NBA
– According to his doctors, Bulls’ G Derrick Rose (torn ACL) will need 8-12 months of recovery. If Rose gets back at exactly the eight-month mark, he’ll miss the first 10 weeks of the 2012-13 season. If he ends up needing the entire 12 months, he’d be targeting a return during the playoffs. Rose’s real timetable won’t be known until we see how his knee responds to rehab. Rose’s doctor added that the 2010-11 MVP “should” return to his old form, but it’s not “guaranteed.” He also said that a late-January return is a best-case scenario. Dr. Brian Cole said,
“It’s impossible to predict tomorrow. Statistically, he should be that player and then some. That doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed. It’s a whole lot better than we were accustomed to years ago. The ligament is one thing and the meniscus is another. Getting all the things to heal appropriately is really our goal in the early phases. Then, it’s rehab, conditioning — getting his brain connected to his knee, basically.”
“This could be anything from a completely random event — which in a non-contact injury, most of the time that’s what it is — to maybe conditioning. We’ll never know with certainty. My feeling is it’s more likely than not a very random even that happened. If you watch the video, you can see … the forces are just right to tear the ligament.”
“There’s a lot of benefit to playing when he’s safe. Whether he has to go 40 minutes, that’s a different story. Just getting out there and playing when he’s able, that’s when his exponential growth is going to come. Lots of athletes go back and play at a very high level but not necessarily initially at the level they were pre-injury.”
– The Mavericks have signed head coach Rick Carlisle to a contract extension through the 2015-16 season. Despite a first round sweep by the Thunder this season, Carlisle is the only coach to ever guide the franchise to a title. He’s 198-114 during his four years in Dallas. Owner Mark Cuban said,
“These things, they take time and it’s a very big commitment both ways and we had a lot of great conversations during the season and after the season. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to return.”
– Cavaliers’ G Kyrie Irving was unanimously named the NBA’s Rookie of the Year for the 2011-12 season on Tuesday. Nuggets’ F Kenneth Faried, Knicks’ G Iman Shumpert and Spurs’ G Kawhi Leonard each received a first-place vote, but 117 of 120 votes went to Irving. The first pick in last year’s draft, Irving led all rookies — and the Cavs — in scoring with 18.5 points per game. He also led first-year players in field-goal percentage (46.8), was second in assists (5.4) and became one of just six rookies in league history to average at least 18 points and five assists.
“This award is for us [his father, Dred, who raised his son after his wife, Elizabeth, died 15 years ago]. We’re bringing it back home and we’re going to put it right on the mantle and we’re going to put some flashing lights on it so it shines throughout the whole entire house.”
“It was a goal of mine. I kept it on the back burner. I knew as long as we won games and we beat great teams that it was going to come.”
– According to a report in the NY Daily News, if the Toronto Raptors are unable to lure G Steve Nash to Canada, they would be interested in signing Knicks’ RFA G Jeremy Lin. Any deal would likely be back-loaded. In 25 starts for the Knicks, Lin averaged 18.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists.
– USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo considers about 10 men’s Olympic team spots set “on paper,” with the rest to be determined over two days of practice before the squad is announced July 7. The Americans requested and were granted an extension to the deadline to select the squad by the U.S. Olympic Committee after four candidates were knocked out by injuries. The team was originally to be picked by June 18 before the end of the NBA season. Instead, the Americans will hold their first practice July 6 in Las Vegas with a to-be-determined number of players. They’ll gather their final 12 at a team meeting the next night. There are 18 healthy players in the pool.
MLB
– Nationals’ RHP Stephen Stasburg was bothered by stray Hot Stuff, an ointment similar to Icy-Hot as a muscle loosener, in his groin during Tuesday’s loss to the Padres. Strasburg allowed four runs in four innings.The product cautions not to use it on sensitive skin. The product started out on his throwing shoulder, so how it ended up below the belt is beyond me. Strasburg allowed four runs in just four innings. Manager Davey Johnson said, “I can’t really tell you what the problem was, but some Hot Stuff got misplaced. It was on his shoulder and evidently – I don’t know how it got to where it got, but it was uncomfortable, to say the least.”
– The Dodgers have placed OF Matt Kemp (left hamstring strain) on the 15-day DL retroactive to May 14. Kemp aggravated his hamstring injury on Sunday and an MRI on Monday confirmed a strain. The 27-year-old is hoping to be ready to go two weeks from now.
– The Yankees have placed RHP David Robertson (left oblique strain) on the 15-day DL. Robertson had an MRI on his rib cage Tuesday morning. He’s expected to miss roughly 3 weeks. Robertson is 0-1 with a 2.51 ERA and one save this season.
– The A’s have confirmed that OF Manny Ramirez is scheduled to join the team on May 30 in Minnesota. That day marks the end of Manny Ramirez’s 50-game PED suspension. He’ll head to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday to begin playing in minor league games. The 39-year-old will be a part-time DH.
– Red Sox’ 3B Kevin Youkilis (back) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Pawtucket. Youk is expected to get three at-bats as DH in his first game back, but he’ll likely need to play multiple games at third base before the club considers activating him from the DL. It’s possible he could return this weekend if all goes well.
– Athletics’ OF Yoenis Cespedes (left hand strain) has been cleared for all baseball activities expect hitting. Cespedes is eligible to return from the DL early next week and could be ready by then if he continues progressing at this rate. The 26-year-old was batting .245/.319/.434 with five home runs, five doubles four stolen bases and 21 RBI through his first 119 plate appearances as a major leaguer.
– The Rays have placed RHP Jeff Niemann (fractured right fibula) on the 15-day DL. Niemann suffered the injury when he was hit in the right leg by a comebacker during Monday’s start against the Blue Jays. The early estimate is that he’ll miss 4-6 weeks, which places his return in late June or early July. Niemann is 2-3 with a 3.37 ERA in seven starts.
– According to the AP, Major League Baseball will announce Wednesday that the New York Mets will host the 2013 All-Star game at Citi Field. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because MLB did not reveal the purpose of the news conference at Citi Hall with baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, Mets owner Fred Wilpon and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Baseball decided at least four years ago that the Mets would host the game at the ballpark, which opened in 2009, but held off an announcement until it reaching agreements with the city. The Mets last hosted the All-Stars in 1964, the year Shea Stadium opened. The game was last in New York in 2008, the final season of old Yankee Stadium.
– Brian McNamee testified Tuesday he saved medical waste after injecting Roger Clemens with steroids because his wife complained that McNamee was going to be the fall guy. McNamee said his wife told him, “You’re going to go down! You’re going to go down! You’re going to go down!” McNamee, Clemens’ former strength coach, has said he injected the seven-time Cy Young Award winner multiple times with steroids and human growth hormone. He said he had told his wife about the injections. He said he wanted to do something that would make his wife stop giving him a “hard time every single day,” so he took a swab and cotton ball from a Clemens’ steroid injection in 2001, put it in a beer can, and brought it home. He said when he showed it to his wife, she said, “all right.”
The waste collected by McNamee is the physical evidence prosecutors are using against Clemens in his perjury trial. Clemens is accused of lying to Congress in 2008 when he denied using steroids or HGH. McNamee said he stored the material in a FedEx box, first in a closet in his basement, then in a closet in his master bedroom. He said he didn’t have any plans to use the material in any way.
– The Cardinals have placed OF Jon Jay (right shoulder) on the 15-day DL. Jay injured his right shoulder when he banged into an outfield wall last month. He’s 3-for-18 on the homestand with one hit, a bunt single, in his last 15 at-bats.
– Twins’ 1B Justin Morneau (right wrist) will be activated from the DL before Wednesday’s game. Morneau has made it through batting practice sessions on back-to-back days without any issues, so he’ll return on the first day he’s eligible. The 31-year-old is hitting .230/.313/.459 with four home runs and nine RBI over his first 83 plate appearances this year.
– D’Backs manager Kirk Gibson said OF Chris Young (shoulder) has an “outside shot” of playing this weekend against the Royals. Young began a rehab assignment with High-A Visalia Monday and will stay there through Wednesday before heading to Triple-A Reno. He remains out indefinitely, but could realistically play next week. “It’s a different game … here. We’d like him to play most of the time or every day. He’s just not 100% yet.”
– Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi confirmed Tuesday that RHP Rafael Soriano will fill in at closer. ”I don’t doubt he can do the job. I’ve seen him do it before.” Soriano is replacing David Robertson, who just went on the DL. He has a 2.57 ERA through 14 innings this year.
WWE
– Mark Henry (groin) revealed on Twitter on Monday night that he will be undergoing surgery today, and said he plans to retire from WWE if he can’t get back to 100% health:
“[Tuesday] I go under the knife. When I return I will be the fire breathing, pain inflicting,face melting better than ever Mark Henry!
Listen up! IF NOT! I will walk away. I have to much PRIDE to not deface any one in the WWE. The Hall of Pain is open for business!”
Henry is undergoing surgery for the groin injury that he suffered a while back that led to him dropping the World Heavyweight Championship in late 2011. Henry has stated in recent interviews that he plans to retire if he is unable to come back from the injury at 100%. There was talk earlier this year before WrestleMania that Henry felt his career was winding down, so we might have seen the last of the World’s Strongest Man.
– As seen on Monday’s RAW, Big Show has been ‘fired’ by John Laurinaitis for making fun of his voice last week. During commercial break that aired right after Big Show was fired, he stopped on the ramp on his way backstage, bowed to the fans and waved goodbye. John Laurinaitis tweeted the following after RAW:
“Tonight, @WWETheBigShow forced me to make an example out of him. Let that be a lesson to the entire locker room. #Raw”
To sell the storyline, Big Show’s profile to their Alumni roster and the WWE website has posted an article speculating who else might get fired for disobeying the General Manager of RAW and SmackDown:
“Under Laurinaitis’ tumultuous reign, Big Show and The Bella Twins have both been handed their walking papers. If Laurinaitis defeats John Cena at WWE Over the Limit and continues to serve as the GM of Raw and SmackDown, one can only wonder who might be next to face his wrath.”
According to the Wrestling Observer, one scenario that’s been discussed for Sunday’s Over The Limit PPV is for Big Show to interfere in John Laurinaitis’ match with John Cena, and cost Cena the match. A stipulation was set on RAW that John Laurinaitis will lose his job if he loses to John Cena – and any WWE superstars who interfere will be fired. Since Big Show is already ‘fired’ – he can interfere, help John Laurinaitis win & keep his job, and then Laurinaitis would re-hire Big Show.
– According to F4WOnline, with the news of John Cena’s divorce becoming public last week, WWE officials are said to be doing whatever they can behind the scenes to keep him upbeat and positive.
– This week on MLW’s Konnan Show presented by Masked Republic’s LuchaShop.com, Konnan had a lot to say about Rey Mysterio’s recent suspension for violating WWE’s drug testing policy.
“Rey Mysterio, I can guarantee you categorically, he doesn’t do any drugs. He’s a guy that really lives up to his role model image. He’s got two little kids that he really wants to be an example for. He’s even told me, ‘Dude, please do not come to my house high.’ He really wants to be a good role model. He’s not on the juice or anything.”
“What can Rey really be on? It can’t be the juice and he definitely doesn’t do any hard drugs. He was taking a dietary supplement because he has a problem with his love handles. It was something that would burn fat and I think just like anything that’s fat burning it probably had some sort of amphetamine in it. So that’s where we’re at right now. He’s actually still going back and forth with WWE on that.”
“It kind of pisses me off because they know who is on what and they’ve given other guys passes. I won’t get into names or details because Rey will catch heat, but this is my opinion. They know he’s not on anything.”
Konnan also revealed that WWE plans to delay the expiration date of Mysterio’s contract to make up for time lost due to injury. MLW’s Konnan Show with Konnan and Mister Saint Laurent is available for FREE on MLW.com, iTunes (search: KONNAN SHOW) and syndicated by Stitcher.com.
– Here is the latest card for WWE Over The Limit 2012, which takes place this Sundayfrom the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina:
John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis (Laurinaitis’ Job On The Line – Anybody Who Interferes Will Be Fired)
WWE Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Daniel Bryan
World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4-Way Match: Sheamus (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton
Tag Team Championship Match: Kofi Kingston & R-Truth (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger
WWE Divas Championship Match: Layla (c) vs. Beth Phoenix
YouTube Pre-Show Match: Kane vs. Zack Ryder
– A press release was issued recently touting UFC star Tito Ortiz going into the California Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on May 20. Talking about Tito’s popularity, they claimed that he has sold out more pay-per-views than any UFC fighter in history and has drawn a higher buy-rate than WWE’s WrestleMania XIX, calling it the most popular WrestleMania of all-time. The press release also talks about Tito’s future as he gets ready to leave UFC and it teases that he may return to professional wrestling with WWE. Back in April, Tito Ortiz had this to say to ESPN about a future career in WWE:
“I’ve got a lot of options. I’ve seen Brock Lesnar go back to the WWE, that’s something I may entertain, do some ‘theatrical entertainment’ as they call it. I’ve got my clothing company, my supplement line Punishment Nutrition, it’s business to me. I’m not going to be able to fight for the rest of my life and I want to leave on my terms.”
– Former WWE champion The Miz was interviewed by Pittsburgh’s Fan Morning Show on Monday to promote last night’s RAW Supershow. Here are some highlights of what Miz said about:
Loving His Role As a Heel Character: “I don’t want to be liked. I enjoy people hating me, I enjoy the Tweets that I get at @MikeTheMiz with people going, ‘You suck, you’re the worst, I can’t stand you. I don’t like you.’ Some people don’t like to hear negative things. That’s what feeds me. That’s what makes me want to do better and prove everyone wrong. So that’s basically why I’m so good.”
Starring In The New WWE Studios Film, The Marine: Homefront: “I’m doing a movie — Marine: Home Front. I’m huge. I’m going to be a huge movie star. I’m the most must-see WWE superstar, I’m a huge movie star. I mean, it’s going to be the whole chi-bang.”
Vince McMahon Originally Wanting Him to be “WWE’s Ryan Seacrest”: “It’s funny you bring up Ryan Seacrest. When I first came to WWE, they wanted me to be the host of Smackdown! I go into Vince’s office and he’s like, ‘Alright, Miz. We want you to be like the Ryan Seacrest of the WWE.’ By the way, I didn’t even think Vince McMahon even knew who Ryan Seacrest was.
“But, whenever your boss tells you, ‘We want you to be the Ryan Seacrest of this.’ That’s just a bad thing in general. Especially when you’re in WWE. You want to be the guy that’s tough. ‘Hey, I’m The Miz!’ But, no. I’m in there like, ‘Hey, What’s up! Welcome to WWE’s Friday Night Smackdown!’
“… Then, I turned that into the most must-see former WWE champion. And [I steal] the show. Everybody [watches] me.”
– WWE announced on RAW that Sunday’s Over The Limit pay-per-view will feature a 30-minute pre-show that will be broadcast live on Youtube.com. WWE was so impressed with the viewership numbers for the Extreme Rules Youtube pre-show last month that this will most likely become a regular feature each month. WWE is making big money from their new YouTube partnership, so expect to see the WWE Youtube channel continue to post tons of videos.
– Monday’s RAW drew a 2.94 rating and averaged 4,408,000 viewers. The show did hours of 2.91 and 2.97. This was the first time since February 13th that RAW dipped below 3.0 and the second lowest rating of the year (behind the 1/9 show, which was up against the BCS National Title college football game). RAW’s Trendrr.tv social media score was also way down this week, down 36% from last week and down 39% compared to this year’s average. RAW ranked #4 on cable on Monday night, behind the NBA Playoffs and “Basketball Wives” on VH1.
– The May 11 episode of WWE SmackDown garnered 1.7 cable rating, down from 1.92 the week before. It was the lowest-rated first-run Friday episode in 2012. The program averaged 2,530,000 viewers, down from 2,710,000 last week. It was the least-watched first-run Friday episode since March 30.
– WWE.com has a new storyline article up looking at Brock Lesnar’s lawsuit against WWE – and whether Paul Heyman’s involvement in the lawsuit has anything to do with his personal vendetta against the company. The article speculates:
“Following the abysmal ECW December to Dismember pay-per-view in 2006, a very public disagreement about who was to blame for the subpar show saw Heyman part ways with WWE either by resignation or termination, depending on whether you ask Heyman or WWE. Heyman remained publicly silent about his acrimonious split from WWE. Did Heyman sign a non-disclosure and non-disparagement agreement or was the Extreme mastermind simply biding his time until an opportunity for vengeance materialized or both?”
“From a business standpoint, as a representative of Lesnar’s, recouping even a small percentage of Lesnar’s seven-figure contract is a nice commission for Heyman. The question is: Does Heyman (who turned down multiple offers to return to wrestling during his five-year absence from WWE, indicating income is not an issue for him) relish suing WWE as personal payback rather than a pecuniary payday?”
– WWE will hold its first NXT & Florida Championship Wrestling television tapings from Florida’s Full Sail University later this week. Aside from simply using Full Sail’s production facility to film NXT & FCW, WWE has announced that university’s entertainment-focused degree programs will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience by working with WWE to produce NXT. Throughout the taping schedule, Full Sail University students, staff, faculty and the general public will be invited to attend the live tapings on the campus. All proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will go towards a scholarship fund for students enrolled at or planning to attend Full Sail University. WWE COO Triple H, who has been very hands on with bringing NXT & FCW to Full Sail, had this to say about the new relationship:
“WWE has always been a leader in creating superstars in front of the camera. Now, with this unique partnership with Full Sail University, WWE will develop stars behind the camera as well. With the opportunity to host events at Full Sail’s top-notch facilities and the chance to tap into Full Sail’s greatest resource, its students, we are excited to provide real-world experience while giving us a fresh, creative perspective from ambitious students.”
– Among the WWE-related terms trending worldwide on Twitter last night during RAW were “go puck yourself”, Sheamus, John Cena, Brodus Clay, David Otunga, Alicia Fox and CM Punk, among a few others.
– Santino Marella, Layla, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger were interviewed backstage at Monday’s RAW for the latest Backstage Fallout video:
– Vince McMahon appeared on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars semifinals on Monday night during a video package looking at contestant Maria Menounos. About Maria, Vince said, “She’s daring, loves to perform, a great work ethic. And when you have those qualities and are gutsy on top of it, you make it to the top.” Menounos went on to score a 29 out of 30 for the ‘jive’ dance that followed.
NFL
– The Patriots have re-signed franchise WR Wes Welker to a 1-year/$9.5M contract. The Pats have until July 16 to work out a long-term deal. Welker is now eligible to join his teammates in OTAs, starting next Monday. Welker led the NFL with 122 receptions and was second in the league with 1,569 yards receiving. Welker, 30, is only the second receiver to catch at least 120 passes in two different seasons.
– Jaguars’ RB Maurice Jones-Drew skipped the first day of organized team activities Tuesday. Head coach Mike Mularkey said the three-time Pro Bowler wants a contract extension. Jones-Drew is scheduled to make $4.45M this season. Since the workouts are voluntary and Jones-Drew has stayed away before, it’s not a huge concern. But the Jaguars would like to have their best offensive player in attendance to get acquainted with a new coaching staff and new playbook. Jones-Drew hasn’t worked out in Jacksonville the last three years. He missed OTAs in 2010 to train on the West Coast, and the NFL lockout cancelled offseason training sessions last year.
“He’s talked about trying to get an extension for his contract, which I think everybody’s aware of. I’m on the coaching end of those matters. I talk to him about football and what I can do for him on the field and in the locker room.”
“It’s all voluntary. I wish he was here. He knows we wish he was here. His teammates have talked to him about it. It’s a personal decision. There’s nothing I can do about it. I think if I spend a lot of energy on worrying about that, it’s not going to go in a good direction for the guys that are here. And I want to show them that positive energy that I have and I don’t want to let anything be a distraction from the guys that are here. He’ll catch up when he comes back in.”
– The Buffalo Bills’ bid to extend their series of playing regular-season games in Toronto could take a big step forward before the end of the month, barring a setback in negotiations. League spokesman Michael Signora wrote in an email on Tuesday that the Toronto series will be on the NFL International Committee’s agenda for its next meeting. The meeting is scheduled to take place this month, but no date has been set. In March, NFL owners voted to give the committee authority to make decisions regarding the series, which began five years ago. Though Signora declined to discuss the status of talks between the Bills and Toronto-based Rogers Communications, the two sides have previously expressed optimism that a new deal will be reached to extend the series before it expires after this season.
– According to SI.com’s Don Banks, there are members of the Jaguars’ organization who believe QB Chad Henne will beat out QB Blaine Gabbert by late August. The team has already said that Gabbert will open the season as a starter, but a lack of progress could make things change quickly.
– Bears’ KR Devin Hester’s offensive snaps will be limited this season despite the team installing a special package of plays designed specially for him. WRs coach Darryl Drake said, “It’s just a matter of not having him play 70 plays and throw to him twice. Play him 15 [plays], let him touch it 13 [times.]” Hester’s career high is just under four offensive touches per game.
– 49ers 5th-round OLB Darius Fleming (knee) tore his ACL during his first minicamp practice while bending his knee awkwardly. He signed a 4-year/$2.264M contract one day before the injury. He’s likely out for the 2012-13 season.
– Jaguars’ NT Terrance Knighton (eye surgery) says his eye is “progressing a lot faster than they thought it would,” and that he expects to be ready for training camp. Knighton also insisted he was not the instigator in the April nightclub incident that led to his eye injury. He denied the police report’s assertion that he “repeatedly made threats to shoot people.” Unable to run and lift weights while he rehabs, Knighton will miss the Jaguars’ mandatory June minicamp.
NHL
– Coyotes’ F Raffi Torres will meet with league officials Thursday to appeal his 25-game suspension for his hit on Blackhawks’ F Marian Hossa.
– Capitals’ F Alexander Semin’s agent, Mark Gandler, essentially confirmed that his client will not re-sign with the Caps. The 28-year-old Semin is set to become a UFA on July 1. Gandler told TSN Radio:
“There’s no question, he likes Washington and the organization. He does not like the way he’s being used. He does not like the role he has under the [Capitals'] new direction.”
“I think that Alex, even within that direction that the team wanted to take, can play that way. If you watch the Capitals, he is the first guy back on every shift.”
“Alex Semin is not a lazy player. Alex Semin works damn hard at each practice and goes to the gym every day on the days off. His birth certificate is one of the reasons, but I think the bigger reason is that he’s an unassuming person. He doesn’t say much, he just plays the game and it’s easy to bully somebody like that.”
“If the team were looking to lock Alex up to a long-term contract we would definitely consider it, but we felt that we really needed to find short-term deals until such time that either we were sure we wanted to go long-term with the Capitals or just become an unrestricted free agent and see who else is out there.”
“We’re looking for significant term – no question about it, or the amount of money that we feel he deserves.”
– According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, Canucks’ head coach Alain Vigneault’s extension is being worked on and could be completed within the next two weeks.
– Canadiens’ G Carey Price says that the injuries that plagued him at the end of the regular season have healed. Price was suffering from a compressed spine, a sore neck and a concussion, but he was cleared before heading back home for the off-season after he remained in Montreal deep into April. Price is scheduled to become an RFA on July 1, but believes he’ll re-sign with the Habs.
– Coyotes’ G Jason LaBarbera commented on the possibility of commissioner Gary Bettman getting to hoist the Stanley Cup second (behind captain Shane Doan) should the Coyotes win the Cup. The Yotes, of course, are run by the league with no owner.
“Gary would get it, wouldn’t he? If we win the Cup, does he hold it up himself first? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind it. That would be an interesting dynamic.”
– The Blackhawks have signed F Rob Flick to a 3-year contract. The 21-year-old had seven goals, six assists and 91 penalty minutes in 45 regular-season games with the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs this season.
TNA
– Tara stated Tuesday via Twitter that she is featured in the latest issue of Penthouse—a pornographic magazine.
“Be sure to pick the newest edition of Penthouse to see your favorite knockout, Tara. Hubba Hubba,”
The veteran grappler stated multiple times during her WWE tenure that she would have gladly posed nude for Penthouse competitor Playboy had she been asked. Varon also stated Tuesday that she is involved with an undisclosed project which will keep her away from her Chicago, Illinois residence for one month.
– Angelina Love, who has not competed on Impact Wrestling since the April 5 episode, stated on Twitter that she will be on hand for tonight’s taping in Orlando, Florida (air date May 24).
“Fun night in Orlando last night, now at the Impact Zone for @IMPACTWRESTLING TV tapings! Excitement!!”
The five-time TNA Women’s Knockout Champion returned to the road at last week’s live events in Louisiana, putting over Mickie James. She is advertised to face Velvet Sky at Thursday and Friday’s shows in Mississippi.
– Barack Obama made history last Wednesday as the first United States President to openly support gay marriage. He spoke out on the matter Tuesday on the ABC morning talk show The View, which drew an elated response from TNA Knockout Madison Rayne on Twitter.
“Obama on “The View” discussing same sex marriage rights!!! Awesome!!! GoBama!!!”
Her remark drew ire from some of her followers; she responded,
“LoL. Everyone’s entitled to their opinions guys. If you don’t agree with mine, cool. Disrespectful comments ALWAYS result in a block though.”