Thanks for stopping by and checking out the most read blog on WWE.com. Your support is the reason why. Does that distinction give me some "Bragging Rights?"

This has been a unique week for me. Most importantly, my Pittsburgh native, Italian wife, Jan and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on Monday. Yes, indeed, I out punted my coverage when we married on October 12, 1993 in Las Vegas. Three months later on Super Bowl Sunday 1994 I suffered my first bout of Bells palsy and a couple weeks after that I was moving from Connecticut back to Atlanta. 

My bride never waivered and remained supportive of me and my passion for the biz that I've now been associated with for over 35 years. 

Yes, indeed, I'm one lucky Okie. 

So, this week I asked for my first day off a TV taping in 16 years with WWE to celebrate our anniversary. I enjoyed being at home and doing husband stuff and not having to board an airplane even though I would have loved to have visited Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky again.  

Raw's "vintage" announcer, Michael Cole, will join soon to be married Todd Grisham (Todd gets hitched this Saturday) this week on Friday Night Smackdown. Thanks, Michael, for helping out. I'm anxious to watch the show Friday night on the omnipresent MyNetworkTV and see how Grish and Cole mesh. 

Plus, I hear that Smackdown is an interesting show that determines the SD team that will face the Raw team in the 7 on 7 tag bout at "Bragging Rights" one week from this Sunday night in Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena.

Call me cynical but I might suggest that if one is making a friendly wager to take the Raw "Magnificent Seven" and lay the points. No team with DX leading it is likely to lose at a PPV inside the boundaries of the United States.  

But, then again, I could be wrong.

With SD having four of its biggest stars involved in one match, The Undertaker, Batista (That would be "Dave" Batista), Rey (As in Mysterio) and C.M. (A man who only needs initials and no first name) Punk, the SD seven might be a little out-manned, especially on paper. However, this 7 on 7 tag at "Bragging Rights" won't be fought on paper but on canvas so may the best team win. 

It's a little like the Oklahoma vs. Texas college football game in Dallas this Saturday that I plan on attending. No one outside the Sooners' locker room is giving them much of a chance against the powerful Longhorns but that's why they play the game. Upsets do occur as we all know. 

For more, check out my "7 Points to Ponder":
ouinsider.com/news/story.php?article=372...

Speaking of upsets and while I'm thinking about it, I hope that Jerry Lawler wins the Mayor's race in Memphis this Thursday even though the King is a huge underdog. Good luck, Jerry. If the King wins, perhaps he would consider appointing me as the "Baron of BBQ" for a city known for many things including Elvis and "Q." 

The welcome mat goes out to new, SD Divas Mickie James and Beth Phoenix, it's nice to see both ladies have retained their last names, as their in ring skills should help elevate the Diva division on Friday nights. Nice move by Nancy O'Dell of Access Hollywood fame not to be confused with Mary Hart of Entertainment Tonight who started her TV career in Oklahoma City....but I digress.

So I'm reading WWE.com because I LOVE WWEClassics.com and I check out the top 100 moments in SD history and me coming over in the "Draft" in June of 08 doesn't even crack the list but the "Boogeyman" does. Take a look at this illustrious list elsewhere on this site. Who comprised this list? The ex-wives of past and present wrestling broadcasters??

Guess where old J.R. will be this Sunday? I will be attending my first ever U2 concert as U2 plays here in Norman at the Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. I'll likely be the only dude there wearing a black hat among the 50 or 60,000 others in attendance including the Mrs who I surmise would quickly leave me for Bono. But nonetheless when Ol J.R. celebrates an anniversary I celebrate an anniversary. It's a week full of fun and frivolity.

I am anxious to see the HHH-Cena main event Monday night on Raw which will be hosted by the ubitquitous Snoop Dogg. It will be interesting to observe Santino Marella interact with Snoop 'cause you know it's gonna happen. Nonetheless the HHH vs. Cena bout should be a stout main event. 

The Miz vs. Morrison bout of former tag team partners at "Bragging Rights" could be a potential show stealer. Both men are young and on the rise and this is an important bout for each especially with it being on PPV.

I hope that you will enjoy SD on Friday just as I will be doing in the comfort of my hotel room in Dallas. I'll be back on the air next week for Friday Night Smackdown and will be in Pittsburgh for "Bragging Rights." Todd Grisham will be on his honeymoon next week so I will broadcast SD next week with a "player to be named later." 

Perhaps it "could" be Dr. Joe E. Styles....or The King...or Mr. McMahon. I'm just saying. Stay tuned.  

Don't forget to check out our blogs and provocative Q&A section at www.jrsbarbq.com where we offer FREE SHIPPING on many great products including our J.R.'s BBQ Sauces, Chipotle Ketchup, and 97% Fat Free Beef Jerky.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.