TMZ Sports - Page 28

Diamond Dallas Page might not be where he is today if it weren't for Paul Heyman ... 'cause DDP tells TMZ Sports the legendary wrestling personality actually helped launch his career!!

Page said the assist came many decades ago ... after Diamond sent the American Wrestling Association -- where Heyman worked at the time as "Paul E. Dangerously" -- an audition tape of him "managing" a group of aspiring wrestlers.

Initially, Page said the org. laughed at the submission ... after it found out neither he nor the wrestlers he filmed with had any sort of real experience.

But, DDP said after Heyman left the Association for the National Wrestling Alliance ... AWA execs gave him a call about potentially filling Heyman's boisterous void.

Of course, DDP stepped in ... and the rest was history.

"If Paul Heyman does not leave there," Page said, "that spot never opens up. So I have always been a Heyman guy."

Page went on to congratulate Heyman on his upcoming induction to the WWE Hall of Fame -- adding he believes the microphone maestro could have made it even without his most recent twenty-or-so years in the squared circle!!

Not only is Travis Kelce a great NFL player, he's also got a huge future as a film producer ... so says actress Sonequa Martin-Green, who tells TMZ Sports he has all the tools it takes to make it in Hollywood!!

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end is an EP for the new flick, "My Dead Friend Zoe" ... and Martin-Green played the lead role of Merit.

The movie is a dark comedy that follows a U.S. Army veteran who struggles with her family due to the spiritual presence of her dead Army friend, Zoe.

The project has solid ratings ... including a 9.2 out of 10 on IMDb.

SMG said Kelce's passion for supporting the military is why he wanted to join the production team ... and that kind of mindset is what's needed in the movie business.

"He wanted to support veterans," SMG said. "That's what I heard -- he wanted to support veterans and someone pointed him to our film."

"It's all about the 'why' and I feel like if anybody has the right 'why,' they'll succeed."

Martin-Green -- famous for her role as Sasha in "The Walking Dead" -- hopes to meet Kelce one day ... to tell him how grateful she is for what he did.

BTW, Kelce is also working on a future project called "King Pleasure," a documentary on Jean-Michel Basquiat, alongside Ray Maiello and Mike Field. Filming for that begins this summer.

The weekend's almost over, so why not look back at what we covered on TV last week?

Kicking things off on "TMZ Live," Harvey and Charles discussed Meghan King's staunch defense of Olivia Rodrigo for handing Plan B birth control at her St. Louis concert ... something that sparked outrage and backlash among many across the country.

MK doesn't think Olivia has anything to apologize over, but Olivia changed her tune regardless.

Next up, "TMZ on TV" ... where the gang talked about this cool effort that 'RHOBH' star Mauricio Umansky is involved in that entails building affordable housing for folks in need.

He was actually at a build site on Thursday with his own daughter ... pretty cool stuff!

Finally, we land on "TMZ Sports," where Babcock and Mojo talked Dak Prescott's new claim.

Check your local listings for when TMZ is on in your area or catch up on past episodes!

Shakira fans have been waiting almost a decade for a new album ... and her ex Gerard Piqué may be to blame -- at least, according to Shakira herself that is.

The singer-songwriter sat down with the Sunday Times for an interview published Saturday ... where she revealed she actually put her career on pause to support Gerard turning his playing days in Barcelona.

Shakira explained she made a lot of sacrifices in the name of love -- one we know didn't last -- deciding to take care of the kids rather than focusing on her music.

Of course, Gerard and Shakira broke up during the summer of 2022, with rumors of infidelity swirling as the pair went their separate ways.

Shakira's path has taken her out of Spain and down to Miami where she's made fast friends with David Beckham -- who she said she knew back before she started dating Gerard, when DB played for Barcelona's rival, Real Madrid.

The Colombian star said she's in constant contact with Victoria Beckham ... and she's hoping to take her son Milan to a soccer match down in Miami -- leaving dear old dad totally out of the equation.

Shakira stayed above the whole Piqué fray during the interview BTW -- though she did admit it seemed like cosmic justice that one of his old soccer rivals Sergio Ramos presented her with a Latin Grammy.

She also skipped over talking about her tax fraud case -- instead choosing to focus on her first studio album in seven years, "Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" which translates to "Women No Longer Cry" ... bit of a wink and a nudge to a certain ex?

Paul Walter Hauser is just hours away from fighting Matt Cardona ... YES, the star actor is trading in his Emmy Award for a singlet (or maybe not, but ya get the point!), and he's got a stern warning for the pro wrestling star!

Underestimate me and pay the price.

TMZ Sports' Mojo Muhtadi chopped it up with the "Black Bird" star ahead of Saturday's match at Pro Wrestling Revolver's "Ready or Not!" event in Clive, Iowa.

Cardona has a lifetime more of experience in the squared circle, so, how's Paul, a huge wrestling fan, prepping for the scrap?

"How do I prepare for a guy like that? It's about focus. I don't need to be [retired wrestler and AEW producer] Dean Malenko and know 1,000 holds. I need to be Paul Hauser," the actor told us.

"I've studied tapes on Matt. I know when the boot's coming. I know when he's trying to cheat. I know when he's trying to 'play possum.' I've watched him. I know. I think he's underestimating me and I think that's to my advantage."

Hauser is so pumped for the match with MC, formerly known as Zack Ryder with WWE (Zack and Mojo made up the Hype Bros), he teased the match during the biggest moment of his acting career -- while accepting his Emmy for Oustanding Supporting Actor -- saying he would "beat Matt Cardona!"

Hauser also wanted to make it clear he's taking this match seriously.

"I just know one thing, I respect the business. I'm learning the craft and I should definitely not be underestimated."

"So, to you, Matt Cardona, I know you're watching. You're probably Googling yourself 86 times a day and you'll find this link, so, I'm telling you do not underestimate me or maybe you should because then I will come up with the 1-2-3, be it a knockout elbow, a small package -- double entendre -- 'cause Matt also has a small package."

Rudy Gobert is addressing his whopping $100k fine for making a money gesture toward officials last week ... telling TMZ Sports he simply reached his boiling point and reacted with his emotions.

Gobert made the Johnny Manziel-esque hand sign at official Scott Foster during the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Cleveland Cavs game on March 8 ... insinuating refs are influenced by sports betting.

The 3-time All-Star also called out the refs during the post-game press conference ... saying he felt gambling has really hurt the sport.

We caught up with the Minnesota Timberwolves center on Rodeo Drive just a few days after the league handed down the 6-figure penalty for his actions and postgame comments ... and although the dude has made more than $217 MILLION over the course of his career, even he had to admit that's a huge hit financially.

"How I feel about the fine? I mean it's a fine. It's a lot of money," Gobert said ... before explaining his actions.

"We human beings at the end of the day. We not always right but everyone's allowed to speak their mind. Also, it's a game with a lot of emotions so sometimes we react off of frustration."

Gobert -- who is averaging 13.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game this season -- got the maximum fine that a player can get for conduct or statements detrimental to the team or league ... but Charles Barkley believes he should've been suspended for it.

"It will ruin a sport if people thought it was fixed," the ex-NBA star said on "NBA on TNT."

Merab Dvalishvili admits he was pissed when Sean O'Malley called out Ilia Topuria after the UFC 299 main event, but the title contender isn't sweatin' Suga's words 'cause the big guy, Dana White, told him the fights his!

"I did see Dana for a little bit. I just said hi, and I believe he told me, 'You are next.' That's what he told me," 33-year-old Dvalishvili told TMZ Sports, adding, "We all know I'm next. I'm very confident I'm gonna fight Sean."

Merab was in the building at the Kaseya Center in Miami ... and watched 29-year-old O'Malley put on a masterful performance against Marlon "Chito" Vera, winning by unanimous decision.

FYI, Dvalishvili is the #1 ranked bantamweight contender, and is in the midst of a 10-fight win streak which includes wins over Henry Cejudo, Petr Yan, Marlon Moraes, and Jose Aldo.

"It's so stupid from Sean that he's not mentioning my name. Especially because this fight is going to happen, and he could make it big," Dvalishvili said showing his frustration with O'Malley.

Despite not loving the post-299 call-out, Merab still has a healthy dose of respect for Sean.

It's the weekend, and what better way to unwind than by recapping all our TV topics?!

Let's start with "TMZ Live," where Harvey and Charles talked about Oprah Winfrey explaining why she left Weight Watchers -- the company she'd been with for years -- amid a new TV special she's airing that talks all about weight loss medications like Ozempic and others.

As O explained to Kimmel, it was to avoid a conflict of interest ... but when did that begin?

Next, we land on "TMZ on TV" ... where the gang talked about the ongoing Alec Baldwin case out of New Mexico -- where he's facing an involuntary manslaughter charge (again).

He accused the grand jury this week of being rigged ... and some here think he's right.

Finally, we land on "TMZ Sports," where Babcock and Mojo talked Aaron Donald's retirement.

Check your local listings for when TMZ is on in your area or catch up on past episodes!

AEW star Darby Allin's Mt. Everest trip has been postponed ... 'cause the wrestler broke three bones in his foot right before he was slated to make the climb.

TMZ Sports has learned ... Allin suffered the injury less than two minutes into his match against "Switchblade" Jay White at AEW Dynamite on Wednesday ... when he attempted a front flip off the top rope.

It goes without saying his landing didn't play out like it was supposed to ... and he made awkward contact with the floor, which caused his dog to snap.

Allin was clearly bothered ... and briefly held his foot before limping back up.

Instead of calling it a night, the badass highflyer proceeded to wrestle in his first-ever match against White for 10 more minutes ... continuing to jump off the top rope and going about his business.

Ultimately he was pinned after running into a Blade Runner from White.

The ironic part -- during the match, Allin had his ankle "broken" at the hands of Bullet Club Gold so he could have enough time away from the squared-circle to tackle Everest.

Of course, Allin was already pretty beat up -- he shredded his back after flipping off a ladder and falling through glass in his retirement match with Sting.

Allin previously told us how stoked he was to make the Mt. Everest climb -- despite not having a ton of experience (he only trained six months), he was given the green light to do it.

Now he'll be sidelined for a bit ... but is making the most of it -- he tells us Tony Hawk is planning to do a trick off his cast next week for charity!!

Joe Alwyn is in L.A. while his ex, Taylor Swift, and her current boyfriend, Travis Kelce are in town ... and it seems there's a common connection in one Emma Stone.

The British actor surfaced Friday near a coffee shop in Studio City, where he appeared to be on his own and minding his business -- but by the same token, he wasn't really going incognito ... while JA was rocking a ball cap and shades, he removed both.

What this seems to mean ... Joe wasn't shy about having his mug out there, and he didn't appear to mind being photographed either. The dude's just out there doing his thing.

This is interesting for a few different reasons -- one, he's technically on Taylor's turf here, and not just that ... but she's out here in L.A. right now with none other than TK -- who's been a man about town as well. Of course, if these 2 were to run into each other ... awk.

Taylor and Joe were together for 6 years before they split up in 2023 -- and in the aftermath of her getting with Travis ... she's got a new album coming out that seems primed to take JA to task, at least that's what the Swifties seem to think anyway.

In any case ... Joe doesn't seem to care if he crosses paths with T-Swift and Travis -- 'cause, frankly, he actually has a reason to be in town, and it's work-related.

If you didn't hear, Emma Stone is gonna be in this new movie with the same director who just helped win her an Oscar ... and Joe's gonna be in it too. In fact, this will mark the second time that Joe has worked with ES on a Yorgos Lanthimos movie ... they already did "The Favourite" together a few years back, and YL is reteaming with these two again for his latest.

Interestingly enough ... Taylor and Emma have a good friendship as it is, and now -- Emma's slated to work with her ex, who's now cruising around L.A. as Tay Tay is on a lil' break.

Marquise Brown celebrated his Chiefs signing in perhaps the most fitting way possible ... rockin' out to some Taylor Swift tunes with a bunch of Kansas City fans!!

Just minutes after the former Arizona Cardinals wideout agreed to join up with Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce, for the 2024 season ... he took to Twitch to memorialize the moment with some of his biggest supporters.

He started out by dancing along to some of his favorite songs -- before he took music requests from commenters in the chat.

Some suggested "Red Kingdom" and "Swag Surf" -- Arrowhead Stadium staples -- but others told him to play some T Swizzle.

And, eventually, he got around to it ... and it's clear as day he was digging it.

Brown swayed back and forth to "Blank Space" -- getting familiar with a voice that will assuredly be around a whole lot in '24 if Swift and Kelce remain strong.

Brown also took some time on his stream to thank several people -- including Andy Reid -- for making Friday's signing happen.

"I'm ready to work," he said. "I'm ready to meet my teammates. Meet the coaches. Get ready to work. Earn my stripes. Earn trust within the team, within the organization."

Don Lemon's defending his interview with Elon Musk ... asking people to watch the interview before they dismiss him -- and saying X would benefit from these kinds of convos.

We caught up with the talk show host in the Big Apple Friday and asked him all about his upcoming interview with Elon ... he's challenging people to sit down, watch the interview and let him know why he's not the right voice for X -- 'cause Don says he can't figure it out!

Lemon -- who says he's open to speaking to Musk despite his recent firing -- says he's giving the platform the kind of conversation he thinks it needs ... and he wants X to hire people with his viewpoint to further its free speech goals.

When asked if he'd consider the Shannon Sharpe/"Club Shay Shay" route -- DL seems to be thinking about it, and he's got nothing but praise for the former Denver Bronco.

As for whether his beef with Don might cause Elon to lose followers ... Lemon's a lot less sure. He seems to think Elon is uber-popular with his base, regardless.

BTW ... Elon's resorting to name-calling in this beef -- calling Don a "pompous fool" on X Friday before saying he's still got the right to share the interview on X when it drops.

Don's on his full rollout tour right now -- sharing bits and pieces of his interview set for release on YouTube and X on Monday, and he shared a particularly wild clip on "The View" Friday.

Check out the latest clip he dropped on "The View" ... Don asks EM if he values women and minority pilots less than men, and Elon says no -- but he also cites replies on his platform as alleged evidence standards are being lowered to include them in the profession.

All in all, not really a great look for the X CEO ... and it seems like this is just the very tip of the controversy iceberg.

Fab Five legend Juwan Howard is OUT at Michigan ... the school just announced his tenure as head coach has come to an end after 5 seasons at the helm.

“After a comprehensive review of the program, I have decided that Juwan will not return as our men’s basketball coach,” Warde Manuel, Michigan AD, and the man who hired Howard said in a statement.

“Juwan is among the greatest Wolverines to ever be associated with our basketball program. I know how much it meant, to not only Juwan, but to all of us for him to return here to lead this program. Despite his love of his alma mater and the positive experience that our student-athletes had under his leadership, it was clear to me that the program was not living up to our expectations and not trending in the right direction.”

Manuel is likely referring to not just a decline in wins, but also controversy inside the program ... with many calling for change amid a crisis in culture.

On the court, Howard -- who was hired in May 2019 -- had a ton of success early after taking over for John Beilein ... earning a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament in year 2, before losing to UCLA in the Elite 8. Howard was named Coach of the Year.

The 2021-2022 season wasn't as good ... the team barely earned a bid into the tourney, but still ended up winning two games, reaching the Sweet 16.

However, that was the last time the former Michigan star would lead his squad to an NCAA berth. Howard's '22-'23 team went 18-16.

Fast forward to this season ... an unmitigated disaster. Michigan finished with an 8-24 record, including going 3-17 in the Big Ten, UM's worst season in decades.

Juwan's 5 seasons were plagued by controversy, too. In 2022, Howard was involved in a postgame scuffle with Wisconcin's coaches ... where he ended up making contact with a Badgers assistant. Howard was suspended 5 games.

JH also had a run-in with Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon, who he allegedly threatened to kill ... in front of a referee.

There was also an alleged run-in with UMs longtime strength coach, Jon Sanderson, who left the school after more than a decade following the incident.

Rory McIlroy's chase for birdies and eagles on Friday was interrupted by ... a frog?!?

Yup, it just hoppened minutes ago as the golf superstar was looking to get things going during his second round out at The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

McIlroy was on hole No. 3 ... when he accidentally hit his tee shot right of the green -- into a thick patch of grass.

As he went to knock his ensuing chip onto the dance floor ... something jumped up -- scaring the hell out of him.

It turns out it was a frog ... and McIlroy and his caddie then had to spend the next few moments calming down -- while making sure the little guy steered clear of his golf club.

Eventually, they got the creature to move ... but McIlroy didn't finish out the hole well. His chip went long -- and he had to scramble to make bogey.

"Are you telling me that you recognize the fact that maybe you did do steroids?"

That's the question a FOX 32 reporter in Chicago asked Sammy Sosa on Friday -- and suffice it to say the slugger wasn't very happy -- laughing uncomfortably for several seconds before responding, "This is not a question that I expected from you."

55-year-old Sosa is back in Chi-town, where he played 13 seasons, for the first time in years, and there's hope this could finally be the moment the former NL MVP and the organization repair their fractured relationship.

The rift goes back years ... and although it can't be attributed to solely one thing, the beef reportedly centers around Sosa's failure to admit and apologize for alleged steroid use during his playing career.

Enter the local FOX reporter -- who began his line of questioning by asking Sammy if a reconciliation could be on the horizon.

"Well like I said, I'm a mature man. I think that's a possibility that we can do that. I'm open. I don't have a problem with that. I had a lot of misunderstandings in the past but now I'm a real man. I feel great. I recognize my mistake. So, why not?" Sosa responded.

Cue the 'roids question, and Sammy's uncomfortable response.

Awkward moment aside, it's encouraging for Cubs fans to hear their former superstar say he's open to making peace ... especially considering he's one of the org's greatest players ever.

Sosa and Mark McGwire almost single-handedly brought back baseball in 1998 ... following the 1994 labor strike (that ended in April '95). Fans were fed up with both players and owners, but Sammy and Mark's incredible displays of power brought fans back to the park and television set.

That season, Sosa hit an astounding 66 long balls, while McGwire launched a whopping 70!

Sadly, many fans' memories of the race, and the entire career of Sosa, a 7x All-Star who hit 609 homers, have been tainted by steroid accusations.

Shocking news in the NFL world ... Aaron Donald -- arguably the best defensive player of his generation -- is retiring.

The Los Angeles superstar just announced his decision on social media ... revealing that after 10 seasons with the Rams, he's hanging up his cleats.

In his announcement post, the 32-year-old thanked L.A.'s org. and its fans ... before explaining he's now hoping that without football in his life, he'll be able to spend plenty more time with his wife and kids.

"Throughout my career," Donald said, "I have given my everything to football both mentally and physically -- 365 days a year was dedicated to becoming the best possible player I could be."

"I respected this game like no other and I'm blessed to be able to conclude my NFL career with the same franchise that drafted me."

Donald was picked by the Rams in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft and he immediately became one of the team's best players. In his first year, he started 12 games and won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

He went on to make the Pro Bowl in every season he played in ... and was named an All-Pro eight total times. He also won Defensive Player of the Year honors three times.

Most didn't expect him to retire this offseason -- as he was still playing at an extremely high level. However, rumors of him possibly turning in his helmet have swirled since 2022, when it was revealed that he had previously only envisioned playing eight seasons.

The only question that remains surrounding his career is not if he'll get a gold jacket in five years -- but whether or not he'll be remembered as the greatest defensive tackle ever.