WWE
– Earlier this week, the WWE website posted an article talking about the fact that Chris Jericho has yet to win WWE gold since returning in January and speculating whether Jericho will leave WWE again if he does not win the World Heavyweight title at Over The Limit this weekend. Jericho responded to the writer of the article Twitter:
“Hey Alex Giannini, heres an idea-shut your effen mouth and stop spreading BS rumours.”
– After John Cena filed for divorce from his wife Elizabeth earlier this month, TMZ is reporting that she has asked a Florida judge to throw out Cena’s request because it was filled with errors. According to documents, John referred to Elizabeth by her maiden name instead of her legal name. Elizabeth also claims John did not attach the prenuptial agreement that he referenced in his divorce filing. Elizabeth also disputes John’s claims there was no marital property. She insists there is and for these reasons, she wants the judge to dismiss the papers and force John to re-file.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross tweeted the following about Thursday night’s WWE NXT tapings from Full Sail University:
“FCW taped nx Thursday in Tampa as usual. NXT rebranded here in Orlando. Air dates/networks TBD. Great, 12 hour day! Hard work by all.”
When asked by a fan on Twitter about why he was being “demoted” to NXT, he responded:
“Not a demotion at all. Im a team player. You should try it.”
– Stephanie and Shane McMahon have been added to the Alumni section of the WWE website.
– Ric Flair’s daughter Ashley has indeed signed a developmental deal with WWE and will be reporting to Florida Championship Wrestling in July. She has been training in North Carolina with former WCW wrestler Lodi and already broke her nose during training, according to Pro Wrestling Insider. It’s been widely speculated that Ric Flair will be returning to WWE when his TNA contract expires. Between his appearance at the Hall of Fame ceremony and WWE now signing his daughter, it does seem like a possibility.
– A wrote to David Otunga on Twitter this week and brought to his attention that TNA World Champion Bobby Roode recently demanded a bowl of green M&M’s on Impact – which David Otunga also did back when he hosted RAW. Otunga replied and said the following about TNA’s champion:
“He’s my fan… Or a Mark.”
– Following the announcement of RAW moving to 3-hours every week starting July 23rd, various WWE superstars and divas wrote tweeted about the news:
John Laurinaitis: “After I defeat @JohnCena at #OverTheLimit, I can look forward to another hour of #PeoplePower beginning on July 23. #3HourRaw”
“As many of you have noted, the odds of me actually making it to #3HourRaw are slimmer than ever after the Board’s decision Monday.”
“Although I’m a fighter, I’ll need the support of the entire WWE Universe to overcome such unfair circumstances at #OverTheLimit.”
“As always, I’m trying to stand tall in the face of adversity. The prospect of #3HourRaw is helping me persevere in these dark times.”
David Otunga: “RAW is 3 hours! An additional 3,600 secs @WWEUniverse gets to enjoy looking at the greatest physique in @WWE #3HourRAW”
Dolph Ziggler: “i challenge ANY @WWE #wwe SUPERSTAR to an #IronManMatch July 23rd! #3hourRaw #ShowStolen #AnyTAKERs?”
Justin Gabriel: “#3HourRaw yes! Stoked. I hope that my people in Africa will get more than the Hour of RAW and SD now!”
BG James: “Well the cats out of the bag! Soon we go 3 hours on Mondays! More entertainment for your viewing pleasure! #3hourRaw #OUDK”
Titus O’Neil: “Well @WWE #RAW goes to 3hrs in July!! Looks like Me& @DarrenYoungWWE will have 2take Over Raw too!! #TagChampsSoon #MillionsofDollars”
Tyson Kidd: “Raw moving to 3 hours? I see nothing but great stuff coming from this”
NFL
– According to the Boston Globe, Patriots’ WR Wes Welker’s decision to go public about contract negotiations over the past couple of weeks “has not gone over well with the Patriots.” Welker hinted that he would hold out at least through next month’s minicamp. The Pats have since reduced their long-term offer. The Globe believes Welker’s actions have “only increased the chances that 2012 will be his final season with the team.” Stay tuned.
NHL
– Canucks’ F Ryan Kesler (shoulder) said that he will not rush back to action after undergoing surgery. Kesler is expected to miss 6 months, which will force him to miss the start of the 2012-13 season. ”I’m not going to come back early. With the program I have, the fourth-month period is when you can really start pushing the envelope and even if it goes until December, I’m not coming back until I’m 110 per cent when I know I’m ready and able to play my game. It’s going to take six months and the surgeon [Dr. Anthony Miniaci of the Cleveland Clinic] is not going to release me until I’m at full strength and mobility. I’m doing rehab two or three times a week with my therapist and rehab on my own every day to get my range of motion back slowly. I’ve started working out this week so my legs are more sore than my shoulder right now, but I’m not going to rush anything.”
MLB
– Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago reports that Cubs’ RHP Kerry Wood will announce his retirement Friday. Wood said at the end of last season that he was either going to pitch for the Cubs in 2012 or retire. He’s been woeful so far this season, posting an 8.64 ERA, 2.28 WHIP and 5/11 K/BB ratio over 8 1/3 innings, but Wood will turn just 35 next month. It’s not clear if he is dealing with something physically or if he’s just decided to retire. He’ll end his career with an 86-75 record, 63 saves, a 3.67 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 1,581 strikeouts over 1,379 2/3 innings across 14 seasons.
– Cardinals’ OF Allen Craig (hamstring) is expected to be placed on the DL before Friday’s game against the Dodgers.
– Cubs’ C Geovany Soto (torn left meniscus) will be placed on the DL after Friday’s game after an MRI revealed a slight tear in his left meniscus. Soto will require arthroscopic surgery and will miss a few weeks.
– Rockies’ LHP Jorge De La Rosa (elbow) allowed a run on three hits and three walks while striking out four over four innings in a rehab start for Double-A Tulsa Thursday. JDLR left his last rehab outing with forearm tightness, but he evidently didn’t have any physical issues Thursday. He’ll pitch for Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday before rejoining the Rockies rotation on June 2 if all goes well. The 31-year-old is on his way back from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery.
– Actor Gary Sinese threw out the opening pitch at a recent Rangers’ game. Unfortunately, the throw left a lot to be desired. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8q2q-nM8b_0
NBA
– Clippers’ F Blake Griffin (knee/ankle) is also now dealing with a hip pointer. Griffin is known to be battling knee and ankle issues, but he was diagnosed with a hip pointer after Game 2 against the Spurs.
– Spurs’ fan Patrick Gonzalez got a picture of F Matt Bonner shaved into the back of his head, and after showing up at school Thursday, learned he could get a suspension for it. The haircut was deemed to be “distracting.” Check out the sweet ‘do:
