Friday, 26 June 2026
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT NEW METS INTERIM MANAGER AFTER CARLOS MENDOZA'S FIRING
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| Mar 30, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) looks on before a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images |
Fans of the New York Mets can exhale now that Carlos Mendoza has been let go.
But who is the Mets’ new manager, and what is New York getting in interim manager Andy Green?
Green, the former Mets player who has been a coach since 2012, is taking over for Mendoza, who was fired Friday after the Mets went 34-47 in their first 81 games.
Mets fans of a certain age will remember Green from his one-season tenure in Queens (2009) or his three seasons as a player for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Or you may recall his three-plus years as the manager of the San Diego Padres.
Andy Green Played for the Mets and Managed the Padres
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| Getty New Mets interim manager Andy Green finished his playing career with the Mets and managed the San Diego Padres for four seasons between 2016-19. |
Green came up in the D-backs system as a scrappy 5-9, 165-pound infielder who was chosen in the 24th round of the 2000 MLB Draft — a round that doesn’t even exist anymore.
So you can bet Green will want to push the Mets to be scrappier, hungrier and more intense over the second half of this season.
The Mets will be Green’s second role as a major-league manager. He spent three-plus seasons managing the Padres (2016-19) and finished with a .428 win% before he was fired with one week remaining in the 2019 season, posting a 69-85 record before being let go in September.
The Padres then made the playoffs in the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, going 37-23.
Green only played 140 big-league games and finished his big-league career with a .547 OPS and two home runs. His attitude was enough to earn a job in the D-backs system as the manager in Missoula of the Pioneer League.
He won the title there in 2012 then was named Southern League manager of the year in 2013 and 2014 before being promoted to D-backs third base coach.
The Mets’ Manager Search is Officially on
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| Getty Alex Cora is likely to be high on the list of candidates for the Mets’ manager role. |
The Mets may have put Andy Green in place to ride out the rest of the season, but you can bet they will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of their next manager.
Mendoza was well-thought-of candidate from the New York Yankees organization that pushed all the right buttons in 2024, when they went to the NLCS. But owner Steve Cohen has already flexed his financial might in signing Juan Soto and luring David Stearns from the Milwaukee Brewers.
You can be sure he’ll do the same when finding his next manager.
So Alex Cora immediately comes to mind as the top candidate for the Mets job. He, of course, was fired by the Boston Red Sox in April then turned down the Philadelphia Phillies role, which ultimately went to former-Yankees great and 2020 NL manager of the year Don Mattingly.
Cora could again be a candidate for the Phillies role, which makes it imperative that the Mets at least bring him in for an interview — especially with the Phillies playing well under Mattingly.
Cora, of course, won the World Series in Boston in 2018 and boasts a .534 win% over his 1,161-game tenure as a manager. Other candidates will arise, including Mattingly if he is not retained by the Phillies.
But Cora has to be the first option for the Mets.
- Pat Pickens
LEWIS HAMILTON SENDS WAR CRY AHEAD OF AUSTRIAN GP | CAN FERRARI BEAT MERCEDES?
Lewis Hamilton sends a war cry and a warning to Mercedes ahead of the Austrian GP as the Ferrari driver looks to beat the Silver Arrows once again to claim his second win of the 2026 F1 season on June 28.
Hamilton is now finally off the mark for the Scuderia after dominating the final part of the Barcelona GP, going on to beat George Russell by 19.5 seconds as the Brit and Maranello made a gutsy three-stop strategy work.
That win continues a strong run of form from the seven-time world champion, who has four podiums to his name and is yet to finish below sixth. He is just one of two driver to finish sixth or better in every race so far along with Antonelli and McLaren’s Lando Norris
He remains the only driver to complete every lap of the season and leads the head-to-head against teammate Charles Leclerc 5-2 in Grand Prix races and 4-3 in qualifying, as he rebounds to his finest form following a difficult spell in the Ground Effect Era.
Now 41 points behind in the Formula 1 standings, the 41-year-old aims to continue closing the gap to Kimi Antonelli as he looks to catch his replacement after his decision to leave Brackley in February 2024.
The Italian, who was Toto Wolff’s pick for the seat, suffered a late DNF at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to narrow the gap in the drivers’ championship, despite winning five of the opening seven races – highlighting the fine margins in the sport.
And the 106-time winner has no intention of stopping with that single taste of glory as Hamilton sends a war cry to Mercedes ahead of Austrian GP that he is looking to chase down back-to-back wins.
“I’m thinking about arriving and I want to win this weekend,” Hamilton told media, including Total-Motorsport.com. “That’s my goal. That’s what I’ve been working for all week, last week and this week. I’ve not been having dinners.
“It’s head back down with the sacrifices you need to make to make sure that you arrive 100% so you can deliver for these people.
“Especially also knowing how far it reaches, the impact and decisions that I make in the car and what we do here. So those are the things I think about.”
Hamilton refused to enjoy final laps of Barcelona GP
After pitting under the virtual safety car to switch to hard tyres for his final stint to retain the lead of the Barcelona GP with younger tyres than the chasing pack behind him, Hamilton wasted no time breaking out of Overtake Mode range.
Within a lap he was clear of any danger from Russell and the gap only started to swell from there onwards, amassing to almost 20 seconds come the chequered flag on Lap 66 of the Barcelona GP on June 14.
But despite knowing he was comfortably clear of the field and capable of coasting to the finish, able to take as little risk as he wanted to, Hamilton admits he was not interested in enjoying the final laps and simply focused on bringing the car home.
“Honestly, I was almost praying that the car would make it to the finish,” Hamilton added. “I’ve experienced gearbox failures, engine failures, hydraulic issues, battery problems, and brake failures in the past, so you never take anything for granted.
“I was focused on not making mistakes and on bringing home the points for the team. During the final lap I actively stopped myself from thinking about the win because the job isn’t done until you’ve crossed the line.
“Even when I saw the crowd, I reminded myself there were still corners left. It wasn’t until I was well past the chequered flag and saw the team on the pit wall that I finally allowed myself to think, ‘OK, the job is done.’”
- Brandon Sutton
FREE PRACTICE 1 | AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX 2026
Mercedes lead the way at Red Bull Ring as Kimi Antonelli and George Russell take first and second position while McLaren's Oscar Piastri takes third position.
ANTIBIOTICS HELPED SAVE MATT DOWSON'S SON'S LIFE MENINGITIS BATTLE
Teaming up with the Fleming Initiative, with funding and support from GSK, Dawson is hoping to raise awareness of the growing problem of antibiotic resistance.
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| Matt Dawson has revealed how antibiotics played a crucial role in saving his son Sami’s life after he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis as a two-year-old. |
When Matt Dawson was sat at his two-year-old son’s bedside wondering whether he would survive, he realised just how valuable medical research can be. It is now a decade since the England World Cup winner was in hospital with his son Sami, now 12, who had been diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.
He spent a fortnight in intensive care and was able to recover in large part thanks to a course of antibiotics. And it is for that reason that Dawson is lending his support to the Keep antibiotics in play campaign to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance.
Teaming up with the Fleming Initiative, with funding and support from GSK, Dawson is hoping to raise awareness of the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and encourage the public to help protect antibiotics.
He said: “Sami’s illness was the worst time of my life. We owe his survival to the doctors who treated him and to antibiotics that worked. We’re fortunate to have these medicines, but that could change. We need to get the message out there that we all have a role to play, from preventing infections through vaccination to taking antibiotics only when necessary.
“When you’re sitting beside your child in intensive care, the only question going through your mind is whether they’re going to survive. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody.
“Quite rightly, the doctors couldn’t give any guarantees. They were doing everything they possibly could.
“That experience really reinforces how important it is to support medical research and campaigns like this. Ultimately, they save lives. The knowledge and understanding around antibiotics are vital, not just for serious infections, but for things like cancer treatment, childbirth and many other aspects of modern healthcare.”
Antibiotics are essential to treat bacterial infections, but their effectiveness is under threat as bacteria develop resistance due to overuse and misuse.
Often referred to as ‘superbugs’, these resistant bacteria are making common infections harder to treat and increasing the risks associated with routine procedures including surgery and cancer treatment
.Antibiotic resistance already causes over one million deaths each year and without urgent action, almost 40 million lives could be lost between 2025 and 2050.
Dawson added: “When you’ve been through something like that, you realise just how important these issues are. You want to do whatever you can to lend your support, and this campaign was definitely one that stood out.
“From Sami’s perspective, we came to understand just how important antibiotics are. At the time, and afterwards, there was never any question about whether he had the right antibiotics, we had to trust the doctors and the treatments they believed in, and thankfully, the antibiotics were effective.
“The statistics are pretty striking. Far too many people assume there’s always an easy fix through antibiotics, and misuse is having a serious long-term impact. One statistic that really stood out was that around one in five people don’t know antibiotics only work for bacterial infections. Many people still think they’ll help with coughs and colds.
“There’s a real long-term impact from that kind of misuse. We were incredibly unfortunate to go through what happened with Sami, but if that experience puts us in a position to help educate other people, then at least something positive can come from it.”
To reduce antibiotic resistance, there are simple steps that everyone can follow: using antibiotics only when needed and prescribed, taking them exactly as directed, never saving or sharing them and trusting professional advice, not pushing for antibiotics if not required.
Dawson added: “As you get older, though, you realise just how much research, knowledge and expertise goes into these issues. The work being done by Fleming Initiative and supported by GSK is on a completely different level to anything most of us understand. Yet we often think we know best.
“The message itself is actually quite simple. There are times when antibiotics are absolutely necessary, but it’s important to understand when they should be used and when they shouldn’t. There are consequences to using them inappropriately, and that’s something we need to take seriously.”
Rebecca Adlington, Matt Dawson and Alice Tai have teamed up with the Fleming Initiative to launch the Keep antibiotics in play campaign, to raise awareness of antibiotic resistance, with funding and support from GSK. For more information visit here.
- Paul Eddison
SERENA WILLIAMS TO FACE MAYA JOINT ON GRAND SLAM RETURN AT WIMBLEDON
The 23-time grand slam champion will play her first singles match in nearly four years.
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| Serena Williams during a practice session at Wimbledon (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire) |
Serena Williams will make her return to grand slam tennis with a first-round match against Australian Maya Joint at Wimbledon.
Having launched a comeback thistle month in doubles at the age of 44, it was announced last weekend that Williams had taken the final wild card into the women’s singles.
The 23-time grand slam singles champion last played a singles match nearly four years ago at the US Open in what had appeared to be her farewell to the sport.
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| Serena Williams last won the Wimbledon women’s singles title in 2016 (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Archive) |
Emma Raducanu is due to open her campaign against Croatian Antonia Ruzic but fitness doubts surround the 30th seed, who could again meet Aryna Sabalenka in the third round in a repeat of last year.
Raducanu did not turn up for her scheduled practice session on Thursday having reportedly been seen wearing a protective boot the previous evening.
The British number one’s team confirmed she is managing a niggle and concerns grew when she did not appear on the practice schedule for Friday.
Raducanu is due to speak to the media at a press conference on Saturday.
- Eleanor Crooks
RED BULL REVEALS SEVEN-PART UPGRADE FOR CRUCIAL HOME F1 RACE AT AUSTRIAN GP
Red Bull has revealed an extensive upgrade package for the F1 Austrian Grand Prix.
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| Red Bull has brought a major upgrade to Austria |
Red Bull has unveiled a substantial upgrade package for its home Formula 1 race, the Austrian Grand Prix.
After bringing its first upgrades of the season to Miami, Red Bull has now unleashed an extensive raft of updates in a bid to improve its RB22 following a difficult start to the 2026 campaign.
In total, Red Bull has made seven changes to its car for its home event at Spielberg. Red Bull has introduced a revised sidepod inlet and engine cover for reliability reasons to improve cooling.
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| Red Bull's upgrades for the Austrian Grand Prix |
In terms of performance-related updates, Red Bull has made changes to the surface of the RB22’s floor, floor board, as well as reprofiling the rear suspension layout and rear corner.
Red Bull has also introduced a new rear wing and exhaust tailpipe, which features a revised overlap between the tailpipe exit profile and the supporting tailpipe bracket.
Red Bull is aiming to find more aerodynamic performance and continue its weight-saving programme, having started the season with a car that was 12kg overweight. That figure was halved thanks to its Miami package.
All eyes will be on Red Bull at its home race, particularly regarding the future of Max Verstappen.
When asked how crucial the impact of the Austria upgrade and coming races will be for his future at Red Bull, Verstappen replied: “I think it's just crucial for us as a team, we want to improve from where we started this season to where we want to end it.
“We know that we are lacking performance, so it's more about just trying to improve the car. I think that's what everyone wants.”
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| Verstappen in the Austria paddock |
The four-time world champion added: “Those are, of course, also the easier steps to make when you're far behind. The hardest step is always the last one, to really fight for the win.
“So let's see how we can do that, to be in that fight again. I'm not sure [if that can happen this weekend]. But for sure, the team is always giving it 100% and pushing flat out to make the car faster.
“But we know that other teams are also constantly bringing upgrades. So we just need to always try and find a little bit more to try and close that gap. It was quite clear in Barcelona that there was still a gap, so hopefully it can be a bit better this weekend.”
Other front-running teams have joined Red Bull in bringing updates this weekend.
Mercedes has a new front suspension and engine cover to improve performance and cooling respectively. The German manufacturer has also brought a battery fix to Austria, following Andrea Kimi Antonelli's late retirement at Barcelona.
Ferrari has brought a total of four updates, including changes to the SF-26’s front wing endplate, RV tail, floor board and mirror stay, while McLaren has introduced an updated rear corner and an “experimental rear wing” that will be trialled by reigning world champion Lando Norris on Friday.
- Lewis Larkam
Thursday, 25 June 2026
APRILIA LAND FRANCESCO BAGNAIA IN MAJOR MOTOGP RIDER MARKET COUP
Two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia is officially joining Aprilia next year after much speculation about the Italian's future.
After yesterday's triple-announcement from Ducati, in which Marc Marquez's contract was renewed and Pedro Acosta was confirmed to join the team next year while Bagnaia departs, many believed that it wouldn't be long until the Aprilia deal was confirmed.
As reported by GP Blog several months ago, the rumours linking Bagnaia to Aprilia have been around for some time now. It is no secret that 'Pecco' Bagnaia has struggled to adapt since the arrival of Marc Marquez in the team, winning just two races in as many years since the Spaniard joined.
Like many of the suspected deals in the MotoGP rider market, Bagnaia's inevitable exit from Ducati was delayed due to the finalization of a 'concorde agreement' between MotoGP Group and the respective manufacturers. Fortunately, the deal was signed at last weekend's Czech Grand Prix, leading to a cascade of announcements this week and likely even more in the immediate future.
An all-Italian line-up
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola has made it clear that he views Aprilia as a 'national team' for Italy, in contrast to Ducati's recent decision to favour Spanish riders. Having already secured current championship leader Marco Bezzecchi on a multi-year deal, Aprilia is now signing an even more experienced and proven Italian star.
With a massive regulation overhaul set to be introduced next year, there is no telling whether Aprilia will still be one of the frontrunners. However, with Bagnaia and Bezzecchi at the helm, it is clear that Aprilia have already secured one of the most promising rider lineups for 2027.
This means that Jorge Martin is going to make way, with rumours linking him heavily to Yamaha next year. It is no secret that the Spaniard and 2024 World Champion has not has the best of times with the Italian manufacturer, and even almost came to blows with his own boss in Catalonia.
Elswhere, there are several other major announcements expected later in the week. Fabio Quartararo is likely to leave Yamaha for Honda next year, with Ogura joining Martin in blue. VR46 have yet to confirm the arrival of Nicolo Bulega, but that is also expected soon. Meanwhile the fates of Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Brad Binder, Jack Miller, Franco Morbidelli, Alex Rins, Maverick Vinales and Raul Fernandez remain uncertain.
- Andrew McLarney
FIA DECLARES HEAT HAZZARD FOR AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX AS EUROPE BATTLES EXTREM TEMPERATURES
Europe’s first major heatwave of the summer has forced the FIA to declare an official Heat Hazard for this weekend’s Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, as temperatures at Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring are forecast to exceed the regulatory threshold for driver safety.
With Austria among several countries breaking June temperature records, the governing body confirmed that the combination of heat and humidity will push the heat index beyond 31°C, activating additional cooling requirements under Article B1.5.10 of the FIA F1 Regulations.
According to the FIA’s official weather service, temperatures are expected to reach 32°C during Saturday’s FP3 and qualifying sessions, with Sunday’s race start at 15:00 local time predicted to take place in 33°C conditions.
While these figures may appear moderate compared to some of the sport’s historically hottest events, the heat index calculation—combined with cockpit heat soak, altitude, and the Red Bull Ring’s short‑lap intensity—creates a significantly harsher environment for drivers.
The FIA therefore issued a formal statement confirming the Heat Hazard declaration once forecasts showed the heat index surpassing the 31.0°C limit at some point during the competition.
Under the activated protocol, drivers must now choose between wearing an FIA‑approved cooling vest or adding 0.5 kg of ballast to their cars to compensate for not using the device.
The federation had originally intended to make cooling vests mandatory across the grid, but driver feedback over comfort, mobility, and inconsistent effectiveness led to the system remaining optional. Even so, the FIA insists that some form of mitigation is essential, as cockpit temperatures can exceed 50°C during long stints, especially at high‑altitude circuits where reduced air density limits cooling efficiency.
The Red Bull Ring is deceptively demanding in hot conditions. Its short lap—typically around 65 to 70 seconds—offers drivers almost no recovery time, while long full‑throttle sections increase engine and brake temperatures.
The circuit’s elevation of roughly 700 metres further reduces cooling capacity, and the aggressive kerbs add to the physical strain. Combined with the heatwave gripping central Europe, the Austrian Grand Prix is shaping up to be one of the most physically taxing events of the season.
Teams are expected to adjust hydration strategies, cooling system settings, and cockpit airflow management, while drivers will rely heavily on pre‑session cooling routines and grid‑formation ice vests. The Heat Hazard protocol, introduced after several high‑profile cases of driver exhaustion in recent years, will now face a significant real‑world test as the sport continues to adapt to increasingly frequent extreme‑temperature events.
- Balazs Szabo
JÜRGEN KLOPP' STORMS OUT OF INTERVIEW AS LIVERPOOL LEGEND REFUSES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
Jurgen Klopp stormed out of an interview after the Liverpool legend refused to answer a question following controversy regarding one of his fellow World Cup pundits
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| Jurgen Klopp stormed out of an interview(Image: DW Sports) |
Ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp abruptly ended an interview when questioned about the racism row involving Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The World Cup champion has been accused of making racist comments while analysing Germany's victory over the Ivory Coast. The former Manchester United and Bayern Munich star works for German broadcaster ARD.
Schweinsteiger, 41, has faced criticism for his depiction of the Ivory Coast's playing style. While evaluating the west African team, he referred to their football as "African football" before characterising it as being "a bit unorthodox sometimes, a bit wild, not quite as tactical."
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| Bastian Schweinsteiger has been accused of making racially insensitive comments(Image: Getty Images) |
He also suggested that Julian Nagelsmann's squad must be "prepared for it to be unpredictable at times" prior to their 2-1 win. The ex-midfielder's comments have sparked backlash and become a significant talking point in Germany.
So much so that Klopp, who is currently working as a pundit for Magenta TV in the US, was pressed by another journalist to comment on the controversy. When confronted, he promptly cut off the interview and walked away.
In conversation with DW Sports, the former Liverpool boss said: "And now you want to carry on this subject. No, no, I have no chance, I have no chance to answer this question.
"Everybody likes it, so you bring me into this situation. It's not my job that everybody likes it, but this is a serious subject. I don't even know what is appropriate to say.
"For African people it's one thing, for other people it's another thing, and I'm not here. Thank god I thought nobody asked me about that. You found a moment and surprisingly you are German. That surprised me so much. Thank you very much."
Klopp then walked away from the gathered journalists, many of whom were heard calling out "no, no" as he departed.
Phillip Awounou, a sports journalist and author from Germany, slammed Schweinsteiger's comments in a recent article. Penning his column for Spiegel news magazine, he wrote: "Behind attributions like 'wild' and 'unpredictable' are stereotypes which are older than football and which have racist, colonial roots.
"In the past, Black people of African heritage were stigmatised as uncivilised ('wild'), different ('unorthodox') and potentially dangerous ('unpredictable').
"These are racist stereotypes," sports content creator Patrick Schnitzler told his 50,000 Instagram followers, referencing recent academic research which has demonstrated that commentators and supporters are more likely to emphasise Black footballers' physical attributes than those of non-Black players.
"We learn such stereotypes because we have grown up in a society with stereotypes. Schweinsteiger, too. You and me, too."
Awounou did make clear that he does not consider Schweinsteiger to be a racist, explaining: "That's simply wrong. Regardless of his problematic remarks, Schweinsteiger is absolutely not a racist and shouldn't be labelled as such."
After the match, Schweinsteiger took to social media, stating: "Ivory Coast were the difficult opponent we expected and showed their technical quality and physicality," shortly after Germany clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory.
- Cameron Winstanley and Cameron Winstanley
LIONS CB TERRION ARNOLD EXPECTED TO FACE SERIOUS NFL PUNISHMENT AFTER ARREST
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| AI Lions/Maakaron |
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is facing the prospect of life in prison after being arrested on a series of felony charges, and the former first-round pick could also face harsh discipline from the NFL in the meantime.
Arnold surrendered to authorities in Florida after facing an arrest warrant connected to an alleged robbery and kidnapping in Tampa. The Florida state attorney’s office said in a statement that Arnold faces “multiple felony charges which carry a potential sentence of up to life in prison” for allegedly orchestrating a kidnapping in retaliation for an alleged theft at a property he owned.
While Arnold has maintained his innocence and the team issued a statement avoiding comment on the specifics, recent cases indicate that he could face a long suspension from the league.
Terrion Arnold Could Be Away From Lions Indefinitely
Several other NFL players who faced felony charges have been handed long suspensions by the NFL, including six games for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice after he pleaded guilty to charges related to a street-racing incident. Running back Kareem Hunt was suspended for eight games for an assault that was recorded on video.
While the NFL often waits until the conclusion of criminal proceedings to issue punishment, Arnold could face more immediate action. The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office said in a statement that it had filed a pretrial motion to keep him in jail without bond until trial, with no court date in sight.
“Our office will file a pretrial detention motion to argue that Arnold remain behind bars until trial,” the statement read. “The date for that hearing has not yet been scheduled. Arnold’s codefendants are all currently behind bars in connection with the crime.”
That could prompt the NFL to put him on the commissioner’s exempt list, essentially putting him on paid leave until the trial takes place.
The Lions did not indicate if he faced any action from the team, releasing a statement with few details.
“We are aware of the legal situation regarding Terrion Arnold,” a spokesperson for the team said, via USA Today. “We will not comment at this time out of respect for the ongoing legal process.”
Arnold’s name had first surfaced in court documents earlier this year, when the alleged co-conspirators were arrested, but Lions head coach Dan Campbell said at the annual league meeting that the cornerback was not involved.
“We got all the information that says he wasn’t involved. That’s what we know, that’s all we know, and that’s really all I can say,” Campbell said, via NBC Sports. “As far as I know it’s not a big deal. It seems like he still wasn’t involved with this.”
Terrion Arnold Faces Serious Allegations
As USA Today reported, the charges against Arnold stem from an alleged theft from an Airbnb that he owned.
“Arnold allegedly began orchestrating his retaliation with others within hours of giving his theft report to the police, according to an investigation cited in the press release from the state attorney’s office,” the report noted.
Police claim that Arnold orchestrated the kidnapping and robbery in retaliation for the alleged theft.
“Arnold is accused of coordinating and directing … codefendants to lure three men to an apartment where the victims were robbed, beaten, and held at gunpoint,” the release from the state attorney’s office said.
- Nathan Dougherty
CODY RHODES EXPLAINS WHY HE REFUSES TO TAKE EXTENDED BREAKS FROM WWE
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| Photo Credit: WWE |
Cody Rhodes has opened up about why he continues to remain a constant presence on WWE television, even as several top stars opt for extended breaks to recover, reset, or pursue projects outside the ring.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the WWE Champion addressed the growing conversation around whether he should step away for a while.
While acknowledging that many people have advised him to take time off, the Undisputed WWE Champion made it clear that he sees his role differently.
Cody Rhodes says WWE needs someone who is always there
Rhodes explained that he has no issue with wrestlers taking breaks and understands the benefits that come with stepping away.
“I think it’s safe to say from the outside, Cody should take a break. It’s been advised across the board, but also… there are guys who do take breaks, and I’m not mad at anyone who takes breaks,” Rhodes said.
He continued by outlining why those absences can be valuable.
“They get to go and get in incredible shape, or do a project, get healthy, whatever the heck it is that they’re doing. They get to do that, and they come back and they’re fresh, and they get that big reaction on the first night. But then it settles back into what it was.”
Rhodes then revealed that advice from Bobby Roode helped shape his mindset toward consistency.
“If others are doing that… well then it’s my job to be the guy who’s always here. Then it’s my job to be the one who doesn’t leave you.”
The comments arrive at a time when CM Punk has undertaken a planned hiatus from WWE programming following his World Heavyweight Championship loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42. During his absence, Punk’s viral body transformation has drawn significant attention ahead of a reported SummerSlam-season return.
Cody Rhodes also acknowledged the downside of always being present.
“And if that means that things can get a bit expected, then that’s still a safe place to be. I need to be the one who’s here all the time until someone else steps into those boots.”
For now, while others recharge on the sidelines, Rhodes appears determined to keep carrying the ball — and the banner — as one of WWE’s most visible stars.
- VISHALBHAWANI
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