Random thoughts from under the custom made black hat, after a busy three days that were good, especially considering that I never had to board one airplane. Other than the Mrs. providing me the occasional assist with my driving, and not understanding why I needed a Whataburger stop at midnight coming back to Norman from Dallas Sunday night, this was the most enjoyable few days of travel yours truly has experienced in a while.

The Night of Champions was a really solid pay-per-view in Dallas, and the huge, sold-out crowd in the American Airlines Center (not Arena) didn’t hurt a thing. It has been said many times in my ramblings over the years that a hot, live crowd can make a good show great – and a great show a lasting memory.

Working my first PPV with Mick Foley was fun and we are still in the “feeling out” stage as it relates to our timing. Even though our new partnership is a “work in progress,” I am confident that we will be the No. 1 broadcast team in WWE much “Sooner” than later. Oh, excuse me – but as the late Gorilla Monsoon used to say, I think I just broke my arm patting myself on the back.

Monday night in OKC, in front of the biggest wrestling crowd to ever attend a wrestling event in Oklahoma, I got to go to the Raw ring for the last time and say adios to the Raw fans around the world who have always supported my efforts no matter the circumstances, and who have been amazingly loyal to me over the years. Even though my journey on Monday Night Raw has concluded, I am genuinely excited about the new opportunity on Friday Night SmackDown, of which I am now in my second week. I fully expect to help elevate SmackDown, as far as the sound of the show, to another level or, at least, I’m damn sure going to try.

Oh, yeah, thanks Edge for being such an obnoxious tool when you interrupted my Farewell Address Monday night, especially when you had no business being at Raw in the first place. I know that didn’t set well with Edge’s beloved fiancée and BOSS, Vickie Guerrero.

I have to say that the reception I received in OKC Monday night was a moment that I will never forget, and I am sincerely grateful for the overwhelming show of support and the opportunity to bid adieu. Thanks, everybody. And I meant every word I said … especially the part about eat more BBQ. 

Nice night in OKC for CM Punk, who cashed in the Money in the Bank and won the World Heavyweight Championship from Edge – who had been battered and deep fried by Batista just moments before the bell tolled for the former champion. Big question now is: How long will the tattooed young man from Chicago be able to hold on to the title? It seems that many think more short term than long term, but I think it is too early to tell. One thing about it, just glancing over the list of potential challengers it would seem that Punk will go into many title defenses as the underdog. Punk has a unique style and a loyal, albeit “cult” following, which reminds me of the talented RVD when he first came to WWE. And that’s not a bad thing.

Friday Night SmackDown features a couple of outstanding bouts – one featuring Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison, which I personally thought was outstanding. From my perspective, this one features two of the future building blocks in WWE and was an athletic and unpredictable contest with some really innovative offense and counters. You’re gonna like it come Friday night.

What I have enjoyed as much as anything going over to Friday night’s is that SmackDown seems to feature more in-ring action which is my kind of “sauce.”

The Fatal Four-Way for the United States Championship featuring champion Matt Hardy, Mr. Kennedy, Shelton Benjamin, and Chavo Guerrero was chaotic and non-stop and definitely had the Tulsa fans on the edge of their seats.

Plus, Mick Foley and I had the occasion to do commentary for an important Diva bout with Natalya Neidhart, which was very interesting to say the least.  Ms. Neidhart has a definite gift of gab and we all know she is a potentially huge star. We even talked about her grandfather Stu Hart’s Calgary Dungeon.  

All in all a good night from the Tulsa Convention Center, which likely hosted its last wrestling event ever as the new BOK Arena will open next door to the Convention Center this fall. The BOK Arena will seat in the neighborhood of 16-18,000, which should put Tulsa in line some day for a WWE pay-per-view.

Even if your Fourth of July activities prevent you from watching Friday Night SmackDown live, which is certainly understandable, I encourage you to record the program. Mick and I had a blast doing the show and I think that comes through in our commentary. Mick even revealed his personal choice for President of the United States, I think, but will that political statement make air? Stay tuned.

Before SmackDown, I was telling Mick that the first time I ever stepped into a wrestling ring was in the very arena we were in for the show in Tulsa. I refereed a 10 minute time limit draw around 1974 between Mike George and Treacherous Phillips. How’s that for useless trivia? It’s all a part of the paying of dues, folks.

Finally, if you tune into SmackDown Friday night, be sure and listen very closely to the verbal exchange between Triple H and MVP, which evolved into much more than the predictable battle of the initials. Some funny and entertaining stuff I promise you.

Special things are happening on Friday night’s and the best is yet to come. Be sure and check out my many weekly blogs at www.jrsbarbq.com as they are read by some of wrestling’s most influential people and other’s who are some of the top-rated “wannabes” around. That was meant to be humor … or was it? Let’s get Oliver Stone on the phone.

Yours truly is anxious to get down to the heart of the old Mid South Wrestling territory next week for SmackDown in Baton Rouge, where, at one time, they dearly loved the incomparable Junkyard Dog. I can taste the Gumbo now!

Boomer Sooner!
J.R.