The Inquisitr - News


Murdaugh Murders Update: Evidence Ties Alex Murdaugh To Crime

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 06:57 PM PST

A new revelation in the "Murdaugh Murder" case has sent shockwaves within the investigation that has been ongoing since Labor Day 2021. More than seven months since the initial deaths, reports state that substantial evidence has been found that ties the disgraced lawyer to the murders of his wife and son.

The case has shocked the world not only for the gruesome murder of Paul Murdaugh and Maggie Murdaugh, but for the continuing developments of Alex Murdaugh's criminal case and fall from grace. The Murdaugh family were well known in their community, and the shocking murders instantly caught the attention of law enforcement and true crime fanatics.

New Physical Evidence

Sources close to the investigation state that forensic evidence has tied the Murdaugh father to the crime, according to FITSNews. Murdaugh is currently facing multiple other charges, including stealing millions of dollars from his powerful family's law firm.

Murdaugh has been the primary suspect since investigations began, with no other persons of interest being identified by law enforcement.

As of now, Murdaugh faces a substantial 51 charges against him, including include money laundering, theft, forgery, fraud and involvement in the now famous Labor Day shooting.

FITSNews also reports that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, also known as SLED, are making movements towards an arrest of Murdaugh. The agency is currently in charge of a number of the ongoing cases surrounding Murdaugh.

The Murdaugh Family: A Recap

Many across the world would have been unware of the large Murdaugh family until the Labor Day shooting of 2021. However, the case quickly gained the family worldwide notoriety.

Though now infamous globally, the Murdaugh family have been well-known in their local community for generations.

The wealthy Murdaughs gained prominence due to their law firm that goes back to Alex Murdaugh's great-grandfather. Each subsequent son has worked at the firm as solicitors and have covered multiple counties for close to a century.

Alex Murdaugh's Downfall

Almost immediately after the tragic shooting, a spokesperson for the Murdaughs stated that Alex Murdaugh was entering rehab for a drug addiction and that he was resigning from the family firm. His license to practice law was revoked during the same week.

The law firm started by his relatives has since be renamed in an effort to distance from Murdaugh, and is currently seeking legal action against him.

Coverage in December of 2021 showed that Murdaugh was facing 21 charges against him.

A Family Tied Up In Death?

The news of physical evidence comes at the same time as Murdaugh is facing other charges, including hiring a hit man to shoot him in the head in the effort for his living son to receive life insurance payments.

Murdaugh is also facing charges related to stealing funds from a deceased housekeeper in 2018. Gloria Satterfield was the family housekeeper and nanny, and was 57-years-old at the time of her accidental death at the Murdaugh household.

Before his death, Murdaugh's son Paul was facing charges from an event in 2019 that left one woman dead.

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Jana Kramer Is Instagram Official With New Boyfriend Ian Schinelli

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 06:52 PM PST

2022 has been bringing a lot of news about relationships, and Jana Kramer is joining the bandwagon as she introduces her new man to her 2 million Instagram followers. The Voices singer penned a heartwarming message revealing their journey as a couple. The new beau, Ian Schinelli, is a 36-year-old ex-Navy SEAL, fitness trainer, and single father. As we can tell from their affectionate and playful TikTok videos, he seems to love Jana.

Moving On From A Heartbreaking Divorce

When Kramer finalized her divorce from her husband of six years Mike Caussin, she left the marriage with two children Jolie, 5, and Jace, 3. "Sometimes you just have to stop fighting it and listen to your heart. I don't know what the future holds, and honestly, who does? Every day I continue to heal, and I know there is still lots of work to do," she wrote in her heartfelt caption.

She concluded by saying, "To find someone who doesn't look at your scars as a challenge or problem but rather helps you hold them and stands there to encourage you with love, strength, and empathy along the way." Then, she tagged her new beau, who is a hunk of a man by the way!

Turning Up The Heat

The picture slides Jana posted sent a very clear message, "I AM IN LOVE," as she cozied up to her lover on the beach, on a yacht, in the kitchen, and anywhere you can imagine. The new couple packed on the PDA without holding back to clear any doubts about their romantic status. It's a New Year, and Jana Kramer is ready to wipe the slate clean.

We also noticed that our new favorite duo loves twinning. They wore matching pink swimsuits while kissing on the yacht, then matching black tees while cooking in the kitchen. From the last picture, we can tell the kids weren't left out as a little girl's form peaks from behind the cuddly couple.

Making Healing Music

Following her quick divorce, Kramer released a new single Voices as an independent artist as an outlet for her pain. She said the song her realize she's "worthy of love and beautiful" and wanted listeners to feel the same way about themselves. She continued saying, "sometimes the loudest lies we believe are the ones we tell ourselves through the voices in our head," hence the song title. Kramer said the lyrics of the Voices got her out of a bad place, so she hoped it'll help listeners through tough times as well.

A New Chapter

We went digging a little further until we found Schinelli's sweet message to Krameron his Instagram feed. He wrote, "Life is about moving on, accepting changes, and looking forward to what makes you stronger and more complete. It is constantly evolving and spending energy in the right areas, with the right people, which puts you directly on a path towards some of the best things that will happen to you." Someone, please pass the tissue box.

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Jenna Jameson Says Guillain-Barré Syndrome Caused Her Immobility

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 06:46 PM PST

Ex adult film actress Jenna Jameson explains the cause of her immobility to curious fans. Contrary to popular rumors, she's not bed-ridden because of the Covid-19 vaccine but a disease called Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Here's everything we know about the unusual disease – The causes, the symptoms, and possible prevention.

What Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome "is a neurological illness that involves the peripheral nerves in the body," says Dr. David Langer of Lenox Hill Hospital, according to The New York Post.

Jameson posted a video explaining to her fans that she's getting better thanks to the IVIG treatments. It's an autoimmune disease where your body's immune system turns on you causing weakness, and paralysis in severe cases.

Keep scrolling for the video.

What Causes Guillain-Barré Syndrome?

This disease doesn't have a specific trigger as it varies from bacterial to viral infection. According to People, the Center for Disease Control admitted that "in extremely rare cases, Guillain-Barré syndrome can occur after a vaccination." However, there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the two as non-vaccination is riskier.

Because the 47-year-old actress was vocally anti-vaccination, many fans speculated she took the vaccine, which led to her temporary paralysis. She, however, addressed the rumors on her Instagram. Keep scrolling to read the disclaimer.

Symptoms of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

The symptoms are often progressive, starting mildly from slight discomforts to irritability and body pains. When they escalate, it can lead to immobility (temporary paralysis) like in Jameson's case or even breathing difficulty. There's no known prevention method for now.

Jameson 's boyfriend, Bitton, updated her fans on her condition, explaining that she had an "infusion of antibodies," although she was still immobile. He said, "her muscles in her legs were very weak. So she wasn't able to walk to the bathroom. She was falling on the way back or to the bathroom. I would pick her up and carry her to bed."

It's Not A Jab

Worried fans contacted the mother of one via her Direct Message sending well wishes and asking about her condition. Jenna spoke to her fans via caption, saying, "Hey guys, first of all, thank you for all the love and support through my D.M.s. I see each and every one of you, and I appreciate it." She then explained her condition, "The doctors suspect Guillain-Barré syndrome and have started my IVIG treatment. I am in the hospital and will likely remain here until treatment is complete. I hope to be out of here soon."

Addressing the rumors that she got the Covid-19 vaccine which caused her immobility, she added, "P.S. I did NOT get the jab or any jab. This is NOT a reaction to the jab. Thank you for your concern."

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Simon Cowell Engaged To Long-Term Girlfriend Lauren Silverman

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 06:29 PM PST

On Jan. 11, Page Six confirmed the engagement of Simon Cowell, 62, to his long-term girlfriend Lauren Silverman, 44, after 13 years of dating. The entertainment world is reeling with excitement at this unexpected proposal.

Cowell reported bending the knee before their son, Eric, 7. According to an insider, the engagement happened on New Year's Eve during the couple's romantic getaway to Barbados, and "it was super sweet" because "they're good together."

Relationship History

Lauren Silverman was married to Simon's friend Andrew Silverman for ten years until their divorce in 2013. Coincidentally, she went public with her relationship with Cowell in the same year. They admitted their affair when news of Lauren's pregnancy (of her now 7-year-old child, Eric) broke.

The music show judge expressed his adoration for Lauren in his Hollywood Walk of Fame Speech. He said, "Lauren, you've been my rock for the past few years. Put up with everything I've put up with."

Why Get Engaged Now?

The pandemic shook everyone worldwide, prompting people to hold their loved ones tighter and love them longer. Simon told OK! Magazine UK that it also influenced his relationship with Lauren. He said, "Covid-19 was the real test. Like everyone, we were in lockdown for a long time, and that's when you realize whether or not you actually enjoy each other's company or not and we really really did." He added, "the romance is still alive. We're closer than ever."

Though they're keeping their engagement tight-lipped, it appears Cowell is making good on his promise to Ryan Seacrest. He told the talk show host he wouldn't expect Lauren to be a single mother, and now he's making an honest woman of her.

How Is The Couple Celebrating Their Engagement?

While Simon was previously opposed to marriage, he's ready to commit to a lifetime with Lauren and their three kids. The Sun reported in its exclusive that he felt it important to propose in the presence of the children "as he adores them both and the family they've become."

Though many frowned at the way their relationship started, you can't dictate when the lovebug bites. The couple is on cloud nine according to the source but they've kept it private like the rest of their relationship. Simon was, however, caught riding a bike outside his home since the announcement on Tuesday, and Lauren was spotted wearing her giant diamond rock.

Determined To Make It Work

"I'm not proud of the circumstances, I can't hold my head up about it," Simon said about the way his relationship with his fiance started. He, however felt protective over his new family then as he does now. There's no doubt the couple might get married in secret too, and keep the juicy details all to themselves.

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Tom Holland And The Oscars: A Hosting Pair We Need!

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 06:18 PM PST

Be careful what you wish for because it just might come true. If you have any doubts, ask Tom Holland, who expressed his desire to host the 2022 Oscars a few weeks ago, and now it's looking like a reality. If the rumors are true, there's really nothing Holland can't do!

He's proved himself a singer, dancer, and superhero in the span of a short but impactful career. Now, he wants to add "hosting" as another feather in his cap, and we support the decision. The reason is so obvious because Holland would bring something fresh other than another "white middle-aged man" to the Oscars' stage.

Ending The Three Year-No Host Run

Since the controversial announcement of Kevin Hart as the 2019 Oscars host, the prestigious movie awards night hasn't had a host. Before then, Talk Show host Jimmy Kimmel anchored the event back-to-back from 2017 to 2018. In 2013, comedian Seth McFarlane wowed the audience with his dark humor. Since his Lip Sync Battle performance, we know Holland can fill McFarlane's shoes in the dancing department. There are rumors that the years without a host negatively affected the Oscars' ratings, as it dropped by almost 50% between 2020 and 2021. Whereas 23.64 million viewers tuned in 2020, only 10.4 million watched last year.

A Career-Defining Moment

"Maybe in the future, but in all honesty, I'm just too busy right now. I don't have the time." Although Holland's initial reaction to hosting the Oscars was indifferent because of the anticipated rehearsal stress and his multiple current engagements, the British actor wasted no time retracting his previous statement. "I just wanted to quickly backtrack on what I said…. Of course, I would host the fing Oscars! I just went to the bathroom, and I was looking at myself in the mirror, and I was like, What kind of fing idiot wouldn't host the Oscars?"

A Win-Win For The Oscars

While it's still a rumor, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscars reached out to the actor after he expressed interest in taking the stage as a host this year. Here's why Tom Holland hosting the 2022 Oscars isn't a bad idea.

The Spiderman: No Way Home actor is hot in the industry now, considering the opening week for the Marvel movie recorded 3 million viewers. Also, Tom might come as a package deal with fellow co-star and girlfriend Zendaya. He said, "By myself would be great, and with someone I love would be even better." Although having the dynamic duo host is a long stretch, it doesn't hurt to dream.

Why It May Not Work

Considering the situation of the worldwide pandemic, it's unlikely that the Oscars slated for March 27 would be an open event. The Covid-19 Omicron and Delta variants are causing a frenzy in the entertainment industry as everyone is trying to stay safe despite vaccinations. That being said, there's a chance the Oscars may follow in Emmy's footsteps and host a private event, or even a virtual one. In that case, there would be no need for a host or co-host.

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'Black-ish' Last Season Guests Include Simone Biles And Magic Johnson

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 05:28 PM PST

Black-ish viewers were already treated to a Michelle Obama cameo on season eight. But, as a new report has confirmed, she wasn't the only big-named celebrity to visit the set of the ABC series for its final season. In fact, she was one of many.

On January 11, PEOPLE confirmed that the long-running and highly favored sitcom released a list of guest stars on Tuesday.

On the list were several famous faces, including Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and famed NBA pro Magic Johnson.

Magic Johnson IS Not The Only NBA Star Who Nabbed A 'Black-ish' Cameo

In addition to the athletes, the Black-ish cast will be joined by Andrew Bachelor, Jeanie Buss, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Isaiah Mustafa, Daveed Diggs, Vivica A. Fox, Stephen A. Smith, and Reid Scott.

There will also be a number of other NBA players joining Johnson with cameos on the ABC sitcom, including DeAndre Jordan, , Kendrick Nunn, Montrezl Harrell, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, Dwight Howard, and Rajon Rondo will also make guest appearances.

It is unclear whether all of the NBC stars will be seen together, or if they'll be on different episodes.

Tracee Ellis Ross Enlisted Michelle Obama Herself

As PEOPLE reminded readers on Tuesday, Michelle Obama, the former first lady, appeared on the premiere episode of the final season of Black-ish, which aired on ABC on January 3, after her cameo was teased in an Instagram post a short time prior.

During an interview with the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, cast member Tracee Ellis Ross revealed she reached out to Obama herself.

"It was wonderful," Ross recalled. "She and I are friends. It was a phone call I made. We got to do really important subject matter that's mixed in with fun, so it's receivable."

Tracee Ellis Ross Recently Reflected On The Social Impact Of 'Black-ish'

In another piece for Entertainment Weekly, Ross addressed how important she felt Black-ish was to today's society.

"I fell in love with the script," she wrote. "We got to see a Black family that was thriving and not just surviving. And I was drawn to this loving relationship between a couple. I had rarely seen that on sitcoms — there wasn't just constant eye-rolling. And Rainbow was a woman who was more than just one thing: She was not just a wife. She was not just a mother. She was also a doctor. She had a real point of view."

Tracee Ellis Ross Is Proud Of The Show

Also in the piece, Ross said she was so proud and happy to have been a part of the show.

"I really loved dancing with my onscreen husband, Anthony Anderson. And it was the honor of my life to witness and be a part of these beautiful children growing up before our eyes — these talented individuals who became wonderful young adults while we were on the show," she stated.

Black-ish season eight airs on Tuesday nights at 9:30/8:30c on ABC.

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Top NBA Players Under 25: Zion Williamson Ranks Below LaMelo Ball & Evan Mobley

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 05:13 PM PST

There were high expectations for former Duke Blue Devils power forward Zion Williamson when he entered the league in 2019. Before the New Orleans Pelicans selected him as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Williamson was viewed as a generational talent who would follow the footsteps of Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James.

However, after being hit by multiple injuries in his first three years in the league, some people started to have doubts if Williamson could really become one of the greatest NBA players of all-time.

Zion Williamson Drops In Players Under 25 Ranking

Recently, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype asked 17 NBA executives to rank their top under-25 NBA players to build around. Before he suffered numerous injuries, Williamson would in no doubt compete for the No. 1 spot. Unfortunately, as of now, most league executives don't even see him better than Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball and Cleveland Cavaliers power forward Evan Mobley.

On HoopsHype's NBA execs poll, Williamson only finished at the No. 7 spot where he got 10.0 percent of the maximum amount of votes.

NBA Execs Worried About Zion Williamson's Health

It's hard to blame NBA executives for how they ranked Williamson. Though they still recognized his superstar potential, all of them have major concerns about his ability to remain healthy.

"I don't know what to do with Zion," an unnamed league executive told HoopsHype. "He'd be in the top three if I had any idea what to do with his health."

"Primarily, his injury history scared me off, or he would have been on my (top five) list," another NBA executive added.

Updates On Zion Williamson's Injury

Since he suffered a fractured foot last summer, Pelicans' fans have been patiently waiting for Williamson to return to the court. Unfortunately, as of now, even the Pelicans have no idea when or if their main guy could play in the 2021-22 NBA season. In mid-December last year, Williamson received an injection in his fractured foot to help with the bone-healing process.

Recently, Andrew Lopez of ESPN reported that the former No. 1 pick will continue his rehab in Portland. The Pelicans decided to keep Williamson away from the team so he could focus on his rehabilitation.

Can Pelicans Survive Without Zion Williamson?

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Williamson's injury, the Pelicans are still trying to keep their playoff hopes alive in the 2021-22 NBA season. Unfortunately, though Brandon Ingram continues to establish an impressive performance, it remains a big question mark if the Pelicans can really survive this season without their best player. As of now, they are in the No. 13 spot in the Western Conference with a 15-26 record.

If they are serious about reaching the postseason, the Pelicans should strongly consider making major roster upgrades before the 2022 NBA trade deadline.

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The 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' Reboot Looks A Lot Different Than The Original

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 05:06 PM PST

It's officially here: The first full-length trailer for the highly anticipated reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Peacock's Bel Air.

Earlier this week on his Instagram page, Will Smith, the star of the original series and creator of the spinoff, gave his fans and followers their first look at the upcoming series.

"Here it is!! Our first trailer for 'Bel-Air,' almost 3 years after [Cooper Films] uploaded his self made trailer on YouTube! Premieres Super Bowl Sunday on [Peacock]," he wrote in the caption of his post.

'Bel Air' Was Immediately Given Two Seasons On Peacock

In the comments section of Smith's post, the series' new lead, Jabari Banks, wrote that it was "the HIGHEST honor to be apart of this legacy."

As fans may have heard, Bel Air, which was written and directed by Morgan Cooper, was given not one, but two seasons, at Peacock when the series was first announced back in September 2020.

"We have just officially closed the deal with Peacock with an unprecedented two-season-order from a pitch," Smith told Deadline at the time. "I've been in this business for thirty years and that does not happen. They ordered two full seasons of Bel-Air based on the quality of the pitch and the work that you guys have done. So I want to say congratulations. I am hyped."

Twitter Is Wary Of The 'Fresh Prince Of Bel Air' Reboot

After producer Matthew A. Cherry shared a clip of the Peacock trailer on Twitter, hundreds of people expressed excitement for the upcoming program. However, there were also some critics.

"I'll be honest, if it wasn't for the fact that I grew up watching The Fresh Prince, I would say this looks pretty good, unfortunately, this isn't TFP & when they try to splice in very Frech Prince images (such as the jacket being inside out) it feels like a parody. Hope it's good," one person said.

Some Feel It Should Have Been An All New Show

After another person wondered why there are so many reboots being made, someone else agreed, saying that when it comes to this particular reboot, it seems to be better suited as its own, stand-alone show, rather than a spinoff of the original 1990s hit.

"Why not just make a new story and new characters and make it inspired by the original?" the person asked.

"It doesn't have to be this lame reboot style that only cashes in on nostalgia to sell," added another Twitter user.

Fans Feel It Isn't Enough Like the Original

As many critics took aim at Bel Air for going off on its own with drama over comedy, others slammed the premise for not being enough like the original show.

"Too serious…not my fresh prince show. But it looks good," one person noted.

"Yea its like why turn one of the greatest comedy tv shows into some melodrama bs?" another asked.

"People won't like it because it won't feel like TFP," someone else stated. "Of course it won't as the two shows are different in terms of genre. People just try to make excuses to make it look bad, I swear."

Bel Air begins streaming on February 13 on Peacock.

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Demi Lovato Debuts New Spider Head Tattoo And Piercing

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 04:52 PM PST

Are you familiar with the popular saying, New Year, New Me? If yes, pat yourself on the back, and if no, take a hint from Demi Lovato. The 29-year-old singer-songwriter gave the phrase life with their recent actions since the New Year began.

First, they shocked fans when they cleared their 200 million-plus followers Instagram feed of all pictures except one. Now, they shared a new look spotting a piercing and fascinating spider head tattoo with fans as part of their ever-evolving life.

Mythical Inspiration

The Grammy-award nominee reached out to celebrity tattoo artist Dr. Woo to add new ink to their body art collection. Drawing inspiration from American mythology fixture Grandmother Spider, they designed a life-sized replica of the eight-legged crawlies. The giant-sized spider sits on the shaved right side of their head while a buzz cut covers the rest.

They documented their tattoo journey as someone who embraces speaking their truth and sharing it with the world. "It was Grandmother Spider who taught us many things. She taught us about pottery and weaving… fire and dark… that we are all connected on the web...," they wrote.

New Ear Piercing

The industrial piercing puncturing holes in two cartilages is one of the most painful types. Still, there's nothing Demi can't withstand. The entertainer has survived physical and emotional abuse, so what's a little ear-piercing got on them?

Demi spots another body modification on the upper part of their left ear thanks to the expertise of Hollywood celebrity piercer Daniel Ruiz. The L.A.-based artist carried interested fans along as she added a new stud to Demi's multiple piercings. In an encouragement video, she wrote, "Yes, @ddlovato has a new piercing by me."

Completely Sober

Recently word circulated that they'd completed their treatment following a secret stay at rehab. Perhaps that situation prompted the new lifestyle changes from physical to habitual as the Confident singer ditched their California sober style for a clean slate.

Three years ago, after their near-death experience overdosing on recreational drugs, the Skyscraper singer ditched their California Sober way for Sober Sober lifestyle. If you didn't know, California Sober meant they still smoked marijuana and drank alcohol occasionally (mostly at events.)

However, Demi is now committed to staying 100% sober. According to an insider, "they're committed to their well-being, and throughout their life, they plan to do regular check-ins to make sure they're putting themselves first."

New Year, New Me

So once again, Demi reminds us it's never too late to start over. We can always pick ourselves off no matter how many times we fall, and the Unidentified host isn't scared to share that part of themselves with the world. Speaking with Hoda Kotb of Today, they explained that being vulnerable is their way of lending a helping hand to others in need. We hope you're as excited as us for this new chapter with Demi Lovato.

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Murdered Houston Couple Identified After 40 Years, Their Child Still Missing

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 04:45 PM PST

Harold Dean Clouse and his wife Tina Gail Linn moved from Florida to Texas in 1980, after Clouse got a well-paying job in Houston.

The decision surprised Clouse's family, but they saw the young couple -- Clause was 21 and Linn was just 17 years old at the time -- was in love and accepted it.

For a while, Clouse and Linn sent letters from Texas to Florida, but in late 1980, the letters simply ceased.

This was the last time Clouse's family ever heard from him.

Mysterious Disappearance

A few months after letters abruptly stopped arriving, Harold's mother Donna Casasanta received a strange phone call from a group of people saying they had Clouse's car and would drive it back to her from California -- they asked for $1,000 in return.

As reported by The Houston Chronicle, Casasanta thought the situation was strange, but accepted the offer.

Three women dressed in religious-looking robes soon showed up with the car. They refused to answer any questions about Clouse, and just said he was in a cult.

Remains Found

The encounter with the strange women "was weird," Casasanta said, adding that she and her family "got frightened and started searching and searching."

In January 1981, a dog in north Harris County, Texas wandered out of the woods on a block near Wallisville Road. The dog came back to its owner with a human arm in its jaws.

The discovery led local police to two bodies, one belonged to a male and the other to a female. The man was beaten to death, while the woman died of strangulation.

Cold Case Solved

No one in Houston knew who the man and the woman were. The couple was registered on lists of missing persons, but no information ever emerged.

Decades passed and the case remained stagnant until late 2021, when an organization called Identifinders International contacted the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences and asked to test the remains.

The investigators examined the bodies and uploaded the information to several genealogy sites. They soon established that the bodies belonged to Clouse and his wife Linn.

Missing Child

Clouse's family got closure after 40 years, but some mysteries still remain.

Just as Clouse and Linn were preparing to move to Texas, Linn gave birth to their baby, a little girl named Hollie Marie. Hollie Marie was just an infant when her parents went missing and were murdered.

If she is still alive, Hollie Marie is around 42 years old. But where could she possibly be? So far, nobody knows, but investigators are hopeful that new DNA technology will help them crack the case.

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The Inquisitr - News Murdaugh Murders Update: Evidence Ties Alex Murdaugh To Crime Jana Kramer Is Instag...

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Man Charged With 1986 Kidnapping And Murder Of 4-Year-Old Girl

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 11:24 AM PST

A North Carolina man has been arrested and charged for the unsolved disappearance of then 4-year-old Jessica Gutierrez in 1986, People reports.

On January 6, a man named Thomas McDowell was taken into custody by authorities, who say that McDowell lived in Lexington County, S.C during the time of Gutierrez's disappearance.

A Shocking Development

After being taken into custody, McDowell was officially charged with murder in relation to Jessica Gutierrez's disappearance. Jessica was never found after being reported missing, and authorities believe that she is dead.

On top of the murder charge, McDowell also faces charges for kidnapping and burglary of the first degree.

The disappearance and suspected killing has been unsolved for decades, leaving Jessica's family unaware of their daughter's location and condition.

"I'm glad God brought me to see it," Jessica's mother said to The News & Observer. "I prayed he would bring me through it, and we've waited for this a long time."

The 1986 Kidnapping

The authorities investigating Jessica's case believe that she was originally abducted from the family home in Lexington. The kidnapping occurred after midnight on June 6th.

Though a massive search was undertaken, Jessica's whereabouts, as well as the reason for her disappearance continue to be unknown.

According to The News & Observer, Jessica's sister was reported to say that [the man] "with the magic hat and the beard took her last night."

'A Fresh Look'

After decades of remaining unsolved, the case was re-examined by authorities. With fresh eyes, the investigators, FBI agents and other specialists studied the case in September 2021. Those involved in the investigation were pooled from the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team, and prosecutors from the South Carolina Attorney General's Office.

Over 3,500 case files were looked at and more than 125 people were interviewed in regards to the case, Sheriff for Lexington County Jay Koon said.

"Because of the work we did, coming together as a team, we were able to sort and connect more pieces of the puzzle about what happened to Jessica all those years ago," Koon said, as reported by People.

The Decade-Long Wait For A Suspect

According to authorities, McDowell lived in the same region as Jessica during the time she disappeared.

The key piece of evidence leading to McDowell's arrest appears to be a finger print that was recently found to belong to the suspect, as found in a warrant obtain by People.

Without this newly discovered information our office would not be able to prosecute this case," South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said.

Currently, McDowell has been taken to his South Carolina, his state of residence and awaits trial.

More latest news here and latest crime news here.

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Warriors Share Terrible News About James Wiseman's Return

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 10:32 AM PST

Not so long ago, James Wiseman was the undisputed no. 1 NBA prospect in the nation.

His combination of size, length, footwork, and fundamentals made him a can't-miss kind of talent NBA teams were keeping an eye on since high school.

Unfortunately, a suspension cut his lone season at Memphis short and he wasn't able to get through his first season with the Golden State Warriors without getting hurt, which is why some analysts now doubt he'll ever reach a high ceiling.

Theres' Still No Timetable For Wiseman's Return

To make things even worst, it seems like the former second-overall pick will have to wait a little longer to silence his critics, as he has yet to be cleared for contact work:

"Warriors still have no timetable on when James Wiseman will get cleared for contact work," reported Connor Letourneau of NBC Sports.

Wiseman will likely have to get a stint in the G-League after getting clearance before even thinking of cracking Steve Kerr's rotation at any point in the season.

Wiseman Was Getting Close

Apparently, Wiseman suffered a setback in his rehab, as he was pretty close to getting back on the court before entering the league's health and safety protocols.

Nonetheless, the Dubs have kept a tight mouth when it comes to the status of his injury:

"Well, he was getting close, and then COVID happens, and he's right there to start doing some live stuff whether it's the end of this week or next week," Warriors GM Bob Myers said on The Morning Roast.

He'll Have To Earn His Minutes

Wiseman isn't a lock to crack the rotation even when healthy, and some fear we may not even see him on the court this year at all:

"That's really been the last thing, and then once you're there, it becomes, how do we get game reps and real scrimmaging? Whether we get that in the Bay, in the city, with the team, which is kind of hard to do, or, do we get it in Santa Cruz? So James is going to have to go through that part," Myers added.

Warriors Stars Attend Wisemans' High School Jersey Retirement

But not everything's bad for the youngster. Recently, he got his no. 32 jersey retired by East High School, his Alma Mater in Memphis, Tennessee:

"I was manifesting this when I was a younger kid. Just being able to be here in this moment, it's crazy," Wiseman said, as quoted by Mercury News"It means a lot just being here."

Wiseman is just 20 years old and still has plenty of chance to prove his worth. Hopefully, he'll be cleared soon to earn the opportunity to prove why he was once considered the best big man prospect in years.

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NFL Rumors: 3 Potential Dark Horse Destinations For Deshaun Watson

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 10:15 AM PST

Even though he hasn't played in months, everybody around the National Football League continues to talk about Deshaun Watson.

The Clemson product is one of the most impactful dual-threat quarterbacks in the league, and his desire to leave the Houston Texans hasn't changed despite his legal turmoil.

That's why the franchise is likely to face the fact that he won't suit up for them anymore and they'll be forced to deal him in the offseason. Unsurprisingly, he'll have plenty of suitors lining up.

Are The Dolphins Out Of The Picture?

Most people expected the Miami Dolphins to be the most aggressive suitor for Watson's services and reports state that he would only consider vetoing his no-trade clause for them.

Nonetheless, with the Dolphins shockingly firing HC Brian Flores a couple of days ago, they might as well have kissed those chances goodbye, as Watson was reportedly only interested in playing at Hard Rock Cafe Stadium because of Flores.

With that in mind, let's take a look at three potential dark horse destinations for him.

Watson Saves Washington

The Washington Football Team will unveil a new name pretty soon but the same issues of the past will still be there next season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is... Ryan Fitzpatrick. Taylor Heinicke is nothing more than a backup QB at this point.

Washington's defense is promising enough for them to be a contender in one of football's worst divisions, and having Terry McLaurin and Antonio Gibson next to Watson could certainly revamp their offense. Also, when asked about landing Watson, coach Ron Rivera didn't exactly shy away:

"This organization will be able to do what it needs to do, OK? And that's all I'm going to say on that," Rivera said, as quoted by MSN.

Replacing Kirk Cousins In Minnesota

We've already established that Watson wanted to play for Brian Flores, and Flores is now one of the leading candidates to coach the Minnesota Vikings, so there's that.

The Vikings have Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Dalvin Cook, the best trio of weapons Watson could find in any of his suitors.

Moreover, the Vikings would be wise to try and trade Kirk Cousins when he enters the final year of his massive contract and they would get a huge upgrade at QB while also landing a younger player.

Why Have Jared Goff When You Can Have Deshaun Watson?

And last but not least, let's talk about the Detroit Lions.

Watson was recently spotted in Detroit to attend a medical marijuana event and, even though it had nothing to do, there was a huge frenzy on social media, with Lions fans rallying up to give him a warm welcome.

I know, why would Watson veto his no-trade clause to join the Lions of all teams?

Well, they have the ultimate players' coach in Dan Campbell and the locker room seems heavily invested in him and his project.

Their defense has shown glimpses of promise and they have two electric playmakers in Amon Ra-St Brown and D'Andre Swift, not to mention plenty of cap space and draft assets to put together a solid team.

It's a huge stretch but we've seen crazier things happen.

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Patrolman Urges Judge Not To Lower Alex Murdaugh's Bail

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 10:04 AM PST

Disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh is facing dozens of financial crime charges, including theft, forgery, and money laundering.

Murdaugh's wife Maggie and son Paul were murdered in June. In September, Murdaugh himself was shot in the head by what he claimed was an unknown man, but later admitted to staging the attack in order to commit insurance fraud.

Murdaugh was arrested in October. In December, South Carolina Judge Alison Renee Lee set Murdaugh's bond at $7 million, with no option to pay 10 percent for release.

Motion To Lower Bond

Murdaugh's attorneys filed a motion last Tuesday asking the court to lower his bond, as reported by People.

In the motion, they claimed that Murdaugh "does not have seven million dollars or anything close to that amount" and that he is "a man who cannot pay his phone bill."

According to the attorneys, Murdaugh currently has less than $10,000 in his bank accounts, so "the Court's order requiring a $7 million surety bond is tantamount to no bond at all."

In addition, they claimed, Murdaugh "has very little liquid assets at this time."

Bond Hearing

Murdaugh's virtual bond hearing was held on Monday.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Officer Thomas Moore testified at the hearing, saying that he hired Murdaugh after being injured in the line of duty.

But, instead of helping him, Murdaugh allegedly took $100,000 of Moore's compensation.

"He treated me very nice, and he stole every dime I had," said Moore, whose accident left him with permanent nerve damage and many medical bills.

The patrolman also suggested that he would fear for his life if Murdaugh were released on bond.

Moore Vs. Murdaugh

Moore allegedly first contacted Murdaugh in January 2021.

According to indictments, Murdaugh convinced Moore to sign over a $125,000 check he had received from an insurance company to his law firm.

Murdaugh then deposited the check into an account under the name "Richard A. Murdaugh Sole Prop DBA Forge."

The indictment claims that "instead of compensating Patrolman Moore, Murdaugh instead breached Patrolman Moore's trust and converted the money to his own personal use."

Murdaugh has been charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent, money laundering, computer crime and forgery in connection with Moore's case.

Unraveling Of Murdaugh Dynasty

Alex Murdaugh is not the only member of the Murdaugh legal dynasty who has had trouble with the law.

In fact, many other Murdaugh family members have been implicated in serious crimes. Paul Murdaugh was accused of boating under the influence in an accident that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Mallory Beach.

Several other people close to Murdaugh's died under mysterious circumstances.

Murdaughs' housekeeper Gloria Satterfield died in 2018 allegedly after a fall, but no autopsy was ever conducted. Nineteen-year-old Stephen Smith also died under mysterious circumstances.

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Will John Cena Appear At WrestleMania 38?

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 10:03 AM PST

Last year at WrestleMania 37, it was the end of an era as John Cena missed the show for the first time since 2002. Cena didn't really do much at WrestleMania 19, however, he just did a segment where he rapped. Cena would go on to become one of the top WrestleMania performers of all time, however, even after a rather auspicious start. Cena would make his in-ring WrestleMania debut the following year, defeating the Big Show for the United States Championship.

Cena missed last year due to his filming schedule and that could happen again this year too. Scroll down to reveal what Cena said recently about performing at WrestleMania 38.

John Cena On If He'll Be At WrestleMania This Year

John Cena was on the Ellen Degeneres show recently and spoke about possibly performing on this year's WrestleMania. Unfortunately, it's not clear if his filming schedule will allow for it.

"WrestleMania is usually in the cusp of late March, early April," said Cena. "I don't know if I'm going to make it this year. That's a good conundrum to have because there are a lot of good opportunities coming up, which I would love to take. If all those things line up, I don't know if I'll be able to make WrestleMania."

It's not just his filming schedule that could prevent a Mania appearance or match, however. Insurance issues also play a role. Scroll down to learn more.

Insurance Issues Preventing John Cena From Wrestling Again?

Unfortunately for WWE fans, John Cena's contractual commitments in Hollywood could prevent him from wrestling again anytime soon.

Last summer, Cena was on The Tonight Show and opened up about how insurance policies with Hollywood prevent him from wrestling.

"Once you do one of these things (a big film), the insurance doesn't let you go wrestle on the weekends, so we'll see what happens," Cena said.

Despite this, however, Cena did return to WWE shortly after and wrestle a series of matches culminating with a match against Roman Reigns at SummerSlam.

Part of the reason insurance makes things difficult for Cena to wrestle is because of what happened with the Rock when he returned for a match against Cena at WrestleMania in 2013. Scroll down to learn more.

Injury The Rock Suffered At WrestleMania 29 Almost Delayed Filming Of Hercules

When the Rock returned at WrestleMania 29 to face John Cena in 2013, he tore his abdominal and abductor muscles and suffered a hernia. Hollywood was not happy about the injuries he suffered.

The Rock's injuries almost caused a delay in filming of the movie Hercules, something that could have ended up costing the studio a lot of money. Since then, things have been a lot more difficult in terms of insurance issues and actors returning to their wrestling roots. In fact, that injury may have more or less ended the Rock's wrestling career. Scroll down to learn more.

Hollywood May Never Let The Rock Wrestle Again

The Rock is worth a lot of money to Hollywood and that may prevent him from ever wrestling again. Although there has been talk of him wrestling Roman Reigns at Mania somewhere down the line, a lot of insurance-related hurdles would have to be jumped through for that to happen.

The Rock has only wrestled once since the injuries suffered in 2013 that almost delayed filming of Hercules. That match was an unadvertised 6-second win over Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32. The Rock only performed one actual wrestling move in that match. There wasn't much opportunity for him to get injured again.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter wrote about how his WrestleMania 29 injuries led to pressure from Hollywood for the Rock to stop wrestling.

"This also will undoubtedly put pressure on The Rock to stop wrestling. The movie studios have big money riding on him with these projects, and there was always the fear of Rock getting injured during a match," wrote Dave Meltzer.

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Anthony Fauci Calls GOP Senator 'Moron' In Hot Mic Moment

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 10:00 AM PST

Dr. Anthony Fauci has faced intense attacks from Republican politicians and conservative figures since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, with many accusing him of whitholding vital information from the public.

On Tuesday, Fauci testified before the Senate Health Committee, where he faced tough questions from GOP senators pertaining to a variety of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The exchange between Fauci and Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas got very contentious and, at one point, Fauci called the lawmaker a "moron."

Read More Below

Marshall -- who is a physician -- asked Fauci as he was grilling him whether he would be willing to disclose his investments to Congress.

"As the highest-paid employee in the entire federal government... Yes or no, would you be willing to submit to Congress and the public a financial disclosure that includes your past and current investments?" Marshall asked, per Fox News.

The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) was not happy with this question and immediately hit back at the senator, calling him "misinformed."

Fauci Hits Back

Fauci refused to answer Marshall's question directly, saying that his financial investments have been "public knowledge" for decades.

"I don't understand why you're asking me that question. My financial disclosure is public knowledge and has been so for the last 37 years or so, 35 years," Fauci said.

Marshall then claimed that "big tech giants" are suppressing information about Fauci, which apparently shocked President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor.

"All you have to do is ask for it. You're so misinformed. It's extraordinary," he said.

Hot Mic Moment

Marshall and Fauci continued to spar. In the end, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington intervened to stop the contentious exchange.

But right after Murray's intervention, Fauci was caught on hot mic disparaging and insulting the conservative senator, and calling him a "moron."

"What a moron, Jesus Christ!" Fauci could be heard saying.

The hot mic moment quickly went viral on Twitter and other social media sites, with liberals praising Fauci and conservatives describing his behavior as highly inappropriate.

Listen to what Fauci said below.

Marshall Issues Statement

After the hearing, Marshall issued a statement attacking Fauci, as reported by Newsweek.

"Calling me a moron during a Senate hearing may have alleviated the stress of the least trusted bureaucrat in America, but it didn't take away from the facts. We need the truth Dr. Fauci!" Marshall wrote in a tweet.

The GOP senator also posted a poll from the conservative-leaning firm Rasmussen Reports, which suggests that 59 percent of Americans do not have a favorable opinion of the medical expert.

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'Vanderpump Rules' Star Scheana Shay Opens Up About Prenup 'Big Lesson'

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 09:57 AM PST

Vanderpump Rules veteran Scheana Shay said she's "learned a big lesson" regarding prenups from her past experience as a married woman. The 36-year-old reality star and fiancée to 30-year-old personal trainer Brock Davies explained her stance on having a prenup in place as an assurance for the future just as she and her hubby-to-be were preparing to sign theirs on Tuesday's episode.

Shay, who was previously married to TV personality and record producer Michael Shay, revealed that she and her ex-husband didn't sign a prenup when they got hitched in July 2014, which ultimately caused problems for the mother-of-one.

Here's what she said.

Shay & Davies Do Prenup

While Shay and Davies have yet to set a wedding date, the pair wanted to "have all our ducks in a row" and opted to sign a prenup ahead of everything, explained the bride-to-be.

Meeting with their attorneys and a notary to go through and sign their 35-page prenuptial agreement, the duo was told by Davies' attorney that it was "somewhat unusual to sign a document before there's a wedding date set."

However, Shay was adamant about the document's importance.

"First time around when I got married, we didn't do a prenup," she said. "But there was an addiction problem and when the trust was broken, I realized this isn't a marriage I want to continue."

'Big Lesson'

Shay explained that her ex-husband declined to grant her a divorce at first but was later swayed after she offered to divide her bank account.

"He didn't want to get divorced and I was like, 'How about we split our bank account?' And then he agreed," shared the Bravo star.

Shay further opened up about her divorce in a confessional: "I definitely learned a big lesson. No matter how much you love someone and they love you, there's always a risk that you could lose everything. I just don't want to take that risk again."

Shay and her ex-husband called it quits in November 2016, with the moment airing on Season 5 of Vanderpump Rules, per PEOPLE. Likewise, their wedding two years prior was also televised, with their divorce finalizing in May 2017.

Balcony Proposal

Once the legal stuff was out of the way, Davies was ready to carry on with the romantic part of the deal, sweeping a blindfolded Shay back to their Los Angeles apartment for the big proposal. There, out on the balcony he filled with balloons and rose petals, he dropped down on one knee and popped the question.

"You make me the best and I don't want to do anything without you ever," Davies said in his proposal speech, all the while holding Shay's hands beneath an arch of white-and-gold balloons that said, "Marry Me."

Davies continued: "You are the best mom. You are the best girlfriend and I want to make you the best wife. Honey, will you be my wife?," to which Shay replied, "Of course."

Happy Family

As The Inquisitr previously reported , the lovebirds got engaged in July, three months after welcoming their only child together, daughter Summer Moon Honey Davies.

Davies has two kids from a previous relationship, Eli and Winter, who live with their mother in Australia.

The former pro rugby player is planning to follow up his surprise proposal to Shay with a "surprise shotgun wedding," and is hoping Tom Sandoval will officiate the ceremony.

However, during yesterday's episode, it seemed like Sandoval was having cold feet about the wedding, which Davies wants to have in secret during James Kennedy and Raquel Leviss's engagement party at a beautiful winery.

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Chelsea Handler Enjoys String Bikini Skiing In Fresh Snow

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 09:57 AM PST

Chelsea Handler is quite literally skiing through a fresh blanketing of snow while stripped down to a tiny, pot-print bikini. The comedian and social media favorite was back in her swimwear for a particularly brave stab at the cold yesterday, posting photos of herself in woods and on skis, but there were no pants and no jacket as the blonde went for a pool look.

The 46-year-old, known for her love of marijuana, was also back to shouting out the recreational drug. Check it out below.

It's Always Bikini Season

Scroll for the photos. The Chelsea Lately star, a bikini regular on her Instagram, opened all smiles and posing on a fairytale-like path covered in snow and framed by blanketed trees. The blonde was in knee-high socks and ski boots while on skies, also flaunting her famous curves in a string two-piece covered in prints of the marijuana leaf.

Chelsea sent out a massive grin while rocking a warm beanie hat, also holding a mason jar of weed and a bottle of vodka.

See The Photos Below

Handler, who has gained over 150,000 likes for her post, announced tour dates with a swipe right, also writing:

"I just found out that due to popular demand we are adding a SECOND Los Angeles show on May 5th. To celebrate, I thought why not ski through the woods, and then found a mason jar of weed and my favorite vodka!" She added: "Who knows how this got here but you can get yourself to my LA show on presale now with code: HORNY on chelseahandler.com."

Scroll For More Snaps

Chelsea, who did postpone her recent Vancouver shows due to Omicron, further drove fans to swipe as she concluded: "Swipe⬅️to see all my new 2022 second shows added plus new cities. Can't wait to see you!"

Quick to comment was The Masked Singer judge Nicole Scherzinger. The singer told Chelsea: "The 🔥🔥🔥 thang in the ❄️ ❄️❄️😍." Also leaving a like was Legally Blonde actress Selma Blair. Chelsea is, of course, no stranger to stripping down on Instagram. More photos below.

Posting Old 'Playboy' Cover

The New York Times best-selling author has also been flashing the flesh in throwback mode. Ahead of the holidays last year, she posted a Playboy cover to Instagram, one that's over a decade old. The racy shot came with the star telling her followers:

"12 years later, and I'm still screwing up xmas parties, but now with less clothes on." Chelsea has since updated with a touching tribute to Full House star Bob Saget, who died January 8, aged 65. Follow her account for more.

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AJ Styles Vs Grayson Waller On NXT 2.0 Praised By Fans

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 09:42 AM PST

AJ Styles vs Grayson Waller headlined this week's episode of WWE NXT 2.0.

While AJ Styles is an established star, Grayson Waller is just starting his WWE career. A match against Styles in the main event had the potential to catapult him up to the next level.

It was a match that needed to deliver and according to the response from fans, it did exactly that. Scroll down to reveal what some fans are saying about AJ Styles vs Grayson Waller.

Fan Response To AJ Styles Vs Grayson Waller

On the Cagematch website, fans have been writing comments about the match.

"The match was very good, a perfect way to shine a new superstar due to the quality of AJ Styles' work," wrote one viewer.

"I'm very excited to see AJ Styles in NXT 2.0. I'm a big fan of his and it's great that he's helping young talent at this point in his career. Rightfully AJ won, but Grayson comes out of this match much improved," wrote another.

Styles came away from the match the winner but a storyline development took place after. Scroll down to reveal what happened next.

LA Knight Attacks Grayson Waller

After the match, AJ Styles got on the microphone to cut a promo. He told Waller that he is good but he's not yet phenomenal.

With Waller on the outside of the ring, LA Knight's music then hit and the returning Superstar came out to the ring area. Knight had been gone for weeks due to an injury he suffered at the hands of Waller and now he was back for revenge.

Knight clotheslined his rival out of the ring to close the segment.

The match has to be considered a success by WWE in terms of getting Waller over as a new Superstar. It's far from the best match Styles has ever had, however. Scroll down to reveal some of the best matches from AJ Styles' career.

AJ Styles' Top Matches Of All Time

According to fan votes, the best match of AJ Styles' career took place at TNA Unbreakable in 2005. He wrestled a widely praised triple threat match against Samoa Joe and Christopher Danielson on that show. The match also received a 5-star rating from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The 2nd best match of Styles' career according to fan votes was his Wrestle Kingdom 10 match against Shinsuke Nakamura in 2016 for NJPW.

The top WWE match of AJ Styles' career according to fan votes, took place on the August 6th 2020 episode of Friday Night Smackdown. Styles wrestled Daniel Bryan that night.

Styles also revealed something else on NXT 2.0 this week. Scroll down to reveal what that was.

AJ Styles Declares For The 2022 Royal Rumble

Before his match with Grayson Waller last night on NXT 2.0, Styles cut a backstage promo. During the interview, Styles said he plans on winning the Royal Rumble this year and going on to main event WrestleMania. It was Styles officially declaring that he plans on being in this year's Rumble match.

Styles made his WWE debut in the Royal Rumble match in 2016. He also competed in both the 2020 and 2021 Rumbles. Perhaps 2022 is the year he finally wins it.

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Ja Morant vs. Derrick Rose And Russell Westbrook Comparison: Grizzlies Star Is Just Getting Started

Posted: 12 Jan 2022 09:42 AM PST

Every now and then, a young player comes out of the blue to take the NBA by storm and turn a small-market team into must-watch TV.

That's the case with Memphis Grizzlies youngster Ja Morant, one of the most entertaining players to watch in the league, a young leader, and perhaps the most athletic and explosive point guard we've seen in quite some time.

Morant has the rebuilding Grizzlies ahead of schedule already and looks poised to lead them to a deep playoff run.

Ja Morant: The New NBA Sensation

Morant is just electric. He's a never-ending burst of energy and a guy that won't hesitate to throw the hammer down even over the league's finest rim protectors.

Through his first three years in the league, he's averaged 19.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.0 steals. and 1.2 three-pointers per game on 47% from the floor, winning Rookie of the Year honors.

His explosive and aggressive style, speed, and athleticism have made fans compare him to Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose, two high-flying point guards who could finish over anyone in their primes. But how does he stack up against them? Let's break it down.

Better Than Russell Westbrook?

Russell Westbrook was a bit of a late bloomer. Albeit a member of the All-Rookie Team, he didn't earn ROY honors as Morant did.

Westbrook was - and is - as explosive as Morant during his first three years in the league. His assist averages were higher (5.3, 8.2, 8.0 to Morant's 7.3, 7.4, 6.7) but his scoring totals were lower (15.3, 16.1. 21.9 to 17.8, 19.1, 24.9).

Also, Westbrook was a better defender and a bigger threat in passing lanes, averaging nearly 1.6 steals per game during his first three years in the league.

Derrick Rose 2.0?

Derrick Rose was the chosen one. He was deemed to take down LeBron James as the best player in the Eastern Conference before going down with injuries, becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history.

Notably, Rose's averages in his first three seasons were pretty similar to Morant's.

Rose averaged 16.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game in his rookie season, then 20.8, 3.8, and 6.0. In his third year, Rose averaged 25.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.0 assists.

Morant, on the other hand, has averaged 17.8/3.9/7.3; then 19.1/4.0/7.4; and now 24.9/5.7/6.3.

Even so, fans are worried about Morant's health and fear he could suffer the same fate as Rose, as he doesn't take care of his landings and looks like an injury waiting to happen every time he dunks the ball.

A Superstar In The Making

It's clear that Ja Morant is one of the new faces of the league, and the scariest part is that he just keeps getting better:

"He's just controlling the games," Kein Durant said of him. "Always been an efficient player who can run the point guard spot, but he's developed into a major scorer as well. He just plays with great pace out there, plays with joy and enthusiasm, and you see him blossoming in front of our eyes. I mean since college he's been on this trajectory, and as a basketball fan you can't wait to see what it's like years going forward."

The comparisons with former guards are and will always be there, but he's coming into a player of his own and he's just getting started.

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