Sports
‘I Was Pitched To End Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak
The opportunity to end The Undertaker‘s streak at WrestleMania was the ultimate goal for most wrestlers making their way up the WWE ladder. The Phenom’s dominance at the Showcase of the Immortals lasted over 20 years, and he saw off some of the most formidable stars in the company’s history.
‘Taker secured 21 consecutive wins at ‘Mania, starting with Jimmy Snuka at WrestleMania 7, and including victories over Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 25 and 26) and Triple H (WrestleMania 17, 27, and 28). A victory over CM Punk at WrestleMania 29 was his final streak win before time stood still, and the unthinkable happened in April 2014.
Brock Lesnar shocked the world and beat The Deadman at WrestleMania 30 in a decision that caused widespread debate about The Beast Incarnate being the right choice. Many felt the honour should have gone to a young star who could have done with the major star-making triumph, which was Chris Jericho‘s thinking.
Chris Jericho’s Pitch For Ending Undertaker’s WrestleMania Streak
The Undertaker faced several stars at WrestleMania who were in the early stages of their WWE careers, including Randy Orton at WrestleMania 21 and Batista at WrestleMania 23. They were two of a portion of talent that many had put forward as the right options to end the streak.
Chris Jericho never faced ‘Taker at ‘Mania, but had pushed for a relatively new main roster star to defeat The Phenom on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
He revealed on Chris Jericho’s Saturday Night Special (via 411MANIA) in 2020: “There was a time when Ryback was so popular, that I suggested he should be the guy that beats The Undertaker. He’s the one. And it didn’t go that way, and sometimes there’s complaints about his work.
“I loved working with Ryback. I did a bunch of house shows with him in Calgary, and we had great matches. So really, really a big fan of Ryback. Especially at the time, probably 2014 or 15, when he was kind of at his peak.”
Ryback debuted in WWE as part of the game show version of NXT as Skip Sheffield, a young rookie looking to get his break in the company. He was part of the Nexus stable, the group of rookies from the ‘competition’ who took WWE RAW hostage by targeting John Cena and other top stars to make a name for themselves.
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Nexus’ split coincided with Sheffield spending a period away from the ring due to injury before returning and being rebranded as Ryback. This was a monster persona with robotic mannerisms and catchy catchphrases such as “Feed me more!” and “Stupid!” as he went to hit his finisher.
Ryback became a hit with fans and was positioned as WWE’s next big thing, akin to Brock Lesnar’s arrival in 2002. ‘The Big Guy’ feuded with CM Punk for the WWE Championship, among several other high-profile rivalries, but failed to reach the level of superstardom his initial debut as the monster teased.
WWE & Ryback’s Sell-Shocking Separation
Chris Jericho alluded to question marks over Ryback’s in-ring abilities, which became a constant stick he’d be beaten with throughout his WWE career. CM Punk called him ‘reckless‘ to work with after asking for his release in January 2014, right when The Big Guy was in the main event picture.
This coincided with the inconsistent booking of the 291-pounder, who was booked at the top of the card, but then moved into the mid-card scene. He held the Intercontinental Championship, but couldn’t make a permanent step-up to the main event environment, and he voiced his frustrations with his creative years later.
Ryback was nursing back and shoulder injuries, but alongside these problems was a contract dispute with WWE. The two parties failed to agree to an extension and parted ways on the 5th of August 2016. He confirmed this on his Instagram account: “Ryback would like to wish the WWE the best in their future endeavours. From this day forward, WWE and I will no longer be conducting business together.”
Ryback won a legal dispute against WWE over his ring name and trademarks, but a reunion is extremely unlikely due to several derogatory comments made since his release. He hasn’t wrestled since 2018, and his WWE career will always be a case of what could have been.
Sports
Arsenal Ready to Sign Morten Hjulmand After Morgan Rogers
Arsenal are active in the race to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand this summer, with an update emerging from A Bola on his future.
It has been a relatively quiet start to the summer transfer window for Arsenal, with it being clear that they only need to add a couple of players of real quality to improve a top team who are already Premier League champions and were a penalty shootout away from winning the Champions League.
While the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Manchester United have already made signings 10 days after the window officially opened, the Gunners are yet to complete their first new signing.
Piero Hincapie has completed his move to the Emirates on a permanent deal, but he was with the club already last season.
Arsenal have been in talks to sign 16-year-old Leicester City sensation Jeremy Monga, but they are yet to agree a fee with the League One outfit for the teenager’s services.
The Gunners are also expected to make an official move soon for Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers, who is currently representing England at the 2026 World Cup.
As well as the wings, it seems as though Arsenal are considering signing another central midfielder too.
Arsenal ‘Active’ in Morten Hjulmand Pursuit
According to A Bola, the pathway for Hjulmand to make a move to the Premier League season is ‘active’, with his chances of returning to Serie A narrowing because of the price involved for a transfer.
There had been links with a move to AC Milan for the Denmark international following the appointment of his former boss Ruben Amorim at the San Siro, but the Serie A giants are currently prioritising other positions.
Juventus have also pulled out of the race, leaving Inter Milan and Napoli as the only clubs who would be able to afford the 27-year-old, who has an €80m (£70m) release clause.
However, Arsenal are considering a move for the ‘absolute monster’ midfielder, while Manchester City and their sporting director Hugo Viana, who used to be at the Portuguese outfit, are big fans of the player.
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Hjulmand Wants to Join Arsenal
A Bola state that Hjulmand would fulfill a ‘childhood dream’ by playing for Arsenal, and it would be no surprise if they are his number one pick given where the club is right now too.
Not only would the 27-year-old significantly strengthen Arsenal’s central midfield depth given his stature and quality, but he is also known for his leadership skills as he currently captains Sporting.
Arteta is renowned for wanting the right type of character when he is making signings, and the Dane is a player who would seemingly give everything in an Arsenal shirt.
The Gunners may be able to land Hjulmand for a fee lower than his release clause too, with Sporting said to be ready to sell him for a fee of between €40-50m thanks to a personal pact made between the parties last summer.
Sports
Man City Make Enquiry for Manu Kone After Arsenal Agreement
Manchester City have now made contact to sign a player who’s already agreed to join Arsenal this summer.
While their Premier League rivals have sprung into action, it has been a quieter start to the summer transfer window for Arsenal and City.
City are still yet to confirm Enzo Maresca as Pep Guardiola’s successor at the Etihad, but they have been hard at work behind the scenes trying to complete a mega agreement to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, Arsenal probably only need to make some tweaks to their squad after such a successful season, but Mikel Arteta will be looking to add players to his squad that can take them to yet another level next term as they look to defend their Premier League title and go one better in the Champions League.
The Gunners look set to add numbers to their attack this summer, with the north Londoners being linked with moves for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez in recent weeks.
Arsenal are also working to find an agreement with Leicester City to sign 16-year-old sensation Jeremy Monga, but it is unclear whether he would be competing in the first-team yet or not if a deal went through.
The Gunners have also been looking at midfield additions for Arteta.
Man City Make Manu Kone Enquiry
According to journalist Damiano Er Faina, posting on X on Thursday evening, Manchester City have now made over signing French midfielder Manu Kone from AS Roma.
Even though are now closing in on an agreement to sign England star Anderson, it is being widely reported that they want another central midfielder too, with Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United another name mentioned.
Arsenal themselves are looking to reinforce that position with a lack of quality in depth shown last season when they lost players to injury, with Kone emerging as a target.
Reports from Italy earlier this month suggested that the Gunners were closing in on a deal to sign the 25-year-old with personal terms already agreed for him to move to the Emirates.
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Which Other Midfielders Are Arsenal Targeting?
Kone isn’t the only name reportedly on Arsenal’s central midfield radar this summer, with Alex Scott of Bournemouth someone they like a lot.
GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed the Gunners’ interest in the £80m-rated England international, who the Cherries are desperate to tie down to a new contract with his current deal set to expire in 2028.
Reports in Portugal claim that they are also considering making a move for Sporting Lisbon captain Morten Hjulmand, whose boyhood dream was to play for Arsenal.
Whether the Gunners firm up their reported interest in Kone or not, Arteta and Andrea Berta certainly seem to have other names on their shortlist should Man City swoop in and bring him to the Premier League themselves.
Sports
Trent Alexander-Arnold Could Have Played For the USMNT Instead of England
Trent Alexander-Arnold has long been one of England’s most talented full-backs, but his international career hasn’t always run smoothly under successive Three Lions managers, resulting in his lack of presence at the 2026 World Cup
That awkward relationship with his national side has led some fans down an unusual rabbit hole: could he have actually represented a different country altogether?
The question resurfaced after the Real Madrid man opened up about his family background in an interview, revealing a transatlantic connection that surprised plenty of supporters.
How Trent Alexander-Arnold Was Eligible for Another Nation
The discussion stems from comments back when he was a Liverpool player in 2023. Speaking to Men in Blazers about his mother, who was born in the United States. He explained his fondness for the country, saying:
“The connection is just that my Mum’s American really! I love America, I absolutely love America.”
That maternal link meant Alexander-Arnold was technically eligible to play for the US under FIFA’s nationality rules, which allow players to represent a country through a parent or grandparent’s birthplace, provided they haven’t already been capped elsewhere in a competitive fixture.
Had he picked the USMNT, Trent could be playing a pivotal role in Mauricio Pochettino’s side, rather than watching the competition from home. He’d certainly be a popular figure and the talisman in the American squad.
Why Trent Can’t Switch Allegiance Now
Despite that eligibility, the door is firmly shut. Alexander-Arnold has appeared for England in numerous competitive fixtures, which permanently ties him to the Three Lions under FIFA’s switching regulations. Had his only appearances come in friendlies, a U-turn would theoretically have remained possible, but that ship sailed long ago.
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There’s an intriguing family thread running through all this, too. Alexander-Arnold’s mother, Dianne, was born in the United States to his grandmother, Doreen Carling, who was once in a relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson before relocating to New York and marrying there.
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