– Booker T has been confirmed as a trainer for WWE’s new Tough Enough show.

– During an interview with ClubWWI.com, former WWE manager Paul Bearer revealed that he was in talks with TNA about managing Abyss before the character debuted, but Bearer’s health issues during the mid 2000’s prevented it from happening.

– Former WWE star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman was at last night’s Florida Championship Wrestling’s event in Tampa. FL.

– Dolph Ziggler will be appearing at an upcoming wrestling meet for Kent State University when they take on Ohio University on 2/11. Ziggler, who was a very accomplished amateur wrestler at Kent State, will doing a photo and autograph session after the meet.

(Source: pwinsider.com)

Former WWE talent Sean Waltman (a/k/a X-Pac) discussed reaching rock bottom when he attempted to commit suicide in his hotel apartment in Mexico City.

“I was in Mexico for three years. When I was there, things got really bad,” Waltman recalled to the Miami Herald.

“I got in a heated argument that turned into physicality with my girlfriend [Alicia Webb]. I ended up striking her back. I always told myself that I would die before I would hit a woman. So when I did that, I was overcome with guilt and shame. I had no tools to handle it. The only thing I could think of was take a whole bottle of Valium or what was left of the bottle. It was probably around 400 milligrams of Valium.

“I hung myself from the roof of my apartment. It was the darkest moment of my life, or one of them, to get me to do that. It was a lot of build up that I didn’t know how to deal with.”

Webb, known to wrestling fans as Ryan Shamrock during her time in WWE in 1999, found him.

“I was dead,” said Waltman.

“She got me down, which I don’t know how she did it. She is like superwoman. I swear. She did CPR and all that. She kept me alive for 45 minutes until the ambulance arrived. Then I was really on life support for three days.

Kevin Nash was there by his side the next day and helped check him into The Menninger Clinic in Houston, Texas, a leading psychiatric hospital. He stayed there for four months, where he conducted some much needed soul searching.

Waltman also discussed his last stint with TNA Wrestling, noting that the main reason he is no longer with the company is because he contracted Hepatitis C. Certain athletic commissions prohibit him from wrestling. He said he would return to the organization, but strictly for a paycheck.

“Then try to last as long as I could before I go %$#$ing crazy because their writing sucks so bad,” Waltman said.

“I was on my show, and somebody was talking about it. I told them they dip their pen in $%^& before they write their shows. I have a relationship that is deeper than wrestling in WWE. Honestly, TNA it would strictly be for the paycheck. I really don’t feel any emotional equity with those people at this point.”

The outspoken wrestler feels that for the organization to succeed, they need to get rid of Vince Russo as a writer.

“I like Vince Russo the person. I love him as a human being. Supposedly to my face, he likes me, too, but they don’t want me there because I’m always saying something sucks when it’s the #$%^. They would rather bury their head in the sand than do something correct or listen to somebody else’s input. Everyone is so defensive there. To me, I don’t care whose idea it is. If it’s a good idea, then lets do it. I don’t care who gets credit for it…”

The former member of the New World Order and D-Generation X also gave his take on WWE’s The Nexus faction. He feels the group is more similar to the nWo than DX.

“There would be no DX, if it wasn’t for the nWo, in my opinion. It closely resembles the nWo stuff with the mob mentality and the simple looking logo on the shirt. It’s kind of like let’s make it look less like nWo while copying it completely.

“I like Wade Barrett a lot. I think he has tons of potential. Just to put a guy like that, who is unproven or have any emotional equity with the fans as heel or babyface, it’s hard. It was an effective angle, and they are still getting mileage from it.

“They had to resort to that as a result of having a shallow roster. The people bought into it to a certain extent, but there was never a revelation that was a bigger mastermind until the CM Punk thing. That’s better to me, and I see it going in a different direction. I’m not sure if I like it much with all the initiation stuff and guys getting beaten up in the ring. I never liked that. In real life, especially in a street gang, who would do that? Nobody.

“I hated it in the nWo. They only did it in WWE really. They didn’t really do it much when we were in WCW. We didn’t beat our own guys up. It’s retarded. Sorry. Now they have this Mason Ryan guy. I hated that. That’s the writers.”

The entire interview can be read here.

After it was announced that Shawn Michaels will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 2nd, longtime friend Sean “X-Pac” Waltman wrote the following on Twitter.com/TheRealXPac:

“I have no words right now to describe how happy I am for Shawn,” Waltman wrote.

“No one deserves it more. I will be there to see him inducted if I have to f—ing hitchhike to get there… I would love for the Wolfpac to be in attendance that night. I’m trying to think of the last time The Kliq were all together. 2002?”

• Keep Reading: HBK Comments On HOF Induction

— As we saw on Monday’s RAW and Tuesday’s live SmackDown, WWE has begun a new feud between John Cena and CM Punk. Original creative plans called for the Cena/Punk angle that kicked off on last night’s Raw to begin next month, but was bumped forward because the “Straight Edge” wrestler returns to action this weekend. The current plan is for the feud to continue through the Royal Rumble, with CM Punk getting the best of Cena, with the feud culminating at WrestleMania XXVII in April.

— Former WWE star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman commented last night during Raw that Michael Cole’s heelish persona isn’t really an act. He wrote on Twitter:

“Cole was such a whiney, smug, aloof person when I was there. I can only imagine how he is now.”

— Former WWE Diva Savannah is accepting appearance bookings and inquiries via angelafongdirect@gmail.com.

(source: f4wonline.com)

Former WWE and TNA star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman went on Twitter this week and ranted about a number of topics, including why he wasn’t contacted to appear at “Old School” RAW, WWE’s Wellness policy, his release from TNA and more.

Here are some highlights of what Waltman wrote on Twitter.com/therealxpac:

Not Being Contacted To Appear On “Old School” RAW:

“I dont know why I wasnt at Old School Raw. Maybe everyone should call them and ask them. (203) 352 8600. they are going to kill me for that. Dont tell them I told you to call though:) Not that they wont find out anyway, with all the wwe undercover operatives scanning twitterverse. Maybe I just slipped their mind. If u listen to their version of history, i barely existed.”

Waltman has been outspoken about WWE’s PG product and suspects that his comments may have put him on bad terms with the company. He tweeted:

“F— em if they cant take a joke. 4 f— sakes, the election is over. Enough with the PG bulls— Vince. I love you Boss, but come on.”

“Trust me, Im not trying to get a job. Im doing fine & having fun. I just like to play harmless ribs. Someone’s gonna be pissed though. lol!”

WWE’s Wellness Policy & Whether He’d Quit Weed To Get A Job With WWE:

“No. I wouldnt. Thats my own choice & even Vince doesnt want to stop the boys from smoking weed. Its a bs policy.”

“As long as there testing for marijuana, which is totally retarded, I will not pass their drug test. They will drop the pot thing. watch”

“Drop the marijuana policy. The IOC doesnt even ban it, except during competition. F— it, While your at it, lay off the steroid policy too. People want to see guys with great bodies & the boys want to take it.”

“Now the ban on somas & the whole wellness policy in general is great. That would give WWE an idea if anyone’s health is affected.”

His Release From TNA:

“Everyone ask Dixie Carter why TNA chose to announce I no showed Lockdown when they knew my situation over 1 wk prior.”

“Also ask Dixie Carter why she told me we would get through this together & then I received a an e mail saying weve got nothing for you.”And even though they could really use me. Im not looking for a job there either. TNA that is. Dixie Carter is a good woman however.”

“TNA did not f— me at all. Just shoot strait with me. Too many people there who feel threatened by me, behind the scenes.”

“But I was part of the reason Konnan won his lawsuit vs TNA for racial descrimination. Im surprised they brought me back anyway. Some people in TNA were wrong & they were guilty. I witnessed it & had the balls not to remain silent. I get the reason they dont want me..”

Former WWE & TNA star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman went on Twitter yesterday and said he’s working on getting a DX reunion together. Waltman wrote:

“Im working on getting a tour of Europe w/a DX Reunion of Myself & The New Age Outlaws. Any reputable promoters interested, FB mesg me.”

When asked by a Twitter follower how he’d be able to promote a DX reunion when WWE owns the rights to the DX trademarks, Waltman replied:

“Well …..Who cares? There would have no longer been a DX when Shawn quit after losing to Austin. We were the real degenerates.”

Later, he spoke about the most recent incarnation of DX (Shawn Michaels, Triple H and all that bad comedy):

“Everyone already had that watered down version of a dx reunion. Not HHH & Shawns fault though .. I just mean that the content was watered down because of the whole PG thing. No disrespect. I love them both dearly.”

Former WWE & TNA star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman, who was arrested on Sunday at a New Jersey’s Newark airport after trying to sneak a marijuana joint onto a flight, posted a few messages on Twitter.com/TheRealXPac this week.

Waltman says his Sunday arrest wasn’t the only bad thing he experienced over the weekend, criticizes websites that reported he was “arrested 4 drugs” (he was) and asks his Twitter followers to hook him up with some weed:

“Some c— stole my wallet with 1500.00 in it & my id. Got arrested for possession of half a joint’s worth of weed. Still in NY 4 some biz.”

“Im in NY area with no weed 2 smoke. Cops took it. Anyone in the area want to hook a brother up?”

“i love the websites that say i was arrested 4 drugs. like they dont know it was just weed. I didnt have an 8 ball 4 f—’s sake. 1/2 a joint”

Waltman also tweeted that he visited WWE’s developmental territory FCW last Thursday.

— TMZ.com confirmed an earlier report of former WWE performer Sean Waltman being arrested Sunday at Newark Liberty International Airport on a drug possession charge.

The story notes that Waltman showed up at the airport after appearing at a fan convention the day before and claimed that he didn’t have an ID because he was robbed at a party. When police searched him due to his lack of ID, they found a rolled marijuana cigarette.

He was released Sunday night.

— Former WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus will be taking part in an autograph signing tour dubbed ‘The Stratusphere Tour’ in October at various locations on the East Coast.

“Since I retired in 2006, I have been so tied up with projects and opening my business that I haven’t had the opportunity to do many autograph signings – not to mention the fact that the majority of my stuff has been in Canada!” said Stratus, “I jumped at the chance to not only tour the East Coast but to work with Sam again, who always puts on a top notch event. Who knows, this could be the start of a stratusfying world tour!”

For the list of dates and more details, click here.

— Former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler will guest star on an episode of Blue Mountain State. The second season of the program premieres next month on Spike TV.

— Former WWE performer Sean Waltman was arrested and charged with drug possession on Sunday at the Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, reports the Wrestling Globe Newsletter. Airport officials processed him before eventually releasing him without bail.

— The Fassbender Funeral Home in Marquette, Michigan is holding a funeral service today for former WWE performer Mike Shaw (a/k/a Bastion Booger), who died Saturday at his home in Skandia at the age of 53. A cause of death was not given by the funeral home. (Article link)

— Former WWE Diva Dawn Marie was being followed by a film crew at Saturday’s Wrestling Reunion event in Rahway, New Jersey, reports pwinsider.com. It is said that she plans to pitch a reality show to the TLC cable network.

— In addition to Homicide, it would appear that both Tomko and Rosie Lottalove have parted ways with TNA Wrestling as their respective profiles were removed from the company website’s roster page Thursday. All three were sparingly used in recent months.

In Homicide’s case, he noted on his social networking accounts earlier in the day that he had parted ways with the organization. Meanwhile, Lottalove’s photo gallery was removed from the Knockouts media section.

Scott Hall, Sean Waltman, Daniels and ODB were also removed from the page, though their respective TNA departures were noted months ago.

— It was announced during this week’s episode of TNA ReACTION that Samoa Joe would be returning to iMPACT! on next week’s show. The program’s narrator teased: “Where will Samoa Joe stand when he makes his return to iMPACT! next week?”

The former TNA World Heavyweight Champion was reportedly suspended last month due to breach of etiquette.

— Sean Waltman said during an in-studio interview with The Cowhead Show on Thursday that he missed last month’s Lockdown pay-per-view because he tested positive for Hepatitis C. He also said he tried to commit suicide in Mexico, hanging himself with a garden hose and taking pills. However, the attempt was foiled when Alicia Webb (formerly known as Ryan Shamrock in WWE) found him.

— Homicide is working with bad ribs, which he suffered a few weeks ago wrestling in a bad ring at an independent show. He hurt himself worse working against Jushin Thunder Liger at a Jersey All Pro Wrestling event last Saturday as they concluded the match prematurely. The X Division has no plans on taking any time off.

— Last Saturday’s TNA live event at the Verizon Wireless Theater in Houston, Texas drew approximately 1,500 fans.

(source: f4wonline.com)

— Dixie Carter announced on her Twitter account that there will not be a replay of tonight's episode of iMPACT! on Spike. She wrote: “Ok, Im serious this time,” Carter wrote. “There will be no replay of Impact this (week). No really. Don’t laugh. Tonight on Spike is only time to catch it.”

Rambo is currently scheduled to air during TNA’s former time slot.

— As seen last night at Destination X, Scott Hall and Syxx-Pac faced Kevin Nash and Eric Young in a tag team match with their future in TNA on the line. Ultimately, Nash turned on Young and helped “The Band” pick up the victory, which gave them contracts with the company. Both Hall and Waltman have since been added to TNA’s roster page.

— Jesse Godderz of Big Brother attended last night’s Destination X pay-per-view.

— In addition to being removed from the opening montage for iMPACT!, both Scott Hall and Sean Waltman have been removed from the TNA website’s roster page.

It should be noted however that both wrestlers are still affiliated with TNA as the website is simply corresponding with the angle a few weeks ago where Hulk Hogan said they don’t work for TNA and subsequently had them removed from the Impact! Zone. With that being said, their long-term futures with the company do legitimately remain in doubt.

— As reported earlier today, Scott D’Amore has amicably parted ways with TNA Wrestling. He issued the following statement on his Facebook account regarding his departure from the organization:

“TNA wrestling producer and former on-air manager of Team Canada, Scott D’Amore has decided to leave TNA Wrestling effective immediately. D’Amore, who most recently was the agent for the TNA Knockouts division, which produced some of the highest ratings for SpikeTV’s Impact, has decided to pursue a new wrestling project… in Canada. D’Amore’s Border City Wrestling, based out of Windsor, Ontario, will be merging with Toronto’s BSE Pro Wrestling, run by Jason A. Brown, to become one of North America’s largest and longest running independent wrestling company under the new banner, Maximum Pro Wrestling!”

You can read his statement in its entirety at the following link.

— TNA will be holding house shows at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville, Kentucky on April 8th, 2010 and the Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, West Virginia on April 10th, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

– There is a tremendous amount of respect for Ric Flair within the TNA locker room. At the last set of iMPACT tapings, Flair was very outgoing, getting to know some of the young wrestlers and was telling people he loved being there since he felt he was being used right by managing the World Champion AJ Styles. He was shown a ton of respect backstage with the wrestlers and agents “in awe” of him. Flair’s interviews have also received ave reviews.

– TNA management is said to be “putting up with” Scott Hall and Sean Waltman, but are trying to make the most of them while they’re part of a big storyline. Most people figured that Hall wouldn’t work out but there’s a lot of disappointment in Waltman as some figured that he would have shown up in better shape considering it’s probably his last shot with a major US promotion.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

Scott Hall was advertised to wrestle at Sunday’s TNA Genesis pay-per-view, but dropped out, citing a groin injury as the reason he could not compete. With that being said, he was walking gingerly backstage following the Jan. 5 television taping.

TNA officials were reportedly scrambling because Hall’s replacement in the match, Sean Waltman, didn’t have his ring gear with him. However, the problem was addressed as Waltman ended up working the match instead of Hall. The fallback plan in case he too wasn’t able to go was Eric Young, who was not booked for the show, teaming with Kevin Nash.

There is a much internal skepticism regarding Hall’s injury as some have questioned whether he was more concerned with his physical appearance than the injury he cited.

(source: prowrestling.net)

— TNA relaunched its company website yesterday and added a few newcomers to its talent roster. Among those added were Eric Bischoff, Orlando Jordan, Ric Flair, Scott Hall, Sean Morley, Sean Waltman, Tomko and The Nasty Boys.

It’s interested to note that both Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore have not yet been added to the website.

— This past Thursday’s episode of TNA iMPACT! scored a 1.3 cable rating, rounded up from 1.26. (source: PWInsider.com)

— Traci Brooks is featured in the latest edition of Hermie’s Hotseat, which can be viewed at the following link.

– Scott Hall is working on a short-term deal as company officials want him to prove himself before they invest. While he’s not in the shape he was in during his peak, many feel he’s in better shape than in years past.

– The former X-Pac, Sean Waltman, is also on a short-term deal and there was some heat on him for being late to last Tuesday’s television taping.

– Ric Flair is working on a second book.

– TNA will begin airing it’s live pre-iMPACT and post-iMPACT show on their website this Thursday night at 8:30pm and 11pm EST. Jeremy Borash, Don West and SoCal Val will be taking calls from fans and discussing iMPACT.

– Jeremy Borash noted on the Pain Clinic radio show over the weekend that an episode of TNA’s Spin Cycle had to be re-shot two weeks because of Lacey Von Erich. They originally filmed with Lacey and Kevin Nash but the show ended up being too raunchy to air. Borash said they had to re-tape it and Lacey had to clean up her “potty mouth.”