WWE
– According to the Wrestling Observer, there are a lot of mid-card talent in WWE that are concerned about their jobs. WWE typically does “spring cleaning” and releases several wrestlers this time of year. Especially with huge money being paid to Brock Lesnar and new talent getting called up to NXT and the main roster in the coming weeks, cuts are expected soon.
– Domestic violence charges against Scott Hall have been dropped after he allegedly choked his girlfriend while intoxicated last month. Hall will not face any jail time. Hall’s told TMZ.com that charges were “dismissed and/or rejected by the prosecutor due to insufficient evidence.” After originally telling police that Hall had been drinking for days and tried pulling her out of her car by her throat, she later changed her story and said Hall never got violent with her and they have a happy, healthy relationship.
– SmackDown star Christian has yet to return to WWE television, but is advertised to challenge Sheamus this weekend for the World Heavyweight championship. During an interview with Citizen-Times.com to promote this weekend’s live event from Asheville, North Carolina, he spoke about working through WWE’s tough travel schedule:
“We just got back from a two-week tour of Europe where we wrestled every night. It is what it is. It’s not for everybody. No matter how tired you get, when you get in that ring and hear that crowd road, everything will go away.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler made a surprise appearance at Wednesday night’s Memphis Grizzlies home playoff game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Lawler appeared during an intermission (wearing a Grizzlies jersey) and cut a promo in front of the crowd wound up giving a “fan” (wearing a Clippers jersey) a piledriver on the court. Here’s video of the incident:
– Buff Bagwell underwent surgery on his jaw on Thursday, which had been wired shut, and is now walking. Indy promotion UCW, which Bagwell had been wrestling for prior to his accident, tweeted the following update on his condition:
“Buff Bagwell released after surgery. Buff is recovering after having surgery on his jaw , which is wired. Buff has 4 plates in his face from surgery. Under his eye, across the face / nose. Is walking..but has some tingling in his arms and hands.”
– WWE’s stock price increased by over 13% on Thursday, a sign that Wall Street was very satisfied by the company’s first quarter earnings report released earlier in the day. The stock closed at $8.90 per share after it had bottomed out around $7.75 three times in the past two weeks.
– Mark Henry has been pulled from advertising for this week’s RAW brand live events. He had been scheduled to wrestle John Cena and WWE Champion CM Punk this weekend.
– John Cena will be appearing on next Tuesday’s “Dream Machines” show on Syfy. The official synopsis for the episode reads:
“In next Tuesday’s all new episode, the Parker brothers battle over WWE Superstar John Cena’s request for a one-of-a-kind Dream Machine. They only have 30 days to transform his Corvette into ‘The InCENArator,’ or face being on the wrong side of an Attitude Adjustment.”
Check out these promo pictures of John Cena’s appearance on the show:
MLB
– Blue Jays’ RHP Sergio Santos (shoulder) is optimistic he’ll be back in 2-3 weeks. It was reported Thursday that Santos would start playing catch over the weekend, but he won’t do that until Tuesday. “I’ll do some shoulder program stuff and kind of strengthen the muscles around my shoulder and then start playing catch.”
– Dan Hayes of the North County Times writes that the acquisition of UTIL Alexi Amarista “is another sign” that the Padres are “closer to parting” with SS Jason Bartlett and 2B Orlando Hudson. The team has options on both Bartlett (batting .164/.268/.230) and Hudson (.210/.256/.346) for 2013, but Hayes believes both could be released during the season. Amarista has been assigned to Triple-A Tucson.
– Jon Heyman on CBSSports.com reports that the Dodgers have agreed to terms with OF Bobby Abreu. A deal was reportedly close Wednesday evening, and now it appears it’s finally done. Abreu is expected to be a pinch-hitter and part time outfielder off the bench.
NHL
– Blues’ G Jaroslav Halak (ankle) has not returned to practice. While it was announced earlier in the week that Halak would be out for the remainder of the series with the Kings, which could be an LA sweep by Game 4.
NBA
– Magic’ F Ryan Anderson will be announced as the recipient of the Most Improved Player Award on Friday. After averaging 10.6 points and 5.6 rebounds for the 2010-11 season, Anderson put up 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds this season. He also led the league with 2.7 3-pointers made per game while shooting 39.3% beyond the arc.
– Knicks’ G Jeremy Lin (knee) will not play in Game 4 against the Heat, and F Amare Stoudemire (left hand laceration) is listed as doubtful. “I’ll probably get one more day of contact maybe in between now and the next game and I haven’t been able to load it or jump or explode or drive by somebody the way I want to,” Lin said. Lin is hoping to return if New York can survive until Game 5. Stoudemire is hopeful that he’ll be able to play as well.
– Hawks’ F Zaza Pachulia (foot) revealed that he has a bone chip in his foot. Pachulia’s timetable was 4-6 weeks from the April 13 injury, and he hasn’t reached the 4-week mark yet.
NFL
– The Bills have released CB Drayon Florence. The 31-year-old struggled in pass coverage last season, as opposing QBs posted a 103.3 passer rating. That said, he still played almost double the snaps of any other Buffalo corner. Florence had a $4M base salary and became expendable following the draft.