Ben Johns TRADED! Fair play or COLLUSION??? MLP Trade Deadline and STL R...

 

Shock Therapy in STL: How the St. Louis Home Crowd Broke Dallas Flash’s Undefeated Run

With two dramatic wins in front of a raucous home crowd, the St. Louis Shock cemented themselves as the team to beat in Major League Pickleball.

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ST. LOUIS — On a steamy summer weekend in front of a passionate, white-shirted crowd, the St. Louis Shock delivered a thunderous jolt to Major League Pickleball. Not only did they take down the previously undefeated Dallas Flash, but they did it with an emotional blend of dominance, resilience, and showtime swagger. The atmosphere was electric. The stats told the story. And the DreamBreaker, as always, delivered drama in spades.

This is pickleball on the edge — where analytics meet adrenaline, and every rally holds playoff implications. Let’s break it all down from Matty Pickles' expert commentary on the MLP STL Featured Matches and Recap podcast segment.

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Thursday and Friday: Calm Before the Storm

Highlights:

• Chicago Slice edges Atlanta Bouncers 3-2 in a DreamBreaker.

• St. Louis opens with a 3-1 home victory over Columbus.

• Dallas dominates Brooklyn, except in women’s doubles.

Summary:
The early matches set the stage. The Shock warmed up in front of a receptive home crowd with a confident win. Dallas looked sharp but exposed some cracks in women’s doubles, a foreshadowing of things to come.

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Saturday Feature: Dallas Flash vs. Columbus Sliders

Highlights:

• Dallas jumps to early lead.

• Parris Todd dominates firefights.

• Lea Jansen rebounds after shaky start.

• DreamBreaker goes down to the wire.

• CJ Klinger shines. Dallas falls for the first time.

Summary:
In a rematch from the Beer City Open, Dallas looked poised to repeat its dominance. But Parris Todd flipped the script. She and Lea Jansen rallied from early errors, with Jansen forcing three consecutive errors to close out the women’s doubles match. A DreamBreaker followed — a seesaw battle full of grit, emotion, and a scary moment when Hurricane Tyra Black looked shaken. But it was CJ Klinger who erupted with back-to-back 3-1 wins, giving Columbus the upset and Dallas its first loss.

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Saturday Night Lights: St. Louis vs. Dallas Flash

Highlights:

• St. Louis Shock dominates early.

• Anna Bright stars with offensive firepower.

• Men's doubles: only 19 rallies; St. Louis commits just 2 errors.

• Gabe Tardio initiates 8 firefights, wins 5.

• Dallas briefly rallies in mixed doubles.

• Hayden Patriquin delivers a clinic in the closer.

Summary:
Call it revenge, redemption, or simply the magic of homecourt. The Shock were flawless. Anna Bright, Gabe Tardio, and Hayden Patriquin showed why they’re elite. In a men's doubles beatdown, St. Louis allowed just 19 rallies and suffocated Dallas with clinical defense and opportunistic offense. Dallas fought back in the mixed doubles, forcing errors and even gaining match point, but missed challenges and key mistakes gave St. Louis the edge. Patriquin sealed the win with 14 rally winners in mixed number two — a masterclass in control.

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Sunday Showdown: Shock Continue Streak on ESPN2

Highlights:

• St. Louis beats Brooklyn 3-1.

• Whiteout crowd impresses on national broadcast.

• Empty seating visuals spark social commentary.

Summary:
St. Louis wrapped the weekend with another win, this time on national TV. The energy was high, but viewers noted inconsistent visuals, with empty seats in view despite a vibrant crowd. Matty Pickles praised the venue’s atmosphere but noted areas for improvement in presentation.

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Final Featured Match: Columbus vs. Brooklyn – Playoff Implications

Highlights:

• Brooklyn stuns Columbus with women’s and men’s doubles wins.

• AJ Kohler and Riley Newman fuel comeback.

• Brooklyn likely secures four seed; Columbus drops to five.

Summary:
Fresh off their high from defeating Dallas, Columbus may have overlooked Brooklyn. Big mistake. Brooklyn came in sharp, clawing back in tight moments. Kohler and Newman led the way with gritty performances. Now, Brooklyn may enjoy a more favorable playoff draw — the four vs. five seeding battle could prove crucial.

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Notable Stats and Storylines

Highlights:

• Dallas and St. Louis women went 2-3.

• Brooklyn’s Kalamoto & Roarabach went 5-1.

• Columbus’ Leia Jansen & Paris Todd went 3-2.

• Tardio & Patriquin are 5-0 in men’s doubles.

Summary:
While Dallas and St. Louis dominated headlines, Brooklyn quietly emerged as a cohesive unit. Their women's team outperformed the field. Meanwhile, Tardio and Patriquin are playing at another level entirely. Calls for them to pair on the PPA Tour are getting louder.

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Conclusion: A League Re-Ordered

Major League Pickleball’s trip to St. Louis didn’t just shake up the standings — it may have shifted the league’s balance of power. With their undefeated record shattered, Dallas now faces questions heading into the playoffs. St. Louis, meanwhile, used their home crowd to reassert dominance. And Brooklyn, the overlooked underdogs, proved they’re more than just a spoiler.

If this was a preview of playoff pickleball, buckle up.

Because the Shock aren’t just coming.
They’re already here.

From Baby Announcements to Billboards: May Madness in Pickleball Pop Culture

 

Injuries, Outbursts, Princess Dresses, and Times Square Fame—The Sport’s Brightest Stars Shine On and Off the Court

May 2025 was a month of raw emotion, off-court revelations, and cultural crossovers in the world of professional pickleball. From heated MLP rivalries and player withdrawals to baby news, celebrity cameos, and Anna Leigh Waters’ glowing presence in Times Square, pickleball proved it's more than a sport—it’s a pop culture movement. Here’s a full breakdown, time-coded for your convenience.

1. 0:00 Intro
2. 0:11 Ben Johns and Collin Johns withdraw
3. 0:21 Kate Fahey drops the F bomb
4. 0:35 DJ Young's baby announcement
5. 0:51 JW meets baby named after him
6. 1:03 Thomas Wilson adopts baby girl
7. 1:24 Disney releases princess athletic dresses
8. 1:41 Veolia ATL Pickleball Championships
9. 2:14 Christian Alshon's battle cry
10. 3:05 The Big D's of pro pickleball
11. 3:54 New pro pickleball merch
12. 4:17 Milly Rane roars
13. 4:40 Pickleball on the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
14. 5:00 Quang Duong suspended and fined
15. 5:10 ALW has a billboard in Times Square
16. 5:47 Outro

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0:00 – Intro: A Month to Remember

The St. Louis Shock opened May with levity, introducing a mock “security team” after the tense MLP Orlando events. It set the tone for a month brimming with intensity and irony. What followed was a cascading sequence of withdrawals, weddings, wins, and viral moments.

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0:11 – Ben and Collin Johns Withdraw from MLP Columbus

Citing poor lighting, the Johns brothers backed out of MLP Columbus. It sparked fan reactions, including a now-viral T-shirt mocking the withdrawal. While no rules were broken, the controversy reignited debates about playing conditions and professionalism.

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0:21 – Kate Fahey Drops the F-Bomb

Tensions flared further when Kate Fahey directed expletives at Federico Staksrud, calling him a “f-ing B.” Though it didn't erupt into violence, the incident added fuel to the MLP’s ongoing reputation for drama.

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0:35 – DJ Young’s Baby Announcement

DJ Young and his wife Courtney shared that baby number two is on the way. The announcement was met with widespread joy, adding a wholesome contrast to the drama-laden week.

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0:51 – JW Johnson Meets a Baby Named After Him

In a heartwarming moment, JW Johnson met a newborn named in his honor. The meeting went viral and reminded fans of the personal impact these athletes have beyond the court.

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1:03 – Thomas Wilson Adopts Baby Girl

Thomas and Britney Wilson welcomed baby Haven, sister to their daughter Holyn. It’s a story of family, love, and expansion—resonant themes during a month full of highs and lows.

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1:24 – Disney Debuts Princess Tennis Dresses

Disney Store tapped into the athleticwear trend with princess-inspired tennis dresses. A clear crossover between childhood nostalgia and modern athletic style, the collection was well received—especially among fans of Genie Bouchard, who modeled similar looks during her Tennis Channel shoots.

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1:41 – Veolia ATL Championships: The Anna Alliance

The long-awaited Anna Leigh Waters–Anna Bright partnership didn’t disappoint. They dominated the Atlanta Grand Slam, while Federico Staksrud was stunned in an early-round upset. New kits from Fila and New Balance rounded out the fashion statements of the tournament.

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2:14 – Christian Alshon’s Battle Cry

In one of the most unforgettable moments, Christian Alshon’s emotional sideline scream—after a doubles win with Julian Arnold—cemented itself as meme-worthy material. The intensity of pro pickleball was on full display.

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3:05 – The Big D’s of Pro Pickleball

Volair’s fashion-forward partnership featuring Keith Haring’s art turned heads, as did new player-branded merch. “The Big D’s” shirts from Dylan Frazier and Dekel Bar flew off the Pickleball Central shelves, showing how branding is evolving in the sport.

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3:54 – New Pickleball Merch Drops

Jen Rogers’ ELN apparel line debuted with flair, while Florida Smash rebranded with sleek new merch. Pottery classes with Dekel Bar and Julian Arnold lightened the mood online, proving even the fiercest players know how to unwind.

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4:17 – Milly Rane Roars Back

Annoyed by Eric Oncins’ courtside heckling, Milly Rane screamed back—point-blank—creating one of May’s funniest and most talked-about moments. The clip is still racking up views.

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4:40 – Pickleball on TV’s “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”

From Stratman’s engagement to Julian Arnold to appearances on niche reality shows, pickleball expanded its cultural footprint—reaching even the most unexpected corners of pop culture.

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5:00 – Quang Duong Suspended and Fined

In less joyous news, Quang Duong was penalized for breaching contract rules by playing in a non-PPA event, reminding fans that professional pickleball still enforces strict league loyalties.

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5:10 – Anna Leigh Waters in Times Square

Capping the month was Anna Leigh Waters' massive billboard appearance in Times Square. A beacon of the sport’s growth, ALW’s rise is now etched into the very skyline of American celebrity.

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5:47 – Outro: Be Part of History

From court-side drama to cultural relevance, May proved that pickleball’s rise shows no signs of slowing. As the recap concluded, fans were encouraged not just to watch—but to attend, play, and live the history.

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Article Summary

May 2025 showcased pickleball as a full-fledged cultural phenomenon. A sport once relegated to retirement communities now commands Times Square billboards, reality show cameos, high-profile endorsements, and deeply personal human moments. With stars like Anna Leigh Waters, the Johns brothers, and the Annas (Bright and Leigh) at the helm, the game is not only growing in scope—but becoming a mirror of American pop culture itself.

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🎶 Song: “Pickleball Diaries: From Times Square to the Court”

Instrumentation:

• Verse (Folk): Acoustic guitar fingerpicking, light snare brush

• Rap Sections (90s-style): Drum machine, vinyl scratch effects

• Chorus (Jazz): Upright bass, saxophone riffs, soft piano

• Bridge: Layered harmony vocals, violin

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[Verse 1 – Folk]
In St. Louis, they joked with a faux security team,
Then Ben and Collin dipped, chasing a lighting dream.
Kate let loose an F-bomb, said what she felt,
Pickleball’s heat ain’t the cards you’re dealt.

[Chorus – Jazz]
Ooooh, it’s more than a game,
Billboards and babies, rising fame.
From ATL courts to Times Square’s light,
Pickleball’s dancing in the spotlight.

[Verse 2 – Rap]
DJ Young got baby news, second one’s due,
JW met a namesake baby, yeah that’s true.
Wilson adopted, brought Haven home,
On-court legends, making love zones.

Princess dresses, Disney’s spin,
Bouchard on court with a royal grin.
Anna x Anna in ATL blast,
Gold round their necks, winning fast.

[Chorus – Jazz]
Ooooh, hear the sideline cry,
Alshon roaring to the sky.
Big D’s shirts and Haring flair,
Pickleball culture everywhere.

[Verse 3 – Folk]
Milly Rane screamed back in pride,
A fiery moment she couldn't hide.
Duong got fined, took the fall,
While ALW went big on the wall.

[Bridge – Harmony/Violin Layer]
From pottery wheels to Cayman tides,
From Mormon Wives to wedding brides.
Rap battles at the merch booth sale,
It’s a jazzy folk sport on a pickle trail.

[Final Chorus – Full Ensemble Jazz]
Ooooh, rise with the names we know,
Anna Leigh, the star of the show.
If May’s the storm, June’s the fire,
Pickleball’s pop culture choir.

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Song Creation Article: Behind the Beat of “Pickleball Diaries”

The song “Pickleball Diaries” emerged from an effort to sonically mirror the month’s diversity of tone and texture in professional pickleball. The use of folk instrumentation for verses grounds the lyrics in authenticity and storytelling. 90’s rap provides rhythm and cultural punch, perfect for conveying player news, match drama, and merch hype. Jazz choruses give the piece a lift—symbolizing the elegance and improvisation found on the court and in players’ lives.

Every major topic from the recap found a place in the song, from Anna Leigh Waters' Times Square billboard and Christian Alshon's emotional cry to DJ Young’s growing family and Milly Rane’s unforgettable clapback. The goal was to make a sports anthem that felt as dynamic, inclusive, and fun as the sport it celebrates.

Pickleball, like this song, is where rhythm meets reach—and May 2025 was its finest chorus yet.