CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Patrick Redford

WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon WWE Network at the 2014 International CES at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on January 8, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees.

Pro Wrestling

WWE Board Reportedly Investigating Vince McMahon Over Secret Misconduct Settlements

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR JUNE 14: Christian Pulisic of the United States reacts during the match between El Salvador and the United States as part of the CONCACAF Nations League at Cuscatlan Stadium on June 14, 2022 in San Salvador, El Salvador. (Photo by Alex Peña/Getty Images)

Soccer

The USMNT Endured Baptism By Mud

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up court against Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Warriors Are One Win Away Thanks To Andrew Wiggins

BANGKOK, THAILAND - MAY 14: A woman poses with a Bitcoin mascot during the Thailand Crypto Expo 2022 on May 14, 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. Cryptocurrency Enthusiasts attend Thailand Crypto Expo 2022, the largest cryptocurrency exposition in Southeast Asia, at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center. Visitors learn about blockchain projects, exchanges, mining, NFT production, and gamefi technology. The exposition comes during a global market crash. (Photo by Lauren DeCicca/Getty Images)

Capital

The Crypto Collapse Gets Worse

Tom Ley

Video Games

Two ‘Elden Ring’ Freaks Reflect On Their Time With The Game Of The Year

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Giri Nathan

Kelsey McKinney

Barry Petchesky

Defector Reads A Book

Holy Sheets! It’s Time To Discuss ‘Lucky Jim’

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 10: San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin speaks during a news conference on May 10, 2022 in San Francisco, California. Boudin announced an arrest made in an international fencing operation out of a boba tea store that was sending goods stolen from cars in San Francisco to other states and countries. He is facing a recall election that will take place on June 7. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Politics

It All Came Together Against Chesa Boudin

Who’s Stroking Out On First?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 05: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the third quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 05, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

That Was A Hell Of A Defensive Performance

Rocker takes the mound for the Tri-City kittycats.

Kumar Rocker Is Finally Back And Throwing Hard As Hell

CARDIFF, WALES - JUNE 05: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Ukraine applauds the fans after their sides defeat during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Wales and Ukraine at Cardiff City Stadium on June 05, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

It Doesn’t Get Much More Heartbreaking Than That

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: (L to R) Kevon Looney #5, Klay Thompson #11, Andrew Wiggins #22, Jordan Poole #3, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors look on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

What The Hell Happened To The Warriors There?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game One of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 02, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The Celtics Sprung A Trap On The Warriors

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 01: Tim Weah #21of the United States celebrates with Antonee Robinson #5 after scoring a first half goal against Morocco at TQL Stadium on June 01, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

I Can’t Wait To See The USMNT Get Meaningfully Tested

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with his teammates and the Eastern Conference Bob Cousy champions trophy after defeating the Miami Heat in Game Seven to win the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 29, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

The Celtics Fought Like Hell For This

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: The Golden State Warriors hold the Western Conference Champion trophy after the 120-110 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 26, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Warriors’ Path Back To The Finals Was Never Guaranteed

Cycling

Moriah Wilson’s Murder Has Scarred The Cycling Scene

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 19: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics reacts after a three point basket during the fourth quarter against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals at FTX Arena on May 19, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

Marcus Smart Makes The Celtics Who They Are

of their game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.

College Football

Jimbo Fisher And Nick Saban Are Sniping Over Who Is Better At Getting Away With Breaking The Rules

PROVO, UT - FEBRUARY 5: Chet Holmgren #34 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs slam dunks the ball against the BYU Cougars during the first half of their game February 5, 2022 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

It’s Just Too Bad Chet Holmgren Will Be Forbidden From Entering An NBA Weight Room

Anjali Ranadive attends the Ruffles NBA All-Star Celebrity Game during the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend at Wolstein Center on February 18, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

Wolf Advocate Now Also G-League Assistant GM

Team Wanty's Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay Hailu celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 10th stage of the Giro d'Italia 2022 cycling race, 196 kilometers between Pescara and Jesi, central Italy, on May 17, 2022.

Biniam Girmay Looks Like A Superstar In The Making

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 15: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks reacts on the bench during the fourth quarter in Game Seven of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on May 15, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Giannis Antetokounmpo Did Everything And It Wasn’t Enough

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 12: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns dribbles the ball against Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first quarter of Game Six of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals at American Airlines Center on May 12, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Chris Paul Is Disappearing At The Worst Time

Former Australian golfer Greg Norman, Chief Executive of LIV Golf, looks on during a press conference for the forthcoming LIV Golf event at The Centurion Club in St Albans, north of London, on May 11, 2022. - Greg Norman said on May 10, 2022, he has been given an extra $2billion (£1.6 billion) in funding from Saudi Arabia to build his breakaway LIV series of 54-hole events into a full league by 2024. (Photo by GLYN KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)