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JR's Blog: JR Talks to Jerry Brisco...Michael Jackson Memory...Farrah...Lashley vs. Sapp...The Bash

Posted: Jun 27th 2009 By: mikeiles

It is has been a scorching week here in Norman, Oklahoma with temps as I write this at 103 on our patio. It looks as if I won't be traveling to "cooler" weather as we head out to California for "the Bash" and other television projects through Wednesday night when we will be in Bakersfield. Business seems to be picking up in our store here on the website which is timely and appreciated. We have several items that make great gift ideas for a variety of occasions. I know that we just shipped a case of sauce to Australia this week which was cool. On to the BBQ'ed Random Thoughts.....

I spoke with my old friend Jerry Brisco on Friday and he was feeling better and looking forward to what he hopes will be his heart procedure next week in Tampa. As tests continue to be done and more info is provided Jerry, it has been discovered that he did not have any artery blockage whatsoever including his neck and that the sole source of his strokes was a result of a faulty heart valve along with a small hole in his heart both of which Jerry was born. It is amazing that Jerry was able to participate and succeed at such a high level athletically his entire life with a heart defect while showing no ill affects of the issue. Jerry's speech, as a result of the stroke issues, has improved tremendously since I talked to him last but I told him that he would always sound like an Okie which I don't perceive to be a bad thing. So the sole culprit of Jerry Brisco's health issues was a heart issue that he was born with and that he has been living with his entire life. The hospital stay after surgery is generally only 1-3 days while recovery time for such procedures is 4-6 weeks as a rule. With that said, it will probably be 2-3 months before Jerry is back at 100% and with his ticker then operating without defects I suspect the former Oklahoma State Cowboy will feel better than he has in years. Jerry Brisco, is a deserving WWE Hall of Famer, who has been a major asset to WWE for many, many years and is a credit to the profession. Brisco's eye for talent and his ability to recruit top quality athletes is an invaluable asset for WWE.

Many years ago I turned down an opportunity to join my wife, along with several WWE corporate types, at a private function at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. I believe the occasion was a birthday party for a Jackson family member. My wife recalls the Jackson kids asking if "J.R. was o.k." as that apparently was around the time Kane BBQ'ed yours truly. Many within the Jackson household followed WWE on TV regularly as Jan remembers getting bombarded with questions and some of the Jacksons have attended WWE events over the years. My wife recalls the experience as being a great deal of fun and remembers being pretty sure that she saw Michael in costume wearing a "fat suit" so as to not to distract from the other family member's birthday celebration by causing a commotion amongst the visiting guests. Neverland Ranch was an extraordinary place for an individual's residence even someone as unique as Michael Jackson. Coming off the untimely death of Jackson this week at only 50 years of age, in hindsight I wish I had accompanied the Mrs on this trip. Jackson was an impeccable showman with precision like timing and possessed amazing crowd psychology.....which are all enviable traits of a great wrestler in any decade past, present or future.

One thing left behind at the Neverland Ranch, by request, was a signed cookbook, "Can You Take the Heat" and a few bottles of J.R.'s BBQ Sauce. Small world indeed.

Farrah Fawcett and I had a mutual friend, the irrepressible John Paul Shellnut who resides in Houston, Texas and who is also great friends with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame. JP put me on the phone with Farrah many, many years ago after I told him of my fascination of the woman who was considered at one time to be the sexiest woman in the world. Michael Jackson's death seemed to have put Farrah Fawcett's passing on the back burner which I feel is unfortunate. The reason is that Farrah battled cancer so bravely and that battle should be a great example for all of us when we are faced with major challenges in our lives. Farrah was fun and feisty with me on the phone and I was probably childlike in my brief albeit memorable conversation with her as she was out socializing with my pal JP. Farrah even sent us a signed photo that we have hanging in our J.R.'s Family BBQ in Norman where she wrote a lovely inscription in her amazingly artistic handwriting. Farrah Fawcett was an icon who kept her gifts of sex appeal and charming personality as her calling card for many years even though her talents reached much farther than simply appearing on arguably the most famous poster ever made.

Lots of ticket selling trash being talked about from big Bob Sapp who tangles with former WWE alum Bobby Lashley this weekend in Biloxi. Unless Lashley walks in front of a gigantic, Sapp right hand and/or attempts to trade punches with the one dimensional Sapp, Lashley should be able to take his much larger foe down and pound Sapp into submission Saturday night.

Looks like the SD brand will have 4 bouts at "The Bash" this Sunday on pay per view from Sacramento. Although I look for the "Three Stages of Hell" match to close the show, at least that would be my suggestion, I do feel that Jeff Hardy challenging C.M. Punk for the World Title and the IC Title vs. Rey Mysterio's mask when Mr. 619 faces Chris Jericho will rival any bouts at the event. The PPV seems loaded with content and should move along at a fast clip.

It looks as if young Todd Grisham and I will hang three nights in Fresno arriving there after "The Bash" and leaving Wednesday morning for Bakersfield before then driving to LAX Wednesday evening to finally catch flights home on Thursday.

Enjoy Friday Night Smackdown this week as it felt like a really solid effort while we were taping it on Tuesday evening in Milwaukee.

It's the grilling season and no better time than to visit our store for some great BBQ Sauce and swag.

Be well and count your blessings.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE, Jerry Brisco