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JR's Blog: Monday Blog, Who's Under Pressure?, JR's 20th Anniversary in WWE, Cauliflower Alley Club, Online Biz is Booming!

Posted: Apr 2nd 2013 By: CMBurnham

It's the start of a huge week in WWE kicking off with tonight's last, Monday Night Raw broadcast prior to this Sunday's WrestleMania. We had several new, Q&A's submitted over the weekend of which we have updated here on our site. With that said, the bell has rung...

Heading to New Jersey in a few days to attend the WM29 festivities. For the first time, WWE is building a Super Store inside MetLife Stadium which is where I will be this Friday from 1-3 doing a signing and providing photo op's. The WWE Store at the stadium is where you can find ALL our products including our JR's Cookbook that I will personalize and sign on Friday if you drop by. JR's products will NOT be available at AXXESS and only at the Super Store.

Speaking of AXXESS, I have one appearance there and that is Saturday morning from 8-10 at the Legends area.

Looking forward to attending the WWE HOF Induction Ceremony Saturday night in MSG in New York City which is the toughest ticket to obtain that I can recall for any WrestleMania oriented event. I've had many friends ask for them and I haven't been able to accommodate one request. I'm fortunate that I got the two for Mrs JR and me.

While some mindlessly complain about a return match, a staple within the wrestling business seemingly forever, in the show closing, main event slot at WM29, I prefer to be optimistic and address the fact that so many talents are making their WrestleMania debuts this Sunday.

Who has the most pressure on them to overachieve inside MetLife Stadium this Sunday? Valid arguments could be made for several entities, quite honestly.

Fandango is on the list even though I have gone on record as say that his bout at WM29 with Chris Jericho will exceed the expectations of many cynics. I find it somewhat ill advised (read, silly) that some fans have written me venom-filled emails that Jericho "deserves' better of which I find laughable and I'm sure that @IAmJericho would as well.

Throw Big E on the pressure filled list. Add The Shield, too and let's not forget Ryback either. There are obviously others that could take residence on our list of pressure packed performers at WM29. I've seen the NXT talents in action and have the utmost confidence in each of them and expect them to come out of their first WrestleMania experience proud of their effort, accomplishment but wanting more.

At the end of the day, who that has a role at WrestleMania isn't under pressure and it that a bad thing?

Arguably, the two men that will close the show are under more pressure than anyone else on the card. Cena and Rock get the live audience after multiple hours of, hopefully, an emotional investment, and sitting in one's seat on a crisp, April evening in New Jersey longer than usual.

Have to believe that RAW will be an interesting broadcast tonight especially how it chooses to address the top, three, marquis matches for WrestleMania. I'm as curious as the next fan as to how that will be approached and executed. There may actually be more pressure on many talents regarding tonight's final RAW before this Sunday than WM29 itself. The sold out crowd in Washington, D.C. will also contribute greatly to the feel of the program.

I am very proud of the work that DDP is doing to attempt to help rebuild the lives of Jake Roberts and Scott Hall. If I could wish for one thing regarding the business in general this year, it would be for The Snake and The Bad Guy to get healthy and enjoy their lives as they deserve...and that would be clean and sober. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of both men and so many others I've known in the business, and in life in general, who have made the wrong turn at the proverbial fork in the road of life. Many of us have had that same decision to make over the years and by the Grace of God, fate, a good woman/partner, friends, or whatever, it did not happen to all that it easily could have. This problem isn't just a 'wrestling problem' but one that is an epidemic the world over. People have to make better choices or pay dire consequences.

At the end of the day, the person that we look at in the mirror largely determines our success or our failure.

Good luck to all the promotions, there are too many to name, that are playing off the WWE brand and WrestleMania specifically to promote seemingly countless events in the NYC area this weekend. I'm one that has trouble keeping up with what I'm paid to do much less attempt to know of all the events taking place during WrestleMania weekend but I wish them well nonetheless.

It's always good to see all talents earn a payday and for the fans to enjoy all the wrestling that they can digest.

It's hard to believe that it was 20 years ago this week that I made my debut in WWE after only a 19 year journey to get to the top level of our business. Quite the over night sensation, right? Working on my first, live WWE broadcast was the WWE's biggest event of the year, WM9, and a unique WrestleMania being outdoors and at Caesar's Palace with elephants, togas, etc. Plus, it was a three man announce booth, something that I had done very infrequently, with two men that I had never worked with before...Bobby Heenan and Randy Savage.

Vince McMahon made a bold move putting me on the air for the very first time in WWE at that event and one that I know some within WWE weren't too sure of to say the least. Guys like me coming in from WCW who were perceived as the enemy weren't welcomed with open arms by all involved. All I can say is that the last 20 years have been the best I've ever experienced both professionally and personally (married wife Jan in 1993, too). As I always say about my life, the best is yet to come and I have yet to do my best work. So to address the same, old tired subject, I have not retired, I have no plans on retiring and I am having a wonderful time working in WWE Talent Development along with a multitude of other projects that I'm entrusted in which to participate.

The announce team this Sunday for the four hour PPV will undoubtedly wear dark clothing and may be even NASCAR like under garments as 4+ hours without a bathroom break may be the greatest "pressure packed" moment of the night.

I wish more fans and wrestling media folks wold take an interest in http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. It's a wonderful organization and one that I'm proud to say that I'm a life member. Their big, annual get together is April 15-17 in Las Vegas at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino.

Business is really picking p with the grilling season nearing for many. Thanks to those ordering online at http://www.wweshop.com and at http://www.americansoda.co.uk.

Be well and count your blessings. Join me for live Tweeting tonight during RAW @JRsBBQ.

Boomer Sooner!
J.R.