After a long absence from WWE, superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson made his much awaited return to the ring on an episode of SmackDown in Denver, Colorado.

Just hours after he appeared on the Pat McAfee Show – live on the campus of the University of Colorado – The Rock showed up at the wrestling promotion where he made his name.

McAfee, who is a commentator with WWE, was in the ring with 2022 United States Champion Austin Theory when The Rock made his sudden entrance.

Johnson has been absent from the ring since October of 2019 – when he appeared on the SmackDown 20th anniversary show.

The Rock was met with massive cheers from the crowd at Ball Arena – who were then treated to a small display of his wrestling capabilities.

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson made his return to the WWE at a SmackDown show in Denver

Johnson brought out some of his old wrestling moves – like the ‘People’s Elbow – in the ring

Later on, he met back up with former WWE ‘rival’ John Cena, who welcomed The Rock ‘home’

With a brief skirmish between The Rock and Theory, Johnson was able to bring out two of his more famous finishing moves: a spine-buster and the infamous ‘People’s Elbow’.

Then, Johnson pointed to McAfee – who had remained in the ring – and instructed him to deliver his own version of the ‘elbow’, still billed as ‘The Most Electrifying Move in All of Sports Entertainment’.

Later on in the show, The Rock stood face-to-face with one of his old WWE ‘rivals’ John Cena – who was set to appear later in the show.

The pair stared each other down before cracking smiles – with Cena saying ‘Welcome home’.

It’s the first time that Johnson wrestled in any capacity since that October 2019 appearance, which came around the time that he announced his retirement from pro wrestling.

It isn’t clear if ‘Rocky’ will be making a return to the WWE or if this was a one-off appearance because he was already in the Centennial State. 

But Johnson’s time in Colorado is not done just yet. He’ll be making an appearance on College GameDay live from the University of Colorado campus in Boulder – just half an hour north of Denver.

The Rock will be appearing on the show as a celebrity ‘guest picker’ to take a crack at selecting the winners of Saturday’s slate of American college football games.

Wrestling legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has teased a possible run for President – but only once his young daughters have grown up.

The wrestling great also revealed on Friday that he was ‘locked in’ to face Roman Reigns at this year’s WrestleMania and is ‘open’ to a return in 2024.

Johnson, now 51, has floated a bid for the White House in the past, with his Young Rock TV shows centered around a 2032 bid for the presidency.

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show this week, The Rock did not rule out a possible run for power in the future, saying: ‘We’ll see.’

‘I don’t know if I’m the right guy or not,’ he explained. ‘I have to tell you: I have been really overwhelmed.

Wrestling legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has teased a possible run for President

The wrestling great also revealed on Friday that he was ‘open’ to a return to the ring in 2024

‘It’s so humbling to have people tell me what they tell me and these polls that come out – there was one last year and 40-43 per cent of people said they’d vote for me as president, which I appreciated – thank you so much!

‘From (having) $7 (to my name) to having that kind of conversation is really incredible. Right now, I am a proud girl dad. I have a seven-year-old (Jasmine), I have a five-year-old (Tiana) and I love being at home, taking them to school, picking them up, making cookies and doing that. 

‘And I just know that if something like that – the presidency – would happen all that goes away and I’ve been there before… in wrestling I was gone all the time and I missed so many years with (his eldest daughter Simone, 22) and it’s heartbreaking. 

‘I don’t want that to happen right now with my girls. Now, my girls will eventually grow up and get older and then, maybe? We’ll see.’   

 The 51-year-old wrestling legend was speaking on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday

‘The Rock headlining WrestleMania with Roman Reigns… that was locked in,’ he said

The Rock announced his retirement from professional wrestling back in 2019 but on Friday, the 51-year suggested he could be back in the ring next year.

He claimed that a headline clash with Roman Reigns was ‘locked in’ for April and that he is open to facing Reigns in Philadephia.

‘The Rock headlining WrestleMania with Roman Reigns at SoFi Stadium – that was locked in,’ he said.

Earlier this week, the WWE’s $21billion merger with the UFC was finally sealed and Johnson explained: ‘We got really close, but we couldn’t figure out what that thing was, so we decided to put our pencils down, and we agreed: “Hey listen, there’s a merger coming up, there’s WrestleMania coming up in Philly, that’ll happen.” I’m saying that is potential too, I’m open.’ 

Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis’s widow has revealed that thieves stole a watch from her nephew’s body after he died last month. 

John’s wife Carol Challis broke the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, that her husband’s ‘friend’ and ‘my nephew Si’ had his belongings stolen after he passed away in July this year. 

She said: ‘Simon’s personal belongings were returned to us today from Germany,at last.

‘Sadly his wristwatch was missing. Disappointing that someone should feel the need to help themselves.

‘God bless these two, my much loved husband and his friend,my nephew Si.’ 

Only Fools and Horses legend John Challis’s (pictured left) widow has revealed that thieves stole a watch from her nephew’s (pictured right) body after he died last month

Carol revealed the news of Simon’s shock death last month, saying; ‘Rest easy Simon and may you forever ride the best waves down in Falmouth’.

She added in another post: ‘Thinking of dear Simon and hoping we can bring him home soon.

‘He was a great skateboarder and especially loved his surfing down in Cornwall and lived life ‘to da max’.What a bloody waste.’

John Challis died in September 2021, aged 79, after a long battle with cancer. 

He was best-known for his portrayal of second-hand car dealer Boycie – a cigar-smoking businessman with a mocking laugh who butted heads with Del Boy – in the beloved British sitcom, starring alongside Sir David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. 

Challis was born in Bristol but when he was one, the family moved to south-east London. 

He attended the state boarding Ottershaw School near Woking, Surrey – and upon leaving school he worked as a trainee estate agent before becoming an actor.

Two decades on and the Wallabies‘ infamous extra-time final loss to England in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final still haunts Mat Rogers.

The dual international has never watched a replay of the game, having no desire to relive Jonny Wilkinson’s painful drop goal with 28 seconds remaining in Australia’s 20-17 loss at Sydney‘s Stadium Australia.

“I know what happened. Not a fond memory, unfortunately,” Rogers told AAP on Tuesday.

It’s little wonder, then, that Rogers would love nothing more than for the Matildas to gain a semblance of revenge for the Wallabies – and an entire nation – over the old enemy on Wednesday night.

The Matildas’ Women’s World Cup semi-final against the Lionesses is unquestionably the biggest sporting contest at the same venue between Australia and England since that fateful November night 20 years ago.

“They probably say they owe us from the Ashes that just happened. But there is nothing better than getting one over the Poms,” said Rogers, who still loses sleep over not playing his own opportunistic role in changing the course of sporting history.

The Matildas have surged into a World Cup semifinal against England and Mat Rogers hopes they win to partially erase the pain of losing the Rugby World Cup to England in 2003

The England Lionesses will present a stern challenge to the Matildas although they have never progressed past the semi-final stage of a World Cup

The Wallabies, including Rogers (second from left) were left shattered in their World Cup final loss to England

The fullback was under captain’s orders from George Gregan to send the clearing kick to the sideline for a lineout, rather than allowing England to counter-attack.

But a crash tackle from England flanker Lewis Moody knocked Rogers off balance.

“I was moving to my left and could only go to the left, which is fine being a left-footer, but it cut my angle down,” Rogers recalled.

“I wasn’t going to be able to get yardage. I remember thinking in that split second ‘should I just reef it straight down the middle of the field and back our defence?’.

“And I didn’t. I thought I’d just stick to the game plan.

“We still defended well off the back of the lineout but (halfback Matt) Dawson threw the dummy, went through the hole and it was all over.

“It was brutal. It still haunts me.”

With Rogers’ 15-year-old daughter Phoenix playing soccer for Gold Coast United in the National Premier League, with aspirations of one day herself being a Matilda, the former Cronulla, Gold Coast, Queensland State of Origin and Australia rugby league star is extra invested in the World Cup.

“I’m not just on the bandwagon. I’m proper into it,” he said.

“We’ve met the players, gone to other games prior to World Cups, had photos with the girls.”

Jonny Wilkinson and Mike Catt of England with the Rugby World Cup is an image still burned into the Wallabies memories from 2003

The Wallabies had a genuine chance of winning the 2003 World Cup after beating New Zealand in the semi-finals but were cruelled by the boot of Wilkinson

He’s a true believer, likening the patriotic fervour for the Matildas to that which the Wallabies enjoyed 20 years ago at their home World Cup.

“There are a lot of parallels,” Rogers said.

“We were sort of the underdogs too.

“We’d been pumped earlier in the season by the All Blacks but as the competition went on and we beat the All Blacks in the semi-finals, people were excited. The country just lit up.”

Rogers can see the irony if the Matildas beat England on penalties to advance to the final.

“Not the nicest way to win,” he said “But if you win that way, you’ll take it.”

An Argentinos Juniors defender suffered a full dislocation of his left knee on Tuesday during a Copa Libertadores match in Buenos Aires.

Luciano Sanchez, 29, suffered the serious injury after a challenge by veteran left-back Marcelo, now playing for Brazil’s Fluminense. His teammates initially believed he had broken his leg, but a medical report published by the club said it was a full dislocation.

The former Real Madrid player was sent off in tears as the Argentinian screamed on the pitch, surrounded by concerned players on both teams. The incident took place in the 56th minute of the match, which finished 1-1.

Local media say doctors at the Sanatorio Finochietto hospital estimated Sanchez’s recovery time between eight and 12 months due to the incident.

‘I lived a very tough moment on the pitch today,’ Marcelo said on social media. ‘With no intention I injured a fellow footballer. I want to wish you the best possible recovery, Luciano Sanchez.’

*GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING* 

Luciano Sanchez badly hurt his knee after Marcelo clattered him in a Copa Libertadores match

Sanchez, who plays for Argentinos Juniors, was stretched off in the round of 16 match Tuesday

Marcelo was sent off following the freak injury at Diego Maradona Stadium in Buenos Aires

The former Real Madrid left-back showed signs of emotional distress as he walked off the pitch

Argentinos Juniors thanked the Brazilian club and the footballer for their concern for Sánchez.

‘We are rivals, not enemies,’ the Argentinian club said.

Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz, who is also Brazil’s national team coach until the middle of next year, said in a press conference that Marcelo did not deserve to be sent off and called the incident ‘an unfortunate event.’

Gabriel Avalos opened the scoring with a volley for the hosts in the 14th minute of the first leg of the round-of-16 match. 

After the game, Marcelo wished Sanchez ‘the best possible recovery’ in an Instagram post

Argentinos later saw its goalkeeper Alexis Martin Arias sent off in the 76th minute, and be replaced by substitute midfielder Luciano Heredia until the end of the match.

Fluminense took advantage of the opportunity and equalized with Samuel Xavier in the 87th minute from long range.

The teams will play again next Tuesday at the Maracana Stadium for a place in the quarterfinals.

Tom Brady is ready to give football a chance.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion has invested in Birmingham City, a 148-year-old soccer team in England’s second division, the EFL Championship.

Neither the size of Brady’s stake nor the price he paid has been revealed publicly. Regardless, Brady will have a roll with the team, applying ‘his extensive leadership experience’ while advising ‘on health, nutrition, wellness, and recovery,’ according to a club statement.

‘So here’s the deal, I’m officially coming on board at Birmingham City Football Club,’ Brady said in a social media video. ‘And maybe you’re asking what do you know about English football, Tom? Well let’s just say I’ve got a lot to learn. But I do know a few things about winning, and I think they may translate pretty well.’

Brady, who celebrates his 46th birthday on Thursday, already owns a minority stake in the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces. He also had plans to buy into the NFL’s Raiders as well, until the league’s new rule blocking equity distribution to employees put that deal in jeopardy. Then last month, he bought a racing boat team with Rafael Nadal and Formula One star Sergio Perez.

NFL icon Tom Brady has become a minority owner of Birmingham City Football Club

The seven-time Super Bowl winner will be Chairman of the Advisory Board at St Andrew’s

Brady’s acquisition comes shortly after American billionaire Tom Wagner became the club’s chairman as part of his ongoing takeover of the club. 

Birmingham City opens its season against Swansea City in Wales on Saturday in the club’s first game as it hopes to return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2010-2011 season. 

And in that sense, Brady’s investment offers upside potential. Whereas London’s Chelsea sold for $5.6 billion last year, Birmingham City went for just $44 million to Wagner’s group. 

Promotion is anything but a given (Birmingham City finished 17th last season) but if the club can ascend to the EPL, Brady will have a much more lucrative asset on his hands. 

‘Tom Brady joining the Birmingham City team is a statement of intent,’ Wagner said in a team statement. ‘We are setting the bar at world class.

‘Tom is both investing and committing his time and extensive expertise. As chair of the advisory board, Tom will have a direct impact on the club. The men’s, women’s, and academy teams are going to benefit from the knowledge.

‘The goal that Tom has committed to own is to make Birmingham City a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness, and recovery across the world of football.’

The 46-year-old has been building his business empire since retiring from the NFL in 2023

Burnley minority investor JJ Watt responded to his old NFL rival on Twitter following the deal

The former Patriots and Buccaneers quarterback joins a number of other American sports stars to invest in English soccer clubs.

Most famously, LeBron James has a minority stake of Liverpool FC, while PGA Tour golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are in the process of buying shares of Leeds United. 

Former NFL player J.J. Watt recently became a minority investor in Burnley, which has just been promoted to the Premier League.

Naturally, Watt was quick to respond to his former rival’s Birmingham City acquisition. 

‘Well well well, what do we have here,’ Watt tweeted. ‘Happy for you, wishing Birmingham all the best and hope to see you in the PL real soon! Up The Clarets!’

New England Patriots legendary wide receiver Julian Edelman has blasted a claim about former teammate Rob Gronkowski‘s partying antics. 

He responded to an article by Fox which quotes former Patriots defensive end Jake Bequette as saying that Gronkowski would ‘pass out on the training tables in the Patriots training room,’ after a late nights out partying. 

Edelman responded to the article with a tweet saying: ‘Story is BS. Everyone wants to paint Gronk as a party animal. When in reality he was one of the most dedicated teammates I had.’

The three-time Super Bowl champion Edelman played 11 seasons and 137 games in New England, compared to the eight games Bequette played during his two seasons with the Patriots. Bequette also recorded no tackles or defensive statistics during his two-year career.

‘We all had these key fobs that gave us 24/7 access to the Patriots facility there in Foxborough, and during the offseason, Gronk would go out all night with his boys in Boston, stay up till 3 or 4 in the morning, whatever it was, and have his crew drop him off at the Patriots facility,’ Bequette said on ‘Prime Time with Alex Stein.’

Julian Edelman has called ‘BS’ on a report in the defense of ex-teammate Rob Gronkowski

Edelman and Gronkowski played in New England together for nine seasons with the Patriots

‘And he would, like, stagger in to the Patriots locker room, key fob in, and go pass out on the training tables in the Patriots training room.

‘So then, like an hour or two later, when the trainers would come in to start their workday, they’d come in there and see Gronk just sprawled out on the training table, just fast asleep. 

‘They would go over there, they wouldn’t wake him up, they would roll up one of his sleeves and, you know, stick an IV in his arm.

The claims were made by former NE backup DE Jake Bequette who played for two seasons

‘After a couple hours, he would just wake up like Frankenstein revived and go out there and just kick ass.’

Gronkowski himself has never shied away from the fact that he enjoys having a good time and even jokingly credited late nights out to aiding his success on the football field.

‘Well, I’m carrying my friends, you know, throughout the bar. I’m holding them up. I’m lifting. I’m curling them,’ he told Jimmy Fallon in January. 

‘They’re on my back, I’m jumping up and down. I’m dancing the whole time. Kind of like Austin Butler. I’m gyrating.’

It’s been 23 years since the Sydney Olympics and pool queen Susie O’Neill hasn’t skipped a beat, with the Aussie legend breaking a world record in the 50m butterfly without even realising it. 

As the eight-time Olympic medallist prepares to celebrate her 50th birthday, she is gearing up to swim at the World Masters tournament in Japan next month alongside her radio co-hosts Ash Bradnam and David ‘Lutsy’ Lutteral and a listener in a mixed relay.

In order to qualify for the event, O’Neill had to post an individual time – and she certainly managed that, racing for the first time since she won gold at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

She popped down to her local pool in Brisbane to do so and proved exactly why she got the ‘Madame Butterfly’ moniker during her decade-long career as one of Australia’s greatest-ever swimmers. 

Qualify she did, setting a 50m butterfly world record (28.95 seconds) in the process in the 50-54 age bracket – and so casual is her greatness, she didn’t even realise! 

Pool queen Susie O’Neill (pictured being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2018) has set yet another world record…and so casual is her greatness she didn’t even realise!

O’Neill, pictured with her gold medal at the Sydney Olympics, has not skipped a beat since retiring – breaking a world record in her first race in 23 years

The swimming legend was at a Brisbane pool to qualify for the World Masters – and did so with flying colours

‘It was weird, I had no idea about the record,’ she told News Corp after successfully qualifying for the World Masters in Fukuoka, Japan next month.

‘I was just swimming for a bit of fun, as part of my 50th birthday celebrations next month.’

Bradnam, Lutteral and listener Kylie, who qualified after their popular radio show Ash, Luttsy and Susie O’Neill conducted a swim-off, will now head to the tournament with a world record holder that will be the envy of every mixed relay team. 

O’Neill said prior to popping down to Chandler Acquatic Centre in her native Brisbane that she ‘didn’t think I’d ever be walking back into this place again for a swim meet!’

But old habits die hard, and after winning 24 gold medals at major world tournaments, O’Neill picked up right where she left off after her win in the 200m freestyle at the Sydney Olympics.

‘It’s my first butterfly race since the 200m butterfly in Sydney. Actually it’s my first comp since the Sydney Olympics,’ said the swimming legend.

‘I didn’t think I’d ever be coming to a swim meet again, and once again it’s affected all my weekend plans.’

Pictured celebrating after winning gold in the 200m freestyle at the Sydney Olympics, O’Neill has clearly lost none of her swimming brilliance

O’Neill will race in the mixed relay alongside radio co-hosts Ash Bradnam (right) and David ‘Lutsy’ Lutteral (left) and listener Kylie (second from right) at the World Masters

The World Aquatics Masters Championships are held just after the world championships in Japan, where Aussie superstars like Kyle Chalmers, Emma McKeon and Ariarne Titmus will be vying for gold against the best in the world.

They could do far worse than to follow the lead of O’Neill, who has always set the example in and outside the pool with brilliant grace, athleticism and good old Aussie competitiveness.

Two Olympic gold medals to go with four silver and two bronze, four world titles, 11 Commonwealth Games golds and a litany of other individual honours, such as being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame as the 34th Legend of Australia Sport. 

And of course she broke one of swimming’s most enduring world records – the 200m butterfly held by Mary Meagher – just prior to her memorable Sydney Olympic gold. 

And nearly a quarter of a century later, she’s still getting it done in the pool.