J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q

For those naive enough to read the internet and see Wrestlemania 23 matches listed, please don’t be so gullible as to think the Wrestlemania card has been finalized. It hasn’t. I receive lots of emails regarding a potential Batista vs. Undertaker match at Wrestlemania 23 which, to the best of my knowledge, has NOT been scheduled. Yes, it COULD happen but there is absolutely no guarantee that it will. Whatever you read about Wrestlemania 23 matches right now is pure speculation and guess work.

I heard from the Rock a couple of times over the Christmas Holiday and he was his usual upbeat and positive self. He is excited about the new football coach at Miami, “The U”, and is staying really busy. The Rock still catches RAW when he can and still has the wrestling business in his blood. We don’t talk about “what if” or “will you come back and wrestle” type stuff because I already know Rock would love to perform in front of a live audience if his unreal schedule would allow for it. For those that say the Rock has “turned his back on his fans” I say you are misinformed and not extremely bright.

The Iraq trip is done on a volunteer basis to the best of my knowledge. If a wrestler or his family doesn’t want the wrestler to attend they don’t have to go. There are always more volunteers than space available on the transport plane. The King and I would be proud to attend but we take up space that wrestlers can use and we can do our jobs back in the States as we did for this past Christmas show.

What is it about the VKM/TNA publicity stunt that I can’t seem to communicate to everyone? This is a publicity stunt and creative material for a TV show. I strongly feel the WWE will NEVER respond to this PR ploy. Again, why should they? There will never be a payoff to the fans.

I have no idea if Daniel Rodimer or if Koslov are going to be stars. I hope so. Time will tell as it takes more than a marketable “look” to be a superstar who sells tickets, PPVs, and merchandise. We may not know for a year or two.

I think wrestlers come in a variety of packages and sizes. If any company is only looking for potential wrestlers who are all 6’5”/275 pounds then that company isn’t overly bright in their recruiting efforts.

“Wrestling at the Chase” is an excellent book and a must read for all wrestling fans. I loved it and there was no one better to document one of the most influential markets for U.S. wrestling than Larry Matysik who practically grew up learning from the legendary Sam Muchnick.

My thanks to Chris M for the kind words. My best to a Sooner fan and please say hello to the General, Scandar Akbar, for me. Ak was one of my mentors in my early days in the business and is a wonderful man….for a Longhorn fan.

Will Hall and Nash ever return to the WWE? I always say never say never but this one is highly unlikely. I don’t know if either one want to wrestle even a part time schedule at this stage of their lives and subject their bodies to the grind of working high level matches with the likely WWE superstars they would be pitted against. Plus, Kevin Nash has a wrestling job last I looked.

I know of NO talent that has been “blackballed” from the WWE. I feel that if any wrestler could return to the WWE and help the company that they would be back in action. But remember it takes two to tango and sometimes “legends” don’t want to get back in the ring for a variety of reasons. Health, quality of work, and other commitments often times interfere with a legend returning to action.

There are many viable wrestling schools in business these days. My best advise is to visit them before one commits and to talk to others who have gone through the system. Starting from scratch after the age of 25, unless one is a truly gifted athlete, is a long shot at best. To be a TV announcer one needs general TV announcing experience which usually necessitates a degree and on the job training. Being simply a fan with the gift for gab probably won’t get the job done.

Sabu behind the scenes is quiet and low key.

I would love to see Brian Pillman in the WWE Hall of Fame someday and I think it may well happen in time. Brian is in my personal Hall of Fame for what that’s worth. I think of Brian virtually every day.

I haven’t heard much about D’Lo Brown, a former Maine Blackbear defensive lineman, but wish him well. I always liked and respected D’Lo.

So much Macho Man stuff. One more time….I have no idea IF Savage would want to be in the WWE Hall of Fame or IF Macho Man is physically able to wrestle up to his high standards or IF there is some unwritten code that forbids Savage from being involved with the WWE at this time. If it is meant to be, Randy Savage will be a WWE Hall of Famer. Finally, again, YES Randy is deserving of the honor.

I am not pleased that Deadwood has been cancelled or that I have to wait so long to begin watching new episodes of “The Soprano’s” on HBO. I was a huge Deadwood fan and thought Al Swearengen was one of the great “bad guys” ever on TV.

With my schedule as it is I rarely watch any foreign wrestling. Back when I was managing Talent Relations I did.

Wow…being compared to Chick Hearn is humbling. The voice of the Lakers will live on forever. Thanks but I am a pair of brown shoes at a formal wedding when being compared to a man like Chick Hearn.

American fans still like to boo foreigners for whatever reason. Tradition, being pre-conditioned, a precedent, etc?? Koslov got booed because he did not sound like most Americans but neither do many of us “country boys.”

To the best of my knowledge Harley Race is doing well and his wrestling school in Missouri is a great place to learn the fundamentals of the business. I have the utmost respect for Harley.

If I had to make a guess as to the next tag team to go into the WWE Hall of Fame, and it is simply a guess, I would probably go with The Road Warriors even though they were not a better team than the Rock ‘n Roll Express or The Midnight Express. All three teams were awesome in their day and deserving of any honors that come their way.

You’re asking the wrong “Native American” about a WWE draft in 2007. I don’t know. I do think that changing some faces around is a good thing as a rule.

If I had to bet money whether or not Bret Hart would step back into a WWE to give a “farewell speech”, etc I would bet against it. I don’t see it happening and I think Bret said what he wanted to at the 2006 Hall of Fame Ceremony. Health wise, Bret wrestling again is not an option.

Gordon Solie was my role model as an announcer. However, I developed my own style which I encourage any aspiring announcer to do as well. Don’t be a clone of anyone because the viewers and fans will not accept copy cats as a rule.

I exchange emails with Paul Bearer from time to time and he seems to be doing well back at home in Pensacola. PB is a wonderful man who truly loves the business and has faced many personal health issues he has steadfastly battled over the years.

A Tazz DVD? I would watch it. Maybe some day one will be produced. Tazz was involved in some great stuff in the old ECW. The wrestler Tazz has a chance to get a DVD produced but the WWE doesn’t seem to feel that their announcers are very marketable as a rule.

I do not know who owns the Portland Wrestling library…perhaps the family of late promoter Don Owens. Wrestlemania in the UK sounds good to me. I hope I am around to see it come to fruition.

Our restaurant, “J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q” will open in April 2007 in Norman, Oklahoma near I-35 and Main Street where the Krispy Kreme was located. I will keep everyone apprised of the progress. Work has already started on “gutting” the inside of the 4,000 square foot facility. My wife and sister in law along with yours truly will be there more often than not. I love the thought of visiting with fans who drop in for some great groceries.

Dr. Death has been cancer free now for over two years…a miracle from God. Doc works a couple of weeks each month coaching in the WWE developmental system. Doc looks great at around 260 pounds.

I got an interesting email from some one who suggested that when I leave the WWE that I “leave with my dignity”. No TV skit or verbose remarks from any one will adversely affect my “dignity.” Character and dignity are not for sale nor will mine be compromised. My work in this business since the 70s will either hold up to the fans or it won’t.

How does The King and J.R. prepare for a live RAW? We run through what info we are provided and simply go out and let it flow. We don’t rehearse jokes, etc. We have people in our ears to help us get through a show which can be perceived as a blessing or a curse depending on one’s point of view and individual philosophy. I am the note taker and King is the real talent of the team. We prefer to know less about what is scheduled as we both enjoy being surprised and to be able to react naturally.

I never thought of Kenny Dykstra being compared to Owen Hart as a reader suggested. Maybe so in time. Kenny should be so lucky as to be as good as Owen was. I sure miss Owen I can tell you that.

When I travel in Tennessee I usually travel with The King who knows all the shortcuts and the good eateries. We both love Bar-B-Q and the State of Tennessee has plenty of those including many in Memphis we have frequented including the Cozy Corner (King’s Favorite), Corky’s and Rendezvous. Plus, the folks in Tennessee know how to make wonderful cream gravy for those hot biscuits for breakfast! I have always thought that Knoxville was a great, college town and I have had fun, sometimes too much, in Nashville.

How tall is John Cena? I would guess John stands over 6 feet tall probably around 6’1” or 6’2” if I were guessing.

David wanted to know if I thought the Dr. Heiney skit of October 2005 was an absolute riot? Sure, David, I loved it. It ranks right up there with having 13” of my intestines removed a few days earlier. I might think it would be funnier if I watched it today but when it aired live on RAW I had only been home from the hospital for a few hours so I really don’t remember all the details of the skit or what hilarious things were removed from my rectum.

Favorite color commentators over the years? Notwithstanding the King who is my all time favorite, I really enjoyed working with Jim Cornette, Bobby Heenan, Gorilla Monsoon, Michael Hayes, Paul Heyman, Bob Caudle, and the few times I got to partner with Gordon Solie. I know I am leaving out some deserving commentators but I am quite sure someone will remind me.

New J.R. action figures…..uh, not too likely.

Thanks as always for checking out our store. My family and I personally appreciate you shopping with us.
J.R.