Random thoughts from under the custom made, black hat from an Okie who's happy to be home from our hot, California sojourn and who needs his "fix" of J.R.'s Family BBQ.
The C.M. Punk/Jeff Hardy issue is evolving at an interesting clip and I'm willing to bet a bottle of J.R.'s Original BBQ Sauce, available at www.jrsbarbq.com, that their World Title Bout at Night of Champions will be a gem dandy. Hardy seems to be feeling the pressure to win the World Title while Punk continues to play enough mind games to add to the youngest Hardy's angst.
To top that off, Jeff and C.M. will be tag team partners Friday night on Smackdown on the elusive MyNetworkTV and will face the new, Undisputed Tag Team Champions, "Team Ego," Chris Jericho and Edge.
For some reason, I have a heck of a time not saying/typing Edge and Christian but that's another story for another time.
Speaking of Edge and Jericho, I specualte that these two will be challenged to co-exist over the long haul which is too bad as I would like to see someone or some team establish their superiority and hold on to a title for a long reign.
When will we next see a two out of three fall match in WWE? Yeah, I know that I'm old school but I like the occasional 2X3 fall bout as they usually eliminate "fluke" wins.
I suspect that many of my "old school" philosophies are the source of plenty of eye roll's with some of the younger pups with which I work. For the record, the Undertaker-Shawn Michaels bout at WM25, you know, the best match of 2009 and perhaps the best bout ever in Wrestlemania history, was an "old school" match.
Even though John Morrison is still the hottest young star on Friday Night Smackdown, at least that's my perspective, don't take your eyes off of Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler has been raising eye brows in and out of the ring and if you tune in Friday night you'll see what I mean.
Did you know that R Truth has an alter ego? Stay tuned over the next week or two.
BTW how does a guy print a boarding pass that only says R Truth? I'm just saying.
Fans in Australia and in Japan will be enjoying WWE action over the next few days as the Superstars of all three brands will be abroad for the 4th of July (No, I'm not forgetting our friends in Hawaii including Dog the Bounty Hunter.) I plan on being in my Norman, Oklahoma backyard grilling, which isn't barbecuing for the record. Grilling is done over direct heat ala burgers on the grill while BBQ'ing is done over indirect heat meaning that only smoke is used to make your brisket, ribs, etc taste authentically wonderful. Remember, low and slow my friends. For instance, we smoke our pulled pork for about 10 hours at approximately 225 degrees and that, boys and girls, is what I mean by "low and slow."
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart celebrated a birthday this week and I want to wish "Hitman" many more. Bret is one of my all time favorite in ring competitors and his match vs. Steve Austin at WM13 in Chicago is one of my best WWE memories. BTW the Hart Dynasty will make the entire Hart Family very happy as their careers in WWE evolve. David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd, and Natalya Neidhart wear pink and black in honor of Bret and Owen Hart which is pretty cool in my eyes.
While Kane's presence in the SD locker room is unique to say the least, the "Big Red Machine's" surprise return at The Bash couldn't have come at a better time. With all the youth on WWE programming these days, having a tested veteran and former WWE Champion on the Friday night program is a good thing. The Great Khali might disagree with me but between my Okie drawl and Khali's accent we can't understand a word each other says anyway.
I remember my wife, after visiting the Neverland Ranch years ago, telling me that the late Michael Jackson's nephews and neices asked her several questions about yours truly after Kane decided to "BBQ J.R." back in the day. The Jackson kids followed WWE closely and I hope that they still do. Our condolences to the Jackson family as I wish the media would simply let the man rest in peace but that isn't likely to happen for many more weeks.
Get well wishes go out to WWE Hall of Famer and a fellow Okie Jerry Brisco, a former OSU Cowboy grappler, who underwent heart surgery this week. Jerry is one of the best friends a person could have and I look forward to visiting with him Sooner, sorry G.B., than later.
Check out WWEClassics.com and click on to "J.R.'s Favorite" as coming up I am taking a close look at the 1994 Steamboat-Austin U.S. Title bout at Bash at the Beach. I'm a huge fan, no jokes please....I'm sensitive, of WWEClassics.com as I am of WWE 24/7 Classics on Demand.
I hope that every one has a great, safe 4th of July and if you're on a beach in Connecticut and see the legendary Fink, the first and only ring announcer to ever be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, walking toward you in his New York Mets' styled Speedo, run as if your hair was on fire. Or not.
Be sure and check our our BBQ website, www.jrsbarbq.com for more blogs and our Q&A's plus the great deals we have in our on line store including all kinds of signed memorabilia. Plus, we have case prices on our Original Sauce that provides FREE SHIPPING for selected areas.
Good bye for now from Oklahoma and good night Stocky Balboa and all the ships at sea.
Thursday, June 25, 2009, 01:42 AM EST [Blog This!]
California Here We Come! Right back to where I started from as I was born in Fort Bragg, California and attended 4th grade in Santa Rosa, California. How's that for some useless trivia?! The Bash this Sunday in Sacramento will be as hot as the Oklahoma summer and yours truly has plenty of predictions for you to ponder. Here we go...
Five man scramble bouts are challenging to evaluate because they are so unpredictable but I'm going with the long shot in this one....Tommy Dreamer to surprisingly retain his beloved ECW Championship. Good things should happen to good people and that description certainly fits the veteran protege of WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk. Plus, Dreamer is pals with the New York Yankees Johnny Damon and that ought to count for something. If Stocky Balboa happens to end up in Dreamer's corner, stick a fork in the other four because they will be done.
In another upset, I'm going with Dolph Ziggler to leave The Bash as a winner over the Great Khali who has to be a "giant" favorite, no pun intended. That's Ziggler with two G's.
From under my black hat it would seem that Carlito and Primo are not roaring into The Bash with a great deal of momentum so I'm picking Legacy, Orton & Rhodes to win the Unified Tag Titles which will make them more than what some perceive them to be and that is glorified lap dogs of Mr. RKO. The Million Dollar Man and the American Dream will be SO proud, "if you will."
Did you know that you can buy the world's greatest BBQ Sauce, J.R.'s Original Sauce by the case and that J.R.'s will pay for the shipping to many parts of America? Just check out www.jrsbarbq.com.
I'd like to say that if The Miz beats John Cena that I will eat my hat but my colon would hate me for it if I were wrong so I won't say that. What I will say is that Cena wins and no one riots.
Michelle McCool seems due. No, not in a motherly way but due as in ready to make history. McCool has too much diverse offense including submissions and strikes for the fieryMelina to handle especially after what you will see on Friday Night Smackdown. If "A. Fox" is in McCool's corner I really like the blond to win it so I'm going with the lady with the Masters Degree.
The stakes are really high for Rey Mysterio inasmuch as he MUST win the Intercontinental Title Sunday at The Bash or unmask forever. Rey Mysterio without a mask would be like 'Ol J.R. not liking BBQ and we all know that just wouldn't be right. So, I'm reluctantly picking Rey to win which may end up being simply wishful thinking as Chris Jericho is the greatest IC Champion of all time according to, uh, Chris Jericho. Of course we all know that the Honky Tonk Man is "officially" the Greatest Intercontinental Champion of ALL time. All kidding aside Jericho is a future Hall of Famer who seems to be hellbent on saving Rey from Rey.
Did you know that you can buy autographed copies of "J.R.'S Cookbook" for less than $10 and that they and many other authentically autographed BBQ merchandise that can be shipped any where in the world by simply checking out www.jrsbarbq.com?
About 9 years ago HHH defeated Stone Cold Steve Austin in the Three Stages of Hell match which I think was in Vegas the night after I broadcast an XFLgame in Chicago in sleet with Jesse Ventura. I'm not sure what was more challenging, Mother Nature or attempting to keep up with "The Body." Then about 7 years ago HHH defeated HBK inthe second Three Stages of Hell match. Those are two pretty darned good wins on any man's resume. Using that as my school of thought, I'm going with HHH to win Sunday and become a 14 time champion, just two behind Ric Flair. I'm guessing this match goes on last and will have an old school feel considering that it could go three falls.
In the Smackdown Main Event, C.M. Punk makes his first World Title defense on pay per view since winning the title at Extreme Rules. Jeff Hardy never even had possession of the title long enough to put it around his waist and take publicity photos thanks to Punk timely cashing in on the Money in the Bank Contract. I'd like to attend a history making "Hardy Party" but I just find it hard to believe that Punk will lose his first, major title defense plus I feel that Jeff is somewhat "snake-bit." Damn, I would like to be wrong on this one but if I pick Jeff I will probably jinx him so it's with the Straight Edge Champion I go.
I suggest that you do a Google, etc search for Muay Tai and find out just why C.M. Punk is so unique because he expertly utilizes this combat discipline. It's some nasty stuff especially those knee strikes.
There is an intriguing dynamic this Friday night on Smackdown between Mr. McMahon and SD G.M. Theodore Long.
Plus this Friday night on MyNetworkTV, another side of Shelton Benjamin that we have rarely seen reappears.
I have mentioned that John Morrison, who is arguably the hottest, new one on one star in all WWE, reminds me of a young HBK, Shawn Michaels. That is high praise from where I come. Morrison faces Punk this week on Friday Night Smackdown in a heck of a bout.
Do you ever wear a baseball cap? We have some cool ones and they are autographed and can be shipped any where in the world at www.jrsbarbq.com. I'm just saying.
If you run into the newly engaged Todd Grisham in the future ask him to tell you the story of being pulled over by the Wisconsin State Police for having a "heavy foot" last Monday night after our Emmy nominated cameo on Monday Night Raw. All's well that end's well but it was an "Oh, My" moment if there ever was one.
Thanks for checking out my ramblings and if you are ever traveling down I-35 just south of Oklahoma City, stop by our BBQ joint and say hello. We're at exit 109 in Norman and are open 7 days a week at 11 a.m.
Take care and count your blessings and I hope you enjoy "The Bash."
Whew....what a week! Some nice, car rides throughout southern Louisiana and into Mississippi, a plane ride late Tuesday night on WWE's corporate jet arriving at my Stamford hotel at 4 a.m. and then a 13 hour NYC to OKC trip on Thursday. Perhaps I should change my name to "Rand McNally."
As I posted early this week on www.jrsbarbq.com, overall I enjoyed Extreme Rules Sunday in New Orleans but particularly thought the Ladder Match and the IC Title bouts stole the show. That could be my Smackdown bias talking but I think few will argue too strongly on that opinion.
Please tell me that no one who reads this blog is one of those people "goofier than a pet coon" and who thinks that wrestlers "know how to fall on a ladder" as Edge and Jeff Hardy were barely able to walk this week after their "Battle of New Orleans."
I wonder if the bar has been raised too high to please a seemingly insatiable audience when it comes to these Ladder Matches that obviously take matches away from those who participate in them.
If and when Edge and/or Jeff Hardy ever decide to call it a day and take their wrestling boots and go home we can all thank Ladder Matches for at least a portion of the reason.
I fully expect Edge and Jeff Hardy to somehow be in the mix Monday night in Charlotte, North Carolina for the special, 3 hour addition of Monday Night Raw that starts one hour early at 8/7 Central. If so, Jeff will have a big time, home field advantage as the Carolina native is loved by his home state even more than elsewhere in the WWE Universe.
C.M. Punk does some commentary this week on Friday Night Smackdown and the new World Heavyweight Champion is surprisingly good at it. Punk seems to be damned if he does and damned if he doesn't as many fans have jumped off Punk's bandwagon after he cashed in his Money in the Bank Contract, specifically when he beat a battered and physically decimated Jeff Hardy at Extreme Rules. I hated to see Jeff lose as well but I do admire Punk's timing and game planning. What better time to cash in a MIB contract than after a body ravishing Ladder Match. Yes, I expect Punk to hear it from many WWE fans, which is the fan's prerogative, but I wonder if it is 100% deserved?
Chris Jericho brings a lightning rod presence to the Intercontinental Title plus what seems to be a great , extended rivalry with former champ Rey Mysterio. I fully expect to see this rivalry add another log to its fire this Monday night in Charlotte during the marathon Raw. Jericho and Mysterio have great chemistry ala Flair/Steamboat from back in the day. These two men help make Friday Night Smackdown fun to watch.
Speaking of that, I make a fair amount of jokes on this blog and even more biting ones on www.jrsbarbq.comabout Friday Night Smackdown being WWE's top TV show. Mostly I am just having fun so for those that take my flippant remarks too seriously may I suggest that you, "Lighten Up Francis." This biz is an entertainment entity and I'm "attempting" to be entertaining. However, I do honestly feel that Friday Night Smackdown is a fun show to watch and features More in ring content that any other WWE program of the week. Does that make me a bad guy because I express an opinion on the show on which I work?
We are selling a ton of "J.R.'s Original BBQ Sauce" by the CASE if you can believe that. A case has 12, 18oz, plastic bottles and WE pay for the shipping to many areas. Individual bottles sell for $3.99 but one saves a ton of money on shipping by purchasing more than a single bottle at a time. All the info is at www.jrsbarbq.com.
John Morrison is "this close" to elevating to the next level, as is said in the biz, and Morison's performance Thursday night on WGN America's WWE Superstars against IC Champion Chris Jericho certainly proved that statement.
Morrison has HBK-like tendencies with many of his in ring actions and one can only hope that the "Shaman" can reach the Hall of Fame level that Shawn Michaels has attained. I expect 2009 to be a big year for Morrison and I fully expect Morrison to be in a key role come Wrestlemania 26 out in Arizona.
Dolph Ziggler is another young star on Smackdown who has a great future no matter his success rate against the freak of nature, the Great Khali. If Ziggler is a stock, then I am buying. The Kent State grad is too smart, too athletic, and has too many amateur wrestling skills to not be successful. Plus the guy has marketable albeit pain in the arse verbal skills.
When is Michelle McCool going to finally get her shot at Melina Perez for the WWE Women's Title? This will be a helluva bout with plenty of physicality from two women who are athletic and not afraid to mix it up. Divas who are leery of breaking a nail don't make it long in WWE but I personally would like to see the athletic, young women get more time on Friday Night Smackdown.
I received a cool email from Bret "Hitman" Hart this week with a photo of him wearing our "Got Sauce" T shirt from our BBQ website. Bret is a regular consumer of our products and we are honored the WWE Hall of Famer considers our sauces so highly.
Speaking of Bret, the Legends Roundtable panel talked about patriotism and nationalism on a recent WWE 24/7 On Demand discussion and I brought up the atmosphere in Calgary during the Stampede when WWE produced a PPV there featuring a 10 man tag that elicited the most amazing atmospheres one could imagine. An expanded Hart Foundation took on a team lead by Stone Cold Steve Austin in one helluva moment. If you haven't seen this bout I urge you to check it out. This was a nationalistic issue featuring Canada vs. USA which I still feel would be effective today if promoted properly.
Have you checked out WWEClassics.com? You really should unless you're 14 with a bad complexion and spend most of your time in your room writing scathing emails to wrestling websites while hiding behind fauxscreen names. Some of the greatest moments in Wrenstling history are a finger tip away fromyou on WWEClassics.com which can be found elsewhere on WWE.com's site.
Yours truly will be writing the backs of the new WWE/Topps trading card series. I have been a card collector for years including having a 1951 Bowman, Mickey Mantle rookie card in my collection. The deadline for all this work will be lateJune so I assume the collection will be available later this year.
I wonder why the three WWE brands never enact trades ala MLB, NFL, etc? I love the brand separation simply because it gives more wrestlers the chance to gain exposure and experience which is essential in developing new, main event level stars. However, it just seems like an occasional trade would add some occasional spice to the proceedings.
The WWE Title scenario is upside down but my guess is that when all the dust clears that Randy Orton will emerge victorious. With no G.M. on Raw and the WWE Title situation so murky, one has to assume this Monday's 3 hour Raw will be loaded with new info and surprises.
Todd Grisham will be in Charlotte and he will likely be wearing a new suit. Todd and I were on three TV shows this past week and were on camera a total of less than 30 seconds for the week if you're a family member or care about those things. I told Todd that he was a victim of working with me and not to take it personally. Perhaps we could do an occasional on camera and I could be digitized like the old, scratch logo or we could simply put up a warning so as to not scare women and children. I enjoy working with Todd and I hope that I am able to help make him an even better announcer before all is said and done.
Mrs. J.R. and I are attending the annual Toby Keith Fundraiser for Kids with Cancer Friday night. Toby is a good friend and fellow Okie and does many good deeds helping families whose children are undergoing treatment for cancer. I count my blessings every day that my wife, daughters and granddaughters are healthy. After my own colon cancer scare a few years ago, I look at my health as my most valuable asset. (Yes, we will DVR Friday Night Smackdown.)
So it will be a Mid Atlantic Wrestling tour for me this week, first of all stopping in Charlotte Monday night and then driving on to Roanoke, Virginia for Tuesday night for the Smackdown taping. I wish my old pal Wahoo McDaniel was still alive so he could make this trip with us and perhaps provide young Todd an occasional "knife edge chop" just for the fun of it. I know I received my share of them while driving "the Chief" which would wake up the dead if one started getting a little drowsy while driving.
I hope that you will check out www.jrsbarbq.com and that you have a wonderful weekend.
It will be great to be back in the Crescent City this Sunday night for WWE's next PPV offering, Extreme Rules. New Orleans was one of the primary hubs for the Mid South Wrestling territory that I cut my teeth in back in the day. Being able to work in a wrestling territory was the greatest education someone in my profession could ever receive.
New Orleans used to rock in the days when such stars as the Junkyard Dog, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Dick Murdoch, Killer Karl Kox, Butch Reed, the Rock 'n Roll Express, the Midnight Express, Ted DiBiase, Ernie Ladd, Magnum T.A., Terry Taylor, Dr. Death Steve Williams, the Fabulous Freebirds, and, of course, Cowboy Bill Watts, among other greats, were raising Cain in the downtown Municipal Auditorium not to mention on Bourbon Street.
One quick story regarding New Orleans, Dick Murdoch and I were strolling down Bourbon Street after a Thursday night event when Captain Redneck took a shine to a particular young woman who was frequenting a local watering hole. A couple of New Orleans Police Department officers happened to walk in and see us and started a conversation about that night's Mid South event. Murdoch was much more interested in talking to the woman than to the police. One of the policeman leaned over to me and whispered in my ear that Dickie was talking to a man dressed in drag, IE a drag queen, of which many roamed the streets of New Orleans in those days. The officer asked if I was going to warn my somewhat inebriated and slightly obnoxious friend of what he was about to discover and, after hearing the rabid Texas Longhorn fan verbally bash my Oklahoma Sooners for most of our long drive to New Orleans that day, I told one of New Orleans' finest that, of course, I would handle it. However, for some reason I must have forgotten because the great Dick Murdoch discovered that she was a he in a most embarrassing way standing there at the darkened, smoky old bar. Old Dick was a real piece of work.
Now on to my fearless, BBQ'ed predictions that will likely entail some shameless plugs for J.R.'s Family BBQ in Norman, Oklahoma:
The much anticipated Hog Pen match fearing Raw G.M. Vickie Guerrero vs. "Santina Marella" (sort of ties in to the Murdoch story)....I'm picking Vickie to get "slopped' but to retain the title of "Miss Wrestlemania." Hopefully Cole and Lawler can throw in an obligatory "pulled pork" reference there somewhere.
United States Title in a Fatal Fourway....Kofi Kingston retains defeating MVP, William Regal, and Matt "he of terminal, broken metacarpals" Hardy. Kofi is going to evolve into a major star in WWE and he's not losing the U.S Title 6 days after winning it, right? The dangerous element in these multiple participant bouts is that the champion doesn't enter with an advantage. First man to score a pin or submission wins so keep that in mind.
John Cena vs. Big Show in a Submission Match. By simply doing the math I'm going with Show. No STF=no win for Cena unless he's able to pull the proverbial rabbit out of his cap. Will Cena introduce a new submission maneuver Sunday night or will Cena tap or lose consciousness to the World's Largest Athlete's lethal submission hold.
Triple Threat Match for the ECW Title.....Tommy Dreamer shocks the world and then cries. I hope that I'm right on at least the first part of this prediction as I'm picking against a fellow Okie in Jack Swagger. Dreamer has earned this potential "moment."
WWE Title-Steel Cage Match- For the record, why can't it just be a cage match? Why does it have to be a "steel" cage match? What else would a cage be made of, brisket?? I'm going with Orton to beat Batista come hell or high water.
Samoan Strap Match- Umaga vs. C.M. Punk....again, do the math. How does a man the size of Punk drag a 350 pounder around the ring and touch all four top turnbuckles in succession? I love Punk's toughness but how many ribs can one man eat? Umaga wins his match with his strap made with his leather from his island. Case closed.
Intercontinental Title-No Holds Barred- Rey Mysterio defending against Chris Jericho. What holds are usually barred by the way? Never mind....I'm going with Jericho. I don't think it will be a good night for our amigo Rey.
World Title Bout-Ladder Match- Edge defending against Jeff Hardy. I hope this match closes the show but even if it doesn't I doubt that it can be followed. For my Smackdown eyes, this is the clear cut main event. Now that I've stepped off the soap box, I'm going with Edge to retain the title. I think this match has "classic" written all over it and could easily go Jeff's way. Edge just feels bullet proof these days and sometimes Jeff takes that one chance too many and one chance too many in a Ladder Match can be fatal. Nonetheless, I can't think of two better men to compete in a Ladder Match for the World Title than Edge and Jeff Hardy.
Hurricane Katrina was brutal to the great city of New Orleans and I hope that the folks in New Orleans and the surrounding area will join us Sunday night for some fun and excitement. Lord knows the folks of Louisiana deserve it.
I do think that Extreme Rules will leave many fans talking and that the landscape of the WWE will be greatly affected by Sunday's results.
We are writing blogs, answering Q&A's, and offering some great deals on our BBQ products at our "Q" website that I invite you to visit, www.jrsbarbq.com.
Todd "I Love My Hair Gel" Grisham and I will be ready to rock Sunday in New Orleans, Monday night in Lafayette for WWE Superstars, and Tuesday night in Biloxi for the taping of Friday Night Smackdown. BTW Smackdown will again this week will be WWE's most exciting and dominate television program but don't take my word for it. Watch it for yourself.
It's funny but every town we travel to, especially in the South, for me, has it's own unique and individual memories. I remember playing dominoes with WWE HOF'er Ernie "The Big Cat" Ladd in Lafayette and hearing future NFL HOF'er and all time great quarterback Brett Favre telling me about attending wrestling events in Biloxi and saying how he cheered for the Fabulous Freebirds when the majority of fans were booing the 'Birds out of the building.
I expect some of my friends from the New Orleans Saints to be in the arena Sunday night and I hope that you enjoy "Extreme Rules" too.
Have a great week and always count your blessings.
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.
