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JR's Blog: Sunday Update...Russo...Autograph Seekers...Halme...JR's Original BBQ Sauce #1 Seller at Homeland Grocery!

Posted: Jan 25th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Just a short one for now...no jokes please...but remember that things you order today from our on line store will be shipped to you tomorrow via Federal Express Ground.

I updated our Q&A's Sunday morning. Some good questions this go around. Check 'em out.

We are looking for ways to ship to the UK but there simply are no affordable options as we speak unless I'm over looking something. I'm really open to suggestions. Kevin in the UK suggested I contact Silvervision and we will try and do that and see where it goes.

I do think that we will eventually be able to add shipping our personally, autographed JR's Cookbooks on the site and getting it to fans in the UK, Canada, Australia,etc. We are working on the costs of that and hope to know more soon.

Emailers asked about my thoughts about all that's apparently going on with former WWE writer Vince Russo and him defending himself, etc to the media that covers wrestling. I have not been following it too closely to be honest with you. I do think that creative types in today's wrestling world are under tremendous pressure and scrutiny. I have great compassion for what they do particularly in today's society. Fans of all broadcast genres are harder to please these days because of all the info flow available but people can only do their best and follow their instincts. I still think the keys to the process is listening to the objective critiques of the consumers and to follow rating trends. But it all will come back to one's natural instincts on how they see the genre presented. I know what I personally like in a wrestling TV show but that certainly doesn't mean that others might like the direction that I might take. Hell, I might not like it after I saw it air.

Another emailer asked me about wrestlers in particular signing autographs, posing for photos with fans, etc. I have had MANY more positive experiences with fans than negative ones in my career but the advent of camera phones has really changed the dynamic of interacting with fans. Some fans can be obsessed and overwhelming at times and feel as if they are obligated to get whatever it is that they ask for. When a fan wants one to stop what they are doing while standing at a urinal and take a photo with them and then get miffed when one doesn't, is taking things a little too far. This has happened to me. Same goes when one is eating lunch for example and fans want one to stop, engage them in conversation and then shake hands or hug before resuming one's meal. That's also taking things a little too far. We all have to be aware of health concerns which is why Purell sales are so amazing one could argue. In other words, allow one to finish their meal and then approach them. In other words just use basic common sense.

I rarely say "no" when someone wants me to sign something or take a photo but we all have to be cautious. For example, I had a guy get angry with me when I refused to sign 20 or so of the same photo and he promised me that they weren't being signed to be sold. He later recanted his story but I still did not sign his stack of photos while others had to wait, especially kids. I've also taken photos with the girl friends or wives of fans and then had the occasion to see one of these photos on line as if I was in a social situation with another woman. It's like Bobby Heenan once told me, he would never or rarely order room service and when he did he would not allow the person, male or female, enter his room because of what they "might" allege.

For those that don't travel for a living and are not in the public eye these issues may seem like Pablum but when they occur day after day and multiple times each day it can get old in a hurry. Especially if some fans are obnoxious, drunk, or just naturally being a tool. I stress that the majority of fans are great people but we usually read only about those that have a negative experience with a personality. When you read these outrageous accounts please take them with a grain of salt unless you have seen complete coverage via video of the alleged incident. Plus, if a wrestler happens to say "no" just walk away and call it a day.

Our BBQ products were the #1 best selling BBQ products in the Homeland Grocery stores in Norman this past month. That's great news for the home team at J.R.'S BBQ and the quality of the product is why we are having a record setting month with our on line sales. Hopefully, Lord willing, great days lie ahead for this aspect of our business.

Been reading a little about the death of Tony Halme aka Ludvig Borga and, including his concealed SS tattoo on his calf I won't speak at length about those that have passed away but Tony obviously had issues and was not a great guy to be around. Perhaps others have a different view of this man but I personally found him to be somewhat obnoxious and he could be a bully if allowed to be such. Guys like Halme don't mix well in any locker room and need to be removed from the "team" sooner than later. Nonetheless I still feel badly about the last years of Tony's life as things really unraveled for him seemingly due to alcohol and drug issues. When one competes with "demons" unfortunately the "demons" usually win unless one is personally and throughly committed to changing one's behavior. Wrestlers with problems of this nature either need to have the problem solved, which takes everyone's best efforts specifically the individual himself, or have the problem person needs to be eliminated from the equation. That might sound harsh but some folks would rather "catch a buzz" than do the right thing for themselves, their family and the company for which they work.

I made by bed with the underdogs today in the NFL Playoffs taking, as I mentioned on Twitter, Jets -7 1/2 and Vikes -4.

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/JRsBBQ.

Have a great day...place your on line orders when you can...keep your emails coming...and come back and see us.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Tags: JIm Ross, WWE