A new WWE Women’s United States Champion has been crowned.

Zelina Vega is the new Women’s United States title holder as she defeated Chelsea Green on SmackDown Friday to end the inaugural reign of the championship. The LWO member had scored non-title victories against Green in recent weeks and was given a shot to compete for the title, and she made the most of the moment in the biggest win of her wrestling career.

After Green’s Secret Hervice was kicked out from ringside, Green was readying for a move when Vega hit the Code Red. She got the pin to win her first WWE singles championship and was emotional as she held up the title.

Green, who was the first winner of the title as she won it at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, has her reign end at 142 days.

Ahead of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony during WrestleMania 41 weekend, Vega told USA TODAY Sports she hoped the Women’s United States Championship was in her future after spending the majority of her career falling just short of gold. She has been with the company for nearly eight years after she was briefly let go by WWE in November 2020.

A former Women’s Tag Team Champion, Vega said she loved that WWE decided to introduce the mid-card championship as it benefited the stacked women’s division.

‘It’s a nice feeling when you have something else to chase, it’s a nice recognition for the other women, giving them other stories that they get to mix it up with in a way that they haven’t before.’ Vega said. ‘I think it’s amazing.’

The Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves will play what could be a pivotal Game 3 in their first-round NBA playoff series on Friday night.

The Timberwolves got off to an ideal start in the series, posting an impressive 117-95 road win that spoiled the Lakers’ home-court advantage. Even with Luka Doncic putting up 37 points, Minnesota dominated the final three quarters to take a series lead, with Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid all scoring over 20 points.

However, the Lakers showed what they’re made of in Game 2, tightening up on defense in a 94-85 victory. The Timberwolves shot 51% from the field in the first meeting, but were held to just 38% in Tuesday’s contest. Doncic went off again, missing a triple-double by just one assist (31 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists).

Here’s how to watch Game 3 of the NBA playoff series between the Timberwolves and Lakers:

1Q: Timberwolves 32, Lakers 26

The Timberwolves trailed after the first quarter in Games 1 and 2.  That trend has ended.

Minnesota made its first six shots and rode an 11-0 run to a 15-7 lead. The Lakers clawed back, pulling within a point. But soon enough the Timberwolves were off and running again.

Jaden McDaniels and Julius Randle led Minnesota with eight points apiece. LeBron James and Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with six points each.

ESPN’s Lisa Salters reported that Luka Doncic has “an upset stomach and low energy.’’ In the first quarter, Doncic was 1-for-6 shooting for two points.

Lakers’ starting five

Rui Hachimura
LeBron James
Jaxson Hayes
Austin Reaves
Luka Doncic

Timberwolves’ starting five

Mike Conley
Anthony Edwards
Jaden McDaniels
Julius Randle
Rudy Gobert

What time is Lakers vs. Timberwolves Friday?

Game 3 of the NBA first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves is set to start at 9:30 p.m. ET at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves NBA playoff game: TV, stream

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
TV: ESPN
Stream: Fubo, ESPN+, YouTube TV

Watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 3 on Fubo

It didn’t take long for the first trade to happen in the first draft (since 2002) that all 32 teams held their own original first-round pick.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a bold move up to No. 2 to select 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, trading up into the spot originally held by the Cleveland Browns. The Browns, meanwhile, received the No. 5 overall selection, which they used on Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. The Browns also received a 2025 second-rounder, a 2025 fourth-rounder, as well as a 2026 first-round pick.

The first round then went 23 selections without a trade, until the New York Giants traded back into Round 1 to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Giants surrendered two 2025 second-day picks and a 2026 third-rounder in order to move up.

➤ Draft tracker: Round 1 | Rounds 2-3 

Here are details for all of the noteworthy trades executed before and during the 2025 NFL Draft:

Jaguars trade up and get back-to-back Round 3 picks

2025 third-round pick (No. 89): Wyatt Milum
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 236)

2025 third-round pick (No. 102)
2025 fifth-round pick (No. 142)

Chiefs swap with Patriots in order to select CB Nohl Williams

2025 third-round pick (No. 85): Nohl Williams

2025 third-round pick (No. 95): Jared Wilson
2026 fourth-round pick

Panthers pounce on Princely Umanmielen

2025 third-round pick (No. 77): Princely Umanmielen

2025 third-round pick (No. 85): Traded to Kansas City Chiefs
2025 fifth-round pick (No. 146)

Lions swoop in for WR Isaac TeSlaa

2025 third-round pick (No. 70): Isaac TeSlaa
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 182)
2026 sixth-round pick

2025 third-round pick (No. 102)
2026 third-round pick
2026 third-round pick

Lions move up three spots for Tate Ratledge; Bills then take RB RJ Harvey

2025 second-round pick (No. 57): Tate Ratledge
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 230)

2025 second-round pick (No. 60): RJ Harvey
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 130)

Panthers trade up to pick DE Nic Scourton

2025 second-round pick (No. 51): Nic Scourton
2025 third-round pick (No. 85): Traded to New England Patriots
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 122)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 208)

2025 second-round pick (No. 57): Traded to Detroit Lions
2025 third-round pick (No. 74): Pat Bryant
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 111)
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 230): Traded to Detroit Lions

Texans trade up to pick lineman, Raiders move down and get Jack Bech

2025 second-round pick (No. 48): Aireontae Ersery

2025 second-round pick (No. 58): Jack Bech
2025 third-round pick (No. 99)

Bills move up for T.J. Sanders; Bears beef up trenches

2025 second-round pick (No. 41): T.J. Sanders
2025 third-round pick (No. 72): Landon Jackson
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 240)

2025 second-round pick (No. 56): Ozzy Trapilo
2025 second-round pick (No. 62): Shermar Turner
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 109)

Dolphins trade up for lineman Jonah Savaiineae

2025 second-round pick (No. 37): Jonah Savaiineae
2025 fifth-round pick (No. 143)

2025 second-round pick (No. 48): Traded to Houston Texans
2025 third-round pick (No. 98)
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 135)

Seahawks move up in Round 2 for combine standout

2025 second-round pick (No. 35): Nick Emmanwori

2025 second-round pick (No. 52): Oluwafemi Oladejo
2025 third-round pick (No. 82): Kevin Winston Jr.

Eagles move up one spot in Round 1 for Jihaad Campbell

2025 first-round pick (No. 31): Jihaad Campbell

2025 first-round pick (No. 32): Josh Simmons
2025 fifth-round pick (No. 164)

Falcons trade up in Round 1 to double-down on defense

2025 first-round pick (No. 26): James Pearce, Jr.
2025 third-round pick (No. 101)

2025 second-round pick (No. 46): Terrance Ferguson
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 242)
2026 first-round pick

Giants trade back into first round for Jaxson Dart

2025 first-round pick (No. 25): Jaxson Dart

2025 second-round pick (No. 34): Jayden Higgins
2025 third-round pick (No. 99): Traded to Las Vegas Raiders
2026 third-round pick

Jaguars trade up with Browns to pick Travis Hunter

2025 first-round pick (No. 2): Travis Hunter
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 104)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 200)

2025 first-round pick (No. 5): Mason Graham
2025 second-round (No. 36): Quinshon Judkins
2025 fourth-round (No. 126)
2026 first-round pick

Browns, Texans swap late-round picks in draft-day trade

2025 fifth-round pick (No. 166)
2027 fifth-round pick

2025 sixth-round pick (No. 179)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 216)
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 255)

Finally a wrap on Panthers and Bears, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams 2023 trade

WR DJ Moore
2023 first-round pick (No. 9): Traded to Philadelphia Eagles
2023 second-round pick (No. 61): Traded to Jacksonville Jaguars
2024 first-round pick (No. 1): Caleb Williams
2025 second-round pick (No. 39): Luther Burden III

2023 first-round pick (No. 1): Bryce Young

Presidents have their fingers on the pulse of everything – world affairs, financial markets, pop culture issues, legislation and yes, even the NFL draft.

Before Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft kicked off, President Donald Trump weighed in on the debate surrounding Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

The president posted on Truth Social in support of the Colorado prospect and son of Deion Sanders, questioning if NFL owners are ‘stupid’ for passing on him.

‘What is wrong with NFL owners, are they STUPID?’ Trump wrote. ‘Deion Sanders was a great college football player, and was even greater in the NFL. He’s also a very good coach, streetwise and smart! Therefore, Shedeur, his quarterback son, has PHENOMENAL GENES, and is all set for Greatness. He should be “picked” IMMEDIATELY by a team that wants to WIN. Good luck Shedeur, and say hello to your wonderful father!’

The takes have been coming fast and furious since the draft began Thursday night. Sanders was previously considered to be in the debate with Cam Ward for the draft’s best quarterback.

When Round 1 ended, Sanders wasn’t even No. 2 after the Pittsburgh Steelers passed on him and the New York Giants selected Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart.

Sanders’ wait extends into Round 2, with the chance he could continue tumbling down the board. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough could come off the board before Sanders.

It remains to be seen what landing spot will emerge for the quarterback, which has become a controversial evaluation in draft circles.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. continues to hold steady in his belief that Sanders is the best quarterback in the class. Others don’t see the allure of what they deem a limited prospect without a high ceiling.

‘We all didn’t expect this, of course, but I feel like with God, anything possible, everything possible,’ Sanders told his draft party on Thursday night. ‘I don’t feel like this happened, you know, for no reason. All of this is, of course, fuel to the fire. Under no circumstances we all know shouldn’t have happened, but we understand we on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We going to be happy regardless. Legendary.’

Time will tell where Sanders ends up, but there aren’t many that can receive a presidential endorsement quite like that. At the very least, he has some fans in high places.

John Cena’s first Undisputed WWE Championship defense will come against a longtime rival.

It will be Cena vs. Randy Orton at WWE Backlash for the title, putting the two future hall of famers in the ring one more time.

After Cena won the title at WrestleMania 41, he detailed his plans to ‘ruin wrestling’ in his final year of in-ring competition at the Raw After WrestleMania. However, he was interrupted by Orton and an RKO.

The two stars faced off on SmackDown as Orton scolded Cena for his change in attitude and said he couldn’t let Cena ruin WWE. Orton then challenged him to a match immediately, but Cena said it will instead be done at Backlash, since it will be held in St. Louis, Orton’s hometown. Cena then attacked Orton, but ‘The Viper’ countered with an RKO.

When is WWE Backlash 2025?

WWE Backlash 2025 takes place Saturday, May 10 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

John Cena-Randy Orton history

The match at Backlash will likely culminate what’s been a near-20 year rivalry between two of WWE’s great. They’ve fought against each other for the WWE title several times in their careers, and are some of the most decorated performers. Cena is now a record 17-time champion, and Orton is a 14-time WWE title holder.

Cena and Orton have faced each other several times in their WWE careers in plenty types of matches, from singles competition to tag team to matches with multiple competitors.

In one-on-matches, Cena and Orton have faced each other 21 times. Cena has the edge with a 13-8 record against Orton in singles matches.

The tag team category has been overwhelming dominated by Cena, as his team’s are 28-6 whenever matching up against Orton and other stars. In matches where there’s been multiple wrestlers, they’ve each won six times.

Former TCU football receiver Jack Bech is off the board, capping off an inspirational few months for the second-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Bech had an incredible senior season, setting career highs in receptions (62), receiving yards (1,034) and touchdowns (nine) for the Horned Frogs. He played his way onto the NFL draft radar and received an invite to the Senior Bowl, where players can show off their skills to a plethora of teams.

Bech played inspired football at the Senior Bowl, after his brother, former Princeton receiver Tiger Bech, was killed in the New Orleans terrorist attack on Jan. 1. He went to the Senior Bowl a few weeks later and crushed the competition, helping him fulfill his dream of being an NFL draft pick. He also dedicated his NFL career to his brother.

Numerous big names across the football world were ecstatic for Bech, as he was an inspiration for many due to his perspective and performance at the Senior Bowl.

Here’s how social media reacted to Bech being drafted by the Raiders on Friday night:

Social media reacts to Jack Bech being drafted by Las Vegas Raiders

Here are the top reactions to Bech being drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday:

It didn’t take long for the first trade to happen in the first draft (since 2002) that all 32 teams held their own original first-round pick.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made a bold move up to No. 2 to select 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, trading up into the spot originally held by the Cleveland Browns. The Browns, meanwhile, received the No. 5 overall selection, which they used on Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. The Browns also received a 2025 second-rounder, a 2025 fourth-rounder, as well as a 2026 first-round pick.

The first round then went 23 selections without a trade, until the New York Giants traded back into Round 1 to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. The Giants surrendered two 2025 second-day picks and a 2026 third-rounder in order to move up.

➤ Draft tracker: Round 1 | Rounds 2-3 

Here are details for all of the noteworthy trades executed before and during the 2025 NFL Draft:

Lions move up three spots in Round 2 for Tate Ratledge

2025 second-round pick (No. 57): Tate Ratledge
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 230)

2025 second-round pick (No. 60)
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 130)

Panthers trade up to pick DE Nic Scourton

2025 second-round pick (No. 51): Nic Scourton
2025 third-round pick (No. 85)
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 122)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 208)

2025 second-round pick (No. 57): Traded to Detroit Lions
2025 third-round pick (No. 74)
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 111)
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 230): Traded to Detroit Lions

Texans trade up to pick lineman as Raiders move down again in Round 2

2025 second-round pick (No. 48): Aireontae Ersery

2025 second-round pick (No. 58)
2025 third-round pick (No. 99)

Bills move in to add defensive lineman T.J. Sanders

2025 second-round pick (No. 41): T.J. Sanders
2025 third-round pick (No. 72)
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 240)

2025 second-round pick (No. 56): Ozzy Trapilo
2025 second-round pick (No. 62)
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 109)

Dolphins trade up for lineman Jonah Savaiineae

2025 second-round pick (No. 37): Jonah Savaiineae
2025 fifth-round pick (No. 143)

2025 second-round pick (No. 48): Traded to Houston Texans
2025 third-round pick (No. 98)
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 135)

Seahawks move up in Round 2 for combine standout

2025 second-round pick (No. 35): Nick Emmanwori

2025 second-round pick (No. 52): Oluwafemi Oladejo
2025 third-round pick (No. 82)

Eagles move up one spot in Round 1 for Jihaad Campbell

2025 first-round pick (No. 31): Jihaad Campbell

2025 first-round pick (No. 32): Josh Simmons
2025 fifth-round pick (No. 164)

Falcons trade up in Round 1 to double-down on defense

2025 first-round pick (No. 26): James Pearce, Jr.
2025 third-round pick (No. 101)

2025 second-round pick (No. 46): Terrance Ferguson
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 242)
2026 first-round pick

Giants trade back into first round for Jaxson Dart

2025 first-round pick (No. 25): Jaxson Dart

2025 second-round pick (No. 34): Jayden Higgins
2025 third-round pick (No. 99)
2026 third-round pick

Jaguars trade up with Browns to pick Travis Hunter

2025 first-round pick (No. 2): Travis Hunter
2025 fourth-round pick (No. 104)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 200)

2025 first-round pick (No. 5): Mason Graham
2025 second-round (No. 36): Quinshon Judkins
2025 fourth-round (No. 126)
2026 first-round pick

Browns, Texans swap late-round picks in draft-day trade

2025 fifth-round pick (No. 166)
2027 fifth-round pick

2025 sixth-round pick (No. 179)
2025 sixth-round pick (No. 216)
2025 seventh-round pick (No. 255)

Finally a wrap on Panthers and Bears, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams 2023 trade

WR DJ Moore
2023 first-round pick (No. 9): Traded to Philadelphia Eagles
2023 second-round pick (No. 61): Traded to Jacksonville Jaguars
2024 first-round pick (No. 1): Caleb Williams
2025 second-round pick (No. 39): Luther Burden III

2023 first-round pick (No. 1): Bryce Young

The document, provided by the university late Friday afternoon April 25 in response to a request from USA TODAY Sports, showed that slightly more than $8 million of Cristobal’s total was categorized as base compensation and $150,000 as bonus and incentive compensation.

This provides the first plain look at Cristobal’s pay as Miami’s coach. The school’s return last year, which covered 2022 calendar-year pay, included amounts connected to the $9 million buyout that Cristobal owed to Oregon for ending his contract with that school. Miami treated that amount as taxable income for Cristobal, but it also paid those taxes. That resulted in Miami reporting Cristobal with $22.7 million in total compensation.

Of that amount, a little less than $7.8 million represented as Cristobal’s basic pay for 2022, Miami athletics director Dan Radakovich confirmed in an interview with USA TODAY Sports last April.

Cristobal’s $8 million in base compensation for the 2023 calendar year likely would have made him the 14th-highest paid football coach in the nation, according to USA TODAY’s annual pay survey for the 2023 season.

For the 2025 season, there are likely 10 football coaches currently set to make at least $10 million in basic annual pay. However, comparing the pay of private-school coaches to that of public-school coaches is difficult because the contracs of private-school employees are not subject to public-records disclosure requirements.

Under IRS rules, while non-profit organizations — including college and universities — make most financial disclosures on a fiscal-year basis, they are required to report employee compensation figures on a calendar-year basis, including the value of all bonuses and benefits. They must use the calendar year completed during the given fiscal year. Miami’s fiscal year covered by the new return ended May 31, 2024, so the 2023 calendar year is used for compensation reporting. A combination of IRS reporting deadlines and the availability of automatic extensions results in a significant time lag in the disclosure of private schools’ pay numbers.

Miami’s new return also showed the 2023 pay for Radakovich and former Hurricanes men’s basketball coach Jim Larranaga.

Radakovich was credited with more than $2.4 million in total pay, including just under $2 million in what the school categorized as base compensation, nearly $287,000 in bonus compensation and an unspecified tax gross-up payment. His base amount for 2023 is nearly identical to the one reported for him for 2022.

Radakovich’s pay likely makes him one of the 10 to 15 highest-paid athletic directors in the nation, according to contracts and tax records obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

Larranaga was credited with just over $3.6 million in total pay, including nearly $3.2 million in base compensation and $250,000 in bonus pay. He resigned as Miami’s coach in late December 2024.

The No. 1 for the No. 1 pick may have sent Cam Ward over the moon.

The Miami Hurricanes product is now a Tennessee Titan, and he’s the next great hope for the Titans to solve their long-standing quarterback conundrum.

As the saying goes: Look good, feel good, play good, and the number on the back of a jersey goes a long way to all that.

When Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon surprised the 2025 No. 1 pick on Friday to give his blessing and allow Ward to wear the previously retired No. 1 Titans jersey, that probably goes a long, long way to ‘feeling good.’

Moon recently said he would consider giving his blessing to give Ward the digit.

‘I’m thinking about it,’ said Moon when asked if he would allow permission to give the number to the Titans passer.

Moon’s No. 1 was retired in 2006, the same year he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He spent 10 years with the then-Houston Oilers, before stints with the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

The 2025 NFL Draft continues on Friday night.