WWE
– Paul Heyman posted the following rant on Twitter on Thursday afternoon, setting the record straight on his status with WWE, Brock Lesnar’s contract situation, rumors of him working with WWE Champion CM Punk & more:
“It is amazing how many rumors are flying around. I don’t like to address rumors. It lends credibility to them, and the moment you answer ONE rumor,you immediately call attention to the other rumors (no matter how ridiculous they are) by NOT responding!
We’re going to clear up some issues. Set the record straight. Get some people “on point,” and stir some things up!
Brock’s theory of “let them speculate” seems to be a damn smart one, and I certainly see the merits of that position.
HOWEVER (aha! There is a “but” involved here)… Just to address two items that so many people seem to be giving credence to.
@CMPunk and I have NOT pitched the idea of being aligned to anyone. If we did, you wouldn’t know about it. Did anyone know I was coming back on May 7th as Brock’s representative? NO ONE KNEW! So if @CMPunk and I have … or had .. or will have a plan … I assure you, it would have / will play out in front of your very eyes. @CMPunk doesn’t need an advocate. Nor a spokesman. Nor a representative. That’s not his character. Brock’s character totally different.
The other rumor to address … Whether @WWE is interested in extending my deal, Brock’s deal, etc. Not one single person has hit the nail on Brock’s deal with @WWE … and that’s the way Brock likes it! … and since NO ONE knows what my deal is, it would be impossible for anyone to state with certainty what my situation IS … or ISN’T! And, just for the record, I’m not discussing it.
Here’s my reasoning for it … When I left @WWE in 2006, I thought I was done. Gone. Never to return. I loved working with Brock on his book. Building #Looking4Larry with @MStuart777 has been a total blast! The @HeymanHustle website and digital program has been the cornerstone of our agency, and we love doing it.
This whole deal has been a surprise. A surprise for you. A surprise for my kids. A surprise for the WWE Universe. A surprise for ME, too. Enjoy the ride. Watch it unfold. See what happens. For the first time in forever, we have people GUESSING what comes next. If for no other reason but THAT, there’s nothing 2 discuss. You know there’s a heavily-promoted match this Sunday at @WWE #SummerSlam.
You’ve seen @ShawnMichaels, Stephanie McMahon, all our CHILDREN be a part of this main event. Now it comes down to Brock Lesnar vs HHH. If we’ve sold you on buying the ppv, I bet you get your money’s worth on this match alone. If we haven’t sold you on the ppv yet, then thank you for your time, and I hope something else has captured your attention or imagination.
Brock and I are “all-in” for this Sunday. And just based on what his future holds, HHH is “all-in,” too. This is a match everyone wants you to remember.
So … I’m not addressing any more rumors. I’m not confirming. I’m not denying. I’m focused on this Sunday … … and I’m looking forward to watching Brock and HHH live up to, and indeed EXCEED everyone’s expectations.
Is this hype? Yes. But it’s Hype routed in TRUTH. Is this a rant? A diatribe? A long-winded TwitSpeech? Absolutely! Hope you liked it.”
– According to the Wrestling Observer, it was recently announced that the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will take place on Saturday, April 6 from Madison Square Garden in New York City. Despite the fact that WrestleMania 29 is being billed as taking place from “NY/NJ”, WWE has reportedly had some issues regarding holding the HOF ceremony from New York City, due to their agreement with the state of New Jersey regarding where WrestleMania-week events will be held.
WWE was pushing hard for Bruno Sammartino to be the top name inducted into the Hall of Fame next year, but at this point, there’s virtually no chance of that happening. Other names discussed for next year’s class include Bob Backlund, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash and Ultimate Warrior. Tensions between Warrior and WWE have died down lately, and the two sides are currently on the best terms that they’ve been on in several years. Getting Warrior to agree to work with WWE again for the first time since 1996 would be seen as a huge deal for WWE, but he is notoriously difficult to work with.
– Check out this picture of The Rock tweeted on Thursday of himself with MMA fighter Gina Carano on the set of their new movie, Fast 6.
““Beast & the Beauty”.. Me & my FAST 6 partner in ass kickins (and fun) @ginacarano #BadAssChick”
– According to the Wrestling Observer, following up on the meeting that took place prior to Monday’s RAW, talent was told specifically that any hateful or racial comments would not be tolerated. The company stressed that WWE’s PG programming extends to how talent conducts themselves on social media. As for nobody speaking up when given the chance to vent their frustrations, it’s believed that anybody who does have legitimate concerns would be risking their job by saying anything.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, prior to her WWE release, Kharma had developed a reputation of being lazy and company officials were losing faith that she would be able to get herself back into ring shape. TMZ.com recently reported that Kharma is working with a team of professionals to help get her back into ring shape and is planning land a reality TV deal by shopping around footage of her journey.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE employees who have worked closely with Triple H over the years believe that he will continue to focus on building up WWE’s fledgling tag team division, which will likely come at the expense of the Divas division. Triple H has never been a big fan of women’s wrestling and most of new talent WWE has been recruiting have been men.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE is currently working on ways to bring John Laurinaitis back to television as a regular on-air character. Aside from possibly serving as a manager to Jack Swagger, another idea being discussed is for Laurinaitis to return to a position of authority, such as an “Executive Vice President”
– William Regal is teasing that developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose’s WWE debut could be imminent. When asked by a fan on Twitter who Ambrose is, Regal replied:
You’ll know soon enough.A new villain will come to town.RT @EastonBCW: who in the blue blazes is #Dean Ambrose?
– According to the Wrestling Observer, Triple H is said to be a strong supporter of third-generation developmental talent Joe Hennig (Michael McGillicutty) and is pushing for him to be re-packaged soon. McGillicutty’s grandfather, wrestling legend Larry “The Axe” Hennig, stated in a recent interview that Vince McMahon assured him that Joe would eventually use the Hennig name in WWE.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Developmental Star Big E. Langston: “Big E Langston had another solid outing at NXT and has incorporated King Kong Bundy’s 5 count, an idea that I originally provided Bill Watts and Ernie Ladd for Bundy years ago, to his presentation. Big E has cut his weight to around 280 but still looks to be 300 plus. Big, athletic talents have a leg up over smaller, athletic talents and I don’t mean that to start a firestorm but it’s true.”
WWE’s Talent Recruiting: “A couple of the new, former NFL linemen that WWE has signed to begin training have lost well over 100, perhaps closer to 200 combined pounds to get in better condition and to be able to present themselves better on TV.”
“WWE will conduct a closed, invitation only try out camp next Monday-Wednesday in the Los Angeles area that I’m anxious to attend. The recruiting of new, trainees for WWE Development hasn’t been this aggressive in years or so it seems.”
Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar This Sunday: “I expect the WWE Title bout to close the show at SummerSlam but there is no doubt that the HHH-Lesnar encounter has many fans talking. I expect HHH and Brock to be physical, straight forward, and a match that will challenge each man’s will. It’s a distinctly personal issue that features two of the most physically driven men to ever compete in WWE. The Game has plenty of motivation in this personal issue but I wonder if that will be enough to handle Lesnar who has strategically monitored his every step on TV while building viable anticipation for this match and what he plans to do. This one might even be ‘Bowling Shoe Ugly’ in the sense that I don’t think that it will be artistically appealing but it will be intense, guttural, and smash mouth.”
– According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE officials are currently looking for a TV network to air their monthly PPV pre-shows that currently air online. WWE is also looking to run a 1-hour countdown show prior to next year’s 4-hour WrestleMania 29, similar to the 1-hour pre-shows that air on Spike TV prior to UFC PPVs.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, during last week’s WWE live events tour of Asia, Japanese wrestling promoters approached John Laurinaitis about their local promotions serving as a Japanese WWE developmental system. The idea is that WWE would send wrestlers to Japan to work a full-time schedule and sign local Japanese wrestlers to appear on WWE television.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE’s recent DVD release of No Holds Barred made the company approximately $300,000, making it one of the company’s most profitable releases in recent years.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, aside from the rumored Damien Sandow vs. Brodus Clay match, Cody Rhodes vs. Sin Cara is also expected to be added to Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam PPV.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, with WWE making a strong push to recruit new talent, the company has been putting a lot of focus on scouting college football players. As previously reported, WWE recently signed former NFL players Dean Muhtadi (former Green Bay Packer and Arizona Cardinal) and Brandon Carter (former New Orleans Saint).
– Mick Foley hits the stage of a Long Island comedy club in the latest edition of “Outside The Ring.” The Hardcore Legend talks about nearly quitting the endeavor after hitting some initial snags but he eventually found his niche.
TNA
– According to the Wrestling Observer, Jeff Hardy has impressed everybody in TNA with his how he’s turned his life around. After a rocky few years, Jeff Hardy is said to be always clear-headed and a “model employee.” He’s also the company’s top merchandise mover, by a long shot. Jeff’s TNA contract expires next February. There are independent promoters that are under the impression that Matt and Jeff Hardy will be available for bookings early next year, but there are no other indications that Hardy will leave TNA when his contract expires.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, there is said to be a lot of resentment in TNA towards Brooke Hogan. There was initially some excitement that her “star power” would bring something to Impact, but the feeling is that she’s not good in her current role, she’s not over with the audience and she’s only on television because she’s Hulk Hogan’s daughter.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, as reported earlier this week, the woman portraying Claire Lynch—purportedly pregnant with AJ Styles’ child—on Impact Wrestling is Julia Reilly, an Orlando, Florida-based actress and model. She is 36-years-old and has 15 years of acting experience. TNA Wrestling held an audition a few months ago for the role and she was chosen because she resides in Orlando, where Impact is taped, which saves them money on airfare. Reilly also works at Universal Studios Orlando—where Impact is taped—as Olive Oyl by the theme park’s “Popeye” ride. It is something Reilly has tried to conceal—she did not list it in her resume, which she deleted last week after her identity was revealed online.
– TNA Knockout Gail Kim recently spoke to SpencerDailyReporter.com to promote this weekend’s TNA house show tour in Iowa. says she’s been “feeling the groove” since returning to TNA last year. Here are some highlights of what Gail Kim said about:
Retirement: “I would love to leave wrestling at some point on a good note. Everybody wants to go out on top. Most of all, whatever I do next, I want to be passionate about. Because I’ve had wrestling so long, I know how happy you can be doing what you love. I’m looking forward to a future with my husband and what it holds.”
Working As Heel: “I’m looking forward to being the heel. I change my wrestling moves. When I’m a heel, I’m more technical and use submissions. When I’m a baby-face, I’m more of a high flyer.”
She also talked about “feeling the groove” since returning to TNA last year and how hard it was WWE “sitting back and watch everybody in the ring doing what I love to do.”
– According to the Wrestling Observer, TNA is looking to bolster the X Division roster, with the company recently offering deals to Kenny King and Mason Andrews (formerly Scorpio Sky). King has signed with TNA, but there are conflicting reports as to whether Andrews has signed on yet.
– According to the Wrestling Observer, TNA agent Al Snow has gained a lot of influence behind the scenes in recent months.
NFL
– The Texans have signed LT Duane Brown to a 6-year/$53.4M contract extension with $22.08M in guarantees. Brown, Pro Football Focus’ sixth-rated tackle and second-best left tackle in 2011, was entering the final year of his rookie contract.
– ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando reports that 49ers’ WR Randy Moss’ snaps will be limited in a rotation this season. SI’s Jim Trotter expects Moss to play 20-25 plays per game. Coach Jim Harbaugh and OC Greg Roman have both said that they don’t have a No. 1 wideout, and will split snaps among Moss, Michael Crabtree, Mario Manningham, Ted Ginn and Kyle Williams. Beat writer Matt Maiocco suggests Moss could be the team’s third-best receiver this season.
MLB
– Yankees’ LHP CC Sabathia (elbow) threw off flat ground Thursday for the first time since being placed on the DL, and reported feeling good. Sabathia was placed on the DL over the weekend with left elbow soreness, but an MRI ruled out any structural damage. He’s scheduled to return on August 24 against the Indians, barring setbacks.
– According to Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com, MLB owners approved the sale of the Padres on Thursday morning. The sale was put to a vote on MLB’s quarterly ownership meetings. Owner John Moores sold the club for $800M to a group headed by San Diego businessman Ron Fowler, which includes a stake of team’s equity in Fox Sports San Diego. The new ownership group also includes former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley, his sons Kevin and Brian, his nephews Peter and Tom Seidler, and pro golfer Phil Mickelson.
NBA
– The Orlando Sentinel believes G Arron Afflalo and G J.J. Redick will compete for the starting two job. Afflalo will likely be named the starter, with Redick coming off the bench.
NHL
– Free agent F Alexei Kovalev told Quebec-based sports channel TVA Sports this week that he has offers on the table to attend training camps with NHL teams. ”I’ve received invitations to training camps and hopefully (can) begin skating towards the end of August to be ready for next season (in the NHL).” Kovalev wouldn’t reveal which clubs extended an invite though. He is hoping to return to the NHL following his 2011-12 season in the KHL.