For the first time since the infamous “Montreal Screwjob” in 1997, Bret Hart is said to be open to returning to World Wrestling Entertainment as a weekly storyline character, according to a report in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Hart has had business talks with WWE in recent months, which played a part in the company rehashing “Montreal” at last week’s Breaking Point pay-per-view — in case he agrees to return.

While nothing yet has been agreed upon, nor should one expect anything to happen anytime soon, he is no longer against returning to WWE. In the past he has said he didn’t see himself ever coming back as a character on television because he could no longer wrestle and didn’t want to become some authority figure or manager.

WWE has had talks over the years regarding Hart returning to the company as a character. In fact, Vince McMahon told the creative team in 2006 that he was going to do a street fight with Hart on a pay-per-view. Of course, it never came to be and Hart at the time was saying that he was never going to wrestle again. Apparently, Hart was tentatively penciled in to team up with Shawn Michaels vs. Vince and Shane McMahon at Backlash 2006 instead of “God.”

There’s been another setback for the Ultimate Warrior in his legal battle against WWE. Last week, it became clear that Warrior’s lawsuit against WWE for defamation related to the “Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior” DVD would be thrown out because WWE lawyers were able to demonstrate that Warrior publicly defamed WWE first. After last week’s ruling, Warrior wrote the following message on his website:

“It is what it is. There are no guarantees in litigation. None.  Of course, when you pursue these things, you want things to turn out in your favor. So does the other side. Cases are made and cards fall where they will.  What helps me handle it is that I am realist about things I cannot control and an optimist about all the incredible opportunity that always lies ahead, every day, every hour, every minute. I mean, from the moment you decide in your head that the past is done and gone, that it is a fact of reality you can’t change, and you put your time and energy into moving forward, right then and there positive things begin to happen. Only when you change the world of your mind will things in world outside of you change.  There is no reason for hesitation except that you choose to stay stuck. The only force is your mind. I don’t choose to remain stuck. I’m not good at whining and complaining about what I, myself, can, will and must do. I still have the rest of today to make the most out of myself and my life. I’m going to get at it.”

Call the guy crazy, but he seems to have a good attitude about the situation. On Monday, Judge Roslyn O. Silver ruled that Warrior will now will have to pay $18,967.46 for the legal costs and expenses WWE had to pay to defending themselves against Warrior’s lawsuit.

The Associated Press issued a statement on Tuesday afternoon reporting that Linda McMahon, who is seeking the Republican nomination in Connecticut for the U.S. Senate, did not vote in several recent significant elections.

McMahon acknowledges on her blog that she didn’t vote in the 2008 presidential primary after Sen. John McCain was the presumptive nominee. According to the AP, She also missed a general election in 2006 and several local elections.

However, McMahon isn’t the only candidate in the race with a spotty voting record. Money manager Peter Schiff, her top Republican opposition, didn’t register to vote when he moved back Connecticut in 2004.

Following this week’s RAW, here’s the latest card for WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view on October 4th:

Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Title
John Cena vs. Randy Orton

Hell in a Cell Tag Team Match
DX vs. Legacy

Triple Threat for the WWE United States Title
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz vs. Jack Swagger

WWE Intercontinental Title Match
John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler

Thanks to reader James Cohorn for sending in these live notes from last night’s WWE Raw from Little Rock, Arkansas:

Pre-Raw Dark Match: The dark match was Eric Escobar vs. Jamie Noble. Escobar received a lot of heel heat and Noble was receiving a surprising good reaction. Noble won with a flying legdrop from the ropes.

WWE Superstars Match: Chris Masters wrestled Primo.

Live Notes: I would estimate the crowd at around 8-10,000 people. The crowd was pretty live for most of the night. I was sitting near the stage area and could see Brian Christopher and I believe Scott Taylor in the backstage area. My friend saw Rodney Mack and Jazz in the concourse before the show so i guess they were visiting. Mack and Jazz run a weekly independent show In Jonesboro, Arkansas, which is about 2 hrs from Little Rock.

I enjoyed the opener and then the beatdown that Legacy put on DX. The contract signing segment seemed to drag on and on until Show and Jericho and MVP & Henry came out. The Cedric and Chavo match was pretty boring. I can’t believe that are still giving us this Hornswoggle and Chavo crap. The crowd seemed to eat it up when Horny came out from under the ring. I am not sure who the tall masked guy was.

Post-Raw Dark Match: The dark match main event was DX & John Cena vs. Randy Orton & Legacy. Orton & Legacy started triple teaming Cena before DX ran out. After DX came out they had Orton cornered and Legacy left. All of the faces hit their signature moves on Orton, who then left, so there was really no match. DX then started to do their speil with Cena. Triple H said that Cena needed to move his hips so he could get in the flow. As they started saying for the 1,000’s in attendance and the millions watching at home, Triple asked what time it was. Someone in the audience said that it was 10:18. Michaels said that they were not live so that it was just the 1,000’s in attendance.

Goodbye Lilian: Triple then started again but said that something was missing. They then brought Lillian in. Triple then started a Shopzone spiel. Triple H then said for the 1,000’s in attendance and the millions not watching around the world and Lillian Garcia because it may be her last night. They then proceeded to the two words part. Lillian then joined in with DX on the if your not down with DX part. DX then left and shook hands with the fans.

After DX left, they started playing the Eisley Brothers song “I’ve Had The Time Of My Life” for Lillian. Her fiancé then came out to the ring and they started dancing to the song while in the ring. Lillian left and then shook hands with the fans. This was truly a great moment.

Jim Ross updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com. In the blog, JR confirms a big name hosting Raw next week, addresses the rumor of Kanye West to WWE and discusses whether the planned Jeff Hardy DVD has been shelved.

Next week’s Raw guest host: “The Reverend Al Sharpton is guest hosting Monday Night Raw next week for the show that emanates from Albany, New York. Reverend Al is a charismatic individual who definitely elicits a response out of a wide spectrum of individuals. It will be interesting to see how Reverend Al defends himself when the main stream media comes after him asking Sharpton why he’s appearing on Monday Night Raw. Hey, I think it’s a fun idea as Sharpton has a quick wit and can be awfully entertaining at times and I will definitely watch Raw to see how things go but you can bet your last rib that Reverend Al will be raked over the coals by some near sighted good on one of the seemingly endless news programs because of next Monday’s Guest Hosting role.”

Kanye West To WWE?: I even saw on the ‘net that it was alleged that WWE had offered Kanye “$10M” to step in the ring and wrestle which is so outlandish and ridiculous that it’s insane. I can see why some wrestling websites do all they can to distance themselves from other sites as I read recently where I was in another state having a clandestine meeting with a company which was totally untrue. There was no meeting nor was I in the city that I was, according to a wrestling website, seen by eye witnesses.

Whether WWE has canceled the planned DVD on Jeff Hardy or not: “To the best of my knowledge, the WWE hasn’t pulled the plug on the Jeff Hardy DVD as of yet. With so much legal maneuvering still ahead I can see this project become slowed until more info is available or postponed. However, as has been said many times in this and many other businesses, controversy creates cash. As I understand it, and this is certainly subject to change, the Jeff Hardy DVD will be released prior to the holidays around the first of December.”

Source: PWInsider.com

After his work in Puerto Rico several weeks ago, there is backstage concern about the health and long-term viability of The Undertaker.

In terms of his last hiatus from the ring, several sources are claiming that The Undertaker actually had hip replacement surgey after WrestleMania, not minor surgery which was originally reported. Regardless, there was concern at the time that the problem may stop him from competitive in the ring again.

Many wondered why his match at Breaking Point only ran around the nine minute mark, and it is because he has been complaining of suffering from pain lately and his visibly slowed down as a result.

Considering all of this, there has been talk that Taker may be looking at retirement after next year’s WrestleMania.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com. JR talks about what Steve Austin is upto these days, Ric Flair’s decision coming out of retirement and whether he would follow in the footsteps of Jesse Ventura, Jerry Lawler and Linda McMahon ever consider a career in politics. The highlights:

Steve Austin: “Steve Austin is on the cover of the current Muscle and Fitness Magazine. Great story on Steve in the prestigious publication about his new career in film. Steve is attacking his movie roles with the same intensity, preparation and attention to details as he did when he was wrestling. Steve is in awesome physical condition which always leads fans to speculate if he will come back for ‘one more match.’

“Officially, only Austin can definitively answer that question but I know him pretty well and I think he made his last foray in wrestling at WM25 with the possible exception of a guest shot, non wrestling, here and there but even that is my own personal speculation. Hopefully, fans of ‘Stone Cold’ will support Steve’s movie work as religiously as they did his hell raising inside the ring. We talk regularly this time of the year and 90 percent of our discussions concern college football of which we are both major fans.”

Ric Flair Coming Out of Retirement: “It looks like the ‘Naitch’ may be joining Hulk Hogan’s upcoming tour. What a reality show this tour would make if we never saw a single wrestling match. I’d watch it!”

Getting into Politics: “I got an email asking if I had any political aspirations such as The King, et al and I said not just no but HELL no. Being an elected official would cut into my BBQ and Football time not to mention my ‘day job’ of being Todd Grisham’s sidekick on Smackdown.”

Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com. Some highlights:

Ted DiBiase’s Ear: “The ear controversy. What’s up with Ted DiBiase’s nasty looking ear? From what I was told the ear got infected for some unknown reason and when young Ted went to get it checked out the doctor discovered that DiBiase had tubes inserted in his ears as a child and they were never removed! However, if you are operating some of the dubious wrestling websites that exist in cyberspace feel free to make up what you choose regarding this matter much like you have about my professional future.”

SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 Roster: “If you are wondering why some WWE Superstars are on the Smackdown vs Raw 2010 video game and others aren’t it’s because this particular decision has to be made long in advance and several months ago the point of no return and going with what was there came and went. I had the same issues when I was the head of Talent Relations and made those decisions. One is damned if they do and damned if they don’t when one has to work with such long lead times. This matter will never be resolved in my view and there will always be some wrestlers who make the game that don’t deserve to and some that are left off that deserve to be included.”

WrestleMania in Miami?: “I read where Miami, Florida is interested in hosting Wrestlemania in 2011 or 2012. I assume many cities are in the bidding process as ‘Mania brings in big money to the host city. However, if the trend is to go into stadiums for Wrestlemania events, how does one address the issue of rain especially with South Florida’s lovely but rainy, at times, climate. No, I did not forget WM24 in Orlando but that was a hold one’s breath deal as it related to the weather and how to deal with rain not only for the talents but for the many  fans who traveled thousands of miles and paid healthy dollars to attend the show. Don’t get me wrong, I love visiting Miami (well, last January wasn’t so great when the Tim Tebow Gators trounced my Sooners) and have for years but it would seem to me, and no one has asked me to offer this opinion, that cities with domed stadiums would have the greatest chance of hosting the event.

The following press release was issued today:

Muscle Flex to Seek All Infringement Damages Against World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) After It Was Successful in Defending Its “In the Raw®” Trademark Against the WWE’s “Raw” Trademark

LOS ANGELES, CA–(Marketwire – September 17, 2009) – Muscle Flex Inc. (PINKSHEETS: MFLI) (www.MuscleFlexInc.com) has announced to investors that it will be seeking all infringement damages against the World Wrestling Entertainment for its unauthorized use of “Raw” in Canada which it has used without permission for over 10 years. Muscle Flex has accumulated significant evidence which it believes proves undeniably that the WWE procured the sale and distribution of “Raw” labeled products that infringed on the “In the Raw®” wares and services over a period of many years and continue to this day. In 2002, a Cease and Desist order was issued but was ignored by the WWE as they continued to sell “Raw” branded merchandise in Canada knowing that ‘In the Raw’ was a registered trademark.

In a press release dated July 20, 2009, Muscle Flex Inc. disclosed that it was in possession of WWE “Raw” labeled items that it believes directly infringe on its ‘In the Raw’ trademark. Items include: various CDs, VHS tapes and a number of apparel items. According to the WWE’s most recent reported financial quarter, combined sales of WWE’s consumer products and digital media business segments produced $40 million in global revenues. In previous quarters, these numbers were even higher.

The multi-year dispute between Muscle Flex’s “In the Raw” and WWE’s “Raw” trademark concluded in April of this year when Muscle Flex successfully defended its “In the Raw®” trademark against WWE “Raw” trademark application 1,153,018 in a final Federal Court appeal by the WWE. Previously, on June 18, 2008, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) Opposition Board issued its final decision with respect to the WWE Canadian trademark application for “RAW.” The ruling confirmed that certain wares listed in the RAW trademark application 1,153,018 were confusingly similar and thus lacked distinctiveness from the “In the Raw®” registered trademark.

“If someone steals your car and decides to drive it for 15 years knowing it was yours, how would you react?” commented Danny Alex, CEO of Muscle Flex Inc. “Now that the appeal process has concluded, Muscle Flex has begun the process to fully monetize all elements of its ‘In the Raw’ trademark including all infringement and potential damages caused by the WWE in its unauthorized use of ‘Raw’ in Canada. This has been a very long process and I fully intend to bring full and complete restitution to Muscle Flex shareholders… full stop.”

Danny Alex continued, “We are measuring the specific potential damages the WWE has caused over the years and the dilution of our ‘In the Raw’ brand in Canada as a result of WWE’s infringement. In 2002, we issued a Cease and Desist order that was ignored by the WWE as they continued to sell ‘Raw’ branded merchandise, and continue to do so in Canada, knowing that ‘In the Raw’ was and is a registered trademark in Canada and has been for many years prior.”

Muscle Flex Inc. is in the process of developing its first generation of “In the Raw” logo designs that will appear on all branded merchandise. Details of the Muscle Flex ‘In the Raw’ brand are expected to be released shortly.

For additional information regarding the “In the Raw®” trademark and details on the Federal Court and CIPO ruling, please visit our corporate website at www.MuscleFlexInc.com.

“Muscle Flex” is a Registered Trademark of Muscle Flex Inc.

“Muscle Flex” and “In the Raw” are Registered Trademarks of Muscle Flex Inc.

Muscle Flex Mission Statement
Muscle Flex Inc. is a company dedicated to providing the highest quality health, fitness and lifestyle products that enrich and provide unequivocal betterment for an individual both physically and emotionally. To this end, Muscle Flex strives to always keep respect and honesty in all it delivers to its customers and provide the highest regard on the value of each individual. Muscle Flex believes it is its fiduciary duty to help in assisting all individuals attain a healthier lifestyle who have been disadvantaged one way or another by circumstances that were not of their choosing or control.

About Muscle Flex Inc. (www.MuscleFlexInc.com)
Muscle Flex Inc. is a leading edge fitness, health and lifestyle company that develops exciting brands and new products to market using direct response TV advertising and infomercials as well as cutting edge brand and image marketing through the creation of television media content for network and cable television distribution.

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Muscle Flex Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein

— In the wake of Jeff Hardy’s 9/11 arrest for drug trafficking, the former WWE superstar’s MySpace and Twitter pages have been taken down.  Jeff posted a message on his Twitter the day of the arrest assuring fans that he would tell his side of the story and make a statement “later,” but now that his primary outlet for speaking to his fans is gone, we’ll see if that ever happens.

— It’s also worth noting that the Twitter account of Beth Britt, Jeff Hardy’s fiance, is still active, all the content has been removed. It appears they have shut the accounts down due to the attention stemming from Hardy’s arrest.

— There were rumors over the weekend that Matt Hardy had been sent home by WWE management. After speaking with a source within WWE, we can confirm those rumors are false. Matt was backstage at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from Hamnilton, Ontario but was not used on television.

WWE has announced Linda McMahon is leaving her post as Chief Executive Officer to begin her senate campaign:

WWE’s Linda McMahon Resigns to Run for U.S. Senate

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Linda McMahon has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer after announcing her candidacy for the United States Senate, representing the state of Connecticut. Vince McMahon assumes the duties of Chief Executive Officer in addition to his current position as WWE® Chairman. McMahon will be supported by the seasoned executive management team already in place and led by Chief Operating Officer and board member, Donna Goldsmith.

Notice how Linda says, “I’ve been in business for over 30 years. I was the CEO of a publicly-traded company that has created over 500 jobs right here in Connecticut” yet does not mention WWE by name. Let the distancing game begin!

Several mainstream media outlets are covering the story of Linda McMahon running for the United States Senate:

Associated Press | New York Times | Wall Street Journal | The Greenwich Post

Most of them are pretty neutral in the coverage, Politico.com says Linda will have a hard time escaping WWE’s marketing of sex and violence. Politico also includes a link to a YouTube video of Linda getting tombstoned by Kane on Raw from several years back, which you can see here.  That footage should make for some nice anti-Linda campaign videos.

Jeff Hardy’s first court hearing stemming from his 9/11 arrest for drug trafficking will take place on Wednesday morning, September 30th. Here is a summary of the charges brought against the former WWE superstar:

• Felony possession of cocaine.
• Felony drug trafficking of opium
• Two counts of felony possession with intent to redistribute a Schedule III drug
• Maintaining a dwelling for drug use and/or distribution (also a felony)
• Misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia

It’s worth noting that the drug trafficking charges brought against Hardy are a result of the sheer quantity of drugs found at his home. Should Hardy be able to provide a legitimate prescription for some or all the painkillers found, those charges could be reduced or dropped entirely.

The day of his arrest, Hardy promised to make a statement regarding the situation, but since then his comments have been limited to thanking his fans for their support on Twitter.

Last week, it was announced that Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are planning a tour of Australia in November. “Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin” will feature many of the top free agents in pro wrestling today performing on four shows.

Some of the names set to appear include former WWE superstars Ken Anderson, Umaga, Rikishi, Orlando Jordan, Gangrel, Val Venis and the Godfather. Former WWE developmental diva Lacy Von Eric is also booked to appear. Several of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff’s friends are also rumored for the tour, including Diamond Dallas Page, Brutus Beefcake the Nasty Boys.

The biggest selling point, however, will be the opportunity to see two of the biggest legends in wrestling history returning to the ring to renew an old rivalry. It was rumored last week that Ric Flair was in negotiations to wrestle Hulk Hogan on at least one of the shows of the tour. According to PWInsider.com, a source close to Ric Flair has confirmed that the Nature Boy will indeed be coming out of retirement to wrestle Hulk Hogan on the tour.

It is unknown at this point how many times Hogan and Flair will wrestle on the four-show tour, however a chance to see Ric Flair “walk that aisle” once again and square off against Hulk Hogan is sure to draw fan interest down under.