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

Scott- Eddie Graham, the long time promoter and Owner of Florida Championship Wrestling was one of the most brilliant wrestling minds I ever encountered. Many of the biggest names in the business would agree with me. Eddie had a huge influence on the careers of probably 100s of wrestlers who went on to become major stars. Legend has it that he used to brainstorm with Vincent J. McMahon about the business back in the day which I am sure resulted in a slew of amazing ideas. I met Eddie once and that was at a Cowboy Bill Watts party. Watts, The Briscos, The Funks, Dusty Rhodes, were just a few of the many wrestlers who flourished under the teachings and guidance of Eddie Graham. Simply put Eddie Graham was a genius that understood his consumers.

Derrick- Will the WWE ever hold another major event outdoors? Hard to say. It’s risky unless Mr. McMahon has a direct line to Mother Nature. Could it happen? Yes. Will it happen? My guess would be doubtful. Since ‘93, one of the ways the product has changed is better TV technology, music, and lighting, plus the product is not so in ring driven as it was then. More non wrestling elements are featured on the broadcasts.

Chris-There are always going to be questions regarding perceived “underutilized” talent. Someone you think is “underutilized” might not be in the eye’s of others. Many “underutilized” talents need to take a longer look in the mirror and decide to come to work every day willing to give no less than 100% of themselves and to do the little things it takes to reach main event level status and to more importantly stay there. I had a talent say to me once that when they were “put in the right spot, I will start working hard”. It doesn’t function that way.

Rich-Mid South Wrestling worked because we had great wrestlers and a brilliant man calling the shots. The product was aggression driven and athletically based but it all started with the individual stars who were motivated by the fact that the more tickets they sold the more money they made. Remember, “One can’t sell goods out of an empty wagon.” The Mid South was blessed with great wrestlers, no over saturation of the product on TV, and the fact we largely did only one hour of TV per week.

John-I don’t know why Brian Kendrick isn’t called “Spanky” on TV. Perhaps there were those, including Brian, who wanted to move past that nickname.

Daniel- I have heard ZERO about a proposed Batista vs. Undertaker match at Wrestlemania 23 in Detroit. I will say it will take a helluva man to defeat The Undertaker at Wrestlemania considering no one has done so yet.

Richard- When referencing “big men” The Undertaker and Kane are at the top of the list as far as natural athletic abilities are concerned of any of the normally classified “big men” I have ever seen in my 30 plus years in wrestling.

Will- for “The Man in the Moon” I did play Lance Russell’s role, don’t ask me why, and Lance played the ring announcer. The roles probably should have been reversed. I did watch a Comedy Central documentary about Andy Kauffman’s “wrestling” career and saw how Lance handled his business during that era. Watching Lance work helped me a great deal. Lance is one of the greatest ever!

Chris- I NEVER mentioned on 97.1 FM in Detroit, where I guest every Thursday at noon eastern, that the Rock would be at Wrestlemania. As a matter of fact I even joked that fans hear what they want to hear and that someone would put on the internet the exact opposite of my remarks. They did.

Brian- I have no idea if the WWE scouts California All Pro Wrestling for prospects. I assume they do. I know the WWE is very aggressive in their talent searches. The WWE works closely with Rick Bassman in Southern California when looking for wrestling talent.

Spicyboy-The Chipotle Bar-B-Q Sauce is NOT that spicy as in HOT or for the weak at heart. I would not even describe it as spicy. Stone Cold had it 3 times while he was in our home a few weeks ago and it is his favorite Bar-B-Q Sauce of all time.

Anthony-I don’t know who is on the short list of nominees for the 2007 WWE Hall of Fame. I would submit Ric flair and Dusty Rhodes for starters along with Bruno Sammartino (as I do every year) and Bob Backlund. How many deserving submissions would you like, 20? That’s just my 2 cents.

Nick- The size of the work area at a particular arena often times eliminates that arena from Monday Night Raw consideration. Your arena in Youngstown, Ohio may fall into that category. It isn’t all about seating capacity but the backstage area and the loading dock space that is taken into consideration. I am all for Youngstown, Ohio the home town of the Stoops’ brothers one of which, Bob, coaches my Sooners.

Don-Our sauce today is different than our previous sauce. Today’s sauce is made in Oklahoma while the other sauce was made in Ontario, Canada. Both are good but I would prefer you be the judge. Our sauces make great holiday gifts and we are shipping packages out daily. Chipotle is a Mexican seasoning that is full of flavor not heat.

Felix- I have no idea if Mr. McMahon will respond to the “war” declared on him but somehow I seriously doubt it. Why would he in total honesty?

Matt- What are my thoughts on ECW. I like the brand and always have. The re-introduced brand is still evolving without question. I think ECW is a work in progress but the sky is the limit. I personally, I stress personally, am not a fan of every match being “hardcore” because then it makes that stipulation ordinary. I do love the ECW “spirit” and pride many of the ECW originals still have for their presentation of a few years ago. What form ECW takes as time marches on will be interesting to track. Change is not always bad but some “old schoolers” (I am old school to in many ways) will never accept anything but what “used to be”. I can understand and respect that mindset but I can’t vouch for how viable it is.

Rahssan-I cannot fathom that the WWE won’t have a Wrestlemania in our nation’s capital some day. That would be “un-American” wouldn’t it?? I have addressed Kurt Angle on numerous occasions. Kurt is an amazing athlete/wrestler. I hope he has great success but I am much more concerned about Kurt’s own personal health than I am his matches, is wins, his losses, etc. Nothing is more important than one’s health.

Derick-The Talented Sho Funaki as a main eventer? I love Sho but Sho main eventing over the long term might be a challenge for Sho. But remember, “never say never”.

Dustin- No, I don’t ever see the WWE parterning with any other wrestling organization today, tomorrow or ever unless the WWE were in control of the opposing group. That’s just sound business in today’s marketplace.

Varish- I don’t know the WWE’s plans for India but you can bet there are plans. I am not familiar with the arena set up India and doing events outdoors often times is a security nightmare in facilities that are not used to such. My philosophy has always been that if the WWE has a television outlet in a particular country that eventually that country will get live events and perhaps even more.

Mark-comparing Hulk to Flair is like comparing Mays to Mantle. Each has their own set of individual strengths and weaknesses. Without question these two will be in most historian’s lists of the greatest wrestlers of all time in the land of sports and entertainment probably in the top 3 in their prime, I challenge any “expert” to NOT select Hogan or Ric in a “draft” to stock anyone’s wrestling roster. Their styles are obviously different but results are what counts. Ric and Hulk always got results.

Chris-I have requested to take my first Monday Night RAW ever off on January 1, 2007 to attend the Fiesta Bowl. If it is not in the cards, I will reluctantly miss The Sooners’ Bowl game. Regarding pay per views, like any other form of entertainment one has to be aware of over exposure and what the market will bare will determine that number.

Allan-Finley is a tough, Irish son of a gun. Fit is as fundamentally sound as any one in the WWE. I am happy that at this, the latter stages of his career, that Finley has this opportunity to get back in the ring and do what he loves to do best. Many young wrestlers would be well served to closely observe Finley’s matches to learn the all important nuances of in ring psychology.

Kevin-To say what was my favorite PPV is hard. I don’t think I can but I, like you, really enjoyed Wrestlemania X7 in the Astrodome in Houston and the Unforgiven my home state of Oklahoma hosted. I will have to really put my thinking hat on to come up with an answer on that one. That could be a whole chapter in a book.

Andrew-I have watched for short periods of time Australian Rules Football and can definitively say that those men are TOUGH! I don’t fully understand the rules but I admire the guts of the players.

Will their ever be a Wrestlemania in Australia? I would never say never to that one. The land down under is coveted by the WWE and rightfully so!

Huff-There will be a TON of Wrestlemania 23 activities that will be held in Detroit prior to the event itself. Check out WWE.com in the coming weeks.

Lesrey-I do not consider Vince Russo a “disease” whatsoever. That’s a little heavy to even consider. Osama Bin Laden is a “disease”.

Anesen-I don’t know the WWE’s plans for Denmark but I would not be surprised to have wrestlers coming out of the woodwork to wrestle in Amsterdam if provided the opportunity! Again, if you see the WWE on your TV, a live event can’t be too far behind.

Rick- As I have mentioned before I feel the WCW brand is history but we can all remember it via DVD’s and WWE 24/7. A history of WCW on a multiple set DVD is a must some day.

David- If I ever write a book it will be Jim Ross talking and it will be totally truthful. I think my experiences within the business will allow me to tell a unique story perhaps more unique than many of my predecessors or peers. It will start all the way back in Oklahoma when I first discovered “Championship Wrestling” on TV in the 60s when my unique journey began simply as a fan.

Mike- The group formerly known as the Spirit Squad is a very talented lot. I would bet good money each member gets a chance to “run with the ball”. Contrary to conspiracy theorists, great talent can not be ignored forever.

Brodie- Glad you are a Sooner fan. Great win for us in KC last Saturday Night! Stone Cold is currently living in California and getting ready to start preparation for his second WWE Film in early 2007. Plus you can bet Stone Cold will be working hard, as usual, when the promotion begins for “The Condemned” which premiers in April 2007.

Joel- If there is a “secret reason” why Randy Savage is not in the WWE Hall of Fame I don’t know it. Randy certainly deserves the accolade. I am sure that “Macho Man’s” day will come.

Mike- I have not noticed anyone in the WWE shaking in their boots regarding any other wrestling organizations. Competition makes everyone perform better. Competition is not a bad thing. I refuse to take shots or to wish ill will on any group. I probably would have though when I was in the 8th grade.

Wayne- Thanks’s to the war on terror among other political nightmares we are unable to ship any of our sauces to the UK….YET. We can ship caps and shirts. We are working on this shipping nightmare and if you have any suggestions we are wide open for ideas. Bottom line, we are doing all we can to get permission on this project thru all the proper channels.

Jared-Congrats on your Boise State Broncos making it to their first BCS Bowl Game. I wish them the best of luck against the Sooners but I don’t have to elaborate on who I will be pulling for. Nonetheless it is a cool deal for the Broncos even though they can’t bring that blue carpet with them to the Fiesta Bowl.

Corey-The Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk “I Quit” match on a TBS Clash of Champions was one of my most memorable nights behind the mic. Not only was the match an awesome one between two amazing talents but also because I broadcast it with my idol the late Gordon Solie. I remember having a few ****tails with “The Dean” after the show in Troy, New York on a cold night.

We will have more of your feedback later this week.

I don’t leave for the Mohegan Sun to prepare for Monday Night RAW until Sunday afternoon and there is no OU football this weekend so I will have

more time to work on the site.

Please visit our on line store as we have new offers going up this week I think will interest you especially with the holidays just around the corner. Be well.

J.R.