Sports
Where One-Legged WWE Star Zach Gowen is Now
Zach Gowen’s short-lived run on WWE television is still remembered over two decades later, and for good reason. The one-legged superstar worked with some of the biggest names in the business, like Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon and Kurt Angle.
The Michigan-born performer, who lost his leg at eight years old, became only the second amputee in the company’s history after Kerry Von Erich. Gowen’s left leg had to be amputated at such a young age due to cancer, but that didn’t stop him from becoming an impressive performer in one of the most physically demanding industries in sport and entertainment.
20 Greatest WWE Superstars of All Time Ranked by Fans
Fans have had their say and voted for the 20 greatest WWE Superstars of all time, with John Cena, The Rock, and many more legends making the cut.
His most famous moments came when working alongside Brock Lesnar. Gowen was destroyed in a match with Lesnar during his first run as ‘The Next Big Thing’ in 2003. That match, and the crazy moments that surrounded it, are still legendary so many years later.
Lesnar looks to have retired after leaving his gloves and boots in the centre of the ring after losing against Oba Femi at WrestleMania 42. But where is Gowen, over 20 years after his infamous feud with ‘The Beast Incarnate’?
Zach Gowen’s Famous Match With Brock Lesnar
Gowen signed a deal with WWE in early 2003 after impressing in a brief spell with TNA Wrestling. The company originally tried to sign the wrong one-legged performer, Steve Chamberland, by mistake.
However, they wasted no time in getting Gowen on TV after signing him. His debut came as a fan emerging from the crowd to assist Hulk ‘Mr America’ Hogan before he went on to feud with the boss, Mr McMahon.
In the first of only two pay-per-view matches he went on to have, Gowen was beaten by the WWE boss at Vengeance 2003. His most memorable moments would come after, however, as he was attacked several times by Lesnar.
WWE Locker Room’s Reaction to Brock Lesnar’s Retirement at WrestleMania 42 Revealed
Lesnar’s fellow Superstars have made their feelings clear…
Gowen had his leg broken and was even thrown down a flight of stairs, a moment that still lives on in the memories of fans to this day. Speaking in 2021 about the legendary rivalry, the now 43-year-old expressed his joy at working with Lesnar. He told the Metro:
“I gave Brock my body because they needed some steam on Brock. I was the tool to be able to get to that point where Brock needed to be to continue his storyline and success from there on out.
“I absolutely loved working every second with Brock, because I could feel it was so special because of the dynamic between Brock Lesnar, who’s this monster, and the skinny one-legged kid who’s just trying to live his dream. It’s such a beautiful story!”
It all culminated in a match between the two on an episode of SmackDown. As expected, it was a one-sided affair, with Lesnar dominating Gowen. The latter’s mother was in the crowd, and Lesnar made sure to taunt her while decimating and beating her son.
What Happened to Zach Gowen After WWE
After his programme with Lesnar was over, Gowen quickly fell down the pecking order on SmackDown and was released in February 2004. Just 20 years old, he decided to return to education, making appearances on the independent wrestling circuit on the side.
However, he was battling personal demons as he admitted his ‘attitude sucked’ prior to his release from WWE. The ex-superstar struggled with addiction for many years before eventually seeking help from the WWE Talent Wellness Program.
Now, more than 20 years later, Gowen still makes the odd appearance at independent wrestling shows. Married with three children, he works primarily as a motivational speaker for a youth engagement company, using his personal experiences to help others.
“I get to be a 36-year-old father and now I can affect other people’s lives with what I do in all of my work, whether it’s speaking, yoga, wrestling or whatever it is,” he told Chris Van Vliet in a 2019 interview.
His highest-profile wrestling appearance in recent years came when he interrupted a Ricochet segment on the special Beach Break episode of AEW Dynamite in 2025. Watch the action below.
What Brock Lesnar is Really Like
Despite his intimidating persona on camera, Gowen only had positive things to say about the man who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. Recalling his relationship with Lesnar and how the WWE legend was still grateful to him many years later, he said:
“Me and Brock got along swimmingly. I love Brock Lesnar and he loves me too. Actually, somehow my name came up a few years ago in WWE at a show, and he pulled Jimmy Jacobs aside.
“Jimmy Jacobs was a writer at the time with WWE, and one of my best friends both in and out of wrestling. I guess he grabbed Jim and he was like, ‘Tell Zach I said hi and that I love him and thanks for what he did for me.'”
Sports
Tottenham Open Club-to-Club Talks to Sign Marco Palestra
Tottenham Hotspur have opened club-to-club talks to sign the fastest player in Serie A alongside Sandro Tonali, according to journalist Damiano Er Faina.
Tottenham chiefs are on a roll in the transfer market as they look to significantly strengthen a side that has underperformed massively in the last two seasons.
Spurs were facing relegation to the Championship on the final days of the Premier League campaign, and ENIC know they cannot afford to repeat it and now is the time they must surge back up the standings under Roberto De Zerbi.
They are already backing the Italian in a big way, with deals already announced for Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to join the north Londoners on free transfers.
Tottenham have also reached a full agreement to sign Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, who De Zerbi worked with during his time at the south coast side, as Spurs aim to completely transform a defence that simply hasn’t been good enough for years now.
Spurs officials are looking at other positions too, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that the club is working on two midfield deals in Joao Palhinha and Sandro Tonali, while they are also in talks to sign Manchester City winger Savinho.
Tottenham Swoop for Marco Palestra
Tottenham are currently working on deals to sign Palhinha, Tonali and Savinho, but Damiano Er Faina has added another name to the list in Atalanta’s Marco Palestra.
Posting on X, Er Faina claims that Spurs are in talks with both the player and his club over a summer move.
The 21-year-old is in demand following a successful season-long loan spell with Cagliari in Serie A, with champions Inter Milan heavily linked with a move for the right-back.
Palestra established himself as one of the most reliable in his position in Italy last season, registering four assists and one goal in 37 league games.
The youngster was also recorded as the fastest player in Serie A in 2025-26, clocking an average sprint speed of 27.96km/h.
⚽
World Cup History Quiz
You scored
out of 20
Tottenham Move for Palestra Unexpected
Tottenham do have some clear weaknesses in their squad as things stand, but right-back certainly isn’t one of them.
Pedro Porro has only just penned a new long-term deal to remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he is a player who looks set to excel under De Zerbi’s leadership.
The Spaniard also has strong competition for the right side too in Djed Spence, who is currently away with England at the 206 World Cup.
Spence is also able to play at left-back, where he will compete with Robertson and Destiny Udogie for minutes.
The presence of Porro and Spence would therefore make a move for the highly-rated Palestra strange, even if he is emerging as an exciting young player.
Palestra and Porro would be able to play further forward if required, but you’d imagine that De Zerbi will use the players he has to fill the right wing slot, or bring in a specialist player for the role.
Sports
Michael Owen Names 3 Subs England Should Make Every World Cup Game
England get their 2026 World Cup campaign up and running on Wednesday night, one of the last nations to take to the field for their first game in Mexico, Canada and the United States of America.
It has been a thrilling start to the biggest tournament in history and the Three Lions will look to make their mark after impressive performances on Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning by two of the favourites to win the tournament – France and Argentina.
Now, Thomas Tuchel will be looking on his side to follow suit as they aim to end 60 years of hurt by lifting the trophy for only the second time come July 19.
Four England stars were left at home
Tuchel has already made some bold calls in the build-up to the tournament, leaving some big-name players at home when naming his 26-man squad.
Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Harry Maguire and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all left to watch the tournament at home as the German head coach made some ruthless decisions. And it will be interesting to see what starting lineup he chooses for the Three Lions’ opener against Croatia on Wednesday night, with some key decisions to be made. The biggest talking points would appear to be in the three spots behind captain and striker Harry Kane.
Former England striker Michael Owen has suggested the decisions facing Tuchel are not as thought-provoking as people may think, because he should “play them all” in the three spots behind Kane to help England lift the trophy.
Speaking in his Daily Mail World Cup column, Owen said: “This may sound radical, but here is my plan for England to win the World Cup – change the three attacking players behind Harry Kane at half-time.
“We know conditions are going to be limiting and we have seen that already with the temperatures in North America and Mexico. Thomas Tuchel has also warned about matches being slow and potentially won by his ‘special teams’ from the bench late in the game. I agree with him – this World Cup will be won by attacking players who are fresh.
Owen think Tuchel’s selection dilemma is not an issue
“So why not quicken things up and play to our strengths? There is so much debate as to who should play on the left, who should play in the middle, who should play on the right. It is because we have brilliant options in all of those positions.
“My solution – play them all! If it is Anthony Gordon who starts on the left, tell him: ‘forget about conserving energy, you’ve got 45 minutes, give it everything you’ve got, empty the tank’. Then, at half-time, on comes Marcus Rashford. Make one player from two. This rotation also means they can go again a few days later.
⚽
England World Cup Quiz
You scored
out of 20
“It can be the same at No 10. Be it Jude Bellingham or Morgan Rogers who starts, send them out with the same message – don’t pace yourself, run yourself into the ground and get us ahead.”
Sports
Food and Drink Prices at Shinnecock Hills
The food and drink prices at this year’s US Open have drawn widespread criticism after they emerged on social media.
Some have even compared the costs to the sky-high charges being levied on fans at the ongoing 2026 football World Cup, which will run alongside the major.
The price of concessions at big sporting events and concerts is frequently discussed in modern times, with the surprisingly cheap fare on offer at The Masters each year being the exception to an increasingly more expensive rule.
Journalist Josh Carpenter posted a series of photos on social media which revealed the prices. The images have been met with cries of “robbery” and “yikes” and “bring back The Masters!”
Food and Drink Prices at the 2026 US Open Golf
Every alcoholic beverage, including beer, will run into double digits (in local currency) at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York this week.
The official beer of the Open is Corona Premium, and enjoying one of those will be $12.95 (£9.65), as will the alternatives Modelo and Coors Light.
Don’t fancy a beer? In that case, canned cocktails and canned wine come in at $14.45 (£10.77), and basic cocktails like Jack Daniel’s and a mixer are going to hit the attendees at $15.95 (£11.89) a piece.
Soft drinks are slightly more reasonable, but still pricey compared to their typical cost.
A bottle of water will apparently set you back $6.45 (£4.81), while soft drinks like Sprite and Coca-Cola will cost $3.79 (£2.83) for a single can.
It is the same story with the food being served at the event; snacks like Kind Bars will be $3.69 (£2.75), and if spectators want to indulge in a single pretzel, that will be $7.49 (£5.58). If you were after something a bit more fulfilling than that, a Caesar salad will be $10.95 (£8.16) and adding chicken will be a dollar. A turkey sandwich will be $12.59 (£9.39), and a foot-long hot dog is going to cost almost $20! (£15).
How Do The US Open Food and Drink Prices Compare With The 2026 World Cup?
These prices are obviously ridiculous, but they do seem very aligned with what is being seen across the USA, Canada and Mexico during the World Cup. Prices for tickets were already something of a concern going into the tournament, with backlash coming from all angles during the build-up.
Photos circulating on X showcase the prices for concessions at multiple host stadiums, such as MetLife; a bottle of water is $5, and a soft drink is $6. Beers are priced at $16, and canned cocktails and seltzers will set back fans $19 (£14.16).
Food is no better with a chicken-tenders and fries combo meal with a Coca-Cola, which is priced at $19. If you visit the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, you can expect to pay $20 (£15) for a match-day pizza or $24 (£18) for a meatball sub!
Considering the prices for tickets are already emptying spectators’ pockets, they will be disappointed looking at the price boards if they fancy some refreshments.
-
Sports2 days agoUS Denied World Cup Visa For Mum of Cape Verde Goalkeeper Vozinha
-
Sports1 day agoSaudi Arabia the Only 2026 World Cup Flag That Cannot Touch Ground
-
Sports2 days agoRafael van der Vaart Accused of Making Racist Japan Comments
-
Sports2 days agoFIFA Ban Pre-Revolutionary Iran Flags From World Cup Stadiums
-
Sports2 days agoEmma Hayes Praised For Using Drinks Break For Tactical Analysis
-
Sports1 day agoRodri Labelled ‘Salty’ For Cape Verde Comments After Spain Draw
-
Sports7 hours agoClip of Zinedine Zidane in the Stands During Argentina 3-0 Algeria Goes Viral
-
Sports20 hours agoPetition Demands FIFA Probe into Scotland 1-0 Haiti World Cup Match
