WWE
– Chris Jericho, who plans to leave WWE following SummerSlam to tour with his heavy metal band Fozzy, will be committed though at least March 2013. The official Twitter feed of Fozzy announced Tuesday that the group will perform in Australia at music festival Soundwave, which takes place Saturday, February 23 through Monday, March 4.
It’s official…we will be returning to Australia in Feb on @soundwavefest with @Metallica! So stoked!!
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. In this entry, Ross focused primarily on Kevin Nash’s recent controversial comments about the pro wrestling industry “dying” at WrestleMania 20, which culminated with Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero celebrating in the ring as the company’s top champions. Here are some highlights of what Jim Ross said about the situation:
“I’m an old school guy who thinks that wrestlers come in all shapes and sizes and that the final, final decree on how well said talents produce is ultimately left up to the consumer aka the fans.”
“Lots of sub six feet tall athletes have been huge box office draws in the biz over the years. There are too many to mention here.”
“Several big men who have migrated into the pro wrestling world simply because of their size have failed. Some haven’t. Kevin Nash was and still is very successful. He’s made a lot of money and he’s saved it. Smart guy. Out of the entire Grantland piece the thing that I felt was most compelling for today’s wrestlers, rookies, wannabe’s, etc, is that Kevin Nash made big money and he took care of it.”
Despite the negative backlash Nash’s comments have received on Twitter, from past and present wrestlers, Ross went on to praise Nash:
“Nash is a brilliant guy…love him or hate him. He’s a survivor and by any means necessary which at times doesn’t sit well with some people.”
“I helped give Kevin one of his first breaks while we were both in Atlanta in the early 90?s when WCW management, and I use that term loosely, did not know what to do with an athletic, 7 footer who could talk and who had a great look. When management heard Kev in on my WSB Radio show it opened their eyes to what they potentially had.”
“No, I don’t agree with Kevin on his smaller wrestlers theory as I like all that have true talent. But I do defend his right to express himself and chuckle at the ability that he has to manipulate fans and peers alike in 140 characters or less.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper is the latest wrestler to address Kevin Nash’s recent comments about the wrestling industry “dying” at WrestleMania 20 when Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero ended the show as WWE’s top champions. Piper tweeted on Wednesday:
I love all the real deal boys in biz. Fact, I’m one of the smallest. Fact I out drew almost everyone. Fact,Without ALL the boys, I’m nothing
– The Wrestling Observer has compiled data on the most popular or most talked about professional wrestling performers in the first six months of 2012, based on Google activity and searches, and among female wrestling talent, AJ garnered the most interest in the United States by a considerable margin. She is trailed by Eve Torres, Velvet Sky, Vickie Guerrero, Beth Phoenix, Mickie James and Gail Kim. No other female talents gained substantial interest. Though not foolproof, the rankings are a good gauge of how “over” somebody legitimately is with the general public, as well as whether WWE and TNA Wrestling’s promotional efforts are working.
– Former WCW star Scotty Riggs addressed the whereabouts of noted valet Kimberly Page (aka The Booty Babe, The Booty Girl, The Diamond Doll) via Twitter, writing, “She is living a normal life in Utah now!!” The Nitro Girls founder remarried after divorcing Diamond Dallas Page in 2005 and works as a management consultant.
– Ezekiel Jackson, who WWE has not utilized in recent weeks, stated on Twitter that he will be returning to the ring “soon.”
– Brodus Clay is featured in episode 10 of WWE’s “Superstar Toyz” series:
– The latest episode of WWE Inbox is now online, with WWE superstars & divas answering fan questions sent in via social media. This week’s topics include, “Which Superstar did you want to meet?” and “What is your worst airport experience?”
MLB
– Red Sox’ DH David Ortiz (Achilles) said he felt “good” after doing sprints, running the bases, and taking batting practice inside on Wednesday. Big Papi received a Marcaine injection in his right heel on Monday to numb the area and help reduce swelling. He hopes to return from the DL as soon as Sunday.
NFL
– According to Seahawks’ GM John Schneider, WR Terrell Owens timed in at 4.43 and 4.45 in the 40 at 220 pounds before signing him. ”Here is a 38-year-old man that came in, weighed 220 pounds, and ran 4.45, 4.43 and once he did that … I didn’t see that coming… He ran really well, dropped his hips really well, worked his way back to the ball, didn’t drop a ball and was really quite impressive.” Schneider also hinted that Owens will be on a zero-tolerance policy in Seattle.
NBA
– Heat’ G Dwyane Wade (knee surgery) said that his rehab process is “going very well,” and that he expects to resume on-court workouts in September. Wade underwent knee surgery in on July 9 and was given a 4-8 week timetable for his rehab. He expects to be ready for opening night.