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Last Week in Las Vegas Sports (Jan 6 – 12)

Get ready! It’s time for last week in Las Vegas sports (Jan 6 – 12).

Highlights

  • Major title match being considered for WrestleMania 41 
  • Las Vegas Raiders  looking towards a dark horse in the 2025 draft
  • Speculation about Kelsey Plum’s future with the Aces 
  • Las Vegas Raiders fire Antonio Pierce 

#4 WWE discusses wild match for WrestleMania 41 

Main point: Logan Paul versus Gunther could be reality

WWE always makes their wildest decisions during Wrestlemania season. The rumor mill claims that WWE World Heavyweight champion Gunther might face YouTube personality Logan Paul.

It’s unknown whether WWE plans to involve Gunther’s title or if he is set to lose the title before WrestleMania 41. Either way, the match would be a major draw.

According to reports, “WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther is being discussed to face off against Logan Paul, who coincidentally just moved to the Raw roster… Whether the match materializes or whether WWE goes off in a different direction remains to be seen.”

#3 Las Vegas Raiders predicted to make wild decision in 2025 draft

Main point: Las Vegas Raiders might take a big swing this offseason

The Las Vegas Raiders are in rebuild mode, and that includes looking for a new quarterback. This is terrible news for Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, and Desmond Ridder. There are even rumors that the Raiders will look at several play-caller options this offseason.

Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins are the rumored frontrunners for the starting spot, but there might be a chance to grab someone in the draft. The Raiders are already out of the running for the two top quarterbacks, though, leaving them with few options. One insider believes, however, that an overlooked quarterback could be the Raiders’ next answer.

“The other quarterback I just want to throw into this discussion [at pick six to the Raiders]. We’ve thrown all these other guys out there. I think a guy who’s going to be one of the more underrated guys — he had a heck of a bowl game — I’m going Jaxson Dart. Jaxson Dart,” Mel Kiper of ESPN said

#2 Kelsey Plum’s future looks very uncertain in free agency 

Main point: Kelsey Plum may not be a member of the Las Vegas Aces in 2025

Kelsey Plum is a key player for the Las Vegas Aces, and losing her is a worst-case scenario. However, this worst-case scenario could soon become a reality now that she is an unrestricted free agent. She is also the only member of the Las Vegas Big Three who has not signed an extension with the team. She now enters free agency for the first time in years as one of the best WNBA players in the league.

Las Vegas Aces, Las Vegas Aces rumors, Kelsey Plum, WNBA,
Source. FIBA3x3 – The 3×3 Basketball Channel

The move has led to speculation about what will happen next for Plum and what the Aces will do without her. They already lost their bid for a three-peat in 2024, which might influence her decision. 

“I’m closely watching what happens with Kelsey Plum,” says ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. “Las Vegas Aces fans haven’t had to stress about free agency in recent years since the team’s core four always signed contract extensions before they hit the market. But Plum didn’t do that for 2025. There has already been so much turnover in Las Vegas, with the departures of Becky Hammon’s assistants Natalie Nakase” (to Golden State) and Tyler Marsh (to Chicago).” 

#1 Las Vegas Raiders go on a firing spree

Main point: The Las Vegas Raiders fire Antonio Pierce and many more

The Las Vegas Raiders have wasted no time cleaning house after their disastrous 4-13 season under head coach Antonio Pierce. Las Vegas has now given Pierce and General Manager Tom Telesco the axe. The firings mark the third time in three years that the Raiders fired their head coach and general manager at the end of a season. Now, attention is turning to who the next head coach will be, and there are a lot of rumblings.

Las Vegas Raiders Las Vegas Raiders head coach, Antonio Pierce Las Vegas Raiders firing,
Source. Las Vegas Raiders

One possible answer is Tom Brady’s former coach, Bill Belichick, who just signed a coaching deal with the North Carolina Tar heels last year. Unfortunately, this scenario isn’t gaining much traction, and the Patriots’ hiring of Mike Vrabel only complicates things. However, some are now linking the Raiders to none other than Pete Carroll.

According to an insider’s post on X, “As I’ve been reporting, Pete Carroll is the name to keep an eye on for the Raiders. Long way to go, but he makes so much sense. He’ll interview next week.”

Another name that has reportedly already been interviewed for the position is Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, according to Ian Rappaport of NFL Network.  

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