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Start ShoppingMy thanks to every one who provided us feedback regarding selling our sauce by the case and a potential book idea using content from previous blogs and Q&A's. We'd still love to hear from you about these matters if you care to respond. Let's get to some BBQ'ed Random Thoughts.....
It took me 13 hellacious hours to get from NYC to OKC Thursday because of weather issues in Dallas. I ended up making the DFW to Norman trip by car but only after sitting on the tarmac in Kansas City where we were diverted. I think OKC would have been a much better diversion city. Nonetheless it was a memorable way to end a 5 day odyssey considering I have to leave again Sunday for Charlotte and the big, 3 hour Raw. Bad travel days suck pond water even after having my share of them over the years.
Not enough can be said of Edge and Jeff Hardy wrestling this week on TV considering all that they put themselves through Sunday in the Ladder Match. There's probably some idiot out there on message proclaiming that the two participants "know how to fall" when using a ladder.
If you are fans of either Jeff or Edge be sure to catch Friday Night Smackdown this week. You'll like what you see.
Is there a hotter, live audience reaction for any one in WWE than for Jeff Hardy? I know Jeff's body is beat to hell as we speak but he has taken his game to another level and has come a long way from the teen we hired back in the day. I'm really proud of Jeff.
The live crowd in New Orleans seemed to dig Randy Orton Sunday night to to a larger degree than I would have guessed. I know some fans simply like to cheer for the villains but Mr. RKO's reception was eyebrow raising for me. I think we simply live in a defiant generation where many voyeuristically live through athletes like Orton. Randy's youth, cool tat's, great entrance music, really strong in ring skills, and being attitudinal make Orton "popular" to many young males. My theory is that as long as those defiant, young males buy a ticket, it's good.
I've followed Chris Jericho's career closely for years and I don't think that the Winnipeg native has ever been better that he is right now. When Jericho boasts that he is the best at what he does in the world he's not overly exaggerating.
One has to expect that we will likely see more of Jericho vs. Mysterio Monday night on the huge, enhanced, 3 hour Raw that starts one hour early at 8/ 7 Central. At least I hope so. Jericho vs. Rey in New Orleans was big time stuff from two guys who were trained the old school way.
Dr. Jim Andrews, as I understand it, in Birmingham, Alabama performed the surgery to repair a major injury to Dave Batista's biceps. The Animal will be out at least 4 months and perhaps closer to 6. Bad break for a good guy but no one has to worry about how hard Batista will work to come back and be 100%. Nor will Dave be "lonely" one has to assume. Perhaps Nurse Slobberknockers will be available. Sponge bath any one??
The young wrestlers who are getting an opportunity to wrestle against Ricky Steamboat at selected, live WWE events should count their blessings. What a learning opportunity for these youngsters. Steamboat told me over the weekend that he never has wrestled a match in his career where he was positioned as the villain for the record.
The WWE 24/7 Legends Roundtable went well as Michael Hayes, WWE HOF'ers Sgt. Slaughter, Pat Patterson, Mean Gene Okerlund, and me discussed how patriotism and nationalism have been utilized in wrestling. On the second show we discussed "Giants," as in size, of wrestling. We were all asked to name our favorite "Giant" and I did not name Andre but others obviously did. We also discussed how the term "Giant" has changed over the years considering that men like 6'7" Killer Kowalski and Don Leo Jonathan were considered legit "Giants" back in the 50's and in the pre-Andre days. Sarge had some awesome stories to tell about meeting President Reagan in the White House and President Nixon on an airplane. Plus, the death threats Sarge received after becoming an Iraq sympathizer was freakish and the steps that had to be taken to keep Slaughter safe were eye opening.
With C.M. Punk cashing in the Money in the Bank Contract Sunday night, does that now make Punk a wrestling villain? I think not. I think many fans were more upset that Jeff Hardy lost than they were with Punk winning . It seems to me that any one with a brain would pick the most opportune time possible to cash in the MIB Contract and moments after an insane, ladder match seems like perfect timing. Now, the fans themselves may turn against Punk and if so, fine, but Punk's actions at Extreme Rules don't seem as if they should automatically make him public enemy #1. Punk has some "attitude" so I think he will be able to handle whatever comes his way.
Will there be a better match all week on TV than Thursday night's Jericho v s. Morrison bout on WGN's WWE Superstars? Morrison is "this close" to establishing residence at the next level hopefully for the long haul from where I sit.
Another young man who is emerging is Evan Bourne. I'd like to hear him talk more but the University of Missouri grad's in ring style is fun to watch.
Teddy Long "trading" for Jack Swagger would work for me. Long time, WWE insiders love Swagger's potential. However I do think Swagger being on ECW, for now, is a great place for the former Sooner who will always be the second toughest man from Swagger's home town of Perry, Oklahoma.
I am happy that Tommy Dreamer won the ECW Title Sunday. I enjoyed the ECW bout even though I am personally challenged by watching so many multi participant bouts on TV. Don't get me wrong, I don't "hate them" but I love one on one bouts better. Yeah, I know that I'm terribly old school but old dogs can still hunt from time to time.
Lots of questions regarding WWE seeking a female, ring announcer/singer. This doesn't mean that Lilian Garcia is going any where but media company's like WWE are never NOT looking for new announce talents. I do not know what Lilian's long term professional or personal goals are but I have not heard any thing but good things about her work. We all know she can damn sure sing. Who knows, perhaps Lil is looking to cut back on her road schedule. She's in Prague as I write this.
On a related note, back when I lived in Connecticut, I personally auditioned dozens of candidates who, theoretically, would have loved to take my spot some day.
I got a cool email from "Hitman" Bret Hart this week with some photos of him wearing our "Got Sauce" white T shirt. We'll get that photo on the site soon. Bret is a fan of our sauces and especially our beef jerky. He seemed to be enjoying relaxing times in his Hawaii home but we do hope to hook up later this year in Calgary.
Communicated with The Undertaker recently who is anxious to return to the ring sooner than later. I don't have a return date but there is no doubt in my mind that the future Hall of Famer will be back in a WWE ring by summer's end or early autumn. "They" don't make 'em like the "Demon of Death Valley" any more folks and for those that continue to send us questions regarding a 'Taker retirement be advised that they are still be deleted because there's nothing to that rumor.
Todd Grisham and I recorded our Jericho vs. Morrison WGN bout Monday night in Lafayette prior to Raw and then left shortly thereafter for the 3 hour or so drive to Biloxi. Because we left and the fact that I had no idea, I never got to say good bye to Vickie Guerrero whose last night was Monday. Vickie improved tremendously in her on screen persona during her WWE tenure and I will admit that I was skeptical of her screen persona at the beginning. Vickie kissing Edge made me uncomfortable which was the goal. Vickie and her late husband Eddy had two, beautiful daughters and now Vickie can return to being a full time Mom which is infinitely more important than delivering her classic phrase, "EXCUSE ME...EXCUSE ME!" Many, many WWE Superstars gave Vickie a much deserved, emotional send off Monday evening. For the record, several months ago Vickie presented my wife Jan and me with some of Eddy's ring worn attire that we are framing and will be hanging in our BBQ joint in Norman. Vickie's smiling face and warm demeanor will be missed by many of us.
Friday Night Smackdown is another really nice show and I hope that you check it out on MyNetworkTV.
Don't forget to check out all the "deals" in our on line store that never closes. Buying our J.R.'s Original BBQ Sauce by the case and having us pay the shipping is a great deal. BTW the shelf life of our sauce is a minimum of one year and is denoted on each bottle.
I'll be updated the Q&A's this week, writing another blog here before I leave for Charlotte and writing my weekly blog located on the Smackdown page of WWE.com.
Boomer Sooner!
J.R.
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JR
I quite agree with your response to Scoot's comment! that comment is ridiculous and the pathetic ramblings of someone who doesn't know what it feels like to be a lone parent or to be raised by a lone parent (my mum raised me alone! trust me it was no picnic!)
Hey, JR, I must admit I don't read your Q&A's anymore. Why? Glad you asked. (You did think it, didn't you?) I don't have the time to keep up. You answer them so dang fast that I don't have the time to devote to 10 or so pages of questions almost everytime I sit down at the computer. So, as far as I'm concerned, you're <i>too</i> quick at answering.
But I love the blog. :-)
Sorry JR. I did not mean to offend you in any way shape or form about the Q&A mention. I been a fan of yours since the UWF days. I agree with you 100% about the "worn out questions" which I usually skip because I know pretty much what your answer is going to be. I'm a beginer as far as computers are concerned and thought something was wrong with my computer. That is why I mentioned the Q&A in the first place. Sorry, I'm an idiot. Safe Travels.
Tying together cheering for heels and appreciation for Jericho, the support for Jericho at the London Raw earlier this year was an incredible moment as a fan at the stadium. The huge feeling of love for Jericho was just amazing to experience for one night. Although I think England always enjoys cheering the rebels, it was clearly about respect for his talent in this instance. Everybody was saying as much. You could see him fighting a smile a couple of times and it seemed as though he thoroughly enjoyed just one night as crowd favourite!! You wouldn't want to see it every week - he is much too good as a heel for that to ever happen as well - but the brief throwing away of the stereotypical rule book somehow created a really special moment and probably my favourite ever at a live event.
Hi Mr. Ross,
If Corky's can do QVC, why can't you? I love BBQ and didn't like Corky's. I would love to try yours. I love your responses to some of these people. Very nice. :) Be well and God bless.
Steve
I think JR does a damn good job updating his Q&A as it is.
This being stated...I agree with ya about bad travel days "sucking pond water". Back in 2002, I was a nearly 17-year old high school kid when I took a trip to Daytona Beach, Florida I believe it was with a church group. (Was either that or Myrtle Beach, SC.) Soon as I got home to Kentucky, I had to throw my clothes in the washer...because the next day I was turning right back around and leaving for Washington, DC at noon, then doing a swing up the East Coast Wednesday and Thursday to NYC then over to Niagara Falls Friday and Saturday. That was 2 weeks on the road, and my body paid the price...I promptly got sick in Philadelphia, PA on the Wednesday night of the EC swing, and spent the remainder of that week, and half the next, getting over a significant cold.
What ever happens behind the scenes, with regards to V. Guerrero and Vince, in all honesty is not our business as long as the bigger picture is taken into consideration.
While tragic Eddie's passing was, every one should know by now the demands of the business. There are no excuses for using drugs, alcohol, etc. and unfortunately things of the this nature and sorts does catch up to any one who uses.
However, in lieu of the above, I do believe the situation worked out well, we were entertained and that is what the WWF/WWE is about.
JR, good blog!
PS: And by the way, his name is The Undertaker, not 'Taker.
It burns me to read PB&J's speculation that Vicky was brought to the WWE to keep her quiet. While I may not like some of his ideas, if Vince McMahon is as kind and good natured as I have read, he brought Vicky in for support (monetary and emotional) and to make sure that she and the children were taken care of. It's the right thing to do. I guess some of this younger generation just don't grasp that concept anymore, without there being some "scandal" involved. Sorry Jr, I didn't mean to rant there.
Regarding Vicki Guerrero's sudden departure, personally I think she was getting paid all this time and was given on on-air position to keep quiet about how Eddie was living his life those last couple of years he was alive. I guess you could say she was blackmailing WWE but I'm sure they were all too willing to go along with it.
I hadn't heard that Umaga was released due to drugs but I do believe that he was suspended for 30 days a couple of years ago for that. I still think it's a shame that we never got to see a Undertaker/Umaga feud, I thought those two would have been like PB&J.
Your theory on Vickie is dead wrong and borderline offensive. I know of what I speak. Regarding no Umaga vs. Taker bout, that's one person's fault and that one person cost himself a lot of money.
JR, thanks for the new blog. But, I have to put the heat on you a little with this question:
If Kennedy was let go due to his "Injuries" and Umaga was let go due to "Drugs", Doesn't 1+1=2 and that should mean Batista should be let go as well? We all know no human can look like Batista without the help of illegal drugs. Seems to me the wellness policy is only put in place to shine the light on lesser talents, and protect Vince's biggest money makers.
Take it easy JR and hope this question doesn't rile you up too much!
Bang Bang.
I'm not riled up as you are suggesting that the WWE Wellness Policy is selective in nature and I believe that not to be true. I also don't know that Kennedy was released for being "injury prone" although his string of injuries were likely a part of the reason. The last thing any wrestling company wants is a public controversy over drugs which is why I feel no one is immune to the Wellness Program in WWE. At the end of the day, you believe what you choose. And I'm not riled up.
Hey JR, that too bad for the big man (batista). Just to let you know the Q&A section has not changed in good while now. Have a safe trip to Tar Heel country.
Considering that the Q&A is free, you're getting your money's worth. Secondly, have you seen my schedule lately? I am one guy with many responsibilities. I'm doing the best that I can but I will tell you that lengthy questions/comments are getting axed by the dozen. Especially those "who do you think is best ever at something," "who's going in to the WWE Hall of Fame, and the obligatory and worn out questions regarding WWE creative.