– Ric Flair is said to be a strong supporter of Matt Morgan. Flair sees tremendous potential in Morgan and has been mentoring him behind the scenes at recent iMPACT! tapings.

– TNA president Dixie Carter is getting serious about protecting her talent from head injuries and recently spoke to former WWE star and concussion awareness champion Chris Nowinski. As part of this effort, TNA star Ken Anderson recently announced on Twitter that the company has banned unprotected chair shots to the head.

– To update the story of TNA’s Miss Tessmacher working at a Hooters restaurant in Houston, TX, the latest is that she did in fact work there – but it was only so she could enter a Hooters waitress bikini contest.

– The “Hulk Hogan & Friends” panel discussion that was scheduled for this week in Green Bay, Wisconsin has been rescheduled until January 21st, 2011. Among the Hogan friends who will be appearing are the Nasty Boys, Brutus Beefcake, Jimmy Hart, Greg Valentine, Jim Duggan and Koko B. Ware.

– Independent wrestler TJ Perkins will be getting a TNA tryout in January. He has worked for the company before, wrestling as the masked star “Puma” in the 2006 and 2008 World X Cup tournaments.

(Partial Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— Among those discussed this past week for induction into the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame were Bill Goldberg, Lex Luger and Ron Simmons.

Also under consideration for induction into the Hall is that of the Four Horsemen. Company officials would prefer to induct the group as opposed to solely Arn Anderson. However, the group’s induction will likely hinge on whether Ric Flair re-signs with TNA Wrestling once his current contract expires early next year.

WWE also has strong interest in inducting Sting into the Hall of Fame, though his availability hinges on whether he re-signs with TNA Wrestling for 2011.

— WWE creative plans to have Pee Wee Herman and Superstars participate in “Pee Wee’s Playhouse” backstage segments when the comedian hosts Monday Night Raw on Nov. 1 in Nashville, Tennessee.

— The Sept. 14 Friday Night SmackDown television taping at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan drew 5,059 patrons paying $201,690.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– TNA fans who attend the upcoming live event at the Oklahoma State Fair this Thursday will be treated to a special main event – with Kurt Angle facing Ric Flair. Other matches advertised include Samoa Joe vs. AJ Styles, Beer Money vs. Motor City Machineguns and Velvet Sky vs. Madison Rayne.

– Last Thursday’s episode of TNA iMPACT on Spike TV scored a 1.12 cable rating with 1,472,000 viewers. Reaction at 11pm scored an 0.71 rating with 939,000 viewers.

– TNA will be returning to The Asylum in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday, November 12th for a big “homecoming” live event.

– In a video he posted on YouTube over the weekend, TNA star Jeff Hardy commented on his brother Matt’s current situation and announced that he’s getting new entrance music, which will debut at TNA Bound For Glory. Check it out:

ESPN.com features a interview with TNA star Ric Flair from this week, it’s worth listening to:

Shane Douglas posted the following on his official website, FranchiseFanSite.com, calling out TNA for using his likeness to promote Hardcore Justice when he’s never agreed to appear. Douglas says he’s willing to appear on the show, but only if he gets a shot at Ric Flair, “face to face.”

Douglas and Flair have had bad blood for many years, dating back to the early days of ECW, when Douglas would cut very harsh promos about the Nature Boy, who was in WCW at the time. Flair has taken some cheap shots against Shane Douglas in recent interviews, bringing up the fact that he currently works at the retail store “Target.”

From The Franchise:

After seeing, the ECW promo piece put out by tna, and being deluged by texts & emails from friends AND fans, I felt, very strongly, that I should put out a clarification about that less-than-honest video from tna.

Firstly, MOST organizations would NOT wish to mislead any potential customer(s)! CLEARLY, this video intended to mislead wrestling fans, most certainly ECW fans! That said, I have to question tna’s motive(s) in placing ANY shot of me in their promotional pieces?! tna is overly aware that we have NOT come to terms for any participation by ECW’s centerpiece “Franchise” in “Hardcore Justice”!

So, either they are trying to deceive potential ppv buyers (namely ECW fans), or they must be willing to meet my only demand for the event- Dic Flair on a silver platter! This was the biggest angle, teased to our loyal fanbase, that never came “to a head” in ECW. Unless I’m missing the mark, I feel VERY STRONGLY that this IS a match our fanbase, and tna’s, would tune in to see. Too bad, thus far, tna seems to be following their now-tired trend of ignoring their fans’ desires!!!

I stand prepared to take part in the “final bow” of this great organization. I only demand that our fans get what they deserve- Dic Flair and The Franchise, face to face, for their enjoyment!

To be fair and certain, it would seem Dic would want the same thing, judging from his recent comments about me. SURELY, “the, ahem, man” isn’t afraid of a guy who “works retail”, right DIC?

Balls in your, and tna’s (Dixie?) court! What do you fans think? Or, more importantly, what do you fans want? Surely, the Carter’s want to aim to please… RIGHT?!

Not hiding behind someone’s blouse, are you, Dic?!?!
I’m waiting…

TNA star AJ Styles was recently interviewed by the Miami Herald and spoke about being mentored by “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

“As Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were coming in was around the time they were thinking of putting me with Ric Flair,” Styles said. “I was on board. To work with the Nature Boy Ric Flair, it would be stupid not to take that chance.

Styles has improved his game in many ways since working with Flair, most notably his work on the mic. “My confidence in cutting promos is far better than it used to be,” he said.  . “Getting the opportunity to study from Ric Flair and get his input means the world to me.  I’ve met him before, and he was always a nice guy. He was unbelievably nice. He is an icon. I thought how he can be so nice and humble. It’s who he is. He is a good guy, in spite of the rumors you may have heard.”

While working with Flair has been a dream come true for him, it has led many to criticize him, calling him a “Ric Flair wannabe.” Styles responds to those claims, saying, “I would say when you are being mentored by someone or around friends who talk a certain way or act a certain way, you tend to act like those friends and talk like those friends. It’s kind of the same thing. I’m not Ric Flair. Ric Flair and I, our move set is not the same. I may throw in a figure four or a chop. Other than that, I would not say I’m being like Ric Flair. If they are complaining about that, I would say how can you complain about someone trying to be like Ric Flair? As long as they’re entertained, then I’m going to keep doing it. If they are not, I’ll find out sooner or later.'”

As for the new “Fortune” stable led by Ric Flair, Styles says, “I think they are going with it. I think it would be a great tag team and a great storyline.”

Ric Flair was recently interviewed by Sport.co.uk to promote TNA’s tour of the UK in January 2011. Flair spoke about a number of topics, including his turbulent relationships with Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart. Here are some highlights of what Flair said about:

His Relationship With Bret Hart: “I haven’t seen him or talked to him, but that’s not my problem. I’m not mad at Bret, I just said what I thought. I thought that the tragedy of Owen Hart was completely different to what happened in Montreal. When the two became intertwined again, I thought that was in really poor taste. What happened to Owen Hart was a tragic accident and no one’s fault, but once again the first thing that came up again was Montreal. What happened in Kansas City with Owen has nothing to do with Montreal, but it just rolled into the whole thing again. That’s what I said that made Bret mad.

I thought the focus should have been on Owen, not go back and talk about Montreal but that’s what surfaced again, as fast as the Kansas City thing happened. Everybody knows that I just wasn’t afraid to say anything about it. How could he get mad at Vince McMahon? Nobody made Owen go up there, he wanted to do it. It was a tragic, tragic moment and someone’s life was lost, but it certainly wasn’t because Vince McMahon made him go up there and jump, and it had nothing to do with Montreal.”

His Relationship With Hulk Hogan: “It’s good. We agree to disagree, that is all we’ll ever be. It is all business. It has always been magic, there is always going to be interest. If he could wrestle right now it would be limitless what we could do. Until he resolves his health issues we can’t, it is definitely in his heart to wrestle, but he just physically is hurting really bad right now. Hopefully surgery can fix that over the next few months. He would definitely love to be in the ring every night.”

What’s Left For Him To Achieve in Wrestling: “I don’t think there is anything left for me to achieve, it is just up to me to maintain that high level of work rate. I’m back in that role now where people expect me to work hard and stay in great physical shape. You never know when you’re going to have do something in the ring. I’m tired of working out every day, that is a true story, I’m tired of it, but I will keep doing it because I am motivated and there will be a day where I won’t be able to wrestle again. I love it though, it is the most fun I have had in years.”

Warning: The following contains *Spoilers* for Thursday’s TNA iMAPCT!

At Monday night’s TNA iMPACT! tapings (set to air Thursday night on Spike), Ric Flair announced that he was reforming the Four Horsement in TNA, except the new group would be known as “Fortune.” The group consists of AJ Styles, Desmond Wolfe, Kazarian and Beer Money.

During the show, Flair has a confrontation with Jay Lethal, who came out dressed like Flair and acting like Flair (maybe they’ll him Black Nature?).

After Lethal wrestles Desmond Wolfe later in the show, Ric Flair comes out and helps Wolfe attack Lethal. Hulk Hogan comes out and asks Ric Flair to reveal his big announcement. Flair says he’s coming out of retirement once again – and will be wrestling Jay Lethal at TNA Victory Road on July 11th.

So there you have it, Ric Flair back in the ring once again next month.

– The creative team in TNA has been told to make sure Hulk Hogan appears on every episode of Impact, even if its just for a moment. Others in the company feel that Hogan should be used more sparingly, so his appearances have more of an impact.

– Ric Flair’s TNA contract was for 52 dates over a one-year period. Since he has appeared on virtually all of TNA’s television and pay-per-view events, the comany will likely have to sign him to a new contract soon. One bargaining chip for TNA in the negotiations is their ability to bring in Ric Flair’s son, Reid.

– TNA President Dixie Carter posted a comment on Twitter that TNA has a “nice surprise” for fans at Sunday’s TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view. We haven’t heard anything yet about what the surprise may be, but TNA has built a nice track record of delivering on their surprises and “major announcements” – so this could get interesting.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— Contrary to reports stating Maria Kanellis has been negotiating with TNA Wrestling officials, the former WWE Diva said in a recently filmed “shoot” interview with Highspots.tv that while she has received overtures from people affiliated with the organization, she has not had any official conversation or offer. As stated in previous interviews, she has not, however, ruled out joining the promotion in the future.

— A number of wrestlers have been complaining as of late over the company’s decision to prominently feature Rob Terry, as well as Jesse Neal and newcomer Rosie Lottalove, on television. Many in the locker room feel the Team 3D Wrestling Academy students are not ready to be featured on national television and should still training.

— Ashley Fliehr, daughter of Ric Flair, married long-time boyfriend Riki Johnson this past Sunday. His older daughter Megan married for a second time several weeks ago. Flair left for the UK directly after Ashley’s wedding to promote TNA’s upcoming tour there.

— According to Ric Flair, TNA Wrestling has signed his son Reid.

The WWE Hall of Famer is currently in the midst of a media tour helping promote TNA’s tour of the United Kingdom beginning in January 2011. During an interview promoting the tour, Flair said TNA signed his son to a contract.

The 22-year-old’s wrestling career has been sidetracked by trouble with the law. On March 4, 2009, he was arrested for driving while impaired in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, but released after posting $1,000 in bail. He was arrested again on April 26, 2009. After crashing his car, police found black tar heroin inside it, resulting in felony charges. He was also charged with driving while impaired, driving with a revoked license, and possession of drug paraphernalia, but was released after posting $15,000 in bail.

— Hulk Hogan is listed as the No. 2 trending topic tonight on Yahoo.com. Meanwhile, actor Gary Coleman, who passed away today after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage, was briefly listed at No. 9 but has since fallen out of the top search list.

— TNA has added Roxxi to its roster page.

– Ric Flair spoke to the UK’s Daily Mirror this week to hype TNA’s Maximum iMPACT! III tour of the UK in January. In part 1 of a video interview conducted with Flair, he says he will wrestle on the tour and will remain and on-air character with TNA as long as he remains healthy. He also says he’s currently the happiest he’s been since 1986 – because TNA “lets him be Ric Flair,” something he couldn’t do in WWE. Flair says Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are with TNA for the long haul and makes the bold claim that TNA will have “as much awareness as” WWE in six months time.

To watch Part 1 of the Daily Mirror’s interview with Flair, click here.

– After Booker T made a surprise appearance at last weekend’s TNA live event from Houston, Texas, the company issued the following statement to PWInsider.com clarifying that it was a one-time deal:

“Booker T is not affiliated with TNA Wrestling at this time. However, due to a mechanical issue, AJ Styles was unable to fly in for the TNA live event, and Booker made a surprise appearance in his place. TNA prides itself on creating the best live events in professional wrestling, and you never know what can happen when you attend TNA Live.”

The legendary Ric Flair was recently interviewed by the UK’s DigitalSpy.com to hype TNA’s Maximum iMPACT! 3 UK tour in January. Here are some highlights of what the Nature Boy said about:

Working for TNA: “I love it, it’s fantastic. The fact they are working so hard to enhance their brand and become competitive with other sports entertainment companies is huge. They have the money behind them and they have a tremendous boss in Dixie Carter. She is awesome to work for and – unlike most promoters – she is sympathetic in a very unsympathetic business!”

The Internet: “I can’t even turn a computer on and if I could I wouldn’t pay any attention to it anyway! It’s not that I don’t respect the fans, but it’s just what can a wrestling fan tell me about wrestling? One of the problems with the young guys is they are more concerned with what the fans think about them than what they are achieving as individuals and what their boss thinks of them. But that’s normal with young guys and I get it but it’s nothing that will ever affect my role or thought process about myself. I know when I am in the ring when I am good and on, and when I leave the building if I was good and on. And 99 percent of the time I was on or I wouldn’t be here today!”

Retiring Again: “I don’t even think like that. I have already had one retirement. I’ll never retire again. I’ll just walk away. Or fall off the top rope and turn to ash or dust! I’ll just crumble and they will sweep me into a waste basket and I’ll be gone!”

Does He Miss WWE?: “I have friends I miss but I have made new friends here. I don’t dwell on the past ever. I’ll always have those guys for friends and we’ll always respect each other, but it’s like anything else, when you go home you go home. I don’t watch myself on TV. I go home and relax and enjoy my wife, my kids, and I have some grandchildren I love playing with. I’m in a good place and I do what I love doing.”

As reported yesterday, reaction to Orlando Jordan’s segment on Monday’s iMPACT! was largely negative amongst the wrestlers in the locker room. Ric Flair was said to be among the most vocal detractors of the segment when it was taped on Mar. 23.

Later that night, a number of wrestlers and personnel headed out a nearby bar. Flair had a few drinks and began complaining about the manner in which Jordan’s on-air male companion was dancing on the bar’s dance floor and added there’s no place for him in the locker room. He eventually got so worked up that he angrily approached the male companion and created a scene.

One wrestler said Flair “cut a Ric Flair promo on him.” He then told him he’s “an embarrassment” and demanded that he “sit the f— down.”

The male companion was said to be shaken by the wrestling legend’s comments and left the bar shortly thereafter.

(Credit to the PWTorch Newsletter for some of the information used in this report)

Ric Flair angrily confronted the on-air male companion of Orlando Jordan at a bar that a number of wrestlers and personnel hung out at following the Mar. 23 iMPACT! taping.

Flair reportedly got very upset watching the male companion dance at the bar and decided to confront him. Jordan’s male companion was said to be shaken by the wrestling legend’s comments and left the bar shortly thereafter.

Furthermore, Flair was said to be fuming over the young male having a role in the company as he feels he does not belong in the locker room.

source: prowrestling.net

— In an interview with Kevin Eck of The Baltimore Sun, Shawn Michaels gives his feelings on Ric Flair continuing to wrestle despite losing a “career threatening” match against him two years ago at WrestleMania. HBK notes that Flair called him when he was going to sign with TNA to ask him if he was okay with it.

“He did call me. He called me once to let me know he was going to do the [Hulk] Hogan match in Australia. He wanted to know if it was OK and I of course told him that it was. Then he called me again when he was going to sign with TNA and asked the same thing. There’s nothing you can say. I certainly don’t have what it takes to look at somebody and say, “Don’t go make a living.” I told him that, for me, nothing can take away that special moment. It will still always be to me that I had Ric Flair’s last match. I tried to do the best job I could for him. I think it was a special moment. Anything after that [pauses]. I feel for him, but I’m certainly not angry or disappointed or anything. I would like to think that Ric probably would have liked that to have been his last match, too. The fact that it couldn’t be, I understand. Those are circumstances that I certainly can’t control.

“One of the things you have to understand is that if you’re going to be a friend of Ric’s, you sort of know that there’s some baggage that comes along with that. Certainly the older I get the more I’m learning about conditional situations, and the difference between that and unconditional — unconditional friendship, unconditional love. All those types of things we can talk about but it’s a whole other thing to put them into action. I do my best to put them into action. I want what’s best for Ric, even if Ric might not always be aware of what that is, I still want that for him. Nothing will take away from that moment. It’s sill truly special. I still wear my watch every day, so it’s still something I’m really proud of.”

Among the other topics discussed were whether he is ready to legitimately walk away from the business, what his backstage meeting with Bret Hart in January was like, his match with Undertaker last year at WrestleMania, and more. To read the interview in its entirety, click here.

— Due to the final game of the NCAA basketball tournament, The Score in Canada will not air Monday Night Raw at 9:15 PM (ET) on April 5th, 2010. Raw will be shown at midnight (ET) instead. This means that TNA iMPACT! on Spike TV is going unopposed in Canada that night. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

— In the following video, Dolph Ziggler says he’s confident about his chances in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match tonight at WrestleMania.

– Ric Flair’s son Reid is expected to be backstage a few upcoming TNA iMPACT shows. It’s unknown if he will be brought in as a wrestler or if he’s just coming in for training.

– Speaking of Ric Flair, he’s been telling people that he’s having more fun working in TNA than he has had in years because he loves playing a heel. Flair still thinks he has one big match left in him and the opponent he’s mentioned is Kurt Angle.

– TNA has cut back on scripting promos for their top stars like Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Ken Anderson in recent weeks. These guys have been given bullet points, but not long written-out scripts.

– Hulk Hogan’s back  was in a lot of pain after last week’s TNA iMPACT tapings. At this time, there are no immediate plans for Hogan to wrestle again.

(Credit to the The Wrestling Observer Newsletter for some of the info used in this report)

Ric Flir's wife after she was arrested on February 21st

TMZ.com has obtained the 911 call made the night Ric Flair’s wife allegedly assaulted him on February 21 — a call that was made by the daughter of Flair’s wife.

During the call, Jacqueline Beems’ daughter says her mother and Ric “were both drunk” and punching each other at their home in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Beems’ daughter says Ric was bleeding from his forehead and needed medical assistance. She asked that the 911 operator send police to the home to help put an end to the violent altercation.

Beems was arrested that night and charged with assault.

Click Here to Hear the 911 Call from TMZ.com (MP3)

– As announced on last night’s TNA iMPACT!, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair will come out of retirement on March 8th in a tag match that will see the two legends on opposite sides of the ring. Hulk Hogan will team with Abyss against Ric Flair and TNA champion AJ Styles.

– Despite the fact that he’s one of the biggest names that TNA has access to, one big name that’s been conspicuously absent in recent weeks is Sting.  The company knows that he’s not interested in being too involved in the product these days and his name isn’t mentioned too often by TNA officials.

– With the dust starting to settle from Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff’s arrival in TNA, the backstage atmosphere at the most recent iMPACT tapings was said to be very relaxed at the most recent TNA iMAPCT! tapigns in Orlando. Hogan and Bischoff seemed more down to earth and comfortable when working with the TNA talent. Some credit the improvement in backstage morale to Dixie Carter constantly telling people she wants to keep TNA a positive, fun work environment.

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

A representative of Ric Flair issued the following statement to TMZ.com in regards to Flair’s wife being arrested last night:

“Ric and his wife had an unfortunate disagreement late last night, which led to his wife being arrested and charged with assault. Ric has done nothing wrong.”

As previously reported, Flair and his wife Jacqueline had a domestic dispute on Sunday night after arriving home from dinner. Flair suffered minor injuries and Jackqueline was arrested and charged with allegedly assaulting Flair with “personal weapons” such as hands, feet, and teeth.

Related News: Ric Flair’s Wife Arrested For Domestic Assault (MUGSHOT)

Ric Flair’s wife Jacqueline Beems has been released from jail, according to North Carolina’s WISTV.com.

The article states that TNA star Ric Flair suffered minor injuries when he was allegedly assaulted by Beems late Sunday night at his home in Charlotte, N.C.

Beems was charged with assault using “personal weapons such as hands, feet, and teeth.”

The arrest warrant from the incident is available online and can be viewed here (PDF format).

* MUGSHOT Picture of RIC FLAIR’s Wife After Being Arrested Last Night

Mugshot picture of Ric Flair's wife, courtesy of TMZ.com.

What would the week be without another arrest from the wrestling world?

TMZ.com reports that Jacqueline Beems, the new wife of Ric Flair, was arrested on Sunday night after allegedly assaulting her husband in a domestic incident.

Police were called to their home in Charlotte, North Carolina at about 11:40PM Sunday night.

The police report says that Flair suffered minor injuries but declined medical treatment. Beems was taken into custody.

No weapons were used, according to reports. Here’s the mugshot from TMZ:

Ric Flair and TNA Champ AJ Styles

The one and only Ric Flair was a guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show this week. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Flair said about:

His experience in TNA thus far: “When you said I was having more fun, that is a true statement. When I’m having fun, I’m better at this business than anybody actively in this business today, and I’m having a lot of fun. With me, I’ve had a phenomenal career, I never took the business seriously until about 1989 or 1990, and even then I was having fun, but it got to be business, and I didn’t understand that.”

“I’m having a ball with TNA, and I was a little hesitant, not because of anyone from TNA, I think Dixie Carter is phenomenal…it was leaving home again. After all those years with WCW to go the WWE, it was just hard because I spent 25 years of my life waving the banner of the NWA/WCW, and it was a difficult decision to make. But I’m having a ball, I love the people I work with, I love the role I have, and I really like this thing with AJ and I, and I think it’s gonna’ be a really big factor professional wrestling business.”

AJ Styles’ Potential: “It’s funny, because I think he’s gonna’ be a phenomenal champion, but no one person in this day and age can take a company to the next level. It takes a bunch of people…and not just the people in the ring. It takes people on the Creative Team, it takes the ownership group. It’s just so many equations that fit into that word next level. Certainly AJ will fulfill everything they ask of him and be a huge part of their success, but I don’t wanna’ say that AJ can turn the company around by himself. With me with him, it’s almost a done deal.”

Coming Out of Retirement & TNA Holding Him Back: “When Hulk called me about Australia, I thought ‘why not man?’ I feel good. I’m not hurtin’, I feel like a million bucks, I work out everyday. I’ve got too much energy to be sitting around at home…Ask my wife? Way too much energy…But I felt great so when the opportunity came around, I kinda’ just went ‘Let’s do it.’ And then from there, it evolved to this, but my legacy (after meeting Dixie Carter and being there for two tapings), will be enhanced by being there, and I’ll guarantee you that. And if I haven’t shown you guys that in the last couple of weeks, something’s wrong, because I’m juts getting going. They still got me on a muzzle up there, but when I get going and when they turn me loose in TNA, then we’ll really get going.”

Whether He’d Be a Booker In TNA: “I have no interest in being part of any of the storylines or creative. If they ask me a question, I’m gonna’ give them an straight answer, because I know a straight answer would be perceived as something I really feel. I don’t get involved in anyone else’s business. I’m there primarily the role is with AJ, to make our part of the show the very best it can be, and he and I will compete together against everyone else on that show…That’s how I live my whole life.”

— Former WWE wrestler Johnny Stamboli, who wrestled as Rellik during his previous stint in TNA, inquired about returning to the organization as part of a tag team with Chuck Palumbo, but company officials were said to not be interested. Alongside Nunzio, Stamboli and Palumbo worked together as a tag team in World Wrestling Entertainment as “The F.B.I.” — Full Blooded Italians. The partnership ended when both Stamboli and Palumbo were released from their WWE contracts on November 4, 2004.

— Regarding Scott Steiner’s departure from TNA Wrestling this past week, his contract expired and he wasn’t offered a new contract. He is now accepting independent bookings through wrestling representative Bill Behrens and is also available for teaming with his brother, Rick Steiner, as the Steiner Brothers. Those interesting in booking “Big Poppa Pump” can contact Behrens at showbis@aol.com.

— Ric Flair is looking to open a gym and wrestling school in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. He owned several Gold’s Gyms years ago, and when he sold them, he had a non-compete clause which ran out at the end of last year.

(credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch and Wrestling Observer for the information used in this report)

– Eric Bischoff is still intent on bringing Jim Ross into TNA as an announcer. After many months of speculation as to what he’d do when his WWE contract expired, Ross signed a short-term extension back in December and is expected to be with WWE through mid-2010. That said, the face of the pro wrestling industry is sure to change this year, with TNA likely going to Monday nights at some point, so who knows what the future holds.

– As we’ve seen in recent weeks on iMPACT!, Nature Boy Ric Flair has taken TNA Champion AJ Styles under his wing.  The basis for the storyline is that Ric Flair is the consummate World Champion. AJ Styles is a master in his own right inside the ropes, but Flair will teach Styles how to be a World Champion outside the ring – the women, the limousines, etc. TNA wants AJ Styles to be the kind of guy that stands out in a crowd, which is why they’ve been suggesting for him to bleach his hair blond.

Update: During a surprise appearance on RVD Radio on Wednesday night, Hulk Hogan talked about AJ Styles and said he’s got big plans for Styles’ character. Hogan said he can’t even reveal the “new name” for Styles’ character, but the TNA champm is going through a transformation right now that will unfold in the coming weeks. (RVD Radio Recap)

– When Rob Terry won the TNA Global Title on January 27th at a TNA live event in Cardiff, Wales, he was not told about the title change until the day of the show. Terry played the role of the local babyface and as noted before, his family were in attendance with TNA camera crews filming everything.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)