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

Howdy everyone...here's hoping that every one is well and in good spirits. I'm preparing to hit the road for a trip down to Lubbock, Texas for the OU vs. Texas Tech Big 12 Slobber Knocker Saturday. The game is at 11:30 a.m. on Fox Sports Southwest. It's a nice haul to Lubbock but after working for the "Big Cowboy" a 5 hour or so drive is no hill for a stepper.

Business has been good in our on line store and we are cranking out your orders quickly. I still encourage you to order early so that there are no issues with shipments arriving by the holidays. We are still offering FREE SHIPPING via Federal Express on many items and these products make great stocking stuffers or are just great to enjoy for yourself.

We've gotten awesome feedback on how much better our Beef Jerky is due to the new cooking process so you might want to check that out. 

Here's some BBQ'ed Random Thoughts.... 

Read on line where I was returning to WWE at Wrestlemania. This info was attributed to my friend and former broadcast partner Jerry Lawler. I don't know if I confused the King when we last spoke or if he was simply misquoted which is more likely but the story is not accurate. When talking with Jerry about when I was going to return, I mentioned that there was NO time table due to not knowing when the facial nerve on the right side of my face was going to kick start. I mentioned that IF it was going to be close to Wrestlemania that it might be good just to wait and return at WM26. The facial nerve could ignite tomorow...or next week...or 2-4 months from now. No one knows. The last time that I had Bells palsy it hit me in December and I returned to Wrestlemania in late March and broadcast one match, Austin vs. The Rock but I had to hold one side of my face up to speak clearly. This attack isn't as severe as that one in my opinion.

I do feel better other than the facial paralysis and some lingering issues with my right eye but all in all I truly believe that I am improving. I'm also making several life style changes that I think are timely and career enhancing. 

My contract negotiations with WWE are still to be finalized but, as I feel in all things regarding my life. I remain confident and positive that those contractual issues will work out to every one's satisfaction. 

Doing weekly TV is a grind with all my other WWE responsibilities that I execute from my home office. The travel is something that I do not miss. Commercial air travel 50 or so weeks a year can't be enjoyed, only tolerated. I never miss work as it relates to the hassles of travel but I do miss it when it's time for the red light to go on. 

So only time will tell how every thing will work out on several fronts. Nothing is set in stone. If you want to know exactly what is happening with my career I suggest you check out this site and my blogs because I can pretty much guarantee that I will know first unless one of my doctor's is talking to a wrestling website. 

Can't wait to see how the Survivor series evolves Sunday night on PPV from Washington D.C. It is a real opportunity for several young talents to raise the perception of their individual games.

The Miz's team intrigues me a great deal and I can see all of this particular team being "players" under the proper conditions. 

Kofi Kingston was the star of Monday Night Raw from MSG and Kofi not coming off as so happy go lucky and showing the aggression it takes to turn heads is what he needs to continue to do. Kofi is close to residing in the Promised Land and a great night at the Survivor Series and the following night on the three hour Raw could help cement that ascension. 

It will be interesting to see if "Angry Dave" will get booed in his hometown Sunday when Batista faces Rey Mysterio in a bout that I have predicted Batista will win on my WWE.com Smackdown blog that is up now at www.wwe.com.

In the WWE blog,  I also have some fun with my fellow announcers as in the over/under on Michael Cole using the term "vintage,"  who will use the most hair gel, Grisham or Striker, will we even see the ECW duo and who will be the first to describe the WWE Divas as "smart, sexy, and powerful." 

Just having some fun as I miss seeing my friends and once the Survivor Series starts on PPV Sunday on our 65 inch flat screen in our living room I will miss the hell out of it and wish I were there. 

The announcing assignments for Sunday interest me as well as there could be multiple voices on multiple matches which, for a broadcaster, is always a challenge. I'm sure the guys will do just fine nonetheless. 

How stupid are the people at Showtime, etc for putting Herschel Walker on premium cable and not on CBS? No Gina, no Fedor, no "stars" on CBS spells a sharp decline in the TV ratings which is all CBS is interested in. CBS, I get, but the promotion needs to re-evaluate their priorities and their attractions as the genre on its own won't survive without stars and personal rivalries. That's no different than boxing or pro wrestling or the NFL for that matter.

Thanks for stopping by and check us out again over the weekend. I'll most assuredly have my personal Survivor Series thoughts either late Sunday night or Monday morning.

Enjoy the PPV and check out my blog on WWE.com along with all the awesome specials we have here in our store.

Finally, this morning on OKC's Fox 25 I went with OU to win by 3 over Tech but I'm scared to death of this one as this is Tech's last home game of the year/Senior Day, etc , K-State +15 at Nebraska for the Big 12 North Title, Arizona +5 at home vs Oregon, and Michigan +12 at home vs Ohio State. I've been running hot which means I have to cool off some time. I don;t mind losing every pick but I "need" for OU to win this game if only by a point. 

Be well every one and continue to count your blessings.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.