Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair were together on Saturday night at Hulk Hogan’s new beach restaurant in Tampa, Florida. Check out these pictures of them together, along with their children, Nick Hogan and Ashley Flair (NXT diva Charlotte):

– Hulk Hogan’s Micro Championship Wrestling returns to the Tailgaters Sports Bar in Bolingbrook, Illinois on April 13th, 2013. Bell time is 9 PM. For more information, visit Tailgatersgrill.com.

– Here are some TNA Wrestling business figures for November 2012 compared to the previous year, courtesy of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

* Impact Wrestling averaged a 0.96 rating with 1.27 million viewers. Compared to 2011, the average rating is down 18% and the audience is down 21%, when the show was averaging a 1.17 rating with 1.61 million viewers.

Impact’s decline in ratings and viewership is more significant than the losses seen by WWE RAW and SmackDown for November.

* TNA’s Live Events averaged 581 fans. This is down 40% from the previous November, when they averaged 975 fans.

TNA star Hulk Hogan was recently interviewed by the UK’s Guardian website as part of a “Celebrity Christmas Wish Lists” feature. Here’s what’s on Hogan’s wish list, including some interesting comments about wanting to not only wrestle again – but to also be TNA World champion:

1. Thirty years of life: I want my youth back. I wouldn’t change anything, though. I’d wrestle all over again. The same matches.

2. 747 jet I would like my own private jet plane again. I’d take all the wrestlers with me on the plane. I don’t just want a little Learjet, I want a 747. That would be a wild plane.

3. Knee surgery I’ve had eight back surgeries, I’ve had knee replacements, I’ve had both hip replacements. I only need one more surgery – to fix my right knee – then I’m going to go for the TNA world title. I want to be 59 years old and be the champion.

4. Hair I want a full head of hair.

– Monday’s Raw saw the return of the Ric Flair to WWE, who presented the “Superstar of the Year” Slammy Award and encountered CM Punk, Paul Heyman and The Shield. The legendary grappler’s former TNA Wrestling colleagues, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, weighed in on his return via Twitter.

“Great to see Flair doing his thing again,” Hogan wrote shortly after his Raw appearance.

Bischoff noted that he is “Very happy for Ric Flair.”

– ODB attempts to make “The List” in this week’s show. The synopsis states, “Robbie E has ODB waiting for her spot on the list and being in the holiday spirit he decides to make a deal with ODB.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EvYzL9Mqsw

– While Hulk Hogan has had no luck getting courts to order Gawker Media to remove footage of his sex tape, Gawker is enjoying huge website traffic by continuing hosting the clips.

The Huffington Post reports that Hulk Hogan’s sex tape drew the second-highest traffic of the year for Gawker.com. The only other news story which drew more traffic to the site was the one regarding the topless photos of Kate Middleton which also surfaced earlier this year.

– Former WCW wrestler Buff Bagwell joined the Shining Wizards Podcast (www.shiningwizards.com). Here are some highlights of what he said about:

His recent car accident:

“My best friend Hamilton died from a drinking accident. So in the past year I have been doing much better with the drinking and the partying. After I found out how he died, I quit drinking. They say I had a seizure from the alcohol withdrawal. I said, “Dude, I drink maybe 2-3 beers a day.” And they go, “How long have you been drinking 3 or more beers a day?” I said “20 years.” They said “Marcus, 3 beers a day for a long time, it’s still a big deal when you come off cold turkey like that.” I have had one more withdrawal seizure, from coming off pain meds or whatever, years ago trying to clean my life up. When you have one, you see this thing called an aura. It’s a white little light. It’s a light that makes you think Jesus is coming. It’s that kind of light. It’s that brutal. And anyone listening that has seen the aura, its something that you never ever forget, you don’t mistake it for a glare or anything like that, you know what it is. It’s the scariest thing in the world. The aura gives an epileptic forty-five seconds to either pull their car over or lay down on the ground. There is no fixing it once you see the light. I was on the phone with my wife, and I said, “Oh my God, I just saw the aura’. She goes, “What? Pull over.” I had a big jacked up jeep at the time, and I pulled over. And from that point, its all a black out.”

Wrestling in Global (GWF) and being offered a contract:

“Global to me back then was like WWF. It was that big to me. We were on TV. We were on ESPN in a great time slot, and we were told that we were gonna be the next company. The woman who owned the place painted it up all nice and got us air conditioning. The dressing rooms got redone, and “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert was there, Lighting Kid, Harlem Heat, Patriot and Scotty Flamingo. They started giving out contracts. I was the 4th guy to get a contract, which I never got. It was $100,000 contract. When I was the fourth one in line, it was just over. They suddenly just pulled the plug. The next phone call, was like God did it. The phone rings and I pick it up, and the guy goes “This is Magnum.” I said “Who?” I had no idea who he was.”

On his early days in WCW:

“Right away I got along with Brian Pillman. Guys who worked out hung together. Guys who partied worked together. So me and Brian got along great. I was 19 years old, no credit card, no nothing. I was getting $500 a week to go to wrestling school. When they put you on the road, you lose $500 really fast; going to the gym, tanning, eating, hotel, whatever you do. I came home losing money, the whole thing was a 10 day road trip. Homesick, crying, calling home. After Pillman, me and Johnny B. Badd got on real good. Once we got our own credit cards and were making money, no one rode with us. We went and trained, and didn’t know what a beer was, and didn’t party. It was all about working out and pro wrestling. After that it was Sting, and then Luger. Me and Luger were animals at that point. Scotty got in such good shape at that time. He set the bar so high, anyone who hoped in our car, it was gonna be chicken breasts, baked potatoes and working out, Not many people jumped in the car with us. Me and Lex wanted to work out and look good for TV.”

The WCW Tapings:

“WCW didn’t have to be a TV company. WWF had to sell their product to a TV Company. We had 500 people get in free at WCW Center Stage. I was out on the street begging people to come in and sit down. We gave away bicycles and everything to get people in, then tape a months work of matches. So we would do 25 matches in a day. We had to be careful with angles and stuff, because if someone gets hurt, then you ruin the angle. If you notice, when me and Riggs were on the shows, we were announced as Tag Champions, but we didn’t have the belts.”

On breaking his neck:

“What happened then, Rick didn’t tell anyone, he had tore his rotator cuff. So here’s a bulldog, a move I have taken a thousand times. He comes off the top and misses me. It was live TV. So I was trying to catch up to him, and as I was trying to catch up with him, he hit the mat and went back into my face. So my face went into his back, and the back of my head touched my shoulder blades. And I just went instantly limp. Basically my face went into his back at a perfect angle, so medically at Level 3-4, that cervical disk shot into my spinal cord and bruised it. To me, when it swelled you lose; its not like a stinger, or I’m gonna be ok, as soon as I got hit I said “I am paralyzed.” So the finish of the match, Scotty was gonna slide in, hit Rick with a chair, put me on Rick, pin 1-2-3, NWO wins. I am on the mat face down, and as soon as he rolled me over I said I am paralyzed. His eyes were like oh my god, then I had 270 pounds of a maniac named Scotty Steiner coming in with a chair. If you watch the match, you will see my mouth going 100 miles an hour saying “Please don’t touch me, I am hurt.” So all Scott did was hit Rick with a chair, and then he was gonna put my arm across Rick, as soon as he did my arm didn’t stay there, because I was paralyzed from the neck down. So the ref counted three while both our backs were on the mat. It was just a bad scene.”

On the Monday Night Wars and his time in WWE:

“Here we are, thinking we’re going to put them out of business. There has to be at least two companies or else we’re all screwed, you need two places to go. When I signed with WWE I went from making a million dollars a year to $220,000. I can’t even pay for myself, so Vince told me to sell some things. Two weeks later I was fired anyway. Long story short, I have no idea why. They bought us to get us off the shelf. It kills me because what a great thing he (Vince) had. WCW vs. WWF. They really f’d that up. When Turner merged with AOL, AOL didn’t want wrestling. It would have worked (WCW vs. WWF) if out of the gate. Instead of giving WCW to his son, have Eric or Dusty or Flair run it. I think it would have worked. Everybody knew it wasn’t Shane’s company. Instead it was just beat us and send us home. Coming into the WWF locker room was REALLY BAD. I knew it was going to be bad. The first ones through the door, you’re going to get a little bit bloody. No matter what, I’m going to take someone else’s job away. That’s how they looked at us. My contract was up, Booker’s was up, Dallas’ was up. The rest of the guys were great talents, but the younger guys. The New Bloods. 12 guys actually hired, with only three having pretty big names. Vince had to pay if he wanted you, so guys like Luger, Sting, and Goldberg just stayed home and got paid. I had another 50 grand coming to me, two pay days but still I could have stayed home. But, though the heat I had that wasn’t really true, what I did to get unheated is I gave Vince my 50 grand and he took it and fired me in two weeks. Regarding heat, I never changed. What Mark Bagwell would say to make people laugh was the same thing Buff would say. However when it came from Buff, I got heat. 90 percent of the heat was because I was over and you get heat for that. And you have to be careful what you say and I wasn’t. The other 10 percent is other people making their own stories up.”

On a possible future with TNA:

“Me and Eric are talking. Sting wants me to come down there and work for TNA. So we are in talks, we are waiting for me to get back to 100%. We are about 2 weeks out. I just spoke to Sting yesterday. So Eric is gonna bring me down and talk to me and just see what happens, so I am in the mix with maybe going back to TNA now.”

* Big Update On RANDY ORTON’s Injury, Rey Mysterio’s Return & THE ROCK

– The promotional poster for TNA’s Lockdown pay-per-view event on March 10, 2013 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, has surfaced online and Hulk Hogan is featured front and center. Also notably featured is TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy, whose contract expires in February.

– Thursday on Impact Wrestlng, Velvet Sky made her return to TNA Wrestling during a in-ring segment between Mickie James and Tara, vowing to regain the TNA Women’s Knockouts Championship and making 2013 her year. Following her appearance, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter remarked on Sky’s return, tweeting, “Welcome back @VelVelHoller! I’m sure millions have missed the pigeons!!”

– Miss Tessmacher and Robbie E appear for ACW tomorrow at Opportunity Builders Inc. 8855 Veterans Highway Millersville, Maryland. Call 410-608-1141 for more information.

WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair claim to have wrestled their last matches, but both men have received lucrative offers to wrestle again in recent weeks.

A Mexican group called Llaves y Candados which is backed by one of the biggest television networks in Mexico, met with TNA officials and Hulk Hogan at the 11/29 Impact tapings in Orlando. Roberto Figueroa made a huge offer to Hulk Hogan to wrestle one show in Mexico, but he reportedly turned them down. Money wasn’t the issue – Hogan simply can’t go anymore. Even the idea of a gimmicked match where a Mexican wrestler ran into his punches and bumped around for him was rejected, which speaks volumes about his physical condition.

Ric Flair has received a big offer to work with an international promotion, despite his claims that he’s retired. The belief is that Flair would wrestle again if the money was right, but he’ll probably wind up back in WWE and they’ve made it clear he won’t be wrestling in a WWE ring again.

* Pictures From RIC FLAIR’s 2009 Bachelor Party – WOOOOOO!

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– Hulk Hogan posted a message on Twitter Wednesday thanking TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter for putting up with “b.s.” from the creative team and maintaining her composure.

“Really looking foward th IMPACT this Thursday, the show now has energy, momentum and a real life of its own, props to Dixie for always being there and keeping her cool when sometimes we are all over the place with our he said she said b.s.,” Hogan wrote.

“She’s a constant and is always in the trenches with us even if we’re right or wrong. Thank you Dixie Carter for letting Impact continue to grow. You haven’t seen anything yet. HH4Life.”

– Kenny King appears on TNA Today as he discusses his path to the wrestling world including how he got his start and where he is headed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkzFKCeonUI

– Miss Tessmacher turned 28-years-old on Tuesday.

– Hulk Hogan’s latest legal efforts to get clips of his sex tape taken offline were shot down on Monday, when a judge ruled that Gawker.com does not have to remove the footage. Judge James D. Whittemore ruled on Monday that Hogan’s latest legal filing offered nothing new from his prior (unsuccessful) attempt to get the video offline.

The judge also stated that Hogan had not demonstrated that there were any grounds for an appeal and there was no proof of “immediate harm.”

– Earlier today, TMZ.com broke the news that Ric Flair’s fourth wife, Jacqueline, has filed for divorce, claiming Flair cheated on her with multiple women and owes her tens of thousands of dollars as a result of their recent separation agreement.

Pictures From Ric Flair’s 2009 Bachelor Party

Flair’s attorney has responded to the claims, telling TMZ.com that Flair “denies the claims, contends there was marital and other misconduct on her part, and looks forward to these issues being resolved in court.”

(Partial Source: PWInsider.com)

– GQ has named Hulk Hogan as among the twenty-five “Least Influential People of 2012—”a collection of people so uninspiring that we should round them all up and stick them on an iceberg.”

The publication says of the legendary wrestler, “When I was a kid, I wanted to be just like Hulk Hogan. Funny how getting caught banging his best friend’s wife on tape and then finding out that his best friend was allegedly the one taping it has now diminished my admiration. Kudos to Hulk for having a big ol’ dick, though. That thing is thicker than a turnbuckle.”

– TNA has released the following video previewing this Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast featuring a Six Man Tag Team Main Event, Samoa Joe vs. Devon, Kurt Angle vs. D.O.C, and more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_Q0zU3ysxk

– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Brooke Tessmacher and Robbie E will appear at Tammany Hall 152 Orchard St. New York, New York, this Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. E-mail FWEAdsales@gmail.com for more information.

– The court hearing in for Scott Steiner’s lawsuit against TNA that was scheduled for Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee was cancelled. No word why, but it’s possible the two sides are working out a settlement.

– The cape that Matt Morgan wore on Thursday’s Impact Wrestling was actually a cape that Hulk Hogan wore back int he 1970’s when he was a heel. Hogan has been working closely with Morgan in recent weeks to help fine-tune his character’s presentation.

– This weekend’s TNA live events schedule includes:

* 11/30 in Bemidji, MN
* 12/1 in Fargo, ND
* 12/2 in Grand Forks, ND

Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, and Bully Ray are among the talents scheduled to appear .

– Morale behind the scenes at Thursday’s Impact Wrestling was great, with talent feeling better about the company’s creative direction than they have in a long time.

TNA has been focusing on long-term booking as of late, mapping out creative plans several months in advance. Television scripts are being written weeks in advance, with tweaks being made when necessary.

* Update On JEFF HARDY Leaving TNA & Returning To WWE With Matt

(Source: PWInsider.com)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ImTJEMosx2k

It was announced during Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast that San Antonio, Texas will host Lockdown on March 10, 2013 at the Alamodome. The following press release was issued.

Lockdown 2013 is coming to the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on March 10

TNA WRESTLING ANNOUNCES SAN ANTONIO FOR “LOCKDOWN” LIVE PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT MARCH 10 – PRESENTED BY DIRECT AUTO INSURANCE! TNA IMPACT WRESTLING SUPERSTARS HULK HOGAN, AUSTIN ARIES, BOBBY ROODE, JEFF HARDY, JAMES STORM AND MANY MORE WILL IGNITE THE ALAMODOME!

TNA Wrestling has announced San Antonio, Texas will be home for “Lockdown” presented by Direct Auto Insurance. The annual live Pay-Per-View extravaganza is scheduled for Sunday night, March 10 at the Alamodome. This will be TNA’s first televised event from San Antonio. Tickets for “Lockdown” start at $15 and go on sale Friday, Dec. 7 at all Ticketmaster outlets or ticketmaster.com.

“Lockdown” is promised to be the most dangerous Pay-Per-View event of the year featuring a 15-foot reinforced steel cage. The TNA World Heavyweight Championship will be on the line and two teams will compete in a “Lethal Lockdown” match for an unforgettable night of action. Fans can watch the “Road to Lockdown” on TNA’s weekly flagship show, IMPACT WRESTLING, airing every Thursday night on Spike TV.

The reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hardy, leads the invasion of IMPACT WRESTLING stars including Hulk Hogan, “Cowboy” James Storm, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Rob Van Dam, the lovely and lethal Knockouts and more.

“We have been waiting to play San Antonio until we could bring this great city a big televised event,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “I’m so excited our first show there will be Lockdown — TNA’s most intense pay-per-view of the year.”

Tickets for “Lockdown” go on sale Friday, Dec. 7 at 10am, at all Ticketmaster locations, www.Ticketmaster.com, the Alamodome box office or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

“TNA Lockdown Fan InterAction” will be taking place on Saturday, March 9. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 7 at ShopTNA.com. “Fan InterAction” is a popular fan friendly event giving fans a chance to meet many of the stars of TNA IMPACT WRESTING.

TNA will also be offering a limited number of travel packages that will include lodging and first or second row tickets to “Lockdown.”

– At the conclusion of last Thursday’s Impact Wrestling broadcast, Austin Aries dropping a bombshell on Hulk Hogan by accusing his daughter Brooke of conducting funny business with Bully Ray. The WWE Hall of Famer addressed the storyline via Twitter today, writing, “TNA IMPACT WRESTLING TONIGHT 8pm/7central only on SPIKE ,gonna get to the bottom of Brooke’s bs with Bully,I’d love to go off on himHH4Life.”

– On the latest edition of TNA Today, Christy Hemme speaks with Earl Hebner about his career in professional wrestling and working with TNA. She also picks his brain to see who he believes are the promotion’s rising stars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6_l_aLZaFQ

– ShopTNA.com has released AJ Styles gloves.

MDI Secures IMPACT WRESTLING Superstars and Experiential Prizes for Exciting New Instant Games

MDI Entertainment, LLC, a subsidiary of Scientific Games Corporation, has signed an agreement with TNA Entertainment, LLC, dba IMPACT WRESTLING, to offer lotteries branded instant games featuring some of the biggest names and most recognizable imagery in professional wrestling today.

The agreement makes the names and likenesses of more than a dozen wrestling superstars, as well as the logos, marks and artwork of IMPACT WRESTLING, available to lotteries worldwide.

Stars like Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Sting, Jeff Hardy, Matt Morgan and Bobby Roode are included, and can be used on instant tickets and promotional materials, as well as in television and radio commercials. They also are available for personal appearances and public service announcements to promote the good causes lottery games support.

“We are extremely pleased to have secured this license, and to be able to give lotteries so many noteworthy options to promote games associated with it,” said Steve Saferin, President, Properties Group and Chief Creative Officer for Scientific Games.

“In addition to providing the biggest names in wrestling today, IMPACT WRESTLING is offering extraordinary marketing support and incredible prize opportunities. This gives lotteries a chance to reach and inspire wrestling fans – including the often elusive 18-34 age group – in very powerful ways.”

IMPACT WRESTLING President Dixie Carter stated, “Working with MDI provides a new marketing platform for IMPACT WRESTLING to connect with our fans through the state lottery programs. Our fans avidly invest in our superstars as they appear on SPIKE TV every Thursday and travel the country on the IMPACT WRESTLING LIVE WORLD TOUR.”

IMPACT WRESTLING will work with MDI and lotteries to create 2nd Chance prizes that can include merchandise and trips where winners will be treated to a live taping of the IMPACT WRESTLING television show, a backstage tour and a chance to meet wrestling talent. “IMPACT WRESTLING” is a weekly, two-hour show appearing during prime time on SPIKE TV.

A “Contract-for-a-Day” prize also can be created, in which the winner will be given the trip, plus an on-camera cameo role to be included in an IMPACT WRESTLING pay-per-view live show.

– Last Thursday’s Thanksgiving edition of Impact Wrestling averaged 1,353,000 over the course of two hours. This is down from 1,187,000 the week before, which drew a 1.07 cable rating. The final rating will be released later this week.

– Hulk Hogan is looking forward to Thursday’s live Impact Wrestling broadcast. He tweeted on Monday night:

Great night with the first lazy home night in a long time, really looking foward to IMPACT Thursday with the best talent in the business. HH

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) November 27, 2012

He then wrote this morning:

Woke up this morning hoping it was Thursday so I could be at work at IMPACT,it's really weird when this business is really in your blood. HH

— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) November 27, 2012

As noted earlier, WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart recently spoke to Canada’s CTVNews to hype the new WWE ’13 video game. You can read Hart’s quotes comparing today’s current generation to the main eventers of the 1980’s at our earlier report here.

Hart also spoke about the Attitude Era bringing about the evolution of Steve Austin and the Undertaker’s characters – and what it was like during the mid 1990’s when WWE transitioned from pushing one-dimensional bodybuilders like Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior to technical masters like him and Shawn Michaels.

Wrestling Evolving From Bodybuilders To Technicians:“I don’t want to rag too much on Hulk Hogan but he’s pretty one-dimensional,” said Hart. “Very big guy. The great, magnificent body that he had — the 22-inch arms and all that kind of stuff. But after a while, after (The Ultimate) Warrior came, it was like, ‘Enough of the body-building, let’s go on with who can actually do a drop-kick and who can actually climb up on top and do stuff.’

“I think the wrestling really did change from these sort of dinosaurs to the guys who were really picking it up and doing the moves.”

Undertaker’s Evolution: “Whereas in the beginning, he was kind of like Frankenstein, kind of moving around slow and ponderous in the ring, and was very methodical. But times changed and by the mid-90s, Undertaker had revamped his whole character.”

Steve Austin’s Evolution: “I like to think I was carrying the flag for the whole company, where it wasn’t about the wrestlers being cartoon characters,” said Hart. “It was about the wrestlers being committed stars that were trying to get to the top.”

– The Yahoo! OMG! gossip blog has joined Lindsay Lohan, Donald Trump, Arhnold Schwarzenegger and Chris Brown as one of their biggest “Celebrity Turkeys” of 2012. To see a slideshow of this year’s Celebrity Turkeys, visit omg.yahoo.com.

– Aces & Eights member Devon still has not had his profile added back to the TNA website. That said, Ric Flair’s profile still remains up and he’s been gone from the company for weeks.

– Here’s the TNA Impact Wrestling post show from Thursday night:

“Jeremy Borash and Todd Keneley wrap up the Thanksgiving Edition of Open Fight Night on IMPACT WRESTLING. Keneley gets some insight from Christian York about his choice to call out the World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy. Borash interviews Taryn Terrell about Taeler Hendrix’s bold move calling out the Knockouts Champ, Tara, for Open Fight Night. Watch IMPACT WRESTLING every Thursday night at 8/7c on Spike TV”

– John Cena announced on Twitter that he will debut new attire tonight at Survivor Series.

“Excited for tonight! Yes #survivorseries will be a challenge but debuting a new uni tonight for @WWE enjoy!” he wrote.

– This week on WWE’s Are You Serious?, Road Dogg and Josh Mathews share some classic clips that may have you scratching your head, including video of Hulk Hogan debuting the “fist helmet” and the Gobbledy Gooker.

– Mick Foley appears at Barnes & Noble 3748 82nd St. Indianapolis, Indiana, today beginning at 1:00 p.m. as he signs his copies of his new holiday children’s book, “A Most Mizerable Christmas.” Call 317-594-7525 for more information.

– The official WWE website has published an article ranking the 15 greatest ring entrances in sports-entertainment history.

“What’s more impressive, pulling up in an expensive sports car or walking through hellfire?” WWE states. “A calm walk through darkness or a mad dash to the ring?”

The list ranks 15. Ultimate Warrior, 14. Goldust, 13. Alberto Del Rio, 12. Glacier, 11. The Sandman, 10. The Rock, 9. Rey Mysterio, 8. Gangrel, 7. Goldberg, 6. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, 5. Hulk Hogan, 4. Kane, 3. Chris Jericho, 2. Triple H, 1. The Undertaker.

– Matches taped Monday in Birmingham, England for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were Jimmy Uso vs. Jinder Mahal and Justin Gabriel vs. Tensai.

In a pre-taping dark match result, Tyson Kidd defeated Michael McGillicutty.

– WWE developmental Briley Pierce turned 28-years-old Sunday. He is the younger brother of WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler.

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV 8/7c – The Final Countdown to Turning Point

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV, featuring the final countdown to the “Turning Point” event! If you can’t watch IMPACT on Thursday, make sure to set your DVR to record all the action.

– In a huge match on the LIVE Thursday broadcast – and a preview of the #1 Contender’s Match at “Turning Point” – “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles vs. battle Bobby Roode on IMPACT!

– Just days before their main event Ladder Match at “Turning Point”, what will happen on IMPACT between World Heavyweight Champion “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy and his challenger Austin Aries? Don’t miss it!

– Did Christian York pass the TNA Gut Check? The judges will make their decision on York’s future on Thursday’s broadcast! Will he earn a spot on the TNA Wrestling roster?

– Plus, what will be the fallout after the latest member of The Aces & 8s was revealed? What’s next for the biker gang – and how will “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan react to the latest reveal? Tune in and find out!

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/8c – the final countdown to Turning Point!

(source: ImpactWrestling.com)

Inside The Ropes Radio with Hugo Savinovich
Show airs Thursday nights at 10:00 p.m.
Available at InsideTheRopes.podbean.com

Winning the WWF Title from Bob Backlund: That was the biggest day in my life. Bob Backlund was WWF Champion for six years. Nobody beat him. I was the first Iranian, Middle-Eastern guy to come there and I beat Backlund in the most famous arena in the world, Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Dropping the belt to Hulk Hogan: “I had so much heat because of the hostage situation going on. McMahon was worried about me. I was the first Iranian to be the champion, he was afraid about somebody hurting me. So I lost the belt to Hogan. It was again Madison Square Garden. I was part of the company, whatever he wanted me to do, I’d do it. I felt bad about it because I was a real wrestler and would’ve liked to stay champ, but Hogan had good charisma and he stole the show every night everywhere he went, so they had every right to have me drop the belt to Hogan.”

To hear the full chat where Sheik also talks about being trained by Verne Gagne, working as Col Mustafa and his unreleased autobiography with WWE, head over to http://www.facebook.com/theinsidenetwork

TMZ.com is reporting that Hulk Hogan has settled his lawsuit against Bubba the Love Sponge stemming from his recent sex tape scandal. While no financial terms of the settlement were made public, but Bubba released a letter of apology today, noting that he felt Hogan has nothing to do with the recording of the tape…

“It is my belief that Hulk is not involved, and has not ever been involved, in trying to release the video, or exploit it, or otherwise gain from the video’s release in any way.”

He also noted that he was, “committed to helping Hulk and his attorneys find whoever is responsible for the release of the tape.”

Hogan is still continuing on with his $100 million lawsuit against Gawker for publishing the tape. He is also seeking damages from Bubba’s ex-wife, heather Clem.

Here is the full letter of apology…

October 29,2012
Re: Public Apology to Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) and Retraction of Statements

After further investigation, I am now convinced that Hulk Hogan was unaware of the presence of the recording device in my bedroom. I am convinced he had no knowledge that he was being taped. Additionally, I am certain that he had no role in the release of the video.

It is my belief that Terry is not involved, and has not ever been involved, in trying to release the video, or exploit it, or otherwise gain from the video’s release in any way.

Regrettably, when Hulk filed the lawsuit against me, I instinctively went on the offensive. The things that I said about him and his children were not true. I was wrong and I am deeply sorry for my reaction, and for the additional pain that it caused Hulk and his children on top of the pain that they already were feeling from having learned that Terry was taped without his knowledge, and the public release of the video.

I am committed to helping Hulk and his attorneys find whoever is responsible for the release of the tape and holding them accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

* What’s Next For PUNK vs. RYBACK, New WWE Tag Team To Debut & More

– Former WWE talent Shawn Spears competed in a dark match following Thursday’s live Impact Wrestling episode, as he lost to Joey Ryan. Spears briefly competed on WWE’s ECW brand in 2008 as Gavin Spears.

In a match taped for an upcoming episode of TNA Xplosion, TNA World Tag Team Champions Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez faced Robbie E and Robbie T.

– European bookmaker Paddy Power have launched a new “Hulkamania” licensed online slot machine. Hulk Hogan had previously given his image to American land-based casinos but this marks Hogan’s first online casino venture. If you’re in a country where gambling is legal, you can check it out here here.

– Spike TV cameras were on hand for Wednesday night’s Ohio Valley Wrestling television taping in Louisville, Kentucky as footage of King Mo training and watch action from ringside was shot. The footage will air on an upcoming Spike TV special centered on the combatant.

A Florida court has denied Hulk Hogan’s attempt to get a restraining order against Gawker.com, the website that features footage from his sex tape. Had Hogan obtained a restraining order, Gawker would have been legally required to pull the video clip.

According to RadarOnline.com, Hogan filed for the restraining order on Monday at the Middle District of Florida Tampa Division courthouse, but it was denied without argument.

There will be a preliminary injunction hearing on November 8 where counsel for both sides will have a chance to make their arguments, but a RadarOnline source doesn’t expect Hogan will have much luck then either.

“You can’t expect the court to be very sympathetic to Hulk’s argument given the circumstances,” the source said.

ImpactWrestling.com has released the official preview for next week’s “Championship Thursday” edition of Impact Wrestling and it is noted that Rob Van Dam will defend the X Division Championship against Zema Ion in a Bound For Glory re-match.

IMPACT Preview: Championship Thursday Returns – Jeff Hardy Defends The World Title

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV as “Championship Thursday” returns and the road to the November “Turning Point” event continues! If you can’t watch on Thursday, make sure to set your DVR to record all the action.

– “Championship Thursday” is back, and the World Heavyweight
Championship will be on the line as new titleholder “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy defends the gold against an opponent to be select by “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan! The contenders that Hogan will pick from are: Mr. Anderson, James Storm, Bully Ray, and Kurt Angle

– What do The Aces & 8s and Devon have planned next after their assault last week? Can Hulk Hogan, Sting, Bully Ray and the TNA roster find a way to turn the tide against the biker gang? The war continues on Thursday’s broadcast on SpikeTV!

– In a “Bound For Glory” rematch, new Knockouts Champion Tara (with her Hollywood boyfriend Jessie Godderz) will defend the gold against Miss Tessmacher on Thursday’s broadcast

– Also as part of “Championship Thursday”, new X Division Champion Rob Van Dam will put his title on the line against former champ Zema Ion!

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/7c