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

I never had a problem with your commentating. I thought some of the stuff you messed up on was pretty funny. I thought you kind of went out of your way to undercut the Rock's pops back in 1999 when he was clearing blowing the roof off(like at King of the Ring '99 as compared to how you went wild for Austin's as if it was bigger). I found that kind of odd. I also found it strange how you KIND of turned against Shelton Benjamin a little in your commentary for his matches before he went to ECW but that's alright. You did what you thought was right and Benjamin's talent will always see him through, no matter what. I don't think you deserve huge criticism but there have been times where I had to scratch my head a few times and wonder what in the world was going on.

Hey, JR, as a Mizzou Fan, I think OU should be playing for the National Championship not Ohio State. I also think Missouri should be playing in the Orange Bowl, not Kansas. I'm proud our team is going to the historic Cotton Bowl, but it still hurts to see our seniors get screwed out of a BCS bowl they earned.

J.R. I went back and watched the Jericho return reel, and I can't figure out what the controversy is. Jericho sold it...you and the King sold it...and the crowd sold it. Did they go as crazy as if it were Hulk Hogan returning? No. Do fans (like myself) of Chris Jericho wish they had been a little louder? Sure. But that had nothing to do with you and the King. The real problem with Chris' return, is that it was no surprise. We can assign blame to various bloggers for that, but the WWE didn't do itself any favors by Putting Jericho on the front of WWE Magazine and then send it out to subscribers before his return, causing a flood of internet activity. At any rate, none of this had anything whatsoever to do with how you and the King sold Chris' return. You did your usual perfect job. I think these simpletons trying to say that you have lost your edge need a reality check. Ignore them, for they truly are ignorant. Sincerely, Chris Hughes Longtime J.R. fan

I agree with almost everyone here that you shouldn't worry about what people say. But I disagree with the fact that you are wasting your time responding to the nay-sayers. They will always have their opinions, and there's no point wasting energy on something that won't do anything. Continue to respond to the legitimate questions posted or responding to the positive comments. But giving the negative group a response just vindicates them and makes them feel powerful that they can make you think about them, and dwell on their opinion. Know you are the best and move on, don't look back because that's when you'll stumble.

Hi JR, I was never a huge football fan but I am from West Virginia so I do follow WVU and Marshall (the school I currently attend) football. However, as a fan of yours for practically my entire life, I also follow your beloved Sooners. As I am sure you are well aware, Oklahoma and West Virginia will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl this year. I just wanted to say good luck to you and your team. Should be a great game. Also, thanks for being the greatest voice in all of sports. Take care. -Nathan

Hey JR, I'm a long time fan of yours and of course a huge wrestling fan. I'm also a giant Mountaineers fan. I've never rooted against JR, but on Jan 2nd, I'm going to have to, haha. Hopefully next season it'll be for the championship.

JR, Props to you for allowing such ludricous comments on your website. There are some buffoons out there who don't know what they are talking about and if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't waste my time having to justify your passion for this business. You are a hall of famer and what are these people??!! I am from Australia JR and everyone I know down here love your work. In fact, I know of no one who doesn't like you. You ever make it down under on one of the tours and we'll show you what respect is all about. While on the subject of color commentating, may I also ask that you pass my regards and compliments on the way JBL has improved on Smackdown. He has come along very fast as an announcer since Tazz left Cole and love him or hate him, JBL has developed into a fine announcer. Keep up the great work JR and I said this to you at the start of the year, but Ad Peterson is an absolut animal. He mauled my Lions single handedly today and full props to him.

Good Afternoon, Congratulations to you and the rest of Sooner Nation! I watched the game last night and have to say, look out Big 12 OU is just getting started. BTW you made prime time on ABC! They showed Toby Keith and you were standing next to him and the color commentator (Kieth H?????) brought up your name. Keep up the good work and tell King we love the spots with him and Santino! Maybe you could get a shot in one of these times like when you gave the assist to King when he and Tazz feuded. Was it really that long ago?!! Thanks Fred Rowlands

Hi JR. I happened to just stumble across your site, and think that your passion for the wrestling business shouldn't be doubted in the slightest. your dedication to the business comes across in every blog that you write, and to take time out of your busy schedule to answer questions and give your opinions on all the happenings in the WWE is admirable. I would like your opinion also on the WWE at present, in regards to the current rosters. After looking at the rosters on wwe.com i noticed that there really isn't a good number of superstars on each brand. Do you think that in the coming year the WWE should focus on bringing in fresh talent and giving them a big push in the right direction? I hate to say it but i feel matches are getting somewhat repetative with the same old few superstars pushing for the titles. On Raw the wwe championship should get interesting in 2008 with jeff hardy, randy orton, mr kennedy, jericho, umaga, HHH, john cena, bobby lashley and shawn michaels all vying for it. But as for the Intercontintal championship, it seems forgotten now its on the waist of jeff hardy. There are only a couple of superstars that i think are worthy for that title contention. Them being Carlito and maybe Snitsky. The Tag Team Division is somewhat abysmal. It's nothing like what it used to be. But i think that's mainly because the WWE hasn't done enough to promote these teams, along with the lack of teams. I think maybe they should contemplate having just the one tag team championship. I think they should start to bring london & kendrick back as no-ones seen much of them since their trade to raw. I would also like to see big pushes for the major brothers and Jesse & Festus as i believe these 2 teams could revive the tag team championships. The womens championship seems to be going nicely though. As for Smackdown there's only 3 wrestlers who seem to be getting a chance at the heavyweight championship. Batista, Undertaker and Edge. But i can't help but feel that Kane should be in there aswell. As for the Great Khali, i'm going to be brutally honest, never deserved to be wwe champ. He can Hardly wrestle. He even makes great wrestlers like the undertaker look bad. I find it somewhat discouraging that people like the great khali get pushes towards the gold just because of how big he is, regardless of his wrestling capabilities. Now onto the US Championship. MVP, Matt Hardy, Rey mysterio, Finlay, Kenny Dykstra and Chuck Palumbo should all be in contention for this title. Give Chuck and Kenny some big falls against some big superstars and they'll be there in no time. Crusierweight Championship. I can name 3 Cruiserweights off the top of my head and none of them own the title. Jimmy Wang Yang, Shannon Moore and Jamie Noble. Now this has always been my favourite title as i love watching the high flying risk takers. But alas, not enough talent. I Feel there should be at least 8 active superstars in contention. It seems these days, if i want to watch some good decent high flying moves i have to watch TNA. I feel like a traitor every time i do, but it seems they're the company who's paying more attention to what the fans want these days. I haven't got into the whole ECW thing yet i'm afraid. It just doesn't seem as "Extreme" as it used to be. And week in week out it seems to be the same old "CM Punk/John Morrsion routine". Don't get me wrong, they are great wrestlers, but i get bored way too easily with, again, the lack of talent on offer. The WWE need superstars to rise through the ranks quickly so they can bring in a lot more new talent. I can't see why they can't do for someone like chuck palumbo what they did for John Cena? I mean beating someone like Kurt Angle is some debut and not long after he was US champ, and now look at him. They seem to be giving these superstars walk-over matches with unknown wrestlers in order to boost their popularity and are failing miserably. We never get to love or hate this superstar because we never get to see their potential. The WWE need a serious boost in their rosters and quick. Because I hate to admit it, if the WWE carries on like it is doing, TNA is going to be breathing down the neck of the WWE before long. I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Any feedback would be appreciated.

JR, Been a wrestling fan for 28 of the 33 years of my life. In my very own personal opinon you and Gordon Solie are 1 and 1a. You still have passion, I can tell from listening. Don't let a minorty jade you. You are the best thing going today to quote an adopted North Carolinaian and don't forget it. I'll watch you tomorrow night on Raw. BTW, think you can get the king to wear one of your JR's got big nuts t-shirts... that would be so cool.

hi J.R, i'd just like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart too yourself and the whole raw roster for an exceptional show, i talk in particular of the Y2J return as his day i had some terrible news about a family member being gravely ill, but for a litle over 2 hours in a day where i couldn't be happy you al made me feel excited and like a child again, I know the whole show is done for a mass audience and not just one particular person but for the time raw was on i was a 25 year old that wouldn't of been out of place in kindergarden Thank you all for that time where every thing could be forgotten

MAN! How I just LOVE to come by and kick people when they're down! Looks like SOMEONE hit a sore note when they commented on your "passion for the business!" I kid! I kid. Seriously. Aright, look. You obviously read a majority of the feedback you receive. This I'm not debating. You don't come off as lofty or arrogant in saying, "Oh I'll answer your feedback" and then just forget about it. I always see you posting your feedback to fan's comments, good, bad, or indifferent. For that, you deserve credit. But, my friend, even YOU cannot ignore the ratings book. Your flagship show, WWE Raw was in the 5's and 6's only 6 years ago. Now, we're looking at 2's and 3's. And don't tell me, "Oh wrestling has peaks and valleys." I never bought that line when Vince McMahon was saying it during the "Big Van Vader World Champion Years" and I sure don't buy it, now. Keep us entertained with entertaining storylines and matches, and we'll keep watching. It's that simple. There won't be any "valleys" as long as you keep your company's top prize on someone who's got charisma, wrestling ability, and above all, CLASS BEHIND THE CAMERAS. These are, after all, the faces of your company. Take for instance Batista (your world champion) saying he had to divorce his wife, who was stricken with CANCER of all things, and how he had to have threesomes on the road because she wasn't able to...well...you know. Now, I don't get offended easily, and television has de-sensitized me to most forms of visual torture like ECW. I don't know anyone in my immediate family whose had this horrible condition (thankfully) and, I'll laugh at a midget's antics just as much as Vince does. Hell, I remember giggling when Brock Lesnar threw that one-legged kid down the stairs. But my God, man...did he REALLY have to go there? Especially with your company working so closely with sick little kids? Or how about Edge planting a big wet one on Vicki Guerrero on a live Smackdown? A recent widow with children, I believe? In connecting "A" to "B," I have come to the conclusion that yes, you have indeed lost your passion for the business. Here's why: You see it, too, through the eyes of someone who KNOWS what a class-act is. And it's becoming harder and harder to defend this behavior in your blogs, on television, and on WWE.com. Honestly, I can't say I blame you. You're older than I am, which means you where THERE to see a young and confident Ric Flair earn his very first world title. Fast-forward 30 years, and what we have now is this distasteful crap by a company that has CONSISTENTLY crossed the line of bad taste, albeit in a comedic fashion, or just plain wrong. All this, and you pretend to wonder WHY the media pounces on your company when things go horribly wrong, or when loyal wrestling fans rip apart your company on the internet. I'd say, LOOK AT WHAT YOU'RE COMPANY'S PUTTING OUT THERE, JIM, but you do all too well, don't you? You definitely did as Head Of WWE Talent Relations, and you do now as a simple commentator. It disgusts you. You are repulsed by it, and finally, Eric Bischoff was right about you when he said you're ideas were very "old school." Not saying that's a bad thing, it just is what it is. So what do we do to remedy this? Well, since you're content with being a commentator, nothing, I suppose. Things will either continue to decline, or pick-up. It's that simple. What YOU need to do is decide if you're the guy who wants be remembered as A) Another one of Vince's corporate parrots, or B) The ONE guy who stood up in the back office and said, "WTF?"

Hey JR, Just thought I would leave a comment for you about the restaurant. Finally made it up from El Reno here and let me just say that the place without a doubt has taken the top spot in my list of favorite BBQ. Everything was just great from the food to the service. The ribs are to die for. Tried the sauces on them too and again they are some of my favorite sauces now. The atmosphere and Christmas music really helped make it a great experience. As a BBQ fan and a wrestling fan it was a real treat. Oh and one more thing. Those benches outside are a very nice touch. Without a doubt those were really cool.

Hi Jr do you think we will see Eric bischoff on RAW.

Hi JR. I know a lot of people have already made comments similar to the one I am about to make, but I want to add my own thoughts to this. Basically, I am stunned by the amount of negative comments that you are receiving. When all is said and done, you are a brilliant announcer. One only has to read a few wrestling autobiographies to see the high esteem in which you are held by your peers. Hell, Ric Flair compares you to Gordon Solie. I personally think you do your job beautifully. Also, it would be interesting to see, or rather hear, how your internet garbage fed critics would fare, should they wind up having to call a two hour live broadcast.

Comments about you losing enthusiasm is quite simply ignorant. I watch TNA occasionally, and whereas they come off forced with the scripts and everything, you come off as someone with enthusiasm and knowledge about the industry. Keep up the good work.

Hey There, Mr. Ross, I think you are the best, and I watched the Jericho return, and I thought you did a great job "selling" the moment, I feel that it was a big moment for the WWE, and sport-entertainment. I think both yourself, and Mr. Lawler do a fantastic job night in and night out. Have a Great day!

Hey J.R., do you think soccer can take off as a major spectator sport in the U.S.?

alright. we know you like barbeque, hence why you made you own line. then you decided to sell peanuts which is ok..but did the slogan have to be "jr's nuts are bigger"? what the heck is that?

Hey I was watching Heat last night. What a great match between Charlie Haas and Paul London, the in ring phsychology worked perfectly for the finish, with London being too sore to pull off a top rope move. Fantastic. Anyway, my question, What is going to happen with Charlie Haas now Shelton is on ECW with his well deserved push? And why is it Paul London and Brian Kendrick aren't in tag team matches? Keep up the good stuff JR

I agree, I have too gone to the return of Y2J shots and must say that I, totally and utterly, fail to see what you're talking about folks. I think that the original J.R critizising posts were made by attentionseeking people that just wanted to throw a wrench into the machinery and see waht happened, I am all for critique but I unforunantely think that they got what they wanted. J.R is the best commentator there was, there is and there ever will be. You will never be a guy that “used to be a pretty good announcer.” With this said I must say that i think that it was sad that the return was so postponed, delayed and that it was so many "cry wolf moments" if you understand me. Wasn't Chris J's return overdue with the code dates and everything? I thought he was going to come back at no mercy, or earlier, as i think the dates implied and later, and-kept-and-kept-and-kept implying. And the leak to the entire wrestling community (yes thats everyone that follows wrestling, not just a few "hackers"...) of the cover of the official WWE magazine... It was not a "BAH GAWD, BAH GAWD ITS CHRIS JERICHO!" moment for anyone. Maybe this was the supposed way to do it by the creative staff, i dont know. At Armageddon I will be somewhere on the floor behind your back, wishing I could hear what you say, if you're commentating that is.

Hey JR. I don't really know how to say it without some people itching to jump all over me before I say it, but here goes. I just read some of your past blogs and comments, and I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time between the hectic WWE schedule, jr's bbq business, and personal life, to post on your website. I go to University and don't have cable or access to wwe programming - and to be honest I have grown away from it thanks to a little thing that happens called life - but I still check up a couple times a week to see what's going on, and managed to get to a friends to see Y2J comeback, which I freaked out about! lol So I still get into it when I can, when it counts. But my point is I just wanted to say thanks, and there still are fans out there that have the kid in them that like to be entertained, even if they can't be as much as they like to. I don't need or want to know how much Cena makes a year, or who hates who back stage. I just like hitting some websites to stay on the outer loop of what's going on, and you help make that happen when I wander away from my homework for a 10 minute break. Keep up the great work!

I personally wouldnt watch Raw with the volume up if it wasn't for JR and The King. JR made Chris's return better, Who better than JR And The King to Call it? Cole and JBL??? I think not. TAZZ And Joey?? Not even close. JR is and always will be the voice of RAW Period. So Here is a crazy idea for all those people out there who think they know whats best for WWE and for JR, How about a nice tall glass of Shut the #$%^ Up? Sounds like a good idea to me. Until you do the job don't talk like you know how to do the job. As for JR's Passion??? Please he has more passion then most of you so called Wrestling know it alls, Give me a damn break. JR, Your doing great keep it up. Boomer Sooner Baby!

J.R., I am sorry to hear about some people think you should hang it up. If you have lost your passion then I must be the president of the United States. If there is anyone who is more passionate than you, I would sure like to meet them. I have listened to you call some of the best wrestling matches in the WWE and it is very obvious to me that you have so much passion for the wrestling business you cannot help but express your love and your passion. Your passion was one of the first things I noticed about you when I first started listening and watching you call matches in WWE. Its sad that there are bad apples out there who have to ruin it for everyone else. Perhaps they are just jealous. I dont know their agendas. Its just sad that people can be so cold and mean. Besides who are they to say someone does not have passion. They probably dont even know what true passion is or even the definition of the word. If you ask me true passion is found in the way / manner in which you call each and every match. Your passion shows and it shines bright. I would tell those Yo Yo's who say you dont have any passion to go climb a tree. They wouldnt know what passion was if it hit them in the face. Its just sad that there are bad apples that just have ruin everything. I think you are the best announcer of all time and your level of passion is as high as it ever was. Keep doing what you do best and let your passion flow like a river. Your level of passion is still on top of its game.

JR, I just wanted you to know that I never think that you have lost your passion for the WWE or sports entertainment all together. I feel the love you have every night you sit behind the announce table and entertain us folks all over the world. Every time you come to my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, you and the king are the ones I want to see the most. Keep up the great work and don't let some nobody's get you down. much love, Joe G Cincinnati, Ohio