• Look Back In History
• Pmessages
• Quiz
• Stump The Staff
• Top Fifty
• Close

JR's Blog: WWE MITB Thoughts, JR to England, Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez on Ross Report Podcast, Cena-Owens Steal Show, JR's at WWEShop.com, Q&A's Updated

Posted: Jun 15th 2015 By: Jim Ross

Thanks for stopping by our site. Busy week recording a Ross Report podcast tonight (Monday) with the Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez for the first time and we will discuss WWE MITB, ROH, TNA, UFC, and more on a new show that drops Tuesday night at 9 ET on podcastone.com and iTunes along with being here on the home page of this site. Excited to be in England in a few days with appearances Saturday and Sunday at the London Wrestlecon and Monday in Manchester with @ShawnMichaels at the Comedy Store.

Watched the MITB event on the WWE Network Sunday night and here are some thoughts on the event:

Sincerely loved how WWE handled the sudden passing of my friend The American Dream Dusty Rhodes on the MITB event. The video package that aired was excellent and moving. I still can't believe that he is gone.

It's hard to evaluate the show, other than what we saw, especially for me as I have no idea of the long term direction of WWE creative which is not a complaint BTW. The show was solid, the talents worked hard and there were some obvious highlights of which I will address. The show was better than most RAWS largely because it wasn't a three hour marathon.

Not discounting the efforts of the MITB match which started the show the match seemed to be average plus and was largely a stunt man show with the stunts being toned down for a safer environment. I was surprised that Sheamus won the MITB and am curious to see where Sheamus' win takes us. The MITB is another illustration of how hard it is to execute specialty matches like the Elimination Chamber, Hell in a Cell, and now MITB in a safer, more PG friendly presentation. At some point, the stunts will become repetitive and less impactful to a highly discerning audience.

Good seeing Bray Wyatt on the show and it will be him wrestling Roman Reigns going forward for the next several weeks or so it seems. Wyatt is 'this close" to being a significant, character fan favorite. Wyatt is really going to have to turn up the villain tendencies to help Reigns grow a a fan favorite.

Wasn't crazy about the twin magic conclusion in the Divas Title match and the main roster divas are still struggling to become more relevant. I appreciated the effort of all involved but this 'division' needs help.

Was expecting more out of the Ryback-Big Show match and certainly did not think that the disqualification conclusion helped anyone and don't see where Miz fits into this particular scenario. Was hoping for a solid, defining, Ryback win as he has a shot at making the IC Title have more equity and increasing his own value in the company.

Loved the Cena-Owens match including Cena winning but the post match action was the highlight for me especially Owens' aggression, Cena's selling and Owens' manically laughing. Owens losing but leaving with all the heat was a good scenario IMO. What will people remember most about this match? I say it was the post match villainous conduct of Owens. Good execution of this match in many phases especially the post match. oth men busted their ass to deliver and they did.

Surprised that the Prime Time Players won the Tag Titles over New Day. If it helps create more interest in the luke warm tag world then it's an OK thing and it at least gives the live events, etc a viable tag match with a story.

Liked the physicality of the WWE World Title match in a match where the talents took some ridiculous risks. Hope no one is hurt over this match. Lucky if not. Might have been too much at times because there's a difference in having guts/courage and the art of selling. I endorse that Rollins is still the champion and the close, photo finish gives the WWE a valid, return match for the live events between two men who have solid chemistry. I did enjoy Rollins trying to destroy Ambrose's leg so that Dean couldn't climb the ladder. Bravo to both men for their efforts and for putting their bodies at significant risk but I hope that they tone it down a bit going forward. Proud of both men for their desire to steal the show.

Working a body part, selling in stages and using that as the primary base of one's story of a match is essentially new again and today's talents can take advantage of this matter and it's timely for today's wrestlers if they are brave enough to actually wrestle and not feel that they have to execute a stunt man show and/or a spot fest.

Tickets for the London Wrestlecon are limited and will be available at the door both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for the Monday June 22 show with @ShawnMichaels and me in Manchester at the Comedy Store and a limited number of tickets are still available at www.thecomedystore.co.uk. I always enjoy my visits to the UK.

June 26-27 I will be in Providence, RI for the 5th New England Fan Fest and tickets are on sale at www.newenglandfanfest.com is an event with a great lineup and JR's products will be sold there, too. I expect to have a great time.

If you are coming to Charlotte for the NWA Legends Fan Fest be sure that you attend Thursday night July 30 as that will be the world premier of the film 'Mid Atlantic Memories,' a version of my RINGSIDE show and a special Q&A with Jim Cornette. For info visit www.nwalegends.com. I think that JR's products will be available there too but that's still being discussed. This event has never been bigger or more eagerly anticipated.

www.wweshop.com sells JR's products with quick home delivery. Check them out and grill with us.

www.prowrestlingtees.com/jimross continues to ship our shirts worldwide in sizes up to 5X. Thanks for those of you who are supporting this effort.

Tickets for RINGSIDE w/ Jim Ross Shows in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday August 19 at the DC Improv are on sale at www.dcimprov.com and VIP tickets are still available and general admission tickets start at only $25. Tickets for our big, Saturday night August 22 Show in NYC at the Gramercy Theater are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com and this show is the night before Summer Slam. VIP seats are available but selling fast and general admission tickets start at only $25.

Thanks to all who are subscribing for FREE to the Ross Report podcast at iTunes. Your subscription helps us a great deal and it costs you nothing and you will never miss a show.

Here's hoping everyone has a great day and I invite you to follow me on Twitter @JRsBBQ.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ