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JR's Blog: JR's Summer Slam Thoughts, @BrockLesnar, Who's Next?, Tuesday Night's Ross Report Podcast will have detailed Summer Slam Thougths PLUS @Celtics @SeanGrande!

JR's Blog: JR's Summer Slam Thoughts, @BrockLesnar, Who's Next?, Tuesday Night's Ross Report Podcast will have detailed Summer Slam Thougths PLUS @Celtics @SeanGrande!

Posted: Aug 19th 2014 By: Jim Ross

Greetings to all and thanks for stopping by our site. Like to take a moment to ask you to spread the word about two things, this website and our Ross Report Podcast that drops every Tuesday night at 9 eastern time on podcastone.com and iTunes. This weeks podcast features my Summer Slam match by match thoughts plus we will have as our special guest from the Boston Celtics and life long wrestling fan and one of the best students of the game that I've ever known, @SeanGrande. Let's grill......

I thought Summer Slam was a really good show. From the untouchable broadcast opening, which no one in TV does better within their genre than WWE, to the jaw dropping main event that unleashed the legit beast that is Brock Lesnar, Summer Slam was a 'transitional show' that we may look back upon in the coming years and say that was the show that changed the course of WWE.

From developing Lesnar's next opponent, and his future opponents, to watching the evolution of the next level of main event stars, this is going to be an interesting notwithstanding crucial time within WWE as it relates to their 'creative' direction but more importantly, in my eyes, their overall booking philosophy.

The way to sell more $9.99 WWE Network isn't overstated marketing plans heavy on rhetoric and redundancy but getting the brand hot again and making RAW, and Smackdown to a slightly lesser degree, more 'must see.' The hotter the product is the more consumers will want to experience it in any form that they can including the Network which I personally enjoy.

Seems that this is the time for WWE upper mgmt to rely on those with extensive product knowledge and less on the creative types whose strengths are seemingly writing promos and campy skits. There are some excellent 'wrestling people' there than can and should step up and express themselves.

Summer Slam was action heavy and the talk was efficiently succinct and timely. Hence, the event was easier to watch and process.

One would thing that the RAW TV rating will be strong even thought it's up against RG3 and Johnny Football on Monday Night Football on ESPN.

Regarding Lesnar's dominating performance against Cena, too many people are already leaving/forgetting that performance and it's impact to look a head and fixate on who's next for Lesnar and how can it be possible that any one can ever beat him. Firstly, in the land of sports entertainment, a variety of things can occur to create the 'impossible' but my take on this is to see Lesnar sporadically defend the title, please don't live or die on the "30 Day Rule," while new challengers are being developed.

The new talents need time to refine their game and are works in progress, IE Reigns, Wyatts, etc, while there are other options such as a rejuvenated Big Show, for example, that might pose as an interesting attraction/challenger who would challenge Lesnar's ability to execute the F5. It's all a matter of presentation and execution. Remember that this is show biz where characters are created, refined, and repackaged. Great bookers have done far more with far less assets than WWE has at their finger tips. Cesaro and even Sheamus can be positioned as viable opponents too especially Cesaro with the @HeymanHustle connection.

Plus, now is the perfect time to add much needed equity to the IC and US Titles currently held by Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus, who I would turn heel, while Lesnar maintains his part time schedule of TV events. With Lesnar's contract allegedly ending after WM30 now would be a great time for WWE to renegotiate with their new, Champion which might see them we able to add a few extra TV days to his itinerary if Lesnar's willing. Nonetheless, WWE needs to firmly know where they stand with Lesnar long before the end of the year as they continue to plan for 2015....and perhaps they already do.

I tweeted during the Summer Slam event at @JRsBBQ of which you can go back and check out the timeline if you want to know more of my thoughts during the event. Remember that I will have match by match and more thoughts on the event on this week's Ross Report Podcast that drops Tuesday night at 9 pm Eastern time on podcastone.com and at iTunes.

Congrats to WWE for a stellar show that was fun to watch and to the talents who gave great effort which is unfortunately and often times over looked by many fans who instead would rather focus on creative and 'what's next.'

Hoping this is going to be a productive week on many fronts and I'm hopeful to share some good news with you before week's end.

Remember our marketing partners including americansoda.co.uk, beyondtheropes.co.uk, wweshop.com and prowrestlingtees.com/jimross. We thank you sincerely for all your support.

The Q&A's are updated at Ask JR.

If you subscribe for FREE to the Ross Report Podcasts at iTunes you won't miss an episode and they will download into your devise automatically and as soon as the show is posted.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
  • 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title

Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19

  • 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
  • 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2026 Tuff Love (Cade Lovee & Cole Lung) def. GBA (Drake Gallows & Colton Kinnamon) for the RDW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-13 2026 Nate Bourne def. Ricky Wingrave for the RDW Iron Man Title
  • 09-13 2026 Malik Mayfield def. Will Chambers for the UWO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-13 2026 Lunchador def. Max Leon for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-13 2026 Max Leon def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
  • 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
  • 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
  • 09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
  • 09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
  • 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
  • 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
  • 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
  • 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
  • 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
  • 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-17 2026 T. J. Spade became the ASP WTF Champion
  • 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
  • 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
  • 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
  • 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
  • 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
  • 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
  • 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
09-19
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