QUICKREADS

Randy Orton vs John Cena: When and where to watch WWE Backlash; channel, live streaming and more
WWE legends John Cena and Randy Orton clash for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE Backlash 2025 in St. Louis. Streaming on Netflix globally, this final encounter marks the epic conclusion of their two-decade rivalry, with high emotional stakes.

Padres turn to JP Sears to help rotation vs. Rockies
The San Diego Padres are looking to boost their playoff chances by calling up JP Sears to start against the Colorado Rockies, allowing veteran pitchers extra rest. Manager Mike Shildt aims to manage workloads while keeping the team competitive. Meanwhile, the Rockies face challenges with a six-game losing streak and injuries, including rookie Chase Dollander’s knee issue.

Rugby-Springboks aim to cut out the errors in New Zealand rematch
South Africa's captain Siya Kolisi emphasizes the need for improved execution in the New Zealand 22 to keep their Rugby Championship title hopes alive ahead of Saturday's match in Wellington. After a disappointing 24-17 loss, Kolisi acknowledges the team's missed opportunities and individual errors, but expresses confidence in their preparation and the importance of the upcoming game for squad development.

Athletics-Pole vaulter Moon excited about special Tokyo return
Katie Moon, Olympic and double world pole vault champion, expressed frustration over her arrival experience in Tokyo but remains excited to compete. After a rocky start, she is settled and looks forward to performing in a filled stadium. Moon aims for her third consecutive world title, alongside a strong U.S. team, and praises Mondo Duplantis for elevating the sport's profile.

Former Premier League players set to star in Asian Champions League beginning Monday
The Asian Champions League begins Monday, featuring former Premier League stars like Ivan Toney and Jesse Lingard, who aim to impact the tournament. Saudi clubs, having invested heavily in players, dominated last season, with Al-Ahli as the reigning champions. Teams from Japan and South Korea also pose challenges, while Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad look to reclaim titles.

ISSF World Cup: Mehuli, Manini fail to impress in 50m rifle 3 positions
Indian shooters Mehuli Ghosh and Manini Kaushi had disappointing performances at the ISSF World Cup, finishing 23rd and 45th respectively in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions event. Both failed to secure medals as India's campaign remains unsuccessful, while China leads the medal tally. In 25m rapid fire, Bhavesh Shekhawat is fourth after Stage 1 of qualification.

Athletics worlds can 'wipe away' Olympic pain, says Japan track chief
The upcoming world athletics championships in Tokyo aim to heal the memories of the 2021 Olympics, which were held without fans due to pandemic restrictions. Japan’s athletics federation president Yuko Arimori emphasized the importance of sport in uniting people and bringing positive energy, as thousands of spectators are expected at the nearly 70,000-seat National Stadium.

MLB roundup: M's win in 12, grab share of AL West lead
The Seattle Mariners defeated the Los Angeles Angels 7-6 in 12 innings, with Harry Ford's sacrifice fly scoring the winning run. The victory marked the Mariners' sixth consecutive win, tying them with the Houston Astros for first in the AL West. Other games saw the Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Orioles, White Sox, Marlins, Phillies, and Guardians also secure wins.

Cy Young winners face off as Tigers, Marlins open series
The Detroit Tigers, nearing their first AL Central title since 2014, face the Miami Marlins in a three-game series starting Friday. Both teams will feature Cy Young winners, Tarik Skubal for Detroit and Sandy Alcantara for Miami. The Marlins are on a winning streak, while the Tigers aim to secure their division championship with a magic number of eight.

Harry Ford’s sacrifice fly lifts Mariners past Angels in 12th
Harry Ford's sacrifice fly in the 12th inning led the Seattle Mariners to a dramatic 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. This win marked the Mariners' sixth consecutive triumph, tying them with the Houston Astros in the AL West. Mike Trout hit his 399th homer, while the Angels' two-game winning streak ended.

Springboks hard man Wiese to take the All Blacks head-on
Springboks forward Jasper Wiese, suspended for a headbutt, admitted his mistake but is determined to play aggressively against the All Blacks. As South Africa seeks to recover from recent losses, Wiese's return aims to strengthen their performance. Both teams emphasize the importance of forwards in the upcoming Rugby Championship Test in Wellington.

Tinch's journey to be hurdles title contender sparked by stepdad's joke
Cordell Tinch's return to track and field was inspired by a joke from his stepfather, leading him to compete against three-time world champion Grant Holloway in Tokyo. After a break from athletics, Tinch found success, clocking 12.87 seconds this year. He credits his journey of self-discovery and support from his family for his newfound happiness and determination.

Athletics-Coe pleased that world championships are now season's finale
Sebastian Coe announced overwhelming support from athletes and coaches for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo to be the season's finale. With nearly 500,000 tickets sold, the event will feature combined men's and women's 100m finals. Coe emphasized the importance of a consistent season structure and expressed excitement for the championships following prior Olympic challenges.

Injuries to Ekeler and Wise make this loss particularly painful for Commanders
The Washington Commanders faced injuries during their 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers, with running back Austin Ekeler potentially suffering an Achilles tendon injury and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. carted off due to a quadriceps injury. Coach Dan Quinn has not provided updates, as the team waits to assess their conditions, raising concerns about their impact on the season.

De Minaur vows to 'make life difficult' for Belgium in Davis Cup
Alex de Minaur aims to help Australia reach the Davis Cup finals for the fourth consecutive year, facing Belgium's Raphael Collignon in the opening singles. De Minaur, ranked eighth, acknowledges the challenge, especially against Collignon, who recently impressed at the US Open. Belgium seeks to end an eight-year drought against Australia, with confidence from captain Steve Darcis.

Inoue out to prove pound-for-pound credentials against Akhmadaliev
Naoya Inoue aims to solidify his status as boxing's pound-for-pound king by defending his undisputed super-bantamweight titles against Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Nagoya. Inoue, unbeaten with a 30-0 record, faces his toughest opponent yet. The fight follows Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, reigniting discussions on boxing's best fighter. Akhmadaliev, determined to win, seeks to make history in Japan.