• Look Back In History
• Pmessages
• Quiz
• Stump The Staff
• Top Fifty
• Close

JR's Blog: Weekend Update...NXT Thoughts..NWO PPV..JR's Business Has Picked Up at WWEShop.com

Posted: Jun 17th 2012 By: CMBurnham

It's been a busy but productive and enjoyable week on our end and we thank you for stopping by our site. WWEShop is offering 20% OFF JR's products at this link http://www.wweshop.com/Category/JimRoss. They were temporarily out of some items but have restocked and placed a backup order that will be shipped in a couple of days. Business has picked up for us of which we are grateful. Grilling time...

I had a great time in Orlando taping more episodes of NXT Thursday evening at Full Sail University. We started at 6:30 pm and finished at 9:30 pm. The event ran smoothly and efficiently and the fans in attendance seemed to have fun. Our next Full Sail/NXT event will be Thursday July 12.

Byron Saxton handled the bulk of the play by play with William Regal doing the color commentary. Chris Russo was the ring announcer and yours truly appeared on each show helping Saxton and Regal with the main events.

I'm not sure of when these new, NXT shows air or exactly where but I know that in parts of Florida they will air on the Brighthouse Network but as it relates to other parts of the USA, I simply don't know but it seems that most content generally makes its way to You Tube at some time or another.

Reportedly, NXT will air in several countries outside the USA as it has been doing previously. I have not been informed that the new, NXT will air on WWE.com but as I have stated previously, I have my doubts on that one.

Might just be me but it feels as if some talents are more relaxed at the NXT tapings than some appear to be at other WWE events and as a result they performed at a higher level for the most part.

We had several really good bouts Thursday night as the focus of the broadcast is still in the introductory stage of presenting new, talents and talents with limited or inconsistent TV exposure.

The bouts on NXT generally have a little more time for the talents to tell a viable story and to get much needed TV minutes. It's up to the talents to maximize those minutes and most did.

It seemed that Jinder Mahal was a different talent in Orlando than I have seen him at times on WWE TV. Mahal has a marketable upside in my view and NXT might give him the platform to better develop his in ring efforts. I'd suggest keeping an eye on this highly intelligent, motivated young man.

The same thing can be said of essentially everyone that gets the NXT opportunity. It's a place to refine one's game and to continue to learn. Every TV match is an important opportunity for each person that steps foot in the ring.

I thought that Johnny Curtis and Michael McGillicutty looked promising as a tag team. No reason that I can see that both these young men should not be in the hunt for years to come.

Young Bo Dallas (formerally Rotundo) has an outstanding upside and he's still just a pup. Excellent, natural instincts.

Bray Wyatt's TV persona is one of the most unique and compelling to come along in a good while and the young athlete, who at one time wrestled as Husky Harris, has but a great deal of time and effort into his new persona. Some may compare it to the DeNiro character in Cape Fear and even Waylon Mercy back in the day but this uniquely Bray Wyatt incarnation feels new and fresh plus the athlete behind it is big and aggressive....and has youth going for him.

Drew McIntyre, who has always had potential, had one of his best days on the job with WWE, in my view, while at NXT Thursday. His match with Seth Rollins, another seemingly can't miss prospect, was stellar. McIntyre is only 27 and I'm thinking that if he can continue get the extra work in NXT that the Scot will take the next step up the ladder in the near future.

Tyson Kidd stood out again and is beginning to put more personality with his already amazing in ring skills which is imperative to get to the proverbial Promised Land. Derrick Bateman had a good night as well.

Antonio Cesaro vs. Alex Riley was a really solid match to call and both talents have something special to offer the WWE.

Loved the match that Justin Gabriel had with Heath Slater. They did not look like the same two talents that I have seen at times on other WWE broadcasts.

South Africa's Leo Kruger and Richie Steamboat had a good bout, too. Throughly enjoyed it. I've seen these two in the ring on many occasions and they both are bound for productive careers unless something unforseen occurs especially as it relates to their own motivation and desire to improve upon what they do for a living.

Several of the former independent wrestlers that WWE has signed for FCW work and subsequently who will be appearing on NXT are beginning to standout.

Talented Natalya Neidhart had a really nice match with Puerto Rico's fiery Sofia of who I'm optimistic. Raquel Diaz (Guerrero) vs. Paige was another solid, Diva outing featuring two young women who have wrestling in their blood. Paige, from England, is another young, aggressive talent on which to keep an eye. Racquel has a huge personality as that's what her DNA has produced. We also saw a physical bout between Tamina vs. Kaitlyn which featured two of the strongest women in all the WWE. Bottom line, a really nice night for a talented group of Divas.

Especially interested in the evolution of the duo known as Ascension. This team has something special going for themselves and if they keep pushing to improve could be impactful in WWE for years to come. Time will tell.

Obviously the cupboards are not bare in the WWE Developmental program. There are many talents that I did not mention that have the opportunity to be special...in time and through their own hard work and diligence. I'm hopeful that these athletes take their careers in their own hands and refuse to fail.

The talent's attitude is refreshing and everyone, and I mean everyone, worked hard and with great effort. Can they improve? Absolutely, we all can, and that's what NXT is all about and those that keep bearing down and improving all phases of their game will realize their dreams if it is meant to be. Those that unfortunately discover and then remain in a comfort zone won't find the career that they seek.

The continued scouting of the independent circuits is important and will be on going. However, the 'money' in building for the future is finding young, athletes from strong collegiate programs from a variety of sports who are physically gifted and who have an aptitude for entertaining and a strong desire to become a WWE Superstar.

I am thoroughly enjoying working in WWE Developmental and look forward to the future of the department and how Talent Development contributes to the future of WWE. WWE has an outstanding staff working with some really talented kids and from where I stand from a talent perspective, specifically the in ring talents, the future looks bright for WWE.

With my increased presence/mentions, etc on WWE RAW and Smackdown recently, we have seen a significant spike in our family business at http://www.wweshop.com/Category/JimRoss. Check out the link and look at the wide variety of options and packages that are available. Again, some items have been temporarily out of stock but those issues seem to be resolved.

I passed 450,000 followers this past week on Twitter @JRsBBQ. Please join us.

For some reason, nothing specific but just a feeling, I'm guessing that WWE really shakes things up Sunday night on PPV at No Way Out. 'People Power' which reminds me of my Aunt Ruth's 'sour belches' (both are/were organically stinky) seems to be in jeopardy with the return of Mr. McMahon but the Boss siding with John Cena on this matter is a head scratcher so who knows what is going to occur Sunday night?

I fully anticipate Sheamus vs. Ziggler being a classic World Title Bout. I expect nothing less from two of my favorite talents. Plus, Punk-Bryan-Kane,,,and AJ will have a heck of an outing even though I am personally not a huge fan of Triple Threat bouts as a rule but I've enjoyed the build to this one.

AJ is arguably the most compelling/interesting new, WWE TV persona to come along in a a good while. She's a provocative, girl next door, with 'something' not just 'quite right' and has her seat reserved to leave at any time on the 'Crazy Train.'

These are the PPV's are the opportunities that talents who are NOT in a featured bout go out and turn heads with the time that they have to do their thing.

Pulling big time for the OKC Thunder Sunday night down in Miami in the third game of the NBA Playoffs. @okcthunder has united the State of Oklahoma no matter one's race, religion, creed, OU/OSU fan, etc as no other positive entity ever has. The OKC Bombings brought everyone together for a time but nothing positive such as the Thunder ever has that I can recall in my lifetime.

I've updated the Q&A section of the site and invite you to check them out. Quick read that you might find interesting. Plus, you're welcome to send us your questions there and please keep them succinct. Thanks.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.