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JR's Blog: JR Preparing for Extreme Rules..Twitter Idiots..UFC 129..Chris Jericho..WWEShop..Grill w/ JR's Today!

Posted: Apr 29th 2011 By: CMBurnham

Good to be back in Oklahoma. Typing this blog is tedious as my right hand is not wanting to cooperate. Nonetheless, the grill is hot so let's get started.

Hopefully, Cole and I did not overly offend too many of you wrestling purists with our 'exhibition' Monday night. It earned the top quarter hour TV rating on the program for the night and that distinction has already been throughly analyzed by those who earn a living covering the genre. Lots of ways for that data to be dissected one can argue.

Either one was entertained by that particular piece of business or they weren't. I do know that no one involved in the presentation 'phoned' in their contribution.

My right hand is somewhat banged up and the x-rays were not overly encouraging Tuesday but it won't keep me from doing what I need to do on Sunday at Extreme Rules.

Cole's tooth went to the bone on a knuckle on my right hand which caused bleeding from my hand and his lip for those that have asked. Apparently the risk of infection from a human tooth IE a bite or something like what occurred Monday night is potentially harmful so we've been very careful with the infection aspect of the 'wound' in addition to caring for a sore hand.

I've been in one Country Whipping' match in my dubious 'wrestling' career which was years ago on Raw against the Coach. Those are inherently painful encounters as the leather strap cares not who it strikes or the results of such lashings. Sunday on PPV won't be a fun day at the office in all likelihood.

http://www.wweshop.com has apparently been out of JR's inventory for several days but we shipped WWE another order last week so all I can tell those outside the USA who order from WWEShop is that our products should be back in stock any day now. Please keep checking with them and know that we appreciate your support. WWEShop ships to the UK, Canada, Australia, etc as this site does not ship outside the USA.

Interesting that WWE Raw defeated both NBA playoff games Monday night in the TV ratings race. Based on NBA rights fees, WWE is a bargain for USA Network based on the ratings the program has earned year after year. One of those NBA games featured was my OKC Thunder.

Congrats to Chris Jericho for his amazing run on DWTS on ABC. @IAmJericho is one of the most multi talented performers with which I've ever been associated. Without question, one has to assume that many doors were opened by Chris' performance on DWTS as it relates to potential, future gigs in 'Hollywood'. We're getting tons of emails and tweets @JRsBBQ asking when Jericho is coming back to WWE. I have heard nothing regarding this matter from any one in any official capacity. I do think that Chris will likely have another run in WWE but whether it is this year or next is completely Chris and the WWE's call. The day Jericho returns he will zoom up the ladder as arguably the most talented, all around grappler on the roster at this time.

BTW if you haven't read Chris' 2nd book 'Undisputed" I highly recommend it. I've read it twice.

While on books, an argument can be made for 'Queen of the Ring' as being the most unique, informative, historic, and compelling book on pro wrestling ever written. Jeff Leen is the author and this book is simply amazing. Leen as at the Cauliflower Alley Club function recently in Vegas but I was unfortunately hello and introduce myself. This book focuses on the shady and controversial side of women's wrestling in an often forgotten era and is, for the lack of a better description, a R rated version of the film 'League of Their Own.'

There's so many fakes on Twitter attempting to pass themselves off as others. Jerry Lawler's Twitter address is @JerryLawler but King rarely looks at it or Tweets.

It's a shame that so many low road people love to Tweet profanity, racial and other slurs using phony names or using any name for that matter. I'm just going to simply start blocking those who continue to use F-Bombs and even worse, distasteful language. I could care less if those that follow us want to knock me for a litany of their own personal reasons, usually to merely draw attention to their own insecure selfs, but if you choose to travel that road then please clean up your language.

Really enjoyed the UFC 129 TV Countdown show on Spike Tuesday night previewing Saturday night's historic event in the Rogers Centre in Toronto before a sold out crowd of over 50,000. Saturday's event finally felt like it was a 'happening' or something extraordinary and not just another high profile, UFC event.

The promoter in me thinks that the nationalism slant could have been played up somewhat more regarding GSP vs. Jake Shields. Both GSP, a Canadian, and Shields, an American, are talented professionals who are neither boisterous or known for the marketable sound byte. Sort of surprised that UFC did not utilize some of GSP and Shields common opponents or other stars who might be facing the winner down the road in packaged pieces.

It also seems that the retirement of Randy Couture has not been played to its full advantage. Not sure the reasons but it seems as if the best business decision would have been to underscore the career of Couture including his acrimonious relationship at times with UFC and to remind fans that this would be the last time to see a true legend compete. I do believe Couture is done after this fight as he's rapidly approaching 50 and the small window of opportunity to make a few films while he's a marketable commodity exists now and may not be there in a couple of years.

BTW I see GSP being on another level as Shields and GSP winning unless he makes a fatal mistake that Jake is able to capitalize upon. The crowd emotion and noise in that fight in particular should be emotionally engaging. Let's hope that the stadium is mic'ed well.

On Raw vs. Cole, I wore an OU #7 jersey that has been worn the past 4 years by DeMarco Murray, a Vegas native and friend of the UFC front office. DeMarco text me after Raw and said that seeing his old jersey on Raw 'made his day.' Murray will likely be taken in the 2-3 round of the upcoming NFL Draft. @DeMarcoMurray is a great young man and will really be able to help the right NFL team as a running back, receiver, returner, and special teams guy. He got his degree from Oklahoma too of which I'm particularly proud.

Moving on to western Canada from Toronto, when young Canadian wrestlers want a place to train I always suggest the Lance Storm Wrestling Academy in Calgary. You will learn much more about yourself and life in general from 'citizen Storm' than simply how to safely take a flat back fall or apply a headlock.

I will be appearing in Monroe, New Jersey at the Legends of the Ring function on Saturday May 7 and the promoter has ordered our Original and Hot BBQ Sauce, Chipotle Ketchup and Main Event Mustard to sell at the event. I hope we have a huge crowd and I look forward to seeing many of you there. For more info go to http://www.legendsofthering.com.

The Q&A section of the site has been updated as of Wednesday midday.

Thanks for following us on Twitter @JRsBBQ and for your support of our website and store. Orders have been coming in at a rapid pace. For those that have had orders delayed I can tell you that many of the orders in question are in Federal Express possession in Memphis as recent Tornadic activity in Memphis has slowed their deliveries. Nonetheless we appreciate your business. We want our family to be a part of your family's grilling this spring and summer.

Thanks and Boomer Sooner!

J.R.