Happy Holidays to all from under the custom-made, black hat from WWE’s resident BBQ aficionado/restaurateur who has yet to spend one minute shopping for the holidays.

Sunday was a great night for the Hardy family in general and specifically for the new WWE Champion Jeff Hardy who most likely is the first WWE Champion ever that has not only designed his own ring attire but also actually sewn his own ring attire. Jeff winning the main event, yes I said the main event, at Armageddon Sunday was one of those “moments” that will stick with many fans, including yours truly, for a long time.

The state of New York has had more WWE Title changes than any other state, but this one was a first for the city of Buffalo which has a rich, wrestling history including the likes of such stars as the late Ilio DiPaulo, who had hands the size of Andre the Giant’s, and The Masked Destroyer, who built a franchise for himself in Japan, and who was actually in attendance in Buffalo but I unfortunately missed getting to say hello to him.

Many of the Buffalo Bills were provided front row seats just a few hours after blowing an NFL game against the New York Jets, but one couldn’t tell it as the Bills employed The King’s philosophy of “one can’t grieve forever” by impersonating the 9th grade gym class when shown on camera.

The beginning of Friday Night SmackDown this week is really fun and the fans in Baltimore seemed to really enjoy the Jeff Hardy celebration. Hardy is as hot as the Boston Celtics these days and his demeanor during his first official Friday Night SmackDown appearance as champion was really cool.

It was a legit “Hardy Party” which I think would make a great T-shirt along with WWE selling those florescent, green belts Jeffrey Nero Hardy wears.  

Jeff Hardy is living proof that if one doesn’t forsake one’s dreams that any thing is possible.

Edge is impactful Friday night as well and comes off about as popular as disgraced scam artist New Yorker Bernie Madoff who allegedly bilked many hard-working, honest folks out of billions of dollars in an elaborate Ponzi scheme. Here’s some advice that you can take or blow off … if a “deal” sounds too good to be true it usually is and there is no such thing as “easy money.”

Nonetheless Edge is back to being a lightning rod on Friday Night SmackDown and has returned to the top of his game, for better or for worse, just in time for his red hot DVD to be released. Edge’s WWE career since 1998 has been quite honestly amazing and this DVD is excellent.

“Sources say” (don’t you just love that term?) that after being punted in the head by Randy Orton on Raw that Batista is going to be out of commission TFN. There is something strange about this matter that I can’t quite put my finger on as it seems as if some vocal WWE fans support the controversial Orton and almost approved of RKO’s actions on Monday night. It certainly confirms that some of WWE Universe (had to get it in at least once) enjoy cheering the anti-heroes. The way I see it if you buy a ticket to a WWE event you should cheer who ever you choose as long as it isn’t in a profane way as there are lots of kids at WWE events these days and everyone should respect them and their parents.

Back to Edge, there are times on this week’s SmackDown, and you can be the final judge, that he seemed “this close” to snapping with his saucer eyes and his delusional behavior. I would also make the observation that his blushing bride and SmackDown GM Vickie Guerrero switch to decaffeinated coffee. You’ll see what I mean Friday night on MyNetworkTV.

Miz and Morrison show up on Friday night SmackDown this week and the ubiquitous pair are as talently obnoxious as ever. Nonetheless the new World Tag Champions have demonstrated the in ring stylings of such teams as the Midnight Express, Brain Busters, early Hart Foundation, and the overall arrogance of a young version of the Fabulous Freebirds … all outstanding combinations who made significant contributions to the biz.

Speaking of Miz and Morrison, what brand are they officially a part of these days? I assume Raw but doesn’t any one truly know? Perhaps I will ask “The Fink,” the sage of WWE.

Carlito faces Ezekiel Jackson Friday night in a singles bout, that’s one-on-one and not a battle of unmarried wrestlers, and the San Juan southpaw makes two mistakes early in the bout neither of which have to do with wrestling. See if you can identify them.

In speaking with my old pal Stocky Balboa, he tells me he spends endless hours on WWE.com looking at the hundreds of Diva photos that are available but one can only wonder how many hours some of our younger, male fans spend looking at the tastefully but at times scantily attired ladies of WWE.

For the record, The King is a huge Kelly Kelly fan, at least until she turns 25, which I hope doesn’t get back to Kane. Speaking of The King, if I had the opportunity to make one match happen for WM25 it would include The King who has never wrestled at a WrestleMania event.

A match to determine a No. 1 contender to Michelle McCool’s Diva Title will be held on SmackDown Friday night. The fiery redhead Maria meets French Canadian beauty, no not Pat Patterson, silly, but Maryse. I should have thrown in a shrieking “Cat Fight” reference in honor of Dr. Joe E. Styles but I suggested it to Tazz and he threatened to suplex me so I thought “never mind.”

For you fans of fishing out there in WWE Universe (that’s twice) my old friend and former wrestler Pat Rose is now on the pro bass fishing tour and one of his sponsors is Castaway Rods. I guess that makes Pat the “World’s Most Dangerous Bass Fisherman.” I met Pat in the Mid South Wrestling days working for the bombastic and enigmatic promoter and wrestling star Cowboy Bill Watts who the late Richard Murdoch once said couldn’t ride a saw horse. The line never made air but “the boys” got a kick out of it during Wednesday interviews in Shreveport.

I am looking forward to this Monday night’s Supershow in Toronto that will feature a Friday Night SmackDown taping and a live Monday Night Raw broadcast. The Air Canada Centre is a virtual sellout, and I am confident that the TO fans will greatly enhance this marathon albeit star-studded event. I have never had a bad experience in Toronto and would love to be able to say hello to one of Canada’s greatest exports, Trish Status, while in her home town.

My Oklahoma Sooners have lost two key players for their National Championship game against the talented Florida Gators on Jan. 8 in sunny (I hope) Miami. Some folks love to enhance one’s misery by laying it on thick regarding my Sooner team and hoping they lose the last game of the year. I am braced for the verbal onslaught if my team does lose, but that thought isn’t even a significant blip on my radar screen. My “beloved co-workers” enjoy kicking one’s Spaulding’s especially many of the individuals from Texas who still are squealing ala “Deliverance” that their beloved ‘Horns aren’t playing in “the big game.” Their angst would bring a tear to a glass eye.

I live my team and will always support them, win or lose. It’s called loyalty and being a true fan. If others don’t share my feelings, that is cool too because “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

Don’t forget to check out WWEShop.com for J.R.’s Original BBQ Sauce and our Original J.R.’s Beef Jerky which is 97 percent fat-free and a great healthy snack which also makes a neat stocking stuffer. You can also find more of our J.R.’s Family BBQ products, several weekly blogs, and our popular Q&A section on our Web site, www.jrsbarbq.com. I will be at both J.R.’s in Norman and Moore, Oklahoma during the holidays so if you are in the area please drop by and say hello.

Have a great week and enjoy Friday Night SmackDown featuring the “Angriest Announcer in the World”, Tazz, and a cast of dozens.

Boomer Sooner!
J.R.