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JR's Blog: Smackdown Thoughts...GSP vs. Penn...THQ...Rourke's 9 1/2 Weeks...Smackdown Goes Live?...BBQ Growth

Posted: Jan 31st 2009 By: mikeiles

Before heading to Tampa to attend Sunday's Super Bowl, I thought I would write a quick blog with some random thoughts on a variety of wrestling, football, MMA, and BBQ topics.

I thought Matt Hardy's promo on Friday Night Smackdown was the best verbal presentation that I can recall Hardy doing. The key to coming off a hot situation as Matt is after costing his brother Jeff the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble is follow through. Friday night was a solid follow up to Sunday and it will be interesting to see how Matt and his issues are addressed between now and WM25.

Smackdown is in dire need of viable, hot antagonists and hopefully the older Hardy can help fill that void.

There is no one in the WWE or any other business that can't improve on what they do for a living, personally I feel I am near the top of that list, but I am selfishly anxious for Friday Night Smackdown to get "hot" with multiple, personal issues ala the Edge vs. Undertaker rivalry of 2008.

It was cool that the weigh in for the UFC PPV this Saturday night had a turn away crowd on Friday in Vegas. GSP weighed in at 170 while B.J. Penn tipped the Toledo's (Thanks Mean Gene) at 168. I am remiss that due to travel that I will miss what is expected to be a great fight. I picked St. Pierre to win a close one and still stand by that prediction although reluctantly.

I haven't heard this from the WWE but I read on the 'net that Friday Night Smackdown will go live on Friday evening April 3 from WWE Axxess. I assume this is true and hope that it is true. Going live is the best for a broadcaster as nothing can replicate that particular adrenalin rush. The "live feel" is what I miss most about not being on Monday Night Raw.

If one really tries to figure out what in the hell is going on with acclaimed actor and former boxer Mickey Rourke, star of "The Wrestler", then it might drive one as goofy as a pet coon. Personally, I hope Rourke is in Houston as a fan and hangs with the "boys" as I would love to ask him about his classic film "9 1/2 weeks" if he can still remember it. That's not a knock unless you choose to perceive it as such as I can't remember all the matches that I broadcast 20+ years ago either. I usually can if I am prompted but to go "cold turkey" with the answers when asked about these contests often times fail miserably. If you are of a generation that hasn't seen a young Rourke in this film classic I suggest you watch it but not with the family.

The THQ folks were in Norman Thursday and Friday with a script that included over 1300 lines for me to record. We got through most of them and will continue to work through this massive undertaking and have the audio track laid down before the May deadline. The storyline writers are seemingly getting much more in tune with the product plus the game seemed to be more aggressive than I remember in past games.

I have found myself looking forward to the new editions of "The Dirt Sheet" which is my favorite feature on WWE.com. Miz and Morrison do a really nice job with this piece of business. They are funny and entertaining, something old school head honchos in wrestling would not have condoned for two of their more promising "bad guys" as antagonists were were dissuaded from being "funny" back in the day.

Nice to see MVP get back to winning on Friday nights. Smackdown needs for MVP to rise up and be the star that he has the potential to be on a roster that feels to me as if it is wide open for others to wrestle consistently in main event level bouts.

I wonder when we will find out more of the names of those who will be inducted into the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame? Could it be next week or will the trigger not be pulled until after No Way Out? I remain steadfast that if you have a chance to attend the induction ceremony that you do it. And I mean that you knuckleheads. (Yeah, I watch ESPN's PTI, regularly.)

Wrestlemania Fan Axxess looks like it will provide ample bang for one's buck during Wrestlemania 25 week. I hope that JR's BBQ can be a exhibitor there but that's not a done deal but it's not a dead deal either.

When I was the head of talent for the WWE I often "preached " to the wrestlers to retain professional financial guidance which would help them as independent contractors organize their finances and keep their taxes paid accurately and on time. Some listened and some didn't. Many, many wrestlers in today's WWE earn enough money that if they do adequate planning they can obtain financial independence at a relatively young age even in today's economically challenged marketplace. One of the smartest things I ever did when I went to the WWE was to hire a financial adviser. I only wish I had done it earlier in my career. Now I see where some of America's most powerful politicians are having major problems with their taxes. Everyone needs to remember that Uncle Sam doesn't adhere to any "time honored traditions" and that he ALWAYS wins.

With the Super Bowl this Sunday, my first in person, here's a couple of random football thoughts. I would bet that Michael Vick has not played his last NFL game and certainly not his last pro game (CFL) as Vick is due to get out of prison in July. Vick's story can still have a positive ending if he chooses for it to. Also , former Denver Bronco QB Jake Plummer taking shots at his former and now fired head coach Mike Shanahan was uncalled for. Forget the right to one's opinion and all that First Amendment stuff, the blasting of Shanahan by an obviously disgruntled Plummer wasn't necessary.

National Signing Day is this Wednesday and is when high schoolers and JUCO players make it official as to what college they will be attending to continue their football careers. This is the 3rd aspect of football season here in Norman along with the regular season and spring football.

It hasn't really been mentioned much but I think the WWE making "12 Rounds" in New Orleans was a cool thing. The city needs the new money in circulation after our government dropped the ball big time after all the Crescent City's hurricane issues. John Cena's work ethic while making this physically intense film AND still fulfilling many WWE obligations was really amazing when one thinks about it. Cena has an freakish work ethic and is without question the face of the WWE. I still say that more often than not hiring life long fans like John who are jocks at heart are the best guys to bring into the company for training. To me, it's a no brainer.

Our hosting the great Danny Hodge at our Moore JR's BBQ location on Saturday February 7 from noon-3 p.m. for his book signing is personally exciting for me. "Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story" is a book that I recommend without hesitation. One of the great thrills in my career was refereeing several 60 minute draws between Hodge and then NWA Champion Jack Brisco back in the 70's. These two men created art on a wrestling canvas that had to be seen to be believed. Especially if one was a fan of pure wrestling, drama, physicality, athleticism, logic and not merely a fan of overused and ill advised, high flying stunts.

Several exciting developments are currently being strategized regarding J.R.'s Family BBQ and our future growth and eventual franchising of our concept. I will keep everyone advised in a timely manner. We are starting to receive many inquiries, some even outside the USA, on franchise info so they can own and operate their own JR's BBQ joint.

It will be really interesting to watch Monday Night Raw this week from St. Louis, Randy Orton's hometown, and see how he is received and what the reaction is to Mr. RKO after consecutive weeks of altercations with the McMahon men folk. In today's society, the more defiant Orton is the more likely he is going to be cheered but he would like get his fair share of crowd support any way in his hometown.

Next week we are going to roll out several special offers in our on line store that I think you will like. We hope to have them prominently displayed here on the site by next week's end.

Thanks for stopping by and please know that we sincerely appreciate your support of all our efforts here.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE, Danny Hodge, NWA, Jack Brisco