WWE
– According to the Wrestlign Observer, Fueling rumors that WWE may part ways with Randy Orton as a result of his second violation of the Talent Wellness Program, former WWE talent Kenn Doane (aka Kenny Dykstra) said on Twitter that he believes John Cena is among those within the sports entertainment organization lobbying for the SmackDown wrestler’s termination. Doane’s belief is based on Cena admitting to him in 2006 that he wanted Orton fired for his first Wellness Program infraction.
“When I was there and Orton got suspended for the first time, Cena told me he wanted Orton fired. So now I’m sure it’s probably him trying for RKO’s release. Regardless, hopefully he don’t get fired since he has a young child and is the best story teller in WWE. They do still tell stories in the ring right?”
Cena admitted in WWE’s 2011 Randy Orton video release, The Evolution of a Predator, that he was not fond of the “old Randy.”
“I always joke around there’s old Randy and then there’s new Randy. Old Randy was an asshole.”
Orton was quietly suspended for 30 days without pay in August 2006, before WWE publicly announced suspensions for Talent Wellness Program violations. He tested positive for an anabolic steroid that he did not have a valid prescription for. Orton missed live events but continued to appear at televised events—including SummerSlam for a match against Hulk Hogan—for the duration of the suspension. He privately claimed he was taking time off from live events to remodel his home, but it was later confirmed that he was, in fact, suspended.
Cena has expressed strong support for the criminalization of the non-medical use of anabolic steroids by athletes. He has advocated the incarceration of athletes found to be using anabolic steroids or other performance enhancing drugs. “They should send the guys to jail,” said Cena during a February 2009 interview with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in response to a question about New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez admitting to using steroids and Major League Baseball’s anti-doping efforts. Cena elaborated on this belief in an interview with the New York Daily News.
“[Steroids] are the personal choice of the athlete. And [Rodriguez] got defensive, saying he used because he felt he needed to. If there was a set of [legal] stipulations set in place, he may never have even considered it.
“The government should take the initiative, and if you get caught using drugs, then you should go to jail. A criminal record will hurt your endorsements and long-term contracts.”
According to SuperLuchas.net, the nine-time world champion’s suspension reportedly stems from a positive drug test for the anabolic steroid Dianabol, which is banned by the United States Congress under its Controlled Substances Act. Right now, however, that is not confirmed. The only person in WWE who commented on the matter to Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer believes Orton actually tested positive for a tainted supplement.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, for reasons publicly unclear, Vickie Guerrero has been subject to numerous verbal taunts concerning her weight throughout her tenure with WWE. Despite the placement of an anti-bullying policy and Guerrero herself losing over 50 pounds, the insults about her appearance continue to linger on WWE television shows. Last month at Over the Limit, commentator Jerry Lawler spent much of the WWE Tag Team Championship Match throwing weight-related insults at Guerrero, who was wearing a dress with holes cut out.
When Vickie’s husband Eddie Guerrero died of heart failure in November 2005, Vince McMahon stated at a press conference that he promised to financially take care of her family for the rest of their lives. Rather than dispense money to Guerrero for free, however, she was summoned to work for the organization as a television character despite having minimal training and experience. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer was asked by a reader this weekend whether McMahon’s constant degradation of Guerrero is being done to get her to quit WWE, thereby forfeiting their lifetime deal.
“I don’t think they’ve ever tried to run her off. They just had an idea for her character. The worst stuff was when she had already given notice a few years back, as opposed to them trying to get her to leave.”
In May 2009, Guerrero requested to be released from her contract with WWE. As a single parent, she felt it was important to spend more time with her fatherless teenage daughters during their crucial adolescent years. McMahon, however, was livid over Guerrero’s decision. Matthew Randazzo V writes of the WWE CEO’s reaction in the July 2009 issue of Power Slam:
“He takes grievous offence and begins to rant and rave that Guerrero has betrayed WWE. Yes, Vince believes that the widow of Eddie Guerrero is ungrateful to the professional wrestling industry because she is putting her family first. From this point on, Vince’s shameless lackeys curry his favour by pitching gratuitous pig and fatso jokes at creative meetings—which earn booming guffaws from Vince.”
McMahon’s ire shifts on-screen, with Santino Marella and his fictitious twin sister “Santina” insulting Guerrero for weeks, calling her a pig and making oinking noises. The storyline climaxes with Guerrero being placed in a Hog Pen Match at the June 2009 Extreme Rules pay-per-view—Vickie and Santina brawl in a pen full of mud. With the Guerrero character refusing to be humiliated anymore, she quits her job as General Manager of Raw the following evening. After her announcement, she was joined in the ring by her estranged storyline husband, Edge. Requesting a divorce, the Rated-R Superstar viciously blasts Guerrero, calling her a “she-beast” among other insults.
Guerrero was asked last year during an interview with The Baltimore Sun whether WWE’s negative remarks toward her weight affect her.
“They really don’t bother me. Well, I guess they did to an extent, but not to where I was feeling bad about myself. It was who I was. We have beautiful women that work with us, and when I was in the locker room with them and we’re dressing and stuff, I would look at them and be like, ‘Oh, this is ridiculous. I’m going to change.’ I wanted to feel good being a part of their group and to live a lifestyle that was going to be promoted with the WWE. Now when they say the jokes, it’s like, ‘Whatever.’ [laughs] The jokes have helped grow my character to what it is. I just kind of roll with it and leave it behind me when I leave the arena. Again, there’s the character and then there’s the real person. You can’t take what’s going on at work personally.”
– According to the Wrestling Observer, an unnamed WWE source told sports blog Corey Unfiltered Friday that Alberto Del Rio (concussion) suffered a “serious concussion” at last Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Columbia, South Carolina. During a skirmish, Sheamus slammed Del Rio’s head against the metal WWE logo, leading to his concussion. Kane replaced Del Rio as Sheamus’ Steel Cage Match opponent in the post-taping bout and at Saturday’s SmackDown live event in Salisbury, Maryland.
Del Rio’s injury puts his World Heavyweight Championship Match against Sheamus at No Way Out on June 17 in jeopardy, since WWE officials believe he will not receive medical clearance in time for the show. Contingency plans are being discussed in case Del Rio is unable to compete, including removing Kane from the WWE Championship Match against CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. Other plans broached include a Battle Royal or a Beat the Clock Challenge to take place at this Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Meanwhile, WWE heads Vince McMahon and Triple H are becoming increasingly worried that Del Rio cannot be relied on due to injury concerns. He is being compared to former WWE star Mr. Kennedy (now known as Mr. Anderson in TNA Wrestling), whose reputation for being injury prone partially led to his release from the organization in 2009.
– According to the PWInsider, WWE Tag Team Champion R-Truth (foot) has suffered a broken foot. He did not go on the Raw brand’s tour of Spain last week-Kofi Kingston partnered with Zack Ryder and Brodus Clay at events.
– Counting down to 13 days remaining on his 30-day WWE suspension due to an irresponsible act of denigrating the Brazilian flag at a WWE live event in São Paulo on May 24, Chris Jericho tweeted Sunday, “Jason Voorhees was the killer in the Friday The 13th movies. 13 is the name of the new Megadeth album. I have 13 black socks…”
– WWE.com has a new list up ranking the Top 15 wrestling families:
15. The DiBiases
14. The Colons
13. The Poffos
12. The Hennigs
11. The Vachons
10. The Windhams
9. The Briscos
8. The Rhodes
7. The Funks
6. The Guerreros
5. The Ortons
4. The Von Erichs
3. The Anoa?i/Maivias
2. The Harts
1. The McMahons
Regarding the McMahon family, the WWE website wrote:
“The McMahon name has long been synonymous with sports-entertainment, but few realize the family was involved in professional wrestling since before the first television was even invented. In the 1920s, Jess McMahon began promoting matches in the New York City area during the industry’s early boom. When he died in 1954, his son, Vincent, took over the business and became one of the most respected and admired promoters. For Jess and Vince, Madison Square Garden was their home, but that regional base was expanded in the 1980s when Mr. McMahon took what would become WWE from an eastern attraction to an international powerhouse. Not just sports-entertainment’s greatest promoter, but one of the genre’s biggest stars, the mastermind behind WrestleMania’s in-ring battles with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin brought his company record television ratings and box-office receipts. His kids pitched in too as both Shane and Stephanie McMahon as key players both in the squared circle and at the corporate offices. With Stephanie’s 2003 marriage to Triple H, the family lineage extended to include not only sports-entertainment’s greatest minds, but one of the ring’s biggest legends.”
– Former WWE Women’s Champion Sable, 44, will soon become a grandmother. Her 21-year-old daughter Mariah is pregnant with her first child and expected to give birth in September, reports RenaLesnar.net.
MLB
– Angels’ RHP Jered Weaver (back) will throw off a mound Monday, and could rejoin the rotation next weekend. Initial reports had him ready Wednesday when first eligible, but he’ll need to wait a few more days. Weaver threw aggressively off flat ground Saturday and on Monday will throw his first bullpen session since landing on the DL.
– Cardinals’ RHP Chris Carpenter (neck, shoulder) is aiming to throw off a mound at some point this week. ”Where I’m at right now compares to where I’m at when I start preparing myself to go to spring training. I’ve been doing everything: strengthening my upper body, running, everything. I feel great.” He’s currently on track to return in roughly five weeks, barring setbacks.
– George A. King III and Mike Puma of the NY Post report that Cuban OF Jorge Soler is expected to sign a 4-year deal with someone within the next day. ESPN’s Buster Olney essentially confirmed the report by saying that Soler’s representatives have called teams to ask if their bids are final.
– According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, the Blue Jays are “said” to be in the mix for Cuban OF Jorge Soler. Soler is expected to sign a 4-year deal within the next few days. The Cubs, Dodgers and Yankees have been linked to him the most.
– Reds’ OF Drew Stubbs (oblique) is expected to be out several more days. Stubbs did some running Saturday and worked on a pulley machine in order to get his core engaged. Manager Dusty Baker said, “(Stubbs) ran some yesterday. He wasn’t 100%, but his 80% is better than most guys’ 100. You really couldn’t tell any difference. He said he felt it a little bit.” It’s puzzling that the Reds haven’t placed him on the disabled list, but Stubbs remains confident that a DL stint won’t be required. “Absolutely,” he said. “I think we’re still in good shape to keep that intact.” Stubbs hasn’t played since straining his left oblique Tuesday.
– The defence plans to wrap up its case Monday in the Roger Clemens perjury trial, followed by rebuttal witnesses for the government. Prosecutor Steve Durham says he expects the rebuttal to take about a half-day. The trial recessed Friday with FBI agent John Longmire on the stand under cross-examination by Durham. Longmire was a government witness earlier, but the defence recalled him as a witness too. He will return to the stand Monday. Clemens’ lawyer Rusty Hardin told U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton that he might have one more witness after Longmire. The judge wants the lawyers to give closing arguments Tuesday. He’ll then send the case to the jury with his instructions. The trial is entering its ninth week.
– Jason Blakeney of the Pensacola News Journal reports the A’s have agreed to terms with SS Addison Russell. The 18-year-old was selected 11th overall in last week’s draft. “They offered me a good chunk of change. And my parents are all down for it. They’re down with the California weather, so we’re ready to go.”
– Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the Twins are nearing a deal with No. 2 overall pick OF Byron Buxton. Christensen says Buxton will be in Minneapolis Monday to take a physical. The recommended slot bonus for the No. 2 pick is $6.2M.
NFL
– Cowboys’ CB Mike Jenkins is expected to report to the team’s mandatory minicamp, beginning on Tuesday but won’t participate due to offseason shoulder surgery. Jenkins is seeking a trade after losing his starting job, but the team has showed a lack of interest in trading the 27-year-old.
– Titans’ coach Mike Munchak acknowledged that the team’s difficult early-season schedule could factor into the team’s quarterback decision. Tennessee opens versus New England, at San Diego, versus Detroit, and at Houston. “You always look at what’s coming up… Those are not really the main things, but you have to factor everything in.” The team insists that reps will be split 50/50 between Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker, but this report seems to suggest that Hasselbeck will be given the benefit of the doubt for Week 1.
– WR Derrick Mason is expected to retire as a member of the Ravens on Monday afternoon. The 38-year-old played 15 years in the NFL, six of them with Baltimore. Mason is the Ravens’ franchise leader in receptions (471) and yards receiving (5,777). He ranks second behind Todd Heap with 29 touchdown catches and set a single-season franchise record with 103 receptions in 2007.
– LB Ben Leber is retiring after 10 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers, Vikings and Rams. Leber announced his retirement Friday on Minneapolis radio station KFAN. In a text message to The Associated Press, Leber said “It’s been a great run, lots of fun.” Leber spent five seasons in Minnesota and spent his final year with the Rams in 2011. He had 498 total tackles, 24 sacks and five interceptions in his career.
– Panthers’ MLB Jon Beason (Achilles’ surgery) has been medically cleared to participate in team drills during training camp. ”I feel ready to play four quarters of football if I had to.” Beason was limited to individual drills at OTAs, but appears to have progressed setback free. Beason is staying at middle linebacker this season.
– Giants’ RT David Diehl was arrested Sunday on a DWI charge in New York. Per WNBC TV’s Shimon Prokupecz, Diehl was arrested on 35th Avenue in Queens and held at the 114th precinct. Diehl reportedly refused a breathalyzer, necessitating his arrest. His BAC level was 0.18 on a blood test, and he’ll appear in front of a Queens criminal judge on Monday morning. The 31-year-old has no history of off-the-field problems.
NHL
– The Sharks have acquired the negotiating rights to Red Wings’ D Brad Stuart for F Andrew Murray and a conditional 2014 7th-round pick. Stuart, a former Shark, is expected to sign with them, meaning Detroit will receive a 7th-round pick–if not, Stuart will become a UFA on July 1. Stuart had made clear that he wanted to be closer to his family, which still lives in San Jose, and now he gets three weeks to negotiate with the Sharks before possibly becoming a free agent July 1. Stuart, 32, had six goals and 15 assists in 81 games last season. He had a plus-16 rating and led the Red Wings in hits with 177 and was second in blocked shots with 115. Even though Murray will not likely be signed, it’s a good deal for Detroit to get some compensation for a guy they were going to let walk on July 1 anyways.
– The Rangers interest in Predators’ RFA F Alexander Radulov may be diminishing, according to the NY Post. New York is seeking a replacement for F Marian Gaborik (shoulder surgery) to begin the season. Stay tuned.
– Penguins’ F Evgeni Malkin has won the Kharlamov Trophy which is awarded to the best Russian player in the NHL. Malkin led the NHL in points in the 2011-12 regular season with 109, including 50 goals. Malkin told rt.com at a ceremony in Moscow, ”This prize is very valuable for me because the winner is chosen by the players themselves. It’s nice when friends off the ice and enemies on the rink are watching your game, and are even afraid of you at times.” Malkin has already won the Art Ross Trophy for the most points in the NHL, and could also take home the Hart Trophy for league MVP.
NBA
– Bulls’ F Joakim Noah (ankle) is still not 100%. ”I’ve tried to play a little basketball, but it’s still a little sore. My left leg is not at its best, I can’t push off of it, I can’t run well. I’m not ready at all.”
– Following the Heat’s 101-88 win over the Celtics on Saturday night, both G Rajon Rondo and F Kevin Garnett walked the the dressing room with under a minute left, and didn’t shake hands with any of their opponents. Meanwhile, in the Heat dressing room, the team hosted a dance party.
TNA
– Scott Steiner is back with another epic Twitter rant – and this time, his target is the new head of TNA’s Knockouts division – Brooke Hogan. Take it away, Big Poppa Pump”
“After brooke hogan tweeted that she could make more money on her back than i did in my wrestling career Which i accepted and i will get into later,a high ranking official from TNA (who i respect) called me and Without going into the whole conversation he ask me to stop tweeting and since im trying to Save TNA from the same fate as WCW,and this official also has TNA’s best interest in mind i agreed Until bitchoff opened his mouth spewing his bullsh*t as usual,but first since i missed brookes debut,I know The camera adds 10 lbs but OMG how big is her head,did everybody notice when they were advertising her For the show they had a picture of her that looked totally differerent of her when she walked out,how many Gallons of paint did it take to airbrush that big head…and this is why i accepted her challenge that she Could make more money on her back,even though guys have fetishes and sometime guys are just bored But she has too many physical variables and abnormalities to be competitive or make money as a wh*re.”
“Keep in mind she could have issued the challenge that she could make more money singing but she chose Prostitution bcuz even she knows her singing sucks…her dad took her to a few music studios in nashville in a last ditch effort and of course they got laughed out of the studio…same results cant sing cant dance and shes an amazon.”
“Alot of responses to her debut was that she was a amazon..she has fat knees,cankles and did i mention she has a big head Spinkled with a lil transvestite dust.”
“So with the horrible ratings and reviews of his daughter what does hogan do;re-tweets a sexual tweet bcuz The guy asks him too! LOL what a f*cking idiot..need some ppl to tweet hogan the most vulgar sexual laced tweets and lets see if The dumbass will re-tweet them”
“For 21/2 yrs since hogan bitchoff n pritchard have been in charge the ratings have sucked and TNA continues To lose more and more of its fanbase and they think bringing in hogan’s no talent daughter in will help The ratings…..they are fn crazy….the knockouts are pissed and think shes a joke.”
You want a storyline you want ratings make brooke the chazz bono of tna,minus the Penis implant,bcuz he/she has to have a vagina like her dad.
Not only is tna wasting money on flying his daughter to the shows,TNA also pays to fly her dog with her. Unbelievable!!!!
– According to the PWInsider, the TNA Slammiversary fan fest that took place this weekend in Arlington, Texas was said to have been a disappointment. The crowd was a lot smaller than TNA expected and the event cleared out well before it was scheduled to end. The upside to the small crowd was that the fans who did attend got to spend extra time with the wrestlers.
– TNA has announced that Sting will become their first Hall of Fame member.
– WWE Intercontinental champion Christian appeared Sunday night at TNA Wrestling’s Slammiversary pay-per-view event under his former Christian Cage name to announce the number one moment in TNA Wrestling history as voted by the fans – Sting’s return to TNA at Final Resolution 2006. Check out these pictures of Christian at TNA Slammiversary:
– Thursday’s live TNA Impact Wrestling drew a 0.99 cable rating, up from the previous week’s 0.89 rating. The show averaged 1.25 million viewers for the 2-hour broadcast, down from the 1.29 million from the previous week.
UFC
– Jose Aldo was set to face Erik Koch in a featherweight title bout on July 21, but he has been forced to withdraw. The main event on the card at Scotiabank Saddledome will now be a bantamweight title bout between Urijah Faber and Renan Barao. The Faber-Barao matchup was originally slated for UFC 148 on July 7. Faber, the former WEC featherweight champion who is 3-1 at 135 pounds, will face the owner of the longest unbeaten streak in mixed martial arts in Barao. The Brazilian Baron has not lost in 27 straight fights and has stormed his way to the top of the UFC’s 135-pound division, beating Cole Escovedo, Brad Pickett and Scott Jorgensen in succession. The Calgary card also awaits news of another bout to be announced after Mauricio (Shogun) Rua’s bout against Thiago Silva was scratched due to an injury to Silva. Rua was subsequently moved to headline the UFC’s Aug. 4 event in Los Angeles against Brandon Vera.
MMA
– MMA fighter Bob Sapp fought in Kazahkstan this past weekend. The 38-year old turtled early on, then lost in the first round to Tolegen Akylbekov. Sapp has now lost eight consecutive fights, and 12 of his last 15 overall. The fact that Sapp is losing fights is not nearly as concerning as the fact that he’s not actually trying to win.