Wednesday's News + Notes

- Despite claims by TMZ (who think they know everything), Chris Jericho was not late in paying his fine for debaucherous jackassery with Shane Helms. TMZ picked up a story that broke on WCPO TV in Cincinnati, who claimed that Jericho and his attorneys had no-showed the court date and that an arrest warrant had been issued. Jericho responded by tweeting "Paid my fine on time and never had a court date. I'm free to walk the streets.... Sorry TMZ wrong again." Unless he's working us, but one would imagine that a Chris Jericho would be smart enough (and rich enough) to pay off a few hundred dollar fine before it went to a court date.

- The roster for the first season of NXT was announced last night on the final episode of ECW. The Littles (and their Bigs) are as follows: Wade Barrett (Chris Jericho), Justin Gabriel (Matt Hardy), Skip Sheffield (MVP), Michael Tarver (Carlito), Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson (The Miz), Heath Slater (Christian), Darren Young (CM Punk), and David Otunga (R-Truth).

- Mickie James' first single, "Are You With Me?!", impacted country radio this week. Take a listen at this random youtube link.

- TNA and Hulk Hogan are holding what they're calling "Fu-Fest" in St. Louis on February 26, coinciding with the on-sale for tickets to April's Lockdown event emanating from the Family Arena in nearby St. Charles (WHICH ASHLEE AND I ARE GOING TO AGAIN! WOOT!). Fu-fest is purported to be a gathering in celebration of Hogan's fabled Fu Manchu mustache, and aims to set a world record for "the most Fu Manchus in one place at one time." The person who shows up with the best/most creative Fu will win ringside tickets for Lockdown. Fu-Fest takes place at 2PM local time (central) on February 26, at Mike Shannon's Steak and Seafood (620 Market St).

- Eric Bischoff has set up his own official fan page on facebook. Confirmed to be real as he posted the link from his twitter account a few hours ago.

- Speaking of Twitter, Bill Goldberg also posted yesterday, "Let's get the record straight...From my lips......TNA has not contacted me. Period. No B.S." However, he followed that up with a "Never say never......" so who knows what the future holds. I was a Goldberg mark back in the day (which was a Wednesday, by the way, not many people know that), but I think that day has passed.