Thanks for stopping by and I hope your week has gone well. It's a great week in Oklahoma when we aren't threatened by a tornado....which...BTW...is another reason I don't like the lyrics of former SD star Matt Hardy's entrance music....but enough of that.
Friday night Smackdown is WWE's best TV broadcast this week as the 2 hour show was a good one from a capacity filled Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. I say that not because of the "announcing" nor, contrary to what some blithering idiots on the 'net have speculated, I am not raging against Monday Night Raw because I am personally not on the WWE's premier broadcast. Nonetheless it makes a good story for the lonely, conspiracy theorists who spend too much time alone in their rooms at their Mom and Dad's house.
FNSD has two excellent, multi segment main events and both of them were for "something." When something tangible is at stake in a wrestling match it obviously makes the match better. It's akin to Major League Baseball in April. Who cares what happens in April except the die hards who hang on every pitch all season long. I'll get interested in MLB after the All Star break, thank you very much.
Friday Night Smackdown (FNSD) will determine a new #1 contender this week and who will face World's Champ Edge at Judgment Day in a few weeks in a red hot, Chicago.
Mr. Money in the Bank, C.M. Punk, also has a memorable evening also involving Edge. Did you know that C.M. stands for "Chicago Made?"
Chris Jericho is dotted throughout FNSD and never fails to deliver whether it be in the ring or outside it. Jericho is an egocentric winner who will add a lightning rod-like element to Friday nights.
Jericho even takes issue with John Morrison which is noteworthy as it seems the fans were on young Morrison's side of this confrontation.
Just so you will know and remember that you heard it here first, John Morrison will be in PPV Main Events within one year, at the latest.
Dolph Ziggler has elevated his game and is talking more, which helps, and is doing more than introducing himself to everyone he meets multiple times each day. His name is "Dolph" Ziggler not "Zig" Ziggler. For you younger folks, Google Zig Ziggler and call it a day.
Mike Knox has some Bruiser Brody-isms about him that encourage me and I'm not talking about the bushy, beard. Knox is not a big, dumb jock and his raw boned frame and nasty disposition will likely take him far in WWE. Brody might have been, behind the scenes, the first "Cerebral Assassin" which is a name I coined for HHH many moons ago.
FNSD got the better of the deal when Teddy Long became G.M. and Vickie Guerrero moved to Monday Night Raw along with her "excuse me" and her sometimes non objective decision making. Ms. Guerrero-Edge and Monday Night Raw seem to be made for one another as Raw has always seemingly had a controversial decision maker at the helm.
I would have made WWE.com's Stocky Balboa the Raw G.M. but, again, I'm an out of touch old schooler who's not hip enough to make a decision such as this. Poor me.
We're shipping lots of autographed caps, "JR's Cookbooks," and T Shirts all over the world especially to WWE fans in the United Kingdom. We are also making positive steps to improve the packaging of our sauces going from heavy glass bottles to more shipping friendly plastic bottles. Many of you have contacted our website to ask questions and make comments plus read our many weekly blogs at www.jsbarbq.com and we appreciate your support.
Dancing and ample "yo's" come to FNSD this week. Todd Grisham got his freak on or so I'm told because I have no clue what that means. Should I know?
Can you believe that some people are already talking about the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame class. There are many, many viable candidates from where I sit and I am happy I'm not the one who has to make these decisions. What's you thoughts?
I will stick to making "upper management" decisions at J.R.'s Family BBQ in Norman, Oklahoma where business has definitely picked up.
It seems like Backlash was a well received/reviewed PPV and by and large I thought it was a really solid show too after watching it on DVR after returning home.
Yours truly is looking forward to heading up to Pittsburgh, or "6-Burg" with the Mrs, a Steel city native, this Monday for the taping of FNSD. I really enjoy Tuesdays because I am able to watch ECW be taped prior to FNSD and I like hearing young broadcasters Matt Striker and Josh Mathews as they improve each and every week. Matt and Josh will be calling ECW bout(s) at Judgment Day in Chicago which is how one improves ones game.
Is WWE Champion Randy Orton's name pronounced Or-TON or Or-Un. I always enunciated the "T" but diction has not always been my strong suit. "Or-Un" and his Legacy Lap Dogs will make things miserable for folks on Monday night and I have my doubts that even Batista can overcome a 1 on 3 disadvantage but, also, this isn't hockey.
The Diva competition on FNSD has the potential to be extremely competitive and the in ring action could end up being one of the highlights of Friday nights. Melina bringing the WWE Women's Title over from Raw is a good thing. Oh, yeah Melina also brought her entrance which I inadvertently replicated while walking out to the mail box during out last ice storm.
Be well and count your blessings. Also check out www.wrestlersrescue.org to see how you can help WWE and me assit in raising funds for a needed surgical procedure for Steve "Dr. Death" Williams who is a throat cancer survivor. Thanks, in advance, for your help.
It's good to be home after a wham bam trip to London of 48 hours in the U.K. plus a little over 20 hours of travel time. (Remember kids, drink lots of H2O when you're flying.)
Friday Night Smackdown will undoubtedly be the WWE broadcast of the week and might even get a Smackdown Superstar on the vaunted, home page of WWE.com.
Friday Night Smackdown features several main event level bouts this week including a slobber-knocker of a contest between the fearless phenom known as the Undertaker vs. the near 500 pound Big Show. (I know that Show is intro'ed as weighing 441 lbs but please...)
For the record I am told that after Backlash this Sunday, the WWE Draft will officially take effect and the brands will remain split and very little if any interbranded bouts will occur. I hope that is the case as it will provide new faces and others who need consistent TV time an opportunity to become stars or to become bigger stars. WWE is no different that the NFL, MLB, NBA, or Hollywood inasmuch as developing new stars is positively essential.
John Morrison, a Smackdown wrestler, is being compared by some WWE fans as a young Shawn Michaels. I hope that Morrison succeeds in becoming another HBK but it won't be easy as HBK's don't grow on trees.
Finley should not quit his day job and pursue a singing career if his vocal talents displayed Thursday night on WWESuperstars is any indication. ECW's "The Quiet Man's" son Hornswoggle, or "Horney" as he is called by his close friends, has been drafted to Raw by Raw G.M. Vickie Guerrero. I wonder what sort of "plans" Ms. Guerrero (Mrs. Edge) has for the little fella or should we even speculate?
What adulterous frontier will Vickie next attempt to conquer, WWE.com's Stocky Balboa or even the legendary ring announcer and WWE HOF'er Howard Finkel?? The humanity of it all!!
Speaking of romances....Beth Phoenix and Santino Marella...stop the pain as Michael Cole used to say. Just say no, Beth. This is a "vintage" train wreck. Oh, my!
Believe it or not I found a John Wayne movie ("North to Alaska") on UK TV Tuesday morning and that became part of my pre-game prep for the Tuesday night taping.
Gail Kim challenges Divas Champion Maryse for the title Friday night on Smackdown. Maryse has improved as much as any Diva I have seen in a long time from the time she unexpectedly won the Divas Title until now. Never forget two things.....Maryse never met a mirror that she didn't adore and that Maryse loves Maryse. Nonetheless if my broadcast partner Todd Grisham speaks French to me about Maryse during any more commercial breaks I'm going to punch him.
Can't wait to get to Madison Square Garden this Tuesday night for the taping of Friday Night Smackdown. MSG is truly a hallowed hall and without question "The World's Most Famous Arena." I'm not sure what I'm going to do Monday in the Big Apple but may try to hook up with JBL and try and find some BBQ.
I wholeheartedly enourage each of you to check out www.wrestlersrescue.org and consider helping my friend Steve "Dr. Death" Williams as we are trying to raise funds for him to have a device surgically placed in his throat so he can talk "hands free." Doc has beaten throat cancer and needs our help. Please check out the aforementioned website and help if you can. Thanks.
Have you ever seen the classic film "Breakfast with Blassie?" It stars WWE HOF'er Freddie Blassie and Andy Kaufman. It's a classic comedy as Kaufman tried to comically out maneuver "Classy" Freddie but ended up being out ad-libbed by the legendary Blassie. This movie had no script and is hilarious. The reason I bring it up is that I saw somewhere that it was being released on DVD and it's something most WWE fans would enjoy seeing.
Backlash will fill the Dunkin' Donuts Arena this Sunday night with nary a Krispy Kreme in sight. Should be a big night for Tim White's Friendly Tap as well as it will be an exciting evening in Providence, Rhode Island. Here are a few predictions on the pay per view:
The Khali Kiss Kam....may scare small children and make even "The Fink's" hair raise. I'm begging for a closed mouth, Hollywood kiss.
C.M. Punk vs. Kane....two Smackdown wrestlers face off and I have to give the nod to "The Big, Red Machine" in this one even though Punk's Muay Tai strikes might lead to a "Chicago Made" win.
Jericho vs. Steamboat....I love Ricky Steamboat and have all the respect for him in the world but unfortunately Jericho doesn't and will likely win this match. I hope that I'm wrong.
Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy....Who will say "I Quit?" I'm guessing Jeff Hardy finally beats his older, insecure brother.
Jack Swagger vs. Christian....be careful of wrestlers with only one name, JACK! Christian left WWE for a long "hiatus" and returned to win titles so here's Captain Charisma's chance. If Christian doesn't win Sunday his road back to the Promised Land will go from being a freeway to being a gravel road.
WWE Title Bout....this is a unique way, to say the least, to put the WWE Title on the line and almost impossible to predict. Until someone beats The Game, he's my pick but Randy Orton has become a huge star, has momentum, and even has his share of fans. Orton will no doubt be WWE Champion again but will his next reign start this Sunday?
World Title Bout....Did Edge essentially win the title Monday night after scrambling John Cena's brains with a concharito? That's what I'm thinking plus Edge is a desperate man who is down to his last chance to come out on top of Edge's biggest rival. I give the "slight lean" to Edge in this one but I'm rarely right and suggest that you do no wagering.
Did you know that you can purchase authentic, personally autographed "J.R.'s BBQ" caps for less than $10 on our BBQ website, www.jrsbarbq.com? We can ship caps, shirts, and autographed copies of "J.R.'s Cookbook" any where in the world. Plus I write a few blogs each week and have a lot of fun with our Q&A section.
Did you know #2....my pal and fellow Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler met the most recent love of his life while we were commentating on a live Monday Night Raw event a few years ago in Providence. BTW I'll take the "over" that the King wears a black T shirt on Sunday's PPV broadcast. Any takers?? That's from a guy who you know will be wearing a black, cowboy hat.
You remember Monday Night Raw....it used to be WWE's #1 broadcast until Todd Grisham came to Friday Night Smackdown.
Really competitive bout Thursday night as Edge defeated the talented Kofi Kingston in the main event of WWE Superstars on WGN America. Edge had those "Betty Davis Eyes" going for him while there is no doubt in my Okie mind that Kofi won't be a huge star in WWE Sooner than later.
Thanks for stopping by and be well. See you back here soon.
Good to be back in Oklahoma for a few days prior to departing for London on Sunday to get ready for Tuesday night's Smackdown TV Taping at the O2 Arena.
It's always busy in WWE and particularly so this week. A three hour Raw that turned into 3 1/2 hours for young Todd Grisham and yours truly as we called our WWE Superstars match for Thursday night's inaugural broadcast on WGN America. These are the marathon nights when one wishes that he had not had that last cup of coffee or was at least wearing king sized Depends.
Nice trip late Monday night riding from Atlanta up to Knoxville with fellow WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco as we got to share some hilarious road stories which made me want to think more seriously about writing a book, someday. If you get a chance to watch the Brisco's on WWE 24/7 On Demand, I strong suggest that you check it out. Even though tag team wrestling these days isn't as prominent as it once was when the Brisco's met teams like the Funk's or Ricky Steamboat/Jay Youngblood those bouts were amazing.
Smackdown had a viable draft. Keeping such SD stalwarts as The Undertaker, Jeff Hardy, Edge, and Umaga helped the Friday night cause. No brand has a more prominent star than 'Taker who stock has risen even more since his amazing victory over the equally amazing Shawn Michaels at WM25 which saw the "Demon of Death Valley" go an astonishing 17-0 at Wrestlemania events.
Adding Rey Mysterio back to Friday night's is huge especially for WWE's ever growing Hispanic audience. Rey is a marvel considering that he is not physically the biggest dog in the hunt but the King swears that size is a non issue.
CM Punk somewhat quietly had one of the biggest years of any WWE Superstar ever in 2008 after cashing in his Money in the Bank contract to defeat Edge in Oklahoma City in June. I remember that night well as it was my "farewell" to Raw after being drafted a week earlier to Smackdown. Punk can reach new heights on Friday nights I assure you.
Chris Jericho, 2008 Slammy Award winning Superstar of the year, is uber talented (how about that descriptor, Stocky?) and arguably no one is better at what they do than the brash and arrogant Jericho who has starred in Japan, Mexico, and most prominently in WWE. Don't discount the fact that Jericho is the man who beat both Stone Cold and The Rock on the SAME night to become the first ever Undisputed Champion in WWE. Jericho is a BTP, big time player.
I expect huge things out of John Morrison especially now that he isn't saddled in a tag team which will provide Morrison the chance to create his own individual legacy. Morrison has some Mr. Perfect-like traits as he is so athletic, flexible, and creates eye opening, innovative offense. John Morrison is a main eventer waiting to happen and he needs to grab the old, brass ring and make some noise.
Dolph Ziggler is another talent who has all the physical skills to be much better than some perceive. If Ziggler can someday get past personally introducing himself to the world and simply focus on beating people in the ring he can be a player. I love the athleticism that we often see in WWE and Ziggler has a load of it. Point being is that Ziggler knows the fundamental skills of wrestling which heretofore have been somewhat kept under wraps.
Another wrestler with a significant upside is Mike Knox who is now a Friday Night Smackdown talent. Knox, at times, reminds me of a young Bruiser Brody with his body type and, of course, that bushy beard. Knox is a raw boned, tough human being who is much more cerebral than perhaps some WWE fans are aware. Knox really caught my attention several weeks ago during, of all things, a succinct albeit memorable backstage interview on Monday Night Raw. Knox needs to be Knox but him watching some Brody DVD's might serve him well.
Separating Hawkins and Ryder, much like separating Miz and Morrison, will help Curt Hawkins pave his own way on SD and my instincts tell me that if given the slightest opportunity that Hawkins can evolve into a potential main eventer. Hawkins reminds me of a young Edge and we all know that the Ultimate Opportunist has done well for himself in what has been a Hall of Fame career.
No one can convince me that Shelton Benjamin can't be a major star in WWE before all is said and done. Benjamin is so good physically that he seemingly loses his mental focus at times. Benjamin is like the golfer who can shoot birdies all day and then all of the sudden lose focus and shoot a basket full of double bogeys. Benjamin needs some of R Truth's brashness to go along with Shelton's pure athleticism and then a true star would be born.
Charlie Haas, an Oklahoma native, has all the skills inside the ring to be excellent but oddly enough Charlie seems to feel more comfortable impersonating other stars. Who will we be seeing on Friday nights? Hopefully no more of Haas' impersonations of good, 'Ol J.R. Whose idea was that any how??
I'm pleased that my new broadcast partner Todd Grisham and I were not separated via the draft as I am having fun in my new role of being an analyst. Our team will grow each week and we fully expect to be WWE's top broadcast team as there can be no other options from where I sit. Fans perhaps don't realize that the announce teams like or should like to compete with each other.
It's hard to believe that Backlash on PPV is literally just around the corner and the Dunkin' Donuts Arena is a complete sell out. It should be a physical and emotional night in Providence and remember that the beverages are cold as ice at the Friendly Tap of former WWE referee Tim White.
Every Hall of Famer is proud to be in the elite and exclusive group of inductees but none prouder than our pal "The Fink." Howard Finkel has long been deserving of his HOF distinction and wears his ring with pride just as he should. I replaced wearing my classic 1974 Oklahoma National Championship ring that the Mrs. purchased for me years ago with my WWE HOF ring so you can see where the WWE Hall of Fame ranks in my world as no one loves the Sooners more than 'Ol J.R.
If I had a SD "wish list" it would have been for our brand to have obtained the services of ECW Champion Jack Swagger. This Perry, Oklahoma native and former OU All American wrestler is going to be special if he continues to improve as evidenced by his competitive encounter with World Champ John Cena Monday night on Raw from Atlanta. Swagger's got an attitude problem but his in ring skills are untapped. Swagger has eaten his share of food at J.R.'s Family BBQ in Norman, Oklahoma just off I-35 at exit 109. Smoked turkey and rotisserie chicken were his favorites if my memory serves me correctly.
SD did well in the Diva department too and I am anxious to see WWE Womens Champion Melina take on the likes of Gail Kim and Michelle McCool, among others including Eve, Alicia Fox, Layla, and Candice Michelle.
Nice seeing Henry Godwin in Knoxville Tuesday night with his 6'8"-320 pound, college football playing son. Henry's son plays offensive tackle at Carson-Newman and is set to graduate in December with hopes of playing in the NFL. Perhaps if the NFL doesn't pan out, the WWE may come calling.
BTW we have some cool, black "J.R.'s BBQ" caps that are autographed and priced at under $10 at our website, www.jrsbarbq.com. We also have our best selling,"J.R.'s Cookbook" which is loaded with photos and stories from the road including some easy to execute recipes available for under $10 and they are autographed as well. You'll find these and many other items including our world famous BBQ Sauce in our on line store that never closes.
It's nice finally getting back home to Oklahoma after spending almost 6 days down in Texas. I've been needing some J.R.'s Family BBQ and plan on taking care of that little issue "Sooner" than later.
I always enjoy Wrestlemania week as it provides me with the opportunity to reacquaint with old friends that I have not seen quite often since the last Wrestlemania. I don't really get too wrapped up in how many "stars" the critics in the "media" give specific Wrestlemania bouts or even the event in general. Everyone has the right to their opinion and it is simply a sign of the times for folks to over analyze things in today's world.
From my unique perspective I thoroughly enjoyed Wrestlemania and find it hard to overly criticise an event that grossed almost $7M, brought approximately $50M into the Houston community, was seen live by over 70,000 fans, and, last but not least, featured arguably the best Wrestlemania match ever between the Undertaker and HBK.
I started with WWE at WM9 and I do not recall ever seeing a better wrestling match at any 'Mania before #9 or after that out delivered Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker's performance last Sunday in Houston.
It will be interesting to see how many gamers attempt to recreate this epic, one on one battle on the Legends of Wrestlemania Video game from THQ.
I loved having a final "wrestling beer" with Stone Cold and, for the record, I did keep the beer can which will go into some kind of display for one of our BBQ joints in the near future. I did get significant beer on my hat but I enjoyed every minute of it. The King strongly dislikes getting beer on him which I find amusing especially on Sunday when his entire wardrobe was rented.
The Diva Battle Royal at 'Mania was the darnedest thing I can remember seeing in a while as the ladies started scuffling before the bell rang and I swear that there were eliminations during the introductions. I was looking forward to seeing some of the Diva Alums but not only did I not see some of them in the match I did not get to see some of them during the week at the HQ hotel. I especially missed not getting to visit with Torrie Wilson. Hey, just because I'm on a "diet" doesn't mean I can't look at the "desert list." Plus she always entertainingly busts my chops about her Boise State footballers upsetting Oklahoma a couple of years ago in the instant classic, Fiesta Bowl.
I did get to visit with Sunny, Nidia, and Molly Holly and thoroughly enjoyed those conversations. Nidia did not compete in the Battle Royal as she is busy being a mom but looked to be in tremendous shape. Sunny was having fun in Houston and Molly is still doing great things with under privileged kids. I've never met a Diva with a better heart for wanting to do good deeds than does Molly. I wish more people in this world had her wonderful attitude.
How good is Ricky Steamboat, STILL? Aside from HBK and 'Taker this week, no one stood out more than did Ricky Steamboat in the ring. The young, WWE wrestlers can learn a heck of a lot by watching and listening to "The Dragon."
Congrats to the Colon Brothers for unifying the tag titles Sunday prior to WM25 going on the air on PPV. I wish this bout could have been a part of the PPV as I am sure the wrestlers do as well. I like Carlito and Primo's in ring style but I do think that they need to become more physical and to rely less on the flying stuff as time goes on. They face Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes this Friday night on Smackdown.
Speaking of Smackdown, my pal Tazz got a little burned out from all the travel, etc and has left WWE. Todd Grisham joins yours truly this Friday night at the announce desk. I will move to another role going forward on WWE TV broadcasts much like my role was at Wrestlemania 25. I will be doing more analyzing or color commentary than my old role of doing play by play. Who in the heck knows what's going to happen after this Monday's Draft? Based on my personal experiences from last year's Draft in San Antonio, I am prepared for any thing. Maybe I can cut a lucrative, free agent deal down in Florida at FCW.
Other than looking bodacious in a business suit, I wonder what inherent, business qualities that Tiffany has that allows her to be the interim G.M. on ECW? I'm just saying.
Of course, Teddy Long is back in the G.M. saddle on Friday Night Smackdown. I've always gotten along well with "Theo" and we have been friends for over 20 years which makes me think that I will be staying on Smackdown. There is seemingly lots of specululation about yours truly perhaps returning to Raw but I don't see it happening. However we'll all know soemthing sometime Monday during the 3 hour, live Raw that starts at 8/7 central on the USA Network.
Friday night tune in for the first Stretcher match that I can recall ever airing on Smackdown.
Gail Kim wrestles Michelle McCool Friday night on Smackdown in a bout between two of the more athletic and skilled Diva wrestlers in WWE. Gail Kim has looked really good since returning to Smackdown. Women like Kim and McCool have the ability and potential to add much needed athleticism in Divaland along with other that I could mention.
I enjoyed Matt Striker and Josh Mathews TV work on the ECW broadcast Tuesday night in Austin. I like the upside of these two but, again, who knows if they will stay together after Monday night in Atlanta's Phillips Arena. Josh Mathews has been around since the "Tough Enough" days and certainly has earned his opportunity.
Lots of Wrestlemania fans stopped by J.R.'s Family BBQ on their way down to Houston last week. I really appreciate everyone that took the time to visit us. Don't forget to check out our blogs and Q&A's on our BBQ website at www.jrsbarbq.com.
It was really unique, to be polite, hearing all those "OU Sucks" chants on the University of Texas campus Tuesday night both going to and leaving the ring especially when I was trying to enteract with some of our young fans who were not chanting but just wanted to say hello. Some of you might say that sort of behavior is classless but one really needs to understand the long standing rivalry that exists between Oklahoma and Texas especially on the gridiron. I actually find Austin to be a nice town and, for the record, I do not "hate" the Longhorns as "hate" is WAY too strong a word to use when describing a football rivalry or at least it is to me.
Thanks for checking us out and until next time which could be any time....Boomer Sooner! J.R.
This has been an amazing week and it is just getting started. When one "emotionally invests" in Wrestlemania, one runs a gambit of personal emotions during Wrestlemania week. Considering it took me 19 years as a professional to earn my way to WWE, this week will be one that will have enough, varied emotions this old, Okie to fill a whole week of "Dr. Phil's" and perhaps a couple of days on the couch (figuratively speaking) with "Oprah."
Wrestlemania 25 this Sunday in Houston is an event that, as a wrestling fan, I can't see how any true wrestling fan would miss. It is estimated that over 70,000 fans will pack Houston's Reliant Stadium to experience the extravaganza live and that perhaps over 1,000,000 more will purchase the pay per view on a Global basis.
I always go to Wrestlemania planning to "pace myself" and to not over prepare, over indulge, over talk, etc and every year I find myself in a variety of unique situations that beat my best laid plans like a "government mule." Yes, I get caught up in the moment and I enjoy every single second of the experience from the time we arrive on Thursday until I will put my head on a pillow LATE Sunday night.
Many have said that I "out punted my coverage" when I married my lovely, Italian wife (and they are correct) and thank goodness she is a loving, tolerant and patient woman. She understands my passion for the business and that this is our Super Bowl, Final Four, World Cup, and World Series all rolled into a 4 hour window that comes along only once a year. Lord, I already need a decaf.
People often ask me on my BBQ website www.jrsbarbq.com if I still get nervous after all these years. To borrow a phrase from future WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin, "Oh, Hell Yeah!" When any broadcaster or wrestler says that he or she doesn't get nervous heading into 'Mania that's the day that person needs to consider making a timely exit to explore "future endeavors".
I'll know that I will be as nervous as a "lady of the night in church" but thank goodness I will be wearing dark pants.
Several matches in particular have piqued my interest come Sunday at 7 Eastern/4 Pacific. To every individual on the card "their match" should be considered the Wrestlemania main event complete with their opportunity to create their own, personal Wrestlemania Moment.
On an old, school personal level, The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels match may be at the top of my "must see" list and that is to take away nothing from any other bout. I saw Shawn compete in his first wrestling territory in about 1984 when he worked for Cowboy Bill Watts' Mid South Wrestling. I recall Shawn being fined his first week in the territory for inadvertently missing a TV taping. HBK likely got fined around $25-50 which stung back in those days but he was never fined again by the big Cowboy. Shawn was a quick study who learned his lessons well and has gone on to become, arguably next to Ric Flair, as the greatest in ring performer in the history of the business. For my BBQ, no one rises to the occasion and takes their game to a different level in big match situation than does Shawn Michaels. No big match situation is bigger than performing in a main event at Wrestlemania. To retire Ric Flair at WM24 and follow that up withending the Undertaker's 16-0 winning streak at WM25 would be an unforgettable Wrestlemania moment that would live in wrestling folklore forever.
I first saw Taker competing in Dallas, helped facilitate his arrival in WCW and then saw him leave Atlanta for the big time of WWE to become "the Phenom" and perhaps the most feared and respected man in WWE history. I used to think that no one would ever approach "Andre status" until the Undertaker kept evolving and standing the test of time and 16 men who all tried to end WWE's most impressive streak ever. Andre stands alone no longer as "The Boss" now stands shoulder to shoulder with the Demon of Death Valley on a pedestal that, as of today, has room for only these two bigger than life individuals.
This is only my assumption but I am of the belief that both 'Taker and HBK have been thinking of this match, on this day, with the opportunity to make history in a subliminal way for years. It was a match that had to happen. It is a match that will happen. It is a match that will take place on the most grandiose stage that could ever be erected, the 25th Anniversary of Wrestlemania.
Can Michaels win Sunday? Without question. Michaels has been the mental maestro the past several weeks in orchestrating some elaborate and effective mind games on the master of the mind games, the Undertaker.
Will HBK win? That's a tougher question. I look at it this way. If any one can, Michaels is the man. But until some one actually does put the Undertaker's Wrestlemania winning streak at 16-1 I mildly suggest that "The Steak" will live for another year on Sunday during this magnificent four hour masterpiece. No wagering, please.
The personal war between HHH and Randy Orton for the WWE Title may be as much about the champion extracting retribution from Mr. RKO as much as it is about The Game retaining what I know means more to him professionally than any thing on earth. With that said, I could see Orton winning the WWE Title simply because of the rage that HHH will bring with him to the ring. When men of great passion and pride who have been wronged to the degree that Orton has crossed the line time and time again with HHH, I feel "The Game" may be vulnerable and that Orton, too, may be just that damn good. I am admittedly biased and my heart wants HHH to leave Houston the WWE Champion but my head says Orton has done a marvelous job of playing human chess with perhaps the best chess player in the business. Orton wins a controversial, heart stopper.
When Edge defends the Heavyweight Championship of the World against both the 7'-450 pound Big Show and the ubiquitous John Cena in a Triple Threat Match, a contestthat has sudden death properties considering the first man to score a pin or submission wins the match and there fore the Title, this high profile, main event will be not about love and marriage but about three men who "need" to be the World's Champ. I am a lean that Edgeloses, the odds say that he will, I have struggled with the fact that unless Big Show makes a fatal error that he can't be touched in a clean bout but my guts say that I have seen Cena rise the the oddasion too many times to bail on Cena now. I see Cena winning the title because, and this rationale might not hold water, he SAID he going to. I love John Cena's will and his undeniable attitude. I don't know how, I don't know who, I don't know when but my favorite slab of hickory smoked ribs in going on the kid from West Newbury, Mass.
Without question this particular Wrestlemania is some of the most unpredictable bouts in recent memory in the annals of WWE. That makes this event all the better.
Rumor has it that a three man broadcast booth will cover the action at WM25. This has not been confirmed as I wri this and certainly could change by bell time of 7 Eastern/4 Pacific but the opportunity to reunite with Jerry Lawler and to join the voice of Monday Night Raw Michael Cole excites me. If this were to come about what an a honor to work with these two men and it will be especially fun to hook back up with the King. Again, this is not official but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Turning our attention to the WWE Hall of Fame, this one is all about my friend and a man that I have shared many, many laughs, cries, good times and the not so good. Stone Cold Steve Austin is going to bring "Attitude" into the WWE Hall of Fame which is fitting for a man who revolutionized an industry. Thank goodness I was in the right place at the right time to be able to sign Steve to his first WWE contract. He, among several others, sure made me look good when I was Executive Vice President of Talent Relations. when asked recently what made Steve so special I answered simply that it was his passion. Steve's passion to be the best ever drove him unrelentingly to become the most prolific box office sensation in the history of the wrestling business. Vince McMahon has the esteemed honor of inducting Steve Austin into the WWE Hall of Fame. Vince is a lucky man because no human being alive ever deserved to be inducted more and arguably no human being alive ever meant as much to McMahon's WWE than did Stone Cold Steve Austin. Steve, I love you like family and I am so proud that I will be a part of the festivities to see you get your ring. There might be one Crown Royal in my future late Saturday night.
I'll do my best to have the best, 3 minute speech I can possibly muster to introduced my mentor and the man who game me my first job in the business in 1974, the legendary wrestler turned booker turned promoter Cowboy Bill Watts who broke into the business in 1962 and was headlining Madison Square Garden in 3 short years and had one of the most storied runs ever with another WWE legend Bruno Sammartino that resulted at a then unheard of FOUR sellouts in "The Garden." For you wrestling historians and trivial buffs take a look at how many WWE HOF'ers that Bill Watts either discovered or gave them their break to become main event stars that lead to legendary careers. It is truly amazing. Bill turns 70 in early May so what a magnificant early birthday present for the "Big Cowboy", "Bombastic Bill", "The Hat", and even "Buckethead" as the late JYD used to call the boss when Bill wasn't around. Cowboy Bill Watts will walk tall into the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame Class and I'll be the proudest fan in the house.
I hope to see many of you at Wrestlemania Axxess Thursday and Friday night and encourage you to hit the WWE concession stands and scarf up our famous J.R.'s BBQ Sauce, Bar Nuts and more and if you see wandering around please allow me to sign them for you. It would be my honor.
Wrestlemania is more about the fans of the WWE Universe than any one else because without fans where would the rest of us ya-hoos be? Thank you!
The Tazz, my friend, my colleague, and the Original Human Suplex Machine and I will broadcast Friday Night Smackdown on MyNetworkTV with many of the elements brought to you by the lovely and talented Todd Grisham and the Dick Clark of WWE Jerry Lawler who will also get his beloved and ample face time as the MC of the WWE HOF Induction Ceremony if he can be pried away from the Cleveland Indians-Houston Astros MLB exhibition game being played Friday and Saturday in Houston. Jerome loves him some Indians.
Check out more from www.jrsbarbq.comfor more of my candid thoughts on Wrestlemania 25. This Sunday is going to be special following the heels of the emotional, heartfelt WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony that I still say needs two full hours to do the product justice.
See you in Houston this week or on PPV Sunday at 7 eastern/4 pacific!
