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JR's Blog: Payback Predictions, JR to Vegas for CAC Function, Squared Restaruant in Chicago Sells JR's Products, JR's Breakfast Burger is SPECTACULAR!

Posted: Jun 2nd 2014 By: Jim Ross

It's good to be back in Oklahoma after three busy days in Chicago...let's grill!

Thanks to the fans of Chicago for the hospitality while we were there and especially to those who attended our afternoon show Saturday at the House of Blues who were excellent hosts by the way. We will likely not take any more 'matinees' going forward as the night time events are more compatible for going out and attending an event such as ours.

Also want to thank the fine folks at the Rosemont @GibsonSteaks for their service and amazing food. I've never had less than an amazing dining experience at Gibson's in Chicago. Considered I stayed at the Double Tree, eating at Gibson's only made sense.

Tonight (Sunday) will be interesting at the All State arena with the Chicago Black Hawks playing game seven of the NHL playoffs downtown at the United Center at approximately the same time.

It was all 'Hawks 24X7 while were were in Chicago the past few days without question. @CMPunk will definitely be at the Hawks' game.

I plan on taking my IPad outside on the patio tonight and watching #WWEPayback. I hope WWE has a good show and I'll be interested to see if the creative/strategy for tonight's bouts results in compelling TV. This card isn't one of WWE's stronger presentations but at times these seemingly underdog cards can surprise.

As a broadcaster, one often times has to push the envelop to enhance these types of broadcasts that are not booked with multiple, top heavy main events.

Here are some thoughts and predictions on Payback:

Do you remember when, in a long ago era, that hair vs. mask matches actually meant something and were positioned as serious business? Me, too.....next.

Rusev vs. Big E....I see the villain winning but feel that both talents have potential. WWE has not done 'E' any creative favors recently but he's still got an upside. Lana may be potentially the biggest star of the match long term but none of these talents will likely make any sort of marketable impact this year. Hopefully this match is kept simple, straight forward and under ten minutes.

Paige should defeat Alicia Fox which then prompts a Foxy, post match meltdown. If Fox wins, then she realistically should lose the entertaining, post match action that she has been doing so well.

This likely won't happen but I'm thinking that Cesaro should win the US Title, please no DQ or Countout here nonetheless, which prompts Sheamus to go to the dark side of which I feel that he's best suited. Cesaro winning might also allow him to go on his own if WWE has confidence that Antonio can do solid promos w/o Paul Heyman.

I can't see RVD upsetting Bad News Barrett in the IC title match as Barrett is close to seemingly getting on a roll. I hope that not only Barrett but all casted wresting villains at Payback attempt to perform heel nuances that separate them from the fan favorites.

If I'm calling the creative on the Cena vs. Bray match I see a Wyatt win and an attempt made to make the 3rd generation talent a legit villain instead of a character 'face who's seemingly evolving into a folk hero with a cult following. Cena is 'over' and doesn't need the win as much as Bray Wyatt does and how this all goes down, no matter the outcome, could well speak volumes as to what WWE is thinking re: the Wyatt Family.

I 'm a fan of the Wyatt personas but I'm not sure if they are fish or fowl and please don't over think this matter and say that it doesn't matter as long as they are 'stars.' Creative booking can make them stars while also making them a hero or a villain.

Last Man standing matches only have false finishes via the referee's count which makes the match a challenge to call and to bring the fans to the edge of their seats. Same goes for Buried Alive Matches, among gimmick matches with little or no false finishes.

Seems likely that the Shield vs. Evolution will go on last in their 6 man tag with elimination rules. Elimination rules provides the opportunity to use cheap, uncreative finishes or to actually get finishing holds over and add non frustrating, legit finishes to this main event. Let's see what direction this match takes. I think it will be a very good bout and I feel that the Shield wins. Hopefully no one from the Shield defects as that would be knee jerk, premature booking that's unnecessary at this time at least in my opinion. Great opportunity to put the spotlight on Roman Reigns here tonight.

Check out the home page for our schedule of Ross Report Podcast guests that are upcoming. I'm interviewing Lance Storm Monday night for a future podcast and Tuesday at 6 pm pacific time my visit with Eric Bischoff drops at podcastone.com.

The Ross Report was in iTunes top 6 sports podcasts all weeks with our Michelle Beadle show which is great. For the Ross Report to stay in the top ten of the top 300 sports podcasts on a weekly basis with only one show per week, is a wonderful testimony to the support we receive from you fans. I sure appreciate all of you.

Heading to Las Vegas Tuesday for some meetings and to see many old friends at the caulifloweralleyclub.org annual event that is highlighted by their all star banquet on Wednesday night at the Gold Coast Hotel. I read where the function was moving back to April next year which means young fans in school won't be able to attend during the middle of the school week which makes zero sense to me. CAC is a great organization but they need to get younger and by limiting younger people from attending and learning about the pro wrestling business doesn't build for the future. Irregardless, I'm a life time member of the CAC and I encourage every wrestling fan to become a member, too.

It's grilling season for many of us and I invite you to shop online for JR's at wweshop.com, americansoda.co.uk, and beyondtheropes.co.uk for great package deals on all our products.

Loving the work being done on our behalf at prowrestlingtees.com/jimross by our friends there in Chicago. Check out their website for all the designs they have on tons of wrestlers from today and yesterday. Enjoyed visiting their shop last Friday while in the Windy City.

Absolutely loved the food at Lisa Varon's Squared Circle Restaurant Saturday after our show. I met some great fans, took many photos and not only had a slice of the Slobber Knocker Pizza, amazing, but also finished a JR's Breakfast Burger and fresh, home made fries. @theSQDcircle is THE place to go in Chicago for all fans and they now stock both our BBQ Sauces. JR's Chipotle Ketchup, Main Event Mustard, our All Purpose Seasoning and Beef Jerky. You will love the food and the atmosphere. The Squared Circle is the only place in Chicago to buy JR's products.

Enjoy Payback and follow me on Twitter @JRsBBQ as I will be sharing some thoughts on the event as it airs tonight.

Feel bad or my Oklahoma City Thunder but congratulations go out to the San Antonio Spurs and their fans, like @MichelleDBeadle, for advancing to the NBA Finals vs. the LeBron Heat. I hope that the fans in San Antonio realize how lucky they are to have Coach Popovich. 'Pop' is THE difference maker in the Spurs success in my view.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ