2023 WWE Draft: Raw and SmackDown Rosters Take Shape in the First Phase

The 2023 WWE Draft brings major roster changes as Raw and SmackDown pick their Superstars, with some NXT talents making their main roster debut.

Tags: WWE, 2023 WWE Draft, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, Superstars, Roster Changes, Wrestling,Roman Reigns • WWE SmackDown! • Cody Rhodes • WrestleMania

The 2023 WWE Draft kicked off with a bang, as both Raw and SmackDown picked their Superstars, making significant roster changes. The first phase took place on Friday's SmackDown, with additional picks announced on Saturday's SmackDown LowDown.

On Saturday, eligible Superstars who were not selected in the first phase were assigned brands, along with some select NXT Superstars who received a call-up to the main roster. The roster changes bring a fresh start to the WWE Universe and sets the stage for new storylines.

Raw picked up several Superstars, including The Viking Raiders (Erik, Ivar, and Valhalla), Dexter Lumis, Candice LeRae, Maximum Male Models (Ma.çé, Mån.sôör, and Maxxine Dupri), Natalya, Apollo Crews, Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville, Zoey Stark, and JD McDonagh.

On the other hand, SmackDown only had two picks, which were Lacey Evans and Hit Row (Top Dolla, Ashante 'Thee' Adonis, and B-Fab). The combination of Omos and MVP, Dolph Ziggler, Mustafa Ali, and NXT's Von Wagner were not picked, making them free agents.

However, the most intriguing picks made on Saturday were the NXT Superstars who are set to either return to the main roster or get their first opportunity as part of it. Raw picked Apollo Crews, JD McDonagh, and Zoey Stark on Saturday, following the selections of NXT women's champion Indi Hartwell to Raw and NXT women's tag team champions Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn to SmackDown on Friday.

Apollo Crews, a former Intercontinental and United States champion, spent several years on the main roster before being sent down to NXT to revitalize his career. Now, he gets another opportunity to shine on Raw. JD McDonagh and Zoey Stark were arguably two of NXT's best in-ring workers, and they will bring their wrestling ability to the red brand.

On Friday, both Raw and SmackDown made several picks, headlined by SmackDown selecting undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman of The Bloodline, as well as Raw women's champion Bianca Belair. Cody Rhodes and Becky Lynch were among Raw's top picks.

With the first phase of the 2023 WWE Draft over, the Raw and SmackDown rosters are taking shape. Raw includes Cody Rhodes, Becky Lynch, Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci), Matt Riddle, Drew McIntyre, The Miz, Shinsuke Nakamura, Indi Hartwell, Apollo Crews, Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville, Dexter Lumis, JD McDonagh, Natalya, The Viking Raiders (Erik, Ivar & Valhalla), Zoey Stark, and Maximum Male Models (Ma.çé, Mån.sôör & Maxxine Dupri).

Meanwhile, SmackDown's roster features The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman), Bianca Belair, The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins), Edge, Bobby Lashley, The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gall

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LiAngelo Ball and Nikki Mudarris Announce Pregnancy: The Ball Family is Growing!

 

Basketball player LiAngelo Ball, a member of the famous Ball family, and his girlfriend, reality TV star Nikki Mudarris, have announced that they are expecting their first child together. The news was shared with their millions of followers on Instagram, accompanied by photos from an intimate photo shoot.

In the caption of the post, Ball expressed his excitement for the next chapter of their journey as soon-to-be parents, while Mudarris left a comment saying she couldn't wait to meet their baby this summer. The couple's relationship had been kept private for a long time, with Nikki confirming they were an item by congratulating her man on his NBA contract in her IG story last year.

The news means that LaVar Ball, the patriarch of the Ball family, is set to become a grandfather once again, as his son Lonzo already has a child. Meanwhile, LiAngelo's brothers, Zo and LaMelo, will become uncles and are said to be excited about the news.

LiAngelo, who has had stints in the G League with the Oklahoma City Blue and the Charlotte Hornets-affiliated Greensboro Swarm, is also said to be thrilled about the prospect of becoming a father.

The announcement has been met with congratulations from fans and followers, with many wishing the couple all the best on their journey into parenthood. The news adds to the growing legacy of the Ball family, who have made a name for themselves in the world of basketball and beyond.

Overall, the announcement of LiAngelo and Nikki's pregnancy is an exciting and heartwarming development for the Ball family, and fans of the couple are sure to be eagerly awaiting the arrival of their bundle of joy.

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Jake Paul to face Nate Diaz in a Real Fight: A Dangerous Challenge for the YouTuber Turned Boxe

 

Jake Paul is set to face former UFC star Nate Diaz in a highly anticipated boxing match on August 5 in Dallas. Diaz, known as a striker with a mean streak, will pose a real challenge for Paul, who has hand-selected opponents in the past to maintain his unbeaten record. Diaz, 38, is a seasoned mixed martial artist with plenty of boxing skills and has shown exceptional timing and cardio in his lengthy career.

Although Paul has taken his training seriously and developed natural talent, this will be a step up for the 26-year-old, who has so far avoided more dangerous opponents. However, Diaz, who is still at the backend of his career, is not washed up by any means, with a career record of 22-13 and notable victories over Conor McGregor and others.

The fight will be co-promoted by Diaz's own Real Fight Inc. and Paul's Most Valuable Promotions. Diaz worked to complete his UFC contract so he could exercise control over his own business and future, and this fight is part of that. The event promises to bring fighting purists to Diaz's new pursuit and offers enough entertainment value to draw customers.

Paul has frustrated boxing purists who want to see him exposed by beating boxing at its own promotional game, but Diaz fits perfectly into the mix as an anti-hero character out of Stockton, California. He will bring a real challenge to Paul and attempt to wreck whoever is across from him, as he always has.

This fight has been in the making for nearly 18 months, with Diaz and Paul barking at each other on social media during this time. Diaz believes that Paul, besides Canelo Alvarez, is the biggest thing in boxing, and he is here to conquer that.

The match will consist of eight rounds at 185 pounds with 10-ounce gloves in a 20x20 ring. Paul, with a record of 6-1 as a pro, lost his last fight to boxer Tommy Fury but it was a split decision and Fury hit the canvas, not Paul. Diaz, who turned 38 on April 16, is a real challenge for Paul, who will have to earn this victory, as Diaz will come at him with the same energy he always has.

Overall, this fight promises to be a real fight with a dangerous opponent, an outlet for Diaz to continue his career, and a real challenge for Paul. Diaz has the potential to bring reality to the reality star, and August 5 may give everyone what they are looking for.

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Remembering Rick Wolff: A Renaissance Man and Beloved Sports Broadcaster Passes at 71

 Rick Wolff, the longtime host of WFAN’s Sunday morning program “The Sports Edge,” has passed away at the age of 71 after a short battle with brain cancer. The news was announced by Wolff’s family on his website, “Ask Coach Wolff.”

Wolff was known to be a wise, thoughtful, sharp, funny, and incredibly smart person who was loved by many. His family has urged people to remember never to give up on their dreams, as Wolff himself never did, even after so many of them had come true.

Wolff was a Harvard baseball player who spent two years in the Tigers’ farm system in the 1970s. However, he eventually became a renaissance man who was a broadcaster, a book editor, and a psychology coach. Wolff did broadcasting work for MSG and ESPN beginning in the 1980s and his run at “The Sports Edge” on WFAN began in 1998.

Many people who knew him have expressed their sadness at his passing. Legendary former WFAN host Mike Francesa tweeted his condolences, saying, “Very sad news to hear about the passing of Rick Wolff…he was every inch a gentleman. He will be missed.” Chris Carlin, another former WFAN host, tweeted that Wolff was an exceptionally kind man and sent his deepest condolences to Wolff’s family and friends. Fellow former WFAN host Marc Malusis also expressed his sadness, saying that Wolff was a great guy and that his focus on youth sports on WFAN on Sunday mornings was fantastic to listen to.

Aside from his work as a broadcaster, Wolff also worked as a book publisher. He edited several books, including Robert Kiyosaki’s “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” which spent seven years on The New York Times bestseller list; “Straight from the Gut” by Jack Welch; “Leading with the Heart” by Mike Krzyzewski; “Call Me Ted” by Ted Turner; and “How I Play Golf” by Tiger Woods. Wolff also wrote 18 books of his own.

Wolff is survived by his wife, Trish, three adult children, their spouses, and three grandchildren. Wolff’s father, Bob Wolff, was a longtime broadcaster who was honored by the Basketball and Baseball Halls of Fame. The elder Wolff spent time calling Knicks and Rangers games and called the national broadcast of Don Larsen’s perfect game for the Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 World Series and the Giants-Colts 1958 NFL Championship Game that has been called “The Greatest Game Ever Played.”

The passing of Rick Wolff is a great loss to the sports world and to those who knew him. His legacy will continue to live on through his work as a broadcaster, book editor, and author, as well as through the memories of those whose lives he touched.

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England's Ben Stokes knows starting XI and demands fast, flat pitches for Ashes

 Stokes, who is currently recovering from a foot problem, expressed his desire for flat, fast pitches during the Ashes series, and outlined his hope of having a pace attack that can bowl above 90mph. Along with Mark Wood and Olly Stone, Jofra Archer will be a key member of England's pace attack. However, concerns have grown about Archer's fitness after he sat out two IPL matches in a row for the Mumbai Indians due to discomfort in his right elbow.

Despite the concerns surrounding Archer's fitness, Stokes claimed to already have a starting XI in mind for the first Test, which will take place at Edgbaston on June 16. He emphasized the importance of picking the best team for the first game and said that he has been in communication with the ground staff to ensure that the team gets the type of wickets they want.

Stokes also hinted at the possibility of Jonny Bairstow returning to the team, but stressed the importance of getting fit after his leg injury. On his own fitness, Stokes claimed to be bowling pain-free after five weeks of work behind the scenes, and said that the longstanding left knee injury that hampered his role with the ball during the 1-1 draw in New Zealand appears to be easing.

The Ashes series has already seen the first shots fired publicly, with Ollie Robinson predicting a comfortable win for England and wanting to give Australia a good hiding. Stokes praised his opponents, but welcomed Robinson's confidence and said that it's important for players to be free to operate as their character.

Stokes also identified Travis Head as a threat for Australia, and said that England is prepared to go for runs, something that's been easier as they've played more. He also noted that Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad have seen a different side to it and now have a fine to go for runs mentality, which will do England fine if Australia comes back at them.

When asked if England's recent desire to always seek a positive result would apply were they to find themselves 2-1 up on the final day and mulling a declaration, Stokes said that he would declare, as he's not going to change anything just because they're in the Ashes. Every game will be to produce a result, and if not, then he's not being true to himself and everything he's done this past year.

Overall, Stokes' comments indicate that England is gearing up for an aggressive and results-driven approach during the Ashes series, and they are confident in their ability to take on Australia. The fitness of Jofra Archer remains a concern, but England has a talented pace attack that can bowl at high speeds and take on Australia's batsmen. With nine weeks and a four-day Test against Ireland to go before the Ashes starts, England will be hoping to get their team in the best possible shape for the series.

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Lawsuit claims blackmail conspiracy involving drugging led to death of Dwayne Haskins.

Former NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins' untimely death in April of last year sent shockwaves throughout the sports world. The details surrounding the tragic incident were unclear at the time, leaving many unanswered questions for fans and loved ones alike. However, recent developments suggest that a civil lawsuit may soon shed light on the circumstances surrounding Haskins' death.

ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark recently took to Twitter to share his sources' insights, stating that the lawsuit may reveal that Haskins was targeted in some way. "Many questions remain unanswered & evidence may indicate that Dwayne Haskins was somehow targeted," Clark tweeted. "The civil suit will be pivotal in uncovering information that can lead to a clearer understanding of that tragic night."

The lawsuit could potentially provide more information about the events leading up to Haskins' fatal accident. As previously reported, Haskins was training in the Fort Lauderdale area with some of his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates and had gone out to dinner with them before visiting a club with a friend or cousin. However, the autopsy report revealed that Haskins had a blood alcohol content of .20 and had tested positive for the painkiller ketamine.

According to the report, Haskins and his companion got into an argument and separated before the fatal accident. Haskins' rental car was later found out of gas on the highway shoulder near the scene where he was struck by a dump truck and another vehicle.

The tragic death of Haskins, a former star quarterback for Ohio State, was a devastating loss for the NFL community. Haskins had played three NFL seasons with Washington and Pittsburgh and was seen as a promising player with a bright future ahead of him.

The civil lawsuit could potentially reveal more information about what happened on Haskins' final night and provide closure for his loved ones. It remains to be seen what the lawsuit will uncover, but it is hoped that it will shed more light on this tragic event and help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

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