I escaped from L.A. and am safely back in the friendly confines of my comfort zone of Norman, Oklahoma and J.R.'s Family BBQ with the Mrs. and our cat "The Mick" .... named after Mickey Mantle for you conspiracy theorists.

Changing our TV venues from Colorado to California took a magnificent effort from all the men and women who work behind the scenes at WWE and who often don't get to many "attaboys." For me, I had to tag out of taking my granddaughters to see a performance of "The Lion King" in Oklahoma City on Sunday to fly west but they still enjoyed the show except without "Grandpa." Poor me, ala Tony Soprano, as the people that have to do the real work made the amazing sacrifices and my black hat is tipped to them. 

Working the full, two hour Raw with Michael "Oh, My" Cole Monday night was fun. The broadcast was unique, to say the least, but nonetheless I liked teaming with Cole who will get his regular partner, Jerry Lawler, back this Monday in Birmingham, Alabama home to Dreamland BBQ. Their commentary will no doubt be "vintage." 

The King, who's giving yours truly a ride from Birmingham to Memphis after Raw on Monday night, wore #48 on his Lakers' jersey Monday night in honor of our pal Travis Hafner, designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians. WWE tapes ECW and Smackdown this Tuesday night in Memphis for the record.    

Candice Michelle surprised many with a backstage appearance in L.A. and even worked out in the ring a little in the afternoon. Candice is still recovering from injuries but is hopeful to be able to return to Friday Night Smackdown soon.

Hey, that Mickey Rourke fellow may be a talented, Oscar nominated artist but he is one strange dude or so he seems to me. I know that Rourke starring in "The Wrestler" earned his respect for the genre of sports entertainment of which I appeciate. I also respect that Rourke doesn't hide that he is a quasi fan and doesn't use his national media opportunities negatively to bash the genre. Wish I could say the same for some of the smug, aloof ESPN talking heads. But 'Ol Mick is a bit eccentric not that there is any thing wrong with that.  

Hey, E. Stanley, didn't you used to be "Billionaire Ted?" Just curious but I didn't think so. 

WWE 24/7 has one of my favorite features on all of WWE produced TV these days entitled "The Film Room with Gordon Solie." I do a read bridging the action/interviews that have been largely documented on film, not video tape, from a golden era of wrestling. The latest feature will be on former 8X NWA Champion Harley Race featuring some classic Race battles. Watching WWE 24/7 is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time.

Friday Night Smackdown is loaded with in ring action this Friday night on MyNetworkTV. Just a head's up.

The John Morrison vs. Umaga bout on Friday Night Smackdown is an interesting one utilizing some old school strategy by both men.

Compelling night for both Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy without spoiling the festivities for those of you that like to watch the show without being preconditioned.

Even though the World's Greatest Tag Team, or should I say the team formerly known as WGTT, will be utilized largely in one on one bouts in the extended future. Charlie Haas has physical potential especially when he stays focused, physical and verbally aggressive. Shelton Benjamin is simply so athletically gifted that I still firmly believe that he will be a future World's Champion some day. 

I was reminded Monday night of my experience regarding a "Hog Pen" match many years ago in Hershey, Pa pitting HHH vs. Henry Godwin in a legit hog pen filled with actual hogs and their "waste." It was not a pretty sight, it didn't smell like walking into J.R.'s and immersing ones self in the aroma of hickory smoked BBQ. I almost found myself face first in the hog wallow wearing a nifty pair of bib overalls and knee high rubber boots. I'm sure some thought it was "entertaining" which is really all this genre is all about isn't it boys and girls?? Miss Wrestlemania Vickie Guerrero vs. "Santina" Marella will do battle in the most unique setting one can imagine at Extreme Rules. 

Read where Mickey James wore a wrestling mask ala Rey Mysterio in Mexico recently at a sold out, WWE event in Monterrey that was attended by over 14,000 fans and amassed over a half a million dollars at the box office. My question would be, why, Mickey, why? I wouldn't want to see any one cover up the lovely James' face but that's just one man's opinion. Might have been just a one time deal.

I'm getting ready to do some work for WWE.comtalking about some of wrestling's greatest villains including WWE HOF'er Freddie Blassie and future HOF'er Arn Anderson. The one thing that both these two, hugely talented men had in common and an intangible that is essential in being a great, wrestling villain is that one has to "feel" it and "embrace" being strongly disliked by the vast majority of the paying customers. I look forward to talking about this matter.

We now have our "Original J.R.'s BBQ Sauce available in 18 ounce, plastic bottles available at www.jrsbarbq.com. I hope that you will check out our website and email your questions or comments about what ever is on your mine. 

If you watch Friday Night Smackdown you will quickly see why it once again is the show of the week and has been rated "4 Gloves" by the prestigious Stocky Balboa Institute.

Two of WWE's most potential, long term stars reside on ECW. No, I'm not referring to Josh "Nose Bleed" Mathews or his trusted sidekick, Matt "My Thesaurus is bigger than your Thesaurus" Striker, but Jack Swagger and David Hart Smith, in my opinion. both are big, strong, agile, and can wrestle a variety of styles which will body them well if they can avoid the injury bug and remain ruthlessly aggressive.

BTW Striker and Mathews are doing a great job on Tuesday nights and just well may be the long term future of WWE TV broadcasters. 

Great seeing and getting a moment to visit with WWE HOF'er Ric Flair Monday in the Staples Center as he confronted Randy Orton. Naitch is still dying to step back in the ring and wrestle which may be the never ending tale until he finally does don the boots again somewhere, some time. I would rather not see Ric bouncing around a wrestling ring on a regular basis but I do have great respect for his passion for what he has made his life's work even though at 60 one would think an average guy would want to slow down. Ric Flair is, however, no average guy.

I'm in the process of trying ot figure out how to get from Lincoln, Nebraska to Sheffield, England in November following the epic Oklahoma at Nebraska football classic. This will be in route to a TV taping in Sheffield that will require a car trip from Manchester. A fella's got to have his prioritites, right?

Anxious to get back down to my old Mid South Wrestling stomping grounds of New Orleans in a few days for "Extreme Rules" from the New Orleans Arena. I hope the fans there enjoy the show in a city that is still reeling from Hurricane Katrina which is worse than Hurricane Helms text messaging jokes. I can assure you that Mid South was "extreme" long before the original ECW or the term "Extreme" was ever utilized regularly in the biz.

Have a great day! Eat more BBQ....Boomer Sooner!

J.R.