It will be great to be back in the Crescent City this Sunday night for WWE's next PPV offering, Extreme Rules. New Orleans was one of the primary hubs for the Mid South Wrestling territory that I cut my teeth in back in the day. Being able to work in a wrestling territory was the greatest education someone in my profession could ever receive.
New Orleans used to rock in the days when such stars as the Junkyard Dog, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Dick Murdoch, Killer Karl Kox, Butch Reed, the Rock 'n Roll Express, the Midnight Express, Ted DiBiase, Ernie Ladd, Magnum T.A., Terry Taylor, Dr. Death Steve Williams, the Fabulous Freebirds, and, of course, Cowboy Bill Watts, among other greats, were raising Cain in the downtown Municipal Auditorium not to mention on Bourbon Street.
One quick story regarding New Orleans, Dick Murdoch and I were strolling down Bourbon Street after a Thursday night event when Captain Redneck took a shine to a particular young woman who was frequenting a local watering hole. A couple of New Orleans Police Department officers happened to walk in and see us and started a conversation about that night's Mid South event. Murdoch was much more interested in talking to the woman than to the police. One of the policeman leaned over to me and whispered in my ear that Dickie was talking to a man dressed in drag, IE a drag queen, of which many roamed the streets of New Orleans in those days. The officer asked if I was going to warn my somewhat inebriated and slightly obnoxious friend of what he was about to discover and, after hearing the rabid Texas Longhorn fan verbally bash my Oklahoma Sooners for most of our long drive to New Orleans that day, I told one of New Orleans' finest that, of course, I would handle it. However, for some reason I must have forgotten because the great Dick Murdoch discovered that she was a he in a most embarrassing way standing there at the darkened, smoky old bar. Old Dick was a real piece of work.
Now on to my fearless, BBQ'ed predictions that will likely entail some shameless plugs for J.R.'s Family BBQ in Norman, Oklahoma:
The much anticipated Hog Pen match fearing Raw G.M. Vickie Guerrero vs. "Santina Marella" (sort of ties in to the Murdoch story)....I'm picking Vickie to get "slopped' but to retain the title of "Miss Wrestlemania." Hopefully Cole and Lawler can throw in an obligatory "pulled pork" reference there somewhere.
United States Title in a Fatal Fourway....Kofi Kingston retains defeating MVP, William Regal, and Matt "he of terminal, broken metacarpals" Hardy. Kofi is going to evolve into a major star in WWE and he's not losing the U.S Title 6 days after winning it, right? The dangerous element in these multiple participant bouts is that the champion doesn't enter with an advantage. First man to score a pin or submission wins so keep that in mind.
John Cena vs. Big Show in a Submission Match. By simply doing the math I'm going with Show. No STF=no win for Cena unless he's able to pull the proverbial rabbit out of his cap. Will Cena introduce a new submission maneuver Sunday night or will Cena tap or lose consciousness to the World's Largest Athlete's lethal submission hold.
Triple Threat Match for the ECW Title.....Tommy Dreamer shocks the world and then cries. I hope that I'm right on at least the first part of this prediction as I'm picking against a fellow Okie in Jack Swagger. Dreamer has earned this potential "moment."
WWE Title-Steel Cage Match- For the record, why can't it just be a cage match? Why does it have to be a "steel" cage match? What else would a cage be made of, brisket?? I'm going with Orton to beat Batista come hell or high water.
Samoan Strap Match- Umaga vs. C.M. Punk....again, do the math. How does a man the size of Punk drag a 350 pounder around the ring and touch all four top turnbuckles in succession? I love Punk's toughness but how many ribs can one man eat? Umaga wins his match with his strap made with his leather from his island. Case closed.
Intercontinental Title-No Holds Barred- Rey Mysterio defending against Chris Jericho. What holds are usually barred by the way? Never mind....I'm going with Jericho. I don't think it will be a good night for our amigo Rey.
World Title Bout-Ladder Match- Edge defending against Jeff Hardy. I hope this match closes the show but even if it doesn't I doubt that it can be followed. For my Smackdown eyes, this is the clear cut main event. Now that I've stepped off the soap box, I'm going with Edge to retain the title. I think this match has "classic" written all over it and could easily go Jeff's way. Edge just feels bullet proof these days and sometimes Jeff takes that one chance too many and one chance too many in a Ladder Match can be fatal. Nonetheless, I can't think of two better men to compete in a Ladder Match for the World Title than Edge and Jeff Hardy.
Hurricane Katrina was brutal to the great city of New Orleans and I hope that the folks in New Orleans and the surrounding area will join us Sunday night for some fun and excitement. Lord knows the folks of Louisiana deserve it.
I do think that Extreme Rules will leave many fans talking and that the landscape of the WWE will be greatly affected by Sunday's results.
We are writing blogs, answering Q&A's, and offering some great deals on our BBQ products at our "Q" website that I invite you to visit, www.jrsbarbq.com.
Todd "I Love My Hair Gel" Grisham and I will be ready to rock Sunday in New Orleans, Monday night in Lafayette for WWE Superstars, and Tuesday night in Biloxi for the taping of Friday Night Smackdown. BTW Smackdown will again this week will be WWE's most exciting and dominate television program but don't take my word for it. Watch it for yourself.
It's funny but every town we travel to, especially in the South, for me, has it's own unique and individual memories. I remember playing dominoes with WWE HOF'er Ernie "The Big Cat" Ladd in Lafayette and hearing future NFL HOF'er and all time great quarterback Brett Favre telling me about attending wrestling events in Biloxi and saying how he cheered for the Fabulous Freebirds when the majority of fans were booing the 'Birds out of the building.
I expect some of my friends from the New Orleans Saints to be in the arena Sunday night and I hope that you enjoy "Extreme Rules" too.
Have a great week and always count your blessings.
I escaped from L.A. and am safely back in the friendly confines of my comfort zone of Norman, Oklahoma and J.R.'s Family BBQ with the Mrs. and our cat "The Mick" .... named after Mickey Mantle for you conspiracy theorists.
Changing our TV venues from Colorado to California took a magnificent effort from all the men and women who work behind the scenes at WWE and who often don't get to many "attaboys." For me, I had to tag out of taking my granddaughters to see a performance of "The Lion King" in Oklahoma City on Sunday to fly west but they still enjoyed the show except without "Grandpa." Poor me, ala Tony Soprano, as the people that have to do the real work made the amazing sacrifices and my black hat is tipped to them.
Working the full, two hour Raw with Michael "Oh, My" Cole Monday night was fun. The broadcast was unique, to say the least, but nonetheless I liked teaming with Cole who will get his regular partner, Jerry Lawler, back this Monday in Birmingham, Alabama home to Dreamland BBQ. Their commentary will no doubt be "vintage."
The King, who's giving yours truly a ride from Birmingham to Memphis after Raw on Monday night, wore #48 on his Lakers' jersey Monday night in honor of our pal Travis Hafner, designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians. WWE tapes ECW and Smackdown this Tuesday night in Memphis for the record.
Candice Michelle surprised many with a backstage appearance in L.A. and even worked out in the ring a little in the afternoon. Candice is still recovering from injuries but is hopeful to be able to return to Friday Night Smackdown soon.
Hey, that Mickey Rourke fellow may be a talented, Oscar nominated artist but he is one strange dude or so he seems to me. I know that Rourke starring in "The Wrestler" earned his respect for the genre of sports entertainment of which I appeciate. I also respect that Rourke doesn't hide that he is a quasi fan and doesn't use his national media opportunities negatively to bash the genre. Wish I could say the same for some of the smug, aloof ESPN talking heads. But 'Ol Mick is a bit eccentric not that there is any thing wrong with that.
Hey, E. Stanley, didn't you used to be "Billionaire Ted?" Just curious but I didn't think so.
WWE 24/7 has one of my favorite features on all of WWE produced TV these days entitled "The Film Room with Gordon Solie." I do a read bridging the action/interviews that have been largely documented on film, not video tape, from a golden era of wrestling. The latest feature will be on former 8X NWA Champion Harley Race featuring some classic Race battles. Watching WWE 24/7 is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time.
Friday Night Smackdown is loaded with in ring action this Friday night on MyNetworkTV. Just a head's up.
The John Morrison vs. Umaga bout on Friday Night Smackdown is an interesting one utilizing some old school strategy by both men.
Compelling night for both Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy without spoiling the festivities for those of you that like to watch the show without being preconditioned.
Even though the World's Greatest Tag Team, or should I say the team formerly known as WGTT, will be utilized largely in one on one bouts in the extended future. Charlie Haas has physical potential especially when he stays focused, physical and verbally aggressive. Shelton Benjamin is simply so athletically gifted that I still firmly believe that he will be a future World's Champion some day.
I was reminded Monday night of my experience regarding a "Hog Pen" match many years ago in Hershey, Pa pitting HHH vs. Henry Godwin in a legit hog pen filled with actual hogs and their "waste." It was not a pretty sight, it didn't smell like walking into J.R.'s and immersing ones self in the aroma of hickory smoked BBQ. I almost found myself face first in the hog wallow wearing a nifty pair of bib overalls and knee high rubber boots. I'm sure some thought it was "entertaining" which is really all this genre is all about isn't it boys and girls?? Miss Wrestlemania Vickie Guerrero vs. "Santina" Marella will do battle in the most unique setting one can imagine at Extreme Rules.
Read where Mickey James wore a wrestling mask ala Rey Mysterio in Mexico recently at a sold out, WWE event in Monterrey that was attended by over 14,000 fans and amassed over a half a million dollars at the box office. My question would be, why, Mickey, why? I wouldn't want to see any one cover up the lovely James' face but that's just one man's opinion. Might have been just a one time deal.
I'm getting ready to do some work for WWE.comtalking about some of wrestling's greatest villains including WWE HOF'er Freddie Blassie and future HOF'er Arn Anderson. The one thing that both these two, hugely talented men had in common and an intangible that is essential in being a great, wrestling villain is that one has to "feel" it and "embrace" being strongly disliked by the vast majority of the paying customers. I look forward to talking about this matter.
We now have our "Original J.R.'s BBQ Sauce available in 18 ounce, plastic bottles available at www.jrsbarbq.com. I hope that you will check out our website and email your questions or comments about what ever is on your mine.
If you watch Friday Night Smackdown you will quickly see why it once again is the show of the week and has been rated "4 Gloves" by the prestigious Stocky Balboa Institute.
Two of WWE's most potential, long term stars reside on ECW. No, I'm not referring to Josh "Nose Bleed" Mathews or his trusted sidekick, Matt "My Thesaurus is bigger than your Thesaurus" Striker, but Jack Swagger and David Hart Smith, in my opinion. both are big, strong, agile, and can wrestle a variety of styles which will body them well if they can avoid the injury bug and remain ruthlessly aggressive.
BTW Striker and Mathews are doing a great job on Tuesday nights and just well may be the long term future of WWE TV broadcasters.
Great seeing and getting a moment to visit with WWE HOF'er Ric Flair Monday in the Staples Center as he confronted Randy Orton. Naitch is still dying to step back in the ring and wrestle which may be the never ending tale until he finally does don the boots again somewhere, some time. I would rather not see Ric bouncing around a wrestling ring on a regular basis but I do have great respect for his passion for what he has made his life's work even though at 60 one would think an average guy would want to slow down. Ric Flair is, however, no average guy.
I'm in the process of trying ot figure out how to get from Lincoln, Nebraska to Sheffield, England in November following the epic Oklahoma at Nebraska football classic. This will be in route to a TV taping in Sheffield that will require a car trip from Manchester. A fella's got to have his prioritites, right?
Anxious to get back down to my old Mid South Wrestling stomping grounds of New Orleans in a few days for "Extreme Rules" from the New Orleans Arena. I hope the fans there enjoy the show in a city that is still reeling from Hurricane Katrina which is worse than Hurricane Helms text messaging jokes. I can assure you that Mid South was "extreme" long before the original ECW or the term "Extreme" was ever utilized regularly in the biz.
Wow ... what a crazy week! Nothing like not knowing where one is traveling until a few hours before one has to leave. After 30-plus years in this wacky business, I've learned to roll with the punches and thus made stops in Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati before flying back into OKC Wednesday morning after a five-day trip.
What was my first stop upon arriving back in the Sooner state? ... J.R.'s Family BBQ in Norman, Okla., of course, for some much needed comfort food.
I thought I had a challenging week until I thought of the many, many 18-wheelers that carry WWE equipment that headed West from Cincy, presumably to Denver, but instead are now in route to Los Angeles. Plus all of the airplane tickets that had to be changed which is a nightmare for the hard working folks at WWE travel.
A couple of WWE staffers were going to ride their motorcycles from OKC to Denver while a Superstar I know was going to have his cycle shipped to Denver and ride it back to the Midwest. The best laid plans ...
Yours truly felt like "The Sopranos" Silvio Dante when he recited a line from "The Godfather" and said, "Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in" after being called out of the bullpen Monday night after Big Show demolished Jerry Lawler for no viable reason other than the 500 pounder could to join Michael Cole on commentary.
Working along side Michael was fun and I hope that those of you that watched Raw enjoyed the two of us trying to keep up with all the action and developments on Raw.
If not, "Oh, my."
Speaking of "Uncle Jerry" Lawler, he would MUCH rather wrestle than announce and would likely give up broadcasting in a heart beat to wrestle regularly on WWE TV. Jerry wrestles a bunch in the indepedent world and still sells tickets.
Certainly Raw is a different animal than is Friday Night SmackDown as Mondays are paced differently and have more verbal interaction between Superstars than does SD.
Many people were wondering what I was doing in Louisville in the first place and "how convenient" it was that I just happened to be standing by. The answer is that we taped our Superstars bout between C.M. Punk vs. Chris Jericho Monday night at Freedom Hall. Plus, I have friends in Louisville who I wanted to see and we were a manageable drive away, 100 miles, from our next stop, Cincinnati, where Friday Night SmackDown emanated.
I'm not sure what is going to happen this Monday night in the Staples Center where Raw will be live on the USA Network as it relates to the commentary team seeing as though King is in the main event, a 10 man tag team bout. I have to be there any way so perhaps I will be called upon again to assist Cole. Who knows? If not I will watch the show backstage with Dr. Joe E. Styles and we can form a team to "Monday morning quarterback" what we are seeing and "knock people" from our past. (come on...loosen up...you know that we would NEVER do that and that those are simply feeble attempts at humor......don't you?)
One has to feel badly for WWE fans of Colorado who got multiple events cancelled due to the much publicized scheduling snafu with the Pepsi Center in Denver. One doesn't have to be their class valedictorian to figure out that Denver Nuggets and Pepsi Center owner Phil Kroenke won't have, shall we say, a "positive light" shining on him Monday night on Raw in Los Angeles. I don't think that I am going out on a limb on that assumption.
Matt Hardy allegedly has 3 broken "metacarpal" bones in his hand. For those fans who hang on every word spoken, I think I mispronounced such on Monday Night. Shame on me.
And to think that I once made A's in both Human Applied Anatomy and Kinesiology in college.
Friday Night Smackdown is another solid outing on MyNetworkTV this week. Todd "Ocho Cinco" Grisham has another stellar night from the home of the Cincinnati Bengals. I took young Todd to lunch at the world famous Montgomery Inn BBQ out near the Cincy Airport and much to my chagrin it was a disappointment. The last time I was there the food was great but someone in the kitchen dropped the ball as the ribs and pulled pork were "sauced" to death. Bummer.
There are no surprises why the great Brett Favre saw Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama to get his biceps tendon evaluated. Andrews is simply the best in the world at what he does and has "repaired" many, many wrestlers over the years not to mention some of the biggest names in main stream sports.
It looks like T.G. (Todd Grisham...not tons o' gel) and I will be making most of the Monday Raw events as that is where many of our WWE Superstars bouts that air on Thursday nights on WGN America will be taped.
Dolph Ziggler is rapidly climbing the ladder on SD and has tons of potential. This week I describe Ziggler as "rudely perfect" and wonder how many fans will get it when they hear it? Dolph has a great amateur background which compliments his in ring style. I'm not saying that Ziggler isn't a little overbearing but no one can deny the young man's physical skills.
John Morrison, he of "Mojo Rising" references, may be the hottest up and coming performer in all WWE. Morrison seems to have a nice balance between the "high risk" style of offense and a really solid ground game. the key word is "balance." Morrison also was a skilled, amateur wrestler who also began competing in gymnastics as a young boy.
It looks like we are getting closer to the epic, in ring battle between Layla and Eve (unfortunately neither lady has a viable last name) on Friday Night SmackDown. This may rival Elvira Snodgrass vs. June Byers from MANY moons ago....or so I read. The Fink could provide us more info on that matter being the accomplished "historian" that he is. Plus, Howard will gladly field any New York Mets or Jets questions that you may have. The Jets might be fun to watch this NFL season but many feel that the Mets will fold like an accordion as usual before the World Series rolls around.
Back to the Divas, this Friday night Gail Kim faces Michelle McCool to determine the #1 contnder for Melina's WWE Women's Title. At least Gail and Michelle have last names.
We are excited to be switching from glass bottles to plastic bottles for our BBQ Sauces and our Chipolte Ketchup in the very near future. We think that our Original Sauce will be available in the plastic bottles as early as next week. We also are selling a ton of our locally made to our recipe J.R.'s Beef Jerky which is a nice, healthy, low carb snack on our BBQ website. Our dry rub is also available on the site and it is the only seasoning we use on much of our smoked meats including our new smoked chicken which is so moist, tender, and healthy. Don't you wish you were sitting at J.R.'s now? Check out our many items in our store plus our blogs and Question & Answer section of our site at www.jrsbarbq.com.
Just a suggestion but I think Joe E. Styles, or Stocky Balboa, who looks amazingly like the Doctor of Dot Com, should handle ALL the announcing at "Extreme Rules" because who is more "extreme" when it comes to broadcasting than the man who gave the term, "CATFIGHT!!!" historical significance?
Yes, I did predict that Big Show will defeat John Cena in their submission only match at "Extreme Rules" down in New Orleans in a couple of weeks. Time will tell on this one but my picks are usually much better in college football than they are for WWE contests.
Rey Mysterio tells us why his mask is so important to his heritage and his career on Friday Night SmackDown during an interview with yours truly. The history of masked, luchadors is intriguing.
Rumor has it that Alicia Fox' (that's A. Fox to her closest friends) hair was arrested Tuesday in Cincy for allegedly being "out of control." Probably just another of those damn, Internet rumors.
It's been a busy week around the Ross Ponderosa here in Oklahoma. dodging tornadoes and selling plenty of "Q" while doing my homework for this Sunday's PPV in Chicago known as Judgment Day.
Here are a few predictions and slow, smoked random thoughts:
The Quiznos TV ads where the oven is talking to the young, male cook are spooky. Somebody might have been standing too closer to the smoker when those ads were created.
According to WWE.com, Shad of Cryme Tyme fame allegedly has the "hots" for Eve of Friday Night SmackDown fame. Wow, now that's a revelation considering most healthy men do have more than the casual "wondering eye" (no offense to Jack Elam) to the former Southern Cal coed.
Melina will not grace the cover of any milk cartons nor is she living in Arizona under an assumed name as the WWE Women's Champion will make an emotional return to Friday Night SmackDown this week, and will compete in tag team action.
I watched an old tape, from the mid '70s of a young Bruiser Brody and the rugged Brody and SD's Mike Knox do have some of the same tendencies.
John Morrison did a nice job on commentary Thursday night on "WWE Superstars" on WGN America. Morrison has the chance to be one of a handful of potential "break through" stars on SmackDown in 2009.
Morrison was the one with the flowing, long locks, while yours truly was wearing a black hat, and the other guy, TG, had the head full of hair gel.
Batista will not win the WWE Title Sunday at Judgment Day. Want to know why? Just keep reading.
John Cena is obviously not 100 percent physically ready to compete in Chicago against a near 500-pound mammoth of a man which leads me to lean to a Big Show victory against Cena this Sunday. Bottom line, as Stone Cold used to say, is that I don't see Cena leaving the All State Arena in good shape Sunday evening a few minutes past supper time.
I could tie in Judgment Day with a Last Supper reference here, but I choose not to go there ... thank you very much.
Christian vs. Jack Swagger for the ECW Title should be an exciting bout that I see Swagger winning and regaining his ECW Title. Christian can retain if he can confuse and out quick the young Oklahoman, but few in WWE can handle Swagger in a straight up wrestling bout. I'm looking forward to watching this match from our plushy seats at ringside complete with tepid, bottled water.
Swagger's former, Sooner roommate and current Chicago Bear defensive lineman Dusty Dvorachek will be sitting at ringside alongside Bears' All Pro D-tackle Tommie Harris, so perhaps the Oklahoma crowd will bring Perry, Okla.'s Swagger some good luck.
For you baseball fans, word on the street is that Alfonso Soriano of the Cubbies may attend as well. Of course, this is just one of those "Internet rumors" so who knows if it will actually materialize?
Yours truly will join some of the Chicago Bears Saturday evening for some red meat in steak happy Chicago. This will ensure that my tank is full for Sunday's PPV. It will be game day, as The Rock used to say on PPV Sundays, and I have to be prepared to hang with Alabama Crimson Tide fan Todd (that's 2 D's) Grisham in one of my favorite cities in the world.
Were you as impressed with the impact made by the newest rendition of the "Hart Foundation" Tuesday night on ECW as was I? I don't know what David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd, and Natalya Neidhart will call their faction, but they turned many heads within WWE Tuesday night. This Canadian trio should add ample "spice" to the ECW weekly offering starring Josh "Is My Nose Bleeding?" Mathews and Matt "I'm Smarter than You Are" Striker ... two of my favorite broadcasters.
The Miz continues to impress on Monday night's both on the mic and in the ring. If Miz can stay on his current "roll" then by WrestleMania time, Miz might find himself in rarefied air. Don't roll your eyes my pulled pork eating friends, it could happen.
Another Judgment Day prediction ... The King will wear a T-shirt ... likely black ... and will have his "Clark Kent" spit curl well in place for any photo op that might come his way.
That's "Vintage" stuff.
WWE.com is posting HUGE numbers, and many may try and impress the WWE Board of Directors by taking credit for WWE.com's success. But let's be honest about this matter. The success of WWE.com can be easily contributed to four people. The men behind the success of this ever-growing venture are: Al Gore, who, as we all know, discovered the Internet, newsman/TV personality Bill Kurtis who has made the Internet cool with his TV ads, WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel who is really the "big toe" of this entity, and, of course, Dr. Joe E. Styles who keeps every one on point and motivated with the occasional and unpredictable streak through the office embellished by the shrieking of "CATFIGHT" from time to time. Congrats, gentlemen, for a job well done.
Jeff Hardy's chances of beating Edge for the World Title at Judgment Day may be akin to a basketball team who lives and dies with their three-point shooting. As Marv Albert might say, while wearing men's clothing, Jeff wins by going "Downtown!" This title bout should be spectacular, but I see Edge retaining his title. But remember that I am rarely correct in these predictions, but it does make it easier for me to write a blog on PPV weeks.
C.M. Punk returns to his hometown to face The Samoan Bulldozer and surely, I know ... don't call me Shirley, Punk won't lose in his hometown, will he? I think it will be an uphill struggle for "Chicago Made," but if he does lose, he's still got his Money in the Bank contract that he can cash in whenever he chooses and why not in his hometown??
The Intercontinental Title is up for grabs when champion Rey Mysterio faces conspiracy theorist Chris Jericho. Jericho wants everyone's respect perhaps more than he does the IC Title, or so it seems at times. I like Jericho's chances in this one, but Rey seems to always defy the odds so my brisket is on Mr. 619.
I would love to see WWE add a Jesse Ventura vs. former Vice President Dick Cheney (very aptly named gentleman) to this Sunday's event, but apparently Dick's not up for it. Bad heart you know. Ventura lashed out in the news media at Cheney this week over the whole water boarding fiasco but enough of that nonsense. I'll let cunning Keith Olbermann and battling Bill O'Reilly handle that business.
I miss "The Sopranos" and "Deadwood." Just thought I would throw that in because this is my blog you know.
That means the obligatory mention of our BBQ Web site, www.jrsbarbq.com is forthcoming. Check us out for our weekly blogs and our Question & Answer section of the site. We also have several, price friendly specials in our on line store that never closes. We ship within hours of receiving your orders or my sister-in-law gets no holiday gifts.
And the reason that Batista won't win the WWE Title at Judgment Day is ... FOCUS. The Animal is so focused on maiming Mr. RKO that I see Big Dave making a tactical error that costs him big time Sunday. However, I also see Batista beating Randall Orton up like a government mule, too. Could actually get nasty.
Thanks for stopping by and come back and see us. I look forward as always to seeing the WWE fans Sunday in Chicago and Tuesday in Cincinnati. Not sure what to treat myself to in Cincy, Skyline Chili or Montgomery Inn BBQ. I will be traveling with young Matt Striker and, because he is smarter than the rest of us, I will let him make the call.
Random BBQ'ed thoughts from under the custom made, black Oklahoma hat.
This week's Friday Night Smackdown emanates from the Igloo in Pittsburgh, home of Sid "the Kid" Crosby, yes we watch hockey in Oklahoma, and it is a broadcast that continues to establish rivalries and begin to establish newly drafted competitors to the Friday night brand.
And yes, it's still a hotter show than Monday Night Raw. O.K. so I'm not overly objective about the team for which I play. Is that so wrong? Should a man not be passionate about his brand? Can I not show my feelings? Is it so wrong for a man to cry?
Lighten Up Francis.
The main event Friday night between #1 contender Jeff Hardy and the "disrespected" Chris Jericho is a stout, two segment bout.
Jericho is so talented both athletically and verbally but the verbal aspect of his game is wearing thin on many. It might be akin to taking a long, van trip with Cryme Tyme and a couple of Divas and having to stop for coffee every time one saw a Starbucks. After a few hours, no matter how entertaining the journey was when it started, it would get old.
C.M. (Chicago Made) Punk is looking forward to his return to the Windy City for Judgment Day (what in the hell ever happened to the "E" in Judgment anyway??) in his home town. Punk is attitudinal and talented and needs more mic time because his outspoken nature is entertaining or at least it is to me.
I expect several members of the Chicago Bears, some of them former OU Sooners, to attend the PPV in the All State arena which is one of the most amazing venues in the world to see WWE in person.
Rey Mysterio is elated to be back on Friday Night Smackdown and I can't think of any WWE Superstar who has developed more popularity on the Friday night broadcast than the masked underdog of all peoples. We have a silver, Mysterio mask Rey wore when he returned from injury last year at Summerslam that is beautifully framed for display at J.R.s Family BBQ in Norman. This was a gracious gift from Rey and it is most appreciated. Thanks Rey!
If John Morrison has displayed some young, HBK tendencies at times, then the Shaman isn't the only young Smackdown star who reminds yours truly of other famous wrestlers of yesteryear.
Dolph Ziggler has a little young "Mr. Perfect" in him and I'm not just talking about his hair color. Ziggler is cocky, confident and athletic just like Curt Hennig was.
Big, raw boned Mike Knox reminds me of a young Frank Goodish aka Bruiser Brody circa the mid 70's. Goodish/Brody was a big man who was athletic, quick for his size, had great balance, and a mean streak. Plus the behind the scenes Goodish/Brody was very well read and had a high IQ. Knox at this stage of his game has similar traits.
Only time will tell if Morrison, Ziggler, and Knox achieve the same level of success of the men of which they remind me.
Today I was at our BBQ joint enjoying a sampling of hickory smoked chicken, pulled pork, and chopped brisket (no eye rolling please) and I had the opportunity to meet some WWE fans from the Atlanta area. They had just flown from Atlanta to OKC to attend the graduation ceremony at Oklahoma State which is only a little over an hour and change north of our place. We had a nice visit and they encouraged us to put a J.R.'s in Atlanta. Who knows, some day it might happen.
BTW all foods at J.R.'s Family BBQ are Major League Baseball "approved" which means that newly suspended Manny Ramirez can dine at J.R.'s all he wants with no worries and Manny's first meal is on me. Manny can play baseball but obviously Manny isn't too bright. Of course, even after his hiatus Manny will still make about $34M this year which is a bunch of BBQ. So much for "Mannywood."
Why is Umaga so seemingly hellbent on destroying C.M. Punk? I don't get it. I think dot com guru Dr. Joe E. Styles should dispatch either Stocky Balboa or HOF'er Howard Finkel to get an exclusive with Umaga even if they have to fly to the "ISLE" of Samoa. Sure beats the "ISLE" of Malta this time of year. I guarantee you that "The Fink" could find an inexpensive airfare which would be even less than some executive's lunches in New York City.
Wow...what happened to Charlie Haas? The native Okie and grad of Seton Hall had his most physically aggressive outing in a WWE ring in years this week on Smackdown. Watch this week and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Did you know? Ricky Ortiz is now a member of the Friday Night Smackdown roster? "Sources say" that Ortiz isn't too popular in the locker room but I have no idea why nor do I know if that "rumor" is true. Might be the rally towel.
Edge does color commentary with Todd Grisham and me on Friday night during the Jeff-Jericho main event. Edge has a future at the announce desk after his wrestling days have ended. I've worked with the best in the business over the last 30+ years and I will assure you that Edge could quickly rise to the level of many of the men that I have broadcast with and do so in a short length of time.
ESPN's Rachel Nichols being assigned to go to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to report on the Bret Favre situation feels about as out of place as the Great Khali being selected to read the great works of Hemingway to elementary school kids in the Carolinas. I'm happy that Bret is staying retired even though he would have had a blast playing with Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. I'll bet little Rachel didn't have any BBQ while down in Mississippi.
Curt Hawkins has a new "make over" and wait until you see it. Check that, it's Zach Ryder who has the new "make over" and Ryder wrestles Thursday night on WGN America on WWE Superstars. I guess I answered my own question as to why Hawkins and Ryder needed new looks. Both are much better wrestlers than some folks perceive and now that they are on their own I think we will be pleasantly surprised at how well they both do.
Don't adjust your TV sets, it's just the multiple, color patterns worn by ECW broadcaster Josh Mathews (if that is his real name.) I jest....Josh is a good young man who is going to evolve into a broadcasting fixture in WWE unless he picks up Dusty Rhodes' lisp from working with "The Dream" on broadcasts down in Tampa. Mathews and Matt Striker are fun to listen to on ECW even though Striker is a self professed wrestling nerd which isn't really a bad thing.
Nothing like watching the inmates run the asylum on Raw as WWE Champion Randall Orton and Legacy apparently are doing. GM Vickie Guerrero better grasp the bull by the horns before the "Most Watched Show in the History of the World on Cable TV" implodes.
Speaking of the train wreck known as Raw, why wouldn't WWE officials intervene when Big Show was annihilating John Cena Monday night knowing full well that Cena was on the "injured list?"
When will TMZ report of the alleged relationship between MVP and "The View's" Sherri Shepherd? What, there's no relationship? That's not what I heard. As a matter of fact, Michael Cole inferred to me that the charismatic duo washaving a "Vintage" relationship. Charismatic duo as in MVP and Sherri and NOT Cole and King. Oh, my!
Why isn't WWE.com Shop selling Jerry Lawler T shirts? The King wears new "Kingwear" seemingly every week on Raw almost begging for WWE to sell its first ever Jerry Lawler shirt. Nothing like a man who takes great pains in what he wears on global TV.....a new T shirt every week. Now that's dedication.
Just so you're aware, if Eve and Layla ever do have a real wrestling match T.G. (Todd Grisham) has told me he's going to shriek "CATFIGHT" ala one of my heroes, Joe E. Styles, but I have advised T.G. that he can't follow Joe and to just.......let it go.
This week we return to Dayton, Ohio for our Smackdown taping on Tuesday night. This was the city in 1993 that I broadcast the King of the Ring won by the WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling Icon Bret "Hitman" Hart right before I mysteriously disappeared from the PPV scene for an extended amount of time. I guess I didn't have such a great night as I seemingly joined Henry Hill in the witness protection program after that event. What a chapter that will be in my unpublished memoirs.....BROTHER!!
A couple of my blogs created a little controversey this week on www.jrsbarbq.com but such is life. Read them for yourself and you be the judge. We also sell the world's best BBQ Sauce plus autographed caps and cookbooks on our small, BBQ site as well.
