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

Everyone here at J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q wishes all of you a safe and happy holiday season. We hope you had a safe and Happy Christmas. There is nothing like spending time with family and for those that are fortunate enough to be able to do so, you are encouraged to enjoy every minute of it. We should also take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices the men and women of the Armed Forces of the United States do on a daily basis for each of us that live in America. My black hat is off to all these brave American soldiers along with a Sooner-sized thank you. Being the avid sports fan that I am it is a particularly crazy and interesting time of the year, especially in the NFL. With the poorly marketed and promoted NHL, along with the no defense playing NBA just getting their seasons underway, the pros in football are heading into crunch time. The next few weeks leading up to a February, yes February, Super Bowl is going to be interesting to follow. With no clear cut, favorite NFL team to cheer for, yours truly enjoys following several teams that feature former Oklahoma Sooners players that I have gotten to know on a personal level over the years. Plus, games with playoff implications make for great TV, too. Here in Oklahoma we get ample doses of Dallas Cowboy information and I do like Coach Wade Phillips and former Sooner DB Roy Williams is a dangerous weapon in the Cowboys secondary. Bobby Petrino leaving his Atlanta Falcon team, a team I used to broadcast for in the early 90’s, was suspect judgment at best as it relates to how the former Louisville coach departed Atlanta. Petrino has a right to work where he chooses, but the manner in which the head coach took a hike on his team was had no class. If Petrino stays at Arkansas over 4 years, it will be a minor miracle and I hope that I am wrong. If factions at the U of A can run off native son, Houston Nutt, who won games and invigorated the program, then Petrino must win quickly and that is win quickly in the SEC . Good luck on that one. Bill Parcells must have had some gypsy somewhere in his family tree as the nomadic former coach is now going to try and rebuild the Miami Dolphins. Moving from his home in Saratoga Springs, New York to south Florida can’t be all bad unless one really like colder weather and horse racing which the Big Tuna does from what I am told. Bottom line, heads will roll in Miami and Parcells will most likely be a “hands on” boss which can be a blessing or a curse. Rich Rodriquez heading to Michigan is a good thing for the Wolverines as Rodriquez will install a non-traditional Big 10 offense, much like Ron Zook has done at Illinois, and will retool the Wolverines on many fronts with one goal naturally being to defeat Ohio State more frequently that outgoing coach Lloyd Carr has done. The Michigan helmets will most likely be untouched but that may be about the size of it. It surprises me that the native of West Virginia would leave his alma mater and homeland to bolt for the “Big House” especially after turning down a lucrative deal last year at Alabama. Things change in people’s lives and apparently Rodriquez felt it was time to move on even if it meant leaving his team behind that was only 4 points away this year from playing in the national title game. OU plays WVU in the Fiesta Bowl on January 2, a game I plan on attending, and the OU coaching staff has worked overtime to prepare the Sooners for what will be a slobber-knocker of a BCS Bowl game in the desert. My take on the Mountaineers is that they will play with a chip on their shoulders and will give Oklahoma all the Sooners want. I will be on the Sooner sideline and may be joined if schedules permit (deer hunting) by Steve Austin, who I have converted over to the “gospel” according to Bob Stoops. I will be heading to Greensboro, North Carolina the morning of December 29, unless the weather is bad and then I will head out on the 28th , to broadcast a live to tape version of Monday Night Raw that will air on Monday December 31. The Greensboro Coliseum is one of the classic, sports facilities in America especially when it comes to college hoops. There may be college conferences as good as the ACC but I can’t think of any that are better basketball leagues than the Atlantic Coast Conference. Over the years the games that have been played in the Coliseum are historic within the annals of round ball and have featured many of the biggest names in the game, including the greatest ever, Michael Jordan. Of course the pro wrestling history in the Coliseum is the stuff of legend as well. The first Starrcade…Thanksgiving and Christmas night Mid Atlantic Wrestling events… and my first visit to Greensboro, which was to broadcast the first Clash of the Champions on TBS. Ironically Ric Flair (vs. Sting) headlined that event and “The Naitch” will headline the upcoming event vs. HHH. I hope the fans really turn out in Greensboro for what is sort of like a holiday show, as one never knows how many more times Ric Flair will again grace the ring in an arena he helped make famous. We are pleased that many of you like our new format of answering your comments. We are constantly working to try and improve our site and we feel this is a significant improvement over our previous format. Our online store is still doing great business and we do appreciate your patronage and support. We will have some exciting new offers after the holidays so stay tuned. One thing I want to say is that I do NOT have a MySpace account and never had one. Someone is pretending to be me, but it is NOT ME. Also, some websites are reprinting my blog as if I were a writer for them without linking back to my site. If you have a site or blog and want to quote some of my thoughts and link back to my site, that is fine, but please do not cut and paste the whole thing, especially without linking back to my original blog. Feedback time…. Hi J.R., Let me start by quoting Dr. G… “First and foremost, allow me the honor of thanking you for years of entertainment. You truly are the standard by which play-by-play men will be held for years to come.” Couldn’t have said it better myself. The 15th Anniversary show was great. There were some faces I would like to have seen, and tributes I would like to have seen made, but man, it would have taken all day to fit in everyone’s faves. I do have a bit of a wrestling history question for you. In ‘82 or ‘83 I caught my first glimpse of wrestling. It was a local promotion here in Indianapolis run by Dick The Bruiser. I seem to remember a guy by the name of “the Playboy” Rick Flair. Just wondering if my memory is failing, or if it was someone else. It sure looked a lot like Naich. Do you have any knowledge of l this? Ace S. Whyld Thanks very much, Ace, I do not recall Ric Flair ever wrestling as “Playboy” Rick Flair, but perhaps some long time Flair fans can shed some light on that one. That doesn’t ring a bell to me. Flair was very busy then, usually as a defending NWA World Champion. It could have been a case of “gimmick infringement.” Hi JR. I recently had the tremendous pleasure of sampling your beef jerky. I ordered a bag of your original and a bag of chipotle flavor. I must say it was the finest jerky I have ever sampled. The only sad thing was, after waiting for it to arrive for nearly three weeks, it was devoured in the space of fifteen minutes. But that’s my fault for being such a glutton, or gannet, as my grand dad says. Now, if I may, I would like to make a suggestion for a future product. In England, we have “pork scratchings”. I’m not sure if you Americans are blessed with this snack, but they are essentially made up of fried pork rind which is lightly seasoned. Of course, it is edible heaven! I think you could make a lot of money if you were to sell them, I would buy several bags! Anyway, all the best JR, and have a great Christmas. R. Slyme I am thrilled you like our Jerky. The delay in occasionally receiving our products outside the USA, is with the governments of both countries, who have much stricter shipping guidelines since the attacks of 9/11. We are preparing to add a Teriyaki flavored jerky to our line-up soon. Our Beef Jerky business is really growing and preparing to be placed in several convenience stores. Yes, they do sell “Fried Pork Rinds” here in the U.S., but JR’s Beef Jerky is much healthier for you, as well as better tasting in my opinion. It is not fried or made of pork skin/fat. As you know, JR’s Beef Jerky is thinly sliced beef steak quality strips that are dried and smoked and seasoned. Yummm! Hi J.R., We were watching the Superstar Billy Graham DVD last night when I started wondering, when are we gonna see a Gene Okerlund DVD? I know, you have no real say on what makes it to DVD, but I want to at least add my vote to the list. And I still think it’d be a hoot to have King show up on Raw in a Superman suit. Bob in Denver Mean Gene is one of my all time favorite people in the biz, and I would love to hear him speak on his favorite moments in his career, including interviews and matches he has called. The AWA library would help provide some great memories. Perhaps Lawler could wear his Superman P.J.’s on Raw…. but perhaps that’s not a good idea. Dear JR, I have big a huge fan of William Regal’s through-out his entire career. His wrestling style is like no others and I am glad to see him as the General Manager of RAW. Being Regal’s number 1 fan I have to ask: Do you think the WWE would be willing to make William Regal DVD highlighting some of his best matches (including against Chris Benoit), and do you think that William Regal is Hall of Fame worthy? Thanks, Glen Glen, I don’t see a specific Regal DVD anytime soon, which doesn’t lessen Regal’s skills or the fact that you are a fan of his. Induction into the WWE Hall of Fame also might be a little premature for Regal at this time, however the UK native’s in ring abilities are unique and enjoyable to watch. I, too, am a William Regal fan and would like to see him wrestle more on Raw. J.R., You mentioned that you felt Chyna winning the IC title was not a bright day for WWE. What do you think about Mr. McMahon winning the WWF title? Danny Williams Danny, I look at those matters as separate issues, but if Mr. McMahon won the women’s title I would make the same argument. And yes, I remember when Harvey Whippleman won the Women’s Title and it did not work for me - and I like good, old Harvey a lot. Hey there, Boomer Sooner! When you guys come to Hampton Virginia in January you need to check out Pierce’s Bar-B-Q in nearby Lightfoot. Only Virginia Style Bar-B-Q joint in the world!! (and no, I do not work there). Geoff OFx If it is not too far from the arena, the King and I might make it one of our stops. Thanks for the tip. Hi J.R. - Will we see ron killings in the wwe in the future, now that he is released from TNA? Lee AND Hi J.R. - Is WWE in talks with ron killings? Nick Lee and Nick - How would I know? Remember, I don’t work in that department any longer, nor do I discuss with those folks who they are, or are not speaking with. Hey jr. just wanting to know when in the heck is the wwe going to have a hell in a cell dvd?! that would without a doubt sell like hotcakes..maybe even better! PLEASE ASK VINNIE MAC! thejeeper Please ask “Vinnie Mac”…. right. I’m “all over that one.” JR, What do you think about the success of Jillian’s CD? Cody L I am shocked, but happy for the success of anyone in the biz. Do you think it has become a gag gift or has anyone heard it and thinks it is better than many of us have pre-judged? I still think Jillian’s singing is akin to Ellen Degeneres’ dancing. Whats up, JR? I am currently in college now trying to get my B.S. degree, but it has been a dream of mine to give wrestling a shot. What kind of advice would you give me if i really wanting to give wrestling a shot? Thanks! Jeffro What area of “wrestling” are you referring to, Jeffro? In the ring, broadcasting, marketing, finance, writing, what?? hey jr! i just watched wrestlemania 23 over the weekend and i took a note on the undertaker vs batista match. i noticed you slammed your fist when taker connected the tombstone on batista. tell me, how happy where you personally for the undertaker when he was once again a champion. it was almost five years when he last won it and i from the stories i heard from you guys there you make it sound like the undertaker is a role model of boys backstage..thanks jr and more power to you! Kim Dominguez I was simply being a fan, Kim. It was very exciting. You have to admit I had a pretty good seat. I am NOT anti-Batista whatsoever, but I AM an Undertaker fan for many reasons, largely hinged around the singular word “respect.” J.R, On the “McMahon” DVD, I hear you say that during the Montreal Screwjob, Vince McMahon was “outed” as the owner, but if I had to credit anyone with the “genesis” of Mr. McMahon, besides what happened in Montreal, it would be your ill-fated heel turn in September 1996, which in my opinion makes you the first person who acknowledged Mr. McMahon as the owner. but Mr. McMahon was still a “good guy” in 1996 and the “Montreal Incident” eventually led to the “evil” Mr. McMahon, who unlike in 1996, reviled in being “Mr. McMahon.” Dan “ILL fated” is certainly one way to describe my tirade in 1996, but I could think of some other descriptors, but I won’t, seeing that it is the holiday season. A friend of mine from Dallas was recently up here for some good BarBQ and he brought a DVD he had burned for me with that infamous tirade from RAW. No, we didn’t watch it. We watched a 1989 Connie Chung show from CBS News he also brought that reported that Ted Turner was now in the “rasslin’ business.” My friend’s wife Lynn, who was still working at WCW at the time in PR, said that they got a lot of phone calls the next day from fans who had seen Raw and either thought I quit or got fired after the show, asking if WCW was going to hire Jim Ross back. No way I was going to quit! To all readers and fans, we have added some links to many departments at WWE Fan Services. You will find them in the column to the right of this blog. Our Red Neck Gift Buckets, J.R.’s Big Nuts, Sauces, Beef Jerky, Autographed Cookbooks, our new shirts and more are selling big time and we damn sure appreciate your business. Many of the WWE Superstars were shopping with us for the holidays as they realized that one doesn’t have to worry about the wrong color, the wrong size or something that no sane individual would ever want for the holidays when you shop right here. We appreciate you making “J.R.’s Bar-B-Q” a small part of your holidays and hope it was happy for all. We will be back soon with another blog soon where we will answer more of your feedback. Keep it coming!! BOOMER SOONER! J.R.