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Rodman returns to the ring

Controversial basketball player Dennis Rodman has found a summer job as a professional wrestler.

Rodman, who has made a few cameo appearances inside the ring over the past couple years, signed with World Championship Wrestling yesterday to make at least five appearances this summer.

Rodman will make his 1999 debut on WCW "Monday Nitro Live'' on July 5 and his deal with culminate with "road wild", a pay-per-view event on August 14 in south Dakota.

The former US NBA star was released by the Los Angeles Lakers in April because he was a distraction to the team. He has maintained a relatively low profile since then, except for two lawsuits being filed against him.

A woman sued Rodman for assaulting her earlier this month in Las Vegas and a casino security guard sued him last month after accusing him of grabbing her breast while she was working at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Rodman's first hit the wrestling scene in 1997, but his best-known match came last year at "Bash at the beach'' when he and Hulk Hogan won a tag-team bout with fellow-NBA player Karl Malone and Diamond Dallas Page.

The WCW also announced it signed Rapper Master P, who recently established No Limit Sports, a professional sports agent business.

"The signings of Dennis Rodman and Master P clearly demonstrate the extensive worldwide appeal, audience, and reach of World Championship Wrestling,'' WCW president Eric Bischoff said.

Master P signed a one-year deal with WCW to appear in an undetermined number of events.

AP