From Beda to UP: James Payosing brings premium spark to UAAP

Kevin Owens made an unforgettable return to WWE after spending more than a year away from in-ring competition, defeating Sami Zayn, Finn Bálor and Gunther in a thrilling Fatal Four-Way match at SummerSlam 2026 Night Two. The victory marked a major milestone for the former Universal Champion, who had been sidelined since April 2025 due to a severe neck injury. The injury forced Owens to pull out of a scheduled WrestleMania showdown against Randy Orton and raised concerns about his wrestling future. After undergoing successful neck fusion surgery in July 2025, Owens spent over a year recovering and rehabilitating before finally receiving medical clearance to return to action. His comeback at Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium was kept completely under wraps, making it one of the biggest surprises of WWE’s biggest event of the summer. The match was originally announced as a one-on-one number-one contender’s contest between longtime rivals Sami Zayn and Finn Bálor. However, moments before the bout began, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis appeared on stage and announced that Gunther would also be entering the match, turning it into a Triple Threat contest. Just when fans thought the surprises were over, Kevin Owens’ entrance music suddenly blasted through the arena. The packed crowd erupted with excitement as Aldis revealed Owens as the fourth competitor, officially transforming the contest into a Fatal Four-Way match. The encounter quickly developed into one of the most exciting matches of the night. Each competitor had moments of dominance, delivering hard-hitting offense and producing several dramatic near falls that kept the audience guessing until the very end. Gunther looked poised to secure the victory after delivering a thunderous powerbomb to Finn Bálor. Before he could capitalize, Sami Zayn fought back with a trademark Exploder Suplex into the corner, shifting the momentum once again and bringing himself back into contention. Owens patiently waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. As the action reached its climax, he stunned Gunther with his signature Stunner before immediately turning his attention to Zayn, his longtime friend and former tag-team partner. Owens delivered another devastating Stunner, leaving Zayn unable to recover. Without hesitation, Owens covered Zayn for the decisive three-count, completing a remarkable comeback in his very first match after returning from injury. The emotional victory not only showcased Owens’ resilience but also proved that he remains a top contender despite his lengthy absence from WWE programming. Fans celebrated his successful return, with many calling it one of the most memorable moments of SummerSlam 2026. By winning the Fatal Four-Way contest, Owens also secured a guaranteed future WWE Championship opportunity against reigning champion CM Punk. The result immediately sets up a highly anticipated title clash between two of WWE’s biggest stars, adding another blockbuster rivalry to the company’s championship picture. After overcoming a career-threatening injury and an extended recovery period, Kevin Owens has officially announced his return to the top of WWE, and his impressive SummerSlam performance suggests that his journey back to championship gold may only be beginning.

LONDON: New Zealand batter Tim Seifert produced a sensational display of power hitting as Manchester Super Giants chased down 159 against Trent Rockets to win their maiden men’s Hundred title by five wickets at Lord’s on Sunday. Seifert’s explosive 72 off just 38 balls transformed the chase and put Manchester in control before Liam Dawson held his nerve during a dramatic final over to complete a memorable victory. The Super Giants appeared to be cruising before the Rockets launched a late fightback. With Manchester needing only three runs from the final nine balls, Mohammad Amir struck twice in successive deliveries, removing Heinrich Klaasen and Michael Bracewell. Ben Sanderson then delivered two consecutive dot balls, leaving Manchester needing three runs from three deliveries. Dawson responded in emphatic fashion. The experienced batter launched the next delivery over the mid-wicket boundary for six, sealing victory with two balls still remaining and sparking celebrations among the Manchester camp. Earlier, Seifert had almost single-handedly shifted the momentum of the final. The right-hander attacked the Rockets’ bowling from the outset, smashing seven sixes and four fours in a breathtaking innings. The Rockets briefly thought they had removed the danger man when Seifert was on 33. Finn Allen produced a spectacular effort near the boundary, but the catch was ruled out after Allen’s foot touched the rope before he completed the attempt. Seifert continued his assault and eventually equalled Will Jacks’ record for the highest individual score in a men’s Hundred final. His performance capped an outstanding tournament. Seifert finished as the competition’s second-highest run-scorer, behind Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, accumulating 394 runs at an average just below 50. For Manchester Super Giants, the triumph ended years of frustration. The Old Trafford-based franchise, previously known as Manchester Originals, had reached two men’s finals before Sunday but failed to lift the trophy, including a defeat by Trent Rockets in 2022. The Rockets, meanwhile, were left to rue a missed opportunity after topping the men’s table and earning a direct place in the final. They had also hoped to make history by becoming the first franchise to win both the men’s and women’s Hundred titles in the same season. Instead, it was Manchester’s night at Lord’s, with Seifert’s extraordinary hitting and Dawson’s cool finish delivering the franchise its long-awaited first men’s Hundred crown.

The Abu Dhabi T10 League is preparing for a major transformation as it heads towards its 10th season, with new ownership and stronger institutional oversight expected to reshape the tournament following a series of controversies. The league, launched in 2017 as the world’s first major T10 cricket competition, has attracted international players and significant attention for its fast-paced format. However, allegations and investigations linked to corruption, payment disputes involving players and frequent changes in franchise ownership have affected its reputation in recent years. In response to these challenges, the Abu Dhabi government has taken a more direct role in the competition. Through the Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub, the government has acquired a majority stake in the league, a move aimed at bringing greater stability and long-term planning to the tournament. The authorities are now seeking new franchise owners through a competitive bidding process being conducted under the supervision of Deloitte. Final offers are expected to be submitted later this week, potentially marking a new chapter for the league. Abu Dhabi Sports Council chief executive Matt Boucher said the focus is on creating institutional stability and establishing longer-term agreements with franchise owners. The move is expected to provide teams with greater certainty while helping the competition strengthen its commercial and sporting foundations. Despite the planned restructuring, officials have indicated that the league will retain its current eight-team format. There are no immediate plans to increase the number of franchises, while expansion over the next three years is also not considered a priority. With fresh ownership, tighter management and a focus on stability, the Abu Dhabi T10 League now hopes to rebuild its credibility and establish itself as a sustainable annual cricket competition in the region.

KOLKATA: Indian wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel has been arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with a case involving allegations of rape and other sexual offences, with a court remanding the 23-year-old cricketer to three days of police custody. Porel was arrested on Monday night and produced before the High Court the following day. The development comes as police investigate allegations made against the emerging cricketer. The allegations have not been proven in court. The case was filed on June 23. During an earlier hearing on July 14, the court was informed that police needed to take further steps to seize electronic devices allegedly linked to the accused. According to court proceedings, investigators were seeking the devices because they allegedly contained obscene photographs of the complainant. The court directed police authorities to continue efforts to apprehend the individuals concerned and seize the devices to prevent the alleged material from being circulated. During the August 11 hearing, the court was informed through a message from the officer in charge of Mogra Police Station that one of the respondents had been arrested on the night of August 11. Police subsequently sought additional time to complete the required legal and investigative procedures. Porel, who bats left-handed and keeps wicket, has emerged as one of India’s promising young domestic cricketers. He has represented Bengal and has played 32 first-class matches, while also featuring in 35 Indian Premier League games. His most recent competitive cricket came during the 2026 IPL season, when he appeared in four matches for Delhi Capitals before the tournament concluded. The arrest is likely to draw significant attention because of Porel’s growing profile in Indian cricket. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings, and no conclusion about his guilt can be drawn from the arrest alone. The police investigation is expected to focus on the allegations, the electronic evidence mentioned in court and statements from those involved in the case.