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

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Dear Mr. Ross, As a wrestling fan for the better portion of 25 years, I find the WWE’s current approach at “entertaining fans” to be mind boggling. I realize that each new era in wrestling causes the creative staff to take different routes and make all kinds of changes, but honestly I am not sure I understand the paths they have decided to go as of late. First off, there is the new “guest host” idea. It was cool for about a month, but honestly it dried up really fast. The fan’s lack of interest (based on dwindling ratings for 6 consecutive weeks) should be evident that something needs changing. The idea lost its appeal in a hurry, yet the creative minds on Raw have decided to just stick with business as usual no matter how many of US fans stop watching. What’s even worse is lately it dozen’t matter who the guest host is, you already know the outcome of the show before it even comes on. For example: Stupid segment at the beginning of the show with said host…Y2J and Big Show interrupt. DX or Cena in some way get involved. First commercial break. Diva’s match than cut to another commercial. Segment in “office” of guest host with Santino and the Bella twins, cut to commercial. I mean seriously this is how it’s been for 2 months. It’s mind numbing how dull the programming has become. But I don’t want to lose interest in wrestling because it’s something I grew up on. However, I find it harder and harder to watch it since anymore it’s always the same. The “PG” era of wrestling is destroying Raw. Smackdown has always been kind of PG and that’s fine, but ECW is a joke because of it, and Raw is damned near unwatchable. Another thing that is shocking to me is the fact that Survivor Series is right around the corner and neither brand has cut an interview, a storyline, or really ANYTHING for that matter in regard to the title matches. Is this because once again the WWE creative staff is just going to screw the pooch and say “let Cena win…..again”? They were on to something big by having Cena vs DX. They could have had HBK do what he always does and turn on HHH, or Vice versa, which would have set things up for a vintage feud between the two DX members, but instead….nothing. Not one word about the match. Instead they decide to pit the tag team against the smackdown opponents for Taker’s title? I mean honestly what is that? Does WWE even have a creative team anymore, or do they feed ideas into a computer and go with whatever it spews out? There is also the fact that Cena is getting annoying. I know he is this era’s new “Hogan” and all, but seriously let somebody other than him and Orton have the title for a bit. The PPVs aren’t worth getting anymore because you always know Cena is going to win. Just saying the WWE needs to actually pay attention to what THE FANS want for a change. Because that’s a ball they dropped a long time ago.

Really long email but thanks for the thoughts and your opinion. Now go order something, please.

JR, regardless of how polite this "Joey" individual decided he wanted to be to you in your Q&A section, there is only really one reason why he made and showed that sign. He knew that this is a time when many people are particularly concerned about you, and he wanted to take advantage of it. That is the purpose of sign-making: attention-seeking. Now, if "Joey" really is the "poster guy" and not just some other guy trying to get a writing job in the WWE, he has been given his five minutes of fame which he desired so much. Moving on...

....indeed we move on.

Hey, JR! I consider you the greatest announcer of all time honestly. Now, my question is this. Overall, the WWE has changed quite drastically in the past 10 years. The Attitude Era is, although long gone, is still my favorite era, and I was just wondering, do you miss that era? You know, with Austin, Rock, Al Snow, Kane, Undertaker, Triple H, Road Dogg, etc? I just can't seem to let the greatness of that go. Stone Cold still remains the greatest wrestler of all time, if you ask me, and I'm just wondering, do you think that era still reigns supreme? Also, my name is Alex. :)

Alex...I would like to see more time devoted to actual wrestling and less comedy or attempts at comedy. The attitude era was great because it featured physicality and the comedy was seemingly more timely and done by people who were more proficient at it than many are today.

JR, I wish you well so you make it your goal (and fans' goal!) of announcing soon. But a hypothetical question: say the docs say you shouldn't do the full-time WWE schedule, or the WWE outrageously said it doesn't want you back in the booth, would you consider another, less stressful role within the company? An on-screen manager, general manager or talent scout perhaps?

I like the term less stressful role but I don't know that I have to be on TV to be an asset to WWE. Weekly TV travel in the stressful world of WWE TV is challenging. Whatever contract we come up with will be a win/win.

Hey J.R. it's David again, I got another question for you. I'm only 14 and I've been following WWE since I was 10, and what I don't understand is why are the PPV's so close to each other? I mean there's one PPV on Sunday and then 3 weeks later there's another one. Now all the PPV's are great and the universe does a great job of promoting them, but they're like $40 bucks. For my family that's good money, and sometimes I can't see every single one of them. Which leads to my question, what's your opinion on the PPV's being so close to each other? Thanks, please write back David

Makes it tough...you have to be very selective. No pat answer.

How far in advance does WWE plan shows/book arenas?

Usually a minimum of one year except PPV's and major events like Wrestlemania are booked much longer in advance.

JR, I Know how you announce on SmackDown now, and I'll be honest, you are one of the wwe's best Announcers! Especially when with King! Are we going to get to see you two reunite at ring side any time soon?

You're asking the wrong guy as I don't' know nor do I have any influence on that decision. I never fully understood why were were split up in the first place but as Jerry says, "one can't grieve forever."

JR, hope you get well soon and can't wait to hear you again on SD. As a 25 year fan of WWE I think "The Abraham Washington Show" (with Tony Atlas) on ECW is one of the funniest skits I've EVER seen on WWE. In your opinion do you like it, and do you think it is here to stay, and do you see it getting a push to SD or RAW? Just curious cause that skit is hilarious! Get well soon sir. Thanks!

Not necessarily my personal cup of tea but I don't "hate it." If you like it then that's all that matters. I don't know what or who is "here to stay" as I have long removed myself from that process. Thanks for the get well wishes.

Hi JR. I am a new frequent visitor to this site and I am really enjoying reading your refreshing views on things. It is great to hear the opinions of someone who has been in the business for so many years and knows the industry back to front. I hope your health is quickly improving and that you will be back on our screens, where you belong soon as you are greatly missed. I just have 2 brief questions that I hope you can answer. Firstly, have you been in contact with Edge lately, and do you have any idea when his return is scheduled for? I think he's a fantastic character and always brings something fresh to screen. I have been a huge fan of his and followed his career closely since his debut in '98 and would love to see him him back by the time wrestlemania comes around. Secondly, I can understand why the WWE is pushing Sheamus at the moment and building up his character, because I believe he could be a huge star down the line, but after watching Raw, I cant help but think he may of went too far in his match. What do you think? It just seemed to much agression on a Jamie Noble who didn't appear to be able to handle that kind of intensity. Just my opinion. Thanks for reading my ramblings. I hope to hear your views soon.

I talked with Edge twice this week and he is improving. His alleged return at Wrestlemania is going to be a photo finish at best and I am encouraging him to be sure that he is 100% healthy and not compromise his health for one event, WM26 or not. Sheamus needs to make an impact for many weeks until he will be noticed and even then until he physically assaults someone of main event status his growth will be deliberate. I had no issues with what I saw from Sheamus Monday night.

Hello Jim hope you are doing well and hope to see you soon on SmackDown. I wanted to know if by any chance the Ultimate Warrior might be inducted into the HOF this coming year at WM 26? Since they added him as a WWE alumni and also what about Demolition, do you if they might have a chance being in the HOF this coming year?

I submitted some suggestions as to the WWE HOF at WM26 but that is the extent of my involvement. I really don't know who's on the short list. And no, I don't plan on sharing my list.

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

WWE

How far in advance does WWE plan shows/book arenas?

JR, I Know how you announce on SmackDown now, and I'll be honest, you are one of the wwe's best Announcers! Especially when with King! Are we going to get to see you two reunite at ring side any time soon?

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