Oklafan.com v5 Beta > Columns > JR's Blog: JR's Thoughts on not being on WWE's Signature Open...George Steinbrenner Memories...We Start back FREE SHIPPING Wednesday!

Home
Columns

JR's Blog: JR's Thoughts on not being on WWE's Signature Open...George Steinbrenner Memories...We Start back FREE SHIPPING Wednesday!

Posted: Jul 14th 2010 By: CMBurnham

We begin shipping your orders tomorrow (Wednesday) after a few days off so we hope to see 'business pick up' this week in our on line store.

Too much has been made of me being edited off the WWE signature open. I was on it for a long time and it was time to update the piece. In a year or so it's likely that the open will be tweaked again and who knows who will be added or omitted?

For me to be replaced by Gorgeous George and Freddie Blassie is absolutely a non issue to me as it relates to those who have contributed to the business in the days of yesteryear. I don't even belong in the same covnersation with Gorgeous George or Classy Freddie Blassie.

I do not feel the 'conspiracy theory' concept that others have shared here on the site and look at my relationship with WWE as I have for years. I have no issues with cashing their checks and likewise have no issues in doing my assigned duties. I am pleased that I am not on the road 51 weeks a year but I do look forward to traveling to Kansas City this weekend for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match PPV. I'll also be heading to Tampa next week to visit FCW for a few days beginning on Wednesday. That should be a productive trip as well.

I'm an old school guy with a strong, Oklahoma oriented work ethic and am loyal to my employer no matter who that may be. Plus, I stopped fixating on things that I have no control over long ago.

When told by their doctors that one was 30 days away from dying it puts things like TV time, or a lack thereof, who's doing pay by play on a given show, etc and the minutia/politics that can be found in any vocation in its proper place. I thank God every day that I have regained my health and that I am now living a healthier lifestyle that I hope will add years to my life.

I have not felt better mentally or physically in years which is BIG considering where I once was and I have too much to be thankful for to bitch and moan about a sound byte on TV.

While I do sincerely appreciate all the support that I receive and the appreciation for my work over the years, I will say that I'm excited about my future and the various opportunities that I am able to explore under my current professional arrangement. My sound bytes and commentary will live for years to come on DVDs and on such entities as WWEClassics.com and WWE 24/7 On Demand.

For some fans to consider me the "voice of the WWE" is extremedly flattering but I've never thought that I deserved that monicker.

Just a quick note on the late George Steinbrenner. The owner of the New York Yankees died Tuesday morning of a heart attack. He was 80, on July 4th, and died on the morning of the MLB All Star Baseball game. There's a little irony there as the controversial Mr. Steinbrenner has taken over the front page on a day where baseball's best play their annual all star game. I met "The Boss" in Tampa one year at the Sun Dome before a Royal Rumble, as I recall, as he was there with his grandkids. We talked Mickey Mantle for a few moments and he invited me to attend a game at Yankee Stadium as Mr. Steinbrenner's guest. Unfortunately, I never took the time to take him up on his generous offer.

Steinbrenner was a huge fan of the work of WWE HOF'er Bobby Heenan and "the Brain" enjoyed some first class treatment from Mr. Steinbrenner over the years at the Stadium.

I've worked for many tough bosses in my long career and Mr. Steinbrenner seemed cut out of the same cloth. One might not have always agreed with his decisions but no one could second guess the Yankee owner's passion and burning desire to win. Mr. Steinbrenner was a former coach and loved to win but he was a shrew businessman as well. He bought the Yankees for less than $9M and built the brand back into a winner and a franchise worth over $1B.

RIP Mr. Steinbrenner and thanks for the invite. Please say hello to "the Mick" for me.

Remember to check out my blog at www.wweuniverse.com which will be live soon.

You're invited to follow me on Twitter...@JRsBBQ.

We're back up and running and will resume shipping on Wednesday so feel free to hammer us with orders. Baby needs new shoes. :)

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE, Gorgeous George,

Supplemental Information

Polling Booth

Why didn't you vote in the Oklafan Year End Polls?

Upcoming Events

Complete Calendar

Spotlight in History

2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title

Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12

09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

09-06

Beau Dalton Sep 6th Today!
Dylan Feltz Sep 7th
Whitey Whittler Sep 7th
Tommy Revell Sep 7th
Wendi Richter Sep 8th
Vincent Cross Sep 8th
Silas Young Sep 8th
Rebel [2nd] Sep 8th
Great Kabuki Sep 8th
Rancid Sep 9th
Mike Clancy Sep 9th
Kool Ade Sep 10th
Owen Sep 10th
Mr. Wrestling II Sep 10th
Trevor Murdoch I Sep 10th
Vivian St. John Sep 10th
Les Mayne Sep 10th
Summer Thunder Sep 11th
Vic Nichols Sep 11th
Bounty Hunter Sep 12th
N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th
Danni Bee Sep 12th
Adrian Dell Sep 12th
Animal Sep 12th
American Anarchy Sep 12th
Bob Kenaston Sep 12th
Bash Sep 12th
Montego Seeka Sep 12th
Bobby Starr Sep 13th
Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
K. P. Moore Sep 13th
Poder Oriental Sep 13th
Angelina Love Sep 13th
Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
Waddy Young Sep 14th
Bernie D Sep 14th
Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
Daniel King Sep 15th
L. C. Green Sep 15th
Korvin Sage Sep 15th
Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
Haru Sonada Sep 16th
Dick Brower Sep 17th
Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
Jake Swayze Sep 17th
Rex Mori Sep 17th
Bill Irwin Sep 17th
Jim Cornette Sep 17th
Angel Reed Sep 18th
Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
Titan Yin Sep 18th
Billy Robinson Sep 18th
Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
Adam Asher Sep 19th
Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th

2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title

More Look Back In History