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

I am writing before leaving OKC for The Big Apple for Monday night’s Raw at the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. NYC is an amazing place with great WWE fans especially considering that New York City was the mecca for the WWE wrestling territory for many decades and through 4, I think, incarnations of MSG. Even being a veteran (not grizzled) and a proud member of the WWE Hall of Fame, walking down the ramp to ringside at MSG is still one of my biggest thrills. If you are in the Big Apple and see JBL and J.R. out and about don’t mistake it for a remake of the “McCloud” TV Show but simply two country boys enjoying the big city.

WE had another amazing week at J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q Restaurant in Norman. My thanks to all that dropped by and enjoyed our slow smoked, home style “Q” and fixins. We even entertained my mentor Cowboy Bill Watts, who is starting a sports talk radio show this Monday out of Tulsa attended the Oklahoma Football scrimmage as did yours truly. The Sooners looked strong but the 3 man quarterback race is still a horse race to say the least. Check out my scrimmage thoughts at www.ouinsider.com.

Also, it looks as if Steve Austin will be a part of the Oklahoma State Fair on Saturday, September 22, hosting the huge Monster Truck Show at the Fairgrounds Grandstand. We will have more details on that soon.

Plus, I will be hosting the first annual Strongman contest at the Oklahoma State Fair on Friday, September 14. More on that as well in the next few blogs. Finally don’t forgot my appearance in Jersey the night before Summerslam from 6-8 p.m. for a meet and greet autograph signing.

Feedback…Bar-B-Q style:

Steven L- I know that the WWE plans on making more films but I do not know any of the next project or when it will go into production. The Condemned was an excellent movie that was poorly marketed and will be out in September on DVD. Hopefully, the marketing of the DVD will be better and history will not repeat itself as we saw earlier this year. The next few movies might well be DVD releases and not theatrical releases for now.

Steven R.- There are no “bonuses” for simply holding the WWE Title, but there is a great deal of cash the WWE Champion can earn, especially if they are a fan favorite with the ability to sell lots of merchandise. I am not sure what Lesnar was referring to in the interview you mentioned.

Justin- I have no idea why the talented Val Venis rarely gets no more than a cup of coffee on TV. If Val had angered someone he would have simply been released but that is not the case. Val could arguably be one of the WWE’s most underutilized talents.

Ted- This will be my last batch of comments about foul language at public events that involve ample amounts of children. I still think it is in poor taste for the use of “F Bombs” around kids. I am not debating anyone who feels otherwise. You can have your opinion as I can have mine. This is not about past skits or past merchandise that some deem in poor taste, which then in turn makes using any profanity that comes to one’s mind around kids as being ok. I am not “attacking” anyone on this matter, but simply making my opinion known. Just because some edgy skits have aired on TV in the past doesn’t make them right or in good taste or give everyone license to “F Bomb” the night away with young kids sitting all around them. I don’t care what happened in the past with someone’s rap or a vignette or promo that went too far. Just because it aired doesn’t make it right. How about we all use just a little common sense here? When many of you have older children or better yet have grandchildren you might better understand my point. I can assure you that if I bought a ticket to a wrestling show and took my granddaughters and I heard a F Bomb here and a F Bomb there that there would be a problem and the problem would be solved or my young granddaughters would be leaving with Grandpa J.R. To attempt to justify the overt and callous use of foul language in a public event like a wrestling event is just plain stupid. It’s like having a skit done about someone who just had life changing surgery. Unnecessarily stupid.

Mark- HBK definitely has the opportunity to be a WWE Champion, etc again once he is healthy and back at it. I would be shocked if HBK was not a WWE Champion again before he hangs it up. I don’t expect for HBK to be “back at it” for several weeks as I don’t expect him to be able to begin training until the end of August or the early part of September. His eventual return is TBD. I would never say never about Bret ever appearing on a WWE TV show, as a non wrestler of course, but I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one. “Highly unlikely” would be my guess.

Warren- I doubt if WCW will ever be relaunched on WWE TV. That ship seems to have sailed. I do agree that ECW is long overdue for a new General Manager. However, the development could occur as early as this Tuesday night for all we know.

Travis- It seems that Eric Bischoff and the WWE will not be doing business in the future from a TV character stand point. That could change but not likely. Cena being a “tweener” as you described is a gamble. I don’t like “tweeners” personally because I never know on a given night if the character is “fish or fowl”. Wrestlers that are tweeners don’t stay tweeners very long, as a rule.

Ron- I have met the Dallas Cowboys Roy Williams many times and knew Roy while he was at Oklahoma. Roy is a class person and a big time hitter who has been playing out of position for the past few seasons. Roy needs to be almost a hybrid type of linebacker and play closer to the line of scrimmage and be able to blitz the QB. Roy is definitely one of Dallas’ biggest stars.

Christian- I have no idea if Teddy Hart makes the grade and gets called up to the WWE or not. That’s not my hill to die on any longer, the calling up of talent. Teddy has always had physical skills but in the past Ted has demonstrated a lack of maturity and professionalism, simply cutting to the chase. Hopefully, this, yet another golden opportunity, will see Ted make his family legacy proud and fulfill his potential to be a star on the main stage.

Diego- The WWE touring schedule is challenging but manageable. I do agree that the wrestlers need structured time off and I am under the understanding that those scheduling matters are being discussed internally and have been for quite some time. When I was in charge of the talent roster we went to a 4 day on and 3 day off schedule which was an improvement over previous generations but this phase of the “system” needs to be re-evaluated just as every other aspect of the business. Again, no one can wave a magic wand and anoint a tag team to be great. As depth is rebuilt, the eventuality of new tag teams being formed is likely.

Brandon- I never said John Cena will never be an antagonist because I don’t know the answer to that matter. Obviously some folks don’t like Cena’s persona which is fine. Some do which is also fine. John sells tickets and merchandise which helps the other talents and the company which is definitely fine. How the WWE decided to utilize John’s skills is up to them. I am much more concerned about who starts at Oklahoma at QB this season than this Cena matter of “what ifs” and “whys”.

Collin- It is obvious that not as many dues are being paid by today’s wrestlers before they get their brushes with greatness. It is an undesirable state of affairs but the overall lack of main event depth and the lack of break through, young stars makes old school business practices virtually obsolete now a days. And that is not good.

Coach- William Regal is finally getting another viable opportunity and I think Regal is talented and smart enough to make this opportunity a huge hit. Regal was underutilized, but I love his new role on Raw. Stay tuned as it relates to Estrada as everyone who knows Estrada knows he has talent.

Alex- We use cloth napkins that our silverware is wrapped in at J.R.’s Family Bar-B-Q. No paper napkins at our place. Plus when one eats great Bar-B-Q you should expect to “get a little on you”.

Justin- I would not, nor do I know of RVD’s future plans. You need to ask him. Your guess is as good as mine. I do feel Rob will definitely be back in the ring some day, but for whom and where is Rob’s call.

Joe- I don’t “feel” for Booker as he has made a load of cash in the WWE, works with his lovely wife, who also makes a nice living and has always been involved in a, more often than not, viable storyline. Whether you or I feel these story lines were great or not is a matter of opinion. Booker vs. HHH at Summerslam isn’t a bad financial booking for anyone involved.

Neath- I don’t think we have seen the last of the “Dating Game” type of concepts on Monday Night Raw. Some people like them and some people prefer main line wrestling. I feel that there needs to be a balance between the steak and the sizzle. That’s a daunting task to say the least.

Jeremy- I would guess that going from MMA to wrestling might be easier than the other way around if the athlete in question has an outgoing personality and haven’t had their brains too scrambled.

Nick- I like Burchill’s potential, but not if he experiences a moonsault from Mark Henry! That would be mildly senseless and very dangerous and for what??

Eric- I honestly don’t remember exactly how hot “Hollywood” of the GLOW girls was when we were on Family Feud, but Mrs. Stallone was a piece of work and might not have been “all there.” We all did that show on little or no sleep. Remember, Pillman was on the panel.

Simone- Kennedy is evolving nicely and will hopefully some day be a regular main eventer. I don’t know if he is best suited to be a fan favorite or an antagonist but Kennedy has talent and simply needs the time to continue to improve. I am really happy he is a Raw talent now.

Chris- You can use J.R.’s Chipotle Ketchup and our Jalepeno Honey Mustard on the ‘dogs plus cole slaw that isn’t loaded with mayo.

Perfect- I have no idea why the WWE did not do a ten bell salute for Hercules Hernandez when he passed away. He deserved it nonetheless.

John- Thanks a million for getting your second Hall of Fame package! If you do head to Arizona and came come by our place on the way we would love to see you at J.R.’s. I am happy you are a member of the ever growing J.R.’s Beef Jerky Brigade!

Joe- I am aware of “The U’ being in the ACC now. I am also aware that “The U” will travel to Norman to play my Sooners on Sept. 8. I too have heard F Bombs at football games which doesn’t make them right. Times are changing with our value system and it is troubling. To hear some parents say that they will not take their young kids to a wrestling event because of the foul language they have to endure is simply a sad state of affairs.

Johnny- Sorry to break the news to you but it would shock me to no end if Wrestlemania ever came to Little Rock. I am saying absolutely not and it’s because the WWE seems to be leaning to newer or renovated stadiums. Nothing wrong with Little Rock, but they don’t have a slick stadium to host Wrestlemania.

Chris M- Thanks for your “uplifting” comment. It seems as if nothing is right for you on WWE TV. Perhaps you should change the channels if the burden of viewing is too overwhelming. I think Regal will be a great Raw GM and because Raw sells more PPVs than any other brand, there is a good and viable reason that Raw is the #1 brand and why the roster will remain as strong as it possibly can.

Jonathan- Most wrestlers would be well served to slow down inside the ring. The fans have to have the time to process what they have just seen and what it means to the overall scope of the match. Just my two cents, but many of today’s wrestlers leave their feet seemingly just for the hell of it when they should understand that “less is more”.

Sean C.- I really have no issues with the modern day, internet educated, wrestling fan. There are times when they rush to judgment or feel they know more about the business than they actually do, but the fact that they read and study the business isn’t a bad thing.

O.L.- As I wrote a week or so ago, I have no idea what “Korchenko” is doing these days or even if he is still alive. As I said, the last time I saw him he was running like a scalded dog out the back door of the Jackson Coliseum never to be seen in the Mid South area again thanks to a stiff, right hand by Cowboy Bill Watts. The big Cowboy was in our Bar-B-Q place Saturday after attending the OU football scrimmage. He ate well.

Quinton- It is not on my schedule to travel to South Africa the next time the WWE is there. I have been on 2-3 tours there but I am not scheduled to make this one.

Kev- I don’t think the WWE adheres to the “traditions” of Luchre Libre as it relates to masks or unmasking, loser leaves, etc in your questions regarding Rey Mysterio.

Aaron- I don’t feel RVD leaving the WWE had anything to do with him being on the ECW roster but I could be wrong. Big Show needed time off and to look after his health, no matter the brand he was on at the time of his departure. Kurt Angle’s departure is a long story that I choose not to discuss in this forum.

Casey- I feel that there are MANY wrestlers and personalities who deserve to be in the WWE Hall of Fame, but I don’t have a vote and my speculation simply starts a chain of comments that largely make little sense. Without a doubt, Miss Elizabeth, Honkytonk Man, and Randy Savage all should be in the Hall of Fame, but my vote counts the same as yours.

Davinder- I have not been interviewed for Austin’s DVD release that is scheduled for early 2008, but there is still ample time. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Stone Cold on the next Saturday Night’s Main Event, which airs on NBC in a week or so and will be taped Monday at The Garden.

J.B.- To address your two questions, Rey is wrestling at live events to help him regain his timing and to triple check the condition of his knee before he goes on PPV. That’s smart booking. Secondly, the Undertaker is not cleared medically to return to the ring but he is close and the “teaser” moments on Smackdown will hopefully build more anticipation for the return of the “Deadman”.

Ben Taylor- There is no doubt that the OU-Miami college football game will be a slobber-knocker. This is a battle between two great college programs who each like to bring a little swagger to the party. I am hoping the Rock ventures out to Norman from Hollywood for the meeting of his alma mater vs. my Sooners. I think “The U” is back.

Be well and check back with us soon. Our store is open for your convenience and we do appreciate your business greatly.

BOOMER SOONER!

J.R.