WWE
– With Shawn Michaels being announced as the first big name to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April, WWE officials are already talking about possible candidiates to headline the Class of 2012. Two names in particular that have come up for next year’s Hall of Fame class ar Trish Stratus, given that it will likely take place in her hometown of Toronto, and Hollywood megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The idea with Rock is it would be mark 10 years after his memorable WrestleMania match with Hulk Hogan, which also took place in Toronto.
With that said, during WrestleMania 27, it’s believed that WWE will announce WrestleMania 28 for Toronto, Ontario Canada. Stay tuned.
– According to a person who spoke directly to Vince McMahon this past week, Wade Barrett vs. The Undertaker is currently penciled in as the main event for WrestleMania XXVII. Barring a setback in recovery, it’s now considered a lock that The Undertaker will work the show. As reported earlier this week, the Undertaker will be appearing at WWE’s Axxess event, which takes place the day before WrestleMania.
– WWE officials have been negotiating with representatives of Duane Chapman, best known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, about an appearance at WrestleMania. The talks took place a few weeks ago and it’s said that Chapman’s people were asking for way more than WWE initially offered.
– While numerous seats remain available for WrestleMania XXVII, WWE officials are said to be happy with ticket sales thus far. Tickets for the Hall of Fame ceremony have been selling especially well, with only balcony seats remaining as of early this week.
MLB
– Mark Saxson of ESPN LA reports that the Angels have opened discussions about a long-term contract extension with RHP Jered Weaver. Weaver filed for $8.8M and the Angels countered with a $7.365M bid when arbitration figures were exchanged last week. Rather than going through arbitration, the two sides may be ready work out a long-term pact. Weaver, 28, posted a stellar 3.01 ERA and 1.07 WHIP last season while striking out 233 batters in 224 1/3 innings of work.
NFL
– Steelers’ DC Dick LeBeau told NFL Network Wednesday that he will not be leaving Pittsburgh after the season. The 73-year-old said, “With this defense, with this group of men, they’ll have to run me out of here. I promise you, if I’m coaching, it will be the Pittsburgh Steelers.” ESPN’s Chris Mortensen caused an uproar Wednesday when suggesting in an online chat that LeBeau would “seriously consider” leaving for the Cardinals’ DC job.