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JR's Blog: Time to Step Up..More Edge..Nick Diaz..UFC/Toronto..Kobe..Bonds Trial..WWE On Demand..CAC..Grill w/ JR!

Posted: Apr 16th 2011 By: CMBurnham

Crazy weather on a busy week here in Oklahoma. Getting ready to head to OKC to pick up more BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Ketchup and Main Event Mustard. Business on line has been good so thanks to those who are preparing for Grilling Season with us. Our three person, family business sincerely appreciates your support. With that said....let's grill!

Watched the GSP-Jake Shields 30 minute UFC Prime time special Thursday night. It was OK but not a compelling show largely in part to both fighters being somewhat low key and remaining professional. I'm going to buy the PPV nonetheless from Toronto but the TV special, while having good production values and being well edited, felt sort of like a nice bowl of oatmeal with nothing on it.

I'm curious to see how UFC Mic's the large, dome crowd in TO for this fight. Mic'ing the masses can make the difference in this show 'feeling' big or not.

The TUF TV rating has been disappointing to me. I understand that Spike is no powerhouse network but I thought that more UFC fans would invest in the show on Wednesday nights. Because Spike's overall TV rtgs aren't stellar one would think that airing ample amounts of promos for TUF on other networks would be advantageous.

TUF is largely about the cast and no one individual on the cast stands out to me as of yet.

Strikeforce's Nick Diaz says he is contemplating leaving MMA because of the lack of competition and money. Trust me, the money is the caveat for the ultra talented fighter. There are some huge, money fights for Diaz down the road, much sooner than later, in UFC. Make no mistake that when the Showtime deal has expired there won't be a Strikeforce but one big, powerful entity called UFC. Diaz is big money in my eyes and should be a valued asset, as he likely is, in UFC. Plus Diaz' mgmt team needs to have a nice sit down with the emotional fighter and outline his realistic options.

Great to see Edge fulfill his commitments and travel with WWE on this European tour to say adi?s to his fans. I can still vividly remember hiring Edge and Christian out of Ontario back in the day and then signing them both to a full time deal one night at a TV taping under the bleachers of an arena that slips my mind at the moment. Edge has so much to give to the business and I'm relatively certain that WWE will utilize Edge's many skills in the future.

I know of many wrestlers who, when dealt a hand such as Edge, would not have fulfilled their commitments on what isn't an easy tour.

Hard to believe that some fans want to know what I'm wearing for our tag team 'match' at Extreme Rules. Haven't given it much thought. My lack of grappling skill is going to make this a train wreck without fail. If I have to be in the ring with Swagger, perhaps I should wear a suit of amour but he would likely dent that just as he ripped my ankle that's still sore after all these weeks. Hopefully Swagger sees the light and bails on Cole as the former Sooner has embarrassed himself enough with his relationship with the Syracuse grad. When one gets out of their element, as I will do in Tampa at Extreme Rules, it certainly creates an adrenaline rush notwithstanding some levels of self doubt as well.

The Canadian Effect which is currently airing on WWE On Demand is getting great feedback on Twitter @JRsBBQ and here on the site. It was @BretHart first Roundtable taping of which I hope that there are many. These Legends Roundtables are WWE On Demands most watched programs by far. WWE TV staff do a helluva job editing these shows and adding all the video tape and still photos that really makes them special.

For some reason we've really hit a mad rush for JR's Cookbooks this week. We personalize each cookbook as one wants and have written some really funny and unique inscriptions on the book that's filled with family recipes and wrestling, road stories. Lots of grilling and barbecuing tips too.

Speaking of Edge, his mom and I are both giant, Eagles fans, the band not the football team. Mama Edge did a helluva job raising her son Adam Copeland. Mrs. Copeland is to be commended.

Why waste more money retrying Barry Bonds after the US government has spends millions of dollars on Bonds' ridiculous trial? Bonds rep has been forever tainted, he was never going to go to prison IMO, and millions of bucks have been flushed down the stool over what?!

We're being inundated with Tweets @JRsBBQ about Zack Ryder and why he isn't on TV more. You folks need to ask someone who might actually know the answer. Ryder is a talented kid. Someday he will, hopefully, catch a break but until then he simply needs to maximize those minutes and never have a 'bad at bat.'

@steveaustinBSR has improved his body of work, skill set, and overall rep in Hollywood by starring on USA's Tough Enough. Austin has dominated every scene that he's appeared and is doing so by simply being himself.

When young, aspiring wrestling announcers or broadcasters of any ilk want advice, the first thing I tell them is to simply "be yourself.' If yourself isn't good enough, so be it. Don't be a phony as folks will see thru that immediately.

What one sees with Austin is what it actually is.

I detest the one and done rule in the NBA. With 70+% of NBA players going bankrupt or having other major issues within 3-5 years after leaving the league, why wouldn't the league want their players to get a better education so that the players have a chance to make better financial decisions and to earn a living once their playing days have concluded? I think NBA players should have to attend classes, and academically pass them with at least a C grade, for two years before becoming eligible for the draft.

It is a big deal for Kobe Bryant making a homophobic slur not withstanding blasting F Bombs on TV. 'Heat of battle' my Oklahoma ass. Show some class Kobe. You're a role model whether you like it or not. I still haven't heard the NBA Superstar say, "I'm sorry." Kobe is one of the greatest players in NBA history but his immaturity under the guise of being competitive is embarrassing.

Excited about the CAC in Vegas next week. I'll arrive on Tuesday afternoon and will be joined by Sgt. Slaughter, Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, Sunny, Harvey Whippleman among others who will attend the Wednesday night banquet. For more info you can check out www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. This is one of my favorite events of the year. Its low key and genuinely fun. A casual atmosphere to catch up with friends and fans alike.

It is crunch time for several WWE Superstars to rise to the occasion and assume leadership and main event roles on both the Raw and Smackdown roster. I hope that we don't hear from those that don't take it to the next level that the sole culprit of them not making it was everyone but the Superstar themselves.

There are so many potentially excellent talents now competing on WWE rosters but they all have to work diligently to make themselves special no matter the situation that they may find themselves in at any given time.

Gotta hit the road and get 'sauced.' So to speak, that is. Good time to order from us for grilling season and remember that we do NOT ship outside the USA but http://www.wweshop.com does ship JR's products worldwide.

Thanks for the visit and come back and see us. Remember, our store is open and ready to accept your orders.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.