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JR's Blog: JR's Thoughts on not being on WWE's Signature Open...George Steinbrenner Memories...We Start back FREE SHIPPING Wednesday!

Posted: Jul 14th 2010 By: CMBurnham

We begin shipping your orders tomorrow (Wednesday) after a few days off so we hope to see 'business pick up' this week in our on line store.

Too much has been made of me being edited off the WWE signature open. I was on it for a long time and it was time to update the piece. In a year or so it's likely that the open will be tweaked again and who knows who will be added or omitted?

For me to be replaced by Gorgeous George and Freddie Blassie is absolutely a non issue to me as it relates to those who have contributed to the business in the days of yesteryear. I don't even belong in the same covnersation with Gorgeous George or Classy Freddie Blassie.

I do not feel the 'conspiracy theory' concept that others have shared here on the site and look at my relationship with WWE as I have for years. I have no issues with cashing their checks and likewise have no issues in doing my assigned duties. I am pleased that I am not on the road 51 weeks a year but I do look forward to traveling to Kansas City this weekend for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match PPV. I'll also be heading to Tampa next week to visit FCW for a few days beginning on Wednesday. That should be a productive trip as well.

I'm an old school guy with a strong, Oklahoma oriented work ethic and am loyal to my employer no matter who that may be. Plus, I stopped fixating on things that I have no control over long ago.

When told by their doctors that one was 30 days away from dying it puts things like TV time, or a lack thereof, who's doing pay by play on a given show, etc and the minutia/politics that can be found in any vocation in its proper place. I thank God every day that I have regained my health and that I am now living a healthier lifestyle that I hope will add years to my life.

I have not felt better mentally or physically in years which is BIG considering where I once was and I have too much to be thankful for to bitch and moan about a sound byte on TV.

While I do sincerely appreciate all the support that I receive and the appreciation for my work over the years, I will say that I'm excited about my future and the various opportunities that I am able to explore under my current professional arrangement. My sound bytes and commentary will live for years to come on DVDs and on such entities as WWEClassics.com and WWE 24/7 On Demand.

For some fans to consider me the "voice of the WWE" is extremedly flattering but I've never thought that I deserved that monicker.

Just a quick note on the late George Steinbrenner. The owner of the New York Yankees died Tuesday morning of a heart attack. He was 80, on July 4th, and died on the morning of the MLB All Star Baseball game. There's a little irony there as the controversial Mr. Steinbrenner has taken over the front page on a day where baseball's best play their annual all star game. I met "The Boss" in Tampa one year at the Sun Dome before a Royal Rumble, as I recall, as he was there with his grandkids. We talked Mickey Mantle for a few moments and he invited me to attend a game at Yankee Stadium as Mr. Steinbrenner's guest. Unfortunately, I never took the time to take him up on his generous offer.

Steinbrenner was a huge fan of the work of WWE HOF'er Bobby Heenan and "the Brain" enjoyed some first class treatment from Mr. Steinbrenner over the years at the Stadium.

I've worked for many tough bosses in my long career and Mr. Steinbrenner seemed cut out of the same cloth. One might not have always agreed with his decisions but no one could second guess the Yankee owner's passion and burning desire to win. Mr. Steinbrenner was a former coach and loved to win but he was a shrew businessman as well. He bought the Yankees for less than $9M and built the brand back into a winner and a franchise worth over $1B.

RIP Mr. Steinbrenner and thanks for the invite. Please say hello to "the Mick" for me.

Remember to check out my blog at www.wweuniverse.com which will be live soon.

You're invited to follow me on Twitter...@JRsBBQ.

We're back up and running and will resume shipping on Wednesday so feel free to hammer us with orders. Baby needs new shoes. :)

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE, Gorgeous George,