NHL
– According to a Czech Republic newspaper, F Jaromir Jagr is “on track to reach agreement” to remain with the Flyers. Jagr’s comments after the Flyers were eliminated from the postseason suggested that he would not be back, but GM Paul Holmgren said the two sides had positive talks shortly afterward. “I think it is fair to say that I have expressed interest in Jaromir returning to the Flyers. I think Jaromir has expressed his interest in the Flyers. He had a good year and I think he liked it here.” The Czech report calls his chances of playing for the Flyers 65%, 30% possible that he signs with a different NHL team, and the remaining 5% that he would head back to the Czech Republic to play for HC Kladno, which is the team he owns and his father operates.
– Rangers’ F Marian Gaborik (torn labrum in right shoulder) underwent successful surgery on Wednesday, and will miss the next 5-6 months, jeopardizing his availability for the 2012-13 season opener. Gaborik said he suffered the injury in Game 3 of the Rangers’ first-round series against the Senators, and it impacted his ability to shoot. He had five goals and 11 points in 20 playoff games after he recorded 41 markers and 76 points over 82 regular-season games.
MLB
– A source told Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona that the D’Backs are a “long, long shot” to add Red Sox’ 3B Kevin Youkilis this summer. Arizona already has a maxed-out budget, and Youk is making a $12M salary.
– The Rangers have placed LHP Derek Holland (left shoulder fatigue) on the 15-day DL. Holland lost 10-15 pounds over the last two weeks while fighting a stomach virus and has struggled to regain strength all over his body. He has a 5.10 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP and a 59/24 K/BB ratio.
NBA
– Heat’ F Chris Bosh (abdominal) is playing without a minutes restriction in Thursday’s Game 6 against the Celtics.
NFL
– According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bengals’ RBs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Bernard Scott said they are expecting to be used in a committee this season.
– Titans’ WR Kenny Britt (knee surgeries) says he’s “doing good” with his rehab, and “everything’s going as planned. “This will be my second and a half week out (from surgery). We did some running in the pool yesterday, we did some strengthening today, and I’ll be running on the field tomorrow.” Britt was in good spirits and upbeat about his recovery. “I’m itching and I’m scratching. I just want to be out there playing football.” Asked if he’ll be ready for Week 1, Britt said “I’m praying for it.”
– Eagles’ president Joe Banner has been replaced by COO Don Smolenski. Banner, 59, has been a part of the team since 1994. Banner is now a “strategic adviser” to owner Jeffery Lurie, but is “a free agent,” as the owner said. The Eagles are denying that the move was a result of a power struggle between Banner and head coach Andy Reid. GM Howie Roseman will assume all of the cap and contract negotiations Banner previously handled.
WWE
– Suspended WWE superstar Randy Orton has issued his first public statement since his second Wellness Policy violation was announced. Orton stated that his suspension ends in 50 days, which would allow him to return to action on Friday, July 27. That would mean Orton’s suspension began on Monday, May 25–the night he appeared on RAW and laid out The Miz with an RKO. Orton did not appear at WWE’s SmackDown tapings the following night and his suspension was announced on Wednesday May 27. When asked if he will be returning Orton if he will be returning as a heel because of the suspension, Orton said, “we can only pray.” Finally, a fan asked Orton why he was suspended. Orton replied:
“When I’m able to tell you, I will. Until then, don’t believe everything you read!”
– According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE is going all-out for the upcoming 1,000th RAW celebration on July 23rd and plans to treat the show as a PPV-caliber event. WWE has reached out to dozens of legends to appear at the show, including the usual suspects (Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Sgt. Slaughter, Jim Duggan, Gene Okerlund, Jimmy Hart) as well as many top names from the Attitude Era. WWE is even considering bringing in Bobby Heenan, but his health situation might prevent him from appearing. There has been talk of incorporating several vintage production techniques to the show, similar to what we saw on the special “Old School” RAW back in 2010. The plan is to announce several big matches for the 1,000th RAW and promote the show hard in the weeks leading up to it. WWE has reached out to the Undertaker and wants to promote his television return several weeks in advance as well.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, as a way of giving Ryback an extra edge to get him over with live audiences, WWE has been announcing that the jobbers hail from the rival city of where the event is being held. For example, when WWE was recently in Columbia, South Carolina, it was announced the jobbers hailed from Clemson, North Carolina. Clemson is a rival school of the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
On last week’s Raw, Arthur Rosenberg and Stan Hansky (indy wrestlers Kirby Mack and Stoney Hooker) jobbed to Ryback. Prior to the squash, they read a poem together, which was meant to be a rib on Lanny “The Genius” Poffo, brother of the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage. The belief is that Poffo was ribbed because of his recent comments about Randy Savage refusing to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame unless the entire Poffo family (including their father, Angelo Poffo) was inducted as well.
– Today’s wrestling birthdays include hardcore legend Mick Foley (46) and WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, Triple H has been added to next week’s WWE SmackDown tapings (6/12) from the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. Triple h appeared at this week’s SmackDown tapings and laid out Drew McIntyre with a pedigree in a segment that won’t air on television, so it’s possible he’ll have a similar role at next week’s tapings.
– It was announced on Wednesday that WWE will be sponsoring JBL’s mission to climb the highest point on each of the seven continents. Proceeds from the adventure will go towards Bermuda’s Family Center, which helps underprivileged children. JBL will begin with Russia’s Mt. Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe. He will then go to Mts. Vinson, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Cartensz Pyramid and finish with Mt. Everest in 2014. In an interesting note, JBL plans to place a WWE flag at the top of each of the seven mountains.
TNA
– TNA star Sting participated in a conference call on Wednesday to promote this weekend’s Slammiversary pay-per-view. Here are some highlights:
Sting said he was very close to signing with WWE before last year’s WrestleMania. He was looking forward to wrestling the Undertaker and said he was surprised the deal didn’t come together. Aside from a few younger stars in TNA, Undertaker was one of the few remaining people he wanted to wrestle before retiring.
He has talking with a publisher about writing an autobiography.
When asked about the future top stars of TNA, he named Bobby Roode, Austin Aries, James Storm and Magnus.
Once he retires, he’s interested in working for TNA behind the scenes, possibly in a creative role.
Sting plans to retire with TNA. Every year, he expects it will be his last, but he finds it hard to walk away when TNA is “not quite there” in terms of being a company that can truly compete with WWE. His interest and motivation have gone up in the last year.
When asked about the TNA Hall of Fame, Sting says he should not be the first inductee because guys like Jeff Jarrett and AJ Styles are far more deserving.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, with the recent TNA departure of Alex Shelley, there have also been reports that his Motor City Machine Guns partner Chris Sabin is also looking to leave the company when his contract expires in August. The latest on Sabin’s status is that he has indeed talked about leaving, but plans to wait a few more months before making his final decision.
– Former TNA knockout Karen Jarrett posted the following tweets directed at Dixie Carter and her brother Todd Carter, President of Panda Energy International (TNA’s parent company):
“Hey Todd, no one can stand ur sister @TNADixie she continues to run the company in the ground!!! What r u gonna do???”
“@TNADixie have some guts and call me out……..”
“Everyone has dirty laundry I’m thinking it’s about home for @TNADixie to be exposed!!!”
It’s been rumoured for quite some time that Karen Jarrett will be returning to television soon.