It is with a great deal of anticipation that I look forward to driving down I-35 South from our home in Norman to Dallas this week for the big “Super Show” at the American Airlines Center. On the agenda is a Smackdown taping following by a live broadcast of Monday Night Raw. For fans in the metroplex, who are planning on attending this “double-header,” remember that the action starts EARLY as to get Smackdown taped prior to Raw hitting the airwaves at 8 p.m. central time in Big D. There will be a significant bang for one’s buck Monday night in Dallas with all the WWE Superstars from both Raw and Smackdown all under one roof. I have several of my friends from Oklahoma driving down to enjoy this super-sized event and I hope they are all on their best behavior as they all seem to enjoy the occasional “cold beverage.” Not that there is any thing wrong with that as long as one isn’t driving or over indulging. As my late mama used to tell me, “Moderation Jimmy, moderation.” (more…)
J.R.’s new column at www.wwe.com is a must read this week and a departure from his usual “Raw Superstar of the Week” column. We think you will enjoy what J.R. has to say about the main stream news media and get a laugh when reading it as well.”
Webmaster
The senseless and tragic death of the 3 people in the double murder-suicide that occurred over the weekend in the Benoit’s home in an Atlanta suburb is a nightmare that one still wants to awake from. For those of us that knew Chris, Nancy, and Daniel on a personal level it is still hard to believe that this horrific event could even occur much less why.
The last time I saw the three of them together was at Wrestlemania 23 and my wife and I had a long visit with the Benoits and at no time could one detect that there were any issues whatsoever. I even had the occasion to speak at length privately to Nancy and she said things were fine at home. As well as Nancy and I knew each other, if that had not been the case, she would have inferred otherwise I assure you. Like so many others who attended the event on that night, the Benoit family was happy and enjoying the moment. (more…)
I am in shock, as I’m sure many of you are as well, at the horrific tragedy that occurred involving Chris Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their son Daniel. I knew them all well and this is a terrible and unnecessary loss of 3 lives.
Monday in Corpus Christi was surreal and overtly challenging for everyone. Broadcasting the 3 hour tribute show on Raw seemed befitting to recognize Chris’ career, but it wasn’t an easy show to execute. As of this writing, I couldn’t pass a quiz as to what actually aired.
The details that are now coming out of the police investigation are beyond my comprehension. I don’t even know how to respond to them. (more…)
J.R. will address the Chris Benoit tragedy and the loss of a close friend later today and explain what it was like when the WWE Superstars heard the news.
Thank you
Webmaster
Thanks for stopping by and checking out our website. Many of you are becoming regulars which we appreciate and I hope you will tell a friend about our ever growing site and our line of products.
Over the next several weeks this site will be undergoing many positive changes which are exciting for all involved. After our “J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q Restaurant” opens on Wednesday July 11, this site will add more areas of interest that I hope you will all enjoy.
This was a busy week at our Bar-B-Q place as the kitchen staff was busy making all the items from our menu. We had friends in to order from the menu and then have the cooks make the meals to check for food quality, presentation, and timeliness of getting the food to the guests. I equate these days, prior to the restaurant opening, to football two-a-days as we prepare for our first “official game” on July 11. All is really going well thus far in our preparation. We have installed 8 big, flat screen TVs plus all the booths and tables are in place and it looks like we will be able to seat between 130-140 people comfortably. Our smoker is the size that can smoke 140 slabs of ribs at one time plus the brisket, pulled pork, hot links, chicken, turkey, and the old red neck standby, smoked bologna that we will be smoking on the premises.
Soon we will have photos of our place here on the site for you to take a peek at and we are also planning on doing a virtual tour of the place after it opens. (more…)
We are finally getting back to somewhat of a normal schedule, an oxymoron if there ever was one, and I will try to begin the task of catching up on some of the more topical and timely items we have been receiving from you via your comments. Between travel and trying to get our restaurant project up and running, times have been hectic—to say the least, but enough about my schedule or someone will email me a “Poor You” comment including a verbal body slam.
Just as many of you pointed out so thoroughly and quickly, J.R. and The King made a glaring mistake on Monday night’s commentary when referencing Booker T.’s previous encounters with Bobby Lashley. We received some erroneous info during the broadcast that both King and I utilized and consequently fumbled. I was trying to pick a spot to mention that “I thought” that it would be the first time that the 5 men in the WWE Championship Challenge on Sunday at Vengeance… Night of Champions would be a first for the 5 wrestlers to be in the ring in this environment, but I am not sure if I ever made that point clear either. Doing live TV without a net is challenging but all excuses aside, we simply made a mistake that many, hell a bunch, of folks have brought to my attention. I can’t speak for King, but I regret making the error and take full responsibility for it, but let me assure you that it wasn’t my first screw up, nor will it be my last. Humans make mistakes, especially when doing live TV where there are no “re-do’s.” In the heat of battle, I thought the info we received was not accurate and I should have simply not gone there and relied on my instincts, but I didn’t, which was “my bad.” The process of doing live TV and the volume of info to be distributed and addressed these days, is far more challenging and taxing than ever before and is light years more than what it was even 5 years ago. Nonetheless, we made a mistake and I have no problem admitting it. I am sorry that this apparently offended so many of you and that this even warranted becoming a “news item” on other websites. (more…)
Feedback time, you crazed Bar-B-Q loving, Beef Jerky eatin’ Slobber-Knockers:
Jon- Not sure why you want to know my schedule but I usually depart OKC on Sundays and return on Tuesdays. On PPV weekends I depart OKC on Saturdays as a rule. When I am home I work on restaurant business, have WWE responsibilities to handle, devote time to our website, watch OU practice football when they are in season, try to spend ample time with family, and enjoy the occasional happy hour with my friends. I actually stay pretty busy. I am also proud to say we have great neighbors that keep an eye on things while I am on the road plus we have family here more often than not while I am gone. Not to mention the local police take good care of our property.
Tony- I assume one could make an argument for Cyndi Lauper and Wendi Richter being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. I am glad I have NOTHING to do with the selection process even though I still get comments from some who apparently think I do by the way their word their comments. Did you know that Wendi and Hugo Savinovich, yes that Hugo of Spanish announces table fame, were once husband and wife? (more…)
After an extended road trip this week, I have finally made it back to Norman and am trying to catch up on all my responsibilities including handling matters regarding the opening of J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q, our website and the ever present “honey do’s” that most married men encounter. There is never a dull moment, I often times wish there were, around the Ross Ponderosa.
If controversy indeed does create cash, then Monday Night’s Raw should produce a gold mine. There is no shortage of opinion and discussion regarding how Raw went off the air from Wilkes Barre on Monday, and I would suspect that folks will be talking about this cliff hanger for some time to come. Much like the final episode of The Sopranos which aired 24 hours prior to Raw, some fans enjoyed Raw and some didn’t. As with The Sopranos, those that did not like the Monday night broadcast yelled the loudest which is not unusual. In my 4 decades of broadcasting wrestling I have to admit that Monday night was perhaps the most unique night I can recall experiencing. I would suggest that interesting days lie ahead and I have not a clue as to the roads that will be traveled. All I know is that I will be on an American Airlines flight for Richmond on Sunday and will be ready to get to the former Mid Atlantic Wrestling stronghold at the Richmond Coliseum come Monday afternoon to prepare as best I can for another Monday Night Raw. Like everyone else I simply have a “stay tuned” attitude. (more…)
I received the unfortunate news that WWE Hall of Famer Sensational Sherri Martel died Friday morning, of yet to be determined causes at the age of 49. Sherri was one of the most talented and colorful performers I ever worked with or knew in this business. She was not only an excellent wrestler but evolved into one of the best “manager/valets” ever in the business. Her physicality and toughness may never be matched especially for her gender. Seeing Sherri at the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony last year was a real treat and she had a blast at the weekend’s activities especially visiting with old friends and fans. Sherri’s place in the WWE Hall of Fame is well earned and her exploits in the ring and at ringside will long be remembered. Sherri’s work helped make Shawn Michaels, among others, an even bigger superstar in the WWE.
Sherri could out drink, out cuss, and out party most men, and I would venture to say in a fist fight, she could whip more wrestlers than one could ever imagine.
The business has lost one of its most colorful characters who came up the hard way, paid her dues, and survived during the territory days to make it to the grandest stage of them all, Wrestlemania and the WWE Hall of Fame.
Rest in peace Sherri, and take it easy on the men folk in heaven.
Jim Ross
I will now have an abbreviated version of my blog today, and will have a lot longer blog next time, so let’s answer some questions.. (more…)
