source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— As reported earlier, Mick Foley’s WWE contract is set to expire at the end of the month. Should he not re-sign with WWE, he would be immediately available to sign with TNA. However, there has been zero talk on the TNA side regarding the possibility of the addition of Foley, at least that we know of, but you’d have to think that they’d be very interested in his services should he become available.

Foley’s current WWE contract is actually as a result of TNA. In the summer of 2005, Foley told Vince McMahon that he had accepted a deal with TNA. The news made Vince McMahon pretty upset and he offered Foley a great deal to stay with World Wrestling Entertainment. However, their relationship was never really the same.

At the very least, should Foley depart WWE, he’ll definitely be more involved in the entertainment field. Some sources within the TV industry have discussed the possibility of Foley leaving WWE. Foley has had a few television projects floating around for development and pilot ideas on many occasions. There were also plans for him to do a quasi-reality show featuring his family, but was forced to drop it when he took the SmackDown announcing job.

Internally, his future as the SmackDown color commentator still remains in question. There is definitely a good chance that his days as an announcer for SmackDown are numbered. Last week’s angle could have been done to write him off the show, but the indication given is that he would be back again. Foley enjoys working with Jim Ross, but isn’t particularly fond of Vince McMahon yelling at him over the headset while he’s doing commentary. It’s something all of of the announcers have to deal with, but it’s something new for Foley as he wasn’t treated in this manner as a performer.

— Regarding the cut of Black Reign (Dustin Runnels) last week, it was more of a formality than anything else since he hadn’t been used in a over three months and there were no plans to use him on television. However, the door is still open for a possible return should TNA ever need him. Runnels was on a pay-per-appearance deal.

— TNA star Matt Morgan, known as “The Beast,” on American Gladiators, appears to be a bit of a ratings draw for the NBC program. His appearances on American Gladiators drew the highest quarter hour on both the 7/21 and 7/28 shows. The 7/28 show did a 3.2 on the fast nationals, up from what the show has been doing in recent weeks. This past Monday’s show was the season finale. No word yet if the show is going to be picked up for a third season.

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