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JR's Blog: JR's Random Thoughts..HIAC..Charlotte RAW..Edge..Rene Goulet..Rogue Ref..WWEShop..UK Bound

Posted: Oct 31st 2012 By: mikeiles

Hello all and a special greeting to all those affected by Hurricane Sandy. I've been in contact with many friends who reside in the northeast who have endured Sandy's wrath. Our best wishes to all as the aftermath and residual affect of Mother Nature's fury will be felt for years. Here are some less important, Random Thoughts....

We surpassed 600,000 followers @JRsBBQ on Twitter this week and seem to be adding several hundred, new followers daily. Thanks for all the support. I enjoy the interaction and reading what's on the mind of many fans.

Busy Sunday taking two flights to Atlanta EARLY Sunday morning from OKC after staying in Norman to attend the OU-Notre Dame football game on Saturday night before the Hell in a Cell PPV. Never got Sunday to the Jackson Browne phase of 'Running on Empty' as adrenaline and coffee have a way of keeping one alert. However, I had no issue sleeping once we arrived in Charlotte late,Sunday night.

It seems that Irish was the theme of the weekend as the ND Fighting Irish handled my Sooners and Sheamus vs. Big Show was arguably the best bout on the PPV. I even enjoyed corn beef and cabbage for lunch Sunday of which I consider somewhat of an Irish delicacy. If it's not, humor me.

@wwejoshmathews is a major ND Fighting Irish fan and he received some JR's Beef Jerky thanks to his team decisively beating my Sooners in Norman.

Unique crowd in Atlanta on Sunday and not the typical Hotlanta grouping. Either we did not provide what they wanted to see or they, as a group, didn't connect to the show. Nonetheless, for me it is always good to work in a city where I enjoyed living for so long and in a market that has created so many memories for yours truly.

For the record, many blue suit wearing, phony smiling, corporate types who never respected the genre when we were together at WCW aren't on the list of good memories. Former Turner 'executive,' and I use that term loosely, Bill Shaw once told me that "Donald Duck" could broadcast a wrestling match.

WCW going belly up wasn't a one man fiasco but a team effort within the ivory towers of the CNN Center from ignorant people who did not respect the product.

Three man announce teams such as we utilized at HIAC can be 'busy' but I thought we pulled it off well thanks to the efforts of @MichaelCole, who does all the traffic control, and the unique personality of @JCLayfield. It was a challenging night at ringside, as it always is, but I hope that those that listened to the commentary enjoyed what we attempted to provide which was merely some entertaining moments to compliment what you were seeing on the TV screen.

Certainly the 'rogue referee' Brad Maddox story has folks talking and it will be interesting to hear what Maddox has to say at some point in the future which might be this Monday in Birmingham, England on RAW where I will travel to assist Michael Cole before the King returns to the announce table the following week in Columbus, Ohio. The British fans, really all the fans in that part of the world, are generally some of the most enthusiastic and loud fans that we experience which naturally helps make any broadcast better.

I'm liking the evolution of the tag team scene in WWE and expect to see several teams continue to develop and get more involved in the TV product as time goes on especially over the next few weeks.

Team Rhodes Scholars, in particular, has the chance to become a really viable duo from where I sit.

#WWE13 has roared out the gate as it became available this past Tuesday and we're getting great feedback on the Attitude Era aspect of the game which allows fans to become matchmakers and create some mighty intriguing bouts. I know that @JerryLawler and I enjoyed re-creating our commentary from that period of time. Industry experts have given WWE13 some amazingly positive reviews as it is expected to be the best selling WWE video game ever. @THQ is already immersed in work for their next WWE video game which will be released next fall.

Pleased that WWE is having a traditional, Survivor Series Elimination tag team bout, Team Foley vs. Team Punk, as a feature attraction/main event at the Survivor Series this year in Indianapolis. I've always enjoyed seeing multiple conclusions and how teams respond to being a "man down" or more as these bouts progress. Elimination tag bouts are not used that much during the year so seeing a well promoted, main event level one at Survivor Series is encouraging to this fan.

Here on Halloween I've received several Twitter photos of @officialtaz and me in costume back in the day. Taz wore a camouflage , military outfit that actually fit him while I drew the short straw and got to wear the navy outfit that was about two sizes too small. Think the movie classic 'Tommy Boy'...fat man in a little suite.

Anyone see the one of @HeymanHustle and me from back in the day? I was a gangster (or OG) while Paul was a vampire dressed up as Michael Keaton..I think.

WWEShop.com is becoming very aggressive with some great promotional deals on JR's products of BBQ Sauces, Chipotle Ketchup, Main Event Mustard (Jalapeno Honey Mustard), Seasoning/Dry Rub, and 5 flavors of 97% Fat Free, custom made Beef Jerky. Saw today where some customers can even get FREE SHIPPING on selected packages. Check out http://www.wweshop.com and visit our easy to navigate page.

@americansoda which is located in Manchester, England also stocks JR's products and ships conveniently and efficiently throughout the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe.

Missing my Oklahoma Sooners at Iowa State this Saturday due to travel to England but feel #OU will have their hands full in Ames vs a well coached Cyclone squad on hostile ground. #Sooners equal the Horsemen when they're on the road as the home crowds love to jeer Coach Bob Stoops team. I think that the spread is a little heavy and that OU will be hard pressed to pull this one out late in the 4th quarter.

P.O's me when some Keyboard Warriors on Twitter say that I phone my work in during the third hour of Monday Night Raw. That's simply not true.

Great seeing Adam Copeland aka Edge for a few minutes Monday afternoon in Charlotte. Adam had just returned from a UK trip and dropped by to say hello to his many friends within WWE. He looked great, even well rested coming off a long flight, and was, as always, in great spirits. Great example of what passion and hard work will do for a lifelong fan of the genre who grew up in Ontario and currently resides in the Asheville, NC area. Adam will always be one of my absolute favorite signees and the WWE HOFer is a credit to the business. Plus, he's hooked on JR's Chipotle Ketchup!

Rene Goulet was also a RAW visitor Monday as the native of Quebec City and long time pro wrestling star lives in Charlotte. Rene looks amazing at 80 years of age and still plays golf about three days a week and also maintains his regular, workout schedule at the gym.

No Naitch at Raw in Charlotte seemed to surprise some fans. Where was it ever officially inferred or teased that was going to occur? I know that there was ample internet speculation and I assume it was merely because RAW was emanating from Charlotte.

I've been asked to do some promotional work for the @OKCThunder. Will keep you informed.

Highly impressed and proud that WWE Universe helped raise $1M for the Susan G. Komen Foundation working on a cure for breast cancer. The Brinker family, who created and launched Chili's restaurants, has worked tirelessly to create awareness and to find a cure for this hideous disease. I enjoyed visiting with them after Raw at the hotel.

My Chael Sonnen reference seemed to get some play outside WWE. Chael is a fan of sports entertainment and is clever enough to utilize well placed verbal barbs to help create interest for his #UFC fights and to sell tickets and PPV's. He also does it naturally and organically. When other MMA fighters learn to do the same they will likely see increased income.

Check out the Q&A's here on our site. You might find something interesting there and you can also submit your own questions. If they make the cut, they will be answered.

Follow me on Twitter @JRsBBQ.

Until next time....stock up on JR's...and know that our family sincerely appreciates your support. Think 'JR's" for holiday gift giving.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.