Random, BBQ'ed thoughts from under the black, custom made hat from Norman, Oklahoma....home of J.R.'s Family BBQ Restaurant.

Summerslam delivered the summertime goods in LA. I think Fan Axxess helped create a nice "vibe" in the Staples Center area that helped feed the enthusiasm level of the 17,000+ that were in attendance.

Also, starting the broadcast off hot as in Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler for the IC Title never hurts any thing either.

Years ago the late/great Eddy Guerrero expressed his displeasure to me in being in the first match on a PPV. Eddy felt it was "a slap in the face." We had one of our many personal discussions and I pointed out how important it is on a PPV to really get the show started with substance, get the audience to emotionally invest early, and to set the tone for the night. Eddy "got it," with a smile, and promptly went out and stole the show as I recall.

On a blog post last week on www.jrsbarbq.com I predicted that Summerslam would likely have some significant surprises but I certainly did not forecast the surprise return of The Undertaker. That was a heck of a way to end Summerslam and I will refrain from the obligatory "it was a Smackdown Main Event that closed the show" dribble. 

Guest host idea for Detroit....#1 draft pick of the Detroit Lions, QB Matthew Stafford, who will have more fun guest hosting Raw than he will as the signal caller for the Lions this season.

The main event for Friday Night Smackdown this week, as most every one should know by now, is for the World Title inside a "solid," steel cage (are there any other kinds of cages used in wrestling?) pitting Champion C.M. Punk vs. Jeff Hardy. Awesome presentation and you can trust me on which I speak.

"It's BIG Jerry, Big!" (Obscure Seinfeld reference.)

While reading "Norm" in the Las Vegas newspaper, great stuff by the way if one enjoys celeb and sports "dirt," and saw where Mr. McMahon celebrated his 64th birthday after Monday night Raw at a swanky eatery called Moon located in the Palms Hotel. I guess my invite got lost in the mail. Nonetheless my belated congratulations to the Chairman of WWE on his birthday and for being the "big toe" of WWE.

Saw a photo of the coolest man in the world,Jack Nicholson, Lorne Michaels (SNL Big Cheese), and Sir Paul McCartney sitting behind home plate at a New York Yankees game this week. A couple of observations, I would wager a slab of the world's greatest ribs that the seats were freebies.....why was Sir Paul the only one NOT wearing shades....and was that Stocky Balboa in a dark suit sitting near this impressive entourage providing security?

The Rise and Fall of WCW DVD is getting lots of play from various sources. This controversial DVD has some folks singing its praises, including me, and others blasting it for a variety of reasons. As Bruce Wayne once said, "I THINK I have a plan." The purpose of producing a controversial DVD, in addition to selling many, many units and earning mucho dinaro, is to create talk and this recent release has successfully done so. When I originally reviewed this DVD last week at www.jrsbarbq.com I mentioned that I watched it until about 4 a.m. one morning and especially loved the bouts that were included. Critics of this who have BBQ'ed yours truly like a Brisket need to understand that my opinion is just that, my opinion. I also have a unique perspective on this subject as I lpersonally lived through it which would give me a different point of view than one who watched all the developments occur from afar. Bottom line, as Steve Austin would say, is that every one should watch the DVD and then draw their own conclusions.

Old friend and former wrestler now Pro Bass Fisherman, Pat Rose, the world's most dangerous angler, has become affiliated with Secret Weapon Lures. Good deal for Pat and a good deal for Secret WEapon Lures. Keep that in mind the next time you decide to drop your line in the water. 

ANOTHER guest host idea for Monday Night Raw....Paula Abdul. Unlike Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Paula would actually arrive at work on time, coming straight from "happy hour," if need be and dance her way to the ring at the top of the show with The Fink. Without question, this couple would epitomize the marketing phrase of "Smart, Sexy and Powerful."

"Turning Point" will be a unique PPV presented by WWE in Montreal, home of Georges St. Pierre of MMA fame, and aptly enough the main events at "Turning Point" will be submision bouts in some form or another. When pins are eliminated from the equation, wrestling bouts depart from the norm and new ground is traveled. There is no shame in losing a match via submission and I am surprised that more competitors today don't better utilize submission maneuvers. Manipulation of an opponent's joints negates size and strength advantages one might have to overcome. 

The Wrestlemania 25 special airs on most NBC stations this Saturday night at 9/8 central. Check your local listings as some markets airing of the network premier of WM25 may vary. I got a sneak peak at the presentation of the Undertaker-HBK match and it was emotionally awesome. 

Friday is the last day of our HUGE SALE at www.jrsbarbq.com. Just wanted to throw that in there as "baby needs new shoes." Check it out...if you will. 

Just a casual observation but my photo used on this website makes me look like "The Hanging Judge" Roy Bean....who, for the record, was a ruggedly handsome man.   

The photo looks like I am either auditioning for a role in a western film or that I just returned from a "local, medical facility" after my annual check up from Dr. Heiney. 

UGH.

I'll be writing a succinct blog this football season for www.ouinsider.com which will be posted at the end of the week during the season. If you are a football fan, that's American, tackle football, then I invite you to check it out.

I strongly suggest that you join us this Friday night for Friday Night Smackdown (was I just redundant?) as the Cage Match for the World's Title is a thriller and the broadcast is an emotional roller coaster from its start to the very end of the night.

That's it for this week....I've got to go sell some BBQ Sauce and some Beef Jerky. Be well and always count your blessings.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.  

Lots of exciting things going on this time of the year and in the WWE Universe, gosh that's a catchy phrase, nothing is more exciting than Summerslam which will be held this Sunday from the sold out Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast exclusively on pay per view.

Yours truly has broadcast many, many Summerslam events and even broadcast one on syndicated radio with the late, great WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon many years ago. It has been inferred on more than one occasion that your favorite Okie has a "face for radio" which has a "better heard than seen" connotation to it.

There is a great deal of controversy and speculation regarding the SD Main Event at S'Slam which features Jeff Hardy defending the World Heavyweight Title against C.M. Punk in a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. Many members of the WWE Universe, there's that phrase again, feel that the TLC match is the most anticipated bout at Summerslam and it may well be.  

But I don't think that the TLC Bout will close the pay per view. That's just a personal assumption and we all know what happens when one assumes.

Jeff is not 100% physically and not being 100% going into a TLC match isn't the best of conditions for which to defend ones World Title. With that said, Jeff Hardy will be lucky to leave LA with his title in tact and coupled with Punk's ladder match successes at the lat two Wrestlemania's, which have been well documented, one could make valid argument that Punk wins Sunday.

The final TV word on Summerslam will air Friday night on MyNetworkTV during the two hour broadcast of Smackdown starring Todd Grisham. 

BTW traveling with Master Grisham is like pulling up to a Sonic Drive In in Minnesota with Brett Favre. We're talking free, diet cherry limeades here.

Looks as if John Cena, gotta love his "John Deere-like" new swag, has finally maneuvered Mr. RKO right where Cena wants the WWE Champ. Cena and Orton going one on one hasn't happened in a while on PPV and unless Orton receives a government assisted bail out my World Famous J.R.'s BBQ Sauce is on Cena to once again become WWE Champion.

Orton losing the WWE Title might be, in Orton's mind, you know where he allegedly hears voices, as perplexing as Louisville Hoops Coach Rick Pitino at his wife's family reunion.

The biggest clearence sale in the history of J.R.'s Family BBQ starts this Friday where we have created some amazing packages that feature FREE SHIPPING to the USA and CANADA! These will be limited time offers so check them out exclusively at www.jrsbarbq.com.

Don't burn any daylight, Pilgrim, on this massive sale!

Rey Mysterio defends the Intercontinental Title against Dolph "Don't Call Me Zig" Ziggler at Summerslam. Even though I fully expect Mysterio to well represent in his home state, don't be too shocked if Ziggler upsets Rey. BTW what is Ziggler's finishing maneuver called? I've ad-libbed "Zig Zag" and I also heard some "locker room dirt" that it was called the ZZT. 

Although it might be tempting, Ziggler better resist staying up too late the night before S'Slam enjoying the company of his lady friend Maria. Dolph partying all night in LA Saturday would be about as stupid as Plaxico Burress unnecessarily shooting himself with his own gun while hitting a night club in NYC months ago which has completely derailed Burress' NFL career. 

Cryme Tyme may have predicted a victory for Sunday's Undisputed Tag Team Title tussle with Chris Jericho and his rather large partner, The Big Show, at Summerslam but my brisket's on the defending champions. Nothing against the fellas from Brooklyn but Jericho and Show seem to have too much big event, championship experience for Shad and JTG to overcome.  At least, that's one man's opinion.

While I'm thinking about it, my sources tell me that Edge has begun his physical therapy for his surgically repaired Achilles tendon this week. This type of injury is  usually about a 6 month recovery period as we anxiously await the "Rated R Superstar's" return sometime in 2010.

Edge will be all over our big sale this weekend as I'm thinking that he loads up on his favorite, J.R.'s Chipolte Ketchup, and orders on line at www.jrsbarbq.com where Edge can get FREE SHIPPING no matter if he is in Toronto or Tampa.

Yours truly will be headed to Dallas on September 5 to watch the season opener for the Oklahoma Sooners as OU will face the always dangerous BYU at the new, Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. From what I have seen, Cowboys Stadium would make a great Wrestlemania site in a few years as it is a state of the art facility and could seat 100,000 people for a Wrestlemania event.

Kane, the Undertaker's brother, takes on the Great Khali, Ranjin Singh's brother, at Summerslam, Wrestlemania's brother, in a bout where I will quickly change into my bowling shoes and attempt to avoid any physical interaction at ringside with these two, huge participants.

For the record, I, personally, have no brothers, BROTHER!

Just in case you might be up EARLY on Sunday morning and wandering around downtown LA, I will be doing a high secret project for the Food Network in a covert location near the Staples Center starting at 6 a.m. Should be an exciting start to a long, challenging day for this Oklahoman.

WWE Women's Champion Michelle McCool joins Todd Grisham and his trusted sidekick J.R. on commentary this Friday night and I was impressed at how well McCool handled her guest shot.

Some wrestlers, as we have all heard, have about as much business doing commentary as Ol J.R. would modeling Speedo Swimwear. Not a good fit....so to speak.

Mike "Fort" Knox is an interesting individual and his journey down the Smackdown walk of life continues Friday night in a physical match-up with Finlay. Knox certainly seems to thoroughly understand the human anatomy and what makes said anatomy ache.

This just in....while Howard Finkel was in Charlotte, North Carolina last weekend flaunting his well deserved WWE HOF ring at a fan convention, it was discovered that it was actually for the "The Fink" that the descriptor "Smart, Sexy, and Powerful" was first used. 

Of course, you can hear the first ring announcer to ever be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame regularly if you are enjoying WWEClassics.com as am I.

If you like to save money, get FREE SHIPPING, FREE SWAG, and have been waiting to sample some of J.R.'s Family BBQ products, your time has come! The biggest promotion we have ever launched is starting Friday for a limited time only. Head to www.jrsbarbq.com for all the info and thanks for visiting us there.

Enjoy Summerslam this Sunday on PPV, Raw in Las Vegas and Smackdown/ECW this Tuesday in Phoenix.

Stocky Balboa approves this message.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. 

It's hard to believe that Summerslam is virtually upon us as the mega PPV is one week from this Sunday in Los Angeles. That means that all the WWE TV broadcasts between now and then will be dotted with S'Slam content and, hopefully, a few surprises.

I think surprises in wrestling are good things. It's like getting an out-of-the-blue inheritance from an unlikely source such as The Fink, Stocky Balboa, or even the reportedly frugal Mr. McMahon. 

Getting Shawn Michaels back for Summerslam is a boost to the WWE Universe and gives Monday Night Raw a much needed shot in the arm as HBK is simply a one of a kind performer and is one of WWE's greatest assets.  I can hear it now on an impassioned Monday evening..."VINTAGE Shawn Michaels.....Oh, My!"

Getting Shawn Michaels back on Monday Night Raw would have been the equivalent of the Minnesota Vikings signing a fit and ready Bret Favre to play quarterback this year.

Todd Grisham, who is like traveling with Ryan Secrest inasmuch as being a young, rock star like personality, and I enjoyed our jaunt through Alberta early in the week. Grisham found out that Tim Horton's is not a place for steak but can handle ones donut needs famously.

It's funny how roles change over time as years ago I was the "driver" on road trips with Gorilla Monsoon who told me endless stories of the biz and helped me grow as a broadcaster. Now days, Todd does the driving and I ride shotgun and tell him the stories and hope to assist in making him a better, wrestling broadcaster. I am still working on my "side kick" skills.  

Of course the most famous illustration of mentoring in WWE was when The Fink mentored Lilian Garcia back in the day. What a striking couple they were at the Hertz counter.

Friday Night Smackdown is the best, wrestling TV show produced by WWE this week. Yes, SD once again takes the WWE's top broadcast, Monday Night Raw, to the woodshed. 

You don't have to accept my hyperbole as you can watch the broadcast Friday night on MyNetworkTV and judge for yourself. I will admit it isn't as enjoyable on mute and I will tip you off that Grisham and I look as if we just returned from a baby shower as he wore pink and I wore blue. Where else can you get this insight on the inner sanctum of WWE?

Friday night is headlined by C.M. Punk trying to finally get a victory over John Morrison after Morrison has lite Punk's fire twice and is 2-0 against the Straight Edge Superstar on Friday nights. 

Punk and Morrison have great chemistry and their rivalry feels fresh and new to me which is always appealing to any fan of their favorite genre. Plus these two really get physical with each other.

Yours truly has always thought that there was "something" unique about Mike "Fort Knox" beyond me comparing him from time to time with the late Bruiser Brody.  BTW that comparison has drawn the ire of some on the Internet who, between treating their acne issues, have condemned me for drawing the comparison. The irony of that is that most likely those making this particular criticism never saw Brody in person much less knew him personally as did I. Knox has a impactful evening this week on Smackdown and let's leave it at that.

It has often been told to me that I "out punted my coverage" when I married my Pittsburgh native, Italian wife Jan and that is a contention of which I can't deny. However, when one talks about "out-punting their coverage" what's the story with the giddy Maria and her new boyfriend Dolph Ziggler? I wish them all the happiness in the world but for some reason I just don't see a happy ending in this relationship. Can't Maria do better?   

Does Maria remind anyone else of actress Goldie Hawn who has dated her boyfriend Kurt Russell now for 26 years without marrying him? For those of you that know who Heidi Montag is but not Goldie Hawn perhaps you should do a Google search and obtain more info.

I am told or "sources say," if that's more provacative, that the SD Divas are shocked at how strong Layla is especially her hand strength. Layla, who is London born and bred, isn't the biggest Diva on the roster but may be the strongest pound for pound. Layla, one of my favorite Eric Clapton songs, shows noticeable improvement in the ring this Friday night as she meets the "screamer" Melina.

Jeff Hardy, who is the most popular superstar in WWE as we speak, will defend his World Title at Summerslam come hell or high water from what I am told. The Pious Punk has done his best to physically damage the North Carolina born World Champ but we've all seen Hardy's resilience over the years in the face of long odds.

The TLC match may not have over joyed Punk when he was given the news by still-on-probation, SD GM Teddy Long but this match does Jeff Hardy no favors either. The Championship will hang about 20 feet above the ring and both wrestlers start off on equal footing when the bell rings. So there is no championship advantage and the first man to climb the ladder and possess the title belt is the champion. Tables, Ladders, and Chairs may be Jeff Hardy's downfall at Summerslam especially with Jeff's neck injury and Punk's success on the big stage with Ladders.

Remind me not to buy any motivational books written by Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino who was allegedly caught in a dalliance with a women in a "high end restaurant" which is the media's description, not mine.

It would appear that Kane and the Great Khali will meet in the ring at Summerslam but that's not official but what I hear on the grapevine.....that's a Credence Clearwater Revial/John Fogerty reference for you baby boomers. If Kane and Khali do square off it won't be a Brisco-Funk, Steamboat-Savage, British Bulldog-Hart Foundation classic but interesting nonetheless. I may change into my bowling shoes to call that one. 

Speaking of the Bulldogs-Hart Foundation, check out an upcoming installment of "J.R.s Picks" (no, not nose but a selection of outstanding mat classics) coming soon on WWEClassics.com. We look at a 1985 bout from MSG in NYC between the two teams and this one is an excellent tag team outing. Do you remember the days when great tag team bouts happened with regularity?

I'm not one to over hype stuff just for the sake of shilling but I do encourage all long time or devout fans to check out WWEClassics.com and relive some of the greatest moments in grappling. 

Great week for the Hart Dynasty as they returned to their native Alberta and received a hero's welcome as they should. I mention on Smackdown that David Hart Smith and Natalya Neidhart's grandfather Stu Hart played pro football in the Canadian Football League for the Edmonton Eskimos. This week,  Friday Night Smackdown emanates from Edmonton and we don't mention the dated term "Bizarroland" once on our broadcast. Sorry to disappoint you but did I tell you that young Todd wore pink?

We are offering FREE SHIPPING on selected items in our pesonal on line store that you can check out by going to www.jrsbarbq.com. I'm also blogging there several times each week and we also take your questions on our popular Q&A section of the site.

The talented, if you don't believe me just ask him, Chris Jericho joins "the announcers" on Friday Night Smackdown for a sampling of commentary during the scheduled Big Show vs. JTG bout. Jericho has significant verbal skills if he ever chose to pursue it and has the skills to success where other many wrestlers failed when trying to become a ringside broadcaster.

I shutter to think that a day might come when wrestling broadcasters will become like many ESPN SportsCenter anchors and attempt to make themselves and not the game's that they cover the story. 

Yours truly has been doing some sports talk radio work on AM1400 KREF in Norman, Oklahoma that can be seen online with streaming, live video. Right now I appear on Wednesday afternoons but soon I expect an announcement to be made of a more permanent arrangement to where I do a hour or so late in the week and we will be able to take your calls and emails. 

Got an email today from my dear friend and WWE HOF'er Gerry Brisco who recently underwent heart surgery but is recovering amazingly well and is looking forward to coming back to work at WWE TV events. If you want to watch some great tag team work, check out the Brisco Brothers vs. Ricky Steamboat and Jay Youngblood from the Mid Atlantic territory.  These four put on a clinic. 

"Citizen" Lance Storm, proprietor of the Storm Wrestling Academy in Calgary, was a guest of WWE in both Calgary and Edmonton. Lance runs a highly regarded wrestling school now and still looks like he could still wrestle a great, 60 minute bout if need be.

Football season is just around the corner which is one of my favorite times of the year. Last season I attended EVERY Oklahoma Sooner football game at home and away and plan on doing so again this year. It takes some long term planning and necessitates a few "short nights" to pull it off but I love following my team. I've already made my plans to travel from Lincoln, Nebraska to Sheffield, England in November which, by the way, there are no "non stops."

Please visit us at our fan friendly, BBQ website which continues to grow weekly, www.jrsbarbq.com and check out all the great deals in our on line store that's open 24/7.

boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Greetings from under the black hat and thanks for checking out our blog here on the omni powerful WWE.com,  the home of my favorite dot com piece of business..... WWEClassics.com.

That's a lot of dot com's for one paragraph.  

This week yours truly had a nice trip to "the Island" no, not the Bahamas, but Long Island where, for some reason, folks in that part of the world thought that I "talk funny." How could that be??

Bottom line is that I did not frequent one BBQ place while visiting the Nassau Coliseum Tuesday for the taping of Friday Night Smackdown. That's a mortal sin. For any potential investors out there, Mr. McMahon are you listening, a J.R.'s Family BBQ on Long Island would be a cash cow. I'm just saying. 

Not sure when some of you will read this but don't forget to check out WWE Superstars on WGN America Thursday night at 8/7Central. Rey Mysterio vs. Mike "Fort" Knox is the main event and a "guest commentator" joins the "announcers" at ringside. 

Damn, what a physical match Christian had defending his ECW Title Tuesday night against "Big Beefy" Tommy Dreamer. I really enjoyed the physicality and was even more pleased it was someone else getting beat to dickens and not your favorite Okie. Physically wrestlers can't have matches very often such as we saw Tuesday night between the ECW Champion and Yonkers favorite son on Sy Fy starring Josh "I'm A Single Man" Mathews and Matt "Good Thing I Got Out Of Teaching" Striker. Really nice work done by all.

Friday Night Smackdown seems to be another solid broadcast headlined by a red hot, personal issue for the World Heavyweight Title as Jeff Hardy defends his championship against C.M. Punk. This rivalry just seems to get better and better each week and I don't think that you will be disappointed in what you see Friday night. This match features multiple surprises that, as a fan, I really enjoy. 

We'll also determine the #1 contender for the IC Title Friday night in a Fatal Four-way pitting Finlay, Mike Knox, R Truth, and Dolph Ziggler. The winner meets Rey Mysterio for the IC Title in Los Angeles in a few weeks at Summerslam.

I assume everyone knows why I refer to Finlay as "The Quiet Man" but if not stay tuned.

Chris Jericho is in one on one action Friday night against JTG in a very intriguing bout. Really a clash of in-ring styles and life styles. No, I do not think that Big Show with his new shave looks like the "World's Largest Amish Man" because I know that Show reads this blog and I have always felt that the Big Show has "ruggedly handsome" feaures much akin to The Fink.  Plus, I can't see Show selling delicious jellies and jams.  

Summerslam is so big this year that I'm heading to L.A. on Friday just so I don't miss any thing. Lots of really cool fan activities are being planned from what I hear.

Plus, I will have a MAJOR surprise for some folks at Summerslam. Gosh, I love surprises.  

Off the record, Stocky Balboa is hosting a private party in L.A. with all you can drink Nestles Quik. Gonna be a heck of a time....karaoke, charades, and Stump The Fink.  Thank goodness Stocky isn't serving Tang because when 'Ol J.R. drinks too much Tang....well, it's not a pretty sight.

Hey are there any BBQ joints in Edmonton close to the airport? I enjoy visiting cities like Edmonton because their Arena is old school and the site of many "Gretzky Moments" from back in the day of the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL....you know, that pro sports league that few in the States watch.

Did hockey ESPN analyst and former NHL Coach Barry Melrose's hair/mullet start growing when he was in Edmonton. Brother's got some hair, now. He's like Grisham, loves the hair gel.  

Stu Hart, patriarch of the legendary, Hart wrestling dynasty once played pro football for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League. That one would not have stumped "The Fink" but it might be new info for others.

I wrote on my blog at www.jrsbarbq.comthat Jeremy Piven was/is a ladies man. Is that so wrong?! Piven had to have been in Heaven on Earth hanging with all the smart, sexy, and powerful WWE Divas Monday night. Not a bad gig if one can get it. One can only imagine the numbers of the lovely women in Piven's IPhone. But what's with that 5 o'clock shadow business, Jeremy? I tried that once and my whiskers all came in sort of, uh, white. There,  I said it. 

Just because I know so many of you are keenly interested, the Oklahoma Sooners started football practice this week. That's it from the sports desk.

Seven early 20 something young men from Kansas State University stopped at J.R.'s in Norman on Thursday on their way from Manhattan, Kansas (The Little Apple) to Dallas. I enjoyed visiting with them and I must add that they are all good eaters and enjoyed the coldest brewsky in town.

I have to admit that I have become addicted to watching Poker on TV. NBC's Poker After Dark is destination TV for me. I think WWE having a Pro/Am Poker game for charity is a splendid idea for a TV special if I do say so myself. J.R. could be the "Doyle Brunson" of WWE on the felt. Plus, the World Series of Poker is now being DVR'ed in our home much to the Mrs. delight.  

I got a rise out of some of the WWE Universe when I mentioned that I thought in the future bouts such as Rey Mysterio vs. Evan Bourne or Rey vs. Tyson Kidd would be hot. Hey, I'm a fan and as a fan there are matches that I hope to be able to see some day. What's the difference in talking about matches that I personally would like to see and playing fantasy football? Case closed.

Not that I have any thing to say about what Jack Swagger does or doesn't do, but I suggest that my fellow Okie push his way onto the front porch and start looking to hunt with the "big dogs." It would be interesting to see some day how Swagger would fare against, say, HHH or Cena or even Mr. RKO.   

Count me as a fan of the Raw Guest Host scenario, Jerry Lawler LOVES them all for the record, as I enjoy seeing how people interact within the WWE world like Piven and Shaq. Especialy with it being live, any thing can happen and if it's good then we see it unfold and if it's bad then some can choose to write negative emails about it using phoney screen names which would be a first for this genre.

Just so you'll know, Dr. Ken hates decaffeinated coffee.

No, not Dr. Ken Ramey, former manager of the Masked Medics, but Piven's sidekick.

BTW don't make fun of sidekicks, folks, because I recently attended sidekick school, got my liscence and it wasn't easy. "The sea was angry that day, my friends."

Have you checked out the latest Legends Roundtable on WWE 24/7 On Demand which talks about Patriotism in Wrestling. Interesting show in case you missed it. Sgt. Slaughter, who will Guest Host Raw this Monday, was especially good on this installment of the Roundtable.

We are working on some interesting and NEW specials for our BBQ site that will offer some great deals on shipping which is a necessary evil of the Internet sales biz. Check out our site for this info, blogs, and our Q&A's at www.jrsbarbq.com.

Yours truly has not been scheduled to be in Calgary at this time but if you bump into me at the Edmonton Mall Monday afternoon (wait, that's King's gig)....never mind.

My thanks to those of you who shop at WWEShop.com for your J.R.'s products and those who shop at www.jrsbarbq.com. I appreciate the business greatly. 

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.   

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time to check out our blogs and especially appreciate you doing business with WWEShop.com and placing orders for J.R.'s BBQ products that are available there.

It will be good to get back to Philly as I have no issue telling any one that the Philly fans are loud and love to have a good time which certainly helps the PPV presentation and all of us that are involved in the process.

Plus, Ol J.R. loves a great Philly Cheesesteak and I'm not too proud to admit it. The last time I was in Philly I had TWO of the best cheesesteaks that I've ever had at a small place near the old ECW Arena called Tony Luke's. I'm sure that there are many great places to enjoy this Philadelphia speciality which is simply another reason for foodies to visit Philly. 

The Night of Champions which, in case you haven't heard is the ONLY night of the year that EVERY title in WWE is at stake, is "this close" to being sold out so Sunday night's atmosphere on PPV should be exciting. Of course, Philadelphia is the place where Santa Claus once was  booed so any wrestler that doesn't bring his or her "A Game" might hear it from the folks in attendance. More power to the fans of the "WWE Universe" I always say.(I get paid extra for saying WWE Universe.)

Did you know that you can order a case of J.R.'s Sauces in 18 ounce, plastic bottles and even mix and match the flavors and still get FREE SHIPPING to selected areas? You can get all the info on the case priced super deal and on all the things in our on line store at www.jrsbarbq.com.

Prediction time for Sunday's Night of Champions PPV from Philly....did I mention that this was the ONLY night of the year that EVERY title in WWE is at stake? (Just made another couple of extra bucks, thank you very much.)

C.M. Punk vs. Jeff Hardy for the World Heavyweight Title...Hardy REALLY wants this championship and I'm going with Jeff to reach the top of the mountain once again. It's the ground game of Punk vs. the Aeriel artistry of Hardy and while I prefer the ground attack, it just feels like a "Hardy Party" in Philly on Sunday. A Hardy loss may mentally crush Jeff.

Randy Orton vs. HHH vs. John Cena in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Title...the reigning Champ has no advantage whatsoever when entering a 3 way match with every man for himself. HHH is looking for title #14 which is an amazing milestone. The Game should be the favorite in the arena Sunday as I expect the Philly crowd to be tough on Cena. Nonetheless it is a road game for all three men  but I'm going with Orton to retain his WWE Title in a mild upset. As an ode to my hero Michael Cole, this might be a controversial, VINTAGE, Orton win.  

Rey Mysterio vs. My Name is Dolph "I've out punted my coverage with Maria" Ziggler...for the Intercontinental Title...I can't imagine Maria ever interfering on Ziggler's behalf but I've been wrong about other women in my life time. Nonetheless Dolph is hot and building momentum and might beat Rey straight up Sunday but that's not what I think as I'm hanging my black hat on Mysterio to retain the IC Gold. However, just to cover my BBQ lovin' backside, don't be surprised if Ziggler leaves Philly with some Gold. 

Kofi vs. Big Show vs. MVP vs. Carlito vs. Jack Swagger vs. Miz for the U.S. Title in a 6 Way match where, as I understand it, the first man to win via pin or submission leaves as United States Champion. Again, the Champion who is Kofi Kingston for the record, loses all championship advantages in a match of this structure. Kofi retaining against 5 other men doesn't sound likely and your guess as to who wins is as good as mine but just for the heck of it I will go with fellow Oklahoman Jack Swagger. Of course, Jack Swagger does have two names, a front name and a behind name, which may not work in his favor. 

Tommy Dreamer defends the ECW Title against Christian in Tommy's old stomping grounds of Philly from Dreamer's ECW days. That info is all true and makes for a nice story plus I am a fan of Dreamer's passion and dedication but I don't see Sunday being a great day for the Yonkers, N.Y. native. Christian wins the ECW Title this weekend but at the end of the day I wish Christian was a member of Friday Night Smackdown starring Todd Grisham.  

Chris Jericho and a partner of his choosing defend the Undisputed Tag Titles against Legacy, Ted "I'm Not The Million Dollar Man" DiBiase and Cody "If You Will" Rhodes. Obviously, the big question here is who will Jericho not only anoint as his partner but essentially grant that person one half of the Undisputed Tag Titles which is a lofty and lucrative distinction. I'm almost as interested in who Jericho tabs as his partner as I am with the match itself. This one is hard to pick because of the aforementioned unknown element but I'm sticking with Smackdown's Jericho and whoever to defeat Legacy. I just hope that Jericho selects a SD roster member because I am a loyalist to a fault for the team for which I play. 

Mickie James vs. Maryse for the Divas Title...Maryse is only the second ever Divas Champion and has improved greatly over the past several weeks. Maryse some "something" special which you can take any way you choose. Mickie is the better and more experienced wrestler in my opinion but sometimes the better wrestler doesn't always win. This one will be close but I'm a slight lean toward the incumbent. Take the under on the "Puppy" inferences by Jerry "The King" Lawler in this one.

Michelle McCool vs. Melina (sorry, no last name) for the WWE Women's Title...Melina may make this bout sound like the women's final at Wimbledon (she's a screamer ala Sharapova) and will no doubt put her heart into this match Sunday. However, it seems as if McCool mentally NEEDS this title more than does Melina. I look for Michelle McCool to retain the title in what I hope is an athletic, physical Divas bout.

Oh My! The Cleveland Cavaliers' Shaquille O'Neal is the guest host of the live broadcast of Monday Night Raw this week emanating from Washington D.C. Shaq-Daddy is "The Man" and has been a devout WWE fan for years. Monday's Raw should be intriguing to watch as it relates to how "hands on" Shaq will be in D.C.

Do you have any questions for yours truly? I can address them if you write our Q&A section of our BBQ website which is www.jrsbarbq.com. 

I am dabbling into working a little sports talk radio into my week with the local sports talk station here in Norman, Oklahoma which is KREF AM1400. They have streaming, live coverage of all their studio shows all day of which can be accessed on the worldwide web. You can be any where in the world and check it out and even email your questions to the station. I did a little cameo with KREF yesterday and promoted Night of Champions, Shaq on Raw, Todd Grisham on Smackdown, Stocky Balboa's Marina Sauce...O.K. so perhaps some of those aforementioned items were embellishments but I did promote the PPV and Shaq.

In Richmond this week, I recorded some thought on the Great Muta which will be featured on WWEClassics.com soon. I strongly suggest that you sample WWEClassics.com as I truly believe that you won't be disappointed especially if you like old school action and want to relive some of the most significant moments in the ring from the past and remember many of your personal favorite stars and bouts.  

Eat more BBQ and count your blessings. I hope that you will enjoy Friday Night Smackdown and Sunday's Night of Champions.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.