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

Man, am I glad to be back in Oklahoma and out of the traffic frenzied and crowded Northeast after taping Tuesday night in the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.  It was one of those nights where nothing seem to come easy at the announce desk, not that it really  seems to matter I suppose.  I hope you like WGN Superstars on Thursday and Friday Night Smackdown on MyNetworkTV. Check your local listings. Last week's SD ratings were very good as the show featured Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison and the ratings over the two hour period were the best of any two hour block ever on the network or so I am told. The ratings  were so good that Grisham and I "almost" got an attaboy. "Almost" being the key word.

Here's some BBQ'ed Random Thoughts.   

 Rey Mysterio vs. Mike Knox is the main event Thursday night on Superstars and the long and the short of it have a nice bout. Knox has plenty of potential and still reminds me at times of a young Bruiser Brody. Mysterio is a one of a kind competitor and I hope that some day the powers that be see that Rey vs.Tyson Kidd and Rey vs. Evan Bourne would be matches fans would love to emotionally invest.

Goodness knows that wrestling fans in general are rapidly growing tired of seeing many of their favorites competing/performing with the same suspects week in and week out. Sometimes new bouts will suck but sometimes they won't but at least it will be something different. Isn't different still a good thing?  

Friday Night on Smackdown, starring Todd Grisham and with his side kick good, Ol J.R.,  features the Hardy vs. Punk World's Title Bout (there are some real swerves and curves in this one), John Morison (gonna bit a big star) vs. Tyson Kidd (another nice bout and Kidd is damn good), an interesting Fatal 4 way to determine the #1 contender for the IC Title at Summerslam which was physical but it seemed it lack "something" that is one of those intangible things and there is a good chance that I could be wrong and the match seemed to rush along too fast, Chris Jericho vs. JTG that had a surprising last few moments of their contest, and plus a surprise visitor from the WWE Ivory Tower makes his  larger than life persona felt.

From what I'm told, Entourage's Jeremy (Ari Gold) Piven was a decent guy to be around and was allegedly working the WWE Divas hard in securing contact info. Nothing wrong with that for a healthy, young, single man who enjoys being cool and shaving every 3rd day or so. I was told that Piven was easy to work with and seemed happy especially after he got Kelly Kelly's phone number. That's the word on the street. I feel a TMZ story in the air.

What in the hell is up with Miz. I honestly felt  that Miz had "something" going for him but obviously folks MUCH smarter than I apparently see Miz' persona differently. Some day Miz could end up on SD as Todd Grisham could use a young, hip color commentator and Miz is very glib and topical. 

Sorry to hear about WWE HOF'er Nick Bockwinkel's recent heart surgery. Nick seemed to always take good care of himself back in the day when many other pro athletes did not. Genetics are a strange thing and hopefully this heart surgery will help Nick regain the zip in this step. Bobby Heenan used to call our pal Nick, "Jim Barnette on Steroids." Heenan was funny whether he intended to be or not. Take care of yourself Nick.

Stone Cold and John Cena, as I understand it, are both in Vancouver working on projects, Austin started filming is second film of the year Wednesday while Cena is in Vancouver filming an episode of USA's Psyche. USA should use any many WWE Superstars as is feasible and not just the top guys for their original programming as exposure of that magnitude will help elevate young talent when is the name of the game or at least it better be. It will be interesting to see if Austin and Cena make time for a cold one while working in Vancouver but my guess is that isn't likely to happen with both men working under deadlines.  Austin is hoping to film on more movie before the end of the year if all the details can be worked out.  

It looks as if Monday Night Raw is evolving into an action adventure/variety show with the eclectic, upcoming selection of names being thrown about to guest host the WWE's top TV priority. Bob Barker will love meeting the Divas, Reverend Al will get his message out there no matter what it may be that week but never think that Al Sharpton won't be entertaining. Rev Al has the old, Vince McMahon hair style. None of these names are confirmed but I read of them on the internet so they "must" be true. Rev Al would have made a helluva wrestling manager back when the biz was old school, pressed fans buttons and before it got too hip and sophisticated. Somehow I have a challenging time ever thinking that "John Q. Public" will ever look at pro wrestling as sophisticated. But that's not a bad thing. the NFL isn't sophisticated and neither is UFC. So what?  

I did a short stint on KREF Radio in Norman Am1400 Wednesday where I mention the times the WWE programs I appear on are on TV in the OKC area plus we promote our great food at J.R.'s and talk about the sports of the day and will really cover OU Football  in the upcoming weeks. I will know more about my schedule on KREF in a week or so but I do know that they are excited about having me on a weekly basis and I hope that wrestling fans around the country will tune in on their computer. We will also take wrestling calls and emails plus you can see the streaming video on your computer. 

The two major Oklahoma grocery stores, Homeland and Reasor's are both very interesting in our two, BBQ Sauces and our awesome Chipolte Ketchup. I'm hoping to have some good news on this matter soon which could end up being the break we need in this world for our J.R.'s Brand. The feedback that they have provided us within the past couple of days has been encouraging. I am loving building our brand and am anxious to see if we can build a company that we can all be proud and that I can add to the list of things that I want to do when I am not on the road 51 weeks a year which could occur Sooner than later. 

I still have no idea if I'm flying to Calgary Monday to do one match and then driving just under 200 miles up to Edmonton Monday night to prepare to tape Friday Night Smackdown in Edmonton Tuesday Night. I actually like vising Alberta but doing one bout on Monday in Calgary and then driving almost 200 miles up to Edmonton isn't my idea of an award winning Rand McNally road trip. Now if I had my own private jet, the shot up to Edmonton would be a two ****tail ride with no pains or strains. I have discovered that Edmonton isn't blessed with several, upscale, airport properties.  

It seems as if every day I read of a "wrestling couple" who are dating, engaged, married, living in sin, etc. Yes, there are a handful of exceptions  but over the long haul the majority of these relationships are based on lust and not love and are without commitment and they fail. You do the tally and you will see that this one is a no brainer. 

I read where WWE allegedly Brock offered Brock Lesnar a 7 year deal with $40M guarantee which makes for great copy but isn't accurate. However I do think that Lesnar's representatives should craft Brock a new deal because Lesnar won't be this hot many more times in his career especially in his antagonist role. The more Lesnar wins,shows attitude, and dominates other large and talented human beings, the more popular Lesnar will become. Craft a deal now for the top, villain Lesnar and then, if he can keep winning, craft another deal after Lesnar becomes loved by the MMA world and. yes, that will happen in time. 

My pal Bill Rosinski has been broadcasting NFL football for over twenty seasons but this year he has a full slate of college games including OU-BYU on September 5 from Jerry Jonesland in Texas. I would be shocked if Bill, who I worked with broadcasting the Atlanta Falcons in the early 90's, didn't also get the  nod to call the OU-Texas bloodbath on October 18 in the Cotton Bowl which might be the most hyped college game of the season. I envy Bill being about to see a great college game every week but that's my plan too except that they will all be Oklahoma Sooner games and I couldn't be happier.

I am working OT with a major project for our on line store that I think you will absolutely love. Check back often as this is going to be huge.

Thanks for dropping by and for any business you can throw our way in our store. Our business at J.R.'s in Norman is great and our food just keeps kicking ass and taking names. I had a loaded baked potato today filled with chopped brisket, a drizzle of J.R.'s Original BBQ Sauce on the spud along with  a side of home made pinto beans and home made cornbread. Just what I needed after my most recent road trip.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.