JR's Blog: JR's Sunday Blog, NWA Fan Fest in #Charlotte, Jay Lethal, Ricochet, Moose, WWE Wellness Policy, Cancun Boxing on CBS
Posted: Aug 1st 2016 By: Jim Ross
Good day to all and thanks for stopping by our website. Please consider subscribing to The Ross Report podcast at iTunes for FREE as you will never miss a show plus it helps us a great deal. Thanks for your consideration. PW Torch's Bruce Mitchell and I chop up the WWE Draft, Battleground, Raw and much more including Bruce's thoughts on the Brock Lesnar situation on this week's show. It's a good one and I encourage you to check it out. Thanks!
Random thoughts on a variety of topics that have crossed our radar this week...
Patience...too many fans are figuratively knocking themselves out with self imposed knee jerks over the first airings of RAW and Smackdown Live following the WWE Draft. This function of the brand separation is a process and will take time to refine and sort out. Patience is a virtue and some pro wresting fans seemingly aren't overly virtuous.
Tranquilo.
I assume that we fans wil receive new info regarding the two brands this week on TV as it relates to many unanswered questions that could not and likely should not have been addressed last week. I'm always in favor of new info being distributed conservatively and being made to mean more rather than overloading me with too much new data which can make things seem less important than it should be.
WWE Wellness Policy being applicable to full time talents only. I have no issues with this philosophy as it is daunting to test part timers who are not in the every day rotation of the roster. WWE's drug testing program is by far the best within the genre and it strikes me odd that other company's who either rarely test their talents or don't do it all are seldom questioned on this matter simply because "they can't afford it."
Wouldn't the wellness of one's athletes be a vital part of doing business?
Many critics of this matter have no idea what Lesnar's contact states nor the full understanding of the Wellness Policy in general. Please do not construe this as me eluding to the fact that I enough PED usage even in an entertainment entity. I don;t. Talents don"t need them but the narcissistic nature of many pro wrestlers always will rear its ugly head when it comes to how they look and the short cuts some talents take to achieve an unnatural appearance.
This week's The Ross Report podcast features my conversation with ROH Champion Jay Lethal who joins me for the first time. Jay is a marvelous talent and a great pro and this new show drops as usual on Tuesday night at 9 pm ET on podcatone.com and ITunes. We will talk Jay's career and the eagerly anticipated ROH PPV Death Before Dishonor from Las Vegas on Friday August 19.
The Q&A's elsewhere here on our site have been updated.
Great job Saturday night on Showtime by Mauro Ranallo and Al Bernstein who had a marvelous fight to call from the Barclay Center.
Al and I will present Cancun Boxing on the CBS Sports Network Thursday night for a uniquely entertaining card that's a fun event. Check your local listings and join us. My foray into pro boxing broadcasting has been a fun transition and I have multiple TV assignments the balance of the year all on the CBS Sports Network.
Saw where TNA wants to charge promoters $6K for Bobby Lashley to appear at selected events which eliminates the vast majority of promoters from consideration. This is a classic case of negotiating a talent out of extra paydays when they are not booked. I'm in favor of keeping talents busy and earning new money. Asking $6K per appearance, if that is accurate, essentially discourages promoters from booking a great talent like Bobby Lashley therefore prohibiting him from earning extra money at these smaller budgeted events.
Excited to travel to Charlotte this coming Thursday through Sunday for the annual, NWA Legends Fan Fest at the University Hilton Hotel in the Queen City. This is a fantastic event that I love attending every year and strongly encourage wrestling fans to experience. For more info visit www.nwalegends.com
I will do a RINGSIDE with Jim Ross show in Charlotte Thursday night at 7 pm at the Hilton in conjunction with the Fan Fest.
Speaking of our Ringside shows, JIm Cornette and I will team up to do a special show in Baltimore on Friday night September 23 at Jimmy's Famous Seafood in conjunction with MCW Wrestling. Tickets are on sale at www.missiontix.com and get all the info on a spectacular weekend in Baltimore at www.mcwwrestling.com. Only 300 tickets are available so get your tickets soon and join us.
Loved having Roddy Strong in Oklahoma recently for OklaMania and his match with Dalton Castle was stellar. I expect Roddy to join WWE soon and he will be a great addition to their roster when he does.
My The Ross Report conversation with Ricochet will drop on Tuesday August 9 while on August 16 our show with Moose will be available. Two totally different albeit amazing, young talents with amazing careers ahead of them.
Heading to LA early in the week to voiceover 8, NJPW broadcasts over two days with Josh Barnett that will include ample content from Wrestle Kingdom held in January of this year. We are excited to put our spin on these tremendous bouts that will feature such bouts as the Tanahashi vs Okada IWGP Title Bout that fans raved about plus AJ Styles vs Shinsuke Nakamura IC Title contest which is also spectacular. NJPW airs on Friday nights on AXSTV at 9/8 CT.
Work continues on our autobiography with the talented Paul O'Brien and we are shooting for a 2017 release of this intense labor orf love.
Preparing to make a couple of major announcements regarding wrestling projects abroad and hopefully we can get that info out this week if all goes as expected.
Enjoy your wek and I look forward to seeing many of you this week in #Charlotte for the NWA Legends Fan Fest. Look for my story on the late Dusty Rhodes on www.foxsports.com that drops this Tuesday online. I spoke with Magnum TA, Michelle Runnels, Cody Rhodes and Tony Schiavone about 'The Dream' for this story I think that many will embrace. It;s hard to believe that such men as Dusty and Roddy Piper are actually no longer with us.
Remember, our tomorrow's are not guaranteed.
Boomer Sooner!
J.R. @JRsBBQ
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Spotlight in History
- 2006 AWOL def. Michael York for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 2006 Natural Born Sinners (Appolyon & El Lotus) def. Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 2006 Rexx Reed def. Carnage for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 2006 Carnage def. Rexx Reed for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 2007 Aaron Neil def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
- 2007 Brad Michaels def. Ryan Davidson for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 2007 Bad Boy & Outlaw became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 2011 The Unknown & Johnny USA def. Michael H & Mr. Big for the NCW Tag Team Titles
- 2011 Mr. Big became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
- 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Prophet for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
- 2012 Rage Logan became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
- 2012 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 2017 Aaron Anders became the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
Week of Sun 04-26 to Sat: 05-02
- 04-26 2008 Jerry Bostic def. Joshua Smith for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 04-26 2008 Shane Rawls def. Ky-Ote for the 3DW Heavyweight Title
- 04-26 2014 Buster Cherry def. Bud Barnes for the SWCW All-American Title
- 04-26 2014 Chaz Sharpe def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
- 04-26 2014 Sam Stackhouse def. Warhammer for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-26 2024 Miranda Gordy def. Sgt. Slice for the CPW Women’s Title
- 04-26 2025 Deacon Hendrix became the RWE Heavyweight Champion
- 04-26 2025 Family Affiliated (Athan Sorrow & Rika Wildlee) became the RWE Tag Team Champions
- 04-26 2025 Gluttony became the RWE United States Champion
- 04-26 2025 Bishop Simon became the RWE Light Heavyweight Champion
- 04-26 2025 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Corporal Punishment) def. The Main Characters (Sean Ryan & Daniel Aaron Michalles) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
- 04-27 1978 The Assassin became the TSW Louisiana Champion
- 04-27 1981 Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch def. The Grappler & The Super Destroyer for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 04-27 2003 The Sharpe Brothers (Chaz Sharpe & Rich Sharpe) def. John O'Malley & All-American Aaron for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 04-27 2003 Se7en def. Aaron Neil for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 04-27 2008 Tyrone def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Title
- 04-27 2019 Brandon Groom def. Brian Dixon for the BPW Lion Heart Title
- 04-27 2019 Doc Black became the BCW Heritage Rivalry Champion
- 04-28 1954 Red Berry def. Whitey Whittler for the TSW Tri-State Title
- 04-28 1976 Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch def. Buck Robley & Bob Slaughter for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 04-28 1980 Kevin Von Erich def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 04-28 1989 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. Beauty & The Beast (Terrance M. Garvin & The Beast [2nd]) for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
- 04-28 2000 Heather Savage def. Jenna Love for the OPW Oklahoma Womens Title
- 04-28 2002 Summer Rain became the OCW Oklahoma Womens Champion
- 04-28 2007 Eric Rose def. Jersey Devil for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
- 04-28 2007 Joe Herell became the UWF06 Violent Division Champion
- 04-28 2017 Brandon Groom def. Sam Stackhouse for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
- 04-28 2018 Dusty Gold def. Wesley Crane for the UWE United States Title
- 04-29 2006 AWOL def. Michael York for the TPW Heavyweight Title
- 04-29 2006 Natural Born Sinners (Appolyon & El Lotus) def. Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
- 04-29 2006 Rexx Reed def. Carnage for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 04-29 2006 Carnage def. Rexx Reed for the ACW Hardcore Title
- 04-29 2007 Aaron Neil def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
- 04-29 2007 Brad Michaels def. Ryan Davidson for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
- 04-29 2007 Bad Boy & Outlaw became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 04-29 2011 The Unknown & Johnny USA def. Michael H & Mr. Big for the NCW Tag Team Titles
- 04-29 2011 Mr. Big became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-29 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Prophet for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
- 04-29 2012 Rage Logan became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
- 04-29 2012 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
- 04-29 2017 Aaron Anders became the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
- 04-30 1954 Frenchy Roy became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
- 04-30 1971 Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 04-30 2004 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the TPW Hardcore Title
- 04-30 2011 Ryan Reed def. Rolling Thunder for the UWE United States Title
- 04-30 2011 Ray Martinez def. Ryan Reed for the UWE United States Title
- 04-30 2016 Ray Martinez became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
- 04-30 2022 Clayton Bloodstone def. Ky-Ote for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
- 04-30 2023 El Gallardo/El Vaquero def. Cappuccino Jones for the BPW Lion Heart Title
- 04-30 2023 Heavyweight Grappling (Dan Webber & Morrison) def. Subject To Death (Cade Fite & Leo Fox) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
- 05-01 1981 Super Destroyer def. Jim Garvin for the MSW Louisiana Title
- 05-01 2016 Skylar Slice def. Nikki Knight for the MSWA Ladies Title
- 05-01 2021 Fuel def. Derek James for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 05-02 1969 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
- 05-02 1975 Mad Dog Vachon def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 05-02 1977 Stan Hansen def. Dick Murdoch for the TSW North American Title
- 05-02 1984 Krusher Khrushchev became the MSW Television Champion
- 05-02 1984 The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) def. The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 05-02 2009 Ozzy Hendrix def. Shank for the SWCW Luchadore Title
- 05-02 2015 Gail Kim became the IWR Diamonds Champion
- 05-02 2015 Kareem Sadat became the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
- 05-02 2021 Drake Gallows def. Blade [2nd] for the AIWF National Title
- Sunshine Apr 29th Today!
- Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
- Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
- Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
- Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
- Prince Maivia May 1st
- Barrett Brown May 2nd
- Americos May 2nd
- Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
- Big Bossman May 2nd
- Don Fields May 2nd
- Kari Wright May 2nd
- Lester Welch May 3rd
- Lily McKenzie May 3rd
- Johnny Humble May 3rd
- Dory Funk May 4th
- Bull Schmitt May 4th
- Jay Hazzard May 4th
- Malik Mayfield May 4th
- El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
- Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
- Maria Brigitte May 5th
- Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
- Olivier Vegos May 5th
- El Gallardo May 5th
- Bill Watts May 5th
- Princess Victoria May 5th
- Zane Morris May 5th
- El Matador Dos May 5th
- Claire Watson May 6th
- Hercules May 7th
- Richie Adams May 8th
- Jake Danielsson May 9th
- Tito Santana May 10th
- Jerry Brown May 10th
- Rook Tyler May 10th
- Sunny War Cloud May 10th
- Billy Brown May 10th
- Psycho May 11th
- Big J May 11th
- Charming Charles May 11th
- Bill Howard May 12th
- Brock Baker May 12th
- Sensei Jamo May 12th
- Sol Yang May 12th
Oklafan Quiz
Former Mid-South and UWF wrestler Dave Peterson was 1/2 of the last AWA Tag Team Champions with The Trooper when the company was owned by Verne Gagne.