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

Damn, that 3:45 am central time wake up call came early Wednesday morning. Reliable Matt Striker and I headed to the lovely Dayton Airport for our respective flights home. Today was the first time that I can recall not even being awake when we took off and not waking up until our American Airlines flight landed in Dallas a little over two hours later. Tuesday at the Nutter Center, perhaps better named the "Nuttier Center" while WWE was in town, was a helluva day and having some unpredictable events occur in a building called the Nutter Center was quite apropos. 

I really enjoyed watching ECW Tuesday evening and the introduction of David Hart Smith joining his cousin Natalya and "might as well be family" Tyson Kidd which I thought was really cool. I have huge respect for the Hart Family and being on site when this rendition of the Canada Wrestling Dynasty debuted was a thrill for me. Smith is an athletic freak and demonstrated much more aggression than I have ever seen from him. I clearly see that the son of the late British Bulldog and Diana Hart can and will get even more physical and nasty much sooner than later which will eventually take him to the Promised Land. Tyson Kidd is a tremendous hand as well and Kidd's match with the veteran Finlay was more exciting to me than any match that I saw on Monday night and Raw had some interesting bouts. Natalya adds so much to this presentation as well and she is my favorite WWE Diva if you are keeping score at home. Business just picked up on ECW and I am jealous that this trio aren't SD regulars.

Rey Mysterio got banged up by a very physical Shelton Benjamin in a match that will air Thursday night on WGN America on WWE Superstars. Benjamin has been much more aggressive lately, as is his long time friend Charlie Haas, and Benjamin's aggression banged up the IC Champion to the level that Rey was unable to make much of an impact on Friday Night Smackdown but somehow the incredible Mysterio does manage to put his unique stamp on Friday night's show.

Rey vs. Jericho for the IC Title might be a show stealer at Judgment Day as the Winnipeg native Jericho is going to be looking for his unprecedented 9th IC Title, more than any one in WWE history. Yes, Rey vs. Jericho is definitely still on for Judgment Day and it will likely be a viable candidate for match of the PPV.  

Mysterio's injury, which occurred just moments before we were to start the SD taping, caused Friday Night Smackdown to really have a spontaneous, exciting feel which I think will come across clearly on the MyNetworkTV presentation.  It was an especially exciting night for Todd Grisham and me at ringside. I know that when I returned to the Dayton Marriott I was beat like a government mule but not in a bad way. We left it all out there as you will hopefully see Friday night. I was so beat that I by passed any opportunity for a "night cap."

Speaking of Judgment Day, one of the great things about going to Chicago, in addition to having a great steak at Gibson's, is the emotion the fans will bring who will pack the All State Arena. I love that facility and the fans make the venue so extraordinary. When is the last time you can remember a Chicago crowd laying down, tagging out, and generally sucking? I can't. I vividly remember when I was announced in 2007 as going into the WWE HOF in Chicago and the ovation I got will never be forgotten. Ever. Plus, it was the scene of arguably the worst wrestling match ever in WWE, the Country Whipping match between Jonathan Coachman and me, and the fans of Chicago still forgave all involved for that train wreck. I am having dinner Saturday with some of my Chicago Bear friends which will be fun talking a little NFL.

The WWE tour of Mexico is back on as many of you know and all 4 events are essentially sold out. Monterrey and Mexico City are "clean" and will gross over $1.7M between the three events and Queretaro is "this close" to being totally sold out too. This will be a lucrative tour for WWE as they continue to strengthen their brand in Mexico which has one of the richest, longest, wrestling heritages in the world.

BTW....Nimes, France in June has already sold out a 14,000 seat arena for a WWE event.

It was nice running into Pat Tanaka Tuesday night in Dayton as Pat lives in the area. 

We have several specials available at our on line store and as we have mentioned, and I generally get "killed" for saying this,  your business in our on line store is what keeps this site alive. Even if you simply purchase our Beef Jerky that is certainly appreciated. Plus consider our autographed Cookbooks and Caps as gift ideas for the fan in the family. We are still a few weeks away from our sauces being in plastic bottles and no one makes a better BBQ Sauce than we do...I guaran-damn-tee it. did I just channel Mr. McMahon or Men's Warehouse's George Zimmer?

Is any one else getting really tired of the drama that Hulk' s apparent, soon to be ex-wife continues to create? Divorces are generally not a cool thing with which to deal, I know as I am a veteran of such domestic skirmishes,  but this one has taken on a life of its own and the lawyers are laughing all the way to the bank. Linda Hogan hiring TWO body guards to "protect" her from Hulk is damn near laughable and it would be if it weren't so pathetic. 

Former WWE superstar, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, was not only at a star studded function at the White House last weekend but he also received the opportunity to take his Mom to the White House on Mother's Day for a private tour. Now that, my friends, is a cool Mother's Day. My late Mama would have loved that experience. Good for Dwayne. First class all the way. 

For the 3rd week in a row, The Miz significantly stood out on Monday night Raw. Miz's in ring work has evolved amazingly well since day one in WWE but Miz has always been able to talk and that, too, has gotten better. 

What about the dueling laughter of "Nat" King & Cole on Monday night coming off the amusing Santina scene in Vickie Guerrero's office and then sort of getting caught with their pants down when the video changed from them yucking it up to Batista stalking Cody Rhodes? Not many may have noticed this matter but after sitting in an announcer's chair at ringside for so many years, I can assure you that these are the moments that make one feel like a pair of brown shoes at a formal wedding but are also the one's we laugh about afterwords over a cold beverage. 

I have updated the Q&A section since arriving back home so you might want to check that out AFTER you doing some shopping. Hey, you can't blame a brother for pitching his products. I'm, not working on this site to perfect my journalistic skills, even thought I do truly enjoy writing and responding to the fans, but to sell something from our store on a regular basis. 

Yes, baby needs new shoes. 

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.