Ric Flair's Long, Steady Decline

Ric Flair has been physically attacked by at least three of his four wives.

In a 2005 divorce case with Elizabeth Harrell — wife no. 2 — Flair's lawyers detailed their accusations. "On more than one occasion," they wrote, "Plaintiff (Beth) has assaulted the Defendant (Flair), striking him about the head and body in an effort to provoke him into a physical confrontation."

In 2009, Flair filed a criminal complaint against Tiffany Vandemark — wife no. 3 — whom he accused of "hitting him in the face with a phone charger."

And in 2010, Flair and his current wife, Jacqueline Beams, returned to their Charlotte, N.C., home after dinner at the Lodge Restaurant. There, for reasons never made explicit, Jacqueline punched him repeatedly in the face. She was arrested.

The story of Ric Flair was once about a college dropout who rose through the ranks of professional wrestling to become a legend. It was about his nickname, "The Nature Boy," and his signature figure four leglock, both lifted from an older wrestler named Buddy Rogers. It was about his multiple championships, his bleach-blond hair, his fast-talking patter (by his own reckoning, Flair was a "stylin', profilin', limousine-riding, jet-flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin'-n'-dealin' son of a gun!"), and his signature, trademarked cry: "WOOO!"

Today the story is about a man known in the court system as Richard Morgan Fliehr, 62, born in 1949 and adopted by parents who raised him in Minnesota. That's what he was called this past April, when a judge ejected Fliehr from his Charlotte home because he couldn't pay his rent. That's what he was called in May, when he faced an arrest order for an unpaid $35,000 loan. That's what he's called on the paychecks from Total Nonstop Action, a second-tier outfit where he's still compelled to perform despite suffering from alcoholic cardiomyopathy, and where almost everything he earns goes toward old debts: lawyers, ex-wives, the IRS, former business partners, and anyone who made the mistake of lending him money.

Richard Fliehr declined to comment on the legal matters discussed in this story...More?

source: grantland.com

Rumor Mill - Stephanie Running WWE's Site, Power Struggle

There have been major changes to WWE's corporate restructuring and the website recently. WWE's website is now part of a new division called WWE Creative. There will be other changes and restructuring as part of Stephanie McMahon's concept and vision.

Former WWE Executive VP of Digital Media Brian Kalinowski, who has been released, was responsible for the recent overhaul of WWE's website with more video content. He was also in charge of restructuring the WWE shop website. A lot of people were critical of Kalinowski because he was a guy recruited outside of wrestling who didn't understand the unique business. Kalinowski grew to learn the wrestling business and was considered a strong leader by many. His departure surprised a lot of people and the feeling was that his dismissal had nothing to do with job performance and everything to do with Stephanie McMahon taking over the website.

There is said to be a bigger power struggle going on between Stephanie McMahon and WWE production head Kevin Dunn. While Vince McMahon is a fan of Dunn's, Stephanie is not. It's noted by sources that Dunn is aware he will lose a power struggle with Stephanie but Dunn is good as long as Vince is around. Dunn is one of the few people Vince listens to and values the opinion of.

WWE's digital media department was already unhappy when they found out Kalinowski was leaving but morale went down once they got the memo that Stephanie is now running their department and everything from here on out must be coordinated through her office.

source: wrestling observer

WWE Opens Istanbul Office; Andrew Whitaker No Longer Listed on WWE Corp Site

WWE today announced that it has appointed Emre Mumcuoglu as General Manager, WWE Turkey to lead WWE’s expansion across all lines of business within Turkey and Central Asia. Mumcuoglu will be based in WWE’s new Istanbul office and report into Dominic Hayes, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of WWE International...More?

Not sure if it is an oversight, or if it just hasn't been announced, but Andrew Whitaker, WWE EVP, International's bio hasn't been on the corporate site for the last two days. Brian Kalinowski, WWE EVP, Digital Media who reportedly has been let go is still listed on the site.

This Day in Wrestling History

WWF(E) World Champion Bob Backlund battled AWA World Champion Nick Bockwinkle to a double countout in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
August 25, 1979

Vivian Vachon died in a motor vehicle accident at age 40.
August 25, 1991

WWF(E) Excess debuts at 10 PM on TNN.
August 25, 2001

Brock Lesnar defeats The Rock to become the youngest WWE Champion (at the time before Orton) at SummerSlam '02.
August 25, 2002

New Title for Paul Levesque

According to a recent WWE SEC filing, Paul Levesque is now an officer of the company and his title is Executive Vice President, Talent.

Shane Helms Comments on Issues with Matt Hardy

Matt is going through a time right now. I can't get down there and I can't move as much. I wish I was there to talk to him in person so I could get a better gauge of what's going on. I worry about Matt … a lot. It's kind of flipped because Jeff is now … Jeff has everything together now. He's really a good father, a really great person . And now it just seems like the shoe is on the other foot and Matt is having his difficulties. I'm not even sure what they are. I have an idea but that's not for me to say. He's my friend so it's probably something that, honestly, I wouldn't say anything. But I do worry about him as I would worry about any friend or loved one.

Matt Hardy Rushed to the Emergency Room

TMZ.com is reporting the following on recently released TNA star Matt Hardy:

"Troubled wrestling star Matt Hardy was rushed to an emergency room in North Carolina this morning after falling down in his home ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Matt tell us ... the ex-TNA star hadn't been feeling well ... but it's unclear as to what caused Matt to fall down.

So far, the extent of his injuries are unknown -- but a family member tells us Hardy is expected to be released from the hospital tomorrow."

VIDEO: Matt Hardy Blames Ghost For Car Accident, House Mess; Comments From His Girlfriend

Hardy's girlfriend Reby Sky was asked online about Hardy and said the only reason Hardy is still alive is because of her. Sky said she's "Hurt / exasperated / exhausted / furious / tired of being lied to / tired of enablers. Just tired" of the whole situation.

Jeff Hardy Set For TV Return

TNA is advertising Jeff Hardy's return to Impact Wrestling, as the company website has the following posted on the main page: "Jeff Hardy returns at Thursday's taping." Hardy had previously announced via Twitter that he would be returning to Impact at the Huntsville, Alabama taping.

Rumor Mill - Another "Titan Towers Massacre"?

There are a lot of people who work at the WWE offices worried that another "Titan Towers Massacre" is about to happen. The term comes from WWE's mass firings in early 2009. Members of the WWE staff are expecting the company to start looking for ways to cut more costs so they can be more financially beneficial. Several employees are looking at what might be next for them because some feel it's time to move on.

partial source: pwinsider.com

Mick Foley Talks Potential WWE Return

Mick Foley spoke with Duane Doogan from WrestlingVoice about his raffle for RAINN, giving fans the chance to have him come and watch a WWE event with you, his comedy performances, whether or not he's spoken with WWE about a return, his UK tour and more. Here are some highlights:

On A WWE Return: "We've definitely been talking and it's just a matter of what's the best fit, how many days I feel like being gone. Unlike TNA, if you weren't on the show you weren't a value to the company... with WWE there is any number of things I could do, so we're just trying to find out what we want it to be and how big we want it to be.

On whether he has many more big matches left in him: "Maybe a couple more big matches, I'm starting to shed some of that extra weight so if and when I get that call I can have a good match, maybe not a great match but maybe I've got a couple more matches left in me."

Happy Birthday Vaughn

Paul & Stephanie will be celebrating their youngest daughter's first birthday today.