JR's Blog: London Bound...Bret Hart...Chuck Liddell...Retirement Rumors Galore...Awesome Midnight Express Book
Posted: Apr 20th 2009 By: mikeiles
The packing is done...the flights seem to be be on time...yours truly will arrive in London early Monday morning...but here's some random, BBQ'ed thoughts for you to chew on....
Todd Grisham and I will be broadcasting a match for WWE Superstars Monday night during the Raw festivities at the O2 Arena. I'm SO happy because SO many articulate and intelligent posters on some wrestling internet sites who have the ability to read my mind and have determined that I "hate" Smackdown and "yearn" to be back on WWE's "A" TV broadcast. So, nonetheless, I will see some WWE Raw fans at the arena Monday night for our one match to call. I'll be coming from my post flight nap but I promise I won't be wearing my P.J.'s with my black hat. Not an attractive visual...sorry.
Tuesday, we will be back to business as usual with the taping of ECW, another couple of Superstars bouts, and Friday Night SMACK-down, as Sir Anthony Chimmel used to say.
The Mrs. and I attended a Boys and Girls Club fund raiser sponsored by Chicago Bear defensive tackle, Tommie Harris, on Friday night and several thousand dollars were raised for a great cause. Yours truly was presented with an autographed portrait of Tommie and Dusty Dvorchek, another great, Bear DT, when they were both OU Sooners. I have known both these D-Lineman since they were 18 year old freshmen and have become close friends with both, especially "Big Dust." Both are huge WWE fans as is the Baltimore Ravens' Mark Clayton, one of the NFL's finest human beings and best wide receivers.
The WWE Encyclopedia is a phenomenal assembly of info, photos and history and a great gift idea for any WWE fan, especially for the holidays. I could not put this book down and it is really extraordinary. I just got my copy mailed to me last week and it is now on our coffee table.
I missed attending the Cauliflower Alley Club function this year in Las Vegas due to our TV taping schedule but hope to attend next year if schedules permit. WWE sent Jim Duggan, Ted DiBiase, and Sgt. Slaughter to the event. If you are a true fan of wrestling, I strongly encourage you to become a member of CAC. Check out their website for lots of info on what they do, who they help and other news. CAC is a non profit group that is ran by some wonderful folks.
Bret Hart continues to be a huge hit on foreign soil. Bret's book signing tour throughout the UK has been a massive success and has created some lasting memories for many "Hitman" fans. Again, if you have not read Bret's autobiography it is a "must read" for any true fan of the biz, past, present or future. BTW "The Hitman" is a regular user of JR's BBQ Sauces just in case you were keeping score at home.
It was tough watching Chuck Liddell get TKO'ed in the first round Saturday night in Montreal on the UFC PPV. I have huge respect for Liddell who was one of the primary individuals who motivated me to want to watch MMA from the early days. Chuck is a true warrior and I hope that he doesn't put himself back in the octagon for "one more fight" so he can end his career "the right way." Chuck's legacy is in tact and fighting again and either losing again or not fighting like the old, Chuck Liddell won't do Chuck any favors. My hats off to Chuck Liddell and I thank him for helping make me a huge UFC/MMA fan.
The fans booed the amazing Anderson Silva Saturday night for not brawling with his opponent which showed how many casual/uninformed fans were in attendance. Anderson Silva is a freak of nature and is amazing to watch compete. Silva will lose some day but it may be a while as he seems to be getting better and even more innovative. I felt like I got my money's worth investing in the UFC PPV Saturday night and I'm glad I bought it. I also felt that announcer Joe Rogan did an really nice job of explaining the particulars of the bouts.
The upcoming Fall tours by WWE in Europe entitled "The Rest in Peace Tour" and "The DX Reunion Tour" are NOT retirement tours. When any major star such as HBK or the Undertaker finally decides to hang 'em up don't you think that WWE will make a HUGE deal out of it just as they should? This announcement won't come courtesy of a ring announcer as part of his obligatory announcements at a live event somewhere on the road.
Jim Cornette and Tim Ash have put together one of the finest, full color wrestling books that I have ever dreamed of reading. It's entitled, "The Midnight Express and Jim Cornette 25th Anniversary Scrapbook" which features HUNDREDS of full color photos, stories of the road in amazing detail, pay stubs, DAILY documentation of MX's amazing career in ALL the territories including the outcome and intriguing details of 100's of matches with which they competed, and without question as detailed information as ANY wrestling book that I have ever seen in my life. If you are an old school wrestling fan, this book is a "MUST READ" and I rarely use those terms and this is not hyperbole. This book is amazingly unique and any one who considers themselves to be a fan of the genre, past or present should check this one out. I am under the understanding that orders can be accepted as of April 24 at Jim Cornette.com and autographed copies by JC, Dennis Condrey, Bobby Eaton, and Stan Lane will be available too....while they last. Do not delay on this one or you will regret it. Simply said.... buy this book if you want to relive the past, better understand the business, and to educate yourself in a way that many never dreamed possible. On a scale of 1-10, this book is a 12. As the late, great WWE HOF'er Ernie Ladd would say, "Case Closed."
Did you know that we can ship our autographed caps, T shirts and our best selling "J.R.'s Cookbook" (also autographed) any where in the world? I hope that you will place your orders today and thanks for considering shopping with us.
Back with you from the UK soon.
Boomer Sooner!
J.R.
Supplemental Information
Latest News
Charlotte Flair says Ric Flair will be ‘ok’ following fall
Ric Flair is going to be okay. Following his hospitalization from a fall earlier on Friday, Charlotte Fla... Read More
The Scoop
NEWS Cappuccino Jones announced he is no longer under an ID contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. He posted the following on social media: “Afte... Read More
AJ Styles on retirement, matches with Cena and Gunther, his son, and more
AJ Styles sat down with Chris Van Vliet in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss his retirement match w... Read More
- Ethan Page talks NXT, move to main roster, working with Chelsea Green, The Rock, and more
- WWE SmackDown Comes to OKC: Royce Keys talks Royal Rumble debut
- Jeff Jarrett talks relationship with Dixie Carter, Dark Side of the Ring, TNA, and more
- Carlito talks departing WWE, time in Judgment Day, Bron Breakker spear, and more
Spotlight in History
- 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
- 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
- 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title
Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24
- 10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
- 10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
- 10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
- 10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
- 10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
- 10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
- 10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
- 10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
- 10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
- 10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
- 10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
- 10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
- 10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
- 10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
- 10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
- 10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
- 10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
- 10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
- 10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
- 10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
- 10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
- 10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
- 10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
- 10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
- 10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
- 10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
- 10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
- 10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
- 10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
- 10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
- 10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
- 10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
- 10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
- 10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
- 10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
- 10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
- 10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
- 10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
- 10-22 2026 Heavy Metal Mario def. Abismo Negro, Jr. for the EDW Heavyweight Title
- 10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
- 10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
- 10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
- 10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
- 10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
- 10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
- 10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
- 10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 10-23 2026 Logan Knight def. Nate Bourne for the RDW Iron Man Title
- 10-23 2026 Sean Ryan def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Openweight Title
- 10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
- 10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
- 10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
- 10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
- 10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
- 10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title
- Bobby Lambert Oct 24th Today!
- Ray Durán Oct 24th Today!
- Daniel Powers Oct 24th Today!
- Bill Dundee Oct 24th Today!
- Phil Shark Oct 25th
- Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
- Paige Turner Oct 25th
- Double D Oct 25th
- Halo Oct 26th
- Eddie Williams Oct 26th
- Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
- Troy Graham Oct 26th
- Miss Linda Oct 27th
- AWOL Oct 27th
- Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
- MVP Oct 28th
- Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
- Jake Boulder Oct 28th
- Chris Smith Oct 28th
- Mischief Oct 29th
- D. J. Hall Oct 29th
- Paul Orndorff Oct 29th
- Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
- Brandon Bishop Oct 30th
- Debbie Combs Oct 30th
- George Wells Oct 30th
- Danny McShain Oct 30th
- Jayson Boss Oct 31st
- Bugsy McGraw Nov 1st
- Dutch Hagen Nov 1st
- Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
- Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd
- Kenny Silva Nov 3rd
- Rob Barnes Nov 3rd
- Dylan Michaels Nov 3rd
- Stephen Nitro Nov 3rd
- Michael La Noy Nov 3rd
- Korstia Korchenko Nov 3rd
- Jimmie Deen Nov 4th
- Assassin 1 Nov 4th
- Max Leon Nov 4th
- Bill Decker Nov 5th
- Christopher Samuel Dean Nov 5th
- Jules Strongbow [2nd] Nov 5th
- Chris Chaos Nov 5th
- David Jason Rose Nov 5th
- Darin Matthews Nov 6th
- Brian Faith Nov 6th
- Frank Dunbar Nov 6th
- Lu Kim Nov 6th
- Ken Patera Nov 6th