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JR's Blog: Goldberg..Religion/Politics in Wrestling..Developing Main Eventers..Heyman..JR Book Update..Grilling Season!

Posted: Apr 9th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Great day here in Norman, Oklahoma and I hope that it's a great day where ever you are. On line biz is good and we appreciate all of you that are placing orders. Here's some BBQ'ed random thoughts....

It's been an interesting few days here with me about 'this close' to retaining an agent for the first time in my career to help me with several, potential projects, none in wrestling by the way, that may become realities in the future.

We are close to coming to terms with a major speaker's bureau that works with some extremely well known individuals. I am excited about the potential of this venture.

Next week we will be talking to a prominent literary agent who has multiple publishers interested in my autobiography. This would be a major undertaking that could spawn multiple books.

If any of you have ideas on potential subject matter for these books or subject matter that you are particularly interested in, please email your suggestions to us at the Q&A section.

With grilling season upon us, our retail business with Homeland Grocery Stores in Norman is super. Homeland sold 100's of slabs of smoked ribs Easter weekend that were all slow smoked in JR's Original BBQ Sauce.

The case price of our Original Sauce here on the site, including FREE SHIPPING, is actually less expensive than buying it by the bottle in the restaurant. Split a case with a friend or family member and remember that they make great gift ideas.

I read on the 'net where Goldberg says he might be interested in performing one more pro match next year in Atlanta at WM27. I speculated on this matter several weeks ago and it is still all speculation but Goldberg going into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011 and then having a 'retirement match' seems like a viable idea to me. I know that I would want to see Bill Goldberg's last match on PPV. Again, this is pure speculation but it makes for interesting discussion. Goldberg is a 'jock' at heart and stays in good shape which would allow him to pull off a solid bout in the Georgia Dome.

Did you know that yours truly broadcast the first football game ever played in the Georgia Dome when it opened in 1992?

We've updated our Q&A section of the site as of Thursday afternoon.

Emailers...please stop asking me how to get a job in WWE. This particular question is actually somewhat ironic, but that's another story, nonetheless WWE has a Human Resources Department that handles that sort of thing and that's where wannabe writer's, etc should go.

Some fans are complaining that they think that many young wrestlers are getting 'too much, too soon.' We all need to realize that it takes 3-6 years to legitimately establish a talent as a TV ratings earning, PPV selling, main eventer. The process has to start somewhere and let's not lose sight that it is a process. If I recall accurately, when we signed John Cena he headlined a Wrestlemania something like 4 years later which is extraordinary and is the exception and not the rule.

Emailers asked about the travel/work schedule in the Mid South Territory and it was challenging without question as an average week of driving was somewhere around 1500-2000 miles. Many wrestlers worked 7 days a week and sometimes twice on Sundays. In those days, wrestlers only got paid when they worked so most guys wanted to work as much as possible to maximize their incomes. Over the years, some Mid South alums, like most older wrestlers, embellish the amount of time that they were on the road to extraordinary levels such as "I worked 180 days in a row and wore out two cars" type stuff. Back then if guys weren't booked they bitched and now, years later, some complain about how much that they had to work not to mention that they were always 'under paid.'

To address an email that I deleted because it was rivaling 'Gone with the Wind' in length, I am not a fan of incorporating religion or politics into a wrestling TV show. I see no upside in either subject being a part of the genre. Most viewers want to 'escape' while watching wrestling and to be able to engage the product without over thinking it or being reminded of other, more complex issues in their lives, more often than not.

Yes, to answer another deleted question, I did enjoy listening to Josh Mathews and Michael Cole on NXT this week. I did not get to see the show Tuesday night but I did watch it on DVR. I liked their banter and competitive nature along with their contrasting opinions. When not overdone, that sort of commentary can definitely enhance a show. I can recall some horrid WCW shows that Paul Heyman and I broadcast back in the day that we both felt were made better by our on air bickering which gave the viewer something to enjoy other than what they were being subjected to on their TV screen.

Paul and I more ofter than not brought out the best in each other on the air while working with Heyman was always creatively stimulating for me.

I'm headed to a closed, Oklahoma football scrimmage on Saturday at 1 of which I am excited. It will be nice to see where my Sooners are one week prior to their Spring practice ending. Some folks may look at my moving back to Oklahoma as a less than strategic, professional career move but it was the best personal decision that the Mrs and I have ever made.

Steve Austin is trying to adjust his schedule to attend the CAC Banquet on April 21 in Vegas. Nothing is firmed up but I personally and sincerely appreciate Steve for doing all he can to try and make the banquet when he is staying as busy as a fruit merchant. Have you bought "Damage" yet on DVD? If you like kick ass, action adventure films and want to see Stone Cold in some awesome fight scenes, then get the DVD. Many of you have written us and expressed how much you enjoyed it as did we.

Don't forget the updated Q&A's and to visit our store. Thanks for stopping by and for telling a friend about our site and our products.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.