— It appears that an in-ring return for WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is more likely with each passing week. The latest is that Flair, who returned to WWE television last week, is negotiating with promoters to work several overseas tours in Europe, China, Egypt and South Africa. Assuming Flair does not wrestle in a WWE ring any time soon, his in ring return would happen as soon as July. Sean “X-Pac” Waltman, who currently works for Mexico’s AAA promotion, has been discussed as a possible opponent for Flair on those international tours. (Source: Wrestling ObserverNewsletter)

— The United States District Court has dismissed WWE’s lawsuit against toy maker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. in which WWE accused JAKKS of being involved in “collusion and acts of bribery” with WWE’s licensing agent at the time. A press release issued today by JAKKS says:

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) announced that the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit unanimously affirmed the judgment of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (Karas, J.), dismissing in its entirety WWE’s federal action against JAKKS and certain of its officers.

Jack Friedman, the Company’s Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, stated: “We are pleased that both the Federal District Court and the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit have dismissed WWE’s federal claims.”

WWE’s working relationship with JAKKS expires later this year and they already have a new deal lined up with toy maker Mattel.

** HUGE News on JEFF HARDY & SHAWN MICHAELS’ Futures in WWE [>]