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

Another great week here in Oklahoma with the mighty University of Miami Hurricane coming to town this Saturday for a noon eastern time game on ABC.  The Rock’s alma mater is loaded with talent and will be a HUGE test for the Oklahoma Sooners, for each team’s second game of the season. I have many friends coming in for this game, which is one of the most eagerly anticipated games to be played in Norman in years.

It felt strange being home and being able to watch Monday Night Raw after it was produced live to tape Sunday night in Columbus, Ohio. I enjoyed the two hours nonetheless and even watched the show again Tuesday morning. One can never stop learning or improving and watching the show multiple times is a nice learning tool for anyone, including veteran announcers.

We have received much feedback on the commentary I wrote about the suspensions of many WWE superstars recently. There is not much more that I care to say about this matter, as I felt I made my feelings obvious in the commentary, which you can read here on our site if you haven’t already. It certainly got plenty of “internet stretch” from various wrestling sites including being essentially dissected paragraph by paragraph critiquing what I had written.

Wrestlers, just like any other athlete, professional or amateur, that can’t play within the rules shouldn’t be playing and if they can’t function within the rules I refer back to one of my philosophies when I managed talent relations, “if one can’t solve a problem, then one must eliminate it.” Right after that comes the part that says, “good luck on all future endeavors,” a heartfelt message if there ever was one.

I have little understanding for any entity or wrestler that places “look” above talent, charisma, passion and reliability.

We had a GREAT week last week at our Bar-B-Q place in Norman and expect another busy week this week as the tailgaters will descend on Norman beginning Thursday night for what should be a festive weekend when the Sooners play “The U.” If you are in our neighborhood, drop by J.R.’s and say hi.

We are currently planning to construct our second J.R.’s in Moore, Oklahoma just off I-35 near the 19th Street exit. This store would open in the spring of 08.

I wish the Rock had the time, with his crazy schedule, to join us for the game this Saturday but it is doubtful (Gorilla says, highly unlikely) that it will be possible for a guy who is working non stop on a variety of projects.

Feedback time:

Jess- Candice Michelle is improving immensely and in relationship from where she started to where she is now is excellent progress. Candice is the hot, diva du jour these days or at least until she meets Beth Phoenix at Unforgiven. I am impressed with Candice’s work ethic and willingness to learn.

Neath- I don’t know the Score’s situation in Canada with starting Raw late but Raw following the Score’s scoreboard show does make sense. I don’t think this is done to “censor” the show whatsoever. If you have issues with the Score you might want to follow up with the WWE’s Canada office in Toronto. I have heard no complaints about the Score’s coverage of WWE programming even though we enjoyed working with TSN for many years.

Mattlufc- Will the Dynamite Kid ever get into the WWE HOF? I don’t know, but Dynamite was revolutionary in many of the in ring skills he perfected and was one of the top hands in the world for a good while. I always have said that two men who comprised the British Bulldogs were at their best when Billington and Smith were together and not as singles. Perhaps the British Bulldog tag team has more of an opportunity to make the Hall than going in as individuals. Time will tell.

Karl (UK)- The WWE does not have a building to house their Hall of Fame, but I expect one to be erected some day in the future. Where, I can’t be sure, but near their corporate HQ in Stamford, Connecticut might be a good guess. I think a well laid out WWE Hall of Fame would be a viable tourist attraction considering all the history the facility could house.

Brian- I don’t know the routing philosophy of why Raw hasn’t been in Minneapolis lately for Monday Night Raw. It might simply be a building availability issue as to where does the WWE produce ECW/Smackdown the next night? I assure you that there is no “Minneapolis bias” as it relates to Monday Night Raw. On a personal note, I would enjoy coming to the Twin Cities, NOT in the dead of winter and the day before to see a Viking game so I could see my man Adrian Peterson #28.

Charles- I have no heard a definitive date on HBK’s return, but I assume it will be in or around November. I hear Shawn is healing well but still has significant work to do before he is able to step back in the ring and be Shawn Michaels. We really miss HBK on Raw I can assure you but I hope he doesn’t rush his return and can be 100% healthy when he does come back.

Purple and Gold Tiger- LSU was very impressive in their debut. Va. Tech will provide more opposition this weekend. The Bengal Tigers have tons of talent and a great defensive coordinator in Bo Pelini.  Expect “Mr. Personality” Les Miles to have his name bounced around for the Michigan job if it comes available at the end of the season. If Miles goes home to Michigan, Pelini might be your man.

Dustin- I doubt that we will ever see only one recognized world champ in the WWE. I feel each brand will have their own champion which I don’t disagree with, to be honest with you. There are lots of right ways to address championships, but I do agree with you that too many titles water them all down.

Josh- I have not watched Chris Harris enough to provide you an informed opinion.  From what little I have seen, Harris certainly looks to have potential. Who’s the bigger star, Austin or Hogan? Based on what?

Pete- Va. Tech may be “America’s Team” this year in college football but Michael Vick acting like an idiot doesn’t help his alma mater. I was in London when I heard the news of the Va. Tech tragedies and was shocked. One never knows about tomorrow as there are no guarantees.  Vick living “above the law” reminds me of many wrestlers I have known over the past 30 or so years. No one is bullet proof and no one should have a great paying job and wonderful perks if they act like jackasses and put themselves before the team and their fans.

Andy- I do watch some MMA. I have for years and long before it became “hot” and “cool”. I see very little comparisons with the WWE and MMA except that both entities vie for PPV dollars but I am not sure they vie for the exact same audience, even though there is obviously some over lap. The actual MMA itself needs to continue to build brand identity as their stars often times have a shorter shelf life than I am sure many would prefer. I like the fact that there are stars in MMA that are not heavyweights, which I think could also bode well for wrestling. Any one who doesn’t admire Randy Couture has to have something wrong with them. Some of the young men from Oklahoma State who are now in MMA are worth keeping an eye on too. So, yes I am definitely a MMA fan.

Jimmy- Matt Borne was the greatest Doink the Clown ever for one thing. Plus, Matt was a legit tough guy who could wrestle and was the son of wrestling legend “Tough” Tony Borne who plied his trade in the pacific northwest most of his career. Matt was “Big Josh” for a time in WCW but that persona was never one of my favorites. I do remember an altercation that Jim Duggan had back in the day with Matt at a party at Duggan’s then home in Alexandria, Louisiana. Interesting days back then for sure. Bottom line is that Matt Borne was a naturally talented and gifted wrestler.

Eric- I am a fan of C.M. Punk’s in ring style and his approach to the business. Punk has a great future ahead of him, it would seem, and let’s hope Punk can avoid the injury bug and poor decisions that his peers often make. As it relates to Samoa Joe, I have no idea of Joe’s contractual status or his plans for the future. I do wish him well and feel he is a talented young man who has a ton of potential. For me to comment about Joe in the WWE would not be fair for anyone involved but it is safe to say that Samoa Joe will do well where ever he is competing as long as he is healthy as his style may not be “tenure friendly”.

Brian- I studied broadcast journalism and physical education in college with a speech minor. I started to work for the college radio station my freshman year in college and it helped me to gain valuable experience in broadcasting events, show preparation, and the mental approach to the job. Any one who aspires to be a wrestling broadcaster should get as much practical experience in any field of broadcasting that they can, not just wrestling. As a matter of fact, not having any wrestling broadcast experience might not be as negative as one might surmise when seeking employment with the WWE.

Jon R.- I have no issues with the Diva Search whatsoever. I am not involved in the process and see the procedure play out on TV just like you. If the WWE can find a few superstars in the process then they win.

Dan- You covered many of Bret Hart’s great bouts. I assume you own his DVD. When Bret’s book comes out you will be able to get more ideas on matches involving the Hitman. I remember one in particular in about 1993 on Raw where Bret wrestled the 1-2-3 Kid that was really strong. Bret did not have too many stinkers that I can recall.  As a matter of fact I can’t think of a one.

Paul T.- O.K. here we go again….are Todd Pettengill and Todd Grisham related? Yes, they are twin sons of different mothers both sired by Mr. McMahon.

James- I don’t recall ever driving through Morristown, Tennessee but I do know that wrestler Tim Horner used to live there….I think.

Matt- I do indeed feel as if the Oklahoma Sooners football team has a chance to play in a major bowl game this year. I missed their Fiesta Bowl game last year as I was in Miami broadcasting the Cana vs. K-Fed match that could not have gone on without me (LOL), but I don’t plan on missing another OU bowl game. The Sooners need to beat Miami this Saturday and of course Texas on October 6 to help their chances.

Paul Philbin- I think of writing a book from time to time but thus far I have not gotten to a place that I am comfortable enough to pull the trigger. Perhaps if I weren’t in the business full time I might be more inclined. Time will tell as we all move forward. I certainly have lived though some interesting times and my experiences would be hard to duplicate by anyone out there that hasn’t written a wrestling themed book. My best to Regis.

WWE4Life- a Brian Blair vs. Iron Sheik match?? Wow. If so, I hope that Joey Styles gets the nod at the announce desk. Plus it would be nice if Sheik would be “wired” as in with a microphone, of course. Highly unlikely, nonetheless WWE4Life. Maybe Howard Stern would like to book it or Bubba the Love Sponge, as it seems that this “match” perhaps would be more suited for radio.

Judy- I understand via your email that you  are “tired” of John Cena being WWE Champion. Maybe Randy Orton will make you happy and beat Cena at Unforgiven coming up soon. There are lots of “Cena-haters” out there and, again, I say more power to the paying customer to boo or cheer who in the hell they want. Cena is so used to getting booed that I honestly don’t think it affects him one way or another.

Adam in Surrey- I really liked WM17 in the Houston Astrodome, but to say I have one overwhelming favorite pay per view, at this time, would not be accurate. I think it is best said at this point of my career that my “last one” is my favorite because according to the many who write for the wrestling internet I am on my last WWE legs and my departure from the WWE is apparently eminent, which is all news to me. It is obvious I do not have the “insider” connections with the WWE that some in the internet world has….darn it.

Sean- I am truly sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. My sincere condolences. I lost my mom during a trip to the UK many years ago, while there to broadcast a WWE PPV. Hang in there. I do see Shelton Benjamin as a top WWE Superstar some day. Several pieces have to fall together for that to occur, not the least of which is Shelton refusing to fail in his goal to become a big time player. Benjamin’s athleticism is freaky and his mic skills can evolve. I have the utmost confidence in Shelton as a talent.

Justin- I am all for a big time PPV to be held outdoors in San Francisco. Great fans, great food, a wonderful tourist city, and our old friend and famous optometrist Dr. Lee. I am not sure the 49’ers will get to the Super Bowl but they are going to be MUCH better than in recent years past.  They have done a nice job rebuilding and Coach Nolan is a no nonsense football guy who is the right man for the job.  I do look for the 49’ers to make a run for the playoffs. We have a Sooner on their defense, LB number 56 Brandon Moore.

Scott- Yes sir, our place is where the Krispy Kreme used to be in Norman at I-35 and the Main Street exit on the east side of the interstate in front of the Super Wal-Mart.  We are open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. unless the Sooners have a night game and then we stay open until midnight. Come and see us if you are ever back in town. Our place seats about 130 or so guests and we carry the WWE PPV’s on DirecTV, which I love and watch the NFL on every Sunday. The Orton-Benoit match would be on any DVD that would be produced on Orton even though I am not aware of any Orton DVD in production at this time. I am hosting the Strongman Contest at the Oklahoma State Fair on September 14 in conjunction and celebration of Oklahoma’s Centennial.  This is not a WWE function or a scouting endeavor, but one never knows who one might see in an environment like this.

Ricky D- the WWE Superstars do have great music that is a collaborative effort between the head honcho of music Jim Johnston and his TV counterparts along with input from the talents themselves. A team effort to say the least.

Frazer- I have not seen a December schedule, but check with WWE.com for more info.  It wouldn’t hurt my feelings if the entire month of December was simply the television production and the December PPV.

Thanks for reading and keep your comments coming. Thanks for those of you that visit our on line store and do business with us. It is greatly appreciated and certainly makes the effort it takes to do multiple blogs on a regular basis worthwhile.  Stay tuned for our J.R.’s Holiday Baskets and for our next HOF offer.

BOOMER SOONER!

J.R.