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

C. Rodgers- The Undertaker is THE man without question, and the fact that he wrestles on a network television show, Smackdown, doesn’t make Taker’s status any less. I personally believe that Monday Night Raw is the WWE’s flagship program, not because I am on it for goodness sakes, but because of its tenure on the air and the fact that more PPV’s are successfully promoted off of cable than off of network TV. With all that said, The Undertaker being one of the cornerstones of Friday Night Smackdown is a good thing for their brand and WWE in general. You indicated you enjoy Smackdown better than Raw, so what’s your issue? I too enjoy Smackdown a great deal, as they usually feature more actual in ring wrestling than Monday Night Raw. Joseph- If I had an opportunity to step in the ring for 5 minutes with anyone I have crossed paths with over my career it would most likely be Stone Cold and we would have a few cold ones together. Or Trish Stratus if it were a “closed workout”… (: Nonetheless, no violence, thank you very much. Matt- The ECW brand is not going up in flames. Sci Fi has renewed the TV contract of the show and if one studies closely the ratings that ECW delivers to Sci Fi based on the other Sci Fi shows, one can see that ECW is an evolving asset to the cable network. When some of the ECW talents “get hot,” which will happen in time, then the Tuesday night show will indeed be considered much more “must see TV” than perhaps some perceive it to be now. ACE- I assume the WWE will return to Japan at some point in time, as Japan has always been a great host for WWE events. The WWE’s international growth is fascinating and will continue to grow as their TV’s in international territories matures and builds audiences. To my knowledge, the WWE has no affiliation with any Japanese wrestling office. SteC- I can’t tell you how the ride from Manchester down to Birmingham was, as I was sound asleep in the back seat of the car. I do know that it didn’t take us too long, as we seemed to motor along quite quickly. Lisa- Whoever wrote that a “modified” move actually means a “blotched move” doesn’t know what they are speaking about. GEO- I do not know the whereabouts of Kristal, as it’s not my day to watch after her. I have no idea if she is through with the biz or plans on trying it again. Gregory- I enjoy watching TV Poker and feel that I could broadcast a Poker event with no problems. I play occasionally with friends, but my free time is so limited that I don’t play as often as I would like to, as in a “weekly home game.” Playing with the pros might be fun, but to donate my cash to them, just to be able to sit with them at a poker table isn’t my idea of a great time. Nick- Teddy Hart has had about 3 chances to stick with the WWE, as I recall. Whether or not he gets yet another chance isn’t my call. At some point, however, all involved in the process have to realize that some things just aren’t meant to be. Jake- I always look forward to visiting Cincy and am a big fan of the Montgomery Inn and Skyline Chili. One of my best friends, Kevin Wilson, who coaches at OU and formerly coached at Miami of Ohio, has Skyline Chili shipped to his house! That’s dedication. OU vs. the Bearcats will be at great series for both schools. Plus, my old pal Les Thatcher lives in the Cincy area and Les is a credit to the biz. Jorden- I do not have access nor do I seek access to the “WWE’s radar” as to who they are scouting or not. I also am not familiar with Larry Sweeney. If Larry doesn’t wrestle on Raw, play football, or eat at J.R.’s, he most likely, in all due respect, isn’t on my “radar.” However, one has to assume that the WWE is scouting the ROH on a regular basis. Why wouldn’t they be?? It makes sense for the WWE to thoroughly understand what is going on in the Ring of Honor. Bob- OU has to win out to even have a chance of playing for the National Title this college football season. It looks as if Ohio State and LSU have a great opportunity to play for the big prize on January 7 in New Orleans, but Ohio State must essentially run the table and beating Penn State in Happy Valley is no down at the beach nor is beating Michigan at the Big House. Tough days are still ahead for the Buckeyes. LSU can’t afford another loss and must win the SEC to get to the Promised Land. There is lots of great college football left to play with essentially nothing guaranteed for any team. Adam- Shouldn’t we assume that Penn State tailback Austin Scott, accused of rape, is innocent until proven guilty? Tom- Yes, the lovely and talented Lilian Garcia is single. Her new CD has some great stuff on it but I don’t know if it will be the commercial success it deserves to be. I will be appearing with Lilian on October 30 in Orlando promoting Wrestlemania. Jess- I have no idea what sort of work load HBK will attempt to maintain in the WWE but less than an absolute full time schedule would not surprise me at this stage of his career and considering Shawn’s list of injuries. Doesn’t the arena in Melbourne have a list of the WWE Superstars that will be appearing on their website elsewhere? Many times fans simply need to call their arena to get the info they seek regarding who is appearing on a specific card. James- With a new athletic director at the University of Arkansas, I would suggest that head football coach Houston Nutt’s days are numbered. I do think Nutt is a good man and a fine coach but he has seemingly alienated many Hog fans and supporters for whatever reasons. Disgruntled parents of Hog football players served as a source of embarrassment for the many Razorback fans that demonstrate class and support U of A athletics. James- Most wrestlers don’t care if they are cheered or booed as long as there is a backside every 18 inches (the standard width of an arena seat.) Empty seats equate to less cash. Jeremy- I have no issues with there being a female commentator on any wrestling TV show as long as she is qualified, talented, and is a fan of the product. Today’s fans won’t settle for just anyone, male or female, handling a broadcast especially if the more educated, hard core fans denote that a commentator isn’t up to speed and is filling the job simply because of youth and their “look”. I am sure that some day a woman will handle play by play on a WWE broadcast. No issues with me on that one. Brad- the NFL will likely continue to do what they can to establish a fan base in Canada just as they are in other countries outside the USA. That’s simply good marketing. Buffalo is looking to play a game in Toronto next season which makes sense on several fronts not the least being that Toronto is a helluva city. Canadian fans are passionate and that has to attract any entity such as the NFL or the WWE. Andy the Bitter Hurricane Fan-I would love to personally see Sting have a productive and profitable “run” in the WWE before he hangs up his wrestling boots, but that is simply one man’s opinion. Will it happen? Only Sting can truly answer that question and no one else. OU “running the score up” on your Canes, is a result of your Canes’ defense or lack thereof, on that particular day. Coach Stoops is not one to pile it on plus you can get even when OU travels to Miami for the return game. Don- When we get to the franchising aspect of building J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q brand, all the food will be prepared with the same techniques and with the same recipes as we use here in Norman. Let’s hope those franchising dreams become a reality in the next 3-5 years. Pete- I have no memory of meeting any one named John Southern at the Hyatt during WM 23. Perhaps I had too much “fun” with Austin and company at the hotel bar as several of my friends were there and I do remember that we may have over indulged. Carlos- To compare any other company’s wrestling PPV’s to Wrestlemania is ill advised and downright silly. If you are trying to get a cheap plug for TNA, then there it is, but to compare any wrestling PPV to Wrestlemania is a stretch, at best. Jay-Bird- Wrestlers who work the Indy circuit are to be commended, but comparing working a handful of independent dates a month to working full time, as in 7 days a week, back in the day in a territory including a weekly TV show, etc. isn’t comparing apples to apples. Paul- Unfriendly unions can indeed adversely affect a company from running an event in a union run building. I know the WWE doesn’t boycott any area, but sometimes the building deals are simply too stiff to overcome. Fans who are disenchanted with the WWE because a live event, TV, or PPV doesn’t happen in their local building, need to examine the matter more closely than simply lashing out at the organization. Paul- In my opinion, if all the brands were merged there would be many talents who would lose their jobs, as one brand doesn’t require as many wrestlers as the WWE has under contract. I still believe that in time and with the development of new stars and fewer serious injuries to establish stars that the three brand system can still work. In time, I may change my mind but that’s how I feel about that matter today. Neath- I don’t need to know who will wrestle whom as I prepare for all potential combinations of a match to be featured at Cyber Sunday, for example. I thoroughly enjoy going to ringside, sitting down and letting what ever happens happen and being a fan that just happens to be doing play by play. I have complete confidence in my ability to call any wrestling match just as I would broadcast a football game between two teams I had never seen before. The game is the game, and the fundamentals of the process will always be in place as it relates to my approach to the presentation. Thanks and I hope you will keep your comments coming to our site. We love to hear your feedback and to attempt to answer your questions. Our on-line store is NOW OPEN for your convenience and we have some really special offers headed your way. My Webmaster has informed me that big changes are coming for the Website and some great new products will be online for your consideration. Your business helps keep our site up and running and your support is greatly appreciated. We will be back soon with another blog. BOOMER SOONER! J.R.