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JR's Blog: Monday...Chris Kanyon...Life After Wrestling and Pro Sports...PG Wrestling..McNabb Trade..Prep For Grilling Season!

Posted: Apr 6th 2010 By: CMBurnham

To all of you that celebrated Easter, I hope that your holiday was a great one. Very low key day here in Norman as I enjoyed the 80 degree weather with two, Sunday newspapers and other reading material sitting in the back yard.

For those that have asked questions about former NWA Champion Gene Kiniski, whose cancer has spread to his brain and isn't expected to survive much longer, there is plenty of info re: 'Big Thunder' on the 'net. Gene was a rugged, villain in most territories as he stood 6'4" or more and wrestled at about 260-270 pounds which was a big man in that era. Gene Kiniski held the NWA Title from 1966-69 and was a respected, athletic, big man who always had plenty of fuel in his tank. I'm under the impression that Gene played in the Canadian Football League with other wrestlers Wilbur Snyder, the innovator of the abdominal stretch, and Joe Blanchard, the father of Horseman Tully Blanchard. Say a prayer for Gene Kiniski who was one of the greatest in ring performers of his era.

We are being deluged with questions, comments, gripes about TV wrestling shows being rated PG. Those that don't like the PG rating theory, for whatever reason, need to move on as this is becoming like the Randy Savage for WWE HOF questions in that we are on the verge of overkill. I can't affect the PG biz nor would I try if I could. I don't see what difference it makes what a show is rated if a weekly episodic program has compelling physicality that is logically structured based on personal issues. Blood for blood sake is not strategic or smart and the more one sees it the less that it means. Chair shots to the head are down right dumb and every one involved should just say no to that over used and dangerous maneuver.

Bottom line is that the PG rated wrestling shows are just that and if one can't change or solve a problem then simply eliminate it if watching that particular program is unbearable.

I think we sold in the neighborhood of 1,000 racks of ribs over the weekend at Homeland with each customer receiving a free bottle of JR's Original BBQ Sauce. The potential of having our products in Homeland Grocery stores statewide has a bigger upside than does the restaurant biz. Plus, our on line business is up about 250% over last year at this time. We need to continue to build sales and we see so much repeat business from satisfied customers. If you've never placed an order, we hope that you will do so soon.

Shipping liquids and meat to the UK and Canada is a major issue. The FDA intervenes and all meat products have to clear a through Customs process that always doesn't guarantee that one will will receive their goods. Plus, the cost of shipping to UK and Canada is ridiculous. I wish it were different but it doesn't look like this matter is going to be rectified any time soon.

Too many emailers are feeling 'sad' for J. R. because of my contract situation with WWE considering that they have chosen to go another direction with their announcing and that my latest contract extension expires on April 30. This is the furtherest thing from reality as I am not 'sad' and have some exciting options and potential projects on which to work if my WWE biz arrangement doesn't work out. I have my health, a great family, and many, many good friends and have absolutely nothing to 'poor me' it about.

The Donovan McNabb trade from the Philadelphia Eagles to the neighboring Washington Redskins smells fishy. Why would any team trade their star QB and inspirational leader to a division rival a car trip away. Somethings not stirring the Kool Aid on this one.

Perhaps it is the time of the year or those repeat customers are really starting to kick in but our 97% Fat Free JR's Beef Jerky sales are super. We are actually selling the Jerky by the case as it costs less per bag and it seems that friends are going in together to split the 48 bag case. Smart idea. Plus, we include FREE SHIPPING.

We are also seeing a significant increase in sales for our case priced, J.R.'s Original Sauce which is really a super deal, too. Check these and other new specials out in our on line store here on the site. We'll ship you a case and also throw in FREE SHIPPING.

Some emailers wanted to know over the weekend if I wanted to return to WWE and get involved in a storyline. No, thanks. That would be a no to becoming the Raw General manager, managing Jack Swagger, or having a 'feud' with Michael Cole or Matt Striker. Those ships have sailed and hopefully have sunk.

That's all I need and that's to join the ever growing list of personalities on wrestling TV shows who are over exposed and therefore are diminishing their own value.

Have any of you ever had a sleep test? I strongly suggest that if your significant other tells you that your snoring is abnormal, that you occasionally stop breathing while sleeping or if you consistently wake up and feel like you got no rest or that you find yourself seriously needing a nap in the middle of the afternoon, you might want to either speak to your family physician or arrange for an inexpensive, easy to execute sleep test to see if you have sleep apnea. I have been diagnosed with it and now with my CPAP machine I sleep better than I have in years and it has improved my quality of life immensely. Some of wrestling's biggest names have also been diagnosed with the affliction of sleep apnea and are also using a CPAP machine. When you read of some one 'dying in their sleep' you might want to consider that it could be you next if you are a victim of sleep apnea. My friend and NFL Hall of Famer Reggie White died of sleep apnea and if he had only worn his mask while he slept as he was prescribed to do he would likely still be with us today.

For some reason many emailers to this site feel that the Undertaker should wrestle Sting next year in Atlanta at WM27. I don't see it personally but that's only one man's opinion. I think the match is about a decade late in all due respect plus Sting is a TNA talent and likely will never wrestle for WWE. I am still of the belief that no one will ever beat the Undertaker at a Wrestlemania event no matter who the opponent may be.

The apparent suicide of former wrestler Chris Kanyon raises many questions. Firstly, Kanyon was one of the guys who had a college degree and at one time was a skilled, physical therapist. However, his love of wrestling, perhaps obsession is a better or more accurate term, was something that Chris could never fully step away from even after he 'retired.' Soon after or around the time Kanyon retired/left the biz he 'came out' and told that world that he was gay. Leaving one's dream profession and then providing such significant, personal news is a ton of material for one to process. Obviously, Chris was unfortunately not successful in that mission. Point I'm making is that our society isn't long on preparing many of their 'people' for the next phase of their lives specifically after the stadium lights, ring lights, etc dim on one's career. More needs to be done and should be done whether it be in the NFL, the NBA, or pro wrestling. Granted, that it takes two to tango but better programs should be in place to help people transition from the world of show biz, pro sports, etc to the 'real world.'

Many of the most famous wrestlers from a multitude of decades are still battling today to stay relevant because they either need the money or they just can't walk away from the biz and 'smell of the popcorn.' Some times I see things on TV featuring wrestlers my age or older and it saddens me. Same goes when I read of older guys who are still having to wrestle where ever they can get a booking to help put bread on the table after having successful, multi year careers in which many did no long term, financial planning. This is not a problem only of the wrestling establishment but the talents themselves have to be held equally accountable for not having the self discipline to prepare for the future which includes putting money away in a protected area and certainly paying one's taxes.

Yes, one can easily blame it on the 'independent contractor' issue but I'm not totally buying that one. Lots of independent contractors have created their own retirement plans and benefit packages and there are a litany of companies out there that specialize in such. Would it help if all these talents were employees? Sure, to a certain degree. Would being full time employees guarantee that all those 'employees' were protected? Nope. It all starts with education at a young age where knowledge and discipline are both instilled.

I look at so many pro athletes, many that I know, that had all the benefits and money one would seemingly need and they still fell upon hard times because they simply were not prepared or did not have the education and info for their life after the game ended.

My Oklahoma Sooner Womens Basketball team made a great run at Stamford but couldn't over come the Cardinal in the NCAA Womens Final Four Sunday evening down in San Antonio. Coach Sherri Coale's team never backed down or quit and I'm proud of their team effort as this was a group that put the team, not their own individual agendas, first. Some wrestlers that I have known over the years could have learned a valuable lesson in this philosophy.

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

Join us at Facebook at http://facebook.dj/jrbbq/.

We've updated the Q&A section of our blog of which some wrestling websites have already picked up on and printed excerpts.

I hope that some of you that follow our site will be on hand in Las Vegas for the Cauliflower Alley Club function April 19-21. If you are an old school fan, then I can safely say that you will have a great time in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.

Have a great day and always count your blessings. Thanks for stopping by and for your business.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Tags: Jim Ross, NWA, Joe Blanchard, WWE, Jack Swagger, Sting, TNA