The following contains spoilers for the next 2 weeks of TNA Impact Wrestling:

TNA held a double television taping on Thursday night from Huntsville, Alabama – and one of the more newsworthy happenings was the return of Jeff Hardy.

Hardy came out and cut a promo saying that The Network gave him a chance to address the fans of TNA.

Hardy apologized for his conduct at Victory Road, when he showed up “in no condition to perform” and his main event match against Sting had to be cut to les than 30 seconds. Jeff said that his personali ssues “put the show in the toilet” and he knows he let everybody down.

Jeff asked everybody for one more chance – which got a huge “One More Chance” chant from the crowd.

Jeff placed the microphone down in the middle of the ring and exited to the back.

Jeff’s return to TNA Impact Wrestling will take place in 2 weeks. Next week’s show will feature the “Major Announcement” of Hardy appearing on the following week’s show.

Check out this exclusive video of Jeff Hardy’s TNA return from Thursday night:

Mickie James defeated Winter at tonight’s Impact Wrestling taping in Huntsville, Alabama to re-capture the TNA Women’s Knockout Championship. The title change will air next Thursday.

On the June 23 edition of Impact Wrestling, James was defeated by Winter in a Street Fight, following outside interference from Love. This led to a match at Hardcore Justice, where James lost the Women’s Knockout Championship to Winter, following interference from Love and red mist from the former Katie Lea. On the following edition of Impact Wrestling, James defeated Madison Rayne to earn a rematch for the title, which took place tonight.

The win is James’ second in TNA and eighth nationally.

source: PWInsider.com

The August 2011 issue of the UK based wrestling magazine Power Slam reports that there is a sizable pay discrepancy among the female performers of TNA Wrestling.

The magazine states that Christy Hemme and Mickie James are the highest-paid female talent in the organization: each earn more than $100,000 per year. Meanwhile, the rest of TNA’s female wrestlers and personalities (Angelina Love, Brooke Tessmacher, Cookie, Jackie, Madison Rayne, ODB, Rosita, Sarita, SoCal Val, Tara, Traci Brooks, Velvet Sky and Winter) earn far less: $600 per appearance at most.

Karen Jarrett’s salary is not stated, but the magazine indicates that she commands an above average appearance fee.

Hemme and James command the highest salaries because both were high-profile performers in WWE and thus are more valuable than the other women due to their name recognition. Though the magazine does not indicate which female talent earns more, it is noted that both make a similar low six-figure amount per year. Hemme, however, solely works televised events whereas James additionally appears on the company’s live event tour.

Hemme’s reported salary has drawn criticism from fans and colleagues as they feel it’s exorbitant for a non-wrestling female personality. The Honky Tonk Man claimed last year that her contract renewal with TNA last year was for three years at an annual rate of $175,000. He also said that Eric Bischoff, a huge supporter of the former WWE Diva and Playboy cover girl, helped Hemme obtain the high-end deal. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer would not confirm the veracity of the former WWE star’s claim but did say the deal made her the highest paid female performer in the company.

Reports of Hemme’s salary last year reportedly upset some of her female co-workers.

At the maximum second-tier rate, a TNA Knockout who appeared on every single television and pay-per-view event over the course of a calender year, 64 in all, would garner $38,400 at most. TNA solely covers airfare, leaving talent to cover all other expenses including lodging, wardrobe and medical. There is also no downside guarantee, thus meaning talent only get paid when they are used. And while the company holds numerous non-televised events, each tour features a rotation of two to five female performers.

Velvet Sky, who is arguably the organization’s top homegrown female star, is believed to be earning the maximum rate of the second-tier salary cap. Her contract renewal with TNA last year reportedly called for her salary to be bumped from $300 per appearance to $600. However, she is an exception to the rule on salary hikes for female talent. Gail Kim, Awesome Kong and Shelly Martinez (a/k/a Salinas) have all publicly stated that they left TNA because organization officials denied their requests for a pay raise.

Grantland.com, a sports and pop culture affiliated with ESPN.com, has published a major expose on Ric Flair comparing him to a real life version of The Wrestler. In the 2008 film, Mickey Rourke plays Randy “The Ram” Robinson, an aging professional wrestler who continues to compete in spite of his failing health in an attempt to cling on to his glory days.

In tremendous detail, the article examines the wrestling legend’s personal struggles, financial issues and allegations of physical abuse by his ex-wives. The story states that Flair continues to perform for TNA Wrestling despite suffering from alcoholic cardiomyopathy (a heart problem) and that almost everything he earns from the “second-tier outfit” goes toward paying off old debts: lawyers, ex-wives, the IRS, former business partners and “anyone who made the mistake of lending him money.”

In April, a judge evicted Flair from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina because he couldn’t afford to pay rent.

The lengthy piece can be accessed here. The author notes that Flair declined to be interviewed for the article.

Matt Hardy has posted the latest video to his YouTube channel and it really does not seem like Matt is in a good place right now.

Matt claims to have suffered “two unbearable tragedies” recently ..

Matt says he saved a school bus full of kids and takes us on a tour of his trashed apartment, where he says inanimate objects are looking at him and laughing at him.

Matt ends the video by saying, “I’m afraid of what’s going to happen next” and quite frankly – so are we.

We have to ask … what the is going on with Matt Hardy?

— TNA Wrestling is officially advertising Jeff Hardy for tomorrow’s Impact Wrestling taping in Huntsville, Alabama. The top item on the company website is a graphic of Hardy with the accompanying text: “Jeff Hardy returns at Thursday’s taping.”

Hardy previously announced late Monday night via Twitter that he would be on hand for the event, which airs Sept. 1. It will mark as his first appearance for the organization in over five months.

— Velvet Sky posted a message on her Twitter account supporting the use of marijuana. The TNA Knockout relayed an informational picture Tuesday night explaining how marijuana benefits each part of the human body.

— Christy Hemme and Traci Brooks are advertised to appear at this Saturday’s K&S Wrestlefest & Highspots Present “A Hot Summers Night” event in Essington, Pennsylvania. Visit www.kandswrestlefest.com for more information.

— Amidst his thank you messages to friends and family offering their support in recent days, Matt Hardy lashed out at a fan on Twitter who called him a “washed up joke.”

Hardy, whose contract with TNA Wrestling was terminated Saturday immediately following his arrest for driving while impaired, wrote in response:

“PLEASE best against me & insult & have fun at my expense-you you’ve never done anything, & never will. While I sit at home with enough money to last 2 lifetimes. SO later, you’re BLIZZACKBALLED!”

— Cookie, who has sparingly competed since joining TNA Wrestling last year, indicated Tuesday on Twitter that she would like to wrestle more frequently for the organization.

A fan asked her if she was ever going to wrestle, to which she replied, “I’ve been wrestling since 2003, just waiting for a shot in TNA!” When asked which Diva or Knockout she would like to face, she exclaimed Winter. “Want a shot at that (Knockouts) title!” she added.

— Angelina Love appears in the upcoming horror film Dark Rising 2: Summer Strikes Back as the character Rosemary Black. She and the film’s cast, which includes Canadian actress Brigitte Kingsley, will be appearing at a public screening this Saturday at The Royal 608 College St. Toronto, Ontario. Event details are available here.

The Young Bucks tag team (formerly Generation Me) recently spoke to Canada’s Slam Wrestling about their decision to quit TNA Wrestling several months ago. Matt Jackson expressed a great deal of frustration with the way TNA is run – largely due to the fact that TNA creative did not have a clear vision for them:

“I don’t think everyone’s on the same page. I know that a lot of guys don’t know where to go when they have a question about something, because nobody knows who’s exactly in charge of what.”

“One week we were running with Tara and the next we’re not. One week Nick and I have heat with each other, and the next we’re in a stable together. Towards the end, people in the office didn’t know if we were heels or faces, so we flip-flopped. We knew then, we had to get out.”

“One thing, though, from my time with them that I would have never guessed was, how unorganized the ‘big leagues’ were.”

Nick explains that despite all the turmoil behind the scenes in TNA, their departure from the company came down to money – or lack thereof.

“We asked for our release because we were not being used enough to budget money for our families. We simply weren’t making enough money. We asked for help and they didn’t really want to do anything for us. So, it obviously wasn’t going to work out.”

Matt added:

“We knew we were going to quit for a while. The writing was on the wall. Overcrowded locker rooms, we hadn’t been seen on TV regularly in months, and no continuity with our characters led us to wanting out.

The Young Bucks have received several complaints from veteran performers in the both the TNA and WWE locker rooms for the way they’ve handled themselves behind the scenes.

• RVD Trashes The Young Bucks Tag Team

• Booker T & Goldust Also Have Bad Things To Say About The Bucks

The Bucks have developed a reputation for being aloof and disrespectful to their superiors – and do not put all the blame on TNA for why their run there did not work out:

“I’m sure they could have done more with us, but I’m also not going to stick the blame completely on them. I’m sure there are things that we could have done differently too. All in all, we are proud of our run there and feel like we did have the capability to show what we could do, at least a couple of times.

“We could of ‘played the game’ a bit more. In professional wrestling, you need to do this to survive. We may have been a little too passive and let things happen to our characters that probably shouldn’t have. Maybe we could have been a little more protective? You live and learn.”

To check out the full article, including what’s next for the young tag team, head on over to Slam.Canoe.Ca.

Matt Hardy's Mugshot

TNA star Matt Hardy has issued another statement to his fans, following up on Monday’s message where he talked about being “reborn with an absolute pure life force” and feeling the “blood of an angel flowing inside of him” during Saturday’s DWI car crash in North Carolina.

Hardy tweeted on Tuesday morning at @MattHardyBrand:

“Thx 2 all who have reached out 2 me recently, 167 text message, near 100 emails, 38 voicemails, & 17 missed calls-I’ll return them all. Thx!”

“And I couldn’t have made it w/o my loved ones dragging to a hospital, that includes Jeff & Beth Hardy & my baby Reby. Thank u all so much.”

• Check Out: Pictures of Matt Hardy & Girlfriend Reby Sky

Jeff Hardy, who has not appeared for TNA Wrestling in over five months, announced this evening on his Twitter account that he will be on hand for this Thursday’s Impact Wrestling taping in Huntsville, Alabama.

He wrote, “Ok it’s official…time to go back2work!I will be in Huntsville,AL this Thursday with ImpactWrestling!!!!”

The September 1 and September 8 episodes of Impact Wrestling will be taped that night at the Von Braun Center Arena.

Hardy last appeared for the organization on March 13 at Victory Road, competing in a TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match against Sting. The match, which was contested under No Disqualification rules, concluded in ninety seconds as company officials made an audible to cut it short after deeming that Hardy was in no condition to wrestle. He was sent home the following day.

North Carolina’s Fayetteville Observer, which might need to hire a dedicated staff writer to focus on the legal troubles of the Hardy brothers, has released new information regarding Matt Hardy’s car crash and subsequent DWI arrest on Saturday afternoon.

According to a North Carolina police officer who was at the scene, Matt Hardy was not drunk, but “appeared to have taken some type of impairing substance” at the time of his car crash.

Hardy was said to be “traveling more than 55 mph but less than 70 mph” when he crashed his Corvette into a a tree.

Hardy was not injured from the crash. Hardy submitted to a blood test (with results currently pending), was arrested, and charged with driving while intoxicated and “exceeding safe speed.”

The “impairing substance” that Hardy was under the influence of is not known at this time, but should be made public once the results of the post-arrest blood test he took are made public.

Related MATT HARDY DWI News:

• Matt Hardy’s MUGSHOT Picture Released
• Matt Hardy Describes DWI Crash In Rambling Statement
• Charges Against Matt Hardy Revealed, Court Date Set
• Matt Hardy Comments On DWI Arrest, Teases WWE Return

Matt Hardy has posted a message on his Youtube channel in response to a fan who said he hopes Matt’s drunken car wreck on Saturday was a wake-up call to him. Matt replied with the following message.

We’re not going to say that Matt sounds like a rambling, delusional mad man, but .. well, draw your own conclusions:

“When the side windows glass smashed into my face, arms, & neck, some of the blood that did felt almost angelic. I went from being afraid to die to feeling like I was almost being reborn with some sort of an ABSOLUTE PURE LIFE-FORCE. It was the most amazing thing I’ve every experience, I felt like I’d just received the blood of an angel flowing inside me-I know this sounds crazy! Due to these, I only have urges to help people. And miraculously, all my vices are gone.

Amen Friends,

MATTHEW”

• Check Out: Matt Hardy’s MUGSHOT Picture

The North Carolina courts website has posted new information regarding Matt Hardy’s car wreck on Saturday that saw his car hit a tree and Matt arrested on DWI charges.

• VIEW HERE: Matt Hardy’s MUGSHOT Picture

According to the site, Matt Hardy is scheduled for court in Moore County on September 28th to answer the following charges:

• Driving While Impaired
• Exceeding Safe Speed

The North Carolina courts website also reveals that Matt Hardy is scheduled for court in Wake County on October 11th for a single traffic charge of Reckless Driving with Wanton Disregard of the safety of others. This is apparently a continued case from an earlier date.

Check out our Matt Hardy News Page for much more on his weekend arrest.

— Jimmy Yang announced Monday on Twitter that he received payment from TNA Wrestling after performing for the organization in late June.

He wrote, “Woo Woo Woo finally got paid i guess better late then never.”

Yang complained recently on Twitter that a check issued to him by the organization bounced when he attempted to deposit into his banking account. He was called “unprofessional” by an office employee for drawing attention to the matter.

— In her first post-WWE appearance, Melina managed Eric Young at Saturday’s Family Wrestling Entertainment event in New York City. She led the TNA star to victory as he captured the FWE Heavyweight Championship in a three-way match against Charlie Haas and Jay Lethal.

— SoCal Val is advertised to appear at the Frank & Son Collectible Show (located on 19649 San Jose Ave. City of Industry, California) on Saturday, September 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visit frankandsonshow.net for more information.

SEScoops.com has obtained the mugshot from Matt Hardy’s DWI arrest from Saturday:

Related MATT HARDY DWI News:

• Matt Hardy Describes DWI Crash In Rambling Statement
• Charges Against Matt Hardy Revealed, Court Date Set
• Matt Hardy Comments On DWI Arrest, Teases WWE Return

TNA co-founder Jerry Jarrett had some strong things to say about what he thinks is wrong with TNA’s creative direction during a recent interview with PostandCourier.com:

“Until they make radical surgical changes in creative, and unless they get some people who comprehend the wrestling business, they are doomed to be the financial drain on Panda [Energy] that they are now and have been since inception. The core of their problems is the creative development of their product. They have to cut the cancer out.”

Jarrett then named Vince Russo by the name as the cancer he was referring to:

“I would deserve the label ‘stupid’ if I had made the decision to hire Vince Russo. But I made the horrendous mistake of yielding to my son’s (Jeff) wishes.”

“He obviously has qualities that I don’t recognize or understand. How can a person who has a 15-year history of failure still keep a job?”

Matt Hardy, who was arrested Saturday in North Carolina for driving while intoxicated, says he is innocent.

In response to fans who were discussing his arrest, Hardy wrote on his YouTube channel:

“I took a breathalyzer immediately on the spot and it read clean, zero, nothing. Think about peeps! There’s more to this story than meets the eye. MATTHEW”

Hardy posted another, longer response regarding the matter, but immediately deleted it.

Hardy’s contract with TNA Wrestling was subsequently terminated following his arrest. He hinted on YouTube that a return to WWE could be in the cards. In response to a remark that he should return to WWE, Hardy wrote:

“You are exactly right my lovely. It’s time for the original Matt Hardy to appear once again!”

– Several members of the Carter family were ringside at Saturday night’s TNA live event from Rome, Georgia. They ran an angle during the show where Dixie Carter acknowledged the ongoing power struggle with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, telling the live crowd that her family (which in reality owns the company) had to purchase their own tickets to the show.

– TNA knockout Miss Tessmacher will now be using her real first name  “Brooke.” Her TNAWrestling.com profile has been updated with her new ring name – “Brooke Tessmacher.”

– Following his DWI arrest and TNA release on Saturday, Matt Hardy was one of the top trending subjects on Twitter. Hardy is an avid user of Twitter and has a strong social media presence, but this is probably not the type of exposure he is looking for.

TNA Wrestling announced Saturday on their official website that Matt Hardy has been released from its roster.

Their statement reads: “TNA today released IMPACT WRESTLING star Matt Hardy from its roster. Hardy was already under suspension from the company.”

His bio was also removed from the website’s roster page.

F4WOnline.com reports that company president Dixie Carter made the decision to terminate Hardy’s contract following his arrest earlier in the day in North Carolina for driving while intoxicated.

Meanwhile, Shane Helms has posted several messages on Twitter in defense of his longtime friend. He has directed numerous obscenity laced messages to users who disagree with him and also attacked TMZ.com for breaking the news of Hardy’s arrest.

“TMZ, a site that profits off the mistakes and downfalls of human beings. How proud they must be. What a bunch of maggots,” he wrote.

Hardy’s girlfriend Reby Sky has also reacted to Hardy’s unfortunate twist of fate. She wrote on Twitter, “It hurts to see anyone I love hurt in any way but I have faith that all will be ok. Regardless of what happens. Thanks for the support.”

Following his arrest Saturday in North Carolina for driving while intoxicated, Matt Hardy has been released from his contract with TNA Wrestling.

In a statement released to TMZ.com, an unnamed TNA spokesperson stated, “TNA today released Impact Wrestling star Matt Hardy from its roster. Hardy was already under suspension from the company.”

According to sources within TNA, plans were in place for Matt and Jeff Hardy to return to television in October. Jeff’s status with the company remains unchanged since TNA will be releasing a slew of merchandise in the fall bearing his name including a video title.

Hardy joined TNA last January after being released by WWE in October 2010 following a series of events that caused him to be sent home from a company tour of Europe. Hardy walked out of a SmackDown live event on September 5, 2010 after officials voiced concern over his condition. During the subsequent weekend’s European tour, Hardy’s condition caused the organization to act. When the story broke online, Hardy responded with a rambling video claiming it was untrue because he was still in Europe. WWE, however, confirmed to NewsDay.com on September 12, 2010 that he had been sent home. He never wrestled for the organization again and was released from his contract a few weeks later.

Hardy stated last week on Twitter that his time away from the ring has been a blessing in disguise as it allowed him to completely clean up his life. He added Friday, “It’s time for me to get back to a healthy, happy place, the transformation his now started for me, for us-(New Chapter Will begin new)”

source: PWInsider.com

TMZ.com reports that Matt Hardy was arrested in North Carolina today on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a trooper discovered the TNA Wrestling Superstar after his 2009 Corvette ran off the road and struck a tree. Hardy was by himself and did not suffer any injuries.

The trooper observed signs of impairment and arrested Hardy. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and the trooper found no other contraband in the vehicle. Hardy submitted to a blood test, results of which are pending.

He was released at approximately 7:00 p.m.

TNA Wrestling officials reportedly suspended Hardy in June due to continuously arriving late to events and posting a video online of himself urging Jeff Hardy to stun Reby Sky (Matt’s girlfriend) with a taser. He stated last week on Twitter that his time away from the ring has been a blessing in disguise as it has allowed him to completely clean up his life.

To read the full story, click here.

— The August 18 episode of Impact Wrestling scored a 1.05 cable rating, down from 1.07 the week before. It was the program’s lowest rating since June 9 and second-lowest rating of 2011.

Impact averaged 1,455,000 viewers over the course of two hours, down from 1,540,000 last week.

Impact‘s rating has continuously dropped since July 20, which garnered a 1.26 cable rating. July 27 drew 1.20; August 4 drew 1.14; August 11 drew 1.07.

— Velvet Sky spoke out on behalf of The Young Bucks, whom Booker T slammed via Twitter for breaking locker room etiquette at this past week’s WWE television tapings. The TNA Knockout feels their shyness may be interpreted as disrespect, but they actually mean well.

“Very surprised to hear all of this controversy with The Young Bucks. From what I always witnessed, they were respectful with everyone,” she wrote on Twitter regarding her former colleagues. “I think their shyness gets interpreted as disrespect but I know them and they mean well.”

source: PWInsider.com

— Matt Morgan participated in a live Facebook Chat with CMT on Thursday following his appearance on the season premiere of Made the previous night. He was notably asked whether WWE has been in contact with him lately.

Morgan replied, “WWE gave me my start and gave me the tools to one day become the wrestler I am today and I am very thankful for my time there. I’d be lying if I said there’s been no contact however as long as TNA remains as loyal as they’ve been to me and continue that loyalty I am very happy where I am at right now.”

— Angelina Love is the featured guest on the latest episode of Pillow Talk with SoCal Val. The TNA Knockout is asked about her workout regime, with Val describing her body as ‘tip top perfect shape’.

“I pretty much only do cardio and legs, but I think one of my best parts that I didn’t pay for would be my abs,” Love replied. She then proceeds to show off her toned stomach to the camera.

To see the video interview, click here.

— Mr. Anderson is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Inside Wrestling.

TNA star Jeff Hardy recently had another custom championship belt created by the Top Rope Belts company.

Jeff Hardy’s new Omega Enigmatic championship belt is similar to the Immortal Championship belt that he had made up later yea.

According to the folks over at Top Rope Belts, the belt is designed so so that when he comes out onto a dark stage and his music plays, the eyes and mouth on the belt light up and flash to the music.

Jeff is allowing Top Rope belts to sell copies of the belt to fans.

No word yet if this means Hardy will be returning to TV soon. Matt and Jeff remain on TNA’s inactive list and are not expected to return to television any time soon.

Check out these pictures of Jeff Hardy’s new Omega Enigmatic Championship belt:

Mickie James spoke with Ledger-Enquirer.com to promote TNA Wrestling’s live event yesterday in Columbus, Georgia. Highlights from the interview are as follows:

The challenges a woman faces in the male-dominated world of professional wrestling: “As a woman I want to prove myself even more. I might not be as tough as the guys but sometimes I have the match of the night. Then the guys have to go out and top me. It’s still such a male-dominated sport that we’re not taken seriously. We still have lingerie matches and pillow fights. It’s a real task. But most of the fans know who I am.”

Injuries she has endured throughout her career: “I haven’t had a ton of injuries. I had a MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) infection in my knee. I had to get it drained and removed. My knee (was swollen) up to the size of my thigh. I was stubborn. I told everyone I’ve wrestled with worse than this. But I flew home and got it checked. The doctor told me if I had waited it could have been a lot worse. I’ve had stitches in my eye, lost a tooth, I’ve separated both shoulders twice and I’ve had a few concussions.”

Stacy Keibler: She’s hot stuff. I heard she dated George Clooney for a minute. I’m so jealous. That’s awesome. She’s really branched out and done things as a female that the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin have done.

“But she’s never really been a wrestler. She’s done lingerie and pillow fight matches.”

What would surprise fans about herself: “I try to keep the sanctuary of the storylines. That means I travel by myself. I’ve found that the people I have the most connections with are the ones I work best on opposite sides. We have the passion for wrestling and we want the same thing. You say you’re sorry later.”

To read the full interview, click here.