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J. R.'s BBQ'ed Weekend Update

Posted: Jun 22nd 2009 By: CMBurnham

Here's hoping everyone is having a great weekend. I'll be at JR's in Norman during the middle part of the day and perhaps Saturday evening and Sunday before I head out for Green Bay Sunday evening. My thanks to all who have been helping support this site with your business from our store. The "Q" is ready so here we go.....

Got it confirmed Friday that I had to be in Green Bay for the commercial free Monday Night Raw, the first under "new ownership" of Donald Trump. I have no idea why I need to be there or what Todd Grisham and I are going to do but it is what it is. For the record, getting into Green Bay via air isn't as easy as one would think but that's another story. It will be interesting to hear what the "locals" have to say about their former QB Brett Favre's current situation. Personally, I think it is too bad that he couldn't have finished his "run" with the Pack. I'm flying into lovely Chicago O'Hare and making a three hour or so drive to Packerland.

Why did the "Great American Bash" get its name changed to simply "The Bash?" That one's easy, to make it more Globally friendly.

We're getting great feedback from folks who have bought our JR's Original BBQ Sauce in the 18 oz, plastic bottles priced at only $3.99. Getting away from those glass bottles has been great on reducing shipping costs.

Any one emailing us about looking for work in WWE should email WWE or write them or call them or Twitter them or just drop by Stamford and say "howdy." If one wants a WWE job and can't find their address or how to send a resume to the Human Resources Department on their own how good a chance do you think one has in getting hired? Exactly.

We are constantly asked about when WWE is coming to "my town." Call your arena for the info. They will have it months before the calendars are sent out to us ham & eggers.

The OKC RAW of September 21 has been postponed and moved to Little Rock while Smackdown/ECW will still be held at the BOK Center in Tulsa on Tuesday September 22. WWE could not adequately produce Raw in OKC's old arena and will return to the OKC Ford Center at a later date. The Ford Center is under renovation to improve its facilities for the NBA Thunder.

Goldberg has been a hot topic lately regarding Bill making a return to the ring. I haven't spoken to the former Tulsa Edison football star in a long while but I think the wrestling ship has sailed for Goldberg. Bill was never a huge fan but with that said perhaps a huge payday for a one off event might entice the MMA aficionado to step back in the ring. My money is on Billy NOT getting back in a wrestling ring if forced to make a call.

Same thing goes for Psycho Sid as many folks ask if he will ever return to WWE. I haven't a clue but it would seem if Sid was going to return to WWE that he would have done so by now. However, I am blessed to not be in the talent relations department any longer so I don't know what those types of plans are as a rule. Now if you have a BBQ question, I'm in.

Friday Night Smackdown taped Tuesday in Roanoke was another solid effort. The SD nucleus is growing and we saw 3 really nice bouts on Friday night including Rey vs. Punk, Jeff Hardy vs. Chris Jericho, and John Morison vs. Edge. The SD Divas need more TV time in my opinion to get the audience to care more about them but I do like the potential of a Melina vs. McCool bout at The Bash. Some critics don't like the mask stipulation/involvement of the Mysterio-Jericho rivalry but it feels fine to me. Same goes for Dolph Ziggler who seems joined at the large hip of the Great Khali. Patience is a virtue with this one but Ziggler is still growing and beginning to mean more as I still feel Ziggler is working his way into "the mix" on Friday nights. Growth takes time and is much better in the long run to be some what methodical that to hot shot/rush one's career progression.

What changes will Donald Trump enact on his first night as "Raw owner?" New look ring as in ropes, canvas, and turnbuckle pads?? Referees dressed differently for Raw? Will any one hear the magic worlds, "You're Fired?" Will Trump change the announcing duo? Highly unlikely but one never knows. Trump and Lawler do, however, have a great deal in common when it comes tot he fairer sex. "Oh, My!"

Yours truly has been working on a huge project for Topps Trading Cards/WWE which I hope to essentially finish on my end before I head to Cheese Country. This is really going to be a cool, trading card set especially the special WM25 cards that will be included. I'm assuming that these cards will be out later this year but no one has told me.

I have seen Sheamus and Drew McIntyre both in person now several times in WWE rings as both young developmental athletes have been on the road the past few weeks. I think both have viable upsides and are definitely keepers if they continue to work and to improve the little things that it takes to become successful. I have no idea why Sheamus' last name of O'Shaunessy has been dropped as I would have left it alone but I'm not in that loop so I'm just making an observation. More importantly both young men seem to be hard workers and are both naturally aggressive which appeals to me when it comes to young wrestlers. Neither of these two are guaranteed stars but they are starting their journeys off the proper way. I sure hope they become main eventers as new faces need to start to pop up in main events Sooner than later.

I wish WWE Diva's Champion Maryse was still on Smackdown as adding her to the mix with Melina, McCool, and the vastly underrated Gail Kim would really make the SD Diva competition rock. While I'm day dreaming, how about SD getting Mickie James too. Gail Kim is one of my all time favorite in ring Divas. Damn, I hope I just didn't jinx her.

I wonder how Mickie's country music aspirations are progressing?

Thought it was cool Monday night when C.M. Punk had "Misawa" written on his taped wrist. Nice show of respect by the World Champion even though he isn't the most "popular" guy in the SD locker room. No matter what is scheduled for "The Bash" Punk vs. Jeff and Rey vs. Jericho will be hard to top by any brand. I'm just saying.

Punk is a main eventer who has earned his stripes without question and he will positively add to the ticket selling mix for the SD brand. Punk is his own man, legit, in and out of the ring which ruffles some feathers it has been said but I say, so be it.

Really enjoyed doing commentary Friday night with Chris Jericho including his "insults." Jericho is in a unique zone right now which basically means that with or without a title he will be just as hot. Arguably, Chris Jericho is as good at what he does as any one in wrestling, any where, just as he says.

How good was Morrison vs. Edge Friday night? I got more emails from friends on our call of that match than any match in quite some time. Must be that young buck Todd Grisham with who, seriously, I enjoy traveling and working.

Speaking of bucks, did Joe Buck's first HBO show last week feel like a train wreck or what? Buck is a talented broadcaster who has earned some great gigs but he seemed to lose control of his show as it progressed. Plus, some of the taped features were not compelling. Having Brett Favre as a guest was cool nonetheless.

Sources out of Japan tell me that the wrestler who was wrestling Misawa when the Japanese legend was accidentally killed in the ring has been essentially under a suicide watch not to mention that the parents of the wrestler have received many death threats. Misawa's birthday and the anniversary of him founding Pro Wrestling Noah were last week in what can only be considered cruel irony. This sad story just continues to keep getting sadder and the pro wrestling scene in Japan is perhaps at one of its lowest periods in years.

The upcoming Bash in Sacramento begins "hell week" for the WWE TV crew as there will be the PPV on Sunday, followed by 2 Monday Night Raws in San Jose and two Raw Superstar bouts, ECW/SD/Superstar bouts in both Fresno on Tuesday and Bakersfield on Wednesday. Wow. Replace all the coffee urns with decaf or these back to back to back to back TV days could need Dr. Phil to drop by with his couch by the time this run is over.

BTW we got a few emails regarding the WWE having any interest in the Mid South Wrestling library and as always I continue to say yes but the price has to be mutually fair for all involved. This would be a great addition to WWE's huge library of classic, wrestling bouts but it isn't as if WWE is going to run out of product any time soon either. Selfishly, I hope that the deal can be done as I feel that a season of these shows would be great on DVD as they were so well produced on an episodic basis. Bombastic Bill, Cowboy Bill Watts, knew how to put together a one hour TV show every other week without question.

My OU Sooners are undergoing voluntary workouts this summer as all are in summer school. Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford is the maestro of these challenging workouts in the brutal, Oklahoma heat which will help ensure that OU will be ready for two a days in August. I have done ample planning to make sure that I don't miss a single game, home or away, this season. PPV's and international travel are some time's challenging to deal with but it can be done. I can get from Lincoln, Nebraska to Sheffield, England....just not easily. The players that I seen eating in JR's in Norman look healthy and this group is really focused. OU has a hellacious schedule but I'm hoping that they have a great year. But you likely already knew that.

My good friend Jerry Brisco is in great spirits and will get his heart issues addressed next week. Jerry said in typical, Brisco Brothers Body Shop lingo, "I need a valve job," in a text message to me recently. Jerry has been like a brother to me and was one of the first WWE people to embrace my employment there. I can also still vividly remember reffing multiple, 60 minute time limit draws with Jerry's brother, the great Jack Brisco, and the legendary Danny Hodge back in the 70's. Talk about some amazing wrestling. Yeah, I said it, wrestling. Please keep Jerry and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

I will have to send my pal some JR's BBQ products which make great gift items. Who doesn't like receiving food as a gift? He'll also need a new JR's Cap.

I plan on answering some Q&A's this weekend at some point and for the vast minority of what I perceive to be little pieces of excrement who are sending emails with unflattering things to say about my family please get it that these are deleted and will never see the light of day. Sorry you don't have a life. Classless little cowards.

See you Monday night somewhere doing something on a commercial free Monday Night Raw featuring two of America's most unique personalities, Vince McMahon and Donald Trump. HHH vs. Randy Orton in Last Man Standing should be stout and what affect will it have regarding the WWE Title for "The Bash?" Stay tuned.

Thanks for stopping by.

Boomer Sooner!!

J.R.

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE, Bill Goldbert, MSW, Bill Watts, Jerry Brisco, Jack Brisco, Brisco Brothers, Danny Hodge