NEWS ITEMS: Flair at Philadelphia Wing Bowl talks finance, another change in ROH announcing and front office, local wrestling back at the Cow Palace

-Longtime ROH front office employee Kevin Kelly has left his full time position with ROH. PWTorch sources say he could stay on as an announcer, if it fits his schedule when it doesn’t conflict with his New Japan commitment. He is leaving on good terms and has offered to help ROH with the transition.

-Ric Flair received publicity in Philadelphia this weekend for his appearance Wing Bowl 25. He was a celebrity guest. “This is really fantastic, you have to see to believe it,” Flair told CBS Philly. “I’ve heard about it, but you truly have to see everything that’s going on to believe it. I’ll say this, it’s everything I heard about it for a long time. I think there were things out there that even shocked me, and I’ve seen everything. It’s fun—I’m glad I came… I can’t really repeat on camera some of the things I heard about Wing Bowl. I’m excited to be here. I think the vitality comes from thinking young and doing things like this. I have a young fiancée. I had no doubts about this at all about being here. I came here to have fun and entertain. It’s what I do. I’m ready for any kind of action.” He worked up the crowd by saying the Atlanta Falcons will defeat the New England Patriots on Sunday at the Super Bowl.

-Pro wrestling returns to the Cow Palace in San Francisco, Calif. on May 6. APW touts that it is the first local promotion to appear at the Cow Palace since 1980 when Roy Shire ran events at the wrestling mecca on a regular basis. Details via their press release issued to PWTorch: “APW Universal Champion MVP is signed to compete at the Cow Palace Royale. The former WWE U.S. title holder will be scheduled to defend his championship if his March 25th title defense in Daly City is successful. APW is the longest running active pro wrestling company in California – established in 1991 by original owner Roland Alexander as Pacific Coast Sports. In a nod to the tradition of amazing Battle Royals at Shire’s events, the Cow Palace Royale will feature 30 superstars in which eliminations can occur via over the top rope, pinfall and submission. The winner of the Cow Palace Royale will receive the Shire/Alexander Trophy in honor of both Bay Area Wrestling pioneers. Tickets will go on sale at the next APW Live Event – #WeOutHere on Friday, February 17th at Pacelli Gymnasium. Tickets will also be available online.”

[Sean Radican contributed to this report. Thanks to PWTorch reader Barry Werner]