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JR's Blog: JR's Elimination Chamber Predictions..A nice, Bruno Sammartino story, New Orleans Memories, Order JR's Delicious Prodducts!

Posted: Feb 17th 2013 By: CMBurnham

Happy Saturday everyone! Enjoy the weekend and hopefully you will enjoy the Elimination Chamber on PPV from New Orleans this Sunday as well. Let's talk about that and some other random thoughts.....

The primary issue about the results of the Elimination Chamber is that they really start clearing up what we might expect to see at WM29. So, the stakes for many talents are obviously high. Everyone can't win but everyone on the PPV Sunday can maximize their minutes and turn heads with their effort, intelligence and overall performance. No matter the match, no matter the winners or losers, it's all about the presentation and that can't be done solo.

Before we predict, I can't say enough about how much New Orleans, the city, Has meant to me in my career. Mid South Wrestling, my old stomping grounds with the Big Cowboy, Bill Watts, was our weekly Thursday night town back in the day and the key city for the southern end of the Mid South territory. We promoted the first ever pro wrestling event in the Super Dome which was quite a feat for a territory to attempt back in those days.

My biggest payoff Early in my career as a referee was in New Orleans when I made a whopping $60 and out of that I had to pay ALL my expenses and still save enough money to help pay household expenses.

One of my best promotional ideas was partnering with Popeyes Chicken for one of those Super Dome events which actually facilitated a $5 ticket with the Popeyes coupon good for a seat in the upper deck at the Dome.

I shared a two bedroom suite with the legendary Muhammad Ali at the Hyatt across the way from the Dome for three days leading up to Ali's appearance at one of Watts' extravaganzas. Spending one on one time with the greatest fighter of all time and one of the world's biggest stars was 'bucket list' stuff for me and will certainly be included in any book that I might write.

Predictions..no wagering unless you are in someway impaired....

Pre Show on YouTube will see the yet to be dubbed duo of Tensai and Brodus Clay dance their way to a victory over Rhodes Scholars who are allegedly going to embark on their own, solo careers.

I see Kaitlyn retaining her Divas Title vs. Tamina. Tamina has just begun to tap into her potential. However, I see a significant title run for Kaitlyn, who feels unique to me, and continues to improve her in ring presentation.

Obviously @MiketheMiz is looking to get his career regenerated as a fan favorite but Miz, simply to me, is a natural antagonist. Nonetheless in a bout for the US Title I'm going with @AntonioCesaro for the win but I'm also not going to be shocked if Miz wins via Figure Four leg lock.

World heavyweight Champion @VivaDelRio Alberto Del Rio feels to be building more momentum daily but he also could arguably be the underdog going into his WHC defense against the mammoth Big Show. I see ADR winning a close one using more resourcefulness than physicality but, as has been proven, Big Show is simply one right hand away from winning any match in which he's involved.

The Elimination Chamber is a unique animal. I think that I called the first one back in the day and I find this apparatus to be provocative and intriguing. In other words, I like the format. It provides 6 men the opportunity to all step into the spotlight and to be illuminated. Who takes advantage of the moment is up to the individual and how well they execute.

The match is 100% physically grueling and takes it toll on all that enter. As I've said on occasion, one doesn't learn how to safely fall onto steel that awaits on the outside of the ring. Each man just has to grit their teeth and grow a set when it comes to assaulting the steel. I don't see any of the six taking any short cuts around the inevitable physicality and discomfort that awaits.

Honestly, a viable argument can be made, some more than others, obviously, that any one of the 6 contestants could be deemed the winner. All 6 men will likely be on the WM29 card but the difference in the pay day for being in a main event, World Title bout or not is significant. Very significant.

Even though I get plenty of negative feedback on our Q&A's, much akin to taking a long car trip with Nancy Grace, regarding my confidence in my fellow Oklahoman Jack Swagger who now has a new addition to his TV persona in Zeb Colter. I recruited Swagger from OU where he was a two time, Wrestling All American for the #Sooners and I know what type of legit athlete that he is. He has shown flashes of brilliance, sporadically, in WWE early in his career but arguably @RealJackSwagger has been admittedly inconsistent as many young guys are prone to be. Nonetheless I still have belief in the kid who used to sit on my couch in our home in Norman and talk about a potential WWE career. Is it Swagger's time to win a career defining match? I'm saying yes but the odds are long. Perhaps I'm picking more with my heart than my head but I'm taking Swagger for the win Sunday on PPV in the Elimination Chamber.
Speaking from actually in ring experience I can testify that Swagger doesn't know his own strength and his length and leverage advantage, among other physical traits, makes him a beast. Athletically, there's not a better in ring talent in WWE but to be a main event level WWE main eventer takes more than simply being a great athlete.

The Elimination Chamber will have five men in it that will not win, see what a math whiz that I am, but I see all five of the non winners having the opportunity to have superb nights in #NOLA. Who will outshine the others ? Who will seize the opportunity to steal some spotlight? Who wants a higher spot on the WM29 card?

WWE has three, big powerful protagonists in @JohnCena, @WWESheamus. and @Ryback22 that I feel that few fans see actually losing Sunday. On paper, the trio of heroes are seemingly bullet proof especially on the last PPV prior to rolling into WM29 where all three are expected to pay major roles especially Cena who will face the WWE Champion in a mega money bout.

So, I'm going out on the old, proverbial limb here and picking @TheShield to prevail by hook or crook this Sunday on PPV in an upset.

In my opinion, this is a much bigger match for @TheShield than for their adversaries. With that said and if that is remotely accurate perhaps @DeanAmbrose, @WWERollins, and @RomanReigns will bring more of a sense of urgency and a willingness to do what ever it takes to leave #NOLA as the winners.

TheRock vs. @CMPunk is the featured, main event of the Elimination Chamber PPV and I'm intrigued by it. I want to see what new wrinkles each man adds from their one on one bout that saw Rock win the @WWE Title at the Royal Rumble. I assure you that Punk will bring 'new' and I'm curious to see if Rock does as well or if he's confident in playing a pat hand.

Both men will obviously be involved at WM29, if healthy, but the difference in roles means the difference in LOTS of cash. The big money here is on Rock to prevail and roll into WM29 as the headliner as he did last year helping make WM28 extraordinarily successful. Having a bona fide, successful, movie star as WWE Champion is a marketers dream but Punk isn't a dreamer. I'm anxious to see who officiates this match...I was in Montreal in '97. Any thing can happen in three seconds. Punk appears to be in better, actual wrestling shape, and understandably so, therefore I'd suggest Punk extend Rock as far as humanly possible. See what's in the 'Great One's' tank. The longer the match goes it would seem the more that it favors the challenger.

I have high expectations for this return bout on Sunday and will be disappointed if it doesn't eclipse what we saw in Phoenix a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the Rumble bout as I have said but the 2nd go around should be improved upon the first...in my personal opinion.

With all that said, and not knowing how @HeymanHustle will impact this bout, I have to go with the majority and pick the Rock to retain but I honestly don't think that it will be easy or without controversy.

My wife Jan, a native of Pittsburgh, is there now caring for her ailing mom who has been battling cancer for quite some time. Ironically, the attorney that we are using for estate work to help my mother in law is also Bruno Sammartino's attorney. Small world. So, while I hold down the fort in Norman, my wife got to have lunch with the Living Legend Friday while speaking with the attorney about the many issues that we are addressing. She had a wonderful time meeting Bruno for the first time and I'm grateful that she was provided ample laughter during these challenging times. The Pittsburgh, Italian community are a tight knit bunch.

Bruno Sammartino is a class act and was genuinely concerned about my wife's mom who actually only lives a few streets over from the 2013 WWE HOF inductee.

I updated on Saturday morning here in the USA the Q&A section of the site. It's always good to hear from the fans especially those that ask provocative, thought provoking questions in a succinct way. LONG diatribes likely won't be answered or read. However, the last batch of questions and comments were actually really good. Check them out.

WWESHop.com, http://www.wweshop.com continues to reorder our products and business there is brisk and it's not even the 'official' grilling season. I hope that many of you are going to use JR's products for your WM29 tailgates and parties.

Same goes for the great folks in the UK and throughout Europe as the @americansoda website is really rocking the JR's biz and we get great feedback from fans in that part of the world.

Enjoyed going to opening day Friday of the #OU Baseball team 2013 season. The #Sooners are picked to win the Big 12 and hopefully make it to Omaha for the College World Series.
I taped a 30 minute TV special Friday morning at the Barry Switzer Center on the OU campus that will air on Wednesday February 27 from 6:30-7 p.m. on KSBI TV in OKC. It's 30 minutes on my career from the Oklahoma perspective and I will hopefully be able to Tweet from @JRsBBQ the link to the broadcast when the time comes.

Thanks to those who support our family's efforts to build JR';s line of products into something viable and we are doing all we can to get these quality products into retail stores.

Enjoy Elimination Chamber on PPV from #NOLA and I will be live Tweeting during the event @JRsBBQ,

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.