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

It is great to have Steve Austin back on TV and I expect that we will see the Texas Rattlesnake a bunch between now and Wrestlemania. Steve will definitely be in Washington D.C. this Monday night on Raw for the McMahon/Trump contract signing. Austin’s ovation in Phoenix was as loud and genuine as any I have heard in many moons. The King and I laid out (did not say anything) as nothing can replicate the true emotion of the moment better than the fans themselves. That moment was about Stone Cold and his fans and not about J.R. and The King yelling, etc. Monday Night Raw from Phoenix was the #1 ranked program on ALL of television Monday night for males 12-17 years of age. That’s on all of TV, broadcast or cable. Raw was also #1 with men 12-34, 18-24, 18-49, and 25-54 and aired in over 4.5 million households. The US Airways Center was rocking with a legit sellout of over 15,000 fans. Addressing some of your comments….. I NEVER said I thought or predicted that the Undertaker would lose at Wrestlemania 23. Taker’s winning streak is impressive and I would hate to see it end, on a personal level. I expect the Taker-Batista match to close Wrestlemania 23, but that is only my assumption. The RoboCop business at WCW’s Capital Combat was horrendous. This particular piece of business was embarrassingly bad and bowling shoe ugly from my perspective. Victor asks why so many “wrestling legends” are so overtly negative when they are interviewed in print or on electronic mediums. I don’t know that there is one blanket answer, but often older “wrestling legends” are bitter because they made bad financial decisions in their lives and see the money the wrestlers can make in today’s marketplace and it adversely affects the old timers. In other words, some old timers get P.O.ed because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time, in their view. I have heard old NFL players express the same attitude. Wrestlers are often times their own worst enemies, when it comes to their financial affairs, including the basic functions of simply taking care of their taxes. Often times in life it is easier to blame others than to look in the mirror. I hope that when my time comes to hang it up that I don’t repeat history and become a bitter, angry, and buck passing former wrestling personality who refuses to accept responsibility for my own actions. By the way, wrestling doesn’t have the exclusive on bitter “old timers” as pro sports and entertainment have their angry old men and women in their world too. Matt wanted to know who I felt would be the better QB, Jamarcus Russell or Brady Quinn. Time, and only time, will tell. Russell came to the combine, the most important job interview of his life, out of shape. Quinn didn’t work out at the combine to any degree either, for whatever reasons ( I heard Quinn had a “sore” knee.). Neither QB distinguished themselves to me, but there is no doubt that both will be NFL first round picks. Russell has a huge upside, he can throw the ball 80 yards on the fly, but isn’t as ready for prime time fundamentally, as Quinn probably is. I think Russell is going to be drafted ahead of Quinn, if I had to make a guess. Both should have long, productive careers and will be rich men in a few weeks. Who retires first, JoPa or Hulk Hogan? By the looks of things, neither are planning on retiring anytime soon which I applaud. I hope to be doing something work-oriented until I simply can’t any longer. I also see rumors where Hulk is going to start his own wrestling company, which I feel is “highly unlikely.” Hulk is too smart to go there. JoPa is a football legend I would love to meet, as he is great pals with my good friend, former OU Football coaching great Barry Switzer. Do the announcers get scripts? We get run sheets with sponsor info, etc on them. The less I know about the particulars of a broadcast, the better I like it. I can’t speak for all announcers, however, if The King knew zero about a show, he would be just fine, as Jerry simply likes to react to what he sees. Other announcers I know and have worked with thirsted for as much info as they could squeeze out of folks. I like to be surprised and react accordingly. No different than if I were broadcasting a football game, etc. However, and this is a little known fact, all announcers are attached to an electric cord and we are all shocked when we are supposed to say, OH, MY GOD!!” (Not really.) Terry suggests Wrestlemania 25 emanate from the new Yankee Stadium in NYC. Interesting idea, but will it have a roof? The Big Apple can still have chilly evenings at the end of March or early April. I am not a big fan of creating any more titles at this particular time on TV. ECW Tag Team Titles? If the powers that be feel it is necessary, have at it, but I feel that it’s premature. That’s simply an opinion. 6 man titles? Absolutely not, as I know that’s more Bar-B-Q than a redneck can eat! Yes, I was involved in the negotiations of bringing Goldberg to the WWE. Bill had no special demands or unusual requests. And I still think Bill did a nice job on commentary recently, especially for his first venture in the booth with two other broadcasters on the MMA event on Showtime that I saw. The event itself could use some better TV production elements, including explaining the rules of the competition. Lou doesn’t necessarily like my commentary all the time, which is certainly his prerogative, as sometimes I don’t like it either. But Lou wants to know if Mick Foley has “heat” in the backstage area because of what he wrote about Mr. McMahon in Mick’s latest book out now, called “The Hardcore Diaries.” Maybe some ruffled feathers, I don’t know, but Mick is not likely to be exiled from the WWE, considering the WWE and Simon and Schuster are partners in publishing Mick’s latest book. Mick expresses his personal opinion in his writings and some people will not like Mick’s characterization of them. I suggest they get over it. I will not be inducting Jerry Lawler into the Hall of Fame on March 31. Jerry has someone else in mind, which works fine by me. Each inductee can select his or her presenter, which should also address some other internet “dirt” about Jerry’s presenter. Speaking of “dirt”...we have to work in “doghouse” and “backstage heat” to this column, as those seem to be a few of the “buzz words” on several of the comments we receive. Is Orlando, Florida going to host Wrestlemania 24? I have heard the same rumors you have heard, coming mostly out of Orlando, but I have not been told “officially.” For me, I would not mind spending a week in Orlando in March/early April and we should know for sure soon. Lots of cities are bidding for the right to host Wrestlemania in the future. I would love to know how many millions of dollars a Wrestlemania brings into any given community. Kimsan- congrats on receiving your Bachelor’s Degree. That is a great accomplishment. Keep reaching for what makes you happy and put no limits on yourself. Danny- Do I feel badly about calling Paul Bearer a “rotund demon” at some point in time on TV? Uh, no. That’s what I perceived the TV persona to be at that point in time. What is Y2J up to? I would say about 5’11” or so. Seriously, he’s enjoying life, spending time with his wife and kids, and continuing to focus on his diverse and multi-faceted interests. I don’t think we have seen Chris Jericho have his last wrestling match, but where he next hangs his shingle is TBD. Josh- Why do I still enjoy the business with, as you describe, all the politics, etc? I would say that there are politics and petty B.S. in most businesses that many out there can identify with and endure in their own jobs. I love wrestling. I have had a blessed career that started as a “gopher” BEFORE graduating to the ring crew. Are there elements of the business I don’t particularly care for? Of course. But, at the end of the day, I am still in the WWE because I want to be a part of the company and I still have a blast working on Monday Night Raw and the other projects I get to be involved with, including PPVs and 24/7. Most of the “doghouse” and “backstage heat” is so over blown it isn’t even funny and when I do encounter these issues, I don’t allow them to concern me, as I probably did when I was younger and in a different corporate role. Plus, I make a nice living, which helps me provide for my family and is helping us launch our Bar-B-Q projects. No matter what job one has in life, everyday is not going to be a day in paradise. I have been loving the feedback from many of you regarding our products, especially those of you that have tried our Chipotle Ketchup, which I feel is the very best ketchup on the planet. If you have not tried it, shame on you. Same goes for the Honey Mustard. Also, remember, we ship caps, shirts and non-food items anywhere. Back with more soon. J.R.