Tomohiro Ishii will battle JONAH at Rebellion

IMPACT World Tag Team Championship (Lumberjack match): Violent By Design (Eric Young & Joe Doering) vs The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) – With the referee distracted, Mike Bennett hits Anderson with a low blow, followed by the Climax from Matt Taven which allows Eric Young to cover him for the 1-2-3.

Eddie Edwards vs Rocky Romero – Edwards counters the Diablo Armbar into a rollup for the pinfall

After the bell, Edwards offers his hand to Romero but as they go to shake hands, Edwards attacks Romero, which then leads to ROH World Champion Jonathan Gresham to come out for the save.

Street Fight: Knockouts World Championship: Tasha Steelz vs Mickie James – Savannah Evans comes out and gets involved. Chelsea Green then comes out to presumably help Mickie James, but grabs a chair and sits in the ring as Tasha hits a frog splash for the win.

After the match Mickie attacks Green out of frustration until Green’s husband, Digital Media Champion Matt Cardona, blindsides her with Radio Silence, the Green attacks her before they leave the ring.

AEW – RAMPAGE

Lance Archer vs. Dustin Rhodes – Dustin rolls up Archer for the 1-2-3 after being busted open in the ear.

Backstage, Jay Lethal talks about that although he has a really good winning record, the 2 loses he has really bother him because no matter how well he wrestles, the men he lost to, Adam Cole and Ricky Starks both cheated to win and now has some thinking to do as he walks away.

The House Of Black beats down Fuego Del Sol because they can, and then are confronted by The Dark Order who have a match against reDRagon

Alan “No. 5” Angels & “No. 10” Preston Vance vs. reDRagon – Fish and O’Reilly hit a double team leg sweep / roundhouse kick spot before connecting with their double-team finisher for the 1–2-3.

After the match, reDRagon weren’t finished and continued the beatdown until the Jurassic Express came to make the save. They leave their tag titles on the edge of the ring and Adam Cole runs down and steals the championships.

Nyla Rose vs. Madi Wrenkowski – Nyla wins in a squash

QT Marshall has Hook come out to receive a Certificate of Accomplishment. Hook takes the award and cracks it over the head of his fellow Factory trainee and leaves the ring. As he heads up the ring Danhausen makes his way out and puts a curse on Hook, but the curse doesn’t work. Danhausen is extremely confused.

Main Event: FTW Championship: Ricky Starks (C) vs. Shane “Swerve” Strickland – Powerhouse Hobbs gets involved at ringside and attacks Swerve then throws him back in the ring allowing Starks to nail him with the roshambo for the 1-2-3.

After the match Keith Lee comes down to the ring and attacks Powerhouse Hobbs as Swerve attacks Starks until the refs break it up.

WWE – SMACKDOWN

We find Brock backstage, where he cuts a quick promo as he recaps last week’s forklift attack. He tells us he’s gotten Roman a replacement in his favorite color, “blood red.” He then states he was warned by WWE Officials that he can’t touch Roman unless he’s provoked, so he’s going to wait in Roman’s locker room for “some provoking’.” He then admires Roman’s dressing room, but admits it’s not as nice as his.

Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rick Boogs vs Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso – Rick Boogs and Jey Uso struggle over the electric guitar. Boogs ends up sending Jey face-first into the ring post. This distracts Jimmy, allowing Shinsuke to hit his Kinshasa for the 1-2-3.

Kofi Kingston w/ King Woods vs Ridge Holland w/ Sheamus & Butch aka Pete Dunne – King Woods ends up taking Kofi’s place and scores a quick roll up pinnfall victory.

Brock is shown waiting in Roman Reigns’ locker room as Kayla Braxton interviews him and he tells her to go find Roman and tell him that Brock’s running out of things to smash.

IC Championship Contendership Match: United States Champion Ricochet vs Angel Garza w/ Humberto Carrillo – Humberto causes a distraction by hopping up on the apron and Angel rolls up Ricochet for the win and now has a future shot at the IC Championship.

After the match, Ricochet asks Humberto to get in the ring for a match and get an ass whooping.

Ricochet vs Humberto Carrillo – As Ricochet goes up top. Garza pulls Carrillo out of the ring. Ricochet lands a dive that takes out Garza. As the referee starts to count, Ricochet tosses Carrillo back into the ring. Garza then grabs Ricochet’s foot, preventing him from getting back in the ring. Ricochet is counted out and Humberto will now also get a future shot at the championship.

Main Event: Fatal 4-Way:Sasha Banks w/ Naomi vs Rhea Ripley w/ Liv Morgan vs Shayna Baszler w/ Natalya vs Queen Zelina w/ Carmella – Zelina hits a Code Red on Sasha but wastes time messing with the crowd which allows Banks to roll her up and slap in the Bank Statement for the win.

We are now shown the Universal Champion Roman Reigns arriving with Paul Heyman. They head to the ring as Roman demands Brooklyn to acknowledge him. He then calls out Lesnar, who is shown in the back destroying Roman’s newest vehicle. Brock eventually makes his way to the ring with a steel chair and chases Roman & the Usos out of the ring.

ELITE 8 WEST REGION PREVIEW

By Mark Halpern

#4 Arkansas vs. #2 Duke. The Razorbacks prove that pigs can fly as they are flying high after their impressive upset win of the #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs. They play a very determined Duke Blue Devils team with two reasons to win. The first is winning a national title, and the second is having Coach K win a title in his final year. This game won’t be a piece of cake by any means.

The Blue Devils star forward Paulo Banchero and Center Mark Williams have had good runs during this tournament. Banchero has multiple 20pt games while averaging just about 7 rebounds a game. Mark Williams must come out and dominate the boards. He is well capable of putting up a double-double in this game. Duke will need the help of Wendell Moore Jr as well. He has been playing well but could play better. Arkansas is no short of outstanding players. J.D. Notae is on a mission, and that mission is a national championship. Arkansas was a team that wasn’t taken lightly at the beginning of the tournament, and now after their win, they are a true force to be reckoned with. Jaylin Williams will need to produce another extensive stat line, and Stanley Umude will have to step up more on the assist game.

Eric Musselman has his work cut out for him as he is about to play the best chess match college basketball has seen in a long time, and he will be facing a Grand Master. This game will be a great game, but I am pulling for Duke here 84-79

NCAA Tournament : Elite Eight South Region Final: 5 Houston vs 2 Villanova

By: Mike Rifkin

The fifth seeded Cougars have gone through UAB, Illinois and top seeded Arizona to get to the Elite Eight and with a victory over Villanova the Cougars would get back to the Final Four where they lost to Baylor in 2021. In all three of their games the Cougars have had double digit offensive rebounds and assists. In their victory over Arizona guards Jamal Shead and Kyler Edwards combined for 40 points.

The second seeded Wildcats have beaten Delaware, Ohio State and Michigan to get to this point. The Wildcats are looking to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2018 where they defeated Michigan to win the National Championship. In their three prior games Villanova has made eight or more threes. Senior Jermaine Samuels had 22 points and seven rebounds in the victory over Michigan and has had a really good tournament.

These two teams are in the top 25 in scoring defense. Houston is third giving up 59.0 points per game and Villanova is 23rd in giving up 62.7 points per game. Villanova averages 9.9 turnovers per game which ranks twelfth in the country while the Cougars average 11.2 which ranks 50th. Free throw wise Villanova makes 82.3 percent while Houston is 66.9 percent.

Prediction : These are two teams with a lot of experience, but in the end I like Villanova in a very tight competitive game.