Early iMPACT! Rating, ODB Not Engaged, Flair Speaks Out

— Thursday’s episode of TNA iMPACT! averaged 1.34 million viewers over the course of the two-hour broadcast. This number is up from last week’s 1.29 million viewership total. The official number is expected to be released on Monday.

— To correct an earlier report, ODB is not engaged. Shelly Martinez, who is friends with ODB, read the online report and asked her about it. The TNA Knockout said it’s not true.

— The Sun has a new audio interview up with Ric Flair, promoting the 2011 TNA tour of the UK. He discusses Bret Hart’s WWE return, returning to the ring, calling Vince and Shawn to see if they were ok with it, puts over AJ Styles, Kurt Angle and Beer Money, his son Reid signing with TNA and more. You can check that out at http://www.thesun.co.uk/ Here are some highlights…

On Shawn Giving His Blessing: “If Shawn hadn’t given me his blessing, I probably wouldn’t have come back — I have that much respect for him. But I knew he would say ‘yes’.”

On Kurt Angle: “Kurt Angle is in a class by himself. He’s got that magic — charisma, a fabulous look, second-to-none credentials and he really loves the business.”

On His Career: “I don’t regret a minute of it, I really don’t. I’ve had a good time. And I wouldn’t have survived 38 years in this business if I didn’t have a good time!”

DIRECT LINK: A **NEW LOOK** Lita Photo From This Past Friday!