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

This has been an amazing week and it is just getting started. When one "emotionally invests" in Wrestlemania, one runs a gambit of personal emotions during Wrestlemania week. Considering it took me 19 years as a professional to earn my way to WWE, this week will be one that will have enough, varied emotions this old, Okie to fill a whole week of "Dr. Phil's" and perhaps a couple of days on the couch (figuratively speaking) with "Oprah."

Wrestlemania 25 this Sunday in Houston is an event that, as a wrestling fan, I can't see how any true wrestling fan would miss. It is estimated that over 70,000 fans will pack Houston's Reliant Stadium to experience the extravaganza live and that perhaps over 1,000,000 more will purchase the pay per view on a Global basis.

I always go to Wrestlemania planning to "pace myself" and to not over prepare, over indulge, over talk, etc and every year I find myself in a variety of unique situations that beat my best laid plans like a "government mule." Yes, I get caught up in the moment and I enjoy every single second of the experience from the time we arrive on Thursday until I will put my head on a pillow LATE Sunday night.

Many have said that I "out punted my coverage" when I married my lovely, Italian wife (and they are correct) and thank goodness she is a loving, tolerant and patient woman. She understands my passion for the business and that this is our Super Bowl, Final Four, World Cup, and World Series all rolled into a 4 hour window that comes along only once a year. Lord, I already need a decaf.

People often ask me on my BBQ website www.jrsbarbq.com if I still get nervous after all these years. To borrow a phrase from future WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin, "Oh, Hell Yeah!" When any broadcaster or wrestler says that he or she doesn't get nervous heading into 'Mania that's the day that person needs to consider making a timely exit to explore "future endeavors".

I'll know that I will be as nervous as a "lady of the night in church" but thank goodness I will be wearing dark pants.

Several matches in particular have piqued my interest come Sunday at 7 Eastern/4 Pacific. To every individual on the card "their match" should be considered the Wrestlemania main event complete with their opportunity to create their own, personal Wrestlemania Moment.

Read the rest of J.R.'s column at WWE.com »