Sports
What Kevin Owens Said About CM Punk Looks Interesting Now
Some of the best rivalries in WWE have some real-life beef behind them. Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, Edge and Matt Hardy, CM Punk and Seth Rollins, just to name a few.
It gives the rivalry a bit of something behind it and can be the difference maker between a mediocre build to a match and an intense clash that the fans can get behind and invest in.
An upcoming rivalry is no different as last night’s WWE Championship number one contenders clash has steered two former rivals up against each other for the first time in decades.
Kevin Owens & CM Punk’s Rivalry Explained
Kevin Owens returned to the WWE last night after 18 months on the sidelines with a career-threatening neck injury. To the shock of fans, he was added alongside Gunther to the number one contender match between Sami Zayn and Finn Balor.
After an intense, quick-fire Fatal 4-Way match, Owens came out on top to book his spot against CM Punk, who retained his title against Cody Rhodes the previous night.
Fans were quick to remember the real life issues these two had with each other over two decades ago.
In April 2005, Kevin Owens (then known as Kevin Steen), wrestled in a T-shirt during a match with Vordell Walker in Ring of Honor because he felt uncomfortable wrestling without one. CM Punk, being a locker room leader in Ring of Honor at the time, felt it was disrespectful to the industry and shouted at him following Owens’ match backstage.
Kevin Owens spoke about the confrontation on the Kevin Steen Show: “I thought about shoving him as hard as I could. But at that point, I wanted to be [in Ring of Honor] so bad.”
From then on, the two hardly crossed paths, with CM Punk leaving WWE in early 2014, while Owens debuted on the main roster months later.
When CM Punk returned in late 2023, a potential match-up with Owens was speculated amongst fans as an option for the returning star following the revelation of their real life issues.
In 2024, Owens was asked by the Daily Mail whether there had been any resolution between the pair and Owens claimed there has not been.
“We have no relationship. We’re not each other’s type of people, I don’t think. There’s like a 10-foot vicinity that if we enter in, we have to kind of, ‘Hey,’ ‘Hey.’ Otherwise, we just don’t, and that’s fine. It’s perfectly fine the way it is.”
With no date set in stone for the WWE Championship match between CM Punk and Kevin Owens, we could see a lengthy build to the match. It would not be a surprise if the two used elements of their real life issues to strengthen the draw of the match and build it into a real contender for feud of the year.
Sports
Tony Bellew Struggles to Answer First Question on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew is no stranger to high-pressure moments, but one of his most memorable challenges came far away from the boxing ring on quiz television show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Appearing on the celebrity edition of the ITV quiz show to raise money for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Bellew found himself caught out by the very first question of the game.
Worth just £100, it proved far more difficult than many viewers might have expected.
First Quiz Question Stumps Tony Bellew
Host Jeremy Clarkson asked Bellew which of four options was a term meaning to socialise with other people, particularly those considered influential or important. The choices were Digestive, Shortbread, Ginger Nut, and Hobnob.
While all four of the answers are well-known biscuit names, “hobnob” also has a second meaning. As a verb, it refers to spending time or mingling with influential people, often at social gatherings, networking events, or celebrity functions.
Bellew admitted he had never heard the expression and looked genuinely puzzled. Sensing his uncertainty, Clarkson stepped in with a subtle nudge in the right direction.
The presenter, who has occasionally offered gentle hints to contestants when the situation allows, discreetly guided Bellew towards the correct answer. Trusting the advice, Bellew selected Hobnob and safely moved on to the next question.
The shaky start quickly became little more than a footnote. Once he settled into the game, Bellew built an impressive run, answering question after question correctly. By the end of his appearance, he had reached the £64,000 mark, securing a substantial donation for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Reflecting on his experience, Bellew joked that some of the higher-value questions felt easier than the opening £100 question. In particular, he quipped that a question about the film Ocean’s Eleven was far less challenging than the one that had initially left him scratching his head.
Viewers also enjoyed the chemistry between Bellew and Clarkson throughout the episode. Their easy-going exchanges prompted plenty of positive reactions, with many describing them as an unexpectedly entertaining pairing. Others praised Bellew for his humility, good humour, and willingness to laugh at himself after such an awkward beginning.
Although his appearance started with an unexpected stumble, Bellew ultimately turned it into a successful and memorable performance. His quiz show journey served as a reminder that even elite athletes can be caught out by the simplest questions – and that recovering from an early setback can often make for the most enjoyable story of all.
Sports
How FIFA Presidential Elections Work
The FIFA presidential election determines who holds the most influential role in world football. Held at the annual FIFA Congress, the election shapes the future direction of the sport, deciding who will lead the governing body, how international tournaments are structured, as well as overseeing FIFA’s commercial revenues and its 211 member associations.
Long gone are the days of decades-long tenures, with modern elections enforcing nomination thresholds and strict term limits, as FIFA looks to present a transparent structure to a watching world.
However, FIFA’s failed attempts to create a commercial entity that would’ve seen stakes in the World Cup sold off to private investors has shaken confidence in current president Gianni Infantino.
Football federations, such as UEFA, have lost their trust in the president, whilst longstanding allies have abandoned a potentially sinking ship. Infantino’s re-election no longer feels like a certainty, with attention now turning towards this crucial vote.
But how does the presidential voting process work and is there a chance that FIFA could be about to elect a new president?
How do FIFA Presidential Elections Work?
The electoral process effectively lasts one year, from one FIFA Congress to the next. Anyone wishing to put themselves forward as a presidential candidate needs to meet two criteria.
How to Qualify as a Presidential Candidate
Firstly, the candidate needs to have “played an active role in association football” in at least two of the previous five years.
Secondly, they must secure support from five member associations by the set deadline, which falls on November 18 in 2026. Crucially, member associations can only back one candidate.
The Election Process
The president is elected by secret ballot, with each of the 211 member associations able to cast a vote. Each vote carries the same power, so the smallest nations will have as much weight to their vote as the most powerful countries. Rounds of voting take place until a majority is established for one candidate. However, if a candidate receives more than two thirds of the vote in the first round, they will become the next FIFA president.
If there is only one candidate standing for election, they can be sworn in without the need for a secret ballot.
When are the FIFA Presidential Elections?
The presidential election is held every four years, taking place at the FIFA Congress after the most recent edition of the World Cup.
Unusually, the two previous elections were held in 2019 and 2023, with Infantino standing unopposed on both occasions. The current president then had the overwhelming support of the member associations, with his terms of office approved by the process of acclamation.
2016 was the last time a vote was held to elect a new president. Infantino beat four other candidates to FIFA’s executive seat, succeeding Sepp Blatter. He was up against Prince Ali bin Hussein, Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Jerome Champagne, and Tokyo Sexwale. A second round of voting was required to determine a majority, beating pre-vote favourite Sheikh Salman to the role.
Could Gianni Infantino Be Replaced?
Prior to the FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scandal, it was expected that Infantino would run unopposed to secure a third and final term as president. He was first elected in 2016 to complete the remaining term of Sepp Blatter, meaning that Infantino’s first official term only began in 2019. His second term will conclude in 2027, meaning that if he is reelected for his third and final term, he could be in office until 2031.
But this controversy has shaken confidence in the Swiss administrator, increasing the chance of a bid to unseat him. If he were to be unseated, it would be the first time that this has happened to a FIFA president since 1974. Sir Stanley Rous lost the confidence of the member associations, losing his seat to Joao Havelange. The Brazilian went on to become FIFA’s second-longest serving president in history.
Previous FIFA Presidents
Since FIFA was founded in 1904, there have been nine elected leaders and one interim leader. The 20th century was dominated by European leaders, with Jules Rimet completing the longest tenure at 33 years and initiating the World Cup during his reign.
Havelange changed the FIFA dynamic when he became the first non-European to become president in 1974. The governing body’s only interim president was instated in 2015, with Cameroon’s Issa Hayatou temporarily holding the role following Blatter’s resignation due to corruption allegations.
|
President |
Term Dates |
Nation |
|---|---|---|
|
Robert Guerin |
1904–1906 |
France |
|
Daniel Burley Woolfall |
1906–1918 |
England |
|
Jules Rimet |
1921–1954 |
France |
|
Rodolphe Seeldrayers |
1954–1955 |
Belgium |
|
Arthur Drewry |
1955–1961 |
England |
|
Sir Stanley Rous |
1961-1974 |
England |
|
Joao Havelange |
1974–1998 |
Brazil |
|
Sepp Blatter |
1998-2015 |
Switzerland |
|
Issa Hayatou (Interim) |
2015–2016 |
Cameroon |
|
Gianni Infantino |
2016-present |
Switzerland/Italy |
Sports
Manchester United Consider U-Turn on Third Midfielder Signing
Manchester United have been linked with signing a third midfielder in the summer transfer window, but they could be about to make a U-turn on their decision.
The Red Devils have already strengthened significantly in the middle of the park as they look to improve Michael Carrick’s squad.
Youri Tielemans has arrived from Aston Villa after United activated his release clause, while they’ve also signed Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
Despite the double midfield signing, United were reportedly in the market to sign a third player in the middle of the park.
Manchester United also need to strengthen in other areas of the pitch if they want to compete on all fronts next season. It’ll be interesting to see what position they prioritise next.
Man Utd plan possible U-turn
According to a report from The Athletic, it was anticipated that Manchester United would look to sign a third midfielder during the summer transfer window.
The report claims that the United hierarchy are considering whether to put that money into other positions, particularly with Mason Mount being one of their best performers during pre-season.
It’s claimed that it is now not certain that another player arrives in midfield, with United plotting a potential U-turn.
United could look to put that money into signing a new left back, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall a player under consideration.
The two additional midfielders signed in the summer window could be enough, but they will be desperately hoping they don’t suffer any serious injuries.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
United could kill two birds with one stone
Manchester United could kill two birds with one stone when it comes to the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window.
As mentioned, United have been in the market for both a midfielder and a left back. If they sign a player capable of playing both, then it could be perfect.
Reports have suggested that United are interested in signing Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly, who does fit into that category.
The English youngster predominantly played left-back during his time at the Emirates Stadium, but he’s also slotted into midfield as well.
Whether they can poach him from the Gunners remains to be seen, but it could be the idea of signing this summer.
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