WWE
– According to the Wrestling Observer, Randy Orton’s second violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program puts WWE in a quandary, since one more infraction would result in automatic termination. Given the long-held belief that WWE selectively enforces their drug testing policy, however, there is skepticism as to whether the organization would follow through on cutting ties with the high-ranked wrestler in the event of another drug test failure.
Dustin Starr, who appeared as referee for Florida Championship Wrestling in 2010, tweeted “WWE would never release Randy Orton” in response to former Intercontinental Champion Lance Storm praising the sports entertainment organization for sticking to their drug testing policy with the 60-day suspension of The Viper. Storm disagreed with his remark, saying,
“By policy they could rehire after 1 year. He’d be fresh and hot on return.”
Starr replied,
“I don’t know. Seems like a diamond they would not be willing to let go. He’s a golden boy.”
WWE’s official procedure for handling a third Talent Wellness Program violation reads:
“In the event of a third positive test for substances prohibited by this Policy other than marijuana and alcohol, the WWE Talent’s contract with WWE will be terminated and WWE will publicly disclose the WWE Talent’s name and that WWE Talent’s contract was terminated for a third violation of the Policy.
“Any WWE Talent, who has participated in a drug rehabilitation program as a result of the Policy, must undergo the mandatory unannounced follow-up testing set forth in Section 8 C (1) of the Policy for the remainder of his/her contractual relationship with WWE.
“Any WWE Talent, who leaves the WWE for any reason with a first or second violation on his/her record, will maintain said violation count on his/her record from the time he/she departs WWE until the time he/she returns, if ever, to the WWE.
“In addition, a WWE Talent, who is terminated by the WWE for a third violation of the Policy, will be prohibited from returning to the WWE for at least one (1) year. If a WWE Talent, who is terminated for a third violation of the Policy, is permitted by the WWE, in its sole discretion, to return to the WWE, then (1) such WWE Talent must test negative for all prohibited substances under this Policy during the pre-contract screening process; (2) such WWE Talent will return to the WWE with a first and second violation of this Policy against his/her record; and (3) such WWE Talent must undergo the mandatory unannounced follow-up testing set forth in Section 8 C (1) of the Policy for a period of at least one (1) year after execution of his/her new contract with WWE.”
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. He also reportedly tested positive for marijuana, which is subject to a $2,500 fine.
– According to the PWInsider, following the recent suspensions of Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton, WWE officials are discussing making a major change to company’s Wellness Policy, which could now reveal what caused the talent to fail. The belief is that wrestlers will be discouraged to use drugs if they know their drug use will be made public knowledge.
– Updating a previous item, WWE Raw will expand to a three-hour show, starting with the 1,000th episode on July 23 at 8/7 CT on USA Network. According to the PWInsider, many WWE employees have a bad feeling on the addition of one hour to Raw. Those talked to are “genuinely concerned” about the harm making it a three-hour show on a weekly basis could do to the WWE product.
– The Rock announced on Twitter that yesterday was the final day filming his “Pain & Gain” bodybuilder movie with Mark Wahlberg:
“On set. Last day of PAIN & GAIN. Insane true story – murder, mounds of coke & bodybuilder fanny packs. Been a helluva ride..”
Check out this gallery of The Rock on the set of Pain & Gain:
– The Miami Herald has published Part 3 of its recent interview with WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. Here are some highlights of what Michaels told reporter Jim Varsallone about:
His Faith: “I’ve shared my faith. I’ve had a lot of people ask me stuff. There are still a ton of detractors. There’s still a bunch of people who think I’m full of b.s. That can slow people down… I get people today saying like, ‘He’s no Christian. He’s working it.’ Well, I don’t even know if you can work that. Can you? … When I stand on my day of judgment, the Lord ain’t gonna ask Jim how Shawn was. He’s gonna ask me. That’s something between me and Him, not me and a bunch of people I shared a locker room with. He’s not concerned with what they think of me. He’s concerned about what He thinks of me. So that’s what I focus on.”
Concussions In Wrestling: “This is one of the 101 things that makes me probably not popular with everybody and their agenda. I’m 100 percent behind finding out the cause with technology and doing everything we can to minimize those things and take care of the athletes. I’m not down with that’s the excuse why everybody does what that they do. I’ve had my bell rung a bunch, and I still have no desire to hurt anybody. I’m down with finding out everything we can, doing everything we can to protect athletes. I think it does need to at least be understood that they’re still finding out.”
– Following Michael Cole’s humiliation on RAW at the hands of John Cena, WWE Hall of Famer tweeted the following message to Cole:
“After sleeping on it, sort of feel bad for @michaelcole. Humiliation is no fun, trust me. He’s got tuf gig.”
– According to the PWInsider, Abraham Washington’s “All World Talent Agency” storyline may be dropped soon.
– WWE is now billing Sin Cara “the most popular superstar in the history of Mexico,” which is incorrect (and can be viewed as a personal jab) to suspended superstar Rey Mysterio.
– Chyna says she has recovered after collapsing on three consecutive days at an adult convention in Miami, Florida last month. She tweeted:
“I want to thank all my fans for their concern @ my health. I am almost recovered from sinus infection and out of bed ready for travel again.”
She was appearing at the 2012 Exxxotica Expo on behalf of Vivid Entertainment to promote their adult film parody of “Avengers.” A Vivid representative told TMZ.com that Chyna continued to appear at the events because she insisted she was fine. The former WWE Women’s Champion and star of Vivid Entertainment adult hit movie “Backdoor to Chyna,” stopped by Rick’s Cabaret gentlemen’s club in New York City over the weekend and jumped in the DJ booth to spin some of her favorite songs. Rick’s Cabaret’s Director of Audio/Visual, DJ Jonathon Page said,
“She’s good. I showed her a few things and she took to it very well.”
“You’ve got to keep the energy level high–there are 100 Rick’s Girls that are taking off their clothes to the music. It needs to be on point, and Chyna does have a good feel for the vibe.”
Celebrities often show their appreciation for Page’s expertise and he will welcomes them into the booth.
“Chyna is very talented, she knows her music, and with a little work, she could become a top DJ.”
– Here’s the latest RAW Backstage Fallout video featuring WWE tag team champions R-Truth & Kofi Kingston:
– Stone Cold Steve Austin will be appearing at the CMT Music Awards tonight in Nashville, Tennessee to promote his new Redneck Island reality show on the network.
– WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch, 39, says she’s trying to start a family. She coyly remarked Monday she was taking a “test,” which she later disclosed as a home pregnancy test. She wrote Monday on Twitter:
“Im taking a test tonight….what test you ask? For me to know and for you to find out.”
However, she later wrote,
“negative .”
Sytch then revealed her goal on Facebook, writing,
“ok, peeps, minions, and dirt sheet writers: YES, met the man of my dreams, trying to start a family….happy for some dirt??? lol.”
“Trying to get preggers..hasnt happened yet. just sad. Just was hoping for a positive… ugh…gotta keep trying..that’ll be fun!”
She is now dating independent wrestler Damien Darling.
– Marcus “Buff” Bagwell will be making a public appearance weeks after being involved in a serious car accident while traveling near his hometown of Marietta, Georgia. Bagwell’s publicist stated to Hollywood.com three weeks ago that he is quickly healing from the life-threatening ordeal and looking to return to the squared circle.
NFL
– ESPN’s Ed Werder reports the Saints have “resumed dialogue” with unsigned franchise QB Drew Brees, but the sides remain roughly $2M annually apart in long-term contract negotiations. Brees is missing the Saints’ current mandatory minicamp. Werder reported, “I’m told by a source close to the stalemate in negotiations that dialogue between Saints GM Mickey Loomis and Tom Condon, the agent for Brees, has resumed, but so far has not resulted in any substantial progress… The two sides are believed to be about $2 million-a-year apart. And I’m told that Brees is committed to his position because, at 33, he recognizes this could be the final contract of his NFL career. That there are no guarantees beyond that.” Stay tuned.
– The Akron Beacon-Journal calls Browns’ RB Trent Richardson “a lock” to be the ”workhorse” back as a rookie. As expected. Richardson should get somewhere between 325-350 touches in 2012-13.
NBA
– Heat’ F Chris Bosh (abdomen) is officially listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday’s Game 5 against the Celtics. Many rumours suggest that Bosh will return, as he was able to participate in shootaround on both Monday and Tuesday. Bosh was initially expected to miss the remainder of the series.
– Celtics’ F Paul Pierce (sprained MCL) doesn’t believe he’ll require offseason surgery, but won’t know for sure until after the season has ended. Pierce has been bothered with a knee issue, but his performance has gotten better of late. Sprained MCL’s don’t usually require surgery, but the fact that he brought it up suggests he could be playing more hurt than believed.
TNA
– TNA executive Eric Bischoff recently spoke with Wrestling101. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
Scott Steiner’s recent Twitter rants: “Scott is a 50-year-old man and is at a stage of his life where in his mind he is a much bigger star than in reality and he is having a hard time adjusting to that. It is sad to see, especially with people at one time you thought were friends become so bitter because their identities are so diluted in this wrestling character that they think it is their life.”
The Current WWE Product: “I look at the WWE now and am so very impressed with what Vince McMahon and his family, staff and company have done.”
Working with Vince McMahon: “I respect the hell out of Vince McMahon in a lot of ways and my only regret is that I didn’t have a chance to work more closely with him when I was in the WWE because I could have learned from him in a lot of ways.”
NHL
– Sharks’ F Dominic Moore (personal) revealed that he left the team during opening-round playoff series to be with ill wife. His wife, Katie, was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer that required surgery in April.