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

Yours truly had a wonderful time for the 48, short hours that I was in London as the weather, the fans, and the events I was involved with were all positive experiences. Arriving early Monday morning after a 12 hour travel day and then working that same night isn't too glamorous but we got it done as you will see Thursday night on WGN's WWE Superstars program. Nonetheless, let's get rolling as I have a trip set for JR's Family BBQ here in Norman in a matter of minutes. 

Arriving in London on Monday morning and then going to the O2 Arena to broadcast one match Monday night was an experience. I did not say it was a great experience but thanks to the strong, UK coffee I made it just fine. Our match, Edge vs. Kofi Kingston was the next to the lat match of the evening which was par for my course.  A good match nonetheless as Kofi is going to be a star some day and Edge has refined what he does to an art form. I am very pleased to have been the one who signed Edge to his first contract many years ago and I am even happier than he has been extremely successful and has prepared well for his future. Wrestlers that are making good to great money these days and who don't prepare for their future with IRA's, etc and who do not pay their taxes are simply stupid and usually fall into the group of disgruntled ex-wrestlers who blame any negatives in their lives on the biz. 

BTW and I mention this on Friday night Smackdown, I have a gut feeling Edge wins the World Title on Sunday night at Backlash. However, I suggest no wagering as I am rarely correct on these prognostications. 

Friday Night Smackdown might be WWE's best all around wrestling show broadcast this week also understanding that I am not unbiased with that opinion. You catch WGN's Superstars tonight and then Smackdown on Friday and you be the judge. 

I did think that the closing moments of Raw Monday were red hot with the HHH & company interactions with Legacy taking the WWE's flagship broadcast off the air with plenty of emotion and a surprising conclusion or at least it was to me. 

We got plenty of feedback on what I wrote about how much I respected Chuck Liddell and my being a big fan of UFC. I do hope that Chuck retires while his health is apparently still good but for some reason, really it's the nature of the beast, something tells me that Chuck will l likely fight "one more time" before hanging up his gloves for good. I hope I am wrong. Same goes for Ken Shamrock who is another warrior who needs to step away from combat with his head held high and feeling proud of his accomplishments just as Liddell should.

I would love to be in Vegas in July for the UFC 100 event and see Lesnar look for redemption against Frank Mir and to see GSP fight in person. 

The WWE Draft results will really kick in the day after Backlash for the majority of all the talents affected. The only exception that I can think of is that MVP will defend the U.S. Title against Dolph Ziggler at MSG on the Tuesday night taping of Smackdown at the World's Most Famous Arena. I can't tell you how excited I get when give the opportunity to work in MSG. It is a magical place in an extraordinary city. 

I am under the impression, however, that going forward after Sunday's Backlash that there will be very little if any mingling of the three WWE brands or at least it is my impression that is the definitive goal. If this can be done, it will allow more new faces to get some TV time and also facilitate some of the younger, established talents with the opportunity to become main eventers.

Speaking of younger stars becoming main eventers, we have been receiving a great deal of mail that John Morrison reminds many fans of a young HBK. Interesting comparison and I hope that these fans are on the money with their observation. HBK, who will be back in action in a few months, is one of the most extraordinary performers in the history of the business and for Morrison to reach that level it will take tremendous effort, focus, and a fair amount of luck. For the sake of the biz and the fans, I am all for John Morrison becoming the next HBK but it obviously won't be easy. I suggest that John Morrison simply be the best John Morrison that he can become and call it a day. I'm damned happy Morrison is on Friday Night Smackdown nonetheless.    

When I left our hotel Wednesday morning at 6 for my 10:30 a.m. flight from London (yes, 4 1/2 hours early because of hideous traffic) there were STILL fans in the lobby waiting for autographs and photo op's. If London wants to have any thing less than a nightmare of an Olympic Games in 2012 then they better start working on their infrastructure and specifically their roads today. Traffic there is worse than awful.

I salvaged the day on Tuesday by watching John Wayne's classic film "North to Alaska" in my hotel room after catching up on some much needed sleep. 

Please stop emailing me questions about WWE Title belts. I have no say whatsoever in what they look like and even less interest in their appearance.  Spinner this, spinner that, who cares?

We received a few inquiries lately about, of all things, the 1997 Montreal Survivor Series involving Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. I have run out of things to say a bout this matter that occurred 12 years ago. Can we move on from this unfortunate issue that I personally wish had never occurred?

Another fan asked me if I thought that Bret and Shawn would ever "make up" and "get along" someday. I doubt if they will ever spend any quality time with each other if that's what you want to know but I also assume that both men are ready to move forward and focus on other facets in their lives than philosophical differences that occurred over a decade ago. As comedian Ron White would say, "Let it go."

I see where my pal Taz is going to make a personal appearance soon in the north east as in Jersey. My former partner is a funny and an entertaining guy fans will enjoy meeting. We had a great time traveling together and talking sports. I will always value the time that Taz and I worked together and consider him one of my best, all time partners and a good friend. Mark my words, keep an eye on Taz' baseball playing son Tyler who is a prodigy on the diamond. Young Tyler might be a future Met someday if he continues to work hard which I have no doubts that he will. 

We are moving a great deal of our personally autographed, Black caps (adjustable so one size fits all) and remember that all our caps, shirts and autographed JR's Cookbook's can be easily shipped outside the USA.

We are updated our Q&a section as I have hit the ground running since returning from London with post production work done LATE Wednesday night from home, JR's BBQ meetings on Thursday, and another session of THQ video game voice overs Friday before leaving again on Saturday for Providence and Sunday's Backlash PPV.

Be well and Boomer Sooner!

J.R.