– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross posted a new blog entry with a detailed update on his future in WWE. Ross recently signed a short-term contract extension and there’s been a lot of speculation that he’s either leaving the industry entirely or would consider jumping to TNA Wrestling.
Ross wrote:
“JR is NOT retiring. It’s tempting and financially doable but I want to work a few more years in a role that is fun and not as laden with stress as some of my previous assignments have been.
No I am not ‘vanishing.’ LIfe is so good here in Norman and I have a tremendous amount of things to look forward to although I know that I have not broadcast my last event. One doesn’t do something for over 35 years and stop cold turkey or at least I don’t.
There are no issues or problems with my negotiations with WWE. The ball is in WWE’s court to put together a new role for me within the company. Essentially they have decided to reassign me from weekly broadcasting and that includes the monthly PPV’s to focus on other areas of the company. I am guessing, and I stress guessing, that may be some form of scouting and/or talent development. I might be wrong on that assumption but I’ll know before the end of April as that is when my current extension expires.”
– For what it’s worth, it sounds like TNA stars Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore are trying to get their brother and friend Matt Hardy to “jump ship” from WWE to TNA after the two wrote “cryptic” messages on Twitter last night.
Shannon wrote: “@MATTHARDBRAND time to jump ship brudda. Ship has set sail. Tell Ace [John “Johnny Ace” Laurinaitis] you quit and be a Heavens Demon!!!”
Jeff then wrote the following: “Maybe my brother can join tha demons next time if he gets his shit together.”
NHL
– The NY Post reports that the Devils haven’t made much progress in contract talks with impending UFAs F Ilya Kovalchuk or D Paul Martin. No talks are expected to take place once the playoffs get underway in two weeks and nothing much has apparently happened yet. Kovalchuk, who is being paid $7.5M this season, is likely expecting more than $10M annually with whatever new deal he signs, since he said no to a long-term deal that would have paid him that much from his the Thrashers. Martin, who broke his arm back in late October, is making $4.5M this season.
NBA
– The NY Post reports that the Knicks are unlikely to re-sign F Tracy McGrady this offseason. He has also expressed interest in returning to the Magic. “I hated it that I left. I hated I left because I established myself there and made a name for myself. It was a situation where the [former] GM [John Weisbrod] that was there made a huge mistake. They got him out of there because he was out of his mind.”
– The Newark Star-Ledger reports that Suns’ F Amare Stoudemire has once again expressed interest in signing with the Nets, thus, likely declining his $17M option with the Suns. “I think this franchise is definitely going to turn things around here soon. New ownership is coming in. They’re looking to move to Brooklyn. All that is a factor. All those high draft picks, all that can help the situation. With that being said, it’s just a matter of waiting to see how it plays out.”
– The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies are set to hire retired F Dikembe Mutombo as a consultant this offseason to help coach F Hasheem Thabeet. Memphis tried to hire Karem Abdul-Jabbar last year but he turned them down.
– Cavaliers’ F LeBron James has signed a seven-year deal with Nike. There had been a rumor that the Nike deal would offer him financial incentive to move to a larger market such as New York or Los Angeles, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but it appears that no such language is in the contract.
MLB
– The Orioles have acquired SS Julio Lugo from the Cardinals. The deal is pending approval from major league baseball. Lugo, 34, batted 280/.352/.405 with three homers and 21 RBI with the Red Sox and Cardinals last season. He’ll back up Brian Roberts and Cesar Izturis in Baltimore. It’s not yet known what the Cardinals will receive in return.
– D’Backs ace RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder) is expected out another month.
– The Mariners have placed LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) on the 15-day DL.
– Phillies’ RHP Joe Blanton (oblique) will start the season on the DL and is expected to miss three-to-six weeks. Blanton tweaked an oblique muscle during a throwing session on Wednesday.
– Mariners’ OF Corey Patterson has refused assignment and is now a free agent. He apparently is hoping someone will sign him as a late-inning defensive replacement.
TNA
– TNA star Rob Van Dam posted a message on his site (RobVanDam.com) with a glowing review of his time in TNA thus far. Here’s part of what RVD wrote:
“To counter any negative energy that may be out there, concerning TNA in any matter, let me just tell you that I am loving it there. The reasonable work schedule, the doable travel, the people in and behind the scenes, the growing situation, the excitement from the crowd, the unstoppable path to the top I’m on, love it all.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross posted a new blog entry with a detailed update on his future in WWE. Ross recently signed a short-term contract extension and there’s been a lot of speculation that he’s either leaving the industry entirely or would consider jumping to TNA Wrestling.
Ross wrote:
“JR is NOT retiring. It’s tempting and financially doable but I want to work a few more years in a role that is fun and not as laden with stress as some of my previous assignments have been.
No I am not ‘vanishing.’ LIfe is so good here in Norman and I have a tremendous amount of things to look forward to although I know that I have not broadcast my last event. One doesn’t do something for over 35 years and stop cold turkey or at least I don’t.
There are no issues or problems with my negotiations with WWE. The ball is in WWE’s court to put together a new role for me within the company. Essentially they have decided to reassign me from weekly broadcasting and that includes the monthly PPV’s to focus on other areas of the company. I am guessing, and I stress guessing, that may be some form of scouting and/or talent development. I might be wrong on that assumption but I’ll know before the end of April as that is when my current extension expires.”
– For what it’s worth, it sounds like TNA stars Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore are trying to get their brother and friend Matt Hardy to “jump ship” from WWE to TNA after the two wrote “cryptic” messages on Twitter last night.
Shannon wrote: “@MATTHARDBRAND time to jump ship brudda. Ship has set sail. Tell Ace [John “Johnny Ace” Laurinaitis] you quit and be a Heavens Demon!!!”
Jeff then wrote the following: “Maybe my brother can join tha demons next time if he gets his shit together.”
NHL
– The NY Post reports that the Devils haven’t made much progress in contract talks with impending UFAs F Ilya Kovalchuk or D Paul Martin. No talks are expected to take place once the playoffs get underway in two weeks and nothing much has apparently happened yet. Kovalchuk, who is being paid $7.5M this season, is likely expecting more than $10M annually with whatever new deal he signs, since he said no to a long-term deal that would have paid him that much from his the Thrashers. Martin, who broke his arm back in late October, is making $4.5M this season.
NBA
– The NY Post reports that the Knicks are unlikely to re-sign F Tracy McGrady this offseason. He has also expressed interest in returning to the Magic. “I hated it that I left. I hated I left because I established myself there and made a name for myself. It was a situation where the [former] GM [John Weisbrod] that was there made a huge mistake. They got him out of there because he was out of his mind.”
– The Newark Star-Ledger reports that Suns’ F Amare Stoudemire has once again expressed interest in signing with the Nets, thus, likely declining his $17M option with the Suns. “I think this franchise is definitely going to turn things around here soon. New ownership is coming in. They’re looking to move to Brooklyn. All that is a factor. All those high draft picks, all that can help the situation. With that being said, it’s just a matter of waiting to see how it plays out.”
– The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies are set to hire retired F Dikembe Mutombo as a consultant this offseason to help coach F Hasheem Thabeet. Memphis tried to hire Karem Abdul-Jabbar last year but he turned them down.
– Cavaliers’ F LeBron James has signed a seven-year deal with Nike. There had been a rumor that the Nike deal would offer him financial incentive to move to a larger market such as New York or Los Angeles, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but it appears that no such language is in the contract.
MLB
– The Orioles have acquired SS Julio Lugo from the Cardinals. The deal is pending approval from major league baseball. Lugo, 34, batted 280/.352/.405 with three homers and 21 RBI with the Red Sox and Cardinals last season. He’ll back up Brian Roberts and Cesar Izturis in Baltimore. It’s not yet known what the Cardinals will receive in return.
– D’Backs ace RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder) is expected out another month.
– The Mariners have placed LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) on the 15-day DL.
– Phillies’ RHP Joe Blanton (oblique) will start the season on the DL and is expected to miss three-to-six weeks. Blanton tweaked an oblique muscle during a throwing session on Wednesday.
– Mariners’ OF Corey Patterson has refused assignment and is now a free agent. He apparently is hoping someone will sign him as a late-inning defensive replacement.
TNA
– TNA star Rob Van Dam posted a message on his site (RobVanDam.com) with a glowing review of his time in TNA thus far. Here’s part of what RVD wrote:
“To counter any negative energy that may be out there, concerning TNA in any matter, let me just tell you that I am loving it there. The reasonable work schedule, the doable travel, the people in and behind the scenes, the growing situation, the excitement from the crowd, the unstoppable path to the top I’m on, love it all.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross posted a new blog entry with a detailed update on his future in WWE. Ross recently signed a short-term contract extension and there’s been a lot of speculation that he’s either leaving the industry entirely or would consider jumping to TNA Wrestling.
Ross wrote:
“JR is NOT retiring. It’s tempting and financially doable but I want to work a few more years in a role that is fun and not as laden with stress as some of my previous assignments have been.
No I am not ‘vanishing.’ LIfe is so good here in Norman and I have a tremendous amount of things to look forward to although I know that I have not broadcast my last event. One doesn’t do something for over 35 years and stop cold turkey or at least I don’t.
There are no issues or problems with my negotiations with WWE. The ball is in WWE’s court to put together a new role for me within the company. Essentially they have decided to reassign me from weekly broadcasting and that includes the monthly PPV’s to focus on other areas of the company. I am guessing, and I stress guessing, that may be some form of scouting and/or talent development. I might be wrong on that assumption but I’ll know before the end of April as that is when my current extension expires.”
– For what it’s worth, it sounds like TNA stars Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore are trying to get their brother and friend Matt Hardy to “jump ship” from WWE to TNA after the two wrote “cryptic” messages on Twitter last night.
Shannon wrote: “@MATTHARDBRAND time to jump ship brudda. Ship has set sail. Tell Ace [John “Johnny Ace” Laurinaitis] you quit and be a Heavens Demon!!!”
Jeff then wrote the following: “Maybe my brother can join tha demons next time if he gets his shit together.”
NHL
– The NY Post reports that the Devils haven’t made much progress in contract talks with impending UFAs F Ilya Kovalchuk or D Paul Martin. No talks are expected to take place once the playoffs get underway in two weeks and nothing much has apparently happened yet. Kovalchuk, who is being paid $7.5M this season, is likely expecting more than $10M annually with whatever new deal he signs, since he said no to a long-term deal that would have paid him that much from his the Thrashers. Martin, who broke his arm back in late October, is making $4.5M this season.
NBA
– The NY Post reports that the Knicks are unlikely to re-sign F Tracy McGrady this offseason. He has also expressed interest in returning to the Magic. “I hated it that I left. I hated I left because I established myself there and made a name for myself. It was a situation where the [former] GM [John Weisbrod] that was there made a huge mistake. They got him out of there because he was out of his mind.”
– The Newark Star-Ledger reports that Suns’ F Amare Stoudemire has once again expressed interest in signing with the Nets, thus, likely declining his $17M option with the Suns. “I think this franchise is definitely going to turn things around here soon. New ownership is coming in. They’re looking to move to Brooklyn. All that is a factor. All those high draft picks, all that can help the situation. With that being said, it’s just a matter of waiting to see how it plays out.”
– The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies are set to hire retired F Dikembe Mutombo as a consultant this offseason to help coach F Hasheem Thabeet. Memphis tried to hire Karem Abdul-Jabbar last year but he turned them down.
– Cavaliers’ F LeBron James has signed a seven-year deal with Nike. There had been a rumor that the Nike deal would offer him financial incentive to move to a larger market such as New York or Los Angeles, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but it appears that no such language is in the contract.
MLB
– The Orioles have acquired SS Julio Lugo from the Cardinals. The deal is pending approval from major league baseball. Lugo, 34, batted 280/.352/.405 with three homers and 21 RBI with the Red Sox and Cardinals last season. He’ll back up Brian Roberts and Cesar Izturis in Baltimore. It’s not yet known what the Cardinals will receive in return.
– D’Backs ace RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder) is expected out another month.
– The Mariners have placed LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) on the 15-day DL.
– Phillies’ RHP Joe Blanton (oblique) will start the season on the DL and is expected to miss three-to-six weeks. Blanton tweaked an oblique muscle during a throwing session on Wednesday.
– Mariners’ OF Corey Patterson has refused assignment and is now a free agent. He apparently is hoping someone will sign him as a late-inning defensive replacement.
TNA
– TNA star Rob Van Dam posted a message on his site (RobVanDam.com) with a glowing review of his time in TNA thus far. Here’s part of what RVD wrote:
“To counter any negative energy that may be out there, concerning TNA in any matter, let me just tell you that I am loving it there. The reasonable work schedule, the doable travel, the people in and behind the scenes, the growing situation, the excitement from the crowd, the unstoppable path to the top I’m on, love it all.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross posted a new blog entry with a detailed update on his future in WWE. Ross recently signed a short-term contract extension and there’s been a lot of speculation that he’s either leaving the industry entirely or would consider jumping to TNA Wrestling.
Ross wrote:
“JR is NOT retiring. It’s tempting and financially doable but I want to work a few more years in a role that is fun and not as laden with stress as some of my previous assignments have been.
No I am not ‘vanishing.’ LIfe is so good here in Norman and I have a tremendous amount of things to look forward to although I know that I have not broadcast my last event. One doesn’t do something for over 35 years and stop cold turkey or at least I don’t.
There are no issues or problems with my negotiations with WWE. The ball is in WWE’s court to put together a new role for me within the company. Essentially they have decided to reassign me from weekly broadcasting and that includes the monthly PPV’s to focus on other areas of the company. I am guessing, and I stress guessing, that may be some form of scouting and/or talent development. I might be wrong on that assumption but I’ll know before the end of April as that is when my current extension expires.”
– For what it’s worth, it sounds like TNA stars Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore are trying to get their brother and friend Matt Hardy to “jump ship” from WWE to TNA after the two wrote “cryptic” messages on Twitter last night.
Shannon wrote: “@MATTHARDBRAND time to jump ship brudda. Ship has set sail. Tell Ace [John “Johnny Ace” Laurinaitis] you quit and be a Heavens Demon!!!”
Jeff then wrote the following: “Maybe my brother can join tha demons next time if he gets his shit together.”
NHL
– The NY Post reports that the Devils haven’t made much progress in contract talks with impending UFAs F Ilya Kovalchuk or D Paul Martin. No talks are expected to take place once the playoffs get underway in two weeks and nothing much has apparently happened yet. Kovalchuk, who is being paid $7.5M this season, is likely expecting more than $10M annually with whatever new deal he signs, since he said no to a long-term deal that would have paid him that much from his the Thrashers. Martin, who broke his arm back in late October, is making $4.5M this season.
NBA
– The NY Post reports that the Knicks are unlikely to re-sign F Tracy McGrady this offseason. He has also expressed interest in returning to the Magic. “I hated it that I left. I hated I left because I established myself there and made a name for myself. It was a situation where the [former] GM [John Weisbrod] that was there made a huge mistake. They got him out of there because he was out of his mind.”
– The Newark Star-Ledger reports that Suns’ F Amare Stoudemire has once again expressed interest in signing with the Nets, thus, likely declining his $17M option with the Suns. “I think this franchise is definitely going to turn things around here soon. New ownership is coming in. They’re looking to move to Brooklyn. All that is a factor. All those high draft picks, all that can help the situation. With that being said, it’s just a matter of waiting to see how it plays out.”
– The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the Grizzlies are set to hire retired F Dikembe Mutombo as a consultant this offseason to help coach F Hasheem Thabeet. Memphis tried to hire Karem Abdul-Jabbar last year but he turned them down.
– Cavaliers’ F LeBron James has signed a seven-year deal with Nike. There had been a rumor that the Nike deal would offer him financial incentive to move to a larger market such as New York or Los Angeles, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, but it appears that no such language is in the contract.
MLB
– The Orioles have acquired SS Julio Lugo from the Cardinals. The deal is pending approval from major league baseball. Lugo, 34, batted 280/.352/.405 with three homers and 21 RBI with the Red Sox and Cardinals last season. He’ll back up Brian Roberts and Cesar Izturis in Baltimore. It’s not yet known what the Cardinals will receive in return.
– D’Backs ace RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder) is expected out another month.
– The Mariners have placed LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) on the 15-day DL.
– Phillies’ RHP Joe Blanton (oblique) will start the season on the DL and is expected to miss three-to-six weeks. Blanton tweaked an oblique muscle during a throwing session on Wednesday.
– Mariners’ OF Corey Patterson has refused assignment and is now a free agent. He apparently is hoping someone will sign him as a late-inning defensive replacement.
TNA
– TNA star Rob Van Dam posted a message on his site (RobVanDam.com) with a glowing review of his time in TNA thus far. Here’s part of what RVD wrote:
“To counter any negative energy that may be out there, concerning TNA in any matter, let me just tell you that I am loving it there. The reasonable work schedule, the doable travel, the people in and behind the scenes, the growing situation, the excitement from the crowd, the unstoppable path to the top I’m on, love it all.”
