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

Quick story before we get into the Survivor Series. I'm driving Saturday afternoon on I-27 north between Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas after watching my Sooners get thrashed by Texas Tech. It's about a 6 hour and change drive from Lubbock to Norman. I'm being passed by several vehicles displaying their Tech flags. I thought I was running about 75 in a 70 but, again, being passed by car after car. Here come the lights, I get pulled over by the Texas Highway Patrol. I asked how fast I was going and he told me fast enough to get a ticket. I asked what about all those Tech fans who were passing me? How fast were they going? No answer. He asked he how I liked the game where his team, obviously, whipped mine? I noticed he kept staring at my crimson colored OU Nike pullover. Thought for a minute this dude might be a little strange. Bottom line with over 5 hours of boring driving to go I got a ticket for going 9 miles over the speed limit on the interstate. $175 into the Texas kitty. I shudder to think what the ticket might have been if OU had beat the Red Raiders. A fitting in to a less than fun day. Do you think my Oklahoma tag had anything to do with Officer Fife issuing me a ticket and then having a story to tell "the boys?"

I enjoyed the Survivor Series from our "Nation's Capitol" which I think at last count I think might have heard in double figures.

The cold open documenting the historic nature of the Survivor Series was excellent. Seeing more of this type of promotion early in the marketing of the event might have helped create more interest. Hopefully WWE will utulize multiple TLC moments from years gone by to promote TLC on PPV in 3 weeks in San Antonio.

The key, young guys got the chnce to shine in the first tag bout including Ziggler, Miz, Swagger, McIntyre, and Sheamus. All these guys are "keepers" and are counted on to be future, PPV headliners. The creative debate aside, the level of success these young men find will largely be up to them, how innovative they can become and how willing they are to dedicate themselves to getting better and being reliable and problem free individuals. Good, solid opening contest.

The Batista-Rey match went largely as I thought it might. In most other arenas "Angry Dave" would have been booed but not in his hometown. Oops.

I assume that 'Taker is Batista's next target as I can't see a return match from Sunday night. Taker-Batista seems the most logical but I don't have any inside info to base this on FYI.

Will Rey be off for  while after sustaining the beating from the Animal.

Kofi Kingston continued his roll from MSG and arguably was the most dynamic, fresh face on the PPV. I enjoyed this elimination tag very much. I like to see winners and losers and don't like discounted disqualifictions and impotent count outs as a rule with some exceptions. Orton and Punk both had good nights from my vantge in the old LA-Z-Boy.

Kingston is hot, he has momentum and every broadcast that Kofi is on is important for him over the next several weeks. I would ideally like to think that Kofi's WM26 opponent is already down to a short list.

FYI....I love submission finishing moves so it should come as no surprise that I liked 'Taker winning his title defense by Hell's Gate. Anyone who thought the pace of this match was going to be torrid would have to have the IQ of that yahoo who gave me my speeding ticket Saturday afternoon. Solid outing but I was waiting for the announce trio to tell me why Show did not attempt to KO 'Taker at the end of the match instead of going for the choke slam that was countered into the submission.

The Divas filled some time between the two main events as best they could. Only when the Divas get involved in long term, personal issues will the audience emotionally invest in more than their looks. I had picked the "bad girls" to win in the King's honor but I was wrong on this one. Did any one get in "smart, sexy, and powerful?"

The last bout was the only bout to close the show with and it delivered big time. HBK's opening super kick on HHH set the tone for the contest.  Several times during the match I felt each man was going to win. Cena, HHH, and HBK took us on a great ride with several surprises and near falls. All three men in this bout should feel proud of their efforts nd hard work. Announcers should live for these type bouts and the Kofi-type moments.

Several issues from Sunday night's PPV have aroused my curiosity as to how they will followed up on during the 3 hour "Jesse Fest" on Monday night on USA that starts one hour early.

Again, if WWE takes all us fans back in time with some of the great TLC moments and stories I think that it will build anticipation for the fans to financially invest again in a WWE PPV in only 3 weeks here at the holiday season.

WWE going with a three man booth of Cole, King, and Striker surprised me and I felt badly for Todd Grisham who got the same cup of coffee as Josh Mathews. Apparently all the broadcasters got their assignments on Sunday afternoon which adds a heightened sense of urgency to an already stressful, live TV day. My theory has always been to prep as if I'm doing every bout just as the King and I did back in the day. Those were really good days that will likely never be revisted but don't get me started. I over prepared and worked myself into big game mode/frenzy while Jerry relaxed and let his natural skills  take over and played off my emotions.

The look of the show, the video packages, lighting, etc were top notch and looked just as slick as the NFL game on NBC Sunday night featuring the Bears losing to the Eagles...no not Henley, Frey, Walsh, and Schmidt but the Andy Reid Eagles starring Donovan McNabb. series

Bottom line is that I enjoyed the Survivor Series and felt like I got my monies worth. Now let the Ultimate Warrior going into the WWE HOF banter begin a new now that Warrior was featured in the cold open of the show.

Placed an order today? We sure appreciate your business and the holidays will be here before you know it. Thanks for stopping by and be well.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.