TNA
– According to the PWInsider, Ric Flair’s days in TNA could be coming to an end. His recent conduct outside of the ring has reportedly been a burden for TNA, and the situation has reached a point where it’s not worth keeping him around anymore. Flair’s partying lifestyle, which has been his calling card for decades, is believed to be the heart of the issue. He has reportedly rung up several very expensive bar tabs, then stiffing TNA with the bill. Flair was recently banned from the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando and was recently pulled from TNA live events and TV tapings after another incident at an Orlando hotel that TNA previously had a strong working relationship with. Several people in TNA were against bringing Flair in from the beginning due to his high price tag. The fact that he has failed to be a ratings or money draw for TNA has added even more tension to Flair’s relationship with the company. Flair is also on the radar of Spike TV, with executives from the network reportedly instructing TNA to prohibit Flair from appearing “near nude” (in his wrestling gear) and bleeding on television. As of this weekend, some believe Flair might have made his last appearance for TNA. It’s worth noting that Ric Flair’s daughter Ashley just signed a developmental contract with WWE.
MLB
– Padres’ LHP Cory Luebke (left elbow) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John reconstructive surgery on Wednesday. An MRI taken earlier this month revealed a partially-torn ligament in Luebke’s elbow. He considered rehabbing the injury and got a few different opinions from specialists but ultimately decided to go under the knife. The 27-year-old will be sidelined through the first few months of the 2013 season. He posted a 2.61 ERA and 23/8 K/BB ratio in 31 innings (five starts) this year.
– Red Sox’ OF Cody Ross (left foot) was diagnosed with a fractured navicular bone. Initial x-rays came back negative, but the fracture was found in a follow-up exam. No word on the severity or the timetable, but it’s the same injury 2B Dustin Pedroia dealt with during the 2010 season. Ross is expected to be placed on the DL on Tuesday.
– The Rangers have placed RHP Neftali Feliz (right elbow inflammation) on the 15-day DL. The 24-year-old reported discomfort in his elbow over the weekend after going just 4 2/3 innings against the Astros, and underwent a precautionary MRI on Monday morning.
– Orioles’ 2B Brian Roberts (concussion) said Monday that he is close to beginning a minor league rehab assignment within a week if he continues to make progress. There’s no timetable for him to rejoin the team, though.
– Mets’ C Josh Thole (concussion) is scheduled to travel to Florida on Monday to resume baseball activities. Thole has been shut down since suffering a concussion earlier this month in a home plate collision with Phillies’ INF Ty Wigginton. He isn’t experiencing headaches any longer and a timeline for his return should become more clear in the next few days.
NFL
– The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Cowboys’ CB Mike Jenkins will not attend the opening of Cowboys OTAs Tuesday and wants to be traded. The Cowboys tried trading Jenkins on draft day, but were unsuccessful. Jenkins now wants a new contract and to be a starter. Given that he’s recovering from major offseason shoulder surgery, teams likely won’t be entering a bidding war over his services.
– Bengals’ OC Jay Gruden downplayed a story from NFL Films’ Greg Cosell that said the organization has concerns about QB Andy Dalton’s long-term potential. Citing a member of the organization, Cosell told Yahoo that the Bengals are “not comfortable” with forcing things on Dalton, and “have a few doubts” about him due to arm strength limitations. Gruden, however, shot it down. “I don’t know where that came from and why (Cosell) said it. If there were reservations about Andy Dalton, there would be a lot more quarterbacks here right now. We know and he knows he has to get better. … I have no reservations about arm strength. I think he can do it all.”
– NFL Network’s Jeff Darlington reports that free agent TE Dallas Clark could sign with the Buccaneers “as soon as today.” The deal should be worth something close to the veteran’s minimum for one year. TE Kellen Winslow will likely be released as a result. Clark, who has spent his entire career with the Colts, is entering his tenth season in the league.
WWE
– WWE has been airing videos part of a new viral marketing campaign that states – “The Revolution Is Coming.” This afternoon, a new promos for the campaign launched on the WWE website that stats the Revolution is coming next week–Monday, May 28. Shortly after the latest promo premiered, it was removed. A WWE fan uploaded them to YouTube and that video has also been removed by YouTube, at the request of WWE.
– Updating a previous item, according to the PWInsider, Lilian Garcia currently has a lot of backstage heat over her multiple gaffes, most recently last night at Over the Limit when she mishandled no less than three ring introductions. Garcia was also involved in a heated argument with ring announcer Justin Roberts in front of the live audience.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some of JR’s thoughts on Sunday’s WWE Over The Limit pay-per-view:
CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan: “The WWE Title bout was the overwhelming show stealer in Raleigh. @CMPunk vs. @WWEDanielBryan had one of the best bouts that I can recall seeing in years … They were virtually seamless, had animalistic intensity, dehabilitating strikes, crippling and painful submissions and told an overwhelmingly compelling story … It would appear that WWE has found lightning in a bottle with the two, former independent grapplers who paid their dues time and time again for little money to earn the opportunity to play at the highest level in the business, the WWE. Was it better than WM28 Undertaker vs. HHH? Not in my view but it was damn close and considering the atmosphere at OTL compared to Miami that’s a viable compliment.”
“This rivalry has unlimited potential including the opportunity for an Ironman Match, 30 or 60 minutes, among many other show stealers.”
Sheamus vs. Jericho vs. Orton vs. Del Rio: “The Fatal Fourway at OTL was another outstanding outing where all four performers had their ‘moments’ and the match had many momentum swings. Sheamus is a big, tough lad who is getting more popular by the week and because of his tireless work ethic the Irishman deserves all the success that’s coming his way. I enjoy Sheamus a great deal because he comes to work with a lunch pail mentality and appears to truly enjoy physicality.”
Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler: “The tag title bout, without a great amount of fanfare going in, delivered, as well. Kofi and Truth are evolving and can hopefully continue to breath more life into the tag titles while Swagger and Ziggler are simply two of the most naturally gifted, athletic performers currently in WWE. Kofi in particular had some amazing moments during the latter stages of the tag title bout as his physical skills are significant. The talented Ziggler is Curt Hennig-like in some ways.”
– WWE has applied to trademark “RAW ACTIVE,” which a phrase WWE has coined for the new interactive elements that will be added to Monday Night RAW when it expands to 3 hours on July 23. WWE has also filed to trademark the phrase “RIP ‘EM” – which will be used for merchandise related to the upcoming DVD release of the 1980?s WWF movie “No Holds Barred” due out in July.