For the fifth annual Forbidden Door, AEW will join forces with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, CMLL and Stardom for a one-night showcase of the four promotions crossing paths at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, on Sunday, June 28.

The show is headlined by the Men's and Women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Finals, with the winner of each match earning a world championship opportunity at All In.

Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland will face off for the first time since Forbidden Door 2024, with a chance to headline Wembley Stadium hanging in the balance. The story being told has centered around the Aerial Assassin, but could AEW shock everyone by taking the rivalry in a different direction? Perhaps not, but these are two of the company's biggest stars, and the match should deliver.

Mercedes Moné and Maya World will also go head-to-head in the women’s final. For World, it would mark the culmination of making the most of an opportunity created when Nixon Newell and Miranda Alize left an AEW Collision taping in the fall of 2025. It would be a major upset if she earned a world title match at All In, but given the magnitude of this show, it would be a major surprise if Moné didn't win the Owen Hart Tournament for the second consecutive year and punch her ticket to Wembley.

Before that, Thekla will defend the AEW Women's World Championship against Stardom's Starlight Kid. It has been a strong title reign for the Toxic Spider, and if she emerges victorious here, her path to All In becomes much clearer.

Additionally, an all-star steel cage match will see members of The Conglomeration, led by Mark Briscoe and joined by Darby Allin, take on MJF and the Don Callis Family. Briscoe has been calling out Long Island's own for weeks in pursuit of an AEW World Championship match, and if his team wins at Forbidden Door, the odds are he'll finally get his opportunity.

These matches, along with others, have been confirmed for Forbidden Door as of June 20. Here's how the card stands:

Updated AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door 2026 Match Card

AEW Continental Championship Match
Jon Moxley (c) vs. Bandido

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Match
Shota Umino (c) vs. PAC

AEW World Tag Team Championship Match
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage (c) vs. David Finlay and Clark Connors

Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final
Mercedes Moné vs. Maya World

Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final
Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland

AEW Women’s World Championship Match
Thekla (c) vs. Starlight Kid

Steel Cage Match
Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly, Konosuke Takeshita and Darby Allin vs. MJF, Kevin Knight, Kyle Fletcher, Jake Doyle, Kazuchika Okada and Andrade El Idolo

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The UFC made a move to part ways with three veterans on the roster on Friday, June 19. Thiago Moises was the biggest name on the list, which also included Ariane Carnelossi. The promotion also snipped bantamweight veteran Cameron Smotherman, who is unfortunately best known for his viral collapse at a weigh-in in January. Let's talk MMA.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Fighter: Cameron "The Baby-Faced Killa" Smotherman, bantamweight
• Age: 28
• Record: 12-7 overall, 1-3 in the UFC
• Why cut: Three straight losses, capped by a May KO to Kai Asakura
• Best known for: Collapsing at the UFC 324 weigh-ins in January

Why Did The UFC Release Cameron Smotherman?

Smotherman is known for the collapse, but that's not why he was cut. Before the collapse, which happened ahead of his scheduled fight with Ricky Turcios, Smotherman had lost back-to-back bouts. The Turcios fight was canceled.

Smotherman returned to the Octagon in May, where he was knocked out in the first round by Kai Asakura. The three-fight skid is what got him cut.

His 1-3 UFC run opened with a decision win before the slide, and in a bantamweight division this deep, three losses in a row is usually the threshold. The UFC regularly moves on from fighters whose results dip, even ones with name recognition. His release surfaced through roster-watch channels rather than a formal announcement.

What Happened At Cameron Smotherman's Weigh-In?

Smotherman passed out seconds after walking off the scale, and it was a scary scene. He later said it wasn't a hard cut, that he came in relatively light, and that the cause was never confirmed. Even so, weight cuts remain the most dangerous aspect of combat sports.

The moment came at the UFC 324 weigh-ins in January, on the night the promotion launched its Paramount broadcast deal. He made 135.5 pounds, then collapsed face-first as officials and medical staff rushed in, and his bout was scrapped. The clip spread across social media within minutes.

What Did The Collapse Say About Weight Cutting?

The collapse should encourage fighters to compete closer to their natural weight, but this issue is not new. Fighters and most athletes are always looking to gain an edge, and rehydration to a bigger size is seen as an edge.

The clip became fresh ammunition for critics of MMA's weight-cut culture, reviving calls for tighter fight-week monitoring, rehydration limits, or additional weight classes. Fans split over who carries the blame, from the fighter and his team to the commission and the promotion. It is a debate the sport keeps having every time a scale moment goes wrong.

What's Next For Cameron Smotherman?

Smotherman's career probably isn't over. I could see him popping up as an opponent for a bigger name early in their career with PFL or MVP MMA. A road back to the UFC will be tough, but he's only 28, so we will see.

At 28, a regional rebuild is a realistic path, and promotions like the PFL often add experienced names to test prospects. A spot on a future MVP MMA card would fit a fighter with his recognition. Whether he climbs back to the UFC may hinge as much on stacking wins as on moving past the weigh-in clip.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The Chicago Cubs entered this season looking to build on a return to the playoffs with an even deeper run. But amid numerous injuries and some poor performances at the plate from key players, the team is struggling to maintain postseason positioning.

Before the season started, a major reason for optimism was the anticipated return of former All-Star left-hander Justin Steele. After missing most of 2025 following elbow surgery, Steele was expected to rejoin the rotation sometime in late spring and potentially provide a significant boost down the stretch.

But recent comments from Cubs leadership suggest the timeline remains uncertain, and the possibility of Steele missing most — or even all — of the remainder of the season cannot be ruled out.

Chicago Cubs Temper Expectations On Justin Steele Return

Earlier this week, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer acknowledged that Steele's recovery process has not gone as smoothly as hoped.

“I’d say (we’re) hopeful. ‘Optimism’ might be strong,” Hoyer said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times’ Vinnie Duber. “He’s had some setbacks. The hope is he can avoid (further) setbacks and help us later in the season.”

Those comments represent a noticeably cautious tone compared to earlier expectations for Steele's return. The left-hander had originally been viewed as a potential midseason reinforcement for a team with postseason aspirations. But now it appears he is just one setback away from missing the entire campaign.

Manager Craig Counsell echoed that concern while discussing the importance of avoiding additional complications.

“He’s got enough runway,” Counsell said, per Duber. “We can’t afford setbacks.”

Those statements combined to highlight a delicate balance facing the organization. While there is still technically time for Steele to contribute in 2026, any delay increases the likelihood that the season could end before he is fully ready to return.

Chicago Cubs Injury Setbacks Alter Original Recovery Timeline For Former All-Star Justin Steele

Steele once appeared to be the Cubs’ franchise ace of the future, but he has had a hard time staying on the mound.

“Steele last pitched in a major-league game on April 7, 2025,” according to The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney. “That month, he underwent season-ending surgery on his left elbow. By spring training, the Cubs were targeting late May or early June for his return to the 2026 rotation.”

Instead, Steele remains sidelined as the calendar moves deeper into the summer.

The former All-Star has been one of the most important pitchers in the Cubs' recent resurgence, establishing himself as a frontline starter before his injury. For now, the Cubs are refusing to shut the door completely on a 2026 return. However, the team seems to be aware that Steele could miss the whole season if he suffers another setback.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The card is set for WWE Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 27. After an especially epic episode of SmackDown from Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, we know every match that will happen in Riyadh. Let's talk wrestling.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Event: WWE Night of Champions 2026 (12th edition)
• Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
• Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Start Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
• U.S. Stream: ESPN streaming service
• International: Netflix (most markets)
• Main Hook: King and Queen of the Ring finals plus an Undisputed WWE Championship triple threat

What Is The Full WWE Night Of Champions 2026 Card?

We saw a Triple Threat match for the WWE championship added in the first segment of SmackDown.

• Undisputed WWE Championship (Triple Threat):Cody Rhodes (c) vs. GUNTHER vs. Sami Zayn
• King of the Ring Final:Oba Femi vs. Jey Uso
• Queen of the Ring Final:IYO SKY vs. Liv Morgan
• United States Championship:Trick Williams (c) vs. Ricky Saints
• Women's United States Championship:Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
• Steel Cage Match:Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker

That makes six matches spanning both brands, with the two tournament finals carrying the heaviest long-term stakes. WWE assembled the lineup almost entirely through tournament progress and television angles over the past few weeks.

What's At Stake In The King And Queen Of The Ring Finals?

A trip to SummerSlam in Minnesota and a title shot is on the line for the winners. Jey Uso will automatically pick Cody Rhodes, or whomever holds the blue brand's title after NOC. Oba Femi will almost certainly choose Roman Reigns.

On the women's side, Liv Morgan is already the Women's World Champion, so she'll go after WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley, if she's healthy. IYO will likely look to run it back against Liv for her title if she wins at NOC.

Both finals reward the winner with a world title shot at SummerSlam, which makes them the most consequential matches on the card. Oba Femi's rapid main-roster ascent has positioned him as a potential first-time world champion, while Jey Uso carries heavy Bloodline storyline weight into the final.

Which Championships Are On The Line In Riyadh?

It's not old school NOC with every title in the company on the line, but there is a good amount of gold up for grabs.

The Undisputed WWE Championship headlines after Sami Zayn's actions turned the Cody Rhodes–GUNTHER Clash in Italy rematch into a three-way for Riyadh. Trick Williams defends the United States Championship against Ricky Saints, who earned the shot by winning a No. 1 contender's match on SmackDown. Tiffany Stratton also defends the Women's United States Championship against Jade Cargill, the first time that title is defended on a premium live event.

How Can You Watch WWE Night Of Champions 2026?

ESPN is the way to watch in the United States. In fact, the promotion is packing the first hour with marquee matches again for this premium live event.

Internationally, the show streams on Netflix in most markets, with SuperSport carrying it in Sub-Saharan Africa and Abema in Japan. It starts at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT from Kingdom Arena, an early bell that North American fans will need to plan around. For the full date, time and location details, the event is set for Saturday, June 27.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Team USA’s women’s gymnasts collected more hardware on Friday at the 2026 Pan American Gymnastics Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The American women came away with gold and silver medals in the all-around final.

After leading Team USA to gold in Wednesday’s team final, 17-year-old Claire Pease claimed individual all-around gold and first-year senior Charleigh Bullock secured silver. Brazil’s Thais Fidelis shared the podium with the American duo, winning bronze in a distant third place.

The result marked the first 1-2 finish for the U.S. women since 2018, when Grace McCallum and Trinity Thomas claimed gold and silver, respectively.

Team USA’s Yul Moldauer claimed bronze in the men’s all-around final later that Friday in Rio, joining his bronze from the men’s team final. Competition is far from over for Moldauer, who qualified for five of seven individual finals.

Women’s All-Around Final Results (Top Five)

1. Claire Pease (United States) 54.498
2. Charleigh Bullock (United States) 54.032
3. Thais Fidelis (Brazil) 52.232
4. Sophia Weisberg (Brazil) 51.365
5. Lia Monica Fontaine (Canada) 51.166

Rio de Janeiro Play-by-Play

The top qualifiers began Friday morning’s competition on the vault, where Pease took an early lead after a strong Yurchenko double full, earning the highest vault score of the day (14.166).

Though Bullock was the highest-scoring American in the qualifying round, she scored just a 13.133 on Friday – a one-point decrease from her team final result.

Though her vault was near-perfect, the rookie balked on her first attempt, incurring a full-point neutral deduction. Per the World Gymnastics (FIG) code, Bullock was allowed a second attempt, which she completed successfully. Without the neutral deduction, Bullock would have scored a 14.133.

Known for her prowess on the uneven bars, Bullock redeemed her qualifying-round mistakes with a massive effort, hitting her difficult connections for a competition-best 14.266. Pease also delivered strong bars work, tallying a 13.666. She will contend for the women’s uneven bars title on Sunday.

On beam, Pease posted the highest score of the day (13.533) while showcasing her trademark elegance. Bullock posted a strong 13.333 just behind Pease, positioning the 15-year-old for more medal potential in Sunday’s event final.

Closing the event on floor, Pease simply needed to perform without major error to claim her first senior international title. While the former U.S. junior champion came up short on her difficult first tumbling pass, she closed her individual all-around effort with a serviceable 13.133 – good enough for gold.

Though Bullock’s floor routine gained nearly two-tenths on Pease in the final rotation, it was not enough to overcome the one-point neutral deduction.

What’s Next for Team USA

Next up, Pease, Bullock, and U.S. teammate Simone Rose will take on the individual event finals this Sunday. Pease will compete on vault, bars, and floor, Bullock on beam and floor, and Rose on vault, bars, and beam.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The Toronto Blue Jays have spent much of the 2026 season searching for answers.

Despite entering the year with postseason expectations and a roster built around one of baseball’s most recognizable stars, the Blue Jays have struggled to find consistency. Injuries, uneven offensive production and an increasingly competitive American League landscape have all contributed to a disappointing start.

Much of the attention, however, has centered on first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The franchise cornerstone signed a massive long-term extension that minted him as the face of the organization for the foreseeable future. But as the season has unfolded, questions about his production have become impossible to ignore.

That conversation reached a new level this week when manager John Schneider publicly addressed suggestions that Guerrero could benefit from being moved down in the lineup.

Toronto Blue Jays Skipper John Schneider Offers Response On ‘Demoting’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr

Guerrero remains one of the club’s most talented hitters, but his power numbers have fallen well below expectations as the team at large struggles to regain its American League pennant winning form.

“It’s hard to look at Guerrero’s stats this year and justify the $500-million U.S. contract that he signed last season,” Dan Bilicki wrote for the Toronto Sun. “He has lacked any sort of power in his bat, having hit just three home runs this season. In fact, he hasn’t gone yard in a month (May 17 against the L.A. Angels) and he has yet to have a home run at Rogers Centre this season.”

Those issues have motivated observers to wonder if moving Guerrero lower into the batting order could help, potentially easing some of the pressure he might feel to produce.

During a recent appearance on Sportsnet 590, Schneider was asked if he felt Guerrero could benefit from being moved down in the lineup as he struggles to put together his typical power numbers at the plate.

“He gets it, he hears what everyone’s saying, he wants to have more slug than what he has right now,” Schneider said in response. “He’s the face of our franchise… He’s too good to kind of try to motivate by demoting him, he’s too good for that.”

Toronto Blue Jays Say Vladimir Guerrero Jr Faces ‘Astronomical Pressure’

While some may think that a simple move down in the order would help ease the pressure on Guerrero, Schneider made it clear that wouldn’t be the case. In fact, he feels that acknowledging the issues with such a move would just add to the discourse about his shortcomings this season.

“The dude lives with astronomical pressure that people don’t understand,” Schneider said during the Sportsnet 950 appearance. “Just his normal day is different than anyone… The less that we can kind of feed into the narrative of Vlad the singles hitter… I don’t want to add anymore fuel to that fire.”

The Blue Jays continue to view Guerrero as the centerpiece of both their present and future. His on-base skills and overall offensive profile remain valuable, even if the home runs have disappeared for much of the season.

More importantly, Toronto appears to believe that confidence and patience offer a better path forward than a lineup shakeup.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Josh Hokit is the unruly class clown of the UFC who won't stop with his antics until his peers stop laughing at his lame jokes.

Hopefully, we're beginning to see the smiles turn upside down. Former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion and current analyst Daniel Cormier took aim at Hokit's recent reckless and disgusting insult of former first lady Michelle Obama during his post-fight interview at the White House.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Who: Daniel Cormier, UFC Hall of Famer and current broadcaster
• What: Publicly condemned Josh Hokit's post-fight insult of Michelle Obama
• Where: UFC Freedom 250, White House South Lawn, June 14, 2026
• The win: Hokit stopped Derrick Lewis by second-round TKO to move to 10-0
• Also on record: UFC CEO Dana White condemned the remark

What Did Daniel Cormier Say About Josh Hokit?

There was a lot, but it can be summed up as follows: this isn't funny anymore. It's disgusting, unnecessary and it's going to cost you more than you'll gain.

On his podcast, Cormier called the comment "gross" and "disgusting" and stressed there was no upside to saying it. He praised the former first lady as "as classy a person as you will ever meet," arguing the jab was an unnecessary shot in a setting that called for unity. His closing message to the heavyweight was blunt: "get it together, dude."

What Did Josh Hokit Say About Michelle Obama?

Hokit targeted Obama saying the former first lady "is a man." No matter if you're a Republican, Democrat or whatever, attempting to insult someone on this level is out of bounds and as Cormier pointed out, it divides people, as if we need any help with that concept.

After the post-fight interview in the Octagon, Hokit doubled down on the insult in another post-fight interview.

The remark overshadowed a milestone night and a finish over Derrick Lewis that should have defined his story on the historic White House card. UFC CEO Dana White quickly condemned the remark, saying he hates that kind of nonsense.

Why Does Cormier's Criticism Carry Weight?

Cormier's criticism carries weight because he's not always the most outspoken person when it comes to these kinds of issues. He is often painted as a company man who plays it very safe with his commentary.

Cormier was dealing with his own X fiasco, but still found Hokit's comments important enough to address. Some might say that's strategic focus switching. No matter the motivation, his points are spot-on.

The "X fiasco" refers to a since-deleted post from Cormier's account showing alleged messages with Eric Trump about "rigged" White House fights, which Cormier says came from a hacked account he had no part in.

Speaking out still carried risk, because he knows Hokit personally and trains with him at his gym. That insider relationship, plus his standing as a two-division champion calling a Freedom 250 broadcast sold as a celebration, is what makes the rebuke land harder than the outside political noise.

What's Next For Josh Hokit?

Hokit is without question the hottest heavyweight prospect in the sport. He has also benefited from the attention his persona-filled mic work has delivered. He's been seemingly taking guidance from Chael Sonnen, someone who masterminded the bad guy role during his fight days, but never stooped to these levels of skullduggery.

As it is, Hokit seems to be lined up for a huge heavyweight clash in his next fight. It's very possible he could face Alex Pereira next in a bout that could lead to a title shot for the winner.

That persona has fueled his rise, but it also fuels the backlash. Pereira, though, is coming off a Round 2 KO loss to Ciryl Gane on that same card, where Gane claimed the interim heavyweight title, so any Hokit matchup reads as a floated callout rather than a booked eliminator.

If Hokit keeps leaning on stunts over substance, the fighting Cormier respects risks becoming the footnote.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The Los Angeles Dodgers attempted to shore up their only real roster weakness from last season by acquiring All-Star closer Edwin Diaz.

Shortly into his tenure with the team, though, Diaz was sidelined with a significant injury. Initially, it seemed like the other relief options were going to fill in for him without much of a problem, but that effectiveness has suddenly been called into question.

Los Angeles Dodgers Relievers Endure Brutal Stretch After Key Injury

“The bullpen entered Sunday with a 6.71 ERA since ending that scoreless streak on May 25,” the Los Angeles Times’ Maddie Lee noted earlier this week. “Only the (San Francisco) Giants and (Colorado) Rockies produced a worse mark over that stretch. None of the Dodgers’ relievers have been dominant in recent games.”

Though the Dodgers should have several high-leverage arms to fill in for Diaz, virtually all of their relief options have struggled lately.

“Tanner Scott has been credited with three saves but also two losses,” Lee added. “Kyle Hurt’s ERA has risen from 0.60 to 4.22. (Jack) Dreyer, who went 10 straight games without giving up a run before landing on the injured list with left shoulder discomfort, has surrendered five home runs in seven appearances since returning on May 31.”

For a club with championship aspirations, every stumble draws scrutiny. And few areas have drawn more criticism than a relief corps that went from one of baseball’s hottest units to one struggling to protect leads and close out games.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Alex Vesia Offers ‘DFA’ Response Amid Struggles

As the Dodgers bullpen sees its fortunes turn, one key piece has now responded to fans’ growing anxiety.

Calls for the team to take some drastic action with its underperforming pitchers evidently irked veteran reliever Alex Vesia, who decided to send a response through the media.

“We clicked off 40-something (scoreless innings) then we had a couple tough ones and online everybody is supposed to get DFAed,” Vesia said on Wednesday, according to The Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett. “We believe in our guys in here. I certainly do. We’re going to have ups and downs but I think it helps us grow so at the end of the day that adversity right now will help us in the postseason.”

Though Vesia made a rational point about ignoring the more drastic solutions proposed by some fans during the stretch, it isn’t too hard to imagine the Dodgers’ three-peat championship aspirations being derailed by a struggling bullpen.

Even with a stellar starting rotation and a lineup of superstar hitters, a World Series can be lost if the Dodgers remain liable to cough up leads in the final innings. And if the team can’t fix its bullpen woes sooner or later, some members might be designated for assignment.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

WWE has caught lightning in a bottle with Chad Gable, but will the company actually capitalize on a golden opportunity?

In early 2025, Gable, whose had his fair share of ridiculous gimmicks in the past, undertook yet another one as “El Grande Americano.” Despite widely being considered one of the world’s best in-ring performers, Gable was left to perform as a faux luchador in a storyline that largely served comedic purposes.

When Gable underwent shoulder surgery in the summer of 2025, he was replaced temporarily by Ludwig Kaiser, who donned the El Grande Americano mask and gimmick. After missing roughly half a year of action, Gable ultimately returned to WWE at the 2026 Royal Rumble, doing so as the “Original El Grande Americano” and igniting a storyline against Kaiser in a “Battle of the Americanos,” if you will.

Little did WWE know that it had struck gold with a gimmick that had been set up to be midcard comedy fodder.

The storyline between the two Americanos, taking place largely on WWE’s satellite lucha libre-focused brand AAA, reached its climax at AAA’s Nocha de Los Grandes earlier this month. That’s when AAA delivered a Mask vs. Mask match between Kaiser and Gable under the “Americano” masks. The match, won by Kaiser, forced Gable to reveal himself as the Original El Grande Americano and was widely and heavily praised by critics across the pro wrestling landscape.

The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer (h/t Cageside Seats) broke the traditional five-star scale and gave the instant classic a whopping 5.75 star, writing, “This was the best AAA match I’ve ever seen, arguably the best WWE match and a top tier match of all-time.” On CageMatch.net (h/t Sports Illustrated), fans instantly rated the match as a 9.67 out of 10, instantly catapulting it into the top 20 all-time.

Now, WWE is finally taking notice of Gable and his potential to be a main event star. According to a report from WrestleVotes Radio (h/t NoDQ), some WWE officials are advocating for Gable to receive a strong push immediately: “There is a strong internal push within WWE to feature Gable in a significant way. There is reportedly support for Gable to have a prominent role at SummerSlam 2026, as the event is scheduled to take place in his hometown of Minneapolis.”

Since Gable’s unmasking as Americano, he has turned babyface on Raw, where he’s been receiving massive crowd reactions after the incredible work he did in the Americano storyline. In addition, the bidding for his Americano mask on Fanatics blew away WWE officials. That seemingly would guarantee a monster push for Gable on WWE’s main roster, but the company’s history suggests that’s far from a sure thing.

Just recently, WWE fans have watched the company drop the ball with stars like LA Knight, Rusev, Drew McIntyre and essentially the entire men’s tag team division, just to name a few. In other words, there’s no such thing as a sure thing for Gable, despite his long-running reputation as an incredible in-ring performer and one of WWE’s most underrated and unappreciated stars.

The key, of course, is to strike while the iron is hot, which hasn’t been WWE’s strong suit in the Triple H-led creative era. Triple H has, oftentimes to the company’s detriment, played the long game with red hot storylines, waiting so long to pull the trigger on a major turn, title change or character development that it doesn’t have the same impact once he finally does.

That could happen with Gable too, but it shouldn’t.

As Gable, realizing his faults as the heel Americano, has been embraced by the same luchadores he once mocked, he’s quickly gotten over as one of WWE’s top fan favorites. What that should lead to is Gable defeating Penta, one of the greatest lucha libre stars of all-time, for the prestigious Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam.

That’s a title Gable should have won two years ago and never did, so it would be a full circle moment if and when he finally captured IC gold. That title has recently been held by the likes of Gunther (who had a record-breaking reign), John Cena, Sami Zayn, Bron Breakker and Uso. It’s not a world title, of course, but it’s a potential stepping stone to bigger and better things for Gable.

The former Americano would instantly be presented as a top-level star if and when he ended Penta’s impressive IC title reign in front of his hometown fans at one of WWE’s flagship PLEs. From there, WWE could continue to portray Gable as a top babyface, elite in-ring worker and main eventer on par with the likes of Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and CM Punk.

That’s a tall task and not necessarily a likely one, but given Gable’s soaring popularity, the least WWE can do is try.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

The Chicago Cubs have spent much of the last decade balancing modernization with preservation around one of baseball’s most recognizable landmarks.

While Wrigley Field has undergone extensive renovations under the ownership of the Ricketts family, the organization has also worked to maintain the historic character that makes the ballpark unique.

That balancing act continued this week as the Cubs pushed forward with another significant change surrounding the stadium. Unlike previous renovations focused on infrastructure or fan amenities, this latest development centers on advertising and it looks like fans will surely notice the changes if and when they are implemented.

“Aldermen approved a Chicago Cubs-backed plan Wednesday to allow three new signs to go up on buildings overlooking iconic Wrigley Field,” Jake Sheridan reported for the Chicago Tribune. “The team will be allowed to add one new sign up to 69 feet tall on North Sheffield Avenue, as well as two new smaller signs on its West Waveland Avenue rooftops.”

Chicago Cubs Fans Set For New Experience At Wrigley Field

The decision marks another step in the Cubs' long-term effort to maximize the value of properties surrounding Wrigley Field.

Since acquiring the franchise in 2009, the Ricketts family has steadily expanded its footprint throughout the Wrigleyville neighborhood. That strategy has included purchasing rooftop properties and neighboring buildings while integrating them more closely into the club's overall business operations.

“During the time the Ricketts family has owned the Cubs, the team has begun purchasing buildings across the street from the ballpark, operating rooftops and erecting advertising across the street from the ballpark,” NBC 5 Chicago noted following the latest advertising approval. “It’s unclear when the new signs will be added, but it is expected the signs will replace banners advertising the Wrigley Field rooftops…”

Chicago Cubs’ Historic Ballpark Presents Unique Advertising Challenges

Unlike many modern stadiums, Wrigley Field presents unique restrictions because of its landmark status.

“The ballpark is a landmarked space, making it difficult to add signs inside the stadium, but the advertisements will be profitable for the team,” Sheridan added. “The team has already fostered an environment with little intrusive advertising and created an open space for fans.”

That special designation limits the organization's ability to add new signage and advertising directly inside the ballpark, making nearby rooftop and building locations particularly valuable.

Though the team has not officially outlined its plans for the new ads, it seems all but certain that Cubs fans can expect a tweaked experience with new promotions visible from their seats in the near future.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com