Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 03:22 AM EST
[Blog This!]
Thanks for stopping by and checking out the most read blog on WWE.com. Your support is the reason why. Does that distinction give me some "Bragging Rights?"
This has been a unique week for me. Most importantly, my Pittsburgh native, Italian wife, Jan and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on Monday. Yes, indeed, I out punted my coverage when we married on October 12, 1993 in Las Vegas. Three months later on Super Bowl Sunday 1994 I suffered my first bout of Bells palsy and a couple weeks after that I was moving from Connecticut back to Atlanta.
My bride never waivered and remained supportive of me and my passion for the biz that I've now been associated with for over 35 years.
Yes, indeed, I'm one lucky Okie.
So, this week I asked for my first day off a TV taping in 16 years with WWE to celebrate our anniversary. I enjoyed being at home and doing husband stuff and not having to board an airplane even though I would have loved to have visited Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky again.
Raw's "vintage" announcer, Michael Cole, will join soon to be married Todd Grisham (Todd gets hitched this Saturday) this week on Friday Night Smackdown. Thanks, Michael, for helping out. I'm anxious to watch the show Friday night on the omnipresent MyNetworkTV and see how Grish and Cole mesh.
Plus, I hear that Smackdown is an interesting show that determines the SD team that will face the Raw team in the 7 on 7 tag bout at "Bragging Rights" one week from this Sunday night in Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena.
Call me cynical but I might suggest that if one is making a friendly wager to take the Raw "Magnificent Seven" and lay the points. No team with DX leading it is likely to lose at a PPV inside the boundaries of the United States.
But, then again, I could be wrong.
With SD having four of its biggest stars involved in one match, The Undertaker, Batista (That would be "Dave" Batista), Rey (As in Mysterio) and C.M. (A man who only needs initials and no first name) Punk, the SD seven might be a little out-manned, especially on paper. However, this 7 on 7 tag at "Bragging Rights" won't be fought on paper but on canvas so may the best team win.
It's a little like the Oklahoma vs. Texas college football game in Dallas this Saturday that I plan on attending. No one outside the Sooners' locker room is giving them much of a chance against the powerful Longhorns but that's why they play the game. Upsets do occur as we all know.
Speaking of upsets and while I'm thinking about it, I hope that Jerry Lawler wins the Mayor's race in Memphis this Thursday even though the King is a huge underdog. Good luck, Jerry. If the King wins, perhaps he would consider appointing me as the "Baron of BBQ" for a city known for many things including Elvis and "Q."
The welcome mat goes out to new, SD Divas Mickie James and Beth Phoenix, it's nice to see both ladies have retained their last names, as their in ring skills should help elevate the Diva division on Friday nights. Nice move by Nancy O'Dell of Access Hollywood fame not to be confused with Mary Hart of Entertainment Tonight who started her TV career in Oklahoma City....but I digress.
So I'm reading WWE.com because I LOVE WWEClassics.com and I check out the top 100 moments in SD history and me coming over in the "Draft" in June of 08 doesn't even crack the list but the "Boogeyman" does. Take a look at this illustrious list elsewhere on this site. Who comprised this list? The ex-wives of past and present wrestling broadcasters??
Guess where old J.R. will be this Sunday? I will be attending my first ever U2 concert as U2 plays here in Norman at the Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium. I'll likely be the only dude there wearing a black hat among the 50 or 60,000 others in attendance including the Mrs who I surmise would quickly leave me for Bono. But nonetheless when Ol J.R. celebrates an anniversary I celebrate an anniversary. It's a week full of fun and frivolity.
I am anxious to see the HHH-Cena main event Monday night on Raw which will be hosted by the ubitquitous Snoop Dogg. It will be interesting to observe Santino Marella interact with Snoop 'cause you know it's gonna happen. Nonetheless the HHH vs. Cena bout should be a stout main event.
The Miz vs. Morrison bout of former tag team partners at "Bragging Rights" could be a potential show stealer. Both men are young and on the rise and this is an important bout for each especially with it being on PPV.
I hope that you will enjoy SD on Friday just as I will be doing in the comfort of my hotel room in Dallas. I'll be back on the air next week for Friday Night Smackdown and will be in Pittsburgh for "Bragging Rights." Todd Grisham will be on his honeymoon next week so I will broadcast SD next week with a "player to be named later."
Perhaps it "could" be Dr. Joe E. Styles....or The King...or Mr. McMahon. I'm just saying. Stay tuned.
Don't forget to check out our blogs and provocative Q&A section at www.jrsbarbq.com where we offer FREE SHIPPING on many great products including our J.R.'s BBQ Sauces, Chipotle Ketchup, and 97% Fat Free Beef Jerky.
Thursday, October 8, 2009, 01:22 PM EST
[Blog This!]
Wow...what a road trip for yours truly as I was gone from the friendly confines of my home state of Oklahoma prior to the Boston SD taping of the "Decade of Smackdown Celebration" until this past Wednesday afternoon after the SD taping in Trenton, New Jersey.
Plus, I squeezed a quick trip from the northeast down to south Florida for the Oklahoma-Miami college football game, and then headed back to Newark for the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Whew.
On a personal note, I enjoyed HIAC, but it's obvious that having three, main event level bouts with the same stipulations is a daunting task.
I was happy that "The Grish" and I got our biggest bout, C.M. Punk defending against The Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Title inside Hell in a Cell, done early while we, or at least I, was still full of P&V.
For those that have written off Punk I suggest that you reassess your flawed thinking. C.M. Punk's style is not only unique but effective against bigger men as Punk as the skill set to destroy the verticality of his larger adversaries especially when he attacks their quads with his kicks that are "money." I would be shocked if I did not see Punk once again the World Heavyweight Champion in the future.
Chris Jericho, who is as good as any one that wrestles for a living, and The Big Show, a budding movie star in his own right, have renewed my interest in tag team wrestling. Having spent many, many years of my career when the tag division was flourishing, it's always great to see a stout tag team title bout, and we got that from Jericho/Show vs. Batista/Rey last Sunday in HIAC.
Drew McIntyre vs. R-Truth found themselves on the HIAC card, which was good for both of the young competitors, and the Mr. McMahon-endorsed McIntyre had a solid outing in his first ever PPV bout that was succinct, albeit effective. Scotland's contribution to WWE has great potential as he seems to have all the physical tools it takes to be a main event level star. I will reserve anointment until I see more of the young man but WWE can't develop too many top hands.
John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler seem to be developing a viable rivalry and Ziggler can't get any closer to winning the IC Title than he has his last three chances. From where I sit, it's not a matter of "if" Ziggler wins the gold but "when." The two young men from the college ranks, Morrison from UC-Davis and Ziggler from Kent State, are two of the better reasons to watch Friday Night Smackdown.
Speaking of Friday Night Smackdown, this week's broadcast is impressive. Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho can never be any thing but good. Plus, Batista faces CM Punk and Punk's ability to ground a bigger, stronger foe will be challenged again. But wait....there's more....J-Mo (see how hip that I can be) is putting the IC Title up once again against Mr. Zig Zag.
Plus, you get to see young Todd Grisham in his next to the last SD broadcast before becoming a married man for the first time as Todd weds Oct. 17 in Pennsylvania to a lovely, young woman. Congrats to both.
BTW Trenton, New Jersey is not only the capitol of the Garden State but also the hometown of the former manager of the Four Horsemen, J.J. Dillon.
J.J. now works for the New Jersey Corrections Department, so if you're ever imprisoned in Jersey you might run into one of the best managers ever in wrestling and a great guy to boot.
WWE HOF'er Rowdy Roddy Piper, one of my all time favorite people, is a little under the weather these days and he is on my mind as I wish Rod a speedy recovery. What a talent and he would be printing money if he were in his wrestling prime today.
Did you know that we offer FREE SHIPPING on many of our money saving packages of our great products such as J.R.'s Original BBQ Sauce, J.R.'s HOT BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Ketchup (awesome) and our 97% Fat Free Beef Jerky?Please check out all these deals at www.jrsbarbq.com.
My dear friend Steve "Dr. Death" Williams, who was almost cancer free for 5 years, has had cancer return to his stomach and is now undergoing chemotherapy treats again. Surgery or radiation isn't an option but Doc is a fighter with amazing resolve who remains steadfast in his faith in God and his will to beat cancer again. Your prayers and good thoughts for Doc are sincerely appreciated.
BTW, there is a misconception that Doc trained former OU Sooner Jack Swagger, but that isn't true. Swagger came out of the Oklahoma wrestling program and was trained in the WWE system, but had Swagger, or any other young wrestler have had the opportunity to be coached by the good Doctor they would be benefited.
WWE's next PPV, "WWE Bragging Rights," will be held in Pittsburgh which is home of the "Sixburgh" Steelers, starring Big Ben Roethlisberger, the great Bruno Sammartino who celebrated a birthday this past week, and my soon to be bride of 16 years, Jan. I always enjoy working in Pittsburgh and still vividly remember The Undertaker vs. Mankind HIAC match there that fans still ask me about when I'm on the road or in J.R.'s Family BBQ Restaurant in Norman, Oklahoma.
My most recent blog on www.ouinsider.com can be accessed for free by checking out ouinsider.com/news/story.php?article=368.... Please check it out as it is a quick read and I would like to see how the WWE Universe can positively affect the number of reads. I appreciate it.
Steve Austin's next movie, "Damage," will be out soon and Steve is in the UK promoting the film. I heard that many fans stood in line for 13 hours waiting on a recent DVD signing by the WWE Hall of Famer. I've seen the trailer of "Damage" and I plan on buying my copy as soon as it becomes available. And that's the Bottom Line because the Baron of BBQ said so!
If you have sent me a question or a comment to our BBQ website, www.jrsbarbq.com, it may have been answered as I caught up somewhat on our Q&A Section of the site while on the road as I broke down and bought a new Netbook laptop computer.
Yeah....I'm catching up with technology and can even carry on a conversation with Cryme Tyme. How "fly" is that, Dawg?
It's football time in Oklahoma this weekend as the Baylor Bears visit Norman to play the Oklahoma Sooners Saturday afternoon on ABC so one can easily assume where I will be. If you're in the area drop by our BBQ Joint and say howdy as I will be around especially after the game.
It's hard to believe that SmackDown is a decade old. It's even harder to believe that mine was the first voice ever heard on the WWE network TV broadcast.
It seems like yesterday when Jerry Lawler and I walked out to the ring in Kansas City to launch what would become one of WWE's longest-running TV shows.
Friday night's celebration really feels like a party at times, and is a two-hour show that you will enjoy.
Highlights include:
Raw's Michael Cole needing his designated driver – known only as "The Heater" – before the evening was over. Cole even gets in a "Boomer Sooner" as you will see. Nice.
An emotional tribute video dedicated to the late, great Eddie Guerrero. I admit that I shed a few tears while that one aired.
A taped promo by The Rock that was both awesome in content and delivery. The "Great One" was on top of his game during one of the most dynamic promos of 2009.
An Eight-Man Tag that resembled an all-star game that was highlighted by Undertaker taking it to the next level in the closing moments of the multi-segment main event.
WWE Superstars dancing that is, well, interesting, to be kind.
Some very unique and thankfully short singing by two very unlikely WWE Superstars.
A cameo by my pal, Joey Styles, and I'll bet you can't guess what he shrieked.
The IC Titleholder and the United States Champion teaming.
Some memorable SD Moments fresh off the “Decade of Smackdown” DVD, which is Oprah DVD Club-worthy.
Two large, powerful bulls battling in the very first match of the night.
DVR this show for sure, as I'm sure that there will be some things that you will want to watch more than once.
Hell in a Cell... It’s a place that I never want to reside or even visit. It's this Sunday on PPV and is sold out. I expect some titles to change hands at this unpredictable, unique event.
Here are some BBQ'ed predictions for you to ponder:
Jericho and Big Show will retain their Tag Titles in a close one, by hook or by crook, over Batista and the returning Rey Mysterio.
Dolph Ziggler will finally win his first major title in WWE when he beats Intercontinental Champion John Morrison in an offensive oriented contest that might be the show stealer.
Kofi Kingston will defy the odds and retain the United States title against The Miz and Jack Swagger.
DX won't lose two PPV bouts in a row to The Legacy. If DX does lose, then consider that The Legacy has definitely arrived.
Randy Orton will unseat John Cena for the WWE Title in Cena's first foray in Hell in a Cell. I hope that I've just jinxed RKO. Sorry, Orton fans.
Undertaker has vowed to win the World Title from straightedge CM Punk. I believe The Deadman and it will be "Deadman Rising" (thanks, John Fogerty) Sunday night and hopefully no Montreal revisited... again.
Our special offers that include FREE SHIPPING are still available at www.jrsbarbq.com and we invite you to check them out.
"Sources say" that the injured Edge recently hosted a major cookout at his "estate" near Tampa, Fla., that featured J.R's BBQ Sauce, which was well-received. This is info that you can't get anywhere else, boys and girls. :)
Yours truly will be prowling the Oklahoma sideline on Saturday night when OU takes on Miami in what will likely resemble a college football street fight on ABC. I'll be the dude wearing the black hat.
Thanks for visiting us, as always. Have a great weekend and I hope that you check out Hell in a Cell on pay-per-view.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 04:19 PM EST
[Blog This!]
Friday Night SmackDown emanates from Tulsa ,Oklahoma this week and the beautiful, new BOK (Bank of Oklahoma) Center. Tulsa was the hub for the first wrestling territory that I worked in when I launched this wacky journey 35 years ago.
Things have changed so much since I not only refereed my first bout, which was also in Tulsa, to broadcasting my first match in a barn on the Tulsa County Fairgrounds.
BTW, what ever happened to time limits in wrestling bouts? Who deemed that time limits in wrestling bouts was a bad thing? I assume that I'm too old school to "get it."
I assure you that The Fink remembers time limits not to mention how many great bouts when to the "curfew" over the years in Madison Square Garden?
It's been a tough week for SD G.M. Teddy Long as he has been on one helluva limo ride that started in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and will, in all likelihood, end in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
At least Teddy had his seat belt "buckled up." But what about a change of underwear?! Bathroom break??
What's the over/under that The Undertaker's Hell's Gate gets reinstated before the "Hell in a Cell" PPV one week from this Sunday? The hold is legal, plain and simple.
Intriguing main event this week on Friday Night Smackdown pitting Big Show vs. Batista. Is Batista favored because he is a "one name star" or should we go with the biggest dog in the hunt?
Locker room "dirt" has it that Batista, Big Dave to his close pals, is working on some new offensive weaponry.
J.R.'s Family BBQ helped with catering in Tulsa on Tuesday and the ribs, among other delicacies, were a hit! I saw my friend Stocky Balboa eating the world's best ribs like it was his last meal before the long walk to the "chair."
Speaking of J.R.'s, we have several hot, new sales packages that include FREE SHIPPING and that save you ample dollars at www.jrsbarbq.com. Check it out today along with our blogs and popular Q&A section of our BBQ website.
Looking forward to the John Morison vs. Dolph (Don't call me Zig) Ziggler Intercontinental Title Bout at the "Hell in a Cell" PPV. Did I mention that this event is one week from this Sunday? These two, young SD stars have the opportunity to elevate their game and perception with how they compete in less than two weeks in Newark, New Jersey. The long term future of Friday Night Smackdown largely rests on the shoulders of young men like Morrison and Ziggler as it relates to not only SD but the WWE in general.
Big things are expected for Drew McIntyre on Friday nights and the native of Scotland obviously has ample physical potential but I'm anxious to see how he handles the pressure if he's tossed the ball. The spotlight is going to shine on McIntyre, without question, and I for one hope that he can handle it. Many powerful people within WWE have exceptional hopes for McIntyre as do I.
Reverend Al Sharpton will guest host Raw this Monday from Albany, N.Y., which is the state capital of New York, and Sharpton has been rumored for years to be a potential candidate for Governor of that state. I would love to see Rev Al cut loose and give some one "heck" (PG, you know) Monday night in one of those "vintage" Raw comedic moments.
Don't "Curb Your Enthusiasm" Rev Al, let it loose and steal the show Monday night.
I'm not sure what to expect next week on the 10th Anniversary of SmackDown and I don't know if any alums are going to attend for the festivities in Boston. One of my fondest memories of Boston was working a PPV with the late, great WWE HOF'er Gorilla Monsoon at the old Boston Garden on a balmy night that made everyone uneasy. Was that the night that "The King," and perhaps next Mayor of Memphis, lead the King's Court in battle against Doink and his band of vertically challenged, merry men?
I look for Randy Orton to regain the WWE Title inside "Hell in a Cell" when he faces current WWE Champion John Cena. This rivalry stretches longer than Ali-Frasier, but for some reason I feel that Orton seems to have the charismatic Cena's number. Time will tell. I hope that I am wrong.
The WWE Superstars from SD/ECW are in Spain and France this week with all the events in France totally selling out far in advance. Spending a couple of nice, quality days in Paris can't be a bad thing. The married men on this trip best do some shopping for their brides while in Paris and I'm not talking about a stinking T-shirt either or something from the duty-free shop.
Several WWE Superstars took home half full bottles of our J.R.'s Original BBQ Sauce and our J.R.'s HOT BBQ Sauce that were left from Tuesday's catering. I think we served over 60 pounds of hickory smoked ribs to the crew and to the wrestlers.
If you want to order some of our delicious sauces or our fantastic J.R.'s Chipolte Ketchup or some of our 97% Fat Free Beef Jerky and get FREE SHIPPING then check our our new offers at www.jrsbarbq.com.
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out WWEClassics.com where many of the historic matches do have time limits and the rules were much easier to ascertain as to what is a disqualification and what isn't.
Get ready for an exciting stretch in WWE leading into the "Hell in a Cell" PPV one week from this Sunday. I will never forget the very first Hell in a Cell" bout ever promoted in WWE and of which that I broadcast. Of course, you remember who was in it, right?
Thursday, September 17, 2009, 04:34 PM EST
[Blog This!]
Greetings from Norman, Oklahoma ... the home of the rapidly becoming, world-famous, J.R.'s Family BBQ!
I always enjoy going to Canada and am not on the same train as referring to our northerly neighbors as "Bizarroland" or even the "Great White North."
The ending of the World Title match between "The First-Ever Straightedge World Champion," CM Punk and The Undertaker in Montreal had a somewhat rancid smell to it that reeked of conspiracy. It smelled like 12-year-old, bad, smoked meat.
It sort of reminded me of my friend Billy Ray who comes into J.R.'s in Norman and spends a paltry $4.95 for all the homemade pinto beans and jalapeno cornbread he can eat and then recreates a particular scene from "Blazing Saddles." But NOT in the dining room let me make that clear.
Also, I think that some, not all, Montreal fans, took the low road during Dolph Ziggler's disrespectful confrontation with WWE HOF'er Pat Patterson. Did Ziggler deserve to be booed? Absolutely. But the additional profanity that came with it, especially with women and children present, wasn't cool. that he has the career that Pat Patterson had that began in 1958. Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens were arguably, according to many "experts," the absolute best tag team ever to lace up their boots.
BTW #2 ... Patterson would have had little interest in the Maria's of his generation as Pat would have stayed focused on his in ring challenges unlike Dolph, who will face John Morrison for the Intercontinental Title at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, who feels that his sweat socks don't stink.
Triple H will be escorting Floyd Mayweather Jr. to the ring Saturday night on PPV when "Money" faces Juan Marquez in Las Vegas. That sounds like a great opportunity and a memorable night for "The Game."
Hopefully "The Cerebral Assassin" (Thanks, J.R.) will get some camera time and maybe, just maybe, an actual mention of who he is by HBO's announce team lead by the lovely and talented Jim Lampley. Perhaps Lampley's broadcast partner Larry Merchant will segue into a Gorgeous George reference considering the Gorgeous one likely was popular in Larry's younger days ... I'm just saying.
MVP, who toils away on the "other," two-hour, WWE weekly broadcast, Raw (please no emails about bitterness, jealousy, etc as that ship has sailed and this was a joke for goodness sake) looked more impressive Monday night going sleeveless than his usual ring attire. If you have the "guns," my man, show 'em off.
MVP is a fan of the University of Miami football team and my Oklahoma Sooners travel to South Florida to play the 'Canes on Oct. 3. I plan on attending the game with MVP, except that we will be on seperate sidelines come kickoff time.
Will my Kanye West mention on Friday Night SmackDown this week on MyNetworkTV live or find eternal life on the cutting room floor? I'll go with it not making air but it was family friendly on our very PG broadcast.
Nice to see Batista back on Friday Night SmackDown, as he looks sleeker and quicker to me. Big Dave says that he's gonna be "the man" on Friday night but obviously others on the roster feel differently. Batista kicks off Friday Night SmackDown this week at the very beginning of the show.
I'll assure you that the SmackDown Divas will likely enjoy the presence of "The Animal" on Friday nights as Batista is a renowned ladies man ... not that there's any thing wrong with that as long as it doesn't adversely affect one's day job.
The big, 10th Anniversary of SmackDown show will be taped in Boston on Sept.29 and I for one am clamoring that Michael Cole and the retired JBL be reunited ... kick Grisham and yours truly out of the announce table at ringside ... and reprise their outstanding team of a few years ago. Cole called more SmackDown's than any other broadcaster. The King and I called the first one. I'm sure that some of SD's biggest moments will be celebrated on a show that was named after one of The Rock's cliches.
So then why is there no WWE broadcast called the Slobber-Knocker Hour?
BTW #3...I wonder what ever happened to Nurse Slobberknockers? I was a little groggy when I first saw the young lady on TV and can only remember a "couple" of things about her. I wonder what that could be? Oh, well, nonetheless, I hope that she's happy in nursing.
It looks as if three bouts will actually be held inside Heck in a Cell (can we still say Hell?) on Oct. 4 on PPV. The other bouts will contested as they normally would.
Is Trish Stratus hot as a brunette or what?! I can still remember the day she first walked into my office at WWE and we negotiated her first contract that lead to her winning seven WWE Women's Titles.
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BTW #4....my family sincerely appreciates everyone's business and support and that's me being very serious.
ECW Champion Christian and one of his most viable adversaries William Regal, I know that "WOO WOO" is the new, No. 1 contender, have unbelievable chemistry. Christian and Regal both are under appreciated by some but let me assure you that if I were picking a roster that I would fight to get both of them on it.
Congrats to WWE Home Video and the talented folks at the WWE TV facility for winning a CableFAX Award for their production of the WWE 24/7 On Demand program, "The Soul of Wrestling" which focused on the challenges that African American performers had surviving a racist climate in pro wrestling back in the day. Teddy Long and Tony Atlas were outstanding on the panel that included Dusty Rhodes and Cowboy Bill Watts. I can't remember who the host was but it seems as if it was a BBQ loving, Oklahoma Sooner fan, and WWE Hall of Famer but the name escapes me.
BTW #5...why is it that Monday Night Raw has one WWE Hall of Fame member regularly appearing on the broadcast, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Memphis, Tennessee's favorite son, and he isn't even in the show open?
I hope that everyone has a great weekend, watches plenty of WWE TV including "WWE Superstars" on WGN America Thursday night and Friday Night SmackDown on MyNetworkTV. We will have an exciting weekend in Norman as the University of Tulsa comes to town to play the Sooners and our BBQ Joint will be jumping.
This Tuesday SmackDown and ECW will be in Tulsa at the new, BOK Center which will be the first-ever wrestling event in the new facility. This is the city where I started my wrestling career more than 30 years ago and it is going to be great to return this Tuesday. I sure hope we have a big crowd and that they're loud and bring plenty of signs. Plus, I don't have to get on an airplane to get to work. Yee Haw!!
If you like football and want to read my weekly blog on the Sooners game check out www.ouinsider.com.
Don't forget to head to www.jrsbarbq.com when you have time and check out our new sale that includes FREE SHIPPING!!
