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

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.

Another correction that was promptly brought to my attention, was that I am told that there are “86” NOT “87” total Soprano episodes. How dare me?

Regarding the Ladder Match and who invented what, and when the first Ladder Match was held, etc., I think what the WWE was attempting to reference, in my opinion, was the first Ladder Matches held on a “national scale on live pay-per-view .”There is no doubt that some territories had ladder matches prior to the WWE’s nationally broadcast events including Ladder Matches in Calgary as was pointed out. I know for me, I was definitely referencing the first time I personally saw a Ladder Match which was at Wrestlemania 10. We never had Ladder Matches in Mid South or the UWF or even in the NWA/Turner years.

We received some great feedback from many of you about the passing of Sherri Martel last week which were extremely thoughtful. Sherri had extraordinary passion for wrestling and one could tell upon meeting her that her life long dream was to be in the wrestling business. I wonder how many people currently in the biz, men or women that could honestly say the same thing about themselves? Sherri was scary tough, and totally fearless, especially when surrounded by hostile fans back in the day. Then, die hard fans would assault an antagonist with a weapon of dome kind or simply with fists, whereas today’s “die hards” are more likely to assault a wrestler with a laptop computer or a cell phone. That actually is probably a good thing. There has not been a female athlete that I have ever met or seen, that had the physical mindset of Sensational Sherri, who had more intestinal fortitude than most men. Sherri loved being around her fans as evidenced by the fun she had at wrestling reunions, which some wrestlers only do for the cash and not for the fans or their peers. Sherri had a helluva life filled to the brim with fun but she left us much too young at only 49 years of age. An autopsy regarding her death is pending, and the results are expected to be made public within a few weeks.

I hear that my remarks about J.R. and Mary Jo Buttafuco have drawn the ire of some. I have to be honest with you, in that I never closely read the comments that were forwarded to me and perhaps they were simply made in jest and perhaps I over reacted. Nonetheless, it is never an easy pill for me to swallow when people bring my illnesses into play, even in a parody or with tongue in cheek. I simply associate my Bells palsy with the passing of my Mom, which one could probably make a case for me “getting over it”. I assume I should “get over it,” but unless one has walked a mile in another’s shoes, often times one doesn’t know how hurtful some of these remarks can be. I assume I should adopt a “what the hell do I care, mentality” and perhaps I will. This is a country where free speech is a right and any creative process including this blog are out there and open for public scrutiny and differing opinions. I am a big boy and I can handle it.

I rarely get involved with what the moderator and the other folks with the site choose to post from our visitors’ comment, but recently I intervened. I pride myself on being honest, which by the way is rare trait these days, especially in politics and entertainment, and I told the proper parties internally that I did not want a truckload of negative comments about recent Monday Night Raws posted on our site. I realize that many folks have strong opinions on the show, especially in recent weeks, and obviously many other sites have saddled this horse up and are riding it to the hilt these days because of the controversial nature of the broadcasts. Those sites may enjoy the volume of negatives and controversy they receive. I don’t. I did not create this site to become an overt sounding board for negativity, but instead to be able to have fun, more often than not, interacting with all of you. There are seemingly hundreds of other sites that encourage and covet your controversial comments and encourage your venting your feelings that you can go to. Bottom line is this, Monday Night Raw is an entertainment TV program and there will always be, as in any entertainment program, especially one that produces first run programming approximately 51 weeks a year, some episodes folks simply aren’t going to like. That’s the nature of the beast. Each viewer has a choice to either watch the show and see how it evolves, or to watch something else. That’s a personal choice that we have living in the USA, among other places. Hot topics that touch personal nerves always elicit passionate reactions. For me personally, there are many other issues in my personal life that I choose to be more passionate about than my favorite TV show or even a web report that I didn’t like because my feelings were hurt or my ego was bruised. I’m talking about important stuff like my faith, my family… and of course Bar-B-Q and OU Football!(O.k., maybe the latter two made the cut for levity.) If this philosophy offends you, then for that I am sorry, but my vision for this site isn’t going to change at this time.

Mike- The J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q will be open around July 11, if all continues to go well on the east side of I-35 at the Main Street exit in Norman, right in front of the Super Wal-Mart store on the mile of cars. We will be open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and will-slow smoke all our meats on site. Just follow your nose to the “Q”! Our sign along side I-35 just went up this week. Time is fleeting!

Susan- John Cena is a speed fanatic, who loves to drive fast cars and collects vintage “muscle cars”. John will be hard to beat on “Fast Cars and Superstars” which airs, at least for now, on ABC.

Joe- I am pleased to see young and hungry talents like London/Kendrick/Daivari on Raw and hope they are able to continue to progress and improve, as they are all young and I feel can be significant assets to the brand. Youth and enthusiasm are wonderful traits in any line of work. Kennedy can be a big time player as well, and Kennedy’s in ring promo this past Monday was strong.

J-Man- I have often said in this very space that the “War Games”, created by Dusty Rhodes, is one of my favorite specialty matches. Some of my memories include, plenty of blood, Arn Anderson usually starting the match for his group, and that the heroes usually won in the end. Not to mention J.J. Dillon usually not faring too well inside the giant two ringed cage. I think a well built War Games scenario would work today, for the record.

Perry- Thanks for checking out the WWE Shopzone website for our products. I know they are selling well as the WWE continues to re-order but I don’t know what their future plans are. I assume if the products continue to sell they will continue to order them and remember that the WWE ships WORLDWIDE!

Dale- I have not had the privilege of traveling to Australia yet, but I am sure I will one day and I look forward to it! I will definitely try some Bar-B-Q’ed Croc when I am there. Steve Austin said he loved it there, while filming “The Condemned.”

Thomas- As it relates to the Green Bay Packers, it is the same old story….as QB Bret Favre goes, so goes the Pack. Obtaining a few more offensive weapons for #8 is a good thing, especially a stout O-Line to protect the future Hall of Fame quarterback.

Samuel- I suggest you try our Chipotle Ketchup on your steaks and fries. I guarantee you that the flavor is awesome. Some of our visitors will certainly agree with me on this one.

Wheeler- The Rock weighed in a few months ago on video tape because he was in the process of filming a movie and could not leave the set for any significant length of time. Rock made comments about the Battle of the Billionaires and about yours truly going into the WWE Hall of Fame, which I personally and sincerely appreciated. With The Great One’s movie production schedule as it is. I don’t seem him returning to wrestle any time soon and any return to in ring combat by the Rock would shock me at this stage of his movie career. We communicate about once a month and it is usually about the pending OU-Miami Hurricane football game to be played here in Norman on September 8 on ABC.

Patrick- Contrary to what some may think, I DO watch ECW every week live as it airs and watch Smackdown, usually on my DVR more often than not. With that said, I am really looking forward to watching the Benoit-Punk match from ringside this Sunday. I like both guys, but I lean toward The Rabid Wolverine, (what brilliant broadcaster came up with that nickname anyway?) because of experience in big match situations. I wonder how many people actually watch all 5 hours of WWE TV programming that airs in the USA each week? I might wish I could, but time and other commitments just doesn’t allow it every week

Claudette- I think comparing London and Kendrick to the Rockers is very fair, and I also see some “Rock ‘n Roll Express” in Raw’s newest tag team. That’s high praise, any way you slice it.

Matt- As to your suggestion for a 6 man announcer’s match, my thoughts are that I would request a “stand in.” and that the overall match would probably suck pond water. I am declaring myself ineligible for any in-ring activity going forward, for the sake of all fans out there, especially the younger ones.

Shane- I think Scott Steiner returning to the WWE is unlikely. I do hope Scott heals from his current injury soon, nonetheless. I have known the Steiner Brothers forever, and have had many memorable and never boring experiences with them.

Wag- I plan to be at the Bar-B-Q eatery in Norman, virtually every day I am in Norman, at least for a portion of the day. I will not be a stranger to my own place.

Glenn- I knew nothing of Jesse Ventura’s alleged meeting in the WWE offices lat week until I read it on the ‘net. I don’t know why he was there, if he was, and, furthermore, don’t care, simply being blunt and honest. However, I find it “highly unlikely” if Ventura will ever “run” the WWE, unless he changes his last name and even then it would be a stretch.

Chris- The last time I spoke with the Big Show, he was talking about doing movies and projects of a non-wrestling nature. He was also diligently working on his quality of life and overall health, which is a great thing for him, or any of us. I never say never, but I think it would have to be something special and without a great deal of travel to ever get Show to consider returning to the wrestling business. And the longer he stays away, the harder it is to return.

Alyssa- I believe the WWE uses an 18 foot ring on TV, and at most live events unless the venues are small and necessitate a 16 foot ring.

Nor-Man- I don’t know Norman Smiley well and I have addressed his situation in the past. When I have met Smiley he seemed like a polite, professional individual. As you know, I am NO LONGER involved with talent acquisitions in the WWE so I can’t, and won’t comment on who is or isn’t going to be hired, because I don’t know, nor do I ask. However, it seems that if Norman Smiley were going to be hired, it would have already happened, don’t you agree?

Nish- I am sorry you consider King and me “dull” Perhaps we should argue more to spice up the presentation. The announcing is only a backdrop to what is going on in the ring, or what you see on your TV screen. “The play is the thing” as Shakespeare once said, but none the less, we don’t bicker like we used to. Am I bored? Hell, no! However, the announcing styles the WWE wants has changed over the years and King and I, along with every other announcer in the company, do as we are produced and instructed. That’s what professionals do. The announcing style is and has been changing and will most likely continue to do so. I gladly accept my pay checks and therefore I gladly do as instructed, just like everyone else with any intellect who has a job and a family for which to provide. I still have a blast going to work and am motivated by the changing times and expanded expectations of the broadcasters in wrestling. Story telling has taken over for traditional play by play, and that is not coincidental. As storylines continue to evolve expect to hear more change from the announcers. Specific moments in each show obviously dictate tone and tenor from the announce teams.

Fisha- I don’t read Steve O’s website but to think that the guys from Jackass are going to “headline” Summerslam is still hard for me to believe. Perhaps their definition of “headlining” and mine are two different things.

Steph- Steve Austin is well and spending time in southern California and in south Texas on his ranch. He’s also looking at more movie projects with which to be involved. “The Condemned” wasn’t what anyone wanted as it relates to “box office,” but professional or personal challenges have never slowed down the Texas Rattlesnake. I still say, and I will continue to say, that “The Condemned” was a much better movie than it was given credit for being, and that Steve’s future as an action adventure star is bright.

Armin- I am under the impression that both Smackdown and Raw will be produced in Dallas on July 2 with Raw going live at 8 local time in Big D. I am not sure the status of ECW on that night, as I write this.

Matt- Yes, I have “heard of” Blood, Sweat, and Ears, but am not familiar with them to any degree. Also, I would say it is less than 50/50 that JBL will ever wrestle full time again. I hope I am wrong on the latter statement.

Dustin- Yes, King and yours truly ride together most Mondays once we arrive in the Raw city. King travels from Memphis and I fly in from Oklahoma City so we usually hook up on Monday mornings. We enjoy each other’s company, plus he likes to drive, and I like to ride shotgun.

Warrior- The last I saw of Tommy Young, he was still living in Charlotte and working there outside of wrestling. Tommy was a great referee, perhaps the best I ever saw, to be honest with you.

Rob- Ah, the monthly “Teddy Hart to the WWE” rumor. I remain consistent with this one…..I don’t know, but it is doubtful from past experiences. That’s simply an outsider’s opinion, but if forced to wager, I would take the under on this one.

Joe G.- Armando Estrada is not gone and I saw him recently in the locker room at Raw. He’s a talented individual, but I don’t know his future plans, if you were wondering, but I feel he has a bright future.

Check out our autographed Hall of Fame specials we are featuring, as they won’t last long. I have signed some J.R.’s Bar-B-Q and Slobber-Knocker shirts and we packaged them with our Jerky to make a nice deal for you to consider.

Also, don’t forget my Raw column on WWE.com every Friday, and that our products are available for shipping WORLDWIDE via the WWE’s Shopzone site.

Thanks for checking out our site and please tell a friend. Baby needs new shoes!!

BOOMER SOONER!

J.R.