TNA in negotiations w/ "former World champion"

Let the speculations begin ...

First, the former World champions that are in TNA right now:
Abyss (TNA). Kurt Angle (WWF/TNA). Bob Backlund (WWF). Christian (TNA). Homicide (ROH). Jeff Jarrett (WCW/TNA). Lo Ki (ROH). Ron Killings (TNA). Kevin Nash (WWF/WCW). Raven (ECW/TNA). Rhino (ECW/TNA). Samoa Joe (ROH). Scott Steiner (WCW). Sting (WCW/TNA).

Next, we rule out those former World champions that have had extended cups of coffee with TNA:
Austin Aries (ROH). Shane Douglas (ECW). Great Muta (NWA). Jerry Lynn (ECW). Diamond Dallas Paige (WCW). Dusty Rhodes (NWA). Ricky Steamboat (NWA). Sabu (ECW/NWA). Sandman (ECW). Randy Savage (WCW/WWF). Ken Shamrock (TNA). Larry Zybysco (AWA).

So, we can assume that if the negotiations are with any of the above, it probably wouldn't be treated as that big of a deal. Certainly not enough to set aside time on a pay-per-view to announce the negotiations.

The following "former world champions" are relatively available, and would probably be a big enough deal for TNA to consider them a pretty big deal.

- Big Show (WCW/WWF/ECW): I'd actually love to see Paul Wight rocking the spot in TNA. He's always been fun to watch in the ring, even when WWF had nothing for him to do. I'd love to see him vs. Samoa Joe, vs. Rhino, vs. Abyss (which would be a given), vs. Judas Mesias (if he ever debuts), vs. an inspired Angle ... hell, Big Show would bring quite a bit of awesome to TNA. He'd be a helluva X Division champ, for sure.

- Bryan Danielson (ROH): Holy motherfunk, Danielson would be an incredible asset to TNA, and there'd be a lot of reason to sign a guy who could promote growth in the company. I think, from what I've read online (which is 100% the troothrzz), he's devoted himself to the indies.

- Ric Flair (NWA/WCW/WWF): Flair turned in his notice to WWF about a month or so ago, so I'd imagine he's a free agent. Although, I see him getting re-signed soon, and I can't imagine the McMahon family letting him go without some kinda fight. I'd love to catch a good Flair/Angle match, and one more go-around vs. Sting. Even more than seeing Flair in TNA, though, I'd actually rather him go back to his NWA roots and go after the world title. Flair/Danielson? That's a formula for an IWC nutbusting festival, right there.

- Goldberg: (WCW/WWF): At this point, Goldberg brings nothing to the table. Nothing. A one-off match with Rhino might be fun ("The Spear vs. The Gore"), but Goldturd would demand the win, which would be worth absolutely nothing. Of course, a win for Rhino in that scenario would be worth just slightly more than nothing, so it's lose-lose.

- Bret Hart (WCW/WWF): I've read rumors that he might be committing himself to WWF for something, to help promote his forthcoming autobiography. I've read rumors that there's a Hart Foundation 2.0 on the horizon, so let's not rely on Bret Hart to carry TNA into tomorrow. Plus, he can't wrestle anymore, and I'm thinking TNA would want to promote the signing of an active talent.

- Hulk Hogan (WWF/WCW): Please god, no. Hogan sucks air out of arenas, and I as a faithful wrestling fan haven't been interested in him since his stint as Mr. America on Smackdown (and it was years since I gave a shit about him prior to that). He's not one to elevate talent, he'd demand too much money, and we've already seen TNA cut too many folks loose to keep Pacman Jones on the fucking roster, so I'd rather them not cut any more folks who are more talented than Hogan's ever been. Unless, they can put Hogan/ Pacman together, and somehow they both die in the ring in a botched double-clothesline spot. That would be worth it.

- Chris Jericho (WWF): Pffft. Retired, more or less, and apparently focusing on his band and family.

- Brock Lesnar (WWF): Likely, as his name's been bounced around a lot on TNA TV lately. He gave up the IWGP title to Angle, he's on the MMA track that Angle is allegedly into, and supposedly Angle's been pushing for him to get on the Impact train. It would depend on how much money would get thrown his way to distract him from his MMA goal. Plus, there's no reason to see that hideous tattoo of a pecker he has on his chest.

- The Rock (WWF): Bwa. Ha. Ha. Um, no.

- Rob Van Dam (WWF/ECW): A potential X Division champ, a possible en route to getting Sabu back (which would be a perfect addition to the tag ranks for a while), and of course he's fair World champ material. RVD/ AJ Styles would rock incredibly. RVD/Sting wouldn't hurt either.

The final SGM odds out of Vegas are:
RVD/ Big Show: 2:1
Brock Lesnar: 5:1
Bryan Danielson: 10:1
Ric Flair: 20:1
Hulk Hogan: 25:1
Chris Jericho: 30:1
Goldberg: 40:1
Bret Hart: 50:1
Rock: 100:1

We'll find out this Sunday at No Surrender!