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

It is always great to get back to Norman, Oklahoma after a road trip, that saw me leave Friday and get back home on Tuesday afternoon. I was home about an hour before I headed to the OU-Baylor men's college hoops game, that the Sooners were lucky to win in OT 92-91. After officiating college basketball for many years, once upon a time, I hate to say it but it seems the level of officiating in the college game is really inconsistent. Especially in the women's game, from what I have seen this year from our court side seats at Oklahoma games. But, I digress.

I had the occasion to have some healthy football talk with college head coaches, Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Bo Pelini (Nebraska) and Mike Stoops (Arizona) Friday night in Las Vegas as all the Youngstown, Ohio natives were in town for the Kelly Pavlik-Jermaine Taylor fight Saturday night. Pavlik is a Youngstown fighter who still lives and trains there.

Pavlik-Taylor 2 saw Pavlik win a unanimous, 12 round decision that was a closer fight, from my perspective. If Pavlik fights Felix Trinidad in Madison Square Garden in June, as some speculate, it will result in a huge payday for the blue collar Pavlik and most likely a healthy pay per view number.

No Way Out felt like it over delivered, based on the predictions of some going into the event. I was skeptical of one event having two Elimination Chamber bouts on it, but the two contests really delivered and were both different in match structure. My black hat is off to all involved in the process. Personally, I thought the Undertaker, especially, had a superb night among the many WWE Superstars who distinguished themselves.

The Vegas crowd, not surprisingly, really gave Ric Flair a genuine, heartfelt ovation and I wish we would have had the chance to see Flair and the talented Kennedy go at it a little longer before Flair put Kennedy-Kennedy away with the Figure Four leg lock.

Shocking development, to say the least, between Floyd "Money" Mayweather and The Big Show with Mayweather breaking Show's nose and blacking the 400 pounder's eye. Mayweather, who will be risking millions and millions of dollars in future earnings, has accepted The Big Show's challenge for a "match." My question is what kind of "match" will it be? Or will it even matter, considering the size disparity? Nonetheless, this "attraction" has many media types talking, which can't hurt things, as the Road to Wrestlemania, like The Super Bowl or the Final Four, is paved with "hype" and promotion. Mayweather's punches to Show's face were brutal and when I first saw them in slow motion, I cringed.

Mayweather was engaging to be around in the locker room area, both Sunday and Monday. He hung with his ample "posse," who had Floyd's ever growing merchandise lines ably represented. Some one laughingly mentioned to me that of all the celebrities who have joined us for WWE events that no one's entourage eats like Mayweather's group. For me, this is like the pot calling the kettle black as I do my share of consuming the groceries on Monday afternoon at the new and improved catering table. Some folks seemed surprised that Mayweather was booed Monday night in Anaheim, but no one should be, as Anaheim is pretty much Oscar De La Hoya country.

Interesting day in Anaheim on Monday, as The King and yours truly departed our Vegas hotel at 6 a.m. in the morning, which really helped make my day, for our flight to Santa Ana's John Wayne Airport, which made me feel better about the "up with the chickens" flight time. West coast Monday Night Raws, with their 6 p.m. starts, are challenging pieces of business for every one, especially when they follow a pay per view. I think that perhaps too many folks consume too much non-decaf coffee on these Mondays but, then again, I might be wrong.

One good thing coming out of Monday night's Raw is that the Wrestlemania card is finally starting to take shape, which will no doubt help encourage WWE fans to purchase the remaining tickets for the March 30 event in the Citrus Bowl. I have no doubts that by the time Wrestlemania rolls around, the Citrus Bowl will be sold out.

I don't know about you, but the only reason I needed to attend the 2008 Hall of Fame induction ceremony is knowing that Ric Flair is being inducted on Saturday night, March 29, in the Amway Arena in Orlando. I said it on Monday night, but in my heartfelt opinion, the greatest wrestler I ever saw in person needs his own wing in the WWE Hall of Fame, which obviously sounds like "wrestling hype," but I have never been more serious. Congratulations, Naitch. It is a long over due honor and you have been a Hall of Famer in my eyes for many, many years.

Wrestling, like so many sports and entertainment entities, is often times wrought with jealousy and paranoia within the ranks of the performers and even staffers at times. When I first went to work for Jim Crockett Promotions (NWA), my entry into a new company was made so much easier because I had already established a great friendship with Ric Flair, who had wrestled many times in Bill Watts' Mid South Territory prior to Watts selling his company to Crockett. Ric and I had many social times after the events with Ric's friends a la the Four Horsemen and my acceptance in Crockett Promotions was made immensely easier. My broadcast partner, Bob Caudle, also helped me in this regard.

I am as anxious as any other fan to see who else will be inducted this year. I can only assume that we will be finding out each Monday at Raw who the next inductee will be.

Speaking of the Hall of Fame, future WWE Hall of Famer, The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson, has become a fan of our peanuts and "The Great One" also owns an "I've Got Big Nuts" t-shirt from J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q. So much for the self-promoting, but I am so proud of Dwayne for being selected as a presenter this Sunday on ABC's 2008 Oscar awards show. Dwayne has displayed the undeniable work ethic and desire to be the best in film just as the third generation wrestling superstar did on the football field at "The U" and in the WWE. The Rock is still a 100% "Blue Chipper" in the most important game of all and that is the game of life.

As many of you know by now, actress Lindsey Lohan was backstage at Raw Monday night, I think, with some "Make A Wish" kids along with John Cena and Rey Mysterio. The King mentioned how much more attractive Ms. Lohan is, in person, than on TV or the big screen and how many freckles she has. I'm not sure how significant that useless trivia is, but I just wanted to share it with you. Who knows, perhaps this quote will make it to WWE.com or to the TMZ website. I will say that Ms. Lohan was in great spirits and conducted her self professionally and took the time to pose for photos with many of the WWE Superstars. I did see her having a long conversation with John Cena Monday afternoon.

One has to wonder, after two Monday Night Raw appearances, if the UK born Burchill's will end up being as popular in the UK as Heather Mills or will it go the other way? Paul Burchill is talented and Burchill's finishing maneuver is just nasty looking and one can assume it will have a name sooner than later.

I admired New York Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte's honesty and candor during his press conference of a few days ago. I still say that Roger Clemens hasn't been proven guilty of any thing, and I stand behind what I wrote here last week, honesty is and always will be the best policy. One would assume that this matter is far from over as it relates to Major League Baseball's recent issues.

The Minnesota Viking and former University of Oklahoma star Adrian Peterson's NFL jersey is the #6 selling jersey out there and ranks behind QB's Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Bret Favre, Peyton Manning, and RB LaDainian Tomlinson. AD promised me he was going to drop by J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q the next time he is in Norman, to which we look forward. We will have a signed, AD Vikes' jersey in our new store in Moore, Oklahoma, when it opens in mid April.

As many of you know, I am often times my own worst critic when it comes to the commentary I do. As some fans have pointed out recently, my commentary has sounded different and as some fans have termed it "isn't what it used to be" to paraphrase some of the kinder remarks. I am sure that many fans have noticed the change in presentation for most TV wrestling announcers, which is not accidental. The business is ever changing and, by design, so are the announcers' presentations. I think that once all on air talent adjusts to the new philosophy, hopefully it will be perceived as being smoother and more acceptable by discerning fans. However, at the end of the day, if my work doesn't meet the expectations of some fans then all I can say is I'm sorry and that I never "phone it in" but if it gets too substandard there is always the mute button on your remote.

Man, how the world turns and times change. A recent study by someone with a great deal of time on their hands indicated that teens who watch pro wrestling are more likely than their peers, who do not watch, to be more violent, smoke, and have unprotected sex. Speaking as a former teen who was a regular viewer of pro wrestling on TV, I can tell you that the only time I tried to be "violent" was on the gridiron for fear if I wasn't I would be confronted by my late father when I got home, that I never touched a cigarette until I was in my early 30's, and as far as the unprotected sex is concerned, well, let's just say I did not have to worry about unprotected or protected sex for the VAST majority of my teenage years.

Studies like this generally make me roll my eyes as they consistently leave out the all important missing piece of a teen's life puzzle, their parents.

Don't forget to check us out Friday mornings at 8 eastern on the "Buckethead Radio Show" which can be heard live or archived at www.bucketheadradio.com.

Finally, I had a great visit at breakfast, Tuesday morning, with Stone Cold Steve Austin, who was in especially great spirits and physically looked like he could step back on a football field or in a wrestling ring with no problems. Steve is really training hard, which is actually nothing new for him, and has been as busy as a fruit merchant immersing himself in the business of film. I would be shocked if Steve did not kick out a couple of films in 2008, especially now that the writer's strike is over. He certainly seems to have attracted a great deal of interest in the movie business regarding future projects. Stone Cold is unfortunately out of J.R.'s Original Bar-B-Q Sauce®, which is his favorite sauce, along with Our Chipotle Ketchup and Jalapeno Honey Mustard. Never fear, a shipment will be leaving Oklahoma for the west coast ASAP. Steve is a great friend, which is a rarity to maintain in sports and entertainment, and he deserves nothing but success. No one in the business ever sold more merchandise, tickets or pay per views than did Steve Austin. That pretty much says it all.....for pure revenue and earning dollars for all involved, Stone Cold Steve Austin stands alone atop the wrestling mountain. Have you checked out the latest Austin DVD, "The Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin?" I suggest you put that on your list of "things do to."

Our online store is open and I invite you to stop by. We have many specials available and need and appreciate your business. We will also have more fresh Q&As posted on our site this week as well. Please keep your questions and feedback coming.

Thanks for stopping by and come back and see us.
BOOMER SOONER!
J.R.