Chicago Sun-Times: -

Nothing is ever 100 per-cent sure in wrestling, but my sources tell me there is about a 90 percent chance that Ric Flair will make his return to the World Wrestling Federation either today at Survivor Series or Monday on "Raw."

Despite the fact he will have to take a hefty pay cut to get out of his AOL Time Warner contract and sign with the WWF, Flair has shown great interest in getting back in the ring and might do so in his home state of North Carolina. The WWF's television ratings have bounced back a bit the last couple of weeks, and Flair's return-- combined with the end of the Alliance angle--might be enough to get the WWF back on track.

In case you have been out of the loop, the matches for the Survivor Series pay-per-view include a 10-man battle between Team WWF (Rock, Undertaker, Kane, Big Show and Chris Jericho) and Team Alliance (Shane McMahon, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Booker T, Rob Van Dam and Kurt Angle) for control of the wrestling world. By the way, don't expect mass firings Monday. Only the name "Alliance" will be gone; all the wrestlers will stay.

Also on the show, Test will battle Edge in a U.S./ Intercontinental title unification bout; the Dudleys and Hardys will unify the tag-team titles in a steel-cage match; there's a 20-man immunity battle royal in which the winner can't be fired for a year; a six-woman match for the WWF women's title featuring Molly, Trish, Lita, Ivory, Jacqueline and a mystery woman; and a grudge match between Tajiri and William Regal.

AROUND THE RING: The first XWF taping went down this past week, and it showed some things that might make this group a contender. Jerry Lawler and Tony Schiavone handled commentary duties during the seven-hour taping, which featured a main event between Hulk Hogan and Curt Hennig for the XWF title. Rowdy Roddy Piper handles commissioner duties. ... Don't look for Scott Hall and Kevin Nash in the WWF any time soon, despite what the rumor mill is saying. Hall, Nash and the WWF are worlds apart in coming to an agreement.

HOTLINE: A former WWF champion and a current WWF superstar are set to appear on the next XWF taping, plus all the latest on Scott Steiner's return to the WWF. Call (900) 454-SLAM. The cost is $2 per minute.