JR's Blog: JR's Sunday Blog, NWA Fan Fest in #Charlotte, Jay Lethal, Ricochet, Moose, WWE Wellness Policy, Cancun Boxing on CBS
Posted: Aug 1st 2016 By: Jim Ross
Good day to all and thanks for stopping by our website. Please consider subscribing to The Ross Report podcast at iTunes for FREE as you will never miss a show plus it helps us a great deal. Thanks for your consideration. PW Torch's Bruce Mitchell and I chop up the WWE Draft, Battleground, Raw and much more including Bruce's thoughts on the Brock Lesnar situation on this week's show. It's a good one and I encourage you to check it out. Thanks!
Random thoughts on a variety of topics that have crossed our radar this week...
Patience...too many fans are figuratively knocking themselves out with self imposed knee jerks over the first airings of RAW and Smackdown Live following the WWE Draft. This function of the brand separation is a process and will take time to refine and sort out. Patience is a virtue and some pro wresting fans seemingly aren't overly virtuous.
Tranquilo.
I assume that we fans wil receive new info regarding the two brands this week on TV as it relates to many unanswered questions that could not and likely should not have been addressed last week. I'm always in favor of new info being distributed conservatively and being made to mean more rather than overloading me with too much new data which can make things seem less important than it should be.
WWE Wellness Policy being applicable to full time talents only. I have no issues with this philosophy as it is daunting to test part timers who are not in the every day rotation of the roster. WWE's drug testing program is by far the best within the genre and it strikes me odd that other company's who either rarely test their talents or don't do it all are seldom questioned on this matter simply because "they can't afford it."
Wouldn't the wellness of one's athletes be a vital part of doing business?
Many critics of this matter have no idea what Lesnar's contact states nor the full understanding of the Wellness Policy in general. Please do not construe this as me eluding to the fact that I enough PED usage even in an entertainment entity. I don;t. Talents don"t need them but the narcissistic nature of many pro wrestlers always will rear its ugly head when it comes to how they look and the short cuts some talents take to achieve an unnatural appearance.
This week's The Ross Report podcast features my conversation with ROH Champion Jay Lethal who joins me for the first time. Jay is a marvelous talent and a great pro and this new show drops as usual on Tuesday night at 9 pm ET on podcatone.com and ITunes. We will talk Jay's career and the eagerly anticipated ROH PPV Death Before Dishonor from Las Vegas on Friday August 19.
The Q&A's elsewhere here on our site have been updated.
Great job Saturday night on Showtime by Mauro Ranallo and Al Bernstein who had a marvelous fight to call from the Barclay Center.
Al and I will present Cancun Boxing on the CBS Sports Network Thursday night for a uniquely entertaining card that's a fun event. Check your local listings and join us. My foray into pro boxing broadcasting has been a fun transition and I have multiple TV assignments the balance of the year all on the CBS Sports Network.
Saw where TNA wants to charge promoters $6K for Bobby Lashley to appear at selected events which eliminates the vast majority of promoters from consideration. This is a classic case of negotiating a talent out of extra paydays when they are not booked. I'm in favor of keeping talents busy and earning new money. Asking $6K per appearance, if that is accurate, essentially discourages promoters from booking a great talent like Bobby Lashley therefore prohibiting him from earning extra money at these smaller budgeted events.
Excited to travel to Charlotte this coming Thursday through Sunday for the annual, NWA Legends Fan Fest at the University Hilton Hotel in the Queen City. This is a fantastic event that I love attending every year and strongly encourage wrestling fans to experience. For more info visit www.nwalegends.com
I will do a RINGSIDE with Jim Ross show in Charlotte Thursday night at 7 pm at the Hilton in conjunction with the Fan Fest.
Speaking of our Ringside shows, JIm Cornette and I will team up to do a special show in Baltimore on Friday night September 23 at Jimmy's Famous Seafood in conjunction with MCW Wrestling. Tickets are on sale at www.missiontix.com and get all the info on a spectacular weekend in Baltimore at www.mcwwrestling.com. Only 300 tickets are available so get your tickets soon and join us.
Loved having Roddy Strong in Oklahoma recently for OklaMania and his match with Dalton Castle was stellar. I expect Roddy to join WWE soon and he will be a great addition to their roster when he does.
My The Ross Report conversation with Ricochet will drop on Tuesday August 9 while on August 16 our show with Moose will be available. Two totally different albeit amazing, young talents with amazing careers ahead of them.
Heading to LA early in the week to voiceover 8, NJPW broadcasts over two days with Josh Barnett that will include ample content from Wrestle Kingdom held in January of this year. We are excited to put our spin on these tremendous bouts that will feature such bouts as the Tanahashi vs Okada IWGP Title Bout that fans raved about plus AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura IC Title contest which is also spectacular. NJPW airs on Friday nights on AXSTV at 9/8 CT.
Work continues on our autobiography with the talented Paul O'Brien and we are shooting for a 2017 release of this intense labor orf love.
Preparing to make a couple of major announcements regarding wrestling projects abroad and hopefully we can get that info out this week if all goes as expected.
Enjoy your wek and I look forward to seeing many of you this week in #Charlotte for the NWA Legends Fan Fest. Look for my story on the late Dusty Rhodes on www.foxsports.com that drops this Tuesday online. I spoke with Magnum TA, Michelle Runnels, Cody Rhodes and Tony Schiavone about 'The Dream' for this story I think that many will embrace. It;s hard to believe that such men as Dusty and Roddy Piper are actually no longer with us.
Remember, our tomorrow's are not guaranteed.
Boomer Sooner!
J.R. @JRsBBQ
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1985 Ted DiBiase & Steve Williams def. The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 2003 El Sufamilico def. Ichiban [1st] for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 2008 Damon Windsor def. Havoc for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 2008 Miss Sheila def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 2014 Sam Stackhouse def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
Week of Sun 05-03 to Sat: 05-09
- 05-03 1985 Ted DiBiase & Steve Williams def. The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 05-03 2003 El Sufamilico def. Ichiban [1st] for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 05-03 2008 Damon Windsor def. Havoc for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 05-03 2008 Miss Sheila def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 05-03 2014 Sam Stackhouse def. Steven Sterling for the ComPro Showtime Title
- 05-04 1953 Mike Clancy def. Karl Von Poppenheim for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
- 05-04 1969 Jerry Miller & Jim Osborne def. Danny Little Bear & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
- 05-04 1973 Blackjack Mulligan def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 05-04 1975 Ken Mantell & Jay Clayton def. Stan Hansen & Frank Goodish for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 05-04 1986 Kerry Von Erich & Lance Von Erich & Steve Simpson def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Titles
- 05-04 1986 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Lance Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champions
- 05-04 1987 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW World Tag Team Champions
- 05-04 2003 Ichiban [1st]/Rocco Valentino def. El Sufamilico for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 05-04 2013 Tim Rockwell def. Daemon Storm for the UWE United States Title
- 05-04 2024 Drake Gallows def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Title
- 05-04 2024 Colton Kinnamon became the UWO Dojo Division Champion
- 05-04 2024 Alex Royal def. Wrangler Rhett for the WFC Prime Title
- 05-04 2024 Tim Rockwell def. Thrash for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Title
- 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Title
- 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
- 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
- 05-05 2007 The Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
- 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 05-05 2024 Tzuky def. Guerrerito for the EDW Heavyweight Title
- 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
- 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
- 05-06 1978 Terry Funk def. Karl Krupp for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Titles
- 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champions
- 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champions
- 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
- 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
- 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
- 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Title
- 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Title
- 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Title
- 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
- 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
- 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Title
- 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Title
- 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
- 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Title
- 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Title
- 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
- 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
- 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
- 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Title
- 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Title
- 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
- 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
- 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Title
- 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Title
- 05-08 1967 Jack Brisco & Gorgeous George, Jr. def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Dale Valentine) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
- 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Title
- 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
- 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
- 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
- 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
- 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Title
- 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Titles
- 05-09 1966 The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
- 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
- 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Titles
- 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
- 05-09 2025 BLK to the Future (Brandon Groom & Zach Delt) became the LCW Tag Team Champions
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