TMZ Sports - Page 50

Big Show will continue to put on a show that includes rope climbing ... sources connected with the WWE tell TMZ.

John Cena averted serious injury during a match in Manila Friday when the rope on which Big Show was standing snapped, sending him tumbling to the mat. Cena rolled to avoid impact.

We contacted WWE sources to find out if Big Show will continue standing on the ring ropes. If his 440 pound weight was simply too much, the WWE could face serious liability if it happened again and someone were injured.

We're told the accident was "a fluke" and the rope was simply defective. Our sources say the ropes are Big Show-worthy and the wrestler will go into the ring in future matches undeterred.

F1 driver Lewis Hamilton came thiiiiis close to being A TIGER'S LUNCH -- when he sneaked up on the animal from behind ... and it was all caught on video.

Hamilton was south of the border at the Black Jaguar White Tiger Foundation when he decided to roll the dice and creep up on a big cat named Nicole ... just for laughs.

Denver Broncos star Brandon Marshall says Colin Kaepernick's National Anthem protest is a "beautiful thing" ... and his old college teammate inspired him to follow suit Thursday night.

"I thought about it and I felt like this was the right thing to do," the linebacker told "The Jason Smith" show on FOX Sports Radio.

"I feel like what Kaepernick started, it’s a beautiful thing. A lot of people won’t agree with me, but I feel like it’s a beautiful thing."

(FYI, Kaep and Marshall played together at the University of Nevada.)

"And I won’t just take knees, and that’s why I decided to donate an undisclosed amount to different programs that support the vets, ‘cause, you know, it’s tough for them in this country."

"We send them off to war and they come back and it’s like they don’t get a lot of help. It’s tough for my uncle that’s a vet and family members. So I think this will spark some conversation and help to spark some more change."

There's more ... Marshall says he only told ONE teammate about his plans to protest before the Broncos vs. Panthers game ... tight end Virgil Green.

"He told me, 'Look man, just be prepared for all that entails. They’re gonna ask you some tough questions. Just be prepared to answer them.'"

Turns out, Draymond Green's a big tennis fan -- but the NBA star says he was so upset when Serena Williams got bounced from the U.S. Open last night, he won't watch the rest of the tourney.

"I'm mad Serena lost. I hate to see Serena lose!"

FYI, Green and Odell Beckham were in the stands when Serena beat Simona Halep on Wednesday ... and thought she'd coast over 10th seed Karolina Pliskova on Thursday night.

But Pliskova shocked the world ... and Draymond ain't happy about it.

"Ain't your day every day," Green said ... "Can't win 'em all. She's still the greatest."

There will be NO return of Beast Mode ... period ... so says ex-Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson who says he spoke with Marshawn Lynch YESTERDAY and the RB shot down the comeback rumors.

"Marshawn Lynch is retired, he told me from his own mouth," the NFL Network analyst says.

FYI, Michael and Marshawn weren't just teammates but are close friends ... and Robinson says he called up #24 after reading reports that he's considering playing in the NFL this year.

"He said, 'Dude, I'm not going anywhere. I'm as busy as I've ever been.'"

Check out the clip, Robinson says Lynch is pretty adamant about focusing on his life outside of football and helping people all over the world.

Nick Young definitely has a type ... hot musicians ... 'cause his new blonde date is an R&B singer who's done tracks with Meek Mill and Snoop.

Her name is Paloma Ford -- and she can sing. She also looks damn good in a bikini.

Paloma and Nick hit up Mastro's in Bev Hills together on Thursday night -- but sources tell us it was just a date ... they're not exclusive or anything like that.

Good news ... we're told the date went well.

Cleveland Cavs star Iman Shumpert was arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana back in August ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Swaggy P Date Night Checklist:

Hot blonde chick? Check.

Expensive Bev Hills steakhouse? Check.

Leave in a sick Ferrari? Check ... and (probably) mate.

Nick Young is clearly ready to move on from Iggy Azalea -- and began the courting process Thursday night with a brand new lady friend at Mastro's.

It looked like it went pretty well ... with one slight hiccup.

The two sat on the front balcony area -- and our photog says the two spent a bunch of time on the date playing on their cell phones.

So, bad move?? Or just the way it is nowadays?

Celine Dion is volunteering to do what Adele won't ... hit the stage for the Super Bowl 51 halftime show in Houston.

Celine was leaving the Ritz in downtown L.A. Thursday night when we asked if she'd have any interest in filling the void for the NFL. You gotta see CD turn on the charm to officially toss her hat in the ring.

She told us, "I would LOVE to do the Super Bowl" -- but she wasn't just talking about singing.

WWE superstar Alberto Del Rio -- a former heavyweight champion -- was released by WWE Friday ... less than one month after a wellness policy violation.

"My business relationship with @WWE has come to an end in good terms," Del Rio tweeted out.

"Thanks for the opportunities they gave me."

The WWE also issued a statement saying the two sides "mutually agreed on the terms of his release."

It's not Del Rio's first split with the company -- he was fired in 2014 for "unprofessional conduct" after an altercation with an employee.

Del Rio and his real-life girlfriend, Paige, were each hit with a 30 day suspension last month for violating the WWE's talent wellness policy.

There are rumblings that Paige will leave WWE as well -- but so far, nothing's been confirmed.

Ryan Lochte says he reached out to Michael Phelps for life advice after his drama in Rio -- explaining, "I knew he hit a low point in his life and he bounced back from it."

Lochte revealed the details to Ellen DeGeneres -- saying he was impressed by the way Phelps was able to rebound after his two DUI arrests ... and thought he'd be able to share wisdom.

"I knew his answer was gonna be really honest because of our relationship over the years," Lochte said.

"He said, 'It’s not what you did it’s what you do now that will shape who you are.'"

"I took that to heart and ya know that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna better myself. Make sure I don’t make those mistakes and become a better person."

The entire interview airs Monday on 'Ellen.'

Manny Pacquiao says he made a "mistake" by saying gay people are worse than animals earlier this year -- but stands firm on his anti-gay beliefs.

PacMan was promoting his upcoming fight against Jessie Vargas when he told us he regretted making the comments back in February ... saying, "I'm just human. Nobody's perfect."

Of course, Manny started a firestorm when he went on a TV show in the Philippines and said heterosexuality is "common sense" -- you'd have to be dumber than an animal to not understand.

Here we go again ... Johnny Manziel back to his old ways in Texas -- double fisting drinks at a bar in Austin and TMZ Sports has the footage.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet your first regular season National Anthem protester ... Brandon Marshall of the Broncos.

The Super Bowl champs' star linebacker followed Colin Kaepernick's lead and took a knee during the Star Spangled Banner Thursday night in Denver during the league's kickoff game.

The Broncos almost immediately released a statement, saying ... “While we encourage members of our organization to stand during the National Anthem, we understand and respect it being a personal decision.”

As we've reported ... Kaepernick's movement has been spreading.

Rick Fox has a message for anyone still hating on D'Angelo Russell for the Nick Young video -- GET OVER IT ALREADY!!!

We got Fox out at LAX and asked the former Lakers star what he thought about Russell still getting grief over the infamous Nick Young video ... the one that exposed his teammate cheating on Iggy Azalea.

Long story short ... everyone makes mistakes and it's officially time to give the 20-year-old a pass.

Nick seems to agree ... recently explaining, "I can't be mad forever."

CM Punk says he's been inundated with support from friends and UFC fighters -- blowing up his phone with words of encouragement before his MMA debut at UFC 203.

Punk joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs tonight on FS1) -- and told us about all of the "awesome people" who have hit him up this week.

We also showed Punk the video his old WWE pal, Mick Foley, made to show his support -- you gotta see his reaction.

There's a whole lot more in the full interview -- including Punk's fight prediction and some good old fashioned smack talk to his opponent, Mickey Gall.

Check out "TMZ Sports" -- weeknights on FS1.