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JR's Blog: J. R. Visits With Stan Hansen...Q&A's Are Updated...Misawa's Death

JR's Blog:  J. R. Visits With Stan Hansen...Q&A's Are Updated...Misawa's Death

Posted: Jun 14th 2009 By: CMBurnham

It feels as if I just got home and now it's time to pack and leave Sunday for a flight to Charlotte where all three WWE brands will be a part of Raw's 3 For All Monday night on the USA Network. It starts one hour early and it seems that most people usually forget the early start time. Perhaps if one specific match was advertised to kick off the night it would give the viewers something tangible to remember other than Raw is starting one hour early. BBQ'ed Random Thoughts...

I had a great phone conversation with the legendary Stan "The Lariat" Hansen from his home in Waco, Texas on Friday. Stan was up my way in OKC a few weeks ago while his son Shaver was playing baseball for the Baylor Bears in the Big 12 Tournament but we were unable to hook up. Stan, 60 years old, is doing great and making a few autograph conventions from time to time and getting ready to watch his younger son play college baseball for the University of Texas at Arlington. We talked old times specifically when Stan and Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish were a young, physical tag team in Mid South Wrestling for Bill Watts. Watts wanted to separate the two big bruisers which they did not like. Stan told me that even though both he and Brody were not willing to split at that time that they both realized years later that Watts was correct when he said that both men would make much more money as single stars than as a tag team. Hansen and Goodish/Brody had an eventful, short run in Memphis that ended not long after they wrestled the team of Jerry Lawler and Austin Idol. Idol told Lawler that if Idol ever had to wrestle either Hansen or Brody again that Idol was quitting the wrestling business for good. Indeed, Stan Hansen and Bruiser Brody were physical, athletic, big men who asked no quarter and certainly gave none. I actually refereed many of their matches in the mid 70's. Hansen delivered the most devastating close line I ever witnessed and I have seen a few including JBL's "Close Line from Hell."

Stan's son Shaver was the 6th round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball and is a power hitting 3rd baseman. I have promised to buy the BBQ the next time Stan and his family are in Norman of which I look forward.

Mitsuharu Misawa was never an acquaintance of mine but I felt like I knew him from watching many of his DVD's which were usually with men that I did know. Misawa was arguably the best in ring performer in the world in his prime.

First of all, Misawa knew how to wrestle and how to wrestle physically. The fundamentals had been drilled into this legend as a young man who went on to become a Japanese National Amateur Champion. Several things stood out to me about Misawa.

In addition to be a physical, fundamentally sound athlete, timing and toughness were two of his greatest attributes. Great timing is a gift that largely can't be taught. It's like ring psychology. Some of it can be taught but mostly it must be a learned trait and some people are in the business for years and never learn great timing or main event level ring psychology. Toughness is another trait that can be nurtured but generally can't be taught. Misawa was naturally tough and it showed. And his fans loved him for it. They also loved his passion and the emotional ride on which he would take them. That's what pro wrestling is, selling emotion.

Another significant piece of Japanese wrestling history died this weekend. Mitsuharu Misawa apparently died in the very spot that he gained his incredible fame and resounding respect from wrestling fans around the Globe....inside a wrestling ring.

It's a damn shame that the vast majority of American wrestling fans won't give a second thought about the untimely death of "a Japanese wrestler." I encourage all fans to find DVD's of Misawa and watch him in his prime, in the 90's especially. If one is really serious about about being a highly skilled, pro wrestler, then study the late Mitsuharu Misawa.

May he rest in peace.

I have updated our Q&A section of the website. I also deleted a load of tomes that were WAY too long to consider answering. Please be succinct as 3-5 sentences should get it done. Assume I have A.D.D. and keep your questions and comments succinct. Thank you.

Mrs. J.R. and I attended the Toby Keith and Friends fund raiser for Ally's House which supports children with cancer and their families. Lots of my friends were there including former OU and Dallas Cowboys Coach Barry Switzer, current OU Football Coach Bob Stoops, former OU and NFL star Joe Washington and about 20 other former Sooners and NFL stars and Olympian Bart Connor. My friend, ESPN's Nancy Lieberman, whose son T.J. is a big WWE fan, was on hand as was former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens who is always friendly with me even though we kid each other about the Oklahoma-Texas football rivalry as "The Rocket" is a UT alum.

I admire people from all walks of life who volunteer to be a part of any worthwhile cause. Science has proven, by the way, that people who volunteer their time to help others actually live longer. For the record, one doesn't have to be a "celebrity" to be a volunteer.

We have some NEW, Camo shirts for ladies in stock as well as some cool looking Camo caps for men and women one of which I wore today to J.R.'s Family BBQ and got some favorable feedback. Take a look at them and remember that we are selling a case of affordable, delicious "J.R.'s Original BBQ Sauce" and WE pay the shipping to selected areas.

WWE had a huge, sellout of over 14,000 fans at an outdoor stadium in Nimes, France Saturday night that grossed well over $800,000 to see the superstars of Raw in person. The crew will arrive back in the States on Sunday and then have to gear up for a 3 hour Raw on Monday. Whew.

I haven't commented much on the Umaga situation here but I have addressed that matter and many similar issues in the Q&A section. Nonetheless, I have been asked what is next for Umaga? I don't have an answer as the man himself is the only one who can provide that info. I do hope that Umaga takes the time to carefully think things through and to evaluate all aspects of his life and not just his wrestling career. Umaga has been blessed with many athletic skills but nothing compares to the blessings of having a wonderful family which has to come first in any of our major decisions.

Can you believe that we still get a ton of emails about the "Montreal Screw Job" of November 1997? Did you know that WWE will be back in Montreal on September 13 for a PPV? Will 1997 somehow be revisited in the ring? I don't have a clue but if so it will continue to feed this "12 year old monster" that seemingly has a life of its own. For the record, the last time I talked to Bret Hart "the Montreal Screw Job" wasn't at the center of our conversation.

What ever happens on September 13 happens as my biggest concern about that September date is getting there the day of the event after watching OU play football in Norman the day before. It will be another travel adventure due to football. Priorities, folks.

Hey, Raw starts an hour early this Monday and you wouldn't want to miss a Friday Night Smackdown offering which theoretically could go on in the first hour. Todd Grisham is likely to wear a new suit and considering we had zero on-cameras Thursday or Friday night, I told him working with me might be the kiss of death, we're due. I'll be the Okie in the black hat.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

 

Tags: Jim Ross, Stan Hansen, Bruiser Brody, MSW, Bill Watts, Jerry Lawler

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Spotlight in History

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  • 2003 Sonny C def. Rocco Valentino for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
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Week of Sun 03-24 to Sat: 03-30

  • 03-24 1978 Dale Valentine def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-24 1978 Steven Little Bear & Ray Candy became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 03-24 1979 Charlie Cook def. Ron Bass for the TSW Arkansas Champion
  • 03-24 1986 Lance Von Erich def. Buddy Roberts for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 03-24 1999 Tarantula def. Grunt for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-24 2001 Miss Venom def. Heather Savage for the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 03-24 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. Legion (Rob Cabella & Samedi) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 03-24 2019 The Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) became the ASP Tag Team Champions
  • 03-24 2023 Stormi Renee def. Erica for the CPW Women’s Champion
  • 03-24 2024 Malik Mayfield became the ASP Livestream Champion
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  • 03-25 1983 Terry Gordy def. The Great Kabuki for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 03-25 1988 King Parsons def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Champion
  • 03-25 2000 Bull Schmitt def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-25 2000 Ichiban [2nd] def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-25 2016 Mascara La Parka def. Korvin Sage for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 03-25 2016 The Mid-South Express (Tyson Jaymes & Will Chambers) def. The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 03-25 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 03-25 2017 Nikki Knight became the ASP Women's Champion
  • 03-25 2017 Fuego del Sol became the IWR Revolutionary Champion
  • 03-25 2018 Adam Patrick def. Brock Landers for the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 03-25 2023 Pyro def. Dr. Corvus for the WAH Hunger Dojo Champion
  • 03-26 1956 Bull Curry def. Don Evans for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 03-26 1977 The Medics (Medic 1 & Medic 2) def. Bob Sweetan & Tony Rocco for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 03-26 1980 Bull Ramos def. Mike Sharpe, Jr. for the MSW Mississippi Champion
  • 03-26 1995 Wild Maverick became the PZWA Junior Heavyweight Title Champion
  • 03-26 2010 Dutch Hagen def. Shane Morbid for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Champion
  • 03-26 2011 The Saints of Twilight (Ignition & Reckless) def. Cold Blooded Chris & Max McGuirk for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 03-26 2011 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Heavyweight Champion
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  • 03-27 1939 John Swenski def. Bob Kenaston for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-27 1952 Marshall Estep became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-27 1967 Fritz Von Erich def. Brute Bernard for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-27 2010 Maniac Mike def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-27 2021 Spike became the WAH Living Hope Champion
  • 03-27 2022 Maui Mike def. Malik Mayfield for the ASP Livestream Champion
  • 03-27 2022 Chosen Influence (Luke Richmond & Malik Mayfield) became the ASP Tag Team Champions
  • 03-27 2022 Mr. Nasty became the ASP 5-Star Champion
  • 03-28 1983 King Parsons def. Tola Yatsu for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 03-28 2003 Sonny C def. Rocco Valentino for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-28 2004 Ty Magnus & Li'l Joe def. X2C (Cade Sydal & X-Cal) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-28 2004 Chris Matthews def. Angel Williams for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-28 2021 Maui Mike became the ASP Livestream Champion
  • 03-29 1968 Spoiler #1 def. Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-29 1976 Buck Robley & Bob Slaughter def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 03-29 1982 Bugsy McGraw def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 03-29 2008 Anthony Jackson def. The Canadian Red Devil for the FCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-29 2008 La M (Jesus Rodriguez & El Choppo) def. The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) for the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 03-29 2008 Al Farat def. Thug Nasty for the UWF06 Violent Division Champion
  • 03-29 2008 Carnage def. Slash for the GPCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 03-29 2008 Xavior def. Jeff Knight for the GPCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 03-29 2014 Bud Barnes def. Tyson Jaymes for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 03-29 2014 David Kyzer def. L. J. McDaniels for the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 03-29 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-29 2014 Rick Russo def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-29 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-29 2014 Rick Russo def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-29 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 03-30 1981 Bob Sweetan def. Mike George for the TSW Tri-State Champion
  • 03-30 1981 Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch def. Ernie Ladd & Leroy Brown for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 03-30 1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Sheepherders (Butch Miller & Luke Williams) for the UWF Tag Team Champions
  • 03-30 2013 Bobby Burns & Psycho Sawyer def. The Golden Alliance (Jake O'Brien & C. M. Chunk) for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
03-28
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