INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Of all the things that have made John Cena one of the the prominent names in wrestling history, an underrated aspect of him is his honesty. What you see on screen and in the ring is what you get outside of it.

So when John Cena talks about the uncertainty of capturing a 17th WWE championship – which would be the most in company history – he means it. 

When he came out for the first Monday Night Raw on Netflix, back in Southern California where his wrestling career began, fans probably expected him to announce his quest for history and lay out the plans to face some of the biggest names and champions. Instead, Cena wasn’t so sure. He was hopeful, yes – but plenty of doubt rests in his mind. 

He doesn’t see it happening, and his time is almost up.

“I just want to set realistic expectations for everyone,” Cena said. “I will give you everything I got. You got my word, I always have. I’ve always given you everything I have. I just don’t know what that looks like.”

When Cena announced in July he would be ending his wrestling career for good in 2025, the speculation and hope from the WWE universe was that the decorated star would capture the top prize in the company one last time, and by any means necessary. In a time where anyone will make a case that someone is being buried on the roster over a veteran just getting the title because of the name, people want Cena to bury anyone and everyone on a path to No. 17.

The only problem is, Cena shuns any thought of it.

“I know how hard it is to go from the bottom to the middle of the menu to the semi main event to get that spot,” he said. “What I didn’t want to do – in the last time we share some time with each other – is walk in and demand it, because that’s not fair to the current WWE locker room. That’s not fair to the audience, and that feels bad.”

It’s hard to come to grasp with, but it is also refreshing. Cena understands he isn’t the same person that could put in main event performances night in and night out. He is 47 and about to turn 48 just after WrestleMania 41 in April. 

Yes, Cena is just one year older than CM Punk, but he clearly isn’t showing signs of ending his time soon. He’s putting in the work to make a claim for a championship shot and make sure he can continue his run past 2025. Meanwhile, Cena is just trying to make sure his body can hold up for the next 358 days.

Starting the farewell tour in the Los Angeles area is a bit coincidental, since it was less than 10 years ago the city saw something similar. It is very reminiscent of how Kobe Bryant did his last season in the NBA. After giving basketball all he could and becoming one of the game’s and Los Angeles’ greats, Bryant wasn’t chasing a championship to go out on top. That Lakers team actually won only 17 games and finished last in the Western Conference. 

But what that last season of basketball was for Bryant was to just take a moment and appreciate all he did for basketball. He was given tributes and standing ovations in every city he traveled to, and during the grind of that 82-game season, was doing everything he could to make sure he could make it to the end. And did he ever, putting up one last signature performance in his last time lacing up the sneakers.

It’s just about the same when it comes to Cena. As much as it would be sweet to win one more, he doesn’t need to and doesn’t have to. Would his legacy be tainted if he didn’t win gold in his final year of competing? No, the overall consensus about him won’t change.

That’s where most WWE fans are missing the point of this entire run. Cena didn’t have to come back for one last dance; no one would’ve had a problem if he just decided wrestling was in the past. This farewell tour is all about celebrating the accomplishments and moments that helped Cena become the main event of the century, and showing us glimpses that Father Time hasn’t completely caught up to him yet. 

Just like how basketball fans soaked in every last fadeaway jumper, every wrestling fan should take a moment to show appreciation and gratitude in every last Attitude Adjustment and Five-Knuckle Shuffle. It doesn’t need to be done chasing for championship gold for it to be special, it’s already going to be a remarkable ride.

Of course, Cena couldn’t leave the window completely closed. He will be competing in the 2025 men’s Royal Rumble match, which would guarantee him a WrestleMania 41 title shot should he win the match for a third time. The odds are slim, but Cena can’t be counted out. Who knows? Maybe he’ll have an epic final performance just like Bryant.

However, if the Royal Rumble comes and he doesn’t win, that’s OK. If he doesn’t get a shot at Elimination Chamber, that’s OK. And if he doesn’t end WrestleMania with gold in his hands, that’s OK.

It’s remarkable that Cena gave more than two decades of greatness to this form of art. 

“We spent like 23 years together,” Cena said. “This is our last time to get together and make some noise. Whatever comes to that, comes to that.

“I just want to get us together one more time to have a good time.”

There are likely generations of fans that will be emotional seeing the man they grew up with ending his career, and younger ones that are going to marvel at the fact they got to see Cena in their life. No matter how this run ends, it will be one that will be cherished in the lives of WWE fans for as long as they can remember. 

So the time is now. Enjoy every second of it.

Pause for a moment and soak in this absurdity. 

Penn State’s senior All-America tight end is the most – take your pick – intriguing, fascinating, dominating player left in the College Football Playoff. He’s a matchup deficit for every opponent, no matter what defenses throw at him. 

He’s a WWE superstar prancing around his fiefdom, knowing full well no one can touch him. Only there’s nothing fake about this all too real unicorn on the college football stage. 

Or as Boise State coach Spencer Danielson plainly admitted, “The best way to try to negate (Warren) is to affect the quarterback.”

In other words, if you can’t pressure Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, there’s no answer for Warren. Now everyone finally gets to witness this rare player in all his glory, on the sport’s biggest stage Thursday in the CFP Orange Bowl semifinal against Notre Dame.

“I’m glad I’ve got another week with these guys,” Warren said after Penn State’s CFP quarterfinal win over Boise State. ‘I’m trying to play every play like it’s the last one.”

Welcome Notre Dame, to defending the indefensible. Be prepared to fail — like everyone else.

“Obviously a difficult matchup problem,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman says matter-of-factly.

And he’s not overselling it. 

If you haven’t seen Warren before – because who among us didn’t tune out Penn State in early November after yet another loss to Ohio State? – you’re in for a remarkable revelation. 

Like Warren, a former high school quarterback, leaping and scoring from the three — soaring over Illinois defenders and into the end zone while lined up at quarterback. Or doing it again, from the same spot on the field, against Washington. 

Or the 48-yard touchdown run on quarterback power against Purdue, where he hit the edge and got into the second level and ran away from the defense. Not one defender touched him.

Or completing a pass, then catching a throwback pass, for a 40-yard gain against Purdue. On the same play, while lined up at quarterback.

Or playing center – yes, everyone, center – against Southern California and lined up eligible in the formation, snapping the ball and running a streak down the center of the field. He caught the ball in the end zone while flipping over the safety, yet another 50-50 ball where 6-feet-6, 260 pounds has the advantage. 

Because 6-6, 260 always has the advantage. That catch against USC was one of 17 in the game. That’s right, seventeen. 

Warren has had at least six catches in nine of Penn State’s 15 games. He has four 100-yard games, eight touchdowns and is averaging almost 12 yards per catch. He also has four rushing touchdowns while lining up in the backfield.

Now imagine game-planning this rare weapon in the biggest game of the season.  

Boise State tried everything to keep Warren from changing the course of the game, including double teams, rolling coverages, and using ends and linebackers to jam and redirect at the line of scrimmage. Nothing worked when it mattered most, when Boise State couldn’t affect the quarterback on critical plays. 

Two plays – two dagger touchdowns – where Warren’s size and speed took over. Where the unicorn made a play that only he can.

The first came on Penn State’s initial drive of the game, on second-and-long, when Warren had the time to run from the left side of the formation all the way to the right corner of the end zone. Allar threw the ball to a point in the back corner, and Warren outran pass-off zone coverage to go get it.

And deftly tapping his feet inbounds before lumbering out of the end zone. 

Later in the third quarter, after Boise State had closed to 17-14 and had momentum, Warren caught another touchdown pass on third-and-long — this time in man coverage, high-pointing an Allar throw in the back of the end zone over safety Ty Benefield for a gut-punch of a score.

Again, gently getting two feet inbounds and completing the catch before crossing the back line.

Now, the problem for Notre Dame: the Irish are just as limited in coverage of Warren. Like everyone else in college football. 

But Notre Dame has seven sacks in playoff wins over Indiana and Georgia, and despite size limitations (and injuries) on the defensive line, has been able to manufacture pressure and affect the quarterback. 

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke had an elite season, but struggled mightily against the Notre Dame pass rush (and coverage) until the Irish played soft with a 24-point lead. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, making his first career start, played about the same, the Irish constantly harassing and limiting in his impact. 

The plan for Notre Dame is the same as the plan for Boise State: affect the quarterback, and affect Warren’s chances of changing the game.

Needless to say, it doesn’t always work.

“He’s not just a big guy who can run. He’s long and has a rare catch radius, and he can run right over you,” said Boise Sate safety Alexander Tuebner. “He finds ways to make plays no matter how you cover him.”

This is your unicorn, everyone. And it’s darn near impossible to defend the indefensible. 

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

The Los Angeles Chargers are signing running back Ezekiel Elliott, according to multiple reports.

The 29-year-old Elliott was released by the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the team’s regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders. Elliott reportedly requested his release, and it was the second time in three seasons that the Cowboys released the veteran running back.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Elliott was an instant star for the Cowboys after the team selected the Ohio State standout with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He led the NFL in carries and rushing yards in two of his first three seasons. His 322 carries for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns during his rookie season remain career-highs.

As his on-field production dipped, the Cowboys released Elliott after the 2022 season and he was picked up by the New England Patriots. He had 955 total yards and five touchdowns with the Patriots before hitting free agency last offseason and signing a one-year deal to return to the Cowboys. During the 2024 season, Elliott was a backup to Rico Dowdle, who posted a 1,000-yard rushing season. Elliott, meanwhile, had 74 carries for 226 yards. Both numbers were career-lows.

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With running back Gus Edwards sidelined with an ankle injury, the Chargers could elevated Elliott to the active roster as a backup to J.K. Dobbins. The Chargers face the Houston Texans on Saturday in the wild-card round of the NFL playoffs.

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There was no finger-pointing in New England the day after the Patriots fired Jerod Mayo.

“This whole situation is on me,’ owner Robert Kraft said while addressing media Monday. ‘I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation. I know he has all the tools as a head coach to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before taking the job. In the end, I’m a fan of this team first. And now, I have to go out and find a coach who can get us back to the playoffs and hopefully championships.’

The team’s 4-13 record and, mainly, the regression over the season prompted Kraft to make the change. Kraft said the situation evolved and that he went back and forth with the decision over the past month. Kraft’s personal relationship with Mayo, who played for the Patriots and was an assistant coach under Bill Belichick before being named as his successor, made it complicated.

‘I felt guilty I put him in that position,’ Kraft said. ‘But we’re moving on.’

Kraft did not inform Mayo before the team’s 23-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, which dropped them out of contention of the first overall pick in the draft.

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The next head coach will have to continue developing quarterback Drake Maye, the third overall pick in last year’s draft, and would take over a roster with holes across the board.

The Patriots plan on moving fast, Kraft said, in hiring Mayo’s replacement and have already made requests to speak with candidates. Multiple reports said the team asked to speak with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

Mayo lasted one season after Belichick coached the team for 24 seasons and won six Super Bowls.

General manager Eliot Wolf and his staff will stay on, Kraft said.

‘I don’t like losing. I don’t like losing the way we lost,’ he said. ‘Just things were not developing the way we liked. It was time to move on.’

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall missed the first six games of the 2024 NFL season after being shot in the chest in an attempted robbery in August.

He was released from the hospital two days later and made a full recovery. He made his NFL debut in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs and finished his rookie campaign with six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers’ 47-24 loss to Arizona in Week 18.

After the game, Pearsall spoke about his season and forgiving the teenager who shot him in the attempted robbery.

‘I don’t know how he grew up so, I can’t judge him as a man just based off one action that he made,’ Pearsall said. ‘As violent as a crime as it was, God forbid him doing that to somebody else. I don’t ever want that to happen.’

‘For me, just being able to forgive him at the end of the day like, I have to be able to forgive him to have that weight off my chest,’ Pearsall continued. ‘At some point I do want to talk to the kid and make sure that, if I can create an impact on him in any way I think that would be really big. I think I’d be definitely open to doing that, for sure.’

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The suspect in the shooting, identified as a 17-year-old from Tracy, Calif., was charged with attempted murder and two other felonies.

Ricky Pearsall shooting timeline

Here’s a full recap of what happened to Pearsall and his recovery:

Aug. 31, 2024: Pearsall is shot in the chest in an attempted robbery while walking in the Union Square area of San Francisco on his way to an autograph signing event. The 17-year-old shooter was allegedly attempting to steal Pearsall’s watch, and both were shot in the incident.
Sept. 1, 2024: Pearsall is released from San Francisco General Hospital.
Sept. 2, 2024: San Francisco places Pearsall on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Sept. 9, 2024: Pearsall was on the sidelines for the 49ers’ opening game against the New York Jets. During the game, the first responders who helped Pearsall at the scene of the robbery were honored.
Oct. 19, 2024: The 49ers upgrade Pearsall from the reserve/NFI list to the active roster.
Oct. 20, 2024: Pearsall makes his NFL debut against the Kansas City Chiefs. He has three catches for 21 yards on five targets and receives an ovation from the home crowd after his first career reception.

Ricky Pearsall stats

With wideout Brandon Aiyuk sidelined with a season-ending injury, Pearsall took on an increased role in the 49ers’ offense.

Pearsall finished the season with 31 catches for 400 yards and three touchdowns. He was fourth on the team in catches and yards behind George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Deebo Samuel.

He also had three carries for 45 rushing yards.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The next era in WWE has arrived.

WWE started 2025 with one of the biggest shifts in the company’s history, aa its iconic Monday Night Raw made its Netflix debut. On air since 1993, Raw moved to the streaming giant for its first show away from cable, and it is expected to be a monumental night for WWE.

Four matches made up the card, all main event-worthy bouts. CM Punk and Seth Rollins finally put their feud in the ring, the right to wear the ula fala was determined in tribal combat, and the top rivalry in the women’s division entered another chapter with championship gold on the line. That doesn’t even include the many appearances that happen, including an ‘electrifying’ one and the start of the John Cena farewell tour.

Here is a recap of all the highlights and results from the first Monday Night Raw on Netflix.

Watch: Monday Night Raw post show

CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins

With no love lost between these two long-standing rivals, Punk and Rollins got right into it in trying to end the career of each other. They quickly went outside of the ring and tried to throw each other into the announcer’s table and the barricade.

Rollins got into a heated exchange with the referee, and the distraction gave Punk enough time to recover and drop kick his opponent. He then launched him off the top turnbuckle in a move not many would expect Punk to execute these days.

The two stars went back-and-forth, and Rollins even stole a page from Punk’s book with his own Go To Sleep. When Punk tried to do his own, Rollins caught in and landed another one of his opponent’s signature moves. He went for a pin that was unsuccessful. Rollins then had a few pin attempts that fell just short of getting the win. Fed up, Rollins tried to put it away with a vicious curb stomp. He went for another pin, but Punk was able to get his foot on the rope to end the attempt.

Rollins took Punk up the turnbuckle and landed a suplex, but it was countered with a Go To Sleep from Punk. Rollins stumbled and fell right back into the arms of Punk, who landed another Go To Sleep that did it. Punk got the pin and emerges the winner of this one.

Analysis: What a main event put on by some of the best performers to have been part of WWE this century. The clear hate between the two was evident and it made for some solid entertainment.

A case could have been made for either star to win, but Punk emerging on top surely resets Rollins’ positioning in the hierarchy of the company. This will likely send him down another dark path and wanting to seek redemption. On the other hand, Punk still has a stronghold over some bitter rivals. He got the best of Drew McIntyre, and now he has the upper hand on Rollins. It’ll be tough to take him down as he is headed toward a WrestleMania main event match.

Hulk Hogan returns, gets booed

”Hulkamania” is not running wild.

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan came out to greet the crowd, but it didn’t seem to go as well as he thought as the crowd booed him. There was a clear distaste for Hogan, as the crowd only got louder as Hogan spoke.

Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre

Uso wasted no time going after McIntyre, flying out of the ring to strike him before the bell even rang. McIntyre recovered quickly and sent Uso into the steel steps and then into the ring to officially get the action started.

From there it was McIntyre trying to brutally attack the man part of the OG Bloodline. Uso had to play defense and try to counter anything thrown at him, but McIntyre wasn’t letting control get away from him.

McIntyre was able to land a Claymore on Uso and the pin was unsuccessful. That didn’t seem like a problem, as McIntyre went back to work with constant punches and chops. He went for another Claymore, and it didn’t land cause Uso fell. McIntyre gloated about it, but he got caught by surprise. Uso snuck up and rolled away with the victory to stun McIntyre.

Analysis: The frustrations will only continue to grow for McIntyre. Despite being in constant control for much of the match, he got caught letting down and loses.

This will likely only make McIntyre more upset with the OG Bloodline, and he might try to go after Uso once again. Watch your back Uso.

Jey Uso enters with Travis Scott

It was quite the “Yeet” entrance for Jey Uso with rapper Travis Scott, who is behind the new official song for Monday Night Raw, joined him for his entrance. The two made their way down the Intuitive Dome steps and partied with the crowd.

When the pair got to the ring, they made sure to “Yeet” with commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee.

The Undertaker celebrates with Rhea Ripley

The ‘Deadman’ is giving his congratulations to the new Women’s World Champion.

As Ripley made her way back down the ramp, the signature bell ring went off inside the Intuit Dome, turning the lights off and sending the crowd in a frenzy. Then the ‘American Badass’ music played and The Undertaker came out riding his motorcycle. He went around the ring and came back to be right next to Ripley. The two shared a look and raised their arms as the fireworks went off in the arena, signifying of the WWE’s legend approval of Ripley.

Women’s World Championship match: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley

The two heated rivals wasted no time trying to rip each other apart, trying put as much punishment as possible. But as the battled it out, Morgan’s partners in Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez made sure to get their shots in whenever the referee wasn’t looking.

Because of the advantage, Morgan was able to establish some offense and even toyed with Ripley at some points. However Ripley took every shot and it only fueled her in turning the tide. With her dominant height and strength, Ripley threw Morgan around with ease. She landed a Riptide, only for the champion to kick out.

Seeing Morgan slipping, Mysterio and Rodriguez created a distraction that helped Morgan land an Oblivion on the steel chair, something she had done many times before. She went for the pin, but Ripley kicked out. Morgan then paid homage to Eddie Guerrero − or Mysterio − by doing the Three Amigos, the Guerrero shake and a frog splash. But the pin didn’t work after that.

Morgan was upset, and she tried to do another Oblivion, only for Ripley to catch it. She picked Morgan up and landed another Riptide. But one wasn’t good enough; she picked Morgan up for another Riptide and it was enough to put her away and reclaim the championship.

After the match, Mysterio tried to make up with Ripley by offering an embrace, and Ripley not only hit a low blow on her former love, but she hit the Riptide on him to punctuate her victory.

Analysis: ‘Mami’ is back on top. Ripley’s quest to reclaim her gold she never technically lost is finally complete, and she did it in spectacular fashion. The rivalry, even though it’s gotten stale at times, is the top thing in the women’s division, and it needed some change in order to maintain some approval with the fan base.

Ripley starts 2025 with gold around her waist, and it is very likely she’ll head into WrestleMania season with a solid chance to defend that title at WWE’s top event. But she definitely isn’t done dealing with Morgan, and there’s likely a rematch coming up in the near future, perhaps at the Royal Rumble.

John Cena emerges

Let the farewell tour begin.

John Cena came out to start his final year of wrestling, addressing the crowd with another ode to the move to Netflix. He said he couldn’t think of a better place to start the farewell tour than in Los Angeles, and talked about his wrestling roots in the area.

There’s been hope Cena would become a record 17-time WWE champion this year, but he said it’s “never going to happen.” He clarified that he has a better chance to win an Academy Award than win another title, but there are chances he could compete for it.

With a smirk to the crowd, Cena then announced he will enter the 2025 Royal Rumble for the chance to be a No. 1 contender at WrestleMania 41. He then made a strong prediction before signing off.

“I’m going to win the Royal Rumble,” he said.

Tribal combat for the ula fala and title of Tribal Chief: Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa

After locking up to start, Reigns threw Sikoa out of the ring. They locked up again outside, and Sikoa then took advantage, bouncing Reigns’ head off the announcer’s table. 

The momentum shifted once Sikoa brought the weapons out, throwing the steel steps at his opponent and using a chair afterward. After Reigns countered the shots, the competitors continued to go back-and-forth, taking any opportunity to land a brutal shot.

Reigns sent Sikoa through a table and went for the pin, but Tama Tonga came out to stop the referee. Jacob Fatu then emerged and went to work on Reigns, trying to help Sikoa secure the win. He landed a Samoan spike, but Reigns kicked out of the pin. Frustrated, Sikoa then hit the Samoan spike on the referee.

With Reigns outnumbered, Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso came out to neutralize the battle, and then teed off Sikoa. Reigns landed a spear, but there was no referee to count. By the time a new one came out, Sikoa kicked out to continue the mayhem.

Then another shocker: Kevin Owens emerged to take out Reigns, and Cody Rhodes came out to take care of his rival, taking the fight to the crowd.

Then it was Reigns and Sikoa left. The two tried to execute finishers on each other, and it was Reigns who landed the spear. His opponent was down, and Reigns did his war cry before landing another spear. He went for the pin, got it and Reigns is back as the Tribal Chief.

As Paul Heyman was about to put the ula fala on Reigns, The Rock entered. He took the ula fala and placed it on Reigns’ neck and they embraced.

Analysis: It was the same old chaos that happens in Tribal combat, and it ends with the “OTC” on top. It was refreshing to see both sides get right into the action rather than waiting for something to build.

It was expected Sikoa’s sidekicks would come out, but Owens was a surprise. Still, there was enough support for Reigns, and Rhodes coming out showed the two sides have mutual respect.

The battle in The Bloodline is still far from settled, and it will likely head toward WrestleMania. However, Reigns is back on top and ready to retake claim within the WWE, just like many fans have been waiting for.

The Rock appears

People didn’t have to wait long to see The Rock.

The WWE legend was first person to emerge from the entrance ramp, as the Intuit Dome crowd erupted once his music hit the speakers. He came out with the People’s Championship title he was given during WrestleMania 40 weekend, and he gave it to his daughters to hold before going in the ring.

The Rock recalled how tough it was to watch wrestling as a kid, and now it has evolved to being available worldwide. He announced Monday’s event set the record for the largest arena gate in the history of WWE.

But what happened next was a shock. The Rock thanked Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for carrying the company ‘on his back’ the past year. The two were rivals at WrestleMania 40, and The Rock was now gracious to Rhodes, who was in attendance. The two sides acknowledged each other with respect. Later, they shared an embrace that had to stun the WWE crowd.

He then gave credit to Roman Reigns, the ‘original Tribal Chief’ as he is set to take on Solo Sikoa in tribal combat for the right to wear the ula fala. The Rock said he will be watching the result of the match closely.

Triple H kicks off show

The night starts off with WWE chief content officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque revealing the new ring for Monday Night Raw. He told the crowd the entire globe will be able to watch the show now that it is available to watch on Netflix. He did his signature ‘are you ready’ before the crowd erupted.

‘Welcome to the Netflix era,’ he yelled.

Watch: Monday Night Raw cold open

When is Monday Night Raw on Netflix?

The first Monday Night Raw on Netflix is Monday, Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. ET.

Where is Monday Night Raw on Netflix debut?

Monday Night Raw on Netflix will take place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, home of the Los Angeles Clippers. It will be the first wrestling event to take place at the arena since it opened in August 2024.

How to watch Monday Night Raw on Netflix: TV channel, streaming

Monday Night Raw will be available only on Netflix. Viewers will need a Netflix subscription to watch the event, and it’s available at no additional cost. Fans with any Netflix subscription tier will be able to watch.

Monday Night Raw on Netflix match card

Matches not in order

Women’s World Championship match: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Tribal combat for the ula fala and title of Tribal Chief: Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa
CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins
Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre

Who else will be at Monday Night Raw on Netflix debut?

There will be plenty more happening other than the scheduled matches for Monday. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Bianca Belair have been promoted for the show, but it’s unclear how they will take part. Rapper Travis Scott will perform the new Monday Night Raw theme song.

There will be some returns as well, including the arrival of Logan Paul.

Will John Cena return?

The farewell tour stars now as John Cena will kick off the final campaign of his storied wrestling career. The 16-time WWE champion announced in 2024 he would be retiring from in-ring competition in 2025 and plans to compete in several matches this year.

What about The Rock?

Get ready for the return of the ‘most electrifying man in sports entertainment.’ The Rock confirmed he will be part of the show.

‘I’ll come back home to WWE tomorrow night as we make history on Netflix and begin a new and exciting era,’ he said on social media on Sunday. ‘Tomorrow night is dedicated to my grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia, my grandmother, Lia Maivia and my dad, Rocky ‘Soulman’ Johnson and my ancestors who have ALL paved the way.’

It’s unclear how The Rock will be part of the event, but it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to play a role in the tribal combat between Reigns and Sikoa. The last time The Rock appeared in WWE was in October, when he appeared at the end of Bad Blood and stared down Reigns and Sikoa.

Monday Night Raw stage

There’s nothing new inside the Intuit Dome when it comes to the Monday Night Raw stage. It is similar to how WWE has structured its shows which allows for people to sit in the seats behind the entrance ramp.

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The Chicago Bears are one of a handful of teams looking for a head coach this offseason. They’ve already requested to interview multiple candidates, including Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson (offensive) and Aaron Glenn (defensive).

There’s another name in the mix for the Bears job: Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy.

Chicago has requested to interview McCarthy but the Cowboys coach is currently in an exclusive negotiating window with Dallas. They have until Jan. 14 to negotiate a new contract or he will be a free agent.

The Cowboys have not made a decision on whether or not to keep the Super Bowl-winning coach. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones endorsed McCarthy in an interview with 105.7 The Fan ahead of Week 18.

‘Well, I feel good about Mike McCarthy,’ Jones said, per Cowboys.com. ‘The main thing is, I like the job that he’s done, it’s unfortunate we’ve had the year that we’ve had, but I feel good about Mike.’

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The Bears enter the offseason with the reigning No. 1 overall pick — quarterback Caleb Williams — as well as the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft and the fifth-most salary cap space in the league.

Who are the Bears interviewing for head coach?

In addition to Johnson, Glenn and McCarthy, here are the other candidates the Bears have requested to interview for their vacant head coach position:

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken
Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith
New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka

Mike McCarthy contract

McCarthy signed a five-year contract with the Cowboys ahead of the 2020 NFL season. He has not signed an extension since then and his contract will expire on Jan. 14. Dallas has until then to negotiate a new deal.

Mike McCarthy stats

McCarthy has gone 49-35 in five seasons with the Cowboys and 1-3 in the playoffs.

Prior to that, McCarthy went 125-77-2 over 13 years with the Green Bay Packers. He went 10-8 in the playoffs including a run to a Super Bowl championship in the 2010 NFL season.

New York Giants ownership raised a few eyebrows Monday morning with their decision to retain head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen after a dismal 3-14 season.

But in an interview with USA TODAY Sports a few hours after the team’s announcement, former Giants quarterback Eli Manning applauded the move as ‘the right decision.’

‘You’ve got to have that continuity,’ Manning said in an interview to promote Verizon’s Super Bowl FanFest. ‘To change things up has not worked. It has not worked for the Giants these last 10 years of changing every two or three years.

‘I think Brian Daboll has showed that he has won, two years ago in the playoffs. So I think the opportunity for them to go in, they’ve got to figure out the quarterback situation this year, but they have talent. They have guys around that are playing at a high level. It’s just building that great team culture. That just takes time, and I think it’s the right move to give him that time to do that.’

Manning, the former No. 1 overall draft pick, spent the entirety of his 16-year career in New York before retiring after the 2019 season. In his 12 seasons playing for head coach Tom Coughlin, the Giants won two Super Bowl titles and recorded an overall record of 102-90. In the nine seasons since, they’ve cycled through four full-time head coaches and gone 51-96-1.

All things Giants: Latest New York Giants news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Perhaps that’s why Manning, 44, is such a fan of NFL franchises seeking continuity − and why he was disappointed by some of the week’s other big coaching moves, including the New England Patriots’ firing of Jerod Mayo after one season.

‘Just giving a coach one year to try to change things up in New England with Mayo is tough,’ Manning said. ‘Coming off a bad year, you have a brand new quarterback that you take early that’s getting playing time and then you come in and change. One year, it’s hard to, again, create that culture, get the draft picks, develop players, get everybody going and playing the way you want it played.

‘I always kind of have the players and the coaches’ back on this, because none of it is usually deserving. But that’s just the business we’re in. Organizations, owners they want winning teams very quickly and right now.’

Manning spoke to USA TODAY Sports and other media outlets to promote the first-ever FanFest, which will allow fans in the 30 cities with NFL teams to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday from their home team’s stadium. The local events will feature local musicians, food from local restaurants and meet-and-greet opportunity with retired NFL stars like Tiki Barber, Derrick Brooks and Marshall Faulk.

‘I think it’s just an awesome experience for fans … just the opportunity for fans to go to the stadium, go on the fields and watch the Super Bowl, be in an iconic local venue,’ Manning said. ‘Obviously this is a giant Super Bowl party across the country, but it’s also very local.’

Manning said he will be in New Orleans during the week of the Super Bowl − which is when he will also learn whether he has been inducted to the Hall of Fame. (The Hall of Fame class will be announced Feb. 6, before the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.)

Manning is one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Hall and figures to be one of the most hotly-debated candidates for this year’s class. A four-time Pro Bowl honoree and two-time Super Bowl MVP, he ranks 11th all-time in touchdown passes thrown but also 12th in career interceptions.

When asked about the so-called hot takes surrounding his Hall of Fame resume, Manning demurred.

‘I consider an honor just to be included,’ he said. ‘It’s one of those deals where I can’t control it anymore. It’s out of my hands. I can’t throw any more touchdowns, I can’t throw any more interceptions, I can’t have good plays or get any more wins or losses. The information’s out there, the stats are out there and all I can do is sit and wait.’

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on social media @tomschad.bsky.social.