WWE
– Sabu was found unresponsive in a Pennsylvania area hotel room by Extreme Reunion staff on Saturday, which led to the hardcore wrestling icon being rushed to a nearby hospital before his scheduled match for the promotion. TMZ.com reports Sabu had an allergic reaction to a medication he had been taking.
“Sabu was found unresponsive in his hotel room earlier today when event staff went to his room to pick him up for tonight’s show. Management is currently awaiting results from his doctors to find out what actually happened,” a representative for Extreme Reunion told TMZ.com. “All we know is that he had prior health issues that might have been a contributing factor. We’re pulling for him and are very concerned for his health. We wish him the best of luck in his recovery.”
In an update on the former ECW star’s health, PWInsider.com reports he checked himself out of the hospital Sunday morning and is telling those who have contacted him that he is “fine.”
– Jim Ross has published a blog on his official website offering his match predictions for tonight’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view event.
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: “Will Lesnar’s ring rust be a factor? It’s been approximately 8 years since Brock has had a bout in a WWE ring. That could be an issue. Cena seems to feel cornered. Competitive people in this situation are dangerous. Is Cena intimidated by the legend and sheer physical skills of the former UFC Champion? If so, will that take Cena out of his game? Too many unanswered questions for me to feel comfortable about any prediction I make BUT I’m going with Cena to win somehow, someway. Ring rust, Lesnar’s perceived over confidence, and Cena’s sense of urgency fuel my guess.”
CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho: “Home field advantage should help Punk but it’s no guarantee. Crowd will be rabid especially for this one. This could be a great show closer if called upon and I hope it’s contested mostly in or around the ring. I’ve got Punk winning a heck of a match. However, remember that being at ‘home’ can be a distraction as it relates to family, friends, tickets needed, etc. just something to think about in this WWE Title bout.
Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan: “World Title at stake in 2X3 Falls…old school from two old school grapplers. Could well be the show stealer. Bryan may be WWE’s most diversely skilled mat man. I’ve got Sheamus retaining in a dandy that I see going three falls.”
– According to the official Facebook page of Maine based independent wrestling promotion Live Pro Wrestling (link), Tammy “Sunny” Sytch no-showed the promotion’s Thursday show after having paid for her flight and half of her appearance fee. She was replaced on short notice with fellow WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas. Sytch has no-showed several advertised appearances in the past year including four scheduled bookings since March. She was recently scheduled to appear for American Icon Autographs at WrestleReunion in Toronto, Ontario but “personal issues” prevented her from appearing at the event. American Icon Autographs stated they have no intention on working with her again after having bailed on the organization a third time.
– Ray “Glacier” Lloyd appeared on World Wrestling Insanity with James Guttman (Interview available at WorldWrestlingInsanity.com via ClubWWI). As fans of Glacier remember, his most memorable run was in World Championship Wrestling. He was there along with Marcus “Buff” Bagwell, who has been in the news following his recent car accident that left him in Intensive Care. As James points out, Bagwell’s reputation precedes him. But, as he mentioned in his second book “Shoot First, Ask Questions Later”, Buff was one of the most professional stars he ever set up an interview with. When JG set it up, Marcus said, “You don’t know me, but people who do, know that when I put you in my calendar, you’re set.” And set he was because Buff called at the exact time he said he would and delivered and honest and open interview. It’s a rarity for the wrestling business but par-for-the-course with Bagwell. Lloyd has history with Marcus and explains to ClubWWI.com their history…
“A lot of people don’t know this, but Marcus and I broke in around the same time in Georgia. We’re both home grown Georgia boys. I’ve had a very good relationship with Marcus throughout almost my entire career. Marcus and I have never been like super, super, close friends. But we’ve always considered ourselves much more than just acquaintances. I would always say definitely good buddies in and out of wrestling. We’ve always had a great time whenever we’ve hung out together and stuff. ”
Of course, the most important thing with a tragic accident at first is not to determine why it happened, but to hope that the results following it are positive. The situation rocked many in the business and Ray, although acknowledging that ClubWWI.com listeners may want to speculate, reminds us that there’s more to it than that.
“Obviously, it’s really unfortunate and really scary what he just went through. From what I understand, he’s probably lucky to have lived through it. Pretty bad. The circumstances surrounding it – who knows? I know a lot of people will be quick to judge based on some of Marcus’s struggles in the past. I’m not going to be one of those people. I don’t know what caused it and until all those facts come in, I don’t want to speculate. But I can tell you this, Marcus is a guy who’s always been, in my book, when he’s in a good mood and in his environment, he’s one of the best guys in the world to be around. The demands of wrestling, especially on someone of his caliber – he’s someone with such a distinct look. He’s one of those guys I always say that even if someone doesn’t know he’s a wrestler, they know he’s somebody. He just has a certain look that makes him stand out. And he’s had a great combination of look, charisma, and talent. He’s come through adversity in the past. I’m pulling for him 100% and I really hope he gets through this.”
Bagwell’s future will require hard work but he’s lucky to have a strong family unit behind him. As Glacier explains to James, many fans don’t know about the people Marcus has to depend on. But the Bagwell Family sticks together. As the ClubWWI.com show continues, Lloyd says that those people may be the key to a quick and full recovery.
“He’s got a great wife, Judy, who’s obviously there for him every step of the way. He has one of the toughest moms in the world (laughs). A lot of people don’t know, but he’s got a very, very, close family. His brothers too. I know one of his brothers really good – John. I know of his other brothers. He has a very close family. The people in Marietta, Georgia, where he’s born and raised, I know they’re going to rally around him and the family. I really believe Marcus will come through this. He’s a tough cat. He’ll pull through and hopefully pull through with no lasting effects from it.”
NHL
– The City of Glendale is expected to have a deal in place shortly to keep the Coyotes in Arizona. The Coyotes are still owned by the NHL, but Glendale has subsidized the team over the last three years at $25M per season. A majority of the city council (four of seven) have agreed to a deal which would pay the new owners a fee for running the arena. The fee is expected to be $17M next season, $20M until 2017 and $15M after that in a 20 year deal. Former owner Jerry Moyes asked the city to help out with $12.5M before he went bankrupt, but Glendale refused. Former Sharks President Greg Jamison is looking to purchase the team and this incentive can only help. Stay tuned.
– The Predators are continuing to lose money, and are looking for an investor to chip in $15-25M. The Predator ownership have put in $60M over the last five years to cover losses, in addition to the city of Nashville adding $38.6M to the coffers of the Predators. The Preds have also received money from the NHL in their revenue-sharing program. They are facing the NHL-owned Coyotes in the second round of the playoffs. The good news is that one team will go at least to the Conference final if not the Stanley Cup final, and the extra home dates will certainly not hurt the bottom line.
– Blues’ D Alex Pietrangelo (head) suffered a possible concussion after being run into the boards in the second period during Game 1 Saturday. He was hit by the Kings’ F Dwight King and stayed down momentarily, but managed to leave under his own power. King received a minor, but should have picked up at least a double minor as Pietrangelo was bleeding. Pietrangelo came back for one more shift but then returned to the dressing room and did not return. David Backes said, “Hopefully, he’s back Monday, but if he’s not, we’ve dealt with injuries all year and someone’s going to have to fill that void. It’s a big void and the responsibility will probably have to be shared. But that’s part of the game, injuries happen and we’ll have to fight through.”
– Bruins’ F Patrice Bergeron (strained oblique/broken nose) played injured during the last four games of the first round. He sustained the break after being checked by Capitals’ F Alexander Ovechkin in Game 3.
– Check out this Rangers’ fan who got a picture with NHL head disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan despite a negative poster:
NBA
– Bulls’ G Derrick Rose (torn left ACL) has officially been ruled out for the rest of the playoffs, and is expected to miss 6-9 months. It’s a devastating blow for the Bulls, the fans and the NBA. Many will blame head coach Tom Thibodeau for leaving his starters in with a double-digit lead and just 80 seconds to go, but in fairness, the Sixers were making a late run. The timetable is not set in stone, as no date for surgery has been scheduled. Of note, the NBA season will begin roughly 6 months from now, meaning Rose could miss the first part of the season, and likely won’t get back to 100% until after the All-Star break.
– The Nets played their final game of the season last week, and likely their final game in New Jersey as well. The Brooklyn Nets have since released their new logo. Check it out:
– Knicks’ G Jeremy Lin (knee) has been ruled out for Games 2 and 3 vs. the Heat, but if his knee keeps improving he could return for Game 4 next Sunday. ”I was more encouraged by what I did [on Saturday] and less encouraged by how I felt [on Sunday],” said Lin. A return in Game 4 would be an absolute best-case scenario.
– Knicks’ G Iman Shumpert (torn left ACL) is expected to miss 6-8 months. Shumpert’s terrific rookie season ends on a disappointing note; in addition, the Knicks’ chances of beating the Heat have slimmed. Shumpert averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 steals in just 29 minutes per game this season.
NFL
– ESPN Dallas’ Calvin Watkins reports that Cowboys’ CB Mike Jenkins is still on the trade block. Per Watkins, there “appear to be no takers.” Jenkins underwent a significant shoulder operation in January after separating the joint several times during the 2011 season. Watkins adds that Jenkins isn’t rehabbing at the team’s facility, and is working out on his own in Florida.
– Eagles’ head coach Andy Reid admitted that he overplayed RB LeSean McCoy last season. McCoy had 321 carries over just 15 games, which works out to just over 18 per week. Expect McCoy’s touches to go down next season.
– The Lions have signed Boise State QB Kellen Moore. The all-time winningest quarterback in NCAA history, Moore was elite in college, but isn’t believed to have what it takes to make the next step. A four-year starter, Moore’s intangibles and outstanding anticipation and timing in his throws will have to compensate for his lack of physical tools to make it in the NFL. In Detroit, he would compete as a third-stringer behind Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill.
MLB
– According to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, the Athletics have signed 3B Brandon Inge. The Tigers will still be responsible for Inge’s $5.5M salary, so he’s likely to sign for the veteran minimum. A number of teams reportedly showed interested, but Oakland’s situation likely gives Inge the most playing time. The 34-year-old batted just .100 with a .400 OPS in 20 plate appearances with Detroit before being released.
– The Seattle Times’ Geoff Baker reports that Mariners’ LHP George Sherrill (elbow) is scheduled to undergo surgery in May and is likely out for the season. Sherrill hasn’t pitched since the Opening Day series in Japan.