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

The shows that yours truly was a part of on Thursday night are going to likely be as controversial as any ever featured on the Legends Roundtable....that is if they air close to what was actually said during the 3 plus hour taping session.   No holds barred might be a nice way to describe the marathon taping session. But a helluva lot of fun, too. I am not sure when these programs will air on WWE 24/7 but I do strongly suggest you stay tuned. Without question, for my money any way, WWE 24/7 is the best bang for your wrestling buck out there.    I arrived almost an hour late after traveling a total of 12 hours from OKC to LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Mother Nature is undefeated and the airline industry is on the cusp of chaos, so we all went right to work as soon as I walked in the studio.   The two subjects to be discussed were "wrestling's greatest factions" and "the most significant moments in wrestling history". Both topics were so diverse that 2-3 shows could have been devoted to each topic.   The panel consisted of our Host, Mean Gene Okerlund, Ric Flair, Mick Foley, Tazz (substituting for a vacationing JBL) and yours truly. There were, without question, some controversial statements made on this program especially from the always entertaining and outspoken Flair who was in rare form especially after being on the road so many days away from home in his role of WWE Goodwill Ambassador. Ric was entertainingly "on edge" and it showed when he talked about many aspects of Turner's WCW especially his candid thoughts on the NWO being considering as one of wrestling's greatest factions. A faction, by our definition, is a group of three individuals or more who stay together long enough to develop name identity and earn a discernible track record.   There was a great deal of 4 Horsemen stories that were told which were highly entertaining and I hope that they make air especially a couple that Ric and I told which hopefully will be suitable for VOD. I want to point out that these stories took place when I was a single man living in Atlanta....for the record.     Each panelist was asked to name their favorite or top three factions/groups based on selling tickets, delivering in the ring, TV ratings, etc. This created some interesting debate, often times spirited, from the diverse albeit entertaining individuals who comprised the panel including Mean Gene who was in rare form as well. The panel was also asked to list their three all time least favorite factions which again got the debate rolling.   For example, I mentioned that the Spirit Squad was one of my least favorite presentations, not because of the individuals within the group who actually worked hard and had/have talent, but because the representation of "evil" or bad-ass male cheerleaders didn't do it for me. That theory was met, believe it or not, with significant, opposing view points.   Lots of groups were discussed in some degree of detail especially the NWO which got some deserved props and some not so flattering endorsements, the 4 Horsemen, the original DX, the Heenan Family, Gary Hart's Army, Devastation Incorporated and the Hart Foundation that included Brian Pillman, which I brought up as I recalled the amazing atmosphere that was created at the Calgary Stampede one year in the main event that saw the Hart Foundation rock the house.   There will be apparently another show devoted to the "most significant moments in wrestling history" as one hour is not nearly enough time to adequately cover this topic. We discussed every thing from the development of Lou Thesz beginning with his first title win in 1937, the forming of the NWA, Bruno Sammartino beating Buddy Robers in 1963, Hogan defeating the Iron Sheik that launched Hulkamania, the Austin/Mr. McMahon/Attitude era, the WWE going national, the advent of the term "sports entertainment", the 1997 Montreal Survivor Series (which sparked a great deal of debate but I am personally tired of addressing this matter because I think the world of both Bret Hart and HBK and am quite frankly ready to tap-out about this moment in time), and even the WWE buying out the WCW highlighted by Shane McMahon appearing on Monday Nitro.   After all the ups and downs for yours truly during my tenure with WCW the last voice heard on a Nitro broadcast was mine which is somewhat ironic but I don't think it was mentioned as it certainly doesn't belong in any discussion of any highlights in wrestling history.   Off camera we all talked about Monday night's 3 hour Draft on Monday Night Raw on the USA Network which starts at 8/7 central which is one hour earlier than usual. Not one person on the panel or the crew had any concrete information as to what WWE Superstars were going where. I swear that I don't think that even as I write this on Saturday that the draft has been finalized. If you are like many wrestling fans, including me, and like surprises then Monday night is certainly the night for you. I would wager a case of "J.R.'S BBQ Sauce" that virtually no talent knows for sure what fate awaits them come Monday night. Indeed speculation is running rampant regarding Monday's Annual WWE Draft but that's all it is or can be at this point....speculation.   I was asked by a WWE fan in the DFW Airport on Friday afternoon if I thought any of the announcers would be drafted and I answered "no" because at the end of the day does any one truly care who announces what brand and the same goes for the referees. I would be shocked to see any draft pick wasted on an announcer or a referee as WWE fans want to see major superstars change addresses and begin new rivalries along with making fresh matches. I still hope that trades are incorporated in this presentation including driving traffic to WWE.com with "after hours" trades which might give some wrestlers a chance to make a fresh start, so to speak.    We drove by our new restaurant Friday afternoon to check on the project and it is really looking awesome. Most of the memorabilia has been hung on the walls which makes our second J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q Restaurant even more special. We will have it open in Moore, Oklahoma in about 3 weeks but definitely after the July 4th holiday.   Next Friday, yours truly will join Mr. Kennedy in OKC for a media day and a couple of appearances including a lunch at J.R.'s BBQ in Norman around noon. I will provide you the complete schedule on our next blog which will likely be our post draft thoughts unless there is late breaking news between now and when I leave for San Antonio on Sunday afternoon.   Thanks for reading and for shopping in our on line store. Our Beef Jerky sales have been especially awesome and we thank you for it. Boomer Sooner! J.R.