WWE
– John Cena appeared to have injured his left arm during his match with Brock Lesnar at tonight’s Extreme Rules PPV, and hinted that he may be leaving for awhile. After defeating the former UFC Heavyweight Champion at tonight’s event, Cena took the mic and addressed the crowd.
“I’m probably going to get sent home for speaking when I’m not spoken to, but I think I’m headed home anyway. And if I know my boss, he’s going to kick me out the door, but he’s going to do it on air, so I hope this is for the world to see.”
“Chicago, I know this is CM Punk’s town, but above all else, this is a wrestling town. Tonight, you people were supposed to see the extreme. I’ve got no left arm, I’m tasting my own blood… and I’m damn proud to say it was in Chicago, IL.”
“All of us — good guys, bad guys, big guys, small guys — all of us give everything we have every night for you guys. And if I gotta take a vacation, so be it. If I’m going away for a while, I just wanna say thanks for one hell of a last ride. I feel great tonight, even with this Chicago crowd that may or may not like me. I listen to that and I think, if I’m going out, I wouldn’t want to do it any other way! Thank you guys, go home safe!”
While heading to the back, Cena told officials that he couldn’t move his arm, but he knows it’s not torn.
– Following his loss to WWE Champion CM Punk at Extreme Rules, Chris Jericho posted a picture on Twitter showing the marks left on his back from the kendo stick Punk used on him during their Chicago steet fight. He included the caption:
“What a war at Extreme Rules. Don’t think wrestling can be real? I beg to differ…. @CMPunk #kendostick”
– WWE announced last week that Rey Mysterio has been suspended for 60 days for his second violation of the company Wellness Policy. According to the Wrestling Observer, however, Mysterio reportedly tested positive for amphetamines back on February 13. Rey attended the RAW Supershow on February 13 in San Diego, and was immediately informed that he had to take a drug test. When he was informed about the failed test, Mysterio was reportedly shocked and denied using the drug, swearing that he’s been living a clean lifestyle. Rey believes he failed the test because of a medication he took that caused the positive for amphetamines. WWE reportedly did not buy his story as they went public with the failure last week.
– Here are more Twitter reactions from WWE stars after last night’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view:
CM Punk: “I feel like I was hit by a bus”
The Returning Layla: “Thank U guys 4 all Ur Support! Its been a long Journey! I’m so happy to be back! New Diva’s Champion Let the fun times begin #flawless”
Nikki Bella: “Words can’t describe how I feel right now…. Tears fill my face…. Can’t believe Lil B is gone I don’t like @mslayel N #ExtremeRules”
Santino Marella: “I will admits Miz was tuffer than I forspected but the cobra was ready tonight !”
Zack Ryder: “Take that Kane!”
Howard Finkel: “My respect goes out to all of the WWE Superstars who were a part of tonight’s Extreme Rules PPV…They left it all in the ring!!!..Kudos!!!”
Mick Foley: “Damn, hate to see a guy like @johncena ..or any guy for that matter, seriously injured. Get well soon, John.”
“Wow, easy match-of-the-year candidate with @CMPunk and @IAmJericho . If the main event delivers, this will be one of the shows of the year.”
– Scotty Riggs, who held the WCW World Tag Team Championship with Buff Bagwell, stated Sunday evening on Twitter that he spoke with his former tag team partner after he was involved in a serious car accident last Monday in Georgia. Riggs says while Bagwell is in “rough” shape, he was discharged from intensive care after undergoing successful surgery on Saturday. Bagwell was driving in Georgia on Monday when he lost control of his Jeep, which flipped on the road and left him with several broken bones in his neck and face, including a snapped jaw. The former WCW Superstar called his wife at 1:35 p.m. to tell her that he was about to suffer a seizure while driving. He was taken to nearby WellStar Kennestone Hospital, where he remained under doctors’ watch in an intensive care unit through the week. On Friday, Bagwell’s wife Judy stated to TMZ.com that he had been taken off the breathing tube, was able to eat solid foods and talk. Fellow WCW alumni Sting, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, Diamond Dallas Page and Riggs, among others, have also kept in contact with Bagwell since the accident.
“It’s really helped that he’s been contacted by friends … he’s really feeling the love.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross tweeted the following messages regarding Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view:
“Aggressive start w/ hard work by Orton and Kane. Orton w/ RKO on chair in the ring does it. Chicago crowd looks/sounds great.”
“Say what you want naysayers but Brodus Clay is an athletic big man. Ziggler fans remember…the cream rises to the top.”
“Daniel Bryan might be the best, pure, multi talented pro wrestler in WWE right now. If he’s not the best, he’s close.”
“Punk w/ a @ShawnMichaels like elbow off top turnbuckle onto Jericho who was on Spanish announce table. Damn. Heck of a Chicago Street Fight. Punk wins w/ GTS. Excellent match. Physical. @CMPunk & @IAmJericho especially earned their pay in a big way tonite.”
“Layla returns from a LONG physical rehab stint to win the Divas Title in what was essentially a handicap match vs the Bella’s.”
“Credit also goes to Brock Lesnar in a losing effort. Loved his offense. Cena endured an amazing beating. Both men are legit beasts.”
NHL
– Rangers’ F Brian Boyle (concussion) skated for a third straight day on Sunday and although he is encouraged by his progress, he isn’t sure when he’ll be back. ”I feel better each day but I don’t know what’s going to happen. There have been no setbacks. It’s progressed. But it’s not consistent with each guy, there are different symptoms. I’m trying to be honest with myself. But I wouldn’t have skated if I still felt foggy.” He practiced with his teammates on Friday and Sunday, in addition to skating by himself on Saturday. Boyle hasn’t played since April 21.
– Rangers’ F Brandon Dubinsky (lower body) didn’t take part in Sunday’s optional skate. He was seen on crutches at the team’s practice facility and he didn’t play in Game 1 against the Capitals after he was injured during Game 7 of the opening round against Ottawa. Head coach John Tortorella said there was no update on Dubinsky’s status, so he should be considered questionable for Monday.
NBA
– Clippers’ F Caron Butler (fractured left hand) will miss 4-6 weeks. Butler fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in his non-shooting hand during Game 1 on Saturday night. The Clippers would probably need to make the Western Conference Finals in order for Butler to return this season.
– Knicks’ G Jeremy Lin (knee) admitted that he felt “soreness” in his surgically-repaired knee Sunday. Lin played one-on-one Saturday, cutting and moving laterally for the first time since his surgery on April 2. He reportedly seemed discouraged about the soreness and called it a “setback” on Sunday. He’s still hoping to return for Game 4 of the Knicks’ first-round series, but it isn’t guaranteed–even if Lin does make a return, head coach Mike Woodson said to expect limited minutes.
MLB
– The Rays have officially signed DH Hideki Matsui to a minor league contract. Matsui, 37, drew little interest this winter after posting a .251/.321/.375 batting line last year for the A’s. He’ll platoon at DH.
– Cardinals’ OF Lance Berkman (calf) was held off from a scheduled running session Sunday at Busch Stadium. Berkman told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he no longer feels any discomfort in his left calf, but team trainers felt his strain was not properly healed enough on Sunday morning to allow for jogging or sprinting. He’s been on the DL since April 19.
NFL
– ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on SportsCenter Monday that the Rams envision No. 50 overall pick RB Isaiah Pead as Steven Jackson’s eventual successor. Per Schefter, “a lot of teams really coveted Pead.” Pead is 5’10″ and 190, but has similar traits that RB Chris Johnson possessed in Tennessee when Jeff Fisher was head coach. In fact, both backs were billed as change-up complementary runners coming out of college, both had 197-pound Combine weigh-ins and both ran 10-yard splits in the 1.4s.
– ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi hints that RB Montario Hardesty’s roster spot could be in danger following the Browns’ selection of RB Trent Richardson. Injuries have limited Hardesty to 10 games since he was a 2nd-round pick in 2010. Per Grossi, he “doesn’t have (the versatility) to play on third down and special teams.” Hardesty will need to have a strong camp to ensure he doesn’t get waived. President Mike Holmgren suggested Richardson will be an every-down back, so Hardesty’s role appears to be limited already.