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JR's Blog: JR Talks Charlotte And NWA Legends Fanfest

JR's Blog:  JR Talks Charlotte And NWA Legends Fanfest

Posted: Aug 9th 2010 By: CMBurnham

We have a blog posted covering the amazing UFC 117 spectacular Saturday night that I hope that you will check out. I've also updated the Q&A section of the site for those seeking 'dirt.' For those seeking BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Ketchup, and Beef Jerky we will ship your orders Monday so order today and we're all over it.

Dusty Rhodes, who MMA fighter Roy Nelson resembles, and Taz received shipments of JR's products this week and sent me great feedback. Thanks, gentlemen.

Greg Price and his crew do a nice job in organizing a challenging and at time thankless event that has to appease the ego's of many wrestlers and make discerning fans happy all at the same time. That's no easy feat I can tell you.

From my time in Charlotte this past Thursday and Friday, it seemed the Price was right and Greg's staff did a really nice, solid job of facilitating a massive undertaking.

Our Friday autograph session was challenging as it was set for 3 hours but I know that I stayed 4 1/2 hours to accommodate everyone that was in line and I still don't think that we got everyone. I had to leave to change for the Legends Banquet which was hosted by Jim Cornette.

As one would expect, JC does a great job as the MC as he has never been at a loss for words. Corney is a talented man and a wrestling purist without question. He's damn entertaining and when he gets on a roll he's like Eb of 'Green Acres' fame all loaded up on Diet Mountain Dew.

Good seeing so many of my long time friends from the business that I have not seen in years.

My old, WWE schedule rarely allowed me to look up much less take bookings such as this function. I hope to do more appearances akin to this one in 2011 or at the end of 2010. I won't miss an OU football game on a Saturday to make these types of appearances.

I saw 80 year old Bob Caudle for the first time since 1990. Bob was truly one of my favorite broadcast partners and was always a man of character and integrity, not always a prominent trait in the biz, and is without question, in my opinion, the most underrated, wrestling announcer ever. We had some great outings and Bob especially remembered and talked about the night we broadcast from a non air conditioned Ft Bragg, North Carolina on a TBS, live Clash of the Champions. That night we both sweat through our suits. It was over 100 degrees at ringside and I got in some hot water for saying I would enjoy a Coors Light which was sponsoring a portion of the broadcast.

That wouldn't be the last time my ad libs got me in 'trouble.'

General Skandar Akbar is now 75 and we had a great visit and talked road stories, he was one of my very first traveling partners along with Dan Hodge, and of course the OU-Texas football rivalry. Ak is a Longhorn devotee and that was the topic we engaged in over hundreds of miles of highway back in the 70's. Ak could squeeze blood out of a quarter and was so instrumental in helping me understand that no one makes too little money to not save some of it. The 'squatty fullback of the Vernon, Texas Lions' will always be one of my favorite guys. Many don't know how instrumental Ak was in helping steer Steve Austin in the right direction early in Stone Cold's career in Dallas.

Nikita Koloff looked super and was it great to catch up with him and his "Uncle" Ivan.

Long time wrestling journalist Bill Apter must have done his Jerry Lewis impersonation 100 times over the duration of the Fanfest. Bill still has the most famous 'comb over' in the biz.

Danny Hodge is simply the greatest living, pure wrestler alive and at 79 could have probably whipped any man attending the banquet. Danny loves MMA and said if he was coming out of college now that he would have gone to UFC, not pro wrestling or pro boxing, and would have likely fought at 185. Hodge would have been amazing in UFC. Hodge and Mickey Mantle were my two boyhood, Oklahoma sports heroes so my being asked to induct Dan into the Hall of Heroes was a wonderful honor.

Always good to see Les Thatcher my old Smoky Mountain Wrestling broadcast partner. Les is celebrating 50 years in the biz. Congrats Les. Les and I worked for the first time at a big event Cornette promoted in Knoxville many years back that was a really solid show and is floating around out there somewhere on DVD.

Terry Funk is still middle aged and crazy, like a fox, and is one of my favorite people plus we had a visit about some of the matches that we broadcast together. Terry was SO underrated as a color analyst. Check out some of our work on DVD or WWE 24/7 On Demand.

Glad to see Harley Race getting around a little better but the legend will live with his back and hip issues until the good Lord books Harley in heaven. He seemed to be improved though that how he felt at the CAC in Vegas in April.

I thought Sunny looked great, as did most of the men in attendance, and she's mentally in a better place in her life than perhaps she has been in years. I was happy for her and she seemed to still connect well with the fans. A creative entity could still utilize her name identity and skill set in the proper environment.

Had a great visit with Sting as he was preparing to sign for a huge line of fans anxiously awaiting to meet him. We really had a wonderful albeit quick chat. He said he looked back on some of his early matches when he was just learning his craft and how much better I made him sound than he actually was. Great compliment but I was only doing my job. That's what announcers are supposed to do, get talents over with the fans and make them better than many of the talents are. We exchanged numbers and I expect to keep up with my old friend that I had not seen in person since around '93. Sting is a class act and will always have my respect.

The merchandise tables were fascinating to visit. I secured one of my canceled pay checks from Smoky Mountain Wrestling from 1994. The merch selection for those who love nostalgia was top shelf and reason enough to attend the function.

Because I left EARLY Saturday morning, I missed many folks that I would have loved to have seen who were appearing on Saturday.

I also turned down a request to do a 'shoot' interview for a payday as that offer was quickly dismissed due to a total lack of interest on my behalf. If I ever do a DVD interview regarding my career then I'm going to own and edit it, not someone else unless WWE wants to produce it.

Old pal Jerry Brisco and I sort of closed down the bar in the hotel lobby LATE Friday night but we weren't there alone. It was just a great opportunity to sit and visit with old pals and many great fans. Our bar visitation made for a 'short night' before I left the hotel at 6:45 a.m. for my flight back to OKC. (Had to get home in time to see UFC 117.)

I'm not sure if I will be invited back to Charlotte next year or if all the details could be worked out for a return trip but I enjoyed the experience and especially seeing old friends and meeting so many fans who have appreciated my work over the years. I must have answered the same question dozens of times, that being, "When are you coming back on the air?"

It's heartwarming to be missed but my return to weekly TV is a ship that has sailed.

Overall, the NWA Legends Fanfest was fun for me to attend and I hope that the promoter does well financially on the undertaking.

BTW our BBQ Sauces and Chipotle Ketchup were a big hit. I'm just saying.

The Q&A Section of the site has been updated as of Sunday afternoon so check them out when you have the time.

Don't forget to join us on Twitter @JRsBBQ.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

 

Tags: Jim Ross, Dusty Rhodes, WWE, Skandar Akbar, Dan Hodge, Nikita Koloff, Terry Funk, Harley Race, Sting, Jerry Brisco

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Spotlight in History

  • 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
  • 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 06-16 to Sat: 06-22

  • 06-16 1959 The Zebra Kid def. The Golden Giant for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-16 1970 Johnny Valentine def. Killer Kowalski for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-16 1984 Terry Taylor def. Krusher Khrushchev for the MSW Television Champion
  • 06-16 1986 Buzz Sawyer def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Bobby Burns def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Beau Dalton became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2006 Ray Martinez became the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-16 2012 Big Business (Kevin Morgan & Damon Windsor) def. The Old School Suckas (Gary Tool & Randy Price) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-16 2017 Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders & Chaz Sharpe) def. Cursed (Kuda & Blade [2nd]) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 06-16 2017 Nytronis A'Teo def. Saints of Pro Wrestling (Scott Sanders, Shawn Sanders, & Chaz Sharpe) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Jason Simon became the MajCW Native American Champion
  • 06-16 2023 Dan Webber def. Cappuccino Jones for the UWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1957 Billy Raborn became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1958 Bull Curry def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-17 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. David Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-17 1983 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Michael Hayes) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 06-17 2005 Kenny Campbell def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 06-17 2006 The Party Express (Mitch Carter & Cade Sydal) def. Impact Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-17 2008 Kunna Keyoh def. El Culo Intruso for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Prince Mahalli def. Paul Puertorico for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 06-17 2017 Randy Price def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-17 2023 Alex Royal def. Justin Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
  • 06-18 1964 Karl Kox def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Shane Morbid def. Dirty Harry Sanchez for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Codie Mullins def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Pork Chop def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dexter Hardaway def. Pork Chop for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 S.K. Fulton def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2004 Dirty Harry Sanchez def. S.K. Fulton for the SRPW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-18 2006 Ryan Davidson def. Angel Williams for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-18 2011 Michael Barry def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Spyder became the SRPW United States Champion
  • 06-18 2016 Skylar Slice became the IZW Womens Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Lady Sensacion became the FIW Women’s Champion
  • 06-18 2021 Rodeo (Chandler Hopkins & Malico) def. Cam Cole & Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Tag Team Champions
  • 06-18 2022 Duke Cornell def. Blue Bolt for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 06-18 2022 Maddox Jones def. Striker for the EPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-18 2022 Mike Gunns def. Jake Danielsson for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-19 1977 Fritz Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-19 2010 Aaron Neil def. John O'Malley for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-19 2015 Bree Ann def. Claudia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 06-20 1972 The Continental Warriors (Bobby Hart & Lorenzo Parente) def. Tom Jones & Ivan Putski for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 06-20 1977 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-20 1987 Barry Windham became the UWF Western States Heritage Champion
  • 06-20 2004 X-Cal def. John O'Malley for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-20 2009 Dustin Heritage def. Dane Griffin for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-20 2009 BLK-OUT (Montego Seeka & Jermaine Johnson) def. Impact, Inc, (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-20 2014 Bree Ann def. Miss Diss Lexia for the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 06-20 2021 DNR (Drake Gallows & Revan) def. Malik Mayfield & Maui Mike for the ASP Tag Team Champions
  • 06-21 1982 Junkyard Dog def. Bob Roop for the MSW North American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-21 1987 Al Perez def. The Dingo Warrior for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-21 2003 Kitty def. Manservant for the TPW Womens Champion
  • 06-21 2008 Tim Rockwell def. El Super Colibri for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 06-21 2008 Li'l Joe def. Xavior for the GPCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 06-21 2014 Buster Cherry def. Havoc for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 06-22 2005 Phillip def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-22 2018 Joe Cuedo def. Brock Baker for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
06-16
  • Paul Jones Jun 16th Today!
  • Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th Today!
  • Brock Landers Jun 16th Today!
  • Ted Arcidi Jun 16th Today!
  • Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th Today!
  • Chuck Hinds Jun 16th Today!
  • Jef Tiger Jun 16th Today!
  • Ray Martinez Jun 17th
  • Mario Galento Jun 17th
  • Rob Justice Jun 17th
  • Talos Jun 17th
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Don Kent Jun 24th
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • X-Storms Jun 25th
  • Kody Lane Jun 25th
  • Paul Puertorico Jun 26th
  • Sylvia Richmond Jun 26th
  • Kuda Jun 27th
  • Jason Kirby Jun 27th
  • Ignition Jun 27th
  • Dan Barnhart Jun 27th
  • Reckless Jun 27th
  • Boris Malenko Jun 28th
  • Damian Kincaid Jun 28th
  • J. J. Blake Jun 28th
  • Malico Jun 28th
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  • Bill Dromo Jun 28th
  • Kenny Mack Jun 28th
  • Voltio Santiago Jun 29th
  • Barbara Galento Jun 29th

More Look Back In History

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