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

I enjoyed the short flight from OKC to Kansas City aboard lovely Southwest Airlines and then the relatively short one hour drive over to Topeka this week. It’s funny how travel can sometimes affect one’s outlook on a show or affect the preparation for a particular show. At this stage of the game for me, travel is not my friend. However, I must say that some of my car trips with the King are damn entertaining and would probably make a good reality show if there is such a thing.

The RAW from Topeka, RAW #697 to be exact, was a solid show that was highlighted by a strong main event featuring John Cena and Edge. Wrestling inside a steel cage is not easy and can be somewhat limiting but both Cena and Edge did a helluva job in my opinion. I have loved this rivalry since it kicked off in January but it would seem that these two men may move on to other opponents in the near future. I have heard from some of you that still love the interaction between these two and I have heard from some of you that are tired of this pairing. To each his own but I personally love their chemistry. Edge has become an “A” list star since this thing kicked off in January.

No one can ever say that these two men don’t work hard and to me that is where it all starts. They have told some amazing stories in the ring from my perspective. Wrestling is such an art form and a fleeting one at that. Someday someone is going to wake up and truly discover what the territory system meant to the business and say, “Uh, oh we’re out of talent.”

The 4 team Texas Tornado tag was a wild affair with DX proving without a shadow of a doubt who the top dogs were in that hunt. It is a challenging time to be an aspiring tag team on RAW with DX so dominate. Perhaps Cade/Murdoch can break the glass ceiling or at least they seem to have the best chance. The other two teams in this wild west affair are not bad but they just are not established units as of yet.

Jeff Hardy has done extremely well since returning to RAW. Jeff says he was completely burned out when he left RAW somewhat unceremoniously 3 years ago but what ever his reasons were I am glad he is back. Jeff has added a much needed spark to RAW and now that Jeff is the new IC Champion we should continue to see the IC Title elevated. I have always looked at the Intercontinental Title as special but it seems, at times, it has been almost forgotten in the big picture.

As The King would say “one can’t grieve forever” for Johnny “Don’t Call Me Monday ” Nitro even though he lost his gold he still went to a Topeka area hotel and slept with a “gold digger”.

With Jeff Hardy as the new IC champ it would seem it would set up many possible scenarios as to viable challengers for the championship. Let’s hope that Jeff can stay in one piece during this IC Title run.

To say that DX was ubiquitous Monday Night might be a rather Texas sized understatement. HHH and HBK seem to heading for a situation with Cade and Murdoch. It will be very interesting to see if the young lads can hang with the veterans in this encounter. If Cade and Murdoch are successful down the road vs. DX that will certainly increase the rowdy rednecks worth on the RAW brand and would put them in main event level matches which does mean more cash. Cash is good for all wrestlers. But don’t take my word for it, ask them.

On a few of those DX bits Monday night I had flashbacks to some Saturday Night Live skits and the spaghetti western music made me wonder what ever happened to Lee Van Cleef.

It looks as if Umaga or Kane will be leaving RAW next Monday during the 3 hour fall premier called Family Reunion which by the way starts one hour earlier than normal so adjust your TiVos and DVRs. Where do you think the winner is headed? It could be Smackdown or ECW.

I think it is classy that John Cena wanted to premier his movie “The Marine” at a Marine base. Camp Pendalton has some of the bravest men and women in the world stationed there so Tuesday night’s premier should be quite the throw down. I will assure you this…..no WWE Superstar works harder promoting the company…ever…than John Cena. You may not like his wrestling, I do by the way, but no one in their right mind can deny how hard this man works.

I was excited to see the Orton-Carlito match but it ended too quickly for me. (Insert joke here.)

WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter got a surprise win on Monday night over the Spirit Squad’s Nicky. I just have a feeling that this 5 man group who are the reigning World Tag Team Champions, are about to implode.

Mickie James and Victoria had a nice 5 minute match. This RAW needed next week’s three hours so these matches would not have appeared to be so rushed. Mickie advances and Victoria goes back to making delicious pizza for the time being in Louisville.

You know, sometimes Eric Bischoff can be a jackass. O.K. most of the time. I left WCW because I was considered too regional to be the voice of WCW. The decision to take me off the air was news delivered to me by, in my humble opinion, an Andy Griffith-on-crack-like gutless wonder by the name of Bill Shaw. Shaw “inherited” WCW from Ted Turner and wanted to distance himself from it as best he could. Like many TBS white shirt wearing, red tie and blue blazer attired executives Shaw’s manhood might have fit into a thimble. I had over two years left on my contract there when I was illegally, by TBS’s own contract, re-assigned. Contracts, as I have learned over time, mean little if the company who writes the contract wants to break it. Nonetheless, Bischoff’s book “Controversy Creates Cash” tells Eric’s story from Eric’s point of view and even though I don’t like what he said about me he has the right to say it and I am man enough to take it. I do encourage all “real” wrestling fans to read it. If you are a new fan, are really young, and just like to watch people fall from high places through inanimate objects this book might not be for you. It does go into some intimate details about wrestling politics, back stage maneuvering, and the art of the “wrestling swerve”. Unfortunately it doesn’t document Cowboy Bill Watts urinating off the 12th floor balcony outside his office in the CNN Center but I may cover that if I ever get motivated enough to write about the crazy journey I have been on for going on four decades.

Honestly, career wise leaving WCW and coming to the WWE was the best thing I ever did for all the right reasons.

Some one emailed me and said that a TNA Wrestler said I talked on our site about TNA because I “feared them” as in the WWE, I assume, fearing TNA. That’s laugh out loud funny. Fear what? That TNA is going to take over the world and all of us that don’t work there will be out of work. Please come back to reality. No one is going to take over the world and put everyone out of business and nor should they if they have any brains. As I have said many times, competition is good for everyone in every walk of life. I assure you there is competition between the three brands the WWE owns among the wrestlers as it relates to TV time, earnings, exposure, etc. That’s a good thing. More guys and gals should be even MORE competitive because it raises their game. The same goes for TNA or any other company that wants to turn a profit in the wrestling/sports/entertainment arena. The more the merrier and may the best provider of content reap the deserved rewards. I assure you there is enough to go around for everyone. It may make a nice wrestling promo or look good on someone’s blog or website but “fearing TNA is just plan silly”. Let me tell you what I do fear. I feared that I had cancer one year ago. I fear my two granddaughters won’t grow up in a safe country. I fear that my wife will have more fun after I’m gone that she does now (that’s a joke) and I fear that the Oklahoma Sooners may not play a great game against the powerful Texas Longhorns this Saturday in the Cotton Bowl to which I will be in attendance.

I am anxious to be a part of the THREE HOUR BROADCAST this Monday from Columbia, S.C. on the USA Network that airs live at 8/7 central. Remember, that’s one hour earlier than normal. It’s ironically Game**** Country in Columbia and I wonder if DX will present Mr. McMahon, I can only assume he will be back on RAW this Monday, with an authentic token of their esteem, a honest to goodness Game **** from South Carolina. Who knows, perhaps they can get the head ball coach himself Steve Spurrier to make the presentation.

We will answer more of emails this week Plus don’t forget that OUR STORE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS! WE WILL GLADLY SHIP ANYWHERE. Thanks for stopping by.

BOOMER SOONER!

J.R.