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JR's Blog: OklaMania Info..Upcoming Ross Report Podcast Guests.. Ryback/WWE..Stone Cold..Ingles Markets

Posted: May 6th 2016 By: Jim Ross

Thanks for stopping by our site and for those of you that have bookmarked it and have told others about our ever growing site. PWInsider.com's Mike Johnson is my guest this week on the Ross Report available here on the homepage of the site, iTunes and at podcastone.com. We talk WWE Booking and Payback, the ROH PPV this weekend, TNA's financial woes, New Japan Pro Wrestling all while addressing many of your tweets. I hope that you will give it a shot.

Okla-Mania is officially Sunday July 17 in the downtown, Cox Convention Center in OKC highlighted by OklaCon fan fest headlined by WWE HOFer and former Mid South Wrestling great, Sting who will be joined by Matt and Jeff Hardy, WWE HOFers Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jerry The King Lawler and yours truly, and JIm Cornette plus stars from Ring of Honor, Impact Wrestling and the NWA will be in action Sunday night. Pre sale tickets go on sale Friday by using the password "Ring" or "Revolution" at www.ticketmaster.com. The advertised on sale to the general public is this Saturday also at ticketmaster.com. There is a big indie show in Shawnee Saturday night July 16 with an all star crew before selected members of that show move onto OKC for Sunday's extravaganza. For all the info on these two live evens, visit www.imperialwrestlingrevolution.com.

No dog in the hunt on this Ryback-WWE issue and I know so little about it that it's challenging to address the many questions and general inquiries that I've received on this matter. For example, when is the contract expiring and when did the negotiations on a new contract commence? Are the talent's financial desires even attainable within today's lay of the land? Does Ryback have any negotiating leverage? Some would say no because the Big Guy's TV persona isn't hot nor are the overall TV ratings.

I read Ryback's take on the matter and his thoughts on how WWE talents should be paid. While I support and encourage Ryback expressing himself if that is something that he absolutely feels is necessary to do but I do not concur with paying every one equally and on a salary, in essence. Talents have different skill sets and they all bring something unique to the team and some of those contributions are simply worth more money than the contributions of others. In the NFL, Quarterbacks are paid more than centers, for example, and we can all agree that it would be hard for QB's to function without a good center but they step up to different pay windows as they should.

Tom Brady isn't going to work for what his center's earning.

As it relates to winners generally earning more on payoffs than the losers I find that one a complete head scratcher. I can recall many payrolls that Vince McMahon and I completed where a bigger star earned more money than his less 'over' adversary even though the less 'over' adversary won the match. Payoffs aren't based on fictitious wins or losses but instead it's about star power, box office appeal, and TV presence among others things but not W's.

Steve Austin is not doing the next post RAW 'podcast' with Shane McMahon because he's not quite up to traveling after having major, rotator cuff surgery a few days ago. Steve is in a very restrictive sling on his right arm and only got the stitches removed from his shoulder a day or two ago. There is no doubt that Mick Foley will do a stellar job going one on one with Shane in what should be a infotaining piece of business. Austin went into WM32 with a slight tear in his right shoulder but it completely tore on the first punch with which Steve nailed Rusev.

Ten outstanding TV broadcasts in six weeks will commence on AXSTV Friday night May 27 for our coverage of the 2015 G1 Tournament promoted by New Japan Pro Wresting. These wil be some badass pro wrestling matches in the most prestigious tourney of the year in the genre. Josh Barnett and I will do our best work in mid May in Los Angeles at the AXS Studios preparing these shows for your eyes and ears. I'm approaching it like it was the playoffs. Circle the date and join us if you can.

Off topic but I suggest that all talents that have Wellness Policy violations in WWE should stay off social media. Just saying.

One more thing...Doctor's notes should be typed if at all possible.

Upcoming podcast guests on The Ross Report include, and in no particular order, The Coach, JTG, Mike Tenay, Lucha Underground's Chris DeJoseph, Eric Bischoff plus a few interesting surprises if things continue to go well. Subscribe for FREE to The Ross Report on iTunes and never miss a show as they wil be automatically downloaded into the device of your choice every Tuesday night at 9 ET.

The Lucha Underground show on Wednesday night was a memorable broadcast thanks in large part to the women's match which was sparked by the performance of @SexyStarAAA. Sexy Star had a helluva night and the show was well produced as it's certainly not your Grandpa's wrestling, TV show. I like the somewhat campy nature of the concept that will grow on most fans who are looking for something different but still want it to feature wrestling.

On Friday I'm heading to Ada, Oklahoma to record a video for Jack and Jerry Brisco's induction into the prestigious, Chickasaw Nation Hall of Fame that will take place here in June. This trip may preclude me from attending the NXT event in OKC Friday night.

Watching Smackdown Thursday night and continue to be impressed with Becky Lynch's presence in the ring and her overall skill set. If she keeps her foot on the gas pedal and can avoid the normal, pro wrestler pitfalls such as injuries, personal issues, getting lazy and refusing to accept personal responsibility fo one's actions, Ms Lynch will be headlining many events in the future for WWE.

Hope that you check out ROH PPV Global Wars this Sunday at 8pm ET/ 5 pm Pacific via the @FITETV App. All you need is a smart device and WiFi and you are in business. I have high expectations for this event.

If you are near an Ingles Market in the southeast USA please stop in and pick up some JR's products that can be found at all Ingles Stores.

The next Knockout Night at the D in downtown Las Vegas across from the The D hotel and Casino will be Saturday night May 27 and will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network. Check your local listings.

Bob Backlund, Life Coach, has a ring to it, right? Check out www.bobbacklundnow.com

The IC Title picture in WWE is beginning to capture my attention and that makes me happy.

Thanks to all that have sent us feedback on this week's The Ross Report Podcast with PWInsider's Mike Johnson as we cover about as wide an array of questions thanks to those who follow me on Twitter at @JRsBBQ as we have in many shows.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ