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!

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.      

I enjoyed the cold, snowy night in Oklahoma Friday evening as I was able to see my OU Sooners upset a strong Syracuse hoops team in the NCAA Tournament and watch Friday Night Smackdown 501 and then hit SportsCenter. Yes, the Mrs. was right proud of my TV selections on Friday while I hibernated in the "Man Cave."

Too much is being made by some fans of the time requirements provided inductors and inductees at the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Many fans forget that this is a one hour, I personally wish it were two, TV program that has to be edited and fed to USA on the same night which is a challenging piece of business. The Hall of Famers and their inductors will have more to say on the DVD that will come out in a few weeks which is always a "must see" DVD. I say, "Lighten Up Francis" and sit back and enjoy the festivities. This night is about one thing, honoring the individuals who have made significant contributions to the business. Steve Austin and I have discussed the HOF on many occasions and both agree wholeheartedly that the WWE HOF Induction Ceremony is one of our favorite nites of the year but in some years it seemed like were were caught in the Twilight Zone with some never ending stories that went on entirely too long from inductors and inductees alike. I like the new structure and feel it will translate into a better presentation for all involved.

If I can't properly intro Cowboy Bill Watts in three minutes then there is something wrong. I don't need to tell fans how to make the watch, simply what time it is. As the late, great Ernie Ladd would say, "Case closed, you greasy devil."

Will Chris Jericho use Jerry Lawler to make a final, lasting impression on what Jericho would like to do to Piper, Steamboat, and Snuka at WM25 when Y2J faces the King in Dallas on Monday Night Raw? I don't look for Ric Flair and his stapled up head to be in attendance but nothing would surprise me regarding "Naitch" these days. I fear that King will run into a buzz saw in Dallas but without question Jerry won't go down without a fight. I plan on watching this match in person as I wouldn't miss the last Monday Night Raw prior to WM25 for any thing, especially with it essentially in my neighborhood...so to speak. 

There sure is a great deal of speculation that JBL is going to beat Rey Mysterio at WM25, retain the IC Title, and then abruptly retire as the IC Champion. Well....first of all beating Mysterio in Texas is something that JBL will find difficult to do, secondly I just can't see JBL walking away from WWE just yet and lastly I do think it is great that the IC Title is being defended at a Wrestlemania after so long an absence. So, what is the history that JBL will be making at Wrestlemania? Beats the heck out of me but I am anxious to find out. I don't think that JBL would make such a statement on multiple occasions if there wasn't something to it.

The Superstars from Raw, ECW, and Smackdown will be well fed prior to Monday night's event as they will be chowing down on J.R.'s BBQ as our "Q" joint is providing some of the catering for the Dallas event.

I have read multiple reviews from various sources regarding "12 Rounds" and the ones that I have seen have been positive. A friend of mine went to see the film starring John Cena, that is unless you've been in hiding with the AIG guys and didn't know that tidbit of info, and he emailed me late last night with his thoughts and they were really good. It is a classic, action adventure movie with plenty of great special affects and Cena doing some serious stunt work was also mentioned. My goal is to see the film this weekend if I can get a pass from the Mrs. who thinks I should stay dormant and continue to heal from my bout of pneumonia. 

There is no truth to the rumor that Howard Finkel wanted ex-Jets coach Rich Kotite to induct The Fink at the HOF but from what I heard Howard did consider Sandy Koufax who couldn't be located. Seriously, I also read something that the Funks were not pleased with Dusty Rhodes as their presenter and nothing could be farther from the truth. Dory said publically that Dusty was a great choice who attended West Texas with the Funks and was a former NWA World's Heavyweight Champion. Terry said something about the fat, greasy, #%& being a great choice even though Dusty "can't read." That's classic Terry Funk. I can't wait to see all those guys next week in Houston. It may be the world's largest display of large, rented tuxedos ever gathered in one place. 

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading our blogs. You can check out more JR's blogs and our updated Q&A section of our BBQ site at www.jrsbarbq.com. 

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.     

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross loves a lot of things in life. WWE, BBQ and his beloved Oklahoma Sooners football team. As the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) bowl games get underway today, JR offers his picks for the winners, the losers and the Sooners for the 2009 Bowl season.

Rose Bowl
Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Penn State vs. Southern Cal

This is essentially a home game for USC and even though the alums at rival school UCLA like to say the USC Trojans are named after a condom – not that there is any thing wrong with that – I see USC having too much speed for Penn State, under normal considerations. However, the return of 80-something year old Nittany Lion coach Joe Paterno, who was rumored to have taken Mae Young to his high school prom, has me thinking. I want JoePa to win this game. Who knows when the “old timer” will make it back to the Rose Bowl at his stage of his game? Yeah, I’m sentimental, so what? USC has a magnificent program, is the Alma Mater of one of my heroes, John Wayne, and are a nine point favorite. I’m taking JoePa’s boys and the nine and only wish O.J. was out of jail so he could give the Trojans a “pep talk.”

Orange Bowl
Jan. 1 - 8:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Cincinnati vs. Virginia Tech

I saw Cincy play in person in Norman this year against OU and they are tougher than a $2 steak – tougher than seeing “The World’s Angriest Announcer” in a good mood – tougher than a government mule – and even tougher than understanding what in the hell ESPN’s Lou Holtz is saying most of the time. Va. Tech is well coached and we know that some of their alums are dog lovers (Michael Vick) and they play physical football. However “Beamer Ball” has been in the “big city” and under the “bright lights” before, but this is a new piece of business for the Bearcats. In the name of Skyline Chili and the Montgomery Inn BBQ Restaurants, along with my late pal Brian Pillman who grew up in Cincy, I’m laying the 2 ½ and going with Coach Brian Kelly’s Bearcats.

Cotton Bowl
Jan. 1 - 2 p.m. ET (FOX)
Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss

Tech represents the Big 12 South and now that the game isn’t starting at 10 a.m. local time, I feel the Tech head honcho, “Mad Scientist” Mike Leach, will be able to sleep late, watch a pirate movie and then outcoach a man named Nutt. Red Raider QB Graham Harrell needs to be healthy from a broken finger and be able to throw to arguably the best wide receiver in college football, Michael Crabtree, who has to put the NFL $$$ out of his mind for a few more hours for Tech to win. Objectively, (he says with a smile) Crabtree should take the cash and make a made dash for the NFL. Tech can win their 12th game of the season and, if so, Leach overtakes loveable, sweater wearing Bobby Knight as Lubbock’s most popular celebrity if he’s not there already. Mississippi’s Houston Nuttm who essentially lost a loser leaves his home state match last year at Arkansas has done a remarkable job in Oxford, not England…Mississippi, and the Rebels will be ready to play. But I like Tech to regroup from a throttling at Oklahoma and barely getting by an over achieving Baylor at the end of the regular season and to cover the 4 ½ point spread. Beware of this game.

Liberty Bowl
Jan. 2 - 5 p.m. ET (ESPN)
East Carolina vs. Kentucky

I bring this one up as both Vince and Linda McMahon are East Carolina alums and if Skip Holtz, ECU’s head coach doesn’t win, Mr. McMahon might show up and pop a vein screaming, “YOU’RE FIRED!!!” Plus I hear the King is the official chaperone for the cheerleaders of both teams. So this game, played in the home town of Jerry Lawler and his cousin the Honky Tonk Man does have some hidden meaning for the WWE. ECU has won nine games and Kentucky only six and I don’t think six win teams should even be in a bowl game so I’m leaning toward the University of McMahon and laying the 3.

Sugar Bowl
Jan. 2 - 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
Alabama vs. Utah

Nick Saban has nice hair and he may be known as “Little Nicky” in his former hometown of Baron Rouge, but he’s not one of my favorite people – I’m just saying. However Utah, who is 12-0, should have lost to TCU in the regular season and ‘Bama has only lost once and that was to Florida in the SEC Title game. The legendary “Bear” Bryant still lives in my heart and even though I’m not a Saban guy (Saban would have made a great wrestling manager as he is SO easy to dislike), and even though Utah has nothing to lose and every thing to gain, I reluctantly lay 9 ½ and take the Crimson Tide because I like their fans and ECW’s Todd Grisham is a major ‘Bama booster. If one took Utah and the points, Bama could still win and not cover, which might merit further consideration if you catch my drift. I just can’t pull against a team that has Dreamland BBQ near their campus.

Fiesta Bowl
Jan. 5 - 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
Texas vs. Ohio State

The fruits of Road Warrior Animal’s loins, Ohio State MLB James Laurinaitis, who will wear #33 for the Buckeyes, is one of the college game’s great hitters and a throw back to the days of Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Mike Singleterry, and Ray Lewis. But he will have his hands full corralling Texas QB Colt McCoy, whose dad played college football with JBL at Abilene Christian. UT obviously likes “whine” with their BBQ’ed beef ribs but make no mistake about it, the Steers has a Helluva team. Texas is favored by 8 but the line started at 10 which means lots of money is going to the Buckeyes. I saw UT beat OU in the Cotton bowl and know they have amazing athletes. UT paid their D-coordinator Will Muschamp $900K to be their head coach in waiting, what exactly does that load of manure, ”head coach in waiting” mean any way? But regarding that, it will probably end up being former Texas QB and current UT assistant coach Major Applewhite, but that’s another story. There seems to have been lots of distractions in the land of burnt orange but there’s a lot of talent in Austin. I like Ohio State and the points but I see Texas winning a close one. The best battle between these two schools would have come back in the day in a bar fight between Texas football fanatics Dick Murdoch and Dusty Rhodes against the Road Warriors in the night before the game.

BCS Championship Game (Miami, Florida)
Jan. 8 - 8 p.m. ET (FOX)
Oklahoma vs. Florida

The Gators are favored by 3. The game is being played in Florida. OU has lost their last 4 BCS Bowl games. One I missed because I was broadcasting the vaunted K-Fed vs. John Cena tilt on New Year’s night. Many pundits and most of the nation feel that UF will win to the tune of about 60 percent of those voting. I know my Okie pals the Brisco Brothers are pulling for the Gators. Dusty Rhodes is pulling for the Gators. Edge told me in his own “unique” (can you say saucer eyes?) way that HE was a Gators’ fan and hoped my team would lose. Well, in the name of such wrestling greats as Wahoo McDaniel, Cowboy Bill Watts, Danny Hodge, Dale Lewis, Dr. Death Steve Williams and even newcomer Jack Swagger, one doesn’t’ have to wonder where my loyalty lies. I have not missed an OU game all year being it at home or on the road, including traveling to Seattle and from College Station, Texas to Manchester, England. I’m sure I will hear my share of “Gator Bait” references directed my way over the next week or so, but after joining the “Mr. McMahon Kiss My Ass Club” I think I can handle it. Ric Flair was at one time a HUGE Gator fan but not so much any more –divorce has a way of altering one’s thinking – and he is great friends with OU’s Coach Bob Stoops, who used to coordinate the Gator “D” when they won a National Title under the old ball coach Steve Spurrier. So “The Naitch” is pulling for the Sooners.  As is “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who might even wear his camouflage OU ball cap for good luck. So, with no surprise, I obviously am picking the Sooners to win the National Title in what should be an amazing conclusion of what has been a great bowl season. It’s Slobber-Knocker time. I plan on being on the Sooner sideline attired in OU gear and my black hat. It’s worked more often that not this season so why not saddle up and try it one more time?

I realize that I passionately represent Oklahoma and that when I do that I set myself up to catch hell when they lose, which isn’t that often by the way – but so be it. Commitment is a good personality trait to have and I am committed to supporting my Sooners win or lose. None of this is new info but I want to clarify that I am not a hater of other teams but instead a lover of my team. That seems to be a healthier philosophy wouldn’t you agree?

Oh, yeah one final thing. No wagering please. These picks are for entertainment purposes only.

Boomer Sooner!
J.R.

It will be nice to visit Charlotte this week which will be the site of the SmackDown tapings, followed by the live broadcast of ECW which is always an adventure with the dangerous duo of Mike Adamle and The Tazz.

I first traveled to the "Queen City" when Jim Crockett Promotions bought out Bill Watts' UWF and a handful of us were brought to Charlotte for an organizational meeting. Little did I know at that time that the NWA/UWF marriage would end in the nasty and unnecessary death of the UWF brand. Poor planning and downright egocentric stupidity can be blamed for killing one's own asset and a brand that had some degree of name identity. The potential for a NWA vs. UWF rivalry was endless.

Some time I think that "ego" is the strongest weapon in the wrestling game and the destruction of the UWF is a prime example of such.

I hope to socialize with "The Naitch" on Monday evening which will still allow me plenty of time to recover, I mean be prepared, to broadcast SD. With all the talk of Vickie Guerrero and Edge getting married, this SD might be more about them and their nuptials than it will be about wrestling or the Great American Bash. It sure as hell won't be me protesting too much about the marriage of two of SD's most powerful entities.

The irony of this week is that the Great American Bash was created in the mid 80's by JCP which was HQ'ed in Charlotte for decades and here we are back there again on Bash week.

I wish Edge and Vickie more luck than A-Rod, Christie Brinkley, Madonna or any other celeb couples that have tied the noose … err knot, and are now undoing their relationships.

I wonder if Edge and Vickie have a pre-nuptial contract.

After watching Raw again this weekend, I was still shocked that Kane was actually cheered when he attacked a defenseless Michael Cole at the end of the New Orleans broadcast. Cole has been dealt a tough hand but Michael is resilient and will navigate thru these rough and uncalled for waters.

I am loving these weekend's off and have been able to spend some quality, family time in our backyard pool and we even had a palm tree planted in our Oklahoma backyard this week. How crazy is that? I prescribe to the Arn Anderson theory of tanning and that is that my fat looks better brown than white.

Will Brett Favre play again this season in the NFL? My guess is no but I love the guy and his legacy will live forever in the National Football League but now he needs to lay low. The media loves to embellish negative news/stories and Bret's recent media forays have been less than positive. Again, I have huge respect for the man that I first met met as an Atlanta Falcon and who was a big time Freebird fan way back in the day...when Michael Hayes had a full head of hair.

I watched some WWE 24/7 this weekend and there is some old film from Dallas featuring announcer Ves Box with a one camera shoot including a unique, for the time, 6 man tag featuring Killer Kowalski, as a fan favorite, along with his partners Ray Gunkel and Reggis Liskowski who would later become known as "The Crusher". It is a 17 minute match which is something almost unheard of in today's “wham, bam, thank you ma’am” world of TV.

Our new restaurant opens this Wednesday July 16 in Moore, Oklahoma at exit 116 on the west side of I-35 at 11 a.m. I plan on heading there as soon as I return from Charlotte Wednesday morning as long as American Airlines isn't running late. Take care and thanks for stopping by.

JR

I hope every one had a great holiday Friday and are enjoying the weekend. We have family visiting highlighted by our 5 and 2 year old granddaughers who have spent more time in the backyard pool than in the house. I would love to have their energy but if I did it would most likely get me in trouble. :)

Today is a big grilling day as I have always considered myself a main event level grillmaster. Great day in Norman for a cookout as it is going to be in the upper 90's!

Smackdown was a fun to show to watch with my family and it is interesting to watch a WWE show with "kids of all ages", so to speak. People like and dislike different things...good market research I suppose. How about that cool product placement for "J.R.'s Family BBQ" with Mick Foley wearing a T Shirt from our store which is also available at our website www.jrsbarbq.com.  

Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison Friday night was as good as any match on WWE TV this week for my money. Both these two young, superstars need to be in the upper echelon mix on WWE TV without question. I actually guess tht both Jeff and Morrison are already there but this match really demonstrated that these two men can be money ball players.

Producing new stars and adding to the established stars fans normally see in PPV main events is an all important function as fans want to see "new"...new wrestlers and new matches. New is good even if new turns out to not be so great bouts, if you know what I mean. At least it is "new" and no one really knows what is going to click with today's fans until it is tried.

This new travel schedule for yours truly is working out tremendously as I now have my weekends back in tack for the first time in years and years. If I would have opened my eyes and realized how much fun it is to be at home for an entire weekend, I would have asked for a trade years ago!  :)

My new Smackdown schedule will enable yours truly to attend all the Oklahoma Sooner football games, home and away, with no photo finishes regarding travel to Monday Night Raw. BTW I enjoyed Raw from OKC a great deal and thought that Michael Cole did a superb job in my old chair and, without question, fans will soon forget that there ever was an Okie sitting there wearing a black hat. I am a Michael Cole, if that is his real name fan, and MC will create his own legacy and memories on the Monday night broadcast just as I had the opportunity to do over th epast many years.

Thanks for checking out this space. Don't forget kids..."think Smackdown!" :)

JR