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

Traveling approximately 51 weeks a year, I look at every trip as an adventure and an opportunity. I strongly prefer the “fun adventures” to the not so fun ones, like turbulence and crying children in flight. Tuesday morning in the Phoenix Airport as I was preparing to catch my Southwest Airlines flight back to OKC, I ran into wrestling legend, icon and long time friend, Terry Funk, and his lovely wife. They were leaving Phoenix after being there visiting family and were headed back to Amarillo. Shortly after the Funks departed, I decided I had time for a sandwich, which is where Johnny Fairplay introduced himself to me. The Survivor bad boy was headed back to Los Angeles. I would suggest I conversed with two extremely diverse and strong personalities within a matter of minutes, while waiting for my flight home. If any internet crazies were within an eye shot of these chance encounters, they would have been most likely wet themselves. Can you just imagine the conspiracy theories that could be fabricated if someone witnessed these conversations? They would have been classic. And probably really creative. Terry looked like Terry, which meant he was walking a little crooked, but he looked more rested than the last several times I have seen him and The Funker still had that mischievous smile when talking about “the boys.” I refereed a match in New Orleans in the early 70s where Terry Funk was the final bounty hunter hired by Colonel Buck Robley to eliminate Ken Mantell before Mantell could get his hands on arch enemy Robley. This match had intimidating crowd heat and emotion. Mantell HAD to win or his opportunity to FINALLY get his hands on the Colonel would never occur. I remember, distinctly, the old Municipal auditorium was rocking, but the beer venders had some issues with their beer people and ended up selling beer to the fans in GLASS BOTTLES. Not cool. Funk and Mantell had one of the most amazing matches I have ever witnessed. Mantell defeated the former owner of the Double Cross Ranch and extended his rivalry with “Nobody Calls Me Yellow” Colonel Buckley Christopher George Robley 3. Funk wrestled a perfect match and had the fans genuinely and passionately hating him within moments of being introduced. Terry’s classic promos that aired on Mid-South TV for weeks building up to this confrontation also pre-conditioned the fans as to what they were going to see happen to their hero, Mantell. Funk’s crowd psychology was at PHD level. Terry was the maestro and he played the audience with the skills of an artisan. Man, what a lost art form. As I think back to the match, it was so simple in theory, but the execution was immaculate. Every move meant something, there was a central theme to the match and the wrestlers took the time to emotionally attach the live audience. The match never aired on TV, as best I can remember, and it took the audience along for one helluva wild ride. Terry looks good, as I mentioned, and seems to be happy with his life, including less travel and the physical abuse to his ageless body. Long after Terry stops wrestling, his verbal skills will still be hugely marketable, IF he chooses to leave West Texas. After The Funker boarded his plane, I met Fairplay, who is a huge fan as many know and is preparing to compete in the Survivor All Stars this September. When people email me about wrestling managers and the overall lack of “star managers” a la Heenan, Cornette, and Heyman, the reason I give them is always the same. There is an overall lack of “top talent.” Johnny Fairplay might be a prime candidate to be a great wrestling manager if properly utilized, which he has not been to date from what I can tell. (Kevin Federline has the “gift” of being easy to dislike his persona as well.) I enjoyed talking to Fairplay and told him I hoped our paths crossed again. This was all after I had a long conversation with Steve Austin who was still “jacked” about the overwhelming reception he received in Phoenix on Monday Night Raw. Without having to say one word, Steve was able to captivate over 15,000 fans, which was more than was in the arena the night before when the powerhouse Suns defeated division rival the L.A. Lakers. Steve truly misses being a vital part of the business, but I assure you that his movie career has magnificent potential and after seeing a rough version of “The Condemned,” I can’t wait to see the finished product. Steve is super in his role and the storyline of “The Condemned” is smartly written. I firmly and sincerely believe that men and women are going to enjoy this film, which is scheduled to officially premier at the end of April. All in all, not a bad day, plus I arrived back in Norman safe and sound….OK, would you accept safe? Now you are free to go browse about our store, at which time you are thoroughly encouraged to buy something. How is that for straight shootin’? Back tomorrow. Boomer Sooner! J.R. P.S. My personal congratulations to Nick Bockwinkel, for being chosen to enter the WWE Hall of Fame. Nick has always been the consummate professional and a great role model and ambassador to the business. Plus, Nick, who stayed fiercely loyal to the AWA and the Gagnes, was one of the best in ring performers ever. As smooth as silk with no wasted motion. Nick was a true “wrestling” antagonist who could talk with the best of them, even though the great Bobby Heenan was Nick’s manager. Bobby always said that “Nick is Jim Barnett on the sauce.” That’s “The Brain” for you. Nick was “sauceless,” even when it was legal, and the current Las Vegas resident has been happily married for many moons. Mr. Barnett never married, not that there is anything wrong with that. Nick’s acceptance speech on March 31 will be eloquent. I would be shocked if “The Wease” aka Bobby Heenan did not induct Nick. That’s great stuff right there. By the way the Hall of Fame tickets sold out almost immediately when they went on sale last Saturday.