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

It’s good to be back home in Oklahoma after three busy days in the Northeast, that included SummerSlam in New Jersey, Raw in Boston, and little sleep due to travel, not recreation, unfortunately. Anyone who wins a “safe driver” award in Jersey, New York, Connecticut, etc need to be recognized. King and I were in more “near misses” than I care to discuss, on our drive from the Meadowlands to Boston on Monday. Never a dull moment when we travel together, that’s for sure.

We got a fair amount of feedback about the rumor that King and I will be split up in the near future. I can only say that no one has spoken to me about it, whatsoever, and I seriously doubt the validity of the rumor.

Big week for us at J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q with this being our first “game week” of the college football season as Oklahoma hosts North Texas this Saturday night at 6 p.m. Central Time for a game that will be televised by Fox Sports. Our place will be open late after the game Saturday evening and then I fly early Sunday morning from OKC to Dallas then to Columbus, Ohio where Monday Night Raw will be produced live to tape Sunday night.

The Sooners will play before around 85,000 Saturday night including yours truly and the Mrs. We will also have our Bar-B-Q trailer parked just north of the stadium selling Bar-B-Q Brisket and Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Close to 100,000 folks will be in and around the Memorial Stadium Saturday to support the Sooners.

Speaking of ample attendance, the WWE had over 32,000 fans attend SummerSlam and Raw this week which is excellent. Many of the WWE superstars leave next week for South Africa for a short tour, that I hear is doing really well. I have made that trip a couple of times and it is a long one from the States, but we always enjoyed the time we had there once we arrived.

Let’s get to some of your comments:

Logan in North Carolina- Thanks for the tips on good “Q” places in your area. We always appreciate the insider info on where to find good out of town Bar-B-Q.

Murad- I am aware of the personal, family issues Marcus Cor Von is addressing at this time and admire him for his allegiance to his family. However, for us to discuss, wouldn’t be the right thing to do in my opinion. Trust me when I tell you, Marcus is doing the right thing and will hopefully be able to return to the WWE sooner than later.

Aaron- I have never had any issues working at the announce table with Tazz and have enjoyed our opportunities to work together at ringside. However, I am most comfortable working with Lawler and I think we do a decent job even after all these years. The decision as to who the broadcast teams are isn’t mine but I do think I would be informed if such a major decision were to be made. I think this is simply a runaway wrestling rumor with little or no basis in fact.

BryanS7- I agree that the WWE could probably sell a bunch of DVDs of the complete seasons of Raw, Smackdown, and ECW. Much akin to our purchases of the complete seasons of The Sopranos, Deadwood, and Seinfeld, for instance. Perhaps this suggestion is in the works, but I don’t know for sure.

Dan W- Randy Orton is on a roll and doing well both in and out of the ring. In today’s society, some fans are going to cheer the antagonists, which is now actually expected to some degree but varies city to city. That fact used to bother me in the old days, or what I perceived as the old days, but times change and everyone involved with the process needs to adapt. I don’t take it that the fan favorites are being disrespected, but it is simply vocal, edgy fans expressing themselves. I assure you that the worst sound is silence, so fans booing a hero such as John Cen,a as we have all seen and heard, isn’t a bad thing.

Bill- I could see where one might compare Kevin Thorn’s mannerisms to The Undertaker’s. Perhaps that isn’t by accident, but I can’t be sure. If Thorn were smart, and I assume that he is, he will study the Taker’s matches closely and emulate whatever Thorn can intelligently execute. Taker is “The Man” in so many ways inside the WWE. Nice role model for Thorn, to say the very least.

Andre- Thanks for monitoring my remarks but sometimes my attempts at humor or satire are misunderstood, which may be more of a function of my writing skills than any thing else. I too am in a “people business” and understand dealing with folks in retail. All is well Andre, but I suggest that you need to “Lighten up Francis.” That nugget from your “Big Toe.”

Fisha- Cena and Wahlberg related? Beats me, but I think we have enough DNA oriented business to address without adding this matter to the list.

Nathan- Paul Thompson or PT as we call him here in Norman is a class young man who will be a star in something. I hope it is in the NFL, but it may be in broadcasting or the business world. I would hire PT in a heartbeat as he is an intelligent, hard working young man with great character. Paul sticking this long with the Pack at QB no less is awesome. I am a big Favre guy and love to watch the Packers in action as it reminds me of when I was younger and the Lombardi lead Packers where the kings of the NFL.

Jared- I have heard the rumblings of Pittsburgh hosting the December PPV Armageddon but can’t confirm it. However, sometimes where there is smoke there is fire. My wife is a Pittsburgh native and I hope the event happens in her hometown.

Matt- I too am a huge fan of WWE 24/7 and think it is “must see” TV for all true wrestling fans. I remember Ron Simmons vs. Vader where Ron became the first nationally recognized World’s Champion and it was a special night. Politically and athletically it was a memorable occasion. Two, gifted, athletic, ex-football players had a superb outing, of which I am proud to have been a smart part. Lots of legit emotion and anticipation for that match in the arena that night. Good stuff.

Clique- I think that the IC Title and the World Tag Titles on Raw could have more focus and have have their perception enhanced. Actually, that can be said of so many things in the entertainment business as the “building process” for essentially every superstar and entity, such a championship are perpetually being built, if the machine is running on all cylinders.

Mile High- Cody Hawkins is in a tough spot starting at QB for his head coach father, who is attempting to re-build a proud football program. Coach Hawkins is a motivator and will turn things around in Boulder, but I feel that this year will be tough. If the Buffs get off to a slow start, this season might be a long one. However, if Colorado can get the taste of early success, then who knows?

I hear Cody Hawkins is a talented kid and I wish the team well. I will be there when OU visits late this season, if all goes well.

Brian- I may have had some fun with John Morrison during the Tough Enough tryouts about his lack, or perceived lack of WWE product knowledge. I was just having fun and trying to be entertaining on the reality show, which is sort of the name of the game. Morrison has come a long way and has the potential to be special.

The Masterdave- I don’t know if Jake Roberts will be back in the WWE or not. I don’t do the hiring and I don’t ask. Jake has a great mind for the business, nonetheless, and could certainly offer a unique perspective for the younger talents. As it relates to The Undertaker coming to Scotland in November, I would suggest he will be there but don’t hold my feet to the fire.

JWB- Jackie Moore is a credit to the business and a tough and talented performer. Jackie did a great job in the WWE while she was here and was a pleasure to work with. I would suggest to you that she can kick many male arses with no problem.

John- I have zero in ring training, which would seem to be somewhat obvious by my numerous “cow on ice” performances in the ring.

Drake- Thanks for the sauce and Jerky biz. It is greatly appreciated when we sell our products off our site, which makes all the time and effort everyone puts in the site well worth while. Our Jerky is simply the best I have tried and I really like Jerky. People are buying our sauces in our store and on the site, which is encouraging too. I had some fries today with our Chipotle Ketchup, that were awesome.

John P- Cena vs. Lashley at the Bash was a helluva match for the two, young athletes. I don’t think we have seen the last of these two superstars in the ring together, over the long haul. Lashley is healing nicely and should be back in a few months, better than ever after shoulder surgery.

Perfect- What young Minnesota wrestlers are you referring to? The Minnesota connection of the 80’s will be hard to surpass.

Mattlufc- Davyboy Smith was obviously a gifted wrestler, who was probably at his best when tagging with the Dynamite Kid, with the possible exception of his matches with Bret Hart. Perhaps the reason Davy did not ever become a World’s Champion had to due simply with timing, perhaps injuries at the wrong time (there is never a “right time” for injuries) or reliability issues toward the latter stages of his career in the WWE.

Fat Jesus- Heck no, I thought the HOF event was one of my career highlights. “Headlining” a HOF class will never happen for a non wrestler, but simply being inducted with my career history in the WWE was a major accomplishment. I am very grateful for that night and for the honor even though there are MANY more individuals who deserve the honor more than me.

VW- The opportunities are endless for wrestling documentaries, such as Ken Burns has produced for other genres. The issue would be getting access to the footage, if it were produced outside the WWE as the WWE owns so much amazing footage from over the year from many viable territories. That’s why WWE 24/7 has an unlimited upside and is great viewing.

Daniel- I do remember a McMahon/Hitman ringside altercation once on Raw, from your neck of the woods in Nova Scotia many years ago. I also seem to recall that Don “The Spoiler” Jardine either was from that area or lived there at some point in his life. It was beautiful there when we made the trip and I remember we flew in on Saturday and produced Raw on Monday.

Phillip- I don’t know who created the Dean Douglas character in the WWE. Shane Douglas was given his ring name by the late Eddie Gilbert and Shane was a really outstanding young wrestler, when I was first exposed to him. I lost touch with Shane over the years, but he always struck me as being very intelligent and I hope he is doing well after some apparent challenging times. Shane was a helluva talker too.

MIke- My relationship with Eric Bischoff is fine…no issues whatsoever. We may even do some business together down the road.

Pete- Michael Hayes is simply being himself, which at times is a pain in the backside, but never boring on the WWE 24/7 Roundtables. Michael likes to engage in conversations and is never at a loss of opinion and simply lets it roll. That’s why the Rountables are so interesting and entertaining to me as they are not pre-written, rehearsed, or staged in any way.

Maisy- When are you going to see Harry Smith? When he is ready, and he is apparently not ready. Plus I am not sure I am sold on the “new” Hart Foundation concept, if that is the idea, but I do think the young Harts have a great upside, nonetheless. I also might be wrong, gasp, re: attempting to replicate the original Hart Foundation. Back to Harry, he is evolving nicely in the ring from what I am told and is working on his personality and charisma as he is a naturally quiet and polite young man.

James- “Dead” crowds are undesirable to say the least. The live audience can make or break a live TV show. I don’t know what can be done to “guarantee” a hot crowd, but there are many solutions for this issue I am sure. Crowd participation and high volumes of noise is strongly preferred.

Shilp-Skyline Chili in the Cincy area is big time. I have eaten the “dogs” with chili and spaghetti! Really good stuff. I also have eaten at the Montgomery Inn for Bar-B-Q. Another winner. By the way, we had a lunch special which consisted of a hot link covered with our homemade chili, some onions and cheese. I am sure the American Medical Society might take issue, if one over indulges in such “comfort food.” It was really good though.

Jordan- Never say never except when predicting Hogan vs. Austin. This ain’t gonna happen, brother!

Matt- Thanks for the John Sterling, NY Yankee’s broadcaster, comparison. I used to listen to Sterling, if that is his real name, when I lived in Connecticut. If you want to be a manager or anything else in the wrestling biz you need to get practical experience. That means finding opportunities in the Indys. There is a bunch of them out there. Also perhaps ROH would entertain giving you an opportunity. Good luck and don’t give up.

Ryan- I don’t have a “favorite” NFL team, but I do follow the teams that the OU alums are playing for in the league. The Bears and the Ravens, especially, plus Dallas and Minnesota to name a few. Tony Romo looks to have the physical goods to be a quality NFL QB and seems to also have really solid leadership skills which a QB on any level must have. Romo is a keeper.

Mick in Ireland- I know very little about Batista’s upcoming book but it is said that “controversy crates cash”. I will say that Batista’s journey hasn’t been traditional or mundane. As long as the book reflects the true story of his life, as a biography should, I have no issues with it.

Jason- I have no immediate time table for how much longer I am going to continue to travel weekly and try and balance all my other interests, but I will say that I have no plans to slow down any time soon. I still love broadcasting Raw, with Jerry Lawler, and being around the WWE fans. Plus, the business continues to evolve which poses intriguing challenges to old school guys, like me, who grew up on more wrestling and less talking. I would also like to see another “boom period” occur while I am still around and contributing. Regarding a potential Orton DVD, there is no doubt in my view that the Benoit-Orton match would be excluded. One cannot tell Orton’s story without showing him beating Benoit at SummerSlam and winning the World’s Title.

Thanks for checking us out and for all your business. We do sincerely appreciate it. Keep the feedback coming and tell a friend about our site and our products. You are always welcome at J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q. Come see us!

BOOMER SOONER!

J.R.