WWE
– According to the PWInsider, WWE’s creative team is rumoured to be leaning toward CM Punk retaining the WWE Championship next Monday on Raw SuperShow when John Cena cashes in his Money in the Bank contract. There is reportedly a lot of talk within the organization that Cena will be the first person to not win a title directly after cashing in the briefcase. WWE.com is also teasing that The Rock may get involved in the title match between Punk and Cena. Stay tuned.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, everything is being kept quiet regarding The Undertaker’s return, but there’s still speculation that he may return on Monday’s 1,000th RAW episode.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, there’s speculation that the “big angle” Vince McMahon has been wanting will take place at the end of the 1,000th RAW episode on Monday. WWE has reportedly been working on something big for the summer, something similar to the Nexus and CM Punk angles from the past two years. Stay tuned.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, The Rock is considering competing in a match or two before WrestleMania 29 on April 7, 2013 in New Jersey. The last time The Rock was on Raw was the night after he defeated John Cena at WrestleMania 28, on that night he promised “Team Bring It” he will become WWE Champion again.
– Jerry “The King” Lawler, recently spoke with The Miami Herald, regarding the origin of the line “puppies” he had used for many years doing the Attitude era.
“I actually got to give credit to a guy who I think will be returning on the 1,000th episode. It was a member of DX, Road Dogg (Jesse) James. I believe he was talking to Sable at the time. DX was in the ring, and Sable was in the ring, and somehow I believe Road Dogg said, ‘Hey, show us your puppies.’ It kind of floated by. No big deal at that point and time, but then I started using the word a couple of weeks later, and it just stuck.”
– Cranky Vince, a popular Twitter account parodying head chief Vince McMahon, is gone from Twitter. It disappeared Friday after having posted several messages mocking WWE’s partnership with Tout. The account would spoof McMahon’s demeanor and mindset with random musings depicting the WWE Chairman as eccentric, maniacal and drug-addled. It had drawn alarming concern from organization officials since last year, who believed it was being controlled by an employee within proximity of McMahon due to the eerie nature of the tweets. The account would often post messages based on things he had legitimately done or said at work—sometimes moments after occurring.
NFL
– The Colts have signed No. 1 overall pick QB Andrew Luck to a 4-year/$22.1M fully guaranteed contract. Luck is believed to be the most NFL-ready prospect to enter the league since his predecessor, QB Peyton Manning.
– According to ESPN NY, per “team insiders,” the Jets plan to use QB Tim Tebow in the red zone. The Jets are developing a Wildcat package around Tebow, who has been asked to muscle up to 250 pounds. He’ll replace QB Mark Sanchez in the majority of goal-line sets, which will let the team add another blocker for short-yardage plays.
– CBSSports.com’s Pete Prisco has been told by Jaguars sources there is “no consideration at all” on a new contract for disgruntled RB Maurice Jones-Drew. GM Gene Smith stated in June that he expects MJD to fulfill the last two seasons of the 5-year/$31M contract signed back in 2009. Right now, Jones-Drew appears poised for a training camp holdout. Stay tuned.
– CBS Sports’ Jason LaCanfora confirms the Steelers “continue to make headway” in long-term contract talks with RFA WR Mike Wallace. GM Kevin Colbert has said that he wants to build around Wallace, and LaCanfora reports Wallace’s camp is “motivated” to re-sign with Pittsburgh as well.
– Bears’ MLB Brian Urlacher (knee) will not be limited in training camp, according to ESPN Chicago. Urlacher was held out of spring practices as a precaution, but is at 100% health right now. “I’m full go for everything, so I won’t be missing anything. 110%, I’m good to go.”
– Rams’ DE Robert Quinn was arrested for DWI on July 10 two additional traffic charges in St. Louis, according to KSDK.com. The 14th overall pick in 2011 still projects as the Rams’ starting right end. He picked up five sacks while coming off the bench as a rookie.
MLB
– ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports that the Phillies have “picked up the pace” in negotiations with LHP Cole Hamels. The Phillies will put their best long-term offer on the table before deciding whether to shop Hamels before the July 31 trade deadline. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported earlier this week that a 6-year/$130M proposal was in the works. Stay tuned.
– FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal lists the Pirates, Red Sox and Tigers as teams with interest in D’Backs’ SS Stephen Drew. The D’Backs are unlikely to exercise their part of Drew’s $10M mutual option for 2013, and may try and get a return package before letting him go. Arizona is currently seven games back in the National League West standings.
– Angels’ OF Torii Hunter said Wednesday that he wants to stay in Anaheim and doesn’t care about the money. ”This is the only team I want to play for. If I’m not in their plans, no hard feelings. I’ve had a great time here. But money will not be the reason I’m not here. … [Angels owner Arte Moreno] will always give you what’s fair. I owe him. If anybody is indebted to anybody, I am to Arte.” Hunter, 37, is an impending free agent.
– Cardinals’ RHP Chris Carpenter (thoracic outlet syndrome) underwent surgery Thursday in Dallas. GM John Mozeliak said doctors were “pleased” with the initial results of the procedure. The 37-year-old is hoping to return to 100% health by the start of spring training next February.
NHL
– The Wild have signed D Matthew Dumba to a 3-year entry-level contract. The No. 7 overall pick will reportedly come with a $1.633M annual cap hit with his potential bonuses. He had 57 points and 67 penalty minutes in 69 games with the WHL Red Deer Rebels.