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JR's Blog: CAC...Faber vs. Aldo...Interenet Inaccuracies...Q&A's Updated...JR's Original BBQ Sauce Rocking..Interesting Days Lie Ahead

Posted: Apr 25th 2010 By: CMBurnham

Although we had a great time in Las Vegas for the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion it is always good to get home safe and sound. We are going to spend a nice, quiet weekend here in Norman and will, of course, do our fair share of grilling. With that said, the old grill is hot and ready to present some random thoughts.

Although many wrestling websites do a really nice job in reporting on the biz some obviously go with what they hear more than once and then consider such gospel. For example, it was reported that I met with TNA executive Dean Broadhead who I have never met in my entire life nor could I pick him out of a police lineup.

As I mentioned on Twitter late Friday night, http://twitter.com/JRsBBQ, we have been approached with an intriguing, reality show concept that has the potential to be fun, comedic, and still feature unique action. Another, viable non wrestling option that has merit that has come our way.

CAC was a great experience and I certainly hope to attend on an annual basis. The Mrs had a great time too which always helps. I am shocked that more successful, pro wrestlers and that ALL wrestling organizations aren't more supportive of CAC which is a completely, 100% non profit organization. All active wrestlers should become Lifetime Members for the $500 one time fee plus all wrestling organizations should ask CAC what they can do to help the organization rather than to put them on ignore as if CAC did not exist. That's just damn embarrassing.

Of course, one can cite as many illustrations as it would take to make the point that communication within 'the business' hasn't been, nor is it now, always been ideal. Hearsay, half truths, gossip mongering and general manure has been an unenviable part of pro wrestling since the day I walked into my first locker room in 1974.

CAC always provides not only the opportunity to renew old friendships and make new acquaintances but gives long time and loyal fans the unique opportunity to interact with some of wrestling's most famous names from multiple generations not withstanding the fact that the classic photo display is an area that one can spend hours.

I enjoyed renewing so many old friendships including Sir Oliver Humperdink who has undergone heart valve replacement surgery and who, along with Dick 'The Destroyer' Beyer, enjoyed their Vegas time with our mutual friend Mike Tenay. Mike and I got to catch up over lunch on Thursday as I had not seen Mike in years. Mike is an old friend who arranged Jan and my hotel room when we married in Vegas in October 1993.

Another rumor to kill....I have been emailed by many that WWE is looking to hire a talent payroll person of which, BTW, they have been looking for several weeks. This is NOT the role that I have been doing for WWE since the mid to late 90's but a position within the accounting department that oversees the talent pay after dispersement has been made. This was simply another miscommunication that has zero to do with me or my work status w/ WWE.

Nice seeing and visiting with Raven, a very bright, wrestling mind, at CAC. We had a nice visit as did he with Steve Austin.

Slam Wrestling's website did a wonderful job covering the CAC and they have posted tons of photos from the event that I encourage you to check out.

My wife is 'ecstatic' with me watching the NFL Draft since it came on in prime time on Thursday. Luckily we were still in Vegas so I finished with the Draft in time to take her to a well deserved dinner. The Draft has been awesome for my Sooner guys who have all been to JR's BBQ and who all enjoy our products. I'm like a proud 'uncle' or something as all these kids will no doubt do well and will be wonderful additions to the communities of which they will reside in search of success in the National Football League.

I have spent several hours updating our Q&A section which I invite you to check out.

If your question did not make the cut please understand that you may have asked something that has been asked multiple times so I encourage you to read past Q&A's which some folks find to be entertaining and informative.

I'm also not going to discuss private meetings that I may or may not have been involved with regarding future, career opportunities. However, I've read various internet reports on this subject that were not accurate.

One thing that I do find offensive, bearing in mind that the wrestling biz is sometimes Gossip Mania and that many covet the beloved 'dirt,' is that some pundits apparently feel that I'm so one dimensional that I won't be able to function outside the pro wrestling bubble. I disagree.

I did not answer any emails on recent WWE releases because I do not know the reasons why other than perhaps the decision makers felt it was time to make changes and that creative opportunities for the released talents had come and gone. Perhaps there were other issues that we are not privy to. Nonetheless it isn't the end of the world for any of the released talents and they simply need to regroup, reinvent, refocus, and get back in the game if that is their desire. Taking a few months off as in the 90 non compete clauses they likely have isn't a bad thing. Bottom line, if these talents want to stay relevant in the pro wrestling biz I'm sure that they will be able to do so.

I have always preached saving one's money, preparing for the future and having a viable plan B to fall back on and these recent releases are prime examples of that philosophy. Everyone deserves to be happy and happiness can be found in a variety of entitles, in and out of pro wrestling.

Huge, MMA PPV Saturday night on from Sacramento which I am emotionally invested in seeing. Hometown challenger, Urijah Faber, with try and regain his Title against the ultra talented Jose Aldo in what will most likely be the most emotional atmosphere of any MMA fight this year. This Championship fight features two highly talented and skilled men and it also has many pro wrestling characteristics that have been around for years. The hometown 'hero' attempting to regain his coveted title against the visiting 'villain' who is just as desperate to retain the gold. The first team of Goldberg, Mike not Bill, and Joe Rogan will man the mics Saturday night. Bruce 'Don't call me The Fink' Buffer will handle the ring announcing, or so I'm told, which is always an entertaining sight.

WEC on PPV Saturday night should be one of the better events of the year for MMA enthusiasts. I love Faber but him winning is going a tough up hill climb. But isn't that the way it's ideally supposed to be, the hero in jeopardy attempting to regain his beloved title in front of his legion of home town admirers?

Another emailed subject that I did not address in detail is the alleged 'incident' that involved Mark Henry in Belfast with a fan. I wasn't there. I heard one side of the story of which there are always two. I like Mark Henry, even if he is a Texas Longhorn fan (that's a joke), and feel that this matter may have simply perhaps been a 'rib' gone awry involving some very tired, frustrated travelers. Think of it this way, if Mark Henry had really wanted to assault a fan who could have truly restrained Mark? Mark Henry isn't a dumb guy nor is he going to put himself and WWE in a position to where Mark is arrested and detained in a foreign country. Not withstanding the fact that Henry would likely be sued for all he has by the offended party. Again, I wasn't there but I know that under normal circumstances that Mark Henry is a good natured man of character who I have known for years since we signed him in around 1995 or 96.

WWE's on PPV Sunday in one of my favorite markets, Baltimore. I can remember many late nights with Ric Flair and the Horsemen at Sabatino's Italian Restaurant after NWA events back in the day. Promoter Gary Juster did a marvelous job marketing Baltimore for Jim Crockett Promotions. One has to wonder how many more PPV's will be held in the old Baltimore Arena as it is one of the older, more antiquated facilities still be utilized.

Don't forget to stay stocked up on our sauces and remember that they make great gifts for any occasion. We have some outstanding specials in our store that come with FREE SHIPPING and NEW, 8X10's that I'm personally autographing. We also had a nice 'run' with several 'JR's Cookbook' orders that we personalize to whomever you choose and ship to you all for under 20 bucks.

J.R.'s Original BBQ Sauce is becoming our best selling item and I encourage you to try it and to keep it stocked in your 'fridge. Once opened and refrigerated both our sauces and the delicious, Chipotle Ketchup actually get more flavorful.

Thanks for stopping by and keep counting those many blessings that we all have.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Tags: Jim Ross, TNA, Oliver Humperdink, WWE, Ric Flair, NWA