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

Another beautiful day here in Norman, Oklahoma and we thank you for stopping by our site. Lots of things going on so let's get to some random thoughts and personal opinions.

NFL free agency has captured some of my attention this week as several players are changing teams and getting some big bucks for doing so. The Chicago Bears are making some serious noise with their free agency moves highlighted by signing DE Julius Peppers and RB Chester Taylor.

WEC event is this weekend and I'll be checking it out. I don't miss too many MMA events on TV. Columbus, Ohio would be a fun place to hang out this weekend with the fights and the Arnold Classic all taking place. Great location to scout for potential, pro wrestling talents.

Much like the non season in pro wrestling the scouting process isn't seasonal either and should be in place the year around with some sort of system and plan in place. If the genre of pro wrestling becomes primarily dependent on the independent wrestling scene to provide the next wave of main eventers, times will become challenging. The Indy's will always be a place that should not be ignored but world class, collegiate athletes and former pro athletes should be coveted as well.   

Our "Ten Questions" blog is currently up on the Smackdown page of www.wwe.com.

Lots of interesting topics addressed in the latest round of Q&A's which are presently updated and ready for you to read...and react if you choose. 

Some subjects include...

The topic of Monday Night Wrestling. Lots of opinion on this matter and even more hype from some camps. As I have said, if this venture proves to be good for the fan base aka the consumers of the product then it will be a positive. One certainty is that this topic will be analyzed to death and will get wrestling internet coverage ala the network's coverage of elections. Everyone better get 'em some before Monday Night Football kicks off this fall.  

Blood in wrestling. I don't yearn for it as some emailers do. I feel that in the world that we live in from a medical standpoint and information perspective that the blood element in pro wrestling simply needs to be carefully monitored. It also depends on the target demo that a wrestling promotion is seeking. Kids and family viewing would be different than it would be for a company seeking primarily young males IE 18-34.

Some emailers want to see women have a bigger, in ring role. I feel that athletically gifted, attractive women are certainly an asset to any wrestling company. However, the truth of the matter is that while the ladies can earn a decent living in the biz they will likely always be "attractions" and asked to contribute to the success of the brand in a support role.

Ironically I do feel that women's MMA has a chance to add a viable element to the presentation of Strikeforce.

Another emailer asked if wrestling companies listened to the fans to help said companies make various decisions. I can only comment that if the companies are smart that they will listen to their consumer base. That goes for any business. Old school promoters used to always be in an area where they could watch the fan reactions to the entrance to the ring of a given wrestler, a match's conclusion, etc. Performing before a live crowd offers decision makers many opportunities to measure an audience's interest especially if they are playing to a different crowd each week. Playing the same crowd every week as we used to at Center Stage in Atlanta for TBS is a little trickier but still can provide viable info. The problem with playing the same arena each week is that the fan base rarely changes and some fans have predictable, 'look at me,' defiant reactions and become harder to please.

Someone asked if Bruiser Brody would have been a success in the modern day WWE and my opinion is yes. I think that great talents of previous generations who were athletic and had a high aptitude for the genre especially as it relates to crowd psychology could have been successful today. The necessary, fundamental skill sets haven't changed in the biz. Neither is the basic trait of having heroes and clearly defined villains who are brought together via logical, personal issues or a common agenda such a championship.    

I get asked a great deal about dream matches that I would have liked to have seen that did not occur. This is a really tough one to answer and needs ample time thought. Off the top of my head,  I might suggest Austin vs. Goldberg when both were hot. That would have been a big time PPV if it wasn't mistakenly used on free TV first.

One fan remembered when a young boy with Downs Syndrome gained access to the ringside area on a broadcast back in the day. In the old days, and notice I did not say 'good' old days, the poor kid would have likely been pummeled before someone realized the situation in which they were dealing. The kid just got carried away and before one knew it he was in no man's land. I think we might have referred to him as a 'Special Olympian.'

Also, I have seen some mighty drunk guys enter the ring and pay a stiff price for their act of trespassing. 

The Tulsa police used to bring drunken, unruly individuals who assaulted the wrestlers to the back of the arena and let them experience the large 'Cowboy' in private while the officers 'took a walk.' The Wild West was alive in Mid South Wrestling but obviously that technique would not be recommended in today's litigious society. Oh yeah, and then after the inebriated man would have his 'chat' with 'Cowboy' the poor guy would then be taken to jail. Now that's a bad day.

Many MMA fans who visit this site ask a variety of MMA questions and many questions  regarding Brock Lesnar. Brock is a perfect fit in MMA and his personality and demeanor are better suited for UFC than pro wrestling. There were likely several reasons that Brock wanted to leave the wrestling biz but none more prominent than the amount of travel that came with the job. I've always believed in the adage, "Do what you love and love what you do." Brock Lesnar loves competing and being the  best at whatever he's doing so being able to actually fight a few times a year and earn big bucks isn't a bad gig for a guy who simply wants to spend time with his family and hunt. 

Have you checked out "Damage" starring Steve Austin yet on DVD? I look forward to those that do see the film to provide us your feedback in the Q&A section of the site. I'll be in LA in a couple of weeks on business and hope to see Steve while I'm there if time permits. 

I wanted to mention that the date for the Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet in Vegas is Wednesday April 21 as the annual affair is April 19-21. You can get all the info on this wonderful event by going to www.califloweralleyclub.org. I accidentally gave the wrong date on a recent blog. 

Small world....an old friend of mine was on a flight from Vegas to Atlanta this week and was seated on the same row, row 10, with a reportedly rowdy Iron Sheik. My friend, who is not in the wrestling biz, sent me a few text messages describing the scene which apparently was a little wild. It's hard to believe that when I first met the Iron Sheik that he was quiet, weighed about 195 pounds or so, had hair, and was then a regular traveling parter with Danny Hodge. 

Our store never closes and we hit Federal Express virtually every day it seems with out going orders. We offer FREE SHIPPING for orders in the USA and, as always, appreciate your support.

Also, thanks to those that contact us asking about my health. I'm feeling really good and, as a matter of fact, am getting ready to head to the gym which has made a huge impact on my general health along with eating and using common sense in doing so. Old dogs can learn new tricks, for the record. 

Before we close, I got a wonderful package from Leon 'Vader' White with some Dr. Death swag including a really great action figure of Doc. I also got a couple of DVDs but I haven't worked up enough courage to watch them as I think they include Doc's last match in Colorado. It's still hard for me to believe that he's gone. 

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.