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JR's Blog: Shooting the Breeze on a non traveling Monday about UFC, BBQ, OU-Tech, and the Survivor Series

Posted: Nov 17th 2008 By: mikeiles

It is nice to not have to get on an airplane this week until I leave EARLY Sunday morning for Boston after attending the Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech college football game on Saturday night in Norman. Nonetheless, here are some random thoughts that can be dissected any way you choose.

The final night of the WWE Smackdown tour in Dortmund, Germany saw over $1M in ticket sales for the event. The ECW wrestlers were on their way back to the states to participate in the the Monday night television production in Atlanta.

The WWE's International tour was hugely successful on a financial level and it seemed as if all the event reports were positive meaning the fans enjoyed the live event experience. I can only imagine how much merchandise was sold on this tour not to mention the awareness created for the WWE brand and in the latest THQ video game.

Not with any one in particular in mind but does any one ever day dream why "wrestling couples" usually don't make it? It's a challenging profession, much akin to Hollywood, when there are two performers in the marriage or relationship where often times egos and who gets the most TV time or the biggest "push" can adversely affect these fragile to begin with unions. For the record, when I was head of talent of the WWE I cringed when I saw two performers who traveled almost constantly become couples. Travel and ego's seem to be the root causes of these "not meant to be train wrecks." Some couples cannot separate the difference in being in lust and being in love.

Don't kid yourself, the economy is going to affect virtually every phase of our lives here in the States and the smart touring companies won't hit the same markets as often and will always make sure they have a bottom end priced ticket that the average Joe can afford. The cost of bringing a family to an event or any kind is often times staggering. I know to attend an Oklahoma Thunder NBA game one needs a short term loan to take a family of four. The WWE having a $20 tickets is very prudent especially during these challenging times.

I DVR'ed the UFC 91 event on Saturday night while watching it live and throughly enjoyed the presentation again after previewing it for a 2nd time. Some of the under card fights were really exciting even though I have to admit I did not have a great deal of familiarity regarding some of the participants. As a suggestion, the UFC needs a third voice over talent to read the video packages to give announcers Goldberg and Rogan a break.

Brock Lesnar and his pregnant wife Rena enjoyed the post fight festivities at a Japanese steak house in the MGM Grand Hotel after the event Saturday night. About 60 people were in the group and I would guess that Brock picked up the tab after earning a pay day which insiders speculate will be well north of $1M.

I expect my column on this website regarding the pro wrestling bias that "some" MMA fans have to draw their ire. I am a fan of both genres but have enough functioning brain cells left to know that one is sport and one is entertainment. Lighten Up Francis.

We are doing gang buster business here on our site for the many affordable holiday offers that we are featuring including some with FREE SHIPPING and some items being autographed and PERSONALIZED. Get your order in today and we will get it shipped pronto and you can avoid the last minute rush.

After Brock Lesnar's huge weekend in the UFC, I assume we can expect the plethora of rumor and speculation that Kurt Angle will someday be going to the UFC. I don't see it happening myself nor do many others that I know that have infinitely more knowledge of the matter than I. As I have said before, if Kurt had tried his hand at this ten years ago, I could see it possibly being a successful venture. But with lingering, neck issues and an absence from competitive athletics for so long, it would seem that particular ship has sailed for the 1996 Olympic Gold medal winner in free style wrestling.

I certainly hope that John Cena is physically 100% come this Sunday in his "hometown" of Boston for the Survivor Series. It doesn't seem far fetched to say that Cena would appear to be a heavy favorite to win the World's Title from Chris Jericho on Cena's first night back after being shelved due to a neck injury requiring surgery. I will be curious to see what kind of reception Cena receives in Bean Town and will enjoy watching the event from ringside as Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler call that particular bout. Without question Jericho will have his share of fans in Boston on Sunday as well. It's all good as there will be a backside every 18 inches as the event has been sold out to the tune of over $700K since tickets went on sale several weeks ago.

We will be having our final, radio remote of this football season at JR's BBQ in Norman this Thursday from 11-2 with radio station KRXO, 107.7 FM, and my pal Lee Roberts. I hope you will come by, say hello and enjoy our $5.99 lunch special. Then on Saturday I will be a guest on KRXO's pre game show prior to the OU-Tech show down that has HUGE implications attached to it regarding the National Football Championship, BCS Bowl games, and so much more.

The ABC TV crew are scheduled to join us at JR's in Norman on Friday night. I'm anxious to see how the ABC announcers enjoy our slow, smoked ribs.

College Game Day on ESPN will emanate from Norman on Saturday which is always good for business as we have our BBQ trailer stationed outside the north end zone of the stadium where you will find me most game day afternoons.

I have been in touch with ESPN over the weekend about a potential appearance on one of their shows this week talking about the Sooners-Red Raiders collision but nothing has been finalized and at this point I would suggest it's a long shot.

We have answered more of your Q&A's which are now posted elsewhere on the site.

Again, thanks for your business and I hope that you will take advantage of the affordable offers we have created for your holiday shopping needs.


Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE