The 40-year-old professional wrestler turned movie star suffered three hernia tears at WrestleMania 29. Johnson decided to let his 4.5 million Twitter followers know he is doing well by giving them an aesthetically pleasing photo from his hospital bed.

The Superman shirt fits his mold but the bonnet is easily the best part of this pic. One thing is for sure, Johnson never backs down from any challenge, but rather says “Bring it on” to anyone or anything.

Check out Johnson’s pumped-up pose below.

Surgery a success! Dr repaired 3 hernial tears (fun pain). Superman is on the mend.. #WeFallWeRise http://t.co/VnLUVVdkFV

—
Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 23, 2013

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson tore his abdominal and abductor tendons off his pelvis during his headlining match against John Cena at Wrestlemania 29.

“Sometimes we pay the price.. Midway thru my Wrestlemania match I tore my Abdominal & Adductor tendons off my pelvis,” The Rock posted on Instagram. “Yup, that [expletive] hurt;). Thank U Dr Lee Kaplan & Univ of Miami medical staff & THANK YOU to the fans for all the love/well wishes! Rehab starts in 3..2..#bringit”

While The Rock’s injuries occurred in the ring, another wrestler managed to hurt himself on the way down the aisle. Triple H suffered second-degree burns on his torso and arms after coming to the ring covered in dry ice. The wrestler/executive vice president of talent and live events Tweeted about his injury.

Among other ailments suffered during Wrestlemania, CM Punk had to have an MRI on his knee after his match with The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar was knocked unconscious and may have suffered a concussion during his match with Triple H, according to PWMania.com.

Photo via Twitter/@TheRock

The West Newbury, Mass., native won the WWE Championship from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at Wrestlemania 29 after hitting him with his patented “Attitude Adjustment” finisher. The Rock beat Cena in the Wrestlemania 28 headlining match last year.

The match, and event as a whole, was panned by some for being too predictable. The Rock is leaving to shoot the film Hercules: The Thracian Wars in the coming weeks, so he was expected to drop the championship belt due to his busy schedule.

The Undertaker extended his Wrestlemania undefeated streak by beating CM Punk in what many considered the match of the night. The Undertaker is now 21-0 at the WWE’s biggest event of the year.

Triple H took down Brock Lesnar in a no-holds-barred match after giving him a “Pedigree” on a section of steel steps. Had Triple H lost, he would have been forced to retire.

Photo via Facebook/WWE

Ric Flair‘s 25-year-old son, Reid Fliehr, was found dead on Friday morning in a Charlotte hotel room. There does not appear to be any foul play involved, according to the police report. Fliehr wrestled under the name Reid Flair and was set to perform with his father this weekend, according to Fliehr’s Twitter account.

Fliehr had been arrested numerous times in the past six years. His latest charge was for driving while impaired with a revoked license. Officers found heroin in his car during the April 27, 2009 arrest.

Photo via Twitter/@Reid_Flair

Celtics radio voice Sean Grande will have a special guest up in the broadcast booth on Sunday for the second quarter, WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross. “Good Ol’ JR” is a native Oklahoman and Grande is a big WWE fan — it’s a match made in heaven.

Since Ross is in the house, fans sitting courtside should be careful to protect their folding chairs. If there’s a Spanish announcers’ table, they should definitely watch their backs. When JR is around, bodies seem to come flying in from everywhere.

It’s too bad Ross wasn’t in Phoenix on Saturday. It would have been fun to hear him call the Canada-Mexico World Baseball Classic brawl.

The Celtics game starts at 1 p.m. You can follow along with all the action here.

Photo via Facebook/Jim Ross

That’s a question that Hulk Hogan — a.k.a. Terry Bollea — will have to answer after a scathing review of his Hogan’s Beach restaurant by the Times’ Laura Reilly.

“The food is a train wreck and the three menus incoherently jumbled,” Reilly writes. “Hogan’s Beach opened too soon, long before any of the fundamentals were dialed in.”

The critic blasts the restaurant’s service (“servers are clueless about the food, wine and cocktail options”) and the fare (“I strongly suspect that a number of dishes are straight off the back of a Sysco truck”) in a thorough takedown worthy of the Hulkster.

While Reilly isn’t all negative, calling a meatloaf entree “serviceable” and admitting the Hulk-themed decorations are borderline “cheesy fun,” she pulls no punches in the rest of the critical review. Now, the question is whether of not the Hulk can get up off the mat in time to save his restaurant.

Photo via Facebook/Hogan’s Beach Tampa

Hulk Hogan has sued the Laser Spine Institute in Florida, according to multiple reports. The pro wrestling legend alleges that surgeries performed on his back at the institute were useless, and actually cost him millions of dollars in revenue.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Hogan — whose real name is Terry Bollea — claims that he feels worse in the wake of his procedures, which came after the wrestler went to the institute in 2009 to get treatment for scoliosis and bulging discs. The botched surgeries, Hogan says, cost him wrestling and acting opportunities that apparently would have netted him a pretty penny.

“The repeated additional but unnecessary and ineffective surgeries performed by defendants resulted in significant bone loss and increased spinal instability,” says the lawsuit, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Hogan reportedly said that he eventually underwent major back surgery with a different set of doctors, but clearly he wants the Laser Spine Institute to pay up for causing him trouble.

“To protect patient privacy as well as the legal process, we do not discuss the details of litigation matters,” the institute reportedly said in a statement.

Hogan also insists that the institute used him in its marketing endeavors even though he never agreed to be “an endorser of the services provided by Laser Spine.”

Photo via Flickr/Tsar Kasim

Hulk Hogan on Monday sued popular disc jockey Bubba the Love Sponge, the DJ's ex-wife and the online gossip website Gawker, according to The Associated Press.

The two lawsuits filed stem from a sex tape that surfaced recently featuring Hogan — whose real name is Terry Bollea — and Heather Clem.

Heather Clem was married to Bubba the Love Sponge, who was Hogan's best friend when the sex tape was allegedly filmed. Hogan reportedly said that he had consensual sex with Heather Clem about six years ago in the Clemses' home, but he did not know he was being secretly recorded.

The video was posted on Gawker recently, and it has since set off a media firestorm. It's unclear who leaked the video, as no one has admitted to doing such. According to TMZ, Bubba the Love Sponge even said on his radio show Tuesday that he believes Hogan may have played a role in the video's release despite Hogan's several public denials.

"Mr. Hogan had a reasonable expectation of his privacy, just as all Americans have a reasonable expectation of their privacy in their bedrooms," attorney Charles Harder reportedly said.

Hogan, who is seeking the rights to the video in both lawsuits, reportedly claims the video caused "severe and irreparable injury which cannot be adequately compensated by monetary damages."

Thumbnail photo via Flickr/Tsar Kasim

But whether it makes sense or not, WWE star John Cena will be an honorary captain as the Jets face the Colts this Sunday.

Cena has been tabbed for pregame captaincy and cheerleading duties, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, who also notes that Cena was likely picked because Met Life Stadium is hosting Wrestlemania on April 7.

Still, it's a curious choice to have a self-proclaimed Patriots fan leading the New York faithful — or expecting the New York faithful to follow along with a Patriots fan.

Let's see how that one turns out.

Thumbnail via Facebook/Liz Huberdeau

Photo of the Day

Whoa, Swishy Swish. Enough with the eye black!

Quote of the Day

"You don't overreact. I'm not a panicker. I think it's a punk mentality, frankly. I think it's a loser mentality. It's time to increase the urgency."
– Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy, on how he wants the Packers to be reacting to their 2-3 start

Tweet of the Day

That's some requirement to be a Pittsburgh fan.

Seriously, if you're gonna talk trash about your team and everyone on it, don't call yourself a fan. A fan is a supporter…

— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) October 12, 2012

Video of the Day

Fair? Foul? Fair? Foul? You can vote.

As the WWE wrestler made his way through the crowd on Monday night, he turned around and slugged a fan. Like most things that happen in the WWE, it's entirely possible that this was staged, but it didn't look like it on TV.

Someone in the crowd was grabbing Punk's arm, and he was being pushed in the back prior to the backhand. Vince McMahon kept going with his planned spiel as if nothing was going on in the crowd.

Punk is a frequent Twitter user, but hasn't tweeted since the incident. Watch the videos below and decide for yourself if this was real or fake.

Thumbnail via Flickr/Interbeat

Christopher Nowinski has a Harvard degree, but he opted for a career in the squared circle. That decision has come back to haunt the former WWE superstar, as he still suffers the effects of the head injuries he sustained during his career.

Nowinski, who serves as president on the board of directors for the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), authored a book that was released in 2006 called Head Games: Football's Concussion Crisis. Nowinski dropped by WEEI's Dennis and Callahan on Thursday to discuss some of what he's discovered when it comes to brain injuries, and to talk about his own experiences.

Check out the video above to hear from Nowinski.

George Clooney

Keibler was once one of the WWE’s top female superstars. She
flaunted her extremely long legs all around the ring, and knew how to
throw a punch or two. Keibler has also been seen on a variety of TV shows, most
notably Dancing With The Stars, on
which she placed third.

Keibler and Clooney haven’t
broken up just yet despite rumors, but it may be inevitable. There is a
19-year age difference between the two and there’s some hesitance from Clooney
as to whether he’d get married again. Then again, who knows?

Nevertheless, Should Keibler and Clooney eventually break up, Clooney would be missing out on a spectacular sight.

Click here to see photos of Stacy Keibler >>

Photo courtesy of Twitter/@StacyKeibler.

George Clooney

Rumors have been swirling that the couple, who have been together since August 2011, have split, seemingly because of Clooney’s desire to refrain from getting married for the second time. However, Clooney has put that speculation to rest.

Clooney’s PR representative Stan Rosenfield called the reported breakup “not true,” according to the Daily Mail.

Clooney has long maintained he will never get married again, TMZ reports — the actor, of course, was once married to actress Talia Balsam. But even if he sticks to that desire, it doesn’t mean — yet, at least — that Keibler is on her way out the door.

Keibler, 32, gained popularity as a WWE wrestler, and she’s since appeared on a number of TV shows, including Dancing with the Stars.

Click here to see photos of Stacy Keibler >>

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@StacyKeibler

The WWE legend, who suffered a heart attack during the telecast of Raw on Monday night in Montreal, continues to improve, according to multiple reports.

In fact, the Washington Post reports that Lawler is talking and laughing with friends, according to his ex-wife Stacy Carter.

She also tweeted this picture of The King in his continued efforts to kick out.

Michael Cole, Lawler's broadcast partner for WWE TV broadcasts, gave an update on Thursday as well, assuring fans that Lawler's condition was improving.

It's still too early to tell, however, whether or not Lawler will return to work with the WWE. 

Photo of the Day

All aboard the Buck Truck

Quote of the Day

"When we're not doing the little things or not doing things the right way consistently, I'm going to say something. If they want a quarterback that doesn't care, they can get somebody else."
–Jay Cutler wants you to know that he cares

Tweet of the Day

Uh … he had a kid?

@nesn what the hell Pedroia!!! #inamedmycatafteryou

— Tanya Marie(@TanyaMarie143) September 13, 2012

Video of the Day

It's a fake!

Michael Coulthard, known more commonly by his ring name, Michael Cole, tweeted the following Thursday afternoon, which was a welcomed sight for those wondering about Lawler's status.

The king is in great spirits again today!#GetWellJerry

— Michael Cole (@MichaelCole) September 13, 2012

Cole, of course, is the man who broke the news of Lawler's collapse to the viewers at home during Monday's live WWE Raw show. It was a confusing time for wrestling fans, because it easily could have been construed as one of the evening's storylines, as Lawler had wrestled earlier in the night. Cole was visibly distraught, though, and emphasized that Lawler's situation was not part of the evening's entertainment.

Lawler's ex-wife and former WWE Diva, Stacy Carter, tweeted the following on Wednesday, which is another indication that Lawler's status is improving.

Nothing 2 report on @jerrylawler other than he's making progress & resting. He has great docs & support. He'll pull thru this I know it!!!!

— Stacy Carter (@stacycarterkat) September 12, 2012

Click here to see a photo of Jerry Lawler in seemingly good spirits at the hospital >>

Click here to see Jerry Lawler's scary collapse >>

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@ShaneHelmsCom

Fortunately, Garcon’s solid effort hasn’t gone unnoticed. The wide receiver was given the first ever WWE 4th & Pain Championship Belt for helping to lead the Redskins to a win on Sunday.

Garcon, who racked up 109 yards on four catches, caught an 88-yard touchdown pass from RGIII that served as the game’s biggest highlight. The chemistry shown was reminiscent of Garcon’s chemistry with Peyton Manning while the two were in Indianapolis.

It’s unclear what exactly the 4th & Pain Championship Belt is based on, but who doesn’t love receiving a title belt? (Especially one with a spinning logo.)

Garcon, a wrestling fan growing up, was asked as part of the belt “presentation” who his favorite wrestler was back in the day, to which the Skins wideout said Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock.

Check out the video below to see Garcon accept the prestigious belt.

There was nothing fictional about Jerry Lawler‘s scare on Monday night’s episode of WWE Raw.

Lawler, a former WWE wrestler who’s long been a commentator for the brand, collapsed and suffered a heart attack while at the announcer’s table during Monday’s show in Montreal. The ringside medical crew rushed to Lawler’s aid and placed him on a stretcher before bringing him backstage, where they performed CPR. Lawler was then taken to a local hospital and is now believed to be in stable condition.

Fellow WWE commentator Michael Cole was the one who broke the news of Lawler’s collapse to the viewers at home. The incident occurred during a tag team match featuring Kane, Daniel Bryan and the Prime Time Players, and Cole tried his best to continue to provide commentary throughout the match, but it’s now clear that his focus was understandably elsewhere. Shortly thereafter, Cole broke the news, telling fans that Lawler’s collapse was not part of the night’s entertainment.

The show continued after Lawler’s collapse, with Cole providing a few updates throughout the remainder of the telecast. That was the only commentary for the rest of the evening, though, as a visbily distraught Cole informed the audience that no more play-by-play would be provided out of respect for Lawler.

Lawler’s condition improved before WWE Raw went off the air, and the WWE released the following statement shortly after.

“Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler suffered a heart attack while commentating during last night’s broadcast of Monday Night Raw in Montreal. We are hopeful Jerry makes a full recovery and returns to WWE in the near future. Our thoughts are with Jerry and his family.”

As mentioned, Lawler has long been a broadcaster for the brand, but he’s returned to the ring in recent weeks as part of a feud with WWE champion CM Punk. Lawler actually wrestled in a tag team match earlier in the evening on Monday, picking up a victory alongside teammate Randy Orton. The 62-year-old was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

It’s good to hear that Lawler’s condition has improved, because Monday’s situation was startling, to say the least. It was reminiscent of the time commentator Jim Ross broke the news of wrestler Owen Hart‘s tragic death during a live pay-per-view event, and the Twitter world was immediately very active in wishing Lawler well and lauding the effort of a clearly rattled Cole.

The whole situation is even scarier when you consider this tweet sent out by Smith Hart, brother of both Owen and Bret Hart, who happened to be part of the night’s event.

According to my friend Jeremy Prophet who was backstage at RAW, Jerry was clinically dead for 20 min before being brought back by defibrilat

— Smith Hart (@SmithHart1) September 11, 2012

There were also plenty of others on Twitter who wondered whether what was happening was all part of a developing storyline. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Let’s all wish Lawler the best as he looks to overcome this unfortunate and near tragic experience.

The videos below, while somewhat disturbing, sum up the troubling scene.

Thumbnail photo via Wikipedia/Jerry Lawler

Photo of the Day

Things always get a little rowdy when the Chargers and Raiders square off.

Quote of the Day

Why would I want to waste my time running around and getting in shape. I get over to Minute Maid [Park], I’ll crank it up and get it over 90 for a contender. We’ll knock them right out of the playoffs. That would be the fun. Pitching against somebody that’s not in contention wouldn’t be any fun for me.
–Roger Clemens, once again addressing whether he’ll pitch in the majors this season

Tweet of the Day

Jim Ross tried to put to rest any talk of Lawler’s collapse being part of the script.

4 skeptics, @jerrylawler heart attack was REAL. NOT showbiz. He’s in cardiac ICU in Montreal. My friend will ‘kick out.’ Believe it.I do.

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 11, 2012

Video of the Day

Not exactly the most graceful celebration.

Comedian Amy Schumer, who dated Ziggler, said on The Howard Stern Show that she broke up with the WWE star because the sex was “too athletic,” according to ProWrestling.net. She reportedly claims he was throwing her around like they were wrestling.

Well, perhaps it’s the other way around. Maybe Ziggler, whose real name is Nick Nemeth, views his time in the sheets as an opportunity to hone his craft. In any event, it’s clearly too much for some women, including Schumer, to handle.

Schumer, who continues to gain popularity mostly for her appearances on Comedy Central roasts, did feel bad for dumping the former heavyweight champion. She admits that she still likes Ziggler, and that she learned he was a sweetheart upon texting him to break up.

Fortunately, Schumer’s loss is someone else’s gain, ladies. So for all you fine, young women out there looking for a jacked up wrestler whose hair looks like spaghetti, you might as well start pursuing Ziggler. If nothing else, you’ll be in the best shape of your life.

It’s now official. Dolph Ziggler is starting to challenge Dolph Lundgren for the title of “Most Legendary Dolph.”

Click here to see photos of Amy Schumer >>

Thumbnail photo via Flickr/Snerkie

Photo of the Day

Ehh, skates are a better look for these guys.

Photo via Twitter/@NHLBruins

Quote of the Day

I don’t think I’m going to go jump off a bridge or anything like that.
–Joe Girardi, whose Yankees continue to lose their stranglehold on the AL East

Tweet of the Day

You mean going from 16 home runs in 1995 to 50 in 1996 isn’t normal?

@nesn When Brady Anderson of the Orioles had that big homerun spike in 1995-1997, that was definitely a sing of #PED‘s in the #MLB

— Lostways27(@Lostways27) August 23, 2012

Video of the Day

Forget the dunk. How about that kick thrown in there for good measure?

Slaughter, a former WWE superstar, was on hand for Military Appreciation Night at the Lakeshore Chinooks-Lacrosse Loggers game in Mequon, Wisc. when one "fan" got a bit unruly and started causing some ruckus. Slaughter was having none of that, however.

He got into a shoving match with the guy, who was showing off his vistor's jersey while taunting the Lakeshore bench. After some words were exchanged, the guy threw a punch, which Slaughter dodged before tossing the hooligan into a sleeper hold.

Count this as a victory for America and humanity as a whole.

Check out the madness in the video below.

Lauper appeared as part of WWE's buildup to Raw's 1,000th episode, which will take place on July 23. Until that date, wrestling legends will be appearing sporadically, although few appearances will likely be as awkward — for lack of a better word — as Lauper's cameo.

The rock legend, now 58, became a staple in wrestling programming during the 1980s — a period that became known as the "Rock-N-Wrestling" connection. The cross-promotion by Vince McMahon's WWE (then WWF) and members of the music industry, especially Lauper, led to unprecedented success. Now, more than 20 years later, Lauper returned to the ring, as did wrestling legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper.

As Piper presented Lauper with a framed gold record on Monday night, a modern wrestler by the name of Heath Slater (yeah, I don't know either) looked on in bewilderment. After interrupting the ceremony to bust out what he claimed to be his hit single, Mr. Slater was treated to an eye poke and glass over the head.

All in all, it was…strange. But it also makes you wonder who they'll bring out of the woodwork next.

Check out Monday's scene in the video below.

Photo of the Day

Many moons ago.

Quote of the Day

It was fairly poetic, I thought.
–Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey, after tossing a one-hitter against the Orioles on Monday

Tweet of the Day

That would certainly help.

Video of the Day

Now the question is: Hall or no Hall?

NESN Video of the Day

What would you like to see the Bruins do in the upcoming NHL draft?

Click here for more NESN videos >>