Let’s all strap in and prepare for another edition of Last Week in Las Vegas sports news.
Highlights
- Las Vegas Golden Knights shut out
- Stone Cold Steve Austin’s WrestleMania 41 update
- Looking at the Raiders free agency signings last week
- The future of the Las Vegas Grand Prix uncertain due to contract renewal
- Penzoil 400 results at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Raheem Mostert brings enormous energy to the Raiders ground game
#6 Las Vegas Golden Knights reeling after 3-0 shutout
Key Point: Golden Knights are sputtering down the stretch
The Las Vegas Golden Knights got embarrassed by the Detroit Red Wings Sunday afternoon in a brutal 3-0 shutout. Las Vegas and Detroit kept the score even at zero in the first period, but the Red Wings eventually zipped one past Ilya Samsonov for a 1-0 lead. Everything got worse in the final period, where Samsonov allowed two more goals by the Redwings to complete the shutout.
This loss comes only one day after their 4-3 overtime loss to the Buffalo Sabres, giving the Golden Knights a two-game losing streak. They are now 29-20-8 this season and still first in the Pacific division.
#5 WWE legend claims he’ll be at WrestleMania 41
Key point: Stone Cold Steve Austin might be coming to Las Vegas to raise hell
WrestleMania 41 is shaping up to be a big show, and everyone’s coming. WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin might even be attending to serve up some justice! This is supposedly due to Cena turning heel and aligning himself with the Rock. The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin are longtime rivals, meaning Austin might want to even the odds.
Now Stone Cold Steve is claiming that he will be in Las Vegas for appearances. This means he will be in the area on the weekend of the big show and might help Cody Rhodes keep his title. He teased the appearance during a podcast episode.
“Well I have some appearances, I will be in town,” Steve Austin said on the Unlikely podcast last week. “I haven’t talked to WWE or anything like that, but you know, I’ll be around.”
#4 Breaking down last week’s Las Vegas Raiders transactions
Key point: Las Vegas Raiders make big moves in free agency
The Las Vegas Raiders are making headlines with their moves in free agency. Things started when the Raiders signed Malcolm Koonce to a one-year deal worth $12 million. Las Vegas also released Gardner Minshew for failing a physical. He later ended up with the Kansas City Chiefs as Patrick Mahomes’ backup.
Adam Butler is another big winner after signing a three-year, $16.5 million deal with the Raiders last week. Then there is Andre James, who was unceremoniously cut last week. The Raiders finished the wild week by signing Jeremy Chinn at safety, Lonnie Johnson Jr. at safety, and CB Eric Stokes.
This is shaping up to be a whole new team, and it will be interesting to see if it will lead to on-field results.
#3 Las Vegas GP President is hopeful about the future of the Las Vegas Grand Prix
Key point: The Las Vegas Grand Prix may be in jeopardy
There’s nothing like sports in Las Vegas. That’s also true for Formula One’s annual Las Vegas Grand Prix in November. The inaugural event happened in 2023 and has become a staple of the city sports scene. The event reportedly brought in $934 million in revenue last year, including $15 million for schools.
However, there is a chance that F1 racing will no longer be held in Las Vegas after 2025. The contract is pending renewal right now, with the ball in Formula One’s court.
“As with everything, contracts come to an end. However, with all of the different stakeholders in Vegas, we are going through a renewal process, so we’re feeling very comfortable that the race will continue,” said Emily Prazer, the president of the Las Vegas GP.
#2 Josh Berry bursts through for first Cup Series win at Las Vegas
Key point: Josh Berry wins action-packed Penzoil 400
Last week, the NASCAR Cup Series came to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the annual Penzoil 400. This 267-lap race around the 1.5-mile speedway was must-watch television and featured some of the best action all season. One example is Las Vegas native Kyle Busch, whose tire went down on a late restart, which sent his car into the wall. He ultimately finished 33rd in front of his hometown.
Everything capped off with Josh Berry outrunning Daniel Saurez and winning for the first time in the Cup Series. Saurez came home second, Ryan Preece crossed the line third, William Byron in fourth, and Ross Chastain rounded out the top five.
“We just battled and battled, and man, it was our day,” Berry told Fox Sports. “We battled with Daniel there, and whoever was going to get out front was going to get it.”
#1 Raheem Mostert signs with the Las Vegas Raiders for 2025
Key point: Las Vegas Raiders make significant upgrade at running back
Raheem Mostert, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, is now a Las Vegas Raider after signing a one-year deal with the team. The move comes after Mostert’s worst season, where he finished with just 278 yards and two touchdowns.
These numbers look terrible, but they come with caveats. One is the Dolphins’ season was marred by Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion injury. This put much more focus on the run game and exposed their running schemes. The second caveat is that Mostert admitted to not being 100% due to injuries in 2024.
Mostert is still a beast, and he can grow with the Raiders. He has explosive speed and size that makes him difficult to bring down.
