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JR's Blog: The General's Services...We Need Your Recipes...900th Raw Memories...Book Review...Cody...Cases Are Selling

JR's Blog:  The General's Services...We Need Your Recipes...900th Raw Memories...Book Review...Cody...Cases Are Selling

Posted: Aug 26th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Random thoughts from here and there one day removed from attending the funeral services of 'The General.'

Even though the drive from Norman to Wichita Falls, Texas is only a couple of hours and change, the drive down to attend the funeral services of my dear friend and mentor Skandar Akbar felt like an eternity. I found myself thinking of dozens of stories that kept creeping into my mind of my days with Ak.

It seems like I spent more time wiping tears from my eyes on the drive than any thing else.

In my over four decades in the wrestling biz, I don't think I can name one man who unselfishly done more to help young wrestlers and who was more dedicated to his profession that Jim Wehba aka General Skandar Akbar.

Ak passed away suddenly last Thursday at the age of 75 after living a wonderful life doing what he loved more than any thing and that was being a viable and timeless participant in the world of pro wrestling.

Everyone should be so lucky to have such a long, distinguished career in their chosen vocation.

It was good to see several of 'the boys' at the Catholic service in Ak's birthplace of Wichita Falls including the great Danny Hodge, Johnny Mantell, and former referees James Beard and David Manning, among many others.

The drive home was equally as challenging again not because of the miles but because I had to come to grips that I would never see my dear friend again in this life.

Ak's love for Texas Longhorn football was noted in the services in a wonderful presentation made by one of his nephews. 'Uncle Jimmy' was perceived much differently than the dastardly villain known as General Skandar Akbar.

It was funny that the first thing that Ak brought up to me when we saw each other in Charlotte a few weeks ago at the Fanfest was the fact that his 'Horns had beaten my Sooners four out of the last five years. Ak's recall of all things Texas football and some of the unique experiences that he and I encountered from our days on the road were uncanny and spot on.

Some emailers have tried to compare Ak's passing to other, recent deaths of pro wrestlers of which I find the comparison to be unsavory. Any human being's passing is heart breaking specifically to the individual's family and friends. I chose not to embellish on this matter but be advised that any questions suggesting differently will be deleted. Death is a painful experience no matter where or when it comes in one's life.

If you use our products in your own, unique recipes or in less than traditional uses please drop us a line and use the Contact Us spot on the home page of the site. If you use the Q&A section, that's fine too but I would prefer that you offer your recipes at the Contact Us portion of the home site. I'm looking for 100 or so interesting ways that folks use our BBQ Sauces and Chipotle Ketchup. Your help is greatly appreciated. You can also Tweet them to @JRsBBQ.

Our case price deal that includes FREE SHIPPING in the USA and a FREE J.R.'s T shirt, a $20 value, is doing well. Lots of folks are sharing the case with family and friends. There are 12, 18 ounce bottles in each case.

A new Ross Report will be up soon, if not as we speak, at www.wwe.com on their home page under WWE News.

I'm hooked on watching the Little League World Series. Love the purity of the game. However, 12 year olds should not be throwing curve balls...just strikes. Could live w/o Bobby Valentine's commentary. Nothing personal.

Cody Rhodes did a fine job on Syfy's Warehouse 13 Tuesday night which is the first time that I had ever watched the program. Cody looked extremely buffed in his 'extra medium' shirt especially compared to the other actors on the program. Cody's recent work on NXT has been very positive in my view.

BTW...I heard at Ak's services that former NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Ken Mantell recently underwent open heart surgery. Ken, who I worked with during the Mid South and UWF days, is apparently recovering nicely.

BTW #2...Howard Brody's book, 'Swimming with Piranhas' is a very interesting, unique wrestling book that I encourage you to read if you haven't already. It's a perspective on the biz rarely written from a non wrestler who had a long and winding road to establish himself in the business in a variety of administrative roles. The chapters on the late, great Hiro Matsuda and Howard's thoughts on Robin Smith and her relationship with her late father, Grizzly Smith, are compelling chapters.

This Monday's RAW, the historic 900th, is a show that I am anxious to see. I have no idea what will be done on the show to commemorate in some way any of the previous 899 episodes that began in 1993 but I'm sure that the past will be recognized in some manner. RAW did more than any program on the USA Network to help make USA the #1 cable network on TV. Yep, even the Westminster Dog Show.

I have fond memories of every era that I was privileged to be a part of in my career but I have no fonder memories of working on any TV show than I do of being a part of Monday Night Raw. Especially when the show was live virtually every Monday night and when it went to the two hour format the experience became intoxicating.

Monday Night Raw did for WWE what Monday Night Football did for the NFL. It was impactful and was an honor to be a small part of for the several hundred episodes on which I appeared.

Teaming with Jerry Lawler was so much fun as we always tried to bring a little something special to the show and to make the stars that appeared on Monday nights be perceived as being even bigger and better. Through that job my friendship with the King grew which is one of the true and lasting rewards of my association with WWE's flagship broadcast. There is rarely a day that goes by that my association with The King isn't mentioned to me in some shape, form or fashion.

I can still vividly remember the Monday night in Charlotte when the King returned from his 'sabbatical' and took his chair back from the controversial and talented Paul Heyman.

Working with Heyman was always unpredictable and exhilarating as Paul always knew what buttons to push to elicit the most organic of responses out of me. Heyman was a natural, antagonist broadcaster who embraced his role and did it well. Very well.

Wonderful memories all I can assure you.

Football season is virtually upon us and I am ready. OU has 7 true freshmen on their two deep depth chart. This is a talented class and these players are going to contribute to the Sooners success early or so it seems.

Anxious to watch the next UFC PPV this Saturday night. Wouldn't miss it. Boston is a wonderful city for sports and I hope that the fans there invest emotionally as they usually do for events at the new 'Garden.'

I'll have more on the UFC event later in the week but I see Randy Couture taking James Toney very seriously. Toney has the puncher's chance of winning but unless Couture gets nailed coming in or in a clinch, I think the former Oklahoma State wrestling stars wins in under 5 minutes. I hope that I;m wrong on that one but if Toney gets taken off his feet his night will soon be over.

BJ Penn and Frankie Edgar should be a physical war with Penn looking for redemption and Edgar seeking validation. We'll have a closer look at this fight later in the week.

Looking forward to heading to Stamford, Ct next week to record a couple of Legends Roundtables with a very distinguished panel covering two, provocative subjects. More on that when the details are available.

Our Q&A's are updated as we speak...check 'em out.

Thanks for your support with your on line business. It's greatly appreciated.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

 

Tags: Jim Ross, Skandar Akbar, Danny Hodge, Johnny Mantell, David Manning, NWa, Ken Mantell, MSW, UWF, Jerry Lawler

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Spotlight in History

  • 1968 Spoiler #1 def. Billy Red Lyons for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Champion
  • 1976 Buck Robley & Bob Slaughter def. The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1982 Bugsy McGraw def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 2008 Anthony Jackson def. The Canadian Red Devil for the FCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 La M (Jesus Rodriguez & El Choppo) def. The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) for the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 2008 Al Farat def. Thug Nasty for the UWF06 Violent Division Champion
  • 2008 Carnage def. Slash for the GPCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2008 Xavior def. Jeff Knight for the GPCW Cruiserweight Champion
  • 2014 Bud Barnes def. Tyson Jaymes for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 2014 David Kyzer def. L. J. McDaniels for the SWCW Luchadore Champion
  • 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2014 Rick Russo def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2014 Rick Russo def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2014 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion

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
  • 03-24 2024 Johnny Kove became the ASP Mid-American Champion
  • 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
  • 03-26 2011 Ryan Styles def. David Kyzer for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 03-26 2023 Wolf of War became the ASP Livestream Champion
  • 03-26 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Malachi & Tank Bryson) became the ASP Tag Team Champions
  • 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
03-29
  • Michael Hayes Mar 29th Today!
  • Keith Knight Mar 29th Today!
  • Riley Grinn Mar 30th
  • Ron Garvin Mar 30th
  • Spur the Clown Mar 30th
  • Mace [1st] Mar 31st
  • Glenn Wade Apr 1st
  • Richard Sharpe Apr 1st
  • Oni Wiki Wiki Apr 1st
  • K-Rob Apr 1st
  • Mighty Atlas Apr 1st
  • Clover Botello Apr 2nd
  • Humongous Apr 3rd
  • Izzy High Apr 3rd
  • Erica Torres Apr 3rd
  • Billy Wicks Apr 4th
  • Johnny Kove Apr 4th
  • Great Bolo [2nd] Apr 5th
  • Standing Bear Apr 5th
  • Sika Apr 5th
  • Ivan the Terrible Apr 6th
  • Bobby Dalton Apr 6th
  • Frank Lynn Apr 6th
  • Lady Leather Apr 6th
  • Bruce Swayze Apr 7th
  • Ciclon Negro Apr 7th
  • Demarco Tate Apr 7th
  • Ryan Lee Apr 7th
  • Garrisaon Creed Apr 8th
  • Les Thornton Apr 9th
  • R. G. Right Apr 9th
  • Paul Bearer Apr 10th
  • Ryan Davidson Apr 10th
  • Les Wolff Apr 11th
  • Harley Race Apr 11th
  • Jim Fallon Apr 11th
  • Gun Metal Gray Apr 11th

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