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JR's Blog: Chris Jericho..Bobby Lashley..Strikeforce..Fedor..Abdullah vs. Undertaker..Team Taz..Beef Jerky Sales Booming!

Posted: Feb 19th 2011 By: CMBurnham

Thanks for stopping by and you are 'cordially' invited to visit our store before you leave. Nonetheless....these random thoughts are free.

We topped 90,000 Twitter followers this week. We're working our way toward 100,000+. Thanks and join us @JRsBBQ.

No one with above average intelligence can blow holes in Chris Jericho's opinion that Shawn Michaels isn't the greatest pro wrestler ever. One reason is that it's a very bright man's honest opinion. I've long said that HBK and Ric Flair were the two all time best that I ever saw in person while in their prime. I base this statement on career longevity at the main event level and the ability to have a great bout with fan favorites or villains of all shapes and sizes. Since I got in the biz in 1974, I've been blessed to have seen some amazing in ring marvels but none better than 'Naitch' and the 'Heartbreak Kid.'

One knows that an alleged 'wrestling book' is good when one's wife, who is a casual, wrestling fan, really enjoys it. My wife read 'Undisputed' by Chris Jericho after I finished with it, in a scant few hours BTW, and she has really enjoyed Chris' second book. Being the wife of the former head of talent relations, my wife got to know many of the talents and their significant others over the years which helped her enjoy many of the wrestling stories. She's also a rock music fan and enjoyed Chris' Fozzy tales.

Chris was very close to being shown the exit during his initial WWE tenure which would not have bode well for yours truly who pushed harder than anyone to sign the then underutilized WCW talent. Jerry Brisco and I met with Chris on a 'recruiting trip' in the Tampa area at a place called the Bombay Bicycle Club for lunch and that meeting helped move our negotiations along. Jericho was a great 'get' for WWE and made my department look good with the inking of his contract.

Former WWE star Bobby Lashley is apparently set to return to MMA competition soon. Lashley is a complex albeit athletically gifted individual. I'm not smart enough to know what makes Bobby 'tick' but one would have to assume that Lashley has all the physical tools one should need to amass an impressive MMA career. If that statement is somewhat accurate, then one can then assume that Bobby's hurdles are mental. Mental distractions can come from a variety of sources including one's personal life, their training staff, commitment to training in general, perceived health issues, etc. If Bobby Lashley can get 'right' there is no reason why he shouldn't be a success at a high level in MMA. To this point, unfortunately, something has been missing in Bobby's game. Let's hope for the sake of a nice guy that he finds it.

Speaking of MMA, I'll be watching Strikeforce in a few hours on Showtime. Strikeforce's heavyweight tourney is helping the organization build some much needed momentum even though the next Showtime broadcast isn't about the heavyweights. I took a peak at the card and the broadcasters, lead by Mauro Ranallo, will be challenged to engage casual fans with background info and back stories on the fighters, many of who aren't household names yet. The fights emanate from near Austin, Texas. Let's hope that Showtime is smart enough to promote their heavyweight tournament and that they encourage their broadcasters to not narrow cast by talking primarily to hard core, internet type fans.

'Experts' who over analyze that budding UFC star John Jones isn't the amateur wrestler some in MMA are because Jones went only to Junior College are insane. Jones was offered a full ride at Iowa and anyone, I mean anyone, who is offered a full ride to wrestle for the Hawkeyes is a highly skilled badass with big time talent. Just because 'Bones' never made it to Iowa City doesn't make him any less lethal inside the Octagon. If UFC and Jones' management/training team provide the light heavyweight plenty of guidance and support, then UFC potentially has another GSP-like performer on their hands.

That's high praise, BTW.

Fedor's training camp should be ashamed of themselves. How could they prepare 'The Last Emperor' so poorly for the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament? Their lack of strategy and apparently their lack of contemporary training methods was embarrassing. With all that said, Fedor fanatics likely haven't seen the last of the tough Russian even though his best days seem to be in the rear view mirror. Emelianenko is still a TV attraction but for how much longer specifically if he doesn't get back in the 'W' column?

Please don't send me wrestling storyline ideas to read here on the site. It's a waste of your time as most examples are WAY too long to read and, more importantly, I can't help one facilitate them. Plus, ideas are subjective as in there are no 'bad' ideas. If they work then they are considered 'good' but if they fail, for any reason, the ideas were ill conceived or 'bad.'

For you wrestlers who have some experience but want to get to the next level before your personal expiration date arrives then check out http://www.teamtaz13.com. Taz is training wrestlers with experience and his website has all the info. All I can say is that Taz is a natural born coach, Taz will not hose any student out of their hard earned cash, and every wrestler that attends Taz' 'finishing school' will be better prepared than they ever dreamed of becoming to perhaps go from the Indies to full time work.

Any one who thinks that it's simply not possible for Jerry Lawler, at age 61 and on a week where he buried his 90 year old mother, to win the WWE title against the Miz this Sunday at the Elimination Chamber needs to rethink their position. It is possible and it damn well could happen. I agree that the King is the underdog going in but what a story for the ages it would make if the WWE HOF'er did win the title. I'm not saying bet the farm on it but IF Jerry Lawler were to somehow, by hook or crook, defeat the Miz Sunday it would be one of the hottest topics around the WWE water cooler in years.

I admit that I legitimately have an emotional investment in this one because of my friendship with Jerry and after seeing first hand what he went through this week.

At least can we all agree that stranger things have happened in WWE over the years can we not?

Miz might not realize it today but Miz will be a better wrestler over the long haul after the learning experience that he will have Sunday night competing with the King.

William Regal's brief yet effective cameo on the vintage (ugh) Khali Kiss Kam Monday night on Raw was yet another example of how talented the Brit truly is and why I consider Regal one of the most underrated talents in WWE. He's also a legit tough dude let me assure you.

Seems like I get daily questions as to what my ultimate Dream Match would be featuring a star from the past vs. a current superstar and my answer changes with my mood. If I'm in the mood to see a blood bath-like brawl, I might select Abdullah the Butcher vs. The Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match. If I want a pure wrestling match I might go with WWE HOF'er Jack Brisco vs. Kurt Angle. If I was looking for a Wrestlemania main event, I might day dream about Austin vs. Cena. Tomorrow I might have a completely different set of ideas. (In UFC I would love to see a MMA trained Dan Hodge vs. Anderson Silva.)

These thoughts usually lead me to think about the awesome, THQ produced WWE All Stars video game which will be available in a few weeks (March 29 in the States and April 1 in the UK) where one can create and play the greatest matches that never happened.

The word of mouth promotion from many of you regarding our Beef Jerky has really done wonders with our sales of the 97% Fat Free, low carb snack.

JR's Main Event Mustard has vaulted to near the top of our sales chart since it's debut in early December. Our mustard is healthy and a flavorful condiment. Give it a try when you can. Remember that it's a honey mustard base with a hint of jalape?o mash. Sweet and spicy.

Remember that we do NOT ship outside the USA but that http://www.wweshop.com does and they have reduced their shipping costs abroad specifically the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany.

Thanks for stopping by and hurry back. BTW the Q&A's here are updated and please join us on Twitter @JRsBBQ.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.