Mar 28th 2024 03:45pm

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Q & A With J. R.

Q & A With J. R.

Posted: Jul 1st 2008 By: CMBurnham

There are some things I just won?t pass up in life. And right near the top of that list is a chance to shoot the breeze with Norman?s very own Jim Ross.

Yeah, I know, he?s just a ?wrestling announcer.? But the values he lives by and the things he can teach those willing to learn are just some of the things that make him special. Just because he is known as the wrestling guy does not mean there is not more to the man.

That?s why it pained me to see him look so shaken Monday night after being moved from Raw to SmackDown. At first glance, everyone thought it was a selfish ?woe is me? situation.

But it?s not.

Now the Boneman may not love wrestling the way he used. Gone are the days of taping every TV show, buying every PPV and wrestling with my brothers in the basement. But if the WWE is going to come to OKC, I?m still making the trip.

I had a chance to sit down with J. R. at his restaurant in Norman and pick the brain of the WWE Hall of Famer.

BP: Obviously, last Monday came as a shock to you. Did you know anything about the switch before the show?

JR: I had no idea. I think that?s where people get the wrong idea. It wasn?t that I was mad or upset about going to SmackDown. I compare it to any athlete who has been on one team for so long, and then all the sudden leaves for another team late in his career. Mickey Mantle (one of J. R.?s idols growing up) is and always will be a New York Yankee. How sad was it to see the great Johnny Unitas as a Los Angeles Ram after all those years with the Colts? I was just leaving my comfort zone, leaving home base. And I wasn?t prepared for it.

BP: With the change coming so close to the OKC Raw event, will you still be in attendance?

JR: Definitely. I have a ticket, but I don?t think I?m going to sit in the crowd. I feel that would be too big of a distraction. And I certainly don?t want to do that to Michael Cole (the new Raw announcer). This is not about putting me over as a star, so I?m still going to be there, but I don?t want to play a big role. I may make a cameo appearance. If so, that?s fine. Who knows, maybe this time I won?t get my butt kicked in front of the hometown fans?

BP: How long did it take for you to accept your new role?

JR: My flight to Houston (for the SmackDown tapings) was delayed for two hours because of lightning. That gave me time to think. This is just a new challenge for me. I love challenges, and this is the latest one. A lot of effort has been put in making SmackDown a different show. I?m just a part of that puzzle. You see guys like Jeff Hardy and Triple H making the move and you add that with someone like Edge and all the sudden there is a lot of potential. People think ?oh, they?ll just be traded back.? Well, it hasn?t happened. They wanted to change things up, and they have. Now is my chance to help elevate the show help out the company however I can.

BP: You talk about this being a new challenge, what are some of your goals now?

JR: First and foremost, I want to make myself and Mick Foley (his SmackDown partner) the best broadcasting team in the WWE. It isn?t going to be easy because myself and ?The King? Jerry Lawler ? you know, we had a special kind of chemistry. I feel like I have a lot to offer to Mick and can really help him improve. Well, at least after 35 years in this business, I hope I have a lot to offer him.

BP: I know it?s early in the partnership, but how is Foley different from Lawler. And from what you see, do you think Foley is in this for the long haul?

JR: I love Mick. Mick?s a great guy, and he?s really intelligent. He?ll spend a lot more time preparing because his style is just different than The King?s. Mick will be reading People magazine and trying to stay fresh on everything. I can?t speak for Mick, but I sure feel like he wants to be here for a long time. It keeps him fresh in wrestling fans? minds when they see him once a week. It still gives him plenty of time to write because you know how good a writer he is. I don?t think he is treating this as a part-time thing. He?s showing a lot of dedication. And speaking for both of us, we?re overachievers. I did all I could to get Mick hired back in 1996. I knew that if he didn?t become a major player, at least he would be a great asset to the boys. But I always knew he could become a star. His work ethic is tough to match. When you put two personalities like that together, who really think alike and have the same priorities, there?s no telling what can happen. We?re always striving to get better.

BP: With SmackDown being taped, how is the post-production process going to be for you?

JR: Yeah, we?ve got that all set up now. They?re going to run a DSL cable through my house and have already sent a headset. I?m going to be able to stay home and do everything, so that?s a big bonus.

BP: I always feel weird trying to pitch a story idea to my boss that pertains wrestling. Is it sports, is it entertainment? I know it?s not a new question, but what?s your take on that?

JR: Wrestling is like nothing else in the world. People don?t know if it?s sports or entertainment. But what I know is it attracts a lot of people to the arenas. Millions of people are watching the shows on TV, buying the merchandise. And it really helps out the economy. A lot of money is made when the WWE comes to town. Wrestling is a part of Americana is some shape or form. It?s not up to me to decide where it stands. All I know is I?ve been in this business a long time and have loved it. I have so many great memories that will always be special to me.

With our wrestling discussion in the books, here?s what else is going on with our favorite wrestling announcer, Jim Ross.

BP: You?ve been saying your second J. R.?s Family Bar-B-Q restaurant is going to open sometime soon, what?s the latest?

JR: Our second restaurant is going to open July 14 (Monday). It?s going to be right off the 19th street exit in Moore near the Wal-Mart and Lowe?s.

BP: What can we expect from this second one?

JR: It?s going to be a lot bigger, almost twice the size of our first one. We?re going to have 14 TVs, and those are going to be bigger than the ones we have now. The first restaurant had a real homely-like atmosphere. We don?t want to get away from that, but this is going to be a chance to bring in more people.

BP: One of the many appeals of J. R.?s is the sports memorabilia. Without giving away too much, what are some of the items for display?

JR: My goal, which we?re well on our way to attaining, is to have a signed OU football game jersey from every OU NFL alum. It?s a pretty big task, but it?s going well. I became friends with Brett Favre during his rookie season. He was with the Atlanta Falcons while I was still with the team. At WrestleMania XIV, I received a package, and it turned out to be a signed Favre jersey. That?s something really special.

BP: Last July, the restaurant biz was just a dream. Now you?re onto restaurant No. 2, did you ever think it would take off like this?

JR: No, I had no idea (laughs). I wish I could say I had this vision, but I have to give a lot of credit to my partner, Hal Smith. Hal is a restaurateur. He owns Charleston?s and Louie?s. He knows what he?s doing. I just had a dream, and Hal has made that dream a reality.

BP: Alright, you?re in Norman, going to Moore. What?s next for J. R?s?

JR: We?re definitely exploring our options. We?d like to put a couple in the Oklahoma City area and a couple in Tulsa. From there, we?re really looking at Lawton. Lawton has some really big schools and a military base, it?s a perfect environment. I always say I don?t think Colonel Sanders knew that he would become the face of chicken. I?d love to be the Colonel Sanders of Bar-B-Q.

BP: How successful is the line of JR?s merchandise doing?

JR: That?s doing great. We have a lot of new and creative ideas we?re looking to try to implement. There are a lot of T-shirt designs we?re mulling over.

BP: UFC President Dana White has said he would like to come to Oklahoma City in the next six to 12 months. Your impressions of MMA?

JR: I love MMA, it?s an exploding sport. There?s a lot more structure than what there used to be. I am a major college wrestling fan. And what MMA does is give those kids a chance to still use their skills after college. Not every wrestler wants to go to the Olympics, and of course, not every wrestler can. But with MMA, at least some of their skills can carry over. They have to learn some new skills, but they can still use their grappling abilities.

BP: What?s one of the big reasons why you feel the sport is doing gangbusters?

JR: I think a big part that not too many people are talking about is the addition of Marc Ratner to the scene. Ratner is big in Nevada, and he was the big boxing guy for so long with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. But when he made the jump to MMA, he gave it a lot of credibility with state commissions. He?s one of the most respected guys I know, and I think it?s only a matter of time before New York starts to sanction events.

As a huge boxing and MMA fan, leave it to a ?wrestling? guy to make the Boneman realize just how big Marc Ratner is. That?s an excellent and valid point if I?ve ever heard one.

Again, just want to thank JR for his time. I?m sure he could have had better things to do on a Thursday afternoon.

He?s still courteous to everyone who wants a photo or autograph. He?s just as comfortable talking wrestling with me as he is talking OU athletics with Joe Castiglione (who happened to enter JR?s about 10 minutes after yours truly).

Stay tuned Tuesday as the Boneman will be back with a full recap of Raw. For the first time ever, I don?t plan on making any signs for the event. I just want to enjoy it

 

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE, J. R., Mick Foley, Jerry Lawler

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

3
Dusty Rhodes and His Fairly Unknown Talent!

Dusty Rhodes and His Fairly Unknown Talent!

Late-great wrestling manager Gary Hart once wrote about the time Dusty Rhodes showcased a talent unknown to some! There’s jus... Read More

All News

Dusty Rhodes Biography: An Honest Review

Dusty Rhodes Biography: An Honest Review

Who would be more fitting a subject for a WWE Legends documentary than "The bull of the woods, if you will?" But did the... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1983 King Parsons def. Tola Yatsu for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2003 Sonny C def. Rocco Valentino for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 2004 Ty Magnus & Li'l Joe def. X2C (Cade Sydal & X-Cal) for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 2004 Chris Matthews def. Angel Williams for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2021 Maui Mike became the ASP Livestream 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
03-28
  • Caine Carter Mar 28th Today!
  • Maddox Jones Mar 28th Today!
  • Sheeva Mar 28th Today!
  • Michael Hayes Mar 29th
  • Keith Knight Mar 29th
  • 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
  • K-Rob Apr 1st
  • Oni Wiki Wiki Apr 1st
  • Mighty Atlas Apr 1st
  • Clover Botello Apr 2nd
  • Humongous Apr 3rd
  • Erica Torres Apr 3rd
  • Izzy High Apr 3rd
  • Billy Wicks Apr 4th
  • Johnny Kove Apr 4th
  • Sika Apr 5th
  • Great Bolo [2nd] Apr 5th
  • Standing Bear Apr 5th
  • Ivan the Terrible Apr 6th
  • Frank Lynn Apr 6th
  • Bobby Dalton Apr 6th
  • Lady Leather Apr 6th
  • Bruce Swayze Apr 7th
  • Demarco Tate Apr 7th
  • Ciclon Negro Apr 7th
  • Ryan Lee Apr 7th
  • Garrisaon Creed Apr 8th
  • R. G. Right Apr 9th
  • Les Thornton Apr 9th
  • Paul Bearer Apr 10th
  • Ryan Davidson Apr 10th

More Look Back In History

Current Champions

United Wrestling Entertainment

Violet Payne

Apex Champion
Violet Payne

 
  • Heavyweight Champion: Killbane
  • Tag Team Champions: War Hearts