The big announcement that Stephanie McMahon made to open RAW from Washington D.C. made the main event at WrestleMania a winner take all match for RAW Women’s Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch.
That means that whomever wins the match will claim both the RAW and SmackDown Women’s Championship belts. The Washington D.C. crowd stood firmly behind The Man on Monday as Lynch was the only one of the three who received a positive roar from the crowd upon being announced. Flair and Rousey both got overwhelmingly booed.
Kofi Kingston was recently interviewed by Yahoo! Sports on a number of topics just days away from his WWE Title Match against WWE Champion “The New” Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania. Below are the highlights from the interview:
On feeling like he’s still got a lot of work to do even though he’s in a WWE Championship Match against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35: “It’s pretty unique to have a singles match at WrestleMania, it’s rare to have it for the WWE championship and to have it be supported by the people at such a high level is also rare. I think the fact that I have been doing this for so long, I realize how big it is. I have also been around so long to know that as fast as it went from 0 to 100, it can go from 100 to 0, you just never know what will happen tomorrow. I’m not at that relaxation point yet. We still have a lot of work left to do.”
On Big E. & Xavier Woods’ roles at WrestleMania 35: “I feel like it’s not just about me. I may be at the center of it, but the New Day, our goal has always been to elevate one another. We always are trying to figure out ways where we can make each other look good, make each other more successful. This whole scenario, it speaks volumes for what the New Day has always been and it epitomizes what we’ve been at our core.”
On crediting The WWE fans for his recent main event push: “I had no idea where it was going to go and I think the WWE Universe had a lot to do with where it is right now. If they weren’t behind me, who would have cared. I’m always indebted to them and I’m very grateful that they have supported this wild ride so far.”
On racial undertones in his storyline heading into WrestleMania 35: “We always say that it’s very important to have representation. As a child, one that would be watching the WWE product, I think it’s very important for children to look at the screen and see somebody that looks like them doing incredible things. I am so proud to be a beacon of light for people who look like me.
“They can look to TV — regardless of race — as a human and that it is possible to overcome impossible odds. I take a lot of pride in being the center of all of that and being the representative for all of that. Being able to identify with so many people, I think that’s the reason why this movement has been so powerful. It’s more than just race, or one particular thing. It’s so many different things, so many elements of hope that we’re able to provide.”
You can check out the entire interview of Kofi Kingston at Yahoo.com.
“Terminator” fans, your wait is over! “Dark Fate” hits the big screen this weekend with the return of original cast members Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Also making a big splash this weekend is the Harriet Tubman biopic, “Harriet,” in which Cynthia Erivo plays the titular heroine.
Meanwhile, in the crime-drama “Motherless Brooklyn,” Edward Norton stars as a private eye in search of truth.
Here’s what to see and what to skip this weekend:
Movies Out This Weekend
“Terminator: Dark Fate” — Linda Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mackenzie Davis; directed by Tim Miller
Remember James Cameron’s 1984 sci-fi thriller about a looming apocalypse, a cyborg from the future and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic catchphrase, “I’ll be back.”? Well, they’re all back for another spin in “Dark Fate,” the sixth installment of the “Terminator” franchise. Also returning are the original team members, Linda Hamilton, Schwarzenegger and Cameron (but as a producer), who all get reunited for the sequel 28 years after “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.”
Directed by Tim Miller (who also directed “Deadpool”), the latest film in the saga opens with a sequence set in the 1990s, where “Terminator 2” left off. Then, the narrative focuses on a scene that’s brewing in present-day Mexico, where a menacing, shapeshifting liquid-metal cyborg, Rev-9 (Gabriel Luna), is hunting down a timid factory worker named Dani Ramos (Natalia Reyes).
Enter future soldier Grace (Mackenzie Davis), a technologically advanced human cyborg who travels back to 2019 and becomes Dani’s protector. Soon, Dani and Grace will cross paths with the heroine of the first “Terminator” films, Sarah Connor (Hamilton), who’s been battling Terminators for nearly three decades.
It is only a matter of time before we get to see the return of the original Terminator (Schwarzenegger), now known as Carl, who’s been living a quiet and peaceful life with his family in the countryside, replete with a day job running his own curtains business, Carl’s Drapes.
And you guessed it right! Carl will soon join forces with Sarah.
See it. Simply put, Hamilton and Schwarzenegger are back together for the sequel!
The biopic traces Harriet Tubman’s escape to freedom, as well as her unselfish acts of returning to the Eastern shore multiple times to liberate hundreds of slaves.
It is fall 1849 in Dorchester County, Maryland, and Araminta “Minty” Ross is one of the slaves at the Brodess plantation who is about to be sold to new owners in the South. But the young woman would rather flee or die in the face of her terrible fate. Prompted with conviction, she decides to escape. Her odyssey will test her resolve and fortitude as she treks through 100 miles of wilderness, mostly on foot, with only God and the North Star to guide her!
Related: Check out Patch’s interview with “Harriet” director Kasi Lemmons and producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg
Against all odds, she makes it to the Pennsylvania border. As she walks into her freedom, the clouds part with beams of light glowing around her. Alas! Minty is free. Upon her arrival in Philadelphia, she chooses a new name, and Harriet Tubman is born.
But her newfound freedom will not sit well in her veins, setting in motion her courageous missions to liberate her friends and loved ones. In the end, the freedom fighter’s tenacity, ingenuity and bravery would change the course of history.
See it. With Lemmons’ deft direction and Erivo’s powerful performance, the film is a moving tribute to Tubman’s legacy.
Watch the trailer:
“Motherless Brooklyn” — Edward Norton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw; directed by Edward Norton
A story about power and dispossession, the 1950s-set crime drama is a private-eye mystery based on Jonathan Lethem’s 1999 novel of the same name.
Written, directed and produced by Edward Norton, the film version stars Norton as Lionel Essrog, a private detective living with Tourette syndrome. An orphan, he and his three best buds (Bobby Cannavale, Ethan Suplee and Dallas Roberts) were taken under the wing of Frank Minna (Bruce Willis), who would become their mentor and friend, imparting them with a sense of purpose and responsibility in life. Soon, the four BFFs will be known as the Minna Men, a spurious detective agency and limo service.
Everything is running smoothly in Essrog’s world until one fateful day when Minna is shot and left for dead. The murder will send a chill to Essrog’s core, setting in motion his quest for the truth that would ultimately lead to the killer.
See it. Like the movie classic “Chinatown,” the film is passionate, clever and propulsive — though the 144-minute running time feels somewhat too long.
During last Saturday night’s ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard Event, Enzo & Big Cass invaded the event by jumping the rails and brawling with The Briscoes & Bully Ray. Ring Of Honor seems to have avoided the brawl to make it seem more realistic, but it is likely that the duo will be working with the promotion sometime in the future. After the event went off the air, Enzo took to Twitter and wrote, “Still certified,” and Cass said, “Garden Party #FreeAgentZ.”
Garden Party #FreeAgentZ
— ZXL (@TheCaZXL) April 7, 2019
#StillCertified
— nZo (FKA Enzo Amore) (@real1) April 7, 2019
In the main event of last Saturday night’s ROH/NJPW G1 Supercard PPV, Kazuchika Okada defeated Jay White to become a the new and now five-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. After the match, Okada took a photo with The MSG logo behind him and wrote, “Thank you! See you next time!”
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Thank you!
See you next time! pic.twitter.com/0BUbCKzDYL
— ???ยท???? (@rainmakerXokada) April 7, 2019
WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil will be published by ECW Press on Aug. 6, in partnership with WWE. WWE issued the following:
“There’s No Such Thing as Bad Kid: How I went from Stereotype to Prototype” by WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil will be published by ECW Press on Aug. 6, in partnership with WWE.
“There’s No Such Thing as a Bad Kid” is an inspirational, inside look at O’Neil’s journey from his turbulent childhood years to his current success as an accomplished WWE Superstar, philanthropist and entertainer.
As a child, O’Neil was repeatedly dismissed as a “bad kid,” and by the time he was a teenager, he had internalized those negative labels. He owes his change of outlook on life to an adult that told him, “there is no such thing as a bad kid.” It was then that he began to believe in himself and in his ability to change his story. O’Neil went on to become a high school All-American, student body Vice President at the University of Florida, and the first college graduate in his immediate family.
Being in WWE provides me a global platform to impact lives in a positive way, but it doesn’t take a Superstar to make a difference,” said O’Neil. “This is the story of how one conversation changed my life, how I transformed a personal tragedy into my own triumph, and how we can all challenge ourselves and others to do a little bit better.”
O’Neil’s remarkable personal story will motivate and teach adults how to foster a positive environment and better guide disadvantaged children in a way that will lead to a healthier sense of self worth. The book is also an opportunity to reach a wider audience, with the aim of helping children see their own worth and potential.
Exciting times ahead ??????????????
Titus O’Neil’s new book to be published this August https://t.co/32VFIXHJc0 via @wwe
— Titus O’Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) April 11, 2019
After a short life filled with philanthropic achievements when she rocketed to internet fame, Lil Bub has died. The cat with the small and perpetually stuck-out tongue died peacefully in her sleep Sunday morning after battling a persistent, aggressive bone infection. She was 8 years old.
“Dearest BUB, I will never forget your generosity, your limitless supply of love or your uncanny ability to bring so much magic and joy to the world,” Mike Bridvasky, the Indiana man who rescued the cat, wrote on Instagram. “I am forever honored and humbled that you chose me as your caretaker. Please visit all of us in our dreams.”
Lil Bub was born with feline dwarfism, osteopetrosis and a foreshortened jaw that gave her the petulant look that made her famous. Bridavsky posted photos of his cat on Tumblr after adopting her eight years ago, and she quickly became an internet sensation. Reddit picked up the story of her life a few months later.
Lil Bub landed a role in a documentary, “Lil Bub & Friends,” that also included other feline celebs, Grumpy Cat and Keyboard Cat, and won the Tribeca Online Festival Best Feature award in 2013.
Related: Long Live Grumpy Cat, Dead At Age 7
Although she hobnobbed with celebrities, the cat’s greatest accomplishment was the money she helped raise for disabled and rescued pets as she toured the country with Bridavsky. In 2013, Lil Bub was the spokescat for a spay and neuter program by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. And in 2014, she and Bridavsky launched the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Lil Bub’s Big Fund, “the first national fund for special-needs pets.”
Lil Bub also was the subject of groundbreaking genetic and biological research to help other cats like her. All told, she helped raise more than $700,000 for animals in need, and “spread a message of determination, positivity and perseverance to people all over the world,” Bridavsky wrote.
“And even though my heart is absolutely crushed by her graceful departure from planet Earth, I know that her spirit, magic and overwhelming energy are still with us, reminding us every day to be better,” Bridavsky said.
Lil Bub and Mike Bridavsky met and greeted fans during CatCon 2017 in Pasadena, California. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
Bridavsky wrote in his Instagram post announcing her death that Lil Bub was “cheerful and full of love” Saturday night, but “unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her sleep.” Even knowing of her health difficulties, her death was abrupt and came without warning.
Prior to IMPACT Wrestling’s recent United We Stand Event which took place from The Rahway Rec Center in Rahway, New Jersey, “The Machine” Brian Cage took part in a media Q&A and was asked a bunch of questions including if he would take on RVD somewhere down the line.
Cage said, “RVD’s fantastic.” “I’ve had a couple of ‘What if’ moments that I hoped maybe would happen, but never did obviously. Now it’s more of a possibility so we’ll see what happens.”
At United We Stand, Cage got to work with both The Cruiserweights as well as The Heavyweights. When asked which wrestlers he prefers working with, Cage said, “I prefer to wrestle the X-Division guys because when I started, I wasn’t this size and I wrestled the style as I built my size.” “That’s why I’m able to do stuff that most guys who look like me can’t do. I love working with larger guys that are as athletic and as mobile as me.
Cage continued with, “I would have loved to have a program for the title with Willie Mack. It would have been awesome to see this era’s ‘AJ Styles/Christopher Daniels.’”
Despite receiving a couple of title shots for The IMPACT World Title, Cage has come up short. Cage was then asked about his next opportunity. Cage said, “It’s been a long time coming. I feel like I’m sounding like a broken record wanting the rematch.” “I feel like I should be the champion….It’s time to cash in and have his ass [Johnny Impact] drop me that Impact World Championship.”
Cage is now 15 years in The Pro Wrestling business. Cage was then asked to reflect back on his proudest moments, which includes being able to wrestle his mentor, Chris Kanyon. Cage said, “Someone I wanted to emulate in the ring was Chris Kanyon…I got to work with him in my hometown in my own promotion. That’s one of my proudest moments.” Cage also mentioned that signing with WWE was another proud moment.
Cage then continued with, “I wanted to wrestle since when I was 10 and I guaranteed everyone at the age of 24 I’d be signed to WWE and I got my developmental contract shortly after I turned 24.”
Cage is known for having one of the best physiques in Pro Wrestling today and he talked about how tough it is to work out on the road. Cage said, “It fluctuates because I’m always in a different city, different area. It matters how much sleep I got, how beat up I am,” Cage said of his workouts.
Cage continued with, “I’ve got a video coming out on Saturday working out with C.T. Fletcher. He put me through this hellacious arm workout that’s over 1,900 reps. My arms are destroyed still. Not sore but destroyed – there’s severe trauma still.”
#9 Mavericks Stay Perfect in NSIC Action with Win Over #25 Wolves
MANKATO, Minn. — It was a dominant effort by #9 Minnesota State Friday night at Taylor Center as it sealed a 25-9 dual victory against #25 Northern State.
With the win the Mavericks improve 5-1 record on the season with 3-0 NSIC record, while Northern State drops to 6-4 on the season and now 3-4 in NSIC competition.
It was a tightly contested dual through the first six matches of the evening as teams split to a 9-9 score early on. Freshman Trevor Turriff (184 lbs.) stretched the Maverick lead to 9-3 with a big 9-3 decision over Kaden Campbell. NSU’s Caleb Lefferdink was able to take control early in the sixth match and walked away with a 10-4 decision over freshman Max Villnow (285 lbs.) to knot up the score at 9-9.
MSU’sAndrew McFall (125 lbs.) then obtained a forfeit victory improving the teams score to 15-9. From then on, it was all Mavericks as they went 3-0 in the final three matches including a big major decision victory by senior #1 George Farmah(133 lbs.) over Kenny Jones.
The Guillotine Action Photos
To close out the evening junior Louie Sanders (141 lbs.) had an amazing upset decision victory over #5 Kolton Roth put it the dual out of reach for Wolves. Then to top off a terrific evening of Maverick wrestling, sophomore #7 Kyle Rathman (149 lbs.) had a big 10-3 decision victory over #10 Caden Moore.
Minnesota State returns to the mat this Saturday as the Mavericks take on Southwest Minnesota State at 2pm in Taylor Center.
Minnesota State 25, Northern State 9 157: Daniel Close (MSU) Wins a 7-4 decision vs Walker Carr (NSU) | 3-0 MSU 165: Billy Holton (NSU) wins a 6-3 decision vs Logan Saltou (MSU) | 3-3 174: Zach Johnston (MSU) wins a 9-4 decision vs. Tanner Wiese (NSU) | 6-3 MSU 184: Trevor Turriff (MSU) Wins 9-3 decision vs Kaden Campbell (NSU) | 9-3 MSU 197: Diego Gallegos (NSU) wins a 6-1 decision vs Dylan Butts (MSU) | 9-6 MSU 285: Caleb Lefferdink (NSU) wins a 10-4 decision vs Max Villnow (MSU) | 9-9 125: Andrew McFall (MSU) wins via forfeit | 15-9 133: George Farmah (MSU) wins an 11-3 major decision vs Kenny Jones (NSU) | 19-9 MSU 141: Louie Sanders (MSU) wins an 8-6 decision vs Kolton Roth (NSU) | 22-9 MSU 149: Kyle Rathman (MSU) wins a 10-3 decision vs Caden Moore (NSU) | 25-9
Check out Mavericks Wrestling at msumavericks.com and on Twitter.
At Patch, we’re like everyone else in terms of how much we love our pets. We fret when they’re lost. We rescue them when they’re abandoned or hurt. Sometimes, they teach us. And occasionally, we’re lucky enough to get video of our pets doing things that perfectly encapsulate why they occupy such a special place in our families.
It’s not just companion animals that bring bring comfort and joy to our lives. Patch readers appreciate all kinds of animals.
Here is a sampling of the volume of pet and animal stories you’ll find on Patch’s more than 1,200 hyperlocal community news sites across America:
Therapy Llamas’ Delight Pleasanton High School Students: These easy-to-love creatures helped some students unleash their “llama energy” while celebrating “Love Week” at a California school, via Pleasanton Patch.
What Kids Learn From A Blind And Deaf Dog Named Piglet: Piglet, a pastel pink puppy that can’t see or hear, is opening eyes and ears around the world with messages of kindness, inclusion and acceptance, via Westport Patch.
The blind and deaf pink puppy Piglet weighed about the same as four sticks of butter when veterinarian Dr. Melissa Shapiro agreed to foster him. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Melissa Shapiro)
Video: 2 Tough Old Birds Snare Mountain Lion In Potty: Kathy and Edward Sudduth, 87 and 84, didn’t flinch when they got a quizzical “who me?” look from a mountain lion they found curled up in their bathroom, via Sacramento Patch.
Maggie Sent Home After Burglary Adventure: No one really knows why a loveable bulldog named Maggie went along on burglaries across the country — and was a central figure in a Florida burglary spree — but she’s back home in California, via Sarasota Patch.
Maggie was reunited with her California owner this week following a four-year cross-country adventure that included a burglary spree in Florida. (Photo courtesy of Sarasota Police Department)
Dog Finds Philly Forever Home After Miraculous Series Of Events: A string of random events led a Philadelphia couple to take in a malnourished dog recently, in what could only be described as a miracle, via Philadelphia Patch.
Below are more local Patch stories we think you’ll enjoy.
Must-See Animal Videos
Video: Colorado Bear Caught Stealing Dumpster From Pot ShopVideo: Goat Grabs Broomstick To ‘Help’ Sweep SanctuaryVideos Show Monster Great White Shark On Point Pleasant BeachVideo: Seagull Photobombs Tourist, Steals $21.50 Lobster RollVideo: Dog Fights Off Bear In Back YardVideo: First Gray Whale Of Season ‘Spout-ed’ In South Orange County
Puppy Dog Tales
Beans, The Deaf Surfing Whippet, Rides Final Wave Into RetirementFlorida’s 4-Legged Driver Gets Behind Wheel, Makes Cops DizzyK-9 Charlie Helps Track Down A Missing GirlDogs’ Tail Art Raises Thousands For Shelter PetsDog Adopted After Nearly 3 Years Of Shelter LifeIn Final Act Of Service, Dogs Watched Owner’s Body, Now Have New Homes
Beans, a deaf Whippet and one-time International Surf Dog Championship winner, has retired. (Photo courtesy of City of Monrovia)
Interspecies Friendships
Bear Kept Him Safe, Says Boy, 3, Lost In North Carolina WoodsA Girl And Her Duck Have Formed An Inseparable Interspecies Bond
Lived To Bark, Meow, Bleat, Quack Again
Cat Rescued After Hitching A RideDog Rescued After Jumping Into Swift WaterCat Back Home After Roaming 5 Years From Oregon To New MexicoThrown Out Car Window And Trapped In SUV Engine, Kitty Finds Home200 Goats Flood Issaquah Highlands NeighborhoodShaking’ Caged Dog Rescued From Illinois LakeMama Duck, Ducklings Spared From Freeway Traffic
Mechanic Thomas Sheene cradles a kitten that became trapped in an SUV engine compartment after she was thrown from a moving vehicle. (Photo courtesy of Tire Kingdom)
Beautiful, Wild And Unpredictable
Ants Invade Flight; Newark Passenger Tweets Play-By-PlayBig Bear Makes Himself At Home, Twice, In YardOpossum Bumped From Flight Finally HomeGeorgia Man Likely Breaks State Record For Largest Gator Captured9 Rattlesnakes Found Living In Georgia HomeApril The Giraffe Gives Birth: LivestreamPhotos: Baby Rhino Born At Zoo MiamiBears ‘Carjack’ Barber’s Car In Smoky Mountains VacationSo, A Likely Pregnant Moose Wandered Into A Hospital In Alaska
An alligator Derrick Snelson caught was 14 feet long, likely a Georgia state record. (Photo courtesy of Derrick Snelson)
Old MacDonald’s Farm
Pepper, The Miniature Horse, Dances To ‘Frosty The Snowman’Rescued From Slaughter, Mini Horse Makes Birthday Boy’s DayThis Kid Got Vermont Town’s Goat In First Mayoral Election
Miniature horse Saphira was set for slaughter before being rescued. She helped to save a little boy’s birthday with a surprise visit. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Miner Dyer)