NHL
– Senators’ F Daniel Alfredsson (concussion) has been ruled out for Game 5 on Saturday against the Rangers, and will not travel with the team to New York. Game 6 goes on Monday, so he could return as early as then.
– Flyers’ D Nicklas Grossman (concussion) has been ruled out for game 5 tonight against the Penguins.
MLB
– Padres’ RHP Dustin Moseley (right shoulder strain/labrum damage) is expected to undergo surgery and could miss 10-15 months. He’ll receive a second opinion before a final decision is made, but he admits that surgery is “probably my only option because no one, with the things I’ve got going on in my shoulder, there really hasn’t been anyone to come back and have longevity after a rehab. They kind of just break down again and continue to get it fixed.”
– Giants’ RHP Brian Wilson (right elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Thursday. Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery, which “went as planned,” according to Giants’ trainer Dave Groeschner. It’s the second Tommy John procedure for Wilson, who will miss the rest of the season and likely the early part of the 2013 season, as well.
– Red Sox’ RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (Tommy John surgery) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Salem Monday. Dice-K hasn’t had any setbacks in his recovery, and reportedly was hitting 94 mph during an extended spring training game. He could return as early as June.
– The Cubs have placed RHP Kerry Wood (right shoulder fatigue) on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 14. Wood reported improvement with the shoulder following a cortisone shot on Wednesday, but obviously not enough to keep him active. It’s not clear at this point how long he might be out.
NFL
– The Denver Post reports that the Broncos have “expressed interest in acquiring” Eagles’ CB Asante Samuel. Per the Post, however, the Broncos are pessimistic about a deal after making two proposals to Philadelphia. One involved a 5th or 6th-round pick, and the other a player currently on Denver’s roster–both of which were turned down by the Eagles.
NBA
– Wolves’ head coach Rick Adelman said there is a “good chance” that F Kevin Love (concussion) and G Luke Ridnour (ankle) return for the final two games of the season beginning Saturday.
WWE
– WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin spoke to the UK Sun this week to promote the DVD release of his latest action movie, Recoil. Here are some highlights of what Austin said about:
Hell in a Cell “Saving” WrestleMania 28: “The Undertaker and Triple H match made it special. Going into it, I thought how will they better last year? How do you follow something like that? But they did. It was at about the 8-10 minute mark when I saw them dig beyond the solid work they had done and pull out all of the stops. Shawn Michaels was a real benefit there too. He was perfect in his referee role. I believe the match they had was off the charts. If it hadn’t been for it, the event would have failed. It was very average until then.”
Daniel Bryan, Brock Lesnar & WWE’s Main Event Scene: “I felt bad for Daniel Bryan, as his match with Sheamus was so short and I really wanted him to get the chance to shine. He is a great kid and he can work, you just want to see him work and he didn’t get that chance there. I hope they use him better down the line as there aren’t a lot of guys that truly work like he does. Daniel does need some polishing on his promos, but then so do a lot of the guys there.”
“There are a few prime spots for main eventers now and the WWE need to push some guys into them. They have Brock Lesnar back and he is a real monster, he also has his UFC success behind him too. He is right in at main event level. You have Cena there too and then they have very limited opponents. The job now is to move people to that position.”
Is CM Punk The Right Opponent If He Returns To The Ring?: “Maybe Punk’s not the guy to go against. He needs to pick up his intensity. We’ll have to see what I do, I’m happy now doing what I am. In a perfect world, where I could step back into the ring for one last match I would be willing to have that discussion with management. I do miss the business and working a live crowd, going out there and wrestling your hearts out.”
– According to the Wrestling Observer, sources within WWE confirm 2010 Miss USA and Tough Enough contestant Rima Fakih has not signed a contract with the organization. Fakih suggested last month during an interview with German celebrity gossip website Promiflash.de that she had signed a contract with WWE, stating, “You are the first to respond to me, but I can now tell you that I will definitely be part of WWE.”
– Speaking to WWE Magazine, Kelly Kelly discussed her WWE rookie year in 2006 and recalled an angle where The Sandman struck her on the head with a Singapore Cane. The complete interview is featured in the May 2012 issue.
“I remember I took a hit one time from Sandman, and I don’t think a girl has ever taken that kind of shot before in WWE. And, holy moly, I saw stars and I wanted to cry. He hit me right on top of the head. Mike Knox even hit his finisher on me. Come to think of it, when I signed up, I had some pretty brutal things done to me. I definitely was fearless back then.”
– Christian, who returned to the ring this week, is interviewed in the latest WWE Magazine and said this about his future with the company:
“My work here isn’t done by any stretch of the imagination. Even though I’m a veteran, I still have a lot to strive for and a lot to work for. I haven’t gotten a lot of things, or done some of the things that I feel I need to do yet.”
– WWE.com has a new article up with several Superstars reacting to Brock Lesnar’s video promo from Monday’s RAW where he claimed John Cena would be carrying his bags if he would have never left WWE years ago. Here are some quotes from past and present WWE superstars:
Booker T: “There’s only one chief around here, and we all know who that is. I don’t think one Superstar in WWE determines what goes on. I remember a promoter telling me a long time ago … Years later, I now understand exactly what he was saying. He said: ‘One monkey don’t stop no show.’ And that pretty much sums it up right there.”
Goldust: “Whether you like him or hate him, you respect John Cena. He works his ass off day in and day out more than anybody else in this locker room, on the roster, period. What Brock said about Cena, I find that a bit distasteful. I don’t believe for a second that if Brock didn’t leave eight years ago that Cena wouldn’t be where he’s at today. I think that’s bull. John Cena was destined to be a star.”
William Regal: “There’s no way that things would be the way they are if Brock had never left. I’m not saying that Cena wouldn’t be the huge star that he is, but there’s not room for two of them in the same universe. You can’t have two people with that incredible ability, strength, desire, passion, and that Elvis quality – which is that magic quality that you only come across once in a million. And they’ve both got it. Usually, one fella has got to go, because when they collide, that’s the way it plays out.”
Matt Striker: “I think it’s safe to say Brock is the most legitimate, most dangerous ass-kicker WWE has ever seen, and the one person that now really needs to reinvent himself and relearn his craft is Cena. Brock is not here to use armdrags and dropkicks. Brock is here to punch you in the face and snap your bones. We need to see what Cena is made of, and I believe at Extreme Rules, the whole world will find out.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena: “Thought the Brock Lesnar piece on RAW was excellent. I’m very anxious to see how he competes vs John Cena at the Extreme Rules PPV. Fighting in the Octagon for UFC is a much different animal than performing in a WWE ring. Lesnar is a gifted athlete and will likely shock us all with how well he does against Cena. This one is too close for me to call.”
Heading To FCW Next Week To Evaluate Talent: “Can’t wait to get back to Tampa next week to work with the young men and women in FCW. It never fails to be a rewarding experience.”
SmackDown Newcomer Damien Sandow: “Anxious for WWE fans to see Damien Sandow in the ring. He’s fundamentally sound w/ a distinctive upside. Time will tell. Keep getting questions on the apparent Mick Foley/Dean Ambrose war of words. I have no idea where it’s going if any where. Good to see so many young talents getting set to apparently get more, viable TV time. Remember guys, maximize those minutes.”
Steve Austin Honored By The Cauliflower Alley Club: “Steve Austin received the group’s highest award named after the founder of the organization, Iron Mike Mazurki, a former wrestler and successful actor. I was fortunate enough to be asked by Steve to induct him. He had a great speech and offered sage advice to many of the young wrestlers who were in attendance. For more info on CAC visit their website at Caulifloweralleyclub.org.”
– According to the Wrestling Observer, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon participated in the first debate for Republican Senate candidate hopefuls on Thrusday night from Norwich, Connecticut. Other participants included attorney Brian Hill, attorney Peter Lumaj, former congressman Christopher Shays and attorney Kie Westby. McMahon’s history with WWE came under fire, with Westby attacking her by saying, “I have been in private practice for over 32 years, and during the course of that time, I have worked with dozens upon dozens of entrepreneurs. These are real jobs, not men bulked up on steroids or women prancing around in bikinis.” McMahon responded that she earned her fortune as WWE CEO “the old-fashioned way” – “I’m very proud of earning my money the old-fashioned way, and putting people to work throughout the state.”
– Three Stooges actor Sean Hayes appeared on Conan’s late night TBS show this week and said he was embarrassed to host WWE RAW earlier this month and said he would never attend a WWE event.
– Former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio and his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez have officially switched to the Smackdown brand. Del Rio toured with the SmackDown brand during this week’s European tour and has an upcoming title shot against Sheamus.
– WWE star Curt Hawkins, who was fired on NXT by William Regal earlier this week, continues to play up the storyline and says he’s headed to the independent scene to work with Kevin Steen and Sami Callihan:
“I’m so fired… I’m gonna kill @KILLSTEENKILL & @samicallihan on the indys. #NXT sucks”
– Here are some recent WWE attendance figures from this week’s European tour, courtesy of f4wonline.com:
RAW on April 11th in Moscow, Russia drew 6,500 fans
RAW on April 12th in Gdansk, Poland drew 7,000 fans
RAW on April 13th in Stuttgart, Germany drew 6,000 fans – a sellout
SmackDown on April 14th in Manchester, England drew 10,000 fans
RAW on April 15th in Nottingham, England drew 8,000 fans
RAW on April 16th in London drew 10,000 fans
SmackDown on April 17th in London drew 7,500 fans