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JR's Blog: Happy 2009! Q&A's Updated...Best Memory of '08...#1 Wrestling Wish of '09

JR's Blog: Happy 2009! Q&A's Updated...Best Memory of '08...#1 Wrestling Wish of '09

Posted: Jan 4th 2009 By: mikeiles

Here's hoping that every one had a great New Year's Eve. My late father called December 31 "Amateur Night" which meant the Mrs. and I "laid low" Wednesday night at home. Football and movies were the order of the evening.

I exchanged text messages with Ric Flair and told him that wife Jan and I were "laying low" at home and for him to be careful knowing his proclivity to party especially on a big night like New Year's Eve and he said it was IMPOSSIBLE for the Nature Boy NOT to party on such a big night and ended the text with a giant WHOOO!! Some things never change.

One has to wonder how "Naitch" is feeling today?

Flair, along with HBK, created my most memorable moment of 2008 with Ric's gut wrenching, memorable match at Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando at the Citrus Bowl. I am so proud that I was a part of the announce team that called "Naitch's" last match. The King doesn't get too wrapped up in that sort of thing but that was a moment that I will cherish forever.

When HBK retires, which hopefully won't be any time soon, he told me he wanted me to call his last match too. I asked what if I'm not on the air any longer and he said it didn't matter and that I could come back for one more match. Those may have been some of the nicest words any wrestler has ever said to me.

Certainly Ric Flair's classy and memorable send off at WM24 and the following night on Raw has essentially reinvented the "Greatest Wrestler of All Time" who will likely have one of the most intriguing and headline grabbing years in the wrestling business in 2009. Knowing many of the projects that Ric is working on leads me to believe that '09 could be a banner year for Ric in many areas. Time will certainly tell.

After broadcasting two Friday Night Smackdown's in Jersey on Tuesday night I want to tip my hat to the fans in attendance who were a great group and the majority stayed for the production of both broadcasts. I can assure you that broadcasting two Friday Night Smackdown's in one evening is much more challenging than the days of the King and I broadcasting entire PPV's alone. A 4+ hour night is a helluva lot more taxing that is doing a just under 3 hour PPV that has been promoted for weeks and which one is familiar with the content.

I do think that the Smackdown doubleheaders are a great idea but they need to continue to be refined especially on how the second show is produced. For me, being able to be off the road a couple of extra weeks per month isn't a bad thing plus producing two shows in one night saves the company huge bucks and gives fans in those markets where two shows are produced a bonus and the chance to see a great deal of content produced.

My biggest professional wish in 2009 is to see many of the second generation and other new wrestlers, new meaning that they have only been in the biz a year or two, step up, become more aggressive, assert themselves in every level of their professional process and thus become new, main event stars. The development of new stars is the most important thing the business has to deal with from my point of view.

Our new blog is up at the Smackdown site on WWE.com and we should have our college football picks posted on WWE.com at any moment as well. College football picks with a wrestling flavor as you will see for those of you who
are not college football fans.

We are anxious to join our fellow Sooner fans from around the nation converge on Miami, Florida for the National Championship game on January 8. Not having to tape Smackdown next week has helped facilitate an extended stay in south Florida which is never a bad thing.

Today it is the mandatory meal of black eyed peas and collard greens with represent good health and wealth respectively which has been a staple meal on New Year's Dad at the Ross homestead since I was a youngster which I know many of you find that hard to believe...the part of once being young.

Have a great day and remember to check out our Q&A's and our new material up at WWE.com.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

 

Tags: Jim Ross, WWE, Ric Flair, Jerry Lawler

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Supplemental Information

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
  • 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
  • 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

  • 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-20 2026 Neo Genesis def. T. J. Spade for the ASP WTF Title
  • 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2026 T. J. Spade def. Will Chambers for the CAPW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
  • 09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2026 Billie the Kiid def. Neo Genesis for the ASP WTF Title
  • 09-22 2026 Neo Genesis def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP WTF Title
  • 09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
  • 09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
  • 09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk (subbing for Thunderwolf) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-25 2026 Boom Boom Groom def. Neo Genesis for the ASP WTF Title
  • 09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
  • 09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title
09-26
  • Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th Today!
  • Ka$haNova Sep 26th Today!
  • BB Sep 26th Today!
  • Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th Today!
  • Chris Matthews Sep 26th Today!
  • Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th Today!
  • Lone Eagle Sep 26th Today!
  • Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
  • Angel Camacho Sep 27th
  • Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
  • Trey Count Sep 28th
  • Kamille Sep 28th
  • Scott Lee Sep 28th
  • Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
  • Tommy Prince Sep 28th
  • Rip Tyler Sep 28th
  • David Sammartino Sep 29th
  • Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
  • Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
  • Ann Casey Sep 29th
  • Seth Coburn Sep 30th
  • Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
  • Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
  • Lady Starwind Sep 30th
  • Raymon Downey Sep 30th
  • Fred Urban Sep 30th
  • Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
  • Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
  • Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Funnybone Oct 2nd
  • James Southard Oct 2nd
  • Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Crystal White Oct 3rd
  • Johnny TV Oct 3rd
  • Don Fargo Oct 3rd
  • Tim Geohagen Oct 4th
  • Bobby Fulton Oct 4th
  • T-Arsenal Oct 4th
  • Violent V Oct 4th
  • Abyss Oct 4th
  • Studd Lee Oct 4th
  • Jay Strongbow, Sr. Oct 4th
  • P. Y. Chu-Hi Oct 4th
  • Dick Hutton Oct 4th
  • Joaquin Wilde Oct 5th
  • Dennis Heflin Oct 5th
  • Mr. Nasty Oct 6th
  • Smash Oct 6th
  • Paloma Starr Oct 6th
  • Rip Oliver Oct 6th
  • Spike Oct 6th
  • Terry Orndorff Oct 7th
  • Tennessee Rebel Oct 7th
  • Nelly Rivers Oct 7th
  • Rhino Oct 7th
  • Frankie V Oct 7th
  • Judy Martin Oct 8th
  • Travis Harkrider Oct 8th
  • Brett Irons Oct 8th
  • Ripper Collins Oct 8th
  • Moonshine Oct 8th
  • Brian Breaker Oct 9th
  • Betty Niccoli Oct 9th
  • Andre West Oct 9th
  • Richard Fitzwell Oct 9th

More Look Back In History

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