Vince McMahon’s evil “Mr. McMahon” character is said to be finished, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The character was spawned back in 1997 following the infamous Montreal Screwjob. McMahon’s on-air character turned heel for the first time and it became the antagonist to the company’s top star “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in arguably the best run in the history of the company.

With Bret Hart’s return to WWE after 13 years, McMahon felt WrestleMania would be the perfect chance for Bret Hart to get his ultimate revenge and wipe out Mr. McMahon once and for all. The over-the-top beatdown he sustained at the hands (and feet) of the Hart family signified the end of the character.

McMahon is a firm believer in pushing younger acts and is not blind to the fact that he’s in his 60’s and the character more than ran its course.

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)

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross posted a new blog entry at JrsBarBQ.com with a detailed update on his future in WWE. Ross recently signed a short-term contract extension and there’s been a lot of speculation that he’s either leaving the industry entirely or would consider jumping to TNA Wrestling.

Ross wrote:

“JR is NOT retiring. It’s tempting and financially doable but I want to work a few more years in a role that is fun and not as laden with stress as some of my previous assignments have been.

No I am not ‘vanishing.’ LIfe is so good here in Norman and I have a tremendous amount of things to look forward to although I know that I have not broadcast my last event. One doesn’t do something for over 35 years and stop cold turkey or at least I don’t.

There are no issues or problems with my negotiations with WWE. The ball is in WWE’s court to put together a new role for me within the company. Essentially they have decided to reassign me from weekly broadcasting and that includes the monthly PPV’s to focus on other areas of the company. I am guessing, and I stress guessing, that may be some form of scouting and/or talent development. I might be wrong on that assumption but I’ll know before the end of April as that is when my current extension expires.”

– TNA star Rob Van Dam posted a message on his site (RobVanDam.com) with a glowing review of his time in TNA thus far.  Here’s part of what RVD wrote:

“To counter any negative energy that may be out there, concerning TNA in any matter, let me just tell you that I am loving it there. The reasonable work schedule, the doable travel, the people in and behind the scenes, the growing situation, the excitement from the crowd, the unstoppable path to the top I’m on, love it all.”

– For what it’s worth, TNA iMPACT not only lost to RAW this week in the ratings but they also lost to AM RAW, which scored an 0.7 rating. AM RAW airs after midnight on Saturday nights.

– In a Q&A update on his official JRsBarBQ.com website, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross gave his thoughts on the new NXT show, admitting that it still needs some “subtle tweaks.” Ross wrote:

“I feel that all the rookies need to live together in a dorm and we should be privy to their interactions and training sessions. I want to know more about the non wrestler side of these potential stars. Overall I do like the fact that WWE is finally using some of the young kids and allowing them to sink or swim.

– Happy birthday to Randy Orton, who turns 30 years old today. The third generation superstar was born on April 1, 1980.

The following matches were taped earlier this week for tonight’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America:

• Caylen Croft and Trent Barreta vs. Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith
• William Regal vs. Yoshi Tatsu
• Kofi Kingtson and MVP vs. Carlito and Zack Ryder

Warning: The following contains *Spoiler* results for tonight’s WWE Superstars show:

• The Hart Dynasty defeated Trent Barreta and Caylen Croft.
• Kofi Kingston and MVP defeated Zack Ryder and Carlito (w/Michael Tarver).
• Yoshi Tatsu beat William Regal.

— George Lopez, who had Monday’s Raw co-host Clark Duke on Lopez Tonight last night, said he may host Monday Night Raw when WWE returns to Los Angeles in August. Clark said he will be there and added he was on hand for last year’s SummerSlam. Lopez said they should form a tag team and then they shook hands.

In other notes from his appearance last night, Lopez said they are both “big wrestling fans for life.” Clark said he had a front row seat at WrestleMania and that his WWE experience was “the most incredible forty-eight hours of his life.” A clip then aired of the fans booing Duke and Rob Corddry as they talked on stage. He said he was surprised and a little hurt about the fans booing him. He added that he and Rob did not want to wrestle.

— A replay of this week’s episode of WWE NXT will air before next Tuesday’s broadcast at 9:00 p.m. EST.

— The WWE website has added Irwin R. Schyster to its Alumni section.

— The general feeling among those in WWE is that Shawn Michaels is sincere about his retirement. While no one is ruling out the possibility of Michaels working a match or two down the line, many feel he believes he worked his final match on Sunday.

During his farewell speech on Raw, he acknowledged there being a temptation to return to the ring but that he was going to do everything in his power to make sure it doesn’t happen. With that being said, many feel he will ultimately give in and return for at least one more match.

— WWE.com has added former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle to its Alumni section. You can view her profile at the following link.

It’s worth noting that Michelle paid a visit to her former employer two weeks ago when the company was in Los Angeles for a SmackDown taping. She had not been backstage at a WWE event since her departure from the organization last year.

— Today marks the twenty-five year anniversary of WrestleMania.