NBA
– According to reports, Bulls’ G Derrick Rose (torn left ACL/MCL) will not return this season. Details remain scarce, and all reports remain unconfirmed so far–this was first circulated by NBC Miami. CSN writer John Finger also wrote, “Word around the United Center press room: Torn ACL & MCL for Derrick Rose.” TNT cameras also caught Rose telling a trainer, “I felt something ‘pop’.” Rose planted wrong and immediately crumpled to the court in serious pain, and he needed help getting into the locker room. The Bulls have played well in Rose’s absence, but losing him for the playoffs would be a massive blow to their championship run. Stay tuned.
WWE
– As seen on Monday’s RAW, John Cena came to the ring for his Extreme Rules contract signing with a chain wrapped around his fist. The WWE website has a new article up looking at Edge’s pep talk to Cena that speculates whether Cena will bring out his “thug” side in order to defeat Brock Lesnar. Here’s an excerpt:
“Maybe a stern message from The Master Manipulator was what Cena needed all along. On Sunday night at Extreme Rules, will Cena heed Edge’s call and unleash ruthless aggression to shock Lesnar? Or is he just going to wind up the first victim in Brock’s fearsome quest to take over WWE?”
– Dylan Christian, the 12-year-old friend of John Cena from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, passed away on Thursday after a fourth bout with cancer. Dylan met Cena at a WWE RAW event from Cleveland months ago and the two instantly had a special bond. Cena brought the boy and his family to WrestleMania 28 and spoke about Dylan throughout WrestleMania week, talking about how unbelievably brave he was during his fight. USA Today has published an essay from Cena this week talking about his Make-A-Wish experiences. Here is an excerpt of what he wrote:
“As these kids come looking for a chance to interact with my WWE persona, they are living that moment on their terms. And they exude pure joy. Triumph. Their parents, often through tears, say the wish experience has given them their children back.
There is a lesson here for all of us. About making wishes, and about granting them.
Wishing is powerful stuff.”
– During an interview with ChicagoNow.com to promote Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules PPV, Daniel Bryan was asked who he’d want to face at WrestleMania 29 next April. Bryan named a former rival of his – current WWE champion, CM Punk. Here’s what Daniel Bryan said about the potential showdown:
“I would think it would be really cool and how both are careers have gone, it would be CM Punk. I think that would be a major important match and be awesome to go out there in front of 70,000 people and show them what we can do. Both of us wrestled in front of 35 people so having that kind of crowd in front of us would be amazing.”
Bryan also revealed in a new interview with Arda Ocal that after he was released by WWE back in 2010, he had talks with people in TNA. Bryan also noted that at the time of his release that he wasn’t concerned financially because he had options to make more money compared to NXT wrestlers were being paid.
“WWE apologized and said they had sponsors they had to deal with and whatnot. And I said don’t worry about me, I’m probably going to make more money this year than I did the last year when I was on NXT. I had people from Japan calling me, I had TNA people talking to me, not directly, but through other people. It was just a fascinating time for me in my career.”
– Former WWE & WCW star Bill Goldberg recently appeared on Washington DC’s 106.7 The Fan and spoke about the possibility of working for WWE again, still wanting to wrestle “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and his thoughts on Brock Lesnar. Here are some highlights of what Golberg said about:
Having One Final Match: “It’s really tough for a guy like myself. Look at a guy like Animal. Look at Road Warrior. Look at guys who are big power guys. . . the older you get the harder it is to be that guy.” He continued and said it’s very hard to maintain the muscular appearance that fans remember him for – and he doesn’t want to return and have a crappy match.
Still Wanting To Wrestle Steve Austin & Why It Won’t Happen: “That’d be a dream come true… that’d be killer. I think at the end of the day they probably don’t trust me enough to put me in there with guys, considering I’m ‘a dangerous guy to work with’ and ‘I haphazardly ended Bret Hart’s career.’ At the end of the day these people have to understand it’s a violent deal, number one. Number two, accidents happen. And number three, that’s why I work in Japan — they don’t cry if you hit them …That’s a joke.”
He & Brock Lesnar’s Departure From WWE After WrestleMania 20: “Obviously it was kind of unfinished business. We both left there under circumstances that weren’t the most favorable for anybody, let alone the fans who are the most important at the end of the day.”
His Opinion Of Brock Lesnar: “Brock, as a young kid, he succeeded in every single thing that he did. To venture out and try to play professional football without having college experience — LaVar will tell you how hard that is. Big pat on the back to him for that. And then going to MMA and succeeding and becoming the World Heavyweight Champion. . . Whatever Brock wants to do, I’m in his corner. He’s a good buddy of mine and we talk frequently. I just hope at the end of the day whatever he chooses his health is in a positive note. We all know he’s had some issues over the past number of years.”
– TMZ reports that Buff Bagwell is still hospitalized but breathing and eating on his own after the bad car accident on Monday. Bagwell was hooked up to breathing tubes while emergency room doctors worked on major injuries to his face and spine. The breathing tube was removed on Wednesday and Buff is now talking and eating solid foods. Some of Buff’s WCW co-workers like Sting, Diamond Dallas Page, Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner have contacted him while in the hospital.
– The Rock announced on Twitter that he is filming a fight scene with Kurt Angle for his new movie, Pain & Gain:
“Big fight scene today for PAIN & GAIN w/ my boy – Olympic Gold Medalist & wrestling MACHINE @RealKurtAngle. #Boots2Asses”
– WWE Diva Beth Phoenix posted a photo of her at a doctor’s office for an MRI this weekend witht he caption, “More tests, fingers crossed.” Sources still insist that the injury is all part of the storylines. She tweeted about her Extreme Rules match:
“I have been given my rematch this Sunday. Even if I have to wrestle on one leg, I can STILL beat @thebellatwins and win my title back.”
– Zack Ryder tweeted that WWE has once again censored his Z! True Long Island Story show:
“@WWE censored me again! WTF!!!”
Shortly after Ryder’s tweet, Eve Torres responded that she is the person responsible for Ryder’s show being censored for the past two weeks.
– The Rock posted a shout out to WWE staffers on Twitter this weekend:
“To all @WWE corporate & production employees: THANK YOU. #ThatsAll”
NFL
– The Redskins have released QB John Beck. eck became expendable when the Redskins drafted Robert Griffin III on Thursday and QB Kurt Cousins this morning. The 30-year-old should be able to sign on as a backup elsewhere. In four appearances last season, Beck completed 60-of-132 passes for 858 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
MLB
– Phillies’ 1B Ryan Howard (Achilles) will head to the team’s spring training complex in Florida on Sunday to continue his rehab. Howard saw a specialist in Philadelphia on Monday who advised him to limit his activities for a week to allow his surgical wound to heal. The 32-year-old could be ready to join the Phillies in late May or early June if he can avoid further setbacks.
– The Nationals have placed 3B Ryan Zimmerman (sore right shoulder) on the 15-day DL retroactive to April 21. Zimmerman received a second cortisone shot Friday in Los Angeles, but could be back when he’s first eligible on May 6.
– Indians’ OF Shin-Soo Choo (hamstring) will be sidelined until at least Tuesday. The Indians hope to have him available when they open a three game series with the White Sox next week.