WWE
– TMZ has posted an update on John Cena’s filing for divorce from his high school sweetheart wife of 3 years, Liz Huberdeau. Cena’s relationship with Liz began to sour shortly after they got married in 2009, with their arguing escalating in recent months. One of the big issues they would reportedly fight about was the remodeling of their Florida home. Cena has been a “wreck” in recent months over the state of his crumbling marriage, and was outspoken about his personal troubles backstage with his co-workers. Even with their romantic relationship fizzling out, Liz was ringside at a recent WWE RAW Supershow event before WrestleMania 28. Cena even gave Liz wife a big kiss on RAW.
– According to ABC News, WWE CEO Vince McMahon has donated $2,500 to U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
– THQ announced yesterday that Daniel Bryan, Mark Henry, Edge, Eddie Guerrero and Curt Hennig have been added to the WrestleFest mobile game. A new RAW is WAR arena has also been added.
MLB
– Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Blue Jays have “engaged in dialogue” with the Phillies over LHP Cole Hamels and OF Shane Victorino. GM Ruben Amaro said Thursday that the team could be sellers at the trade deadline. Rosenthal cautions that “no trade is close” or “even likely” at this point, and that the Phillies are not giving up on the season yet. Trading potential free agents Hamels and Victorino becomes a realistic possibility if the team is still struggling midway through the season.
– According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Nationals and Angels have had preliminary discussions about a trade that would send OF Peter Bourjos to Washington. It’s not clear how far along they are in talks. LA is very deep at outfield, and the Nats are looking for a replacement for OF Jayson Werth (wrist). The Angels are reportedly asking for a pitcher in return, but the Nats are hoping to do so only after RHP Drew Storen (elbow) returns. The Royals, Diamondbacks and Blue Jays also have inquired about Bourjos.
– Angels’ C Chris Iannetta (right wrist) will undergo surgery Friday and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. Iannetta suffered the injury when he was hit on the wrist by a pitch on May 2, the same night he caught RHP Jered Weaver’s no-hitter. He’s expected to be out until late June or early July.
– Yankees’ OF Brett Gardner (right elbow) will not pick up a bat for 10 days after re-aggravating his elbow. Gardner was expected to be activated from the DL Thursday after playing in two minor league rehab games. Manager Joe Girardi said that he’ll likely miss 15-25 days, which places his return in late May or early June.
TNA
– Hulk Hogan recently reacted to Scott Steiner’s Twitter rants about Eric Bischoff, saying he has no idea why Steiner is so upset with him – but it might be because Steiner is unhappy with his life and now relegated to wrestling independent shows. Big Poppa Pump has responded to Hogan:
“Hogan did interview saying i must be unhappy in my life,F-CK U hogan Im very happy in my life,Im Not the one who went on Larry King crying like a b-tch and saying that you put a gun in your mouth and Was going to pull the trigger.”
“Quit lying bcuz nobody believes yur bullsh-t,you 3 a–holes write the show and you decide whos on the show”
“The stuff with storm is bulls–t too,storm and I talkd over match and the finish which i didnt change we both Went to get in gear,and as i was changing I was told I wasnt in match anymore,i went back to storm And ask him what happened and he didnt know,,,But dont take my word on it ASK storm he will say the Same thing,yur a lying piece of sh-t!!!!”
“You disrespect the business and my eberybody in Tna and you think its weird that I want to knock You unconscious,F-CK U.. your day is coming motherf-cker”
– During Thursday’s press conference & media conference call regarding MMA fighter Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal signing with TNA, TNA President Dixie Carter was asked about whether Batista could join TNA as part of the new agreement with Bellator to feature wrestlers and MMA fighters under the Spike TV. Carter said Batista was a “great talent and great wrestling talent,” but said she was only willing to discuss Lawal joining TNA and Bellator. As previously reported, Batista has been rumored to be signing with Bellator MMA, which would create an interesting scenario for Batista possibly being affiliated with TNA.
– Updating a previous item, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, has signed a deal to compete in Spike TV’s two major sports properties, Bellator Fighting Championships and TNA’s IMPACT Wrestling. King Mo will join the stars of TNA this summer and resume his mixed martial arts career next year when Bellator Fighting Championships moves to Spike TV from its current television home, MTV2. The deal was jointly announced today by Kevin Kay, President, Spike TV along with Bjorn Rebney, Chairman & CEO, Bellator Fighting Championships and Dixie Carter, President, TNA Entertainment.
Lawal (10-1-1) launched his mixed martial arts career in 2008, and after four straight wins, he faced off against his toughest challenge, renowned fighter Mark Kerr. King Mo knocked out Kerr in the first round, and eight months later he defeated Gegard Mousasi in a Light Heavyweight world title fight. Lawal also holds an impressive KO victory against multiple-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion Roger Gracie in September 2011.
“This deal is a dream come true for me. Bjorn and Dixie have given me the opportunity to engage in my two great loves, mixed martial arts and professional wrestling, at the same time. And, to have it all on Spike TV is really Buttercream icing on a big ole cake – not that whipped cream stuff either!”
NFL
– The Cardinals have signed franchise DE Calais Campbell to a 5-year/$55M contract. Set to make $10.6M under the tag, Campbell will now receive $36M over the next three years. The 25-year-old posted career-highs across the board last season, and finished second among 3-4 ends in Pro Football Focus’ ratings.
– The Panthers have signed No. 9 overall pick LB Luke Kuechly to a 4-year/$12.58M contract. Kuechly is the highest pick to date to sign, and his contract is fully guaranteed. Kuechly was the nation’s leading tackler in each of the past two seasons.
NHL
– Capitals’ G Braden Holtby and his fiancée, Brandi Bodnar, welcomed a baby boy into the world on Thursday. Benjamin Hunter Holtby was born at a Washington area hospital this morning. The team reports that parents and baby are doing well.