MLB
– Braves’ RHP Brandon Beachy (torn right UCL) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery on Thursday. Beachy, 25, had a major league-lead-tying 2.00 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 68/29 K/BB ratio through 81 innings this year. He will be sidelined through the first couple months of the 2013 campaign.
– According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, Rockies’ SS Troy Tulowitzki (scar tissue near groin) will undergo arthroscopic surgery Thursday and will be out at least 6 weeks. The 27-year-old is likely out through July. He was batting .287 with eight homers and 27 RBIs.
– White Sox’ pitching coach Don Cooper said LHP John Danks (shoulder) could rejoin the rotation around the third week of July. Danks, who has a Grade 1 sub-scapula tear of his left shoulder, will begin a strengthening program on Friday before starting a rehab assignment in 3-4 weeks.
– Rangers’ LHP Derek Holland (shoulder) is hoping to return to the rotation on July 1, according to ESPN Dallas. Holland threw his first bullpen session Wednesday since landing on the DL. “I feel good. I wasn’t throwing 100% down there, but it’s my first bullpen, I’m not going to try to overdo it, just trying to make sure everything’s correct, the way everything’s coming out of my hands. I felt really good. I’m just ready to get out there. That’s the main thing. Very anxious.”
– Tigers’ RHP Jose Valverde (sprained right wrist) will miss the next 3-4 days. Valverde visited a specialist on Wednesday. He has 13 saves in 16 chances with a 4.18 ERA, and he’s walked 17 hitters in 28 innings.
– The Angels have placed RHP Jerome Williams (shortness of breath) on the 15-day DL. Williams is reportedly feeling much better after collapsing in the clubhouse following his start Monday, but the Angels want to play it safe. He’ll likely return in two weeks, but it might be in a bullpen role if Garrett Richards is pitching well.
– The Nationals have promoted LHP Ross Detwiler, 26, back to the rotation. RHP Chien Ming-Wang will come out of the bullpen. Wang had his worst outing of the season Tuesday night, lasting just 3 1-3 innings and giving up five runs on seven hits and three walks in a 5-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. His record fell to 2-3 and his ERA rose to 6.10. Detwiler was 3-3 with 3.88 ERA in nine starts before moving to the bullpen. He is scheduled to start Sunday against the Orioles.
– The Blue Jays claimed RHP David Pauley off waivers from the Angels. Pauley, 29, made five relief appearances for the Angels this season posting an 0-1 record with a 4.35 ERA.
NFL
– Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson (left nee surgery) told reporters Wednesday that he’s now “wide open” when it comes to making cuts on his reconstructed left knee. AP adds that the cutting is coming along “well” and his recovery remains incredibly ahead of schedule. Stay tuned.
– Vikings’ GM Rick Spielman stated Wednesday that the team is not interested in trading WR Percy Harvin. ”We have no interest at all in trading Percy Harvin.” Harvin is just 24 years old and cost-controlled at $915K. While the Vikes need him on offence, every other team in the league is likely to inquire about him. Stay tuned.
– The 49ers have signed rookie WR A.J. Jenkins, the No. 30 overall pick, to a 4-year/$6.947M contract. Jenkins arrived at rookie camp overweight before reportedly struggling in OTAs and minicamp. He appears to be No. 4 on the depth chart right now.
– According to Bengals.com, there is “optimism” around the team that RCB Leon Hall (Achilles’ surgery) will be on the field for the first rep of training camp. Writer Geoff Hobson called Hall’s rehab “huge,” and Hall was said to be working out “vigorously” off to the side of OTA practices. Hall tore his left Achilles’ tendon last November–just two months after inking a 5-year/$42.4M contract.
– According to the Bengals’ website, OC Jay Gruden will employ a “running back by committee” approach this season. Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson says the “The Bell Cow is extinct” at Paul Brown Stadium, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis will rotate with Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard. The Cincinnati Enquirer has also called the Bengals’ backfield a “by-committee approach.”
– Colts’ head coach Chuck Pagano called RB Donald Brown as an “every-down back” during OTAs. ”Donald is an every-down back. He is doing a tremendous job and he is having a fantastic offseason.” He added that he wants to keep his running backs “fresh.”
NBA
– The Wizards have traded F Rashard Lewis and the No. 46 pick in the 2012 draft to the Hornets for F Emeka Okafor and F Trevor Ariza. Lewis is owed $23.7M in the final year of his monumental contract, but the Hornets will likely buy him out for $13.7M. Meanwhile, Okafor is owed $28M over the next two years with a $14.6M Early Termination Option next summer, while Ariza is owed $14M over two years with a $7.7M player option next summer. It’s merely a salary move for both teams.
– The Magic are in “advanced talks” with Thunder’ assistant GM Rob Hennigan regarding their vacant GM job, according to Yahoo! Sports. Hennigan recently went to Michigan for a second meeting with the team’s owners. He’ll have his hands full in Orlando. He replaces Otis Smith, but they’ll still need to find a new head coach after firing Stan Van Gundy last month.
– Heat’ F LeBron James (leg cramps) confirmed that he “should be fine” for Game 5 on Thursday. ”I feel a lot better than I did last night. I’m still a little sore because of the muscles just kind of being at an intense level, very tight.” LBJ nailed two clutch shots late in Game 4, despite being in considerable pain. There’s no chance he misses any time for Game 5.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scog7sYAHRc&feature=player_embedded
For those that missed the finish of Game 4, check out Thunder’ G Russell Westbrook’s stupid foul in the dying seconds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BR0yaqOkWc&feature=player_embedded
– Adidas has cancelled these shoes with ankle shackles, set for an August release. They said in a press release:
“The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott’s outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery.We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace.”
NHL
– Oilers’ F Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and F Jordan Eberle drove a Ferrari in Las Vegas, and took Cirque du Soleil lessons on Tuesday. Check it out:
– Kings’ fans took out a pair of rather funny ads in the newspaper:
– The Blue Jackets have hired Craig Hartsburg as associate coach. The 52-year-old has served as head coach of the Blackhawks, Ducks and Senators. His clubs went to the playoffs in three of his five full seasons as head coach. Last season, he was associate coach for the Flames.
– According to TSN, the Jets are not interested in trading F Evander Kane. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff has met with Kane’s representatives from Newport Sports Management, and dismissed the rumours of Kane’s unhappiness with the team. The two sides reportedly also discussed contract parameters, but did not get down to talking numbers. Reports surfaced this week that a Jets player revealed that Kane didn’t want to negotiate for a new contract, sparking trade rumours and speculation going into Friday’s NHL Draft. Kane, 20, scored a career-high 30 goals and 57 points last season and is eligible for restricted free agency on July 1.
– According to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune, the Wild are not looking to trade G Nicklas Backstrom, despite signing G Josh Harding to a 3-year contract extension yesterday. GM Chuck Fletcher said, ”We have no interest in trading Backstrom. None. When we were on top of the league [in the first 30 games] last year, a big part of the reason was our goaltending tandem. There’s no reason for us to want to change that up. Why not bring them back? The future will be the future. Everything work itself out. When Josh indicated he was willing to stay, we worked quickly to get it done.” Backstrom becomes a free agent in 2012-13.
– According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the Jets may explore trading G Ondrej Pavelec this weekend at the draft. The 24-year-old reportedly has an offer on the table from St. Petersburg of the KHL, and is open to returning to Russia if he fails to secure a 4-year/$16M contract worth $4M annually. The Jets and his agent, Allan Walsh, have remained quiet on the negotiation process, but the two sides are believed to be far apart in discussions. Stay tuned.
– The NHL Board of Governors has unanimously approved the sale of Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to the partnership of BCE, Inc and Rogers Communications. The Board of Governors also approved a restructuring of the ownership of MLSE. The deal allows the BCE-Rogers partnership to take a controlling interest in the Maple Leafs, the Raptors, the Marlies, and Toronto FC. MLSE also runs the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. The sale of MLSE was announced last December. The partnership agreed to buy a majority share of MLSE for $1.32B. The two companies will acquire a combined 79.5% of MLSE from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
WWE
– John Cena’s estranged wife Liz Huberdeau claims Cena was cheating on her, which could affect their prenuptial agreement and the terms of their pending divorce. Liz’s divorce attorney Raymond Rafool tells TMZ.com they’ve been contacted by several people since news of their divorce went public stating that John Cena has been cheating on her. If the allegations are true, this could be grounds for Liz to challenge their prenuptial agreement. Rafool told TMZ:
“We’re definitely following up on every lead relative to his being unfaithful before AND after the separation.”
– According to F4WOnline, the current plan for when RAW expands to three hours each week starting July 23 is for WWE to use use the entire show (as well as Twitter) to hype big matches/segments that would take place at the top of each hour. WWE would spend the first 50 minutes of RAW hyping the start of the 9-9:15pm quarter hour, the next hour hyping the start of the 10-10:15pm quarter hour and the final hour hyping the show’s final segment.
– Fuelling 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) stated recently 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 following his first Wellness Program infraction.
According to the PWInsider, one WWE source said while the wrestling stars’ relationship may currently be more amicable, Cena ‘hated’ Orton then due to the third-generation wrestler constantly “calling out Cena for what he was.” Younger talents believed then that as Cena gained more political clout, he assumed a ‘hard-ass coach role’ in the vein of John “Bradshaw” Layfield. Orton too had leverage and stood up for himself against Cena.
– John Cena made a surprise appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America morning show this morning to celebrate granting his 300th wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He appeared alongside Jonathan Littman, a seven year old boy he met on Monday night at WWE’s RAW Supershow taping from Long Island, NY. Littman was being interviewed about Make-A-Wish when Cena made a surprise appearance.
“Jonathan Littman is a tremendous young man and such an inspiration. Of all the tough guys I tangle with in the WWE ring, I’ve never encountered more bravery or toughness than I see in each wish kid I meet. Wishing is powerful stuff.”
Cena invited Littman and his parents to the 1,000th RAW in St. Louis next month. Here’s video of Cena’s appearance:
– Check out the SummerSlam PPV poster that Triple H showed off on RAW featuring Brock Lesnar:
– Suspended WWE superstar Randy Orton has been pulled from an upcoming advertised appearance. Orton was scheduled to wrestle Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio at a 3-way match at the July 24th SmackDown live event from Kansas City. On Tuesday afternoon, Orton’s name was removed from the card and now the match is just Sheamus vs. Del Rio.
– It was announced on RAW that until WWE’s Board of Director appoints new General Managers to run RAW and SmackDown, each week’s shows will feature an interim General Manager. The eligible participants are people who have previously worked as General Managers. Monday’s RAW and this week’s SmackDown are hosted by Mick Foley. At Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings, Vickie Guerrero was named the Interim GM for next week’s RAW and SmackDown. Other names that could serve as Interim GMs in the coming weeks include Steve Austin, Bret Hart, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, William Regal, Jonathan Coachman and Mike Adamle.
– Monday’s RAW Supershow drew a 3.4 cable rating with 4,963,000 viewers. The show did hourly ratings of 3.38 and 3.43. WWE certainly benefited from not having competition from an NBA Finals game and it appears fans were interested in the fallout from WWE No Way Out. Factor in an approximate 10% increase in viewership from people who DVR’d RAW and WWE is comfortably out of the danger zone it was flirting with a month ago.
– This week’s WWE Interim General Manager Mick Foley tweeted the following message after last night’s SmackDown tapings, stating that he finally had a chance to speak with Dean Ambrose face to face:
Finally had a talk with @TheDeanAmbrose . Unique type of cat. We’ll probably never exchange holiday cards, but it was good to clear the air.
Ambrose did not reply to Foley directly, but tweeted the following Tuesday night:
It hurts to talk today again. My voice gives out all the time. Im not sure why.
– The 6/16 WWE AM RAW scored a 0.52 rating with 594,000 viewers.
– The June 16th episode of Steve Austin’s Redneck Island reality show on CMT scored a 0.37 cable rating with 551,000 viewers. The midnight replay did 0.14 rating with 203,000 viewers.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. As always, you can check out JR’s delicious line of BBQ products at WWEShop.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Paul Heyman On RAW: “Heyman is a natural born antagonist and when he speaks he isn’t ‘acting’ but simply being himself. I’ve personally been in too many non televised arguments with Paul to know of what I speak. Heyman has ‘it’ and always has plus it’s obvious that the native New Yorker hasn’t lost a step in his self imposed, long sabbatical from the biz over the past several years.”
“Paul Heyman is the best, antagonist, promo talent in WWE hands down.”
Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar: “A few weeks ago when HHH had his physical encounter with Brock Lesnar, I ‘felt’ that any bout between the two would be special. Specifically after the ‘Cerebral Assassin’ (Great handle…wonder where that came from?) fired up on Lesnar for a brief but impactful interlude of hammering right hands. That exchange struck a chord with me and flipped the switch for my motor to engage.”
“IF Lesnar vs. HHH happens at Summerslam, and I hope that it will, it will be a stellar attraction that will be fresh and not too likely to ever happen again. The bell to bell of this potential main event really has my interest and I’m intrigued to see how this matter plays out between now and August 19.”
Mike Tyson In WWE ’13: “Mike Tyson being a playable character in WWE13 is a significant development for THQ and WWE. Iron Mike’s involvement in the video game should be an outstanding, new, unique feature as the Attitude Era is represented strongly on this upcoming game that I assume will be released this fall perhaps in October.”
The Next Permanent RAW GM: “Just asking but could the new RAW/Smackdown GM be announced at the premier of the weekly three hour Monday Night Raws, episode 1000, in St. Louis on July 23? This isn’t a ‘spoiler’ even though some knuckleheads will think it’s such but merely a question. Doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”
– According to F4WOnline, former TNA star Amazing Red’s WWE tryout match prior to Sunday’s WWE No Way Out pay-per-view went well and a WWE source believes he’ll be hired as part of WWE’s upcoming Cruiserweights project that’s been discussed for the WWE Network.
– Since CM Punk did “snow angels” with Jimmy Fallon on Monday night on Fallon’s late night NBC show, #SnowAngeling has been trending on Twitter this week and WWE has been encouraging fans to send in photos of themselves doing snow angels anywhere they can. WWE is reportedly trying to get #SnowAngeling to go viral, similar to NFL quarterback Tim Tebow’s “Tebowing” pose. WWE tried something similar earlier this year, telling fans to send in pictures of them doing Daniel Bryan’s “YES!” pose.
– It was announced on Tuesday that WWE Diva Eve Torres is currently filming a new reality show for NBC called Stars Earn Stripes, where celebrities go through boot camp training to raise money for military charities Eve posted the following on her official website about her involvement in the show:
“I am absolutely THRILLED to be a part of the Stars Earn Stripes Cast! I will be working with our nation’s most elite heroes and competing to raise money for military and first responder charities. Not to mention… I will be shooting some MAJOR weapons! The two hour season premiere will air on NBC Monday, August 13th at 8/7c. Stay tuned!”
Eve will be returning to WWE’s RAW Supershow next Monday night.
– WWE Champion CM Punk tweeted the following message in response to fans complaining about his WWE title matches not being featured last on WWE pay-per-views:
Placement on a card determining quality? Y’all need to reevaluate. I’ll wrestle @WWEDanielBryan 1st, 3rd, 7th or your precious last…
– FCW trainer Bill DeMott wrote on Twitter that WWE Diva Tamina Snuka has “big things coming her way.”
– Former WWE superstar Kenn Doane spoke with SEScoops.com and spoke about a number of controversial topics, including John Cena being the “Tiger Woods” of WWE and breaking up his engagement to Mickie James (which led to the demise of Doane & James’ WWE careers), Cena trying to get Randy Orton fired from WWE, his experience in the Spirit Squad, how WWE has changed since he left in 2008 and much more.
Note From Kenn: “First and foremost before reading this interview if your going to say “Your a cheerleader” or make comments of how I got beat in matches then your probably too uneducated and immature to continue so please hit the back button located at the top left of your webpage now. And now lets begin…”
When you were in the Spirit Squad, was there a feeling like this would brand you with a ‘stench’ that would be impossible to shake, or were you just happy to work with DX and Vince McMahon so early in your WWE career?
“We always knew going into it that groups don’t last forever and the best way possible to get out of that ‘stench’ so to say would be simply to fight each other or go back down to developmental and be repackaged. Fortunately Dolph had that opportunity, the other 3 got fired and I got brought back the following week as Dykstra. Spirit Squad was basically a group designed to bring back DX and that’s it. We came in as badass cheerleaders that took advantage of a 5-2 ratio and beat up every tag team they put in our way. Except when it came to DX, no 5 grown men could ever beat 2 not those 2 lol. This is where haters will say “duh haha you got superkicked and pedigreed.” But I’ma let them in on a secret. ITS FUCKING FAKE! I knew what was going to happen and I did because that was my job. That is equal to me saying haha you just got a stack of papers at your desk and now have to work more.”
“People don’t understand that this is a job. Nobody is really the champion of anything. It is a simple show that you watch and enjoy. If you were in a movie with Sly Stallone and beat his ass but then at the end he killed you would you be mad? Absolutely not you would tell everyone to go watch it. We make short action movies where in the end one loses and the other wins. So if you think otherwise then you didn’t read my disclaimer at the beginning and you can hit the back button now.”
What are your thoughts on fellow Spirit Squad alum Dolph Ziggler’s breakout potential?
“I think it’s great and I am a HUGE Dolph supporter. I text him sometimes before big matches telling him I may do a shoot run in and help him win because he deserves it. I think if THEY let him above the glass ceiling he will be a big player when it comes to the future. We already know Cody Rhodes will get through the glass ceiling eventually for sure. His damn father is a writer. Nothing against Cody he is a great talent just saying it how it is. And as for THEY i mean the politicians in the top spots. Guys like… like…. whats his name??? (haters and nerds get ready here it comes) John Cena that’s it. This man seems afraid of losing his spot and I never understood it because they are very high on him as we can all see but I guess when your at the top you must be afraid of falling sometimes. John is greedy in the ring and he is allowed to be. Very rarely do we see top babyfaces selling for anyone anymore. I think this is part of whats missing in wrestling today. I remember Bret Hart would sell for anyone at any level in every match, the reason being is if your babyface isn’t in danger then why do we care to cheer for them? Steamboat did the same thing. But guys feel it makes them weak to sell now when in reality it makes people interested. If we watched UFC and nobody got hurt we wouldn’t watch right? (a verbal yes will do fine here)
Based on what you’ve seen on television and heard from friends still working for the company, what has changed most in WWE since you left in 2008?
“Everybody walks on egg shells backstage. Nobody gets an opinion and everyone is afraid to speak up. That is what i noticed the times i went back there after my release. The new guys are like little kids that got scolded by their mothers and are on strike 2 when they didn’t do anything to begin with. and most are ass kissers which only gets them faster out the door. Nobody has a chance to become anything unless WWE wants them to be. It seems no fun, nobody really jokes or plays around like they used too. I remember bringing heely’s backstage [the sneakers with wheels in the heels], following week everyone had them, we would have races and such but now they all seem afraid to have fun or afraid to smile. their like pawns waiting to get picked up and moved to a certain spot. Silly if you ask me.”
Can you shed more light on your recent comments that John Cena wanted Randy Orton fired when you were in WWE?
“It was the same night when Cena tried toughening up Carlito (which was absolutely stupid of Cena) he was pretty much bullying him because we all know if Carlito hit Cena and hurt him he would be fired plain and simple. But regardless once John calmed down I asked him what that was all about he ranted and other crap saying people need to hold their own weight around here and some how he got to Randy being suspended saying he is trying for Randy’s release to send a message to everyone that they can all be fired just as easily. As for now I don’t know if John is trying for Randy’s release or not but if I had to guess I would say it is due to the fact that he told me he was before. This assumption could be wrong (meaning this could be false and not the truth) however John telling me in the past he did want Randy fired is true (that’s true because he told me, see how that works haters?).”
Based on your recent tweets about your former relationship with Mickie James, it’s clear that behind-the-scenes romance often winds up affecting WWE storylines. What is WWE’s attitude towards wrestlers dating divas?
“It depends on who you are, top guy like Cena can do what he wants but most of the time they try to fuck with it like put you on separate shows and make one date another on TV. I think its a little sick joke but who knows really. I mean look at past relationships usually their on separate shows.”
Since a return to WWE does not seem likely at this point due to your issues with the company’s top star, are you interested in working for Impact Wrestling? (Turns into a tangent about his relationship with Mickie James, her cheating on him with Cena, Cena’s “rats” and clearing his reputation)
“This is where its going to get interesting i may stray from this question until the end but i will answer you.”
– Jim Ross was asked if he’s OK with WWE’s re-branded NXT show not airing online. He said:
Absolutely. Big days lie a head.RT @dizzydj: Hey, @JRsBBQ… Are you OK with @WWENXT not being on wwe.com anymore?
TNA
– TNA Entertainment has taken legal action against former wrestler Scott Steiner following weeks of “disparaging remarks” online about the organization, Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff and other employees, according to Nashville’s City Paper. TNA filed a verified complaint Monday in Nashville Chancery Court asking for an injunction to stop Steiner’s “disparaging remarks” on Twitter. The Nashville based wrestling organization claims that Steiner’s remarks breach a contract he signed in December 2010. It specifically stipulates that he is “forbidden from making public statements, including messages online, concerning TNA or any of its employees without prior approval.” City Paper, however, does not disclose whether the stipulation stands following his departure from the organization in March 2012.
“In blatant disregard of the parties’ Agreement, Steiner has engaged in a concerted effort to disparage TNA, its wrestlers, and other talent and cast them in a negative light.”
TNA formally demanded that Steiner stop posting disparaging remarks on Twitter on May 10. He responded five days later through the social media website:
“Havent tweeted lately bcuz I got a letter from a lawyer representing hogan n [Bischoff] basically saying… They take my tweets seriously and if threats continue they will take to law enforcement….really hogan my.. Tweets scare you,Ive said worse in interviews on tv,LOL.”
TNA’s lawsuit asks for injunctive relief due to Steiner’s breach of contract. No hearing on the matter has been set since TNA hasn’t filed an order for injunction. It was also disclosed in the filing that Steiner was paid $2,500 per pay-per-view performance during his time with TNA.
BOXING
– Mike Tyson appeared on The Today Show and rambled on about his life. Check it out: