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JR's Blog: Greetings from the snowy confines of Connecticut

Posted: Mar 4th 2009 By: mikeiles

I watched Raw Monday night from my room in the Mohegan Sun. Here are my thoughts.

Several elements of the show were especially enjoyable to me.

Firstly for the crowd to be as big and as involved was impressive considering how inclement the weather was and fans could have stayed home and watched the show on cable for free.

Chris Jericho continues to star w/ a mic in his hand. I don?t know where this Legend?s based issue is heading but I am more than interested in it thanks to Winnipeg?s talented Jericho. Who will Y2J offend next week?

The HHH-Orton segment was money. Plain and simple...this piece of business sold PPV?s. Personal issues have always been the foundation of wrestling and this matter is the most personal issue in WWE in years. The challenge will be to build from Monday night but that is certainly doable. This issue also helps HHH?s Friday Night Smackdown broadcast of which I have a vested interest.

I personally enjoyed the old school HBK-Koslov bout. Koslov focusing on HBK?s back worked for me. Loved the closing moments that included a surprise appearance by the Undertaker. The Michaels vs. Undertaker WM25 bout will be special knowing these 2 men as I do. Both have contributed mightily at past ?Manias and to be able to wrestle each other in Texas will be special for each of them.

Edge retaining the WHC surprised me and that development should also contribute to some interesting Smackdown broadcasts in the upcoming weeks.

Loved the Bill Watts HOF feature which did a great job of introducing Bill to a generation of fans who might not have been familiar with the Big Cowboy. Watts was a main event star in every major American, wrestling territory in the 60?s & 70?s. Watts learned from the masters of the biz and the Dean?s List student at Oklahoma then put together an amazing resume as a promoter and producer of great, episodic TV. Bill also had a great eye for talent and was a legendary taskmaster who always demanded great effort from everyone who worked for him. I know that I would have never have achieved what ever good fortune has come my way in the business without Cowboy?s learning tree. I look forward to inducting Bill in the WWE HOF on April 4. I hope to make it succinct and entertaining.

Surprising to see Divas Champ Maryse on Raw but that has to bode well for Friday nights on MyNetworkTV. Much like Gomez Adams, Tazz loves it when Maryse speaks French.

From what I?m told the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino is close to a sell out as I write this. Tuesday night should be a fun evening.

Don?t forget to checkout my Smackdown blog on WWE.com every Thursday.

Our in store specials featuring some reduced cost shipping elements are doing well.

Big week back in Oklahoma with yours truly participating in OU football head coach Bob Stoops? charity bowling tournament, attending two college hoops games, and watching the Sooners spring football practice.

Yes, I have a very understanding, sports minded wife.

Boomer Sooner!
J.R.

P.S. With the weather being an issue Monday in Boston, Jerry Lawler had to fly Monday from snowy Memphis to NYC's LaGuardia and then take a 3 hour plus train ride to Boston.

I spoke with King while he was on his first train ride ever, Monday afternoon. It was quite the travel adventure but the HOF'er did not seem to miss a beat Monday night.

Also, the economy, along w/ a bunch of snow, has certainly affected the Casino business, as the Mohegan Sun was a quiet place on Monday night. Business will pick up Tuesday evening.

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE, Bill Watts, Jerry Lawler