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

Man, what a busy week! Lots of things going on in the world of wrestling and at J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q in Norman. With this being the first college football weekend in Norman for the Oklahoma Sooners, things are buzzing around here. Plus, I am leaving EARLY Sunday morning for Columbus, Ohio to tape Monday Night Raw so hectic times are upon us. No worries on my end, as I wouldn’t have it any other way. “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop” someone once said.

Feed me back some Bar-B-Q time:

It is hard to tell if Ventura will ever get back into any form of broadcasting, but one would assume if the right offer came along he would consider it. I miss the old Boston Garden for sure. I had some great times there with the late Gorilla Monsoon.

Dan W.- Funniest guys in the locker room?? That could be a long list, but JBL, Dean Malenko, and The King would be on the list.

Thorsten- Gregory Helms underwent serious neck surgery and will be out of action at least a year and last I heard he was healing slowly. Gregory is a good guy and a fine wrestler who should take his time and not try and rush the healing.

Jeremy- I know the WWE finalized a TV deal to air WWE product in China, but I don’t know any details other than it was a major acquisition.

Thierry- I’m not sure of the origins of X-Pac’s ring name but certainly Tupac may have been an influence during that period of time. Makes sense to me.

Neath- Glad you liked the Cabana from Boston. As usual, some folks liked it and some folks did not and those that did not are most likely fans who want more wrestling than talk on the TV shows. To each his own. I thought the Cabana had some really funny moments. I would rather see more wrestling than less wrestling, but I am also a dinosaur.

Al- I agree that Savage vs. Steamboat at WM3 was an amazing match. Whether it is in the “Top 5 All time” might be challenging to say because that sort of thing is so subjective. I still remember it well, nonetheless, after all these years.

Shane- The “Southern Boys” tag team might well have been one of the more underrated tag teams of their generation. I wish they were around in their prime today.

Mike- I’m not sure why Ric Flair hasn’t been on more TV, but I personally could use my Nature Boy fix more often than not. “Naitch” still has “legs,” in my humble opinion.

Jay- Randy Orton was punished for his unprofessional conduct you eluded to. Your info on this one was not accurate.

Fan from Va. Tech- How could anyone not be pulling for Virginia Tech this football season, after enduring the campus tragedy in April? Beamer is a helluva coach and no doubt the Hokies will play everyone tough. Their game with LSU should be a slobberknocker.

Timothy- I will check out your book when I can get my head above water, in the near future. Hopefully, the King and I will remain partners for many years to come. That’s my plan anyway.

Chris- I am not a proponent of putting OVW on WWE 24/7 because the kids are just learning their crafts and I am not sure it would be fair to them to be exposed to all the critics and the internet if their performances were readily available. However, I am happy you enjoy WWE 24/7, as do I.

Jim- I think most companies can do a solid, one hour TV show with 14-16 wrestlers.

Bobby- Watch out for the OSU Cowboys vs. UGA. The Cowboys have some talent and won’t be intimidated between the hedges. I am a big Larry Munson fan and don’t profess to the show biz theory that youth and looks takes precedent over experience and talent. My guess is that if a WWE Superstar pulled a “Mike Vick” that they would be looking for work.

Brad- College football season runs from this weekend thru January 7 when the national champion will be crowned in New Orleans at the Superdome on Fox TV. The college game is awesome and brings with it natural passion and a love of the game.

Shane- Absolutely…ol’ J.R. has had some Outback Steakhouse ribs on more than one occasion and they are good…..for a steakhouse. Sorry, but I had to go there.

Mark- It wouldn’t surprise me if we developed our own Steak Sauce someday and until then I use our Chipotle Ketchup or Peter Luger Steak Sauce. Honestly, a good steak really doesn’t need sauce.

Maccy- I am unaware of Steve Austin’s friend of which you speak. Sorry.

Jeaux- I’m not sure how the cole slaw you refer to in Louisiana is, but ours has no mayo and is oil based with a hint of Jalepeno Honey Mustard and it is spectacular!

April- I find the best thing to put on our ribs are my lips, but a nice dry rub is a good idea. There are many good ones out there, but I especially like “Head Country” out of Ponca City, Oklahoma. They have a website.

Martin- David Beckham is a huge media celeb in the States, but I am not sure that soccer/football will ever be as popular as other more “Americanized” sports in this country. Beckham and his lovely bride are like movie or rock stars to the American media. More regular “Joes” seem to be more interested in what the Beckhams are wearing, than how David’s soccer game is going.

Nord Fan- I am suggesting that the Orton-Benoit match WILL be on an Orton DVD. How do you properly tell Orton’s story without showing him winning his first World’s Title?

Eric- I am happy to hear you never made it to a maximum security prison and if the business helped you stay out of the joint then that’s a good thing. The Steelers are going to be tough under their new coach as I think Big Ben will rebound and have a super year which is the key for the Pittsburgh team. Mrs. J.R. is a HUGE Steelers fan and we watch them virtually every week I am home.

Nolan- I am simply having fun reading the Skittles commercials in attempting to show a little enthusiasm and “thanks” to our sponsor. Just doing my job, sir.

Ary- Still no word on the WWE purchasing the Universal Wrestling or Mid South libraries from Mrs. Ene Watts. I wish it would happen but I am not in that loop….thank goodness. I assume I was released from my WWE commitment in 1994 because the company thought I did not “fit” as a broadcaster. Such is life, as no one ever said all our journeys would be without challenges. I never “gave up” so therefore I stayed in the game. People that “give up” on their dreams never achieve them.

GMull- The old, blue steel cage was cumbersome and definitely not wrestler friendly as it relates to being able to utilize the cage and present a better match. I am happy the blue cage is history as are all the wrestlers. When I was the head of talent relations, we improved the rings and the cages much to the encouragement of the talents.

John- I think that Del Wilkes is back in South Carolina, but I am not sure. Del was a really good athlete but had injury issues, biceps I think, along with other issues that have been documented elsewhere.

Brian- It was good meeting you in Jersey last weekend. I hope you make your dreams come true. Remember that you are on a long journey and not an easy one. Don’t give up and good things happen to good people. Maybe some day I will be sitting at home watching you broadcast Monday Night Raw.

Mr. DAP- I doubt if the WWE would ever consider switching to the “Catch Wrestling” the late Karl Gotch perfected. I think the WWE is simply concerned with making their present product better and continuing to evolve sports entertainment. Gotch was one tough man, no doubt about it.

Joe3- I am a HUGE Soprano fan and I enjoyed the last episode just fine. Was it my favorite episode? No. But, did I “hate it”? Absolutely not. Just as I am with my Sooners, I take the good with the bad and remain steadfast in my support of my team. Same goes for wrestling. Some weeks are more fun for me personally than others but I am never reluctant about traveling to work. I realize my old school tastes are not to everyone’s liking.

Grant- I have not seen the Heroes of World Class documentary, but I heard it was good. The story of the Von Erich legacy almost has to be lived to be believed. Many who lived thru that era are on the documentary, from what I am told.

Brian- I have no idea what the future holds for C.M. Punk although he is one of my favorite young wrestlers. One would have to assume however that Punk will be a part of the Chicago No Mercy PPV as things now stand. In what role, who knows? I will be flying into that event Sunday morning after attending the annual OU-Texas football game, the day before in Dallas where we will have our Bar-B-Q Trailer if anyone is keeping score at home.

Justin- Like Ric Flair, I rarely use insider terms, especially here, because I am an old school guy. Many people read about insider terms on some internet sites and automatically assume they know the meanings of these terms, when quite often they do not. I am a freedom of speech guy, as a rule, so use what you want, but don’t expect me to. Like I have said, I am old school and that’s how we were taught.

CrimsonOberon- Thanks for becoming a regular at J.R.’s! I agree that Jeff Hardy has some HBK traits and let’s hope that Jeff can have as long and as a productive career as Shawn has had and will continue to have later this year.

Nate- I have not seen a 2008 WWE schedule, so I don’t know when the WWE will return to Little Rock. I don’t even know for sure when the WWE is coming back to OKC. Check www.wwe.com from time to time and you may know as soon as I do.

Chad- I communicate with Dr. Death just about every week and he is doing great. He is cancer free and is enjoying watching his son Wyndham play football in Colorado where they are now living. I am sure I will see Doc at an OU game this season as well. I think OU has the chance to win the Big 12 again, but we have to beat Texas on October 6. I will definitely be at the Tulsa game on September 21 and then the next night on September 22, Stone Cold and I will be doing an appearance at the Oklahoma State Fair’s Monster Truck Show.

Robert- Gino Hernandez was a prodigy. Gino was way ahead of his time and an amazing in ring performer when his head was on straight. The late Paul Boesch, the famed Houston Wrestling promoter, loved Gino like a son. Gino’s “demons” proved to be his downfall. Authorities say Gino died of a drug overdose way back in the day but many of his friends think Gino was murdered. I personally couldn’t say but I do know that Gino loved to party and once wanted to go on early in a Tulsa bout because he said he had Farrah Fawcett waiting for him in Vegas.

Nick F.- I heard the WWE watched Sid Vicious wrestle Jerry Lawler the night before SummerSlam in Connecticut but I never heard much talk about the matter. As far as I know, there is no official interest, but this would be one of those “never say never” deals.

Chrome- D’Lo Brown had an off TV match at MSG a few weeks ago and I watched it and I thought D’Lo did well. As for getting hired, not my domain. I would vote yes, nonetheless.

Ben- Big Daddy V’s staying power could be attributed to the interruptions in service from time to time that allowed the character to freshen up somewhat. BDV is an “attraction” type of wrestler who has more staying power when the philosophy of less is more is utilized. He is a talented super heavyweight without fail. I like this persona as good as any BDV has ever had to be honest with you.

Joey- You don’t have to like John Cena. Many people don’t. That is their/your prerogative. When fans pay hard earned cash for tickets they should cheer or jeer who in the hell they please. I simply feel that this generation of fans is more outspoken and more attitudinal than their predecessors. That’s not a sin nor an indictment. And I have NEVER inferred that wrestling fans were stupid, for the record. I know I am not stupid and I am damn sure a wrestling fan.

Dean- I am not “stepping down tomorrow” unless you know something I don’t so for me to name my successor would be pure speculation and would hurt anyone’s feelings I did not name. I am not in to hurting feelings. Don’t push me out the door just yet.

Hernan Crespo- What’s so wrong with “Southern Announcers?” If you can figure out why so many websites print rumor as fact, let me know.

Eric- I am not sure what is in the Undertaker’s urn but I don’t think it is Skittles.

Kurtz- There are many talented Japanese wrestlers, who I am sure would love to compete in the WWE, but my suggestion to them is to learn how to speak understandable English so they could attain more prominent TV roles. TV is the pulse of the business. TV stars move up, headline cards, sell merch, and make a fair amount of cash.

More Hey Yo- If Scott Hall is using the WWE owned name of “Razor Ramon” in Puerto Rico it may be because the WWE granted such usage.

Chris- Steve Austin has never told me he “hated” Hulk Hogan. Was that an Austin quote from somewhere?

David- I never get depressed over a wrestling card or a TV show. Same goes for ratings. I never get too high on the good ones or too low on the bad ones. The business has seen many trends and what is old usually becomes new again. Being an old school guy I like in ring physicality and great wrestling contests. I also like passionate interviews when they come along. I am a fan of comedy when individuals who can execute comedy can pull it off. But do I get depressed regarding today’s product? Heck, no. I do get depressed when I hear of a young man or woman killed in Iraq or about an abused child or about senseless tragedies that seemingly occur on a weekly basis, that our news media loves to cover ad nausem. Honestly, I try to not get depressed too often, but when I do, I get depressed over serious issues in my life and that’s not a TV show. That’s just my take on it, David, but I can feel your passion and hope things get more to your liking, sooner than later.

Keep the feedback coming. These are only my opinions and I don’t expect everyone to agree with them. Hell, you don’t have to even read them if you choose not to, but I do appreciate those that do. Now go buy some Beef Jerky and some Sauce!

BOOMER SOONER!

J.R.