Partial Source: Pwinsider.com
UPDATE: As previously reported, Bully Ray told the TNA
locker room at last night’s house show event in Hagerstown, MD that it was his
last night with the company. According to sources, last night was the final date
on Bully Ray’s contract, and as of today, he is free to work anywhere he wants.
Word is that both sides are discussing a possible new deal, but nothing has been
agreed upon. Many talents were surprised to hear the news due to Bully’s
position in the company and the fact that he and Devon had been announced as
this year’s TNA Hall of Fame members. Ray is also known as a locker-room leader
and held a meeting just last week in New York City praising the company, roster,
etc. He went out of his way to say that the company was “fine” and wasn’t going
out of business. He was very upbeat during that speech in New York City and said
he planned to be there for “years to come.” That’s why it’s so interesting as
something happened within the past week or so. It’s possible that they were
working on a new deal and simply couldn’t agree to the terms that Bully Ray was
hoping for.
Speaking of Devon, he is reportedly under contract “through some point this
fall”.
ORIGINAL: In what has to be viewed as a major blow for
TNA, Bully Ray had a meeting with the roster at last night’s house show in
Hagerstown, Maryland and said he wanted to tell them goodbye, as he didn’t
expect to be working with the company anymore. The source reports that Bully’s
contract is expiring and that last night’s show was the last he was contracted
to appear on, so it would appear they were unable to come to terms on a new
deal.
As the source notes, Bully and Devon are set to be inducted into the TNA Hall
of Fame at Bound for Glory in October. The company also has one more match left
in a series that he was involved in during the last iMPACT! tapings, requiring
that they will have to find a way to end the series without him if the report is
true.
During his time with TNA, Bully has risen to the top of the company through
his time with Aces & Eights and held the TNA World Title. He was also of
course involved in the big blow-off to the Dixie Carter angle when he put her
through a table. He was also working as an agent backstage.
