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JR's Blog: TNA/ROH on Destination America Good For Business?, RINGSIDE Show Ticket Updates, Ross Report Podcast on a Roll, @BretHart, Global Force Wrestling, Kevin Owens, ROH/OKC, @NWHOF/Waterloo, Grill w/ JR's at WWESHOP.com

Posted: May 30th 2015 By: Jim Ross

Greetings folks and thanks for stopping by our website and checking out my blog. Remember that you can also access our latest Ross Report podcast right here on the homepage of the site plus check out all my appearances that we have scheduled. Tickets for our August shows on Wednesday August 19 in Washington D.C. are on sale now at the DC Improv box office and online at www.dcimprov.com. I will be in NYC on Saturday August 22 at the Gramercy Theatre, tickets on sale now at www.ticketmaster.com, which is the night before Summer Slam in Brooklyn. VIP Meet/Greet/Photo Op tickets are still available in limited quantity for both shows plus general admission tickets are only $25. I'd love to see you there and guarantee you that we will have aa great time especially with the No Holds Barred Q&A's that are the highlight of the shows.

Still lots of buzz surrounding Destination America adding Ring of Honor (ROH) to their broadcast line up as a lead in to TNA Impact Wrestling beginning next week on Wednesday nights. It is certainly feasible that by adding ROH to pair with TNA that the two brands could compliment each other and provide the most devout wrestling fans a destination to support both brands. There's nothing wrong with one network featuring two, different wrestling brands no different than featuring two different sitcoms, ect. Stations having a 'wrestling block' isn't a new concept and was done in multiple markets back in the day including Dallas and Atlanta. By pairing the two brands together, Destination America may have backed into a really nice package that wrestling fans will find attractive during the md week. Could ROH being on the same network actually be a blessing for TNA? Never say never as the ratings will tell that story.

Good to see that TNA finally reached out to their roster of athletes to attempt to update them on the companies current status. Communication is the key in unsettling times such as this as wrestlers, not unlike any other pro athlete or entertainer, generally are prone to be paranoid and restless by nature and not communicating with them is one of the most undesirable things management can do. Honesty is always the most advantageous policy when dealing with any one especially any one in the world of wrestling where trust, in general, is fleeting.

I have been firm in my stance with how TNA has communicated with their talents which in no way is an indictment that I want the brand to fail as anyone who listens to my podcasts or reads my blogs knows that I am a fan of the business and want ALL companies to succeed.

I can say without hesitation that over the years that the 'closed nature' of the pro wrestling business has never fostered viable, on going communications from the 'office' to the 'talents' at least since I found my way into the biz in 1974. That needs to change IMO and if it does many talent rosters will galvanize and acquire the "us against the world" mentality that allows the perennial underdogs to feel that collectively that they hve a chance to succeed if they stick together in a united front.

The art of the SWERVE in the pro wrestling business needs to fade into obscurity with the likes of wool tights.

Check out the homepage of the site for all my appearances coming to London and Manchester, England....Providence, RI, Charlotte, NC, Washington, D.C. and New York City. Plus, I will be in Waterloo, Iowa on July 10-11 for the annual weekend at the Dan Gable Museum highlighted by the Lou Thesz/George Tragos pro wrestling branch of the facility and all the fan friendly activities that go on that weekend. The Waterloo weekend is one of favorite weekends the year.

www.wweshop.com is selling JR;'s products at a record pace here at the beginning of grilling season plus the packages make great gifts for all occasions including Father's Day.

Bret "Hitman" Hart will be my guest next week, dropping June 2, on the Ross Report Podcast that can be downloaded for FREE at podcasone.com and iTunes. We have a fascinating conversation covering a wide variety of topics including the upcoming WWE DVD on the late Owen Hart and Bret's thoughts on it along with Owen's widow Martha's mindset on the matter as well. We talk tag team wrestling, the Dynamite Kid, Montreal, Bret's WCW ill fated run and his thoughts on @Goldberg after the concussion Bret received from Bill that essentially ended Bret's wrestling career. Plus, Bret has some eye opening thoughts on the state of the business today. It's one of the most open and candid conversations that we've had on our podcast and one that you can listen to for FREE. Subscribe at no cost at iTunes. The show drops as usual on Tuesday night at 9 pm ET/6 pacific.

Next week's podcast will be highlighted by the Bret Hart interview plus I will also provide my observations on the WWE Elimination Chamber event to be held Sunday night. Also, next Tuesday night I interview Kimbo Slice regarding his upcoming fight with Ken Shamrock on @Spike TV. The Kimbo podcast drops on Tues June 9.

Global Force Wrestling has a full slate of live events on tap that you can see at globalforcewrestling.com. Many are still waiting on the announcement of the TV home for GFW which is obviously going to be the key to their success.

Saw where Bram extended his contract with TNA which makes since as he was the first name mentioned to me by TNA's Billy Corgan when I interviewed him for FoxSports.com about the importance of TNA developing home grown stars.

ROH is in OKC this Saturday night and I am going to try and attend the event that will be held at the OKC Fairgrounds.

Looks like Kevin Steen Owens has seemingly begun to finish his stay in NXT and move to the main WWE roster permanently from what many sources are saying. Congrats to him and here's hoping that he can stay healthy and catch a creative break to be able to show the world just what he can do bell to bell. Kevin is a great talent who's certainly paid his dues and I wish him the best. I wonder if some of WWE's top hands fully realize that Owens is coming take one of their jobs? WWE has a great opportunity to facilitate Owens making a memorable impact come Sunday at the Elimination Chamber.

Going to be doing a great deal of work on the docunentary film 'Mid Atlantic Memories' in July as it has its World Premier will be on Thursday July 30 in Charlotte at the annual, NWA Legends Fan Fest that I will be serving as the MC.

Follow me on Twitter @JRsBBQ.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ