JR's Blog: Old School RAW Tonight is Must See TV..Bruno..WrestleMania Sites..It's Grilling Time in Oklahoma!
Posted: Mar 4th 2013 By: CMBurnham
Huge night tonight for the WWE with the Annual Old School RAW. It's one of my favorite, WWE broadcasts of the year to watch. Love that it's in the heart of the Road to WrestleMania, too. Let's roll with a quick list of random thoughts....
WWE.com released an impressive list or names earlier today that are slated to appear on tonight's Old School Raw. Happy to see them all especially guys like the Honkytonk Man who hasn't been involved in WWE programming in quite some time. Always good to see my old Mid south Wrestling buddy Hacksaw Jim Duggan get a call as well as Nature Boy Ric Flair who I'm sure the Buffalo, live audience will embrace. I know that Mean Gene Okerlund has been looking forward to this night for quite some time. The Million Dollar Man will be on RAW tonight with two, newly replaced knees.
MDM Ted DiBiase and Ric Flair, along with the late, great Dick Murdoch, were involved in one of the best, most dramatic and compelling TV storylines ever in Mid South which again speaks to the genius of Bill Watts as a TV producer/booker.
Check out WWE.com for the complete list of talents being brought back for tonight.
It's always intriguing to me to see how the older stars are factored into this broadcast as they provide an unique opportunity to interact with today's stars with the hope of forwarding the current talent's TV personas.
I wonder if Michael Cole will rediscover his old 'stache and if Jerry Lawler, who's as old school as they come, will don his crown and cape along with his Tarzan styled wrestling tights as he wore back in the day on RAW? Come on Jerry, lose those T shirts.
Getting far too many questions about the design of various championship belts. I have stated that the design of any title isn't a hill that i choose to die upon as I have little expertise in design. I will only say that the simpler the better and titles should be in a gimmick free zone. Much like entrance music, the design of a title belt isn't something tat I spend much time thinking about.
This is a pivotal night for WWE as, in my view, it's time to accelerate the drive down the Road to WrestleMania. Last week's broadcast had an auspicious start with the McMahon, Heyman, HHH and Lesnar business and how tonight's show starts is imperative as it, like the opening match at a PPV, sets the tone for the evening.
Big start....big finish.
One could realistically expect some sort of confrontation between The Rock, the WWE Champion, and his number one contender and WM29 opponent, John Cena. If this confrontation does occur, I'd guess that both men will be compellingly serious. The responsibility that they carry in closing the show at WM29 is massive. The top guys always carry the heaviest load but with that comes the greatest rewards.
Some guys can handle the pressure and some fold like a cheap shirt....and often blame the promotion for their lack of push or general success.
It's also a huge night for @CMPunk, arguably WWE's MVP for the past year and change, as he has to re-position himself for WM29. There's lots of speculation on this matter and we'll hopefully know more conclusive info during tonight's three hour broadcast. @HeymanHustle will be knee deep in whatever happens, as well, one can assume.
I'm guessing that we come out of tonight's Old School RAW with a much clearer picture of what we can expect to see from an upper card level respect at WM29 on April 7 at MetLife Stadium.
It's sad when fans Tweet me @JRsBBQ and 'demand' to see a specific wrestler on Old School RAW who has already passed away or they are appalled that a specific wrestler isn't in the WWE HOF when they were inducted years ago.
@SammartinoBruno is the Living Legend Bruno Sammartino's official Twitter handle. Congrats to the Pittsburgh great for being recognized this past weekend at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio. I can't wait to see Bruno inducted at the WWE HOF in his house, Madison Square Garden on Saturday night April 6. It will likely be the most emotional WWE HOF
ceremony ever based on the crowd reaction that I expect to make a lasting memory.
Do any of you remember the time that Bruno and I did some broadcasting together in WCW during the Bill Watts regime? It was a one off as I recall and I felt like I was calling a baseball game with Babe Ruth. Huge thrill for me. I wonder if that's on You Tube?
Beautiful day here in Norman, likely to be 70 degrees, and a busy day at that. Spring football starts this week plus I'm attending the Bob Stoops Charity Bowling Tournament Thursday night as well.
Check out the Thursday, archived edition of the Tulsa World online to read about my start in the biz via the now closed NSU Field house in a great article by @JimmieTramel. I promoted my first wrestling event there in 1972 headlined by Dan Hodge and that's where I was 'discovered' for the lack of a better term by Cowboy Bill Watts. I was a college student at the Tahlequah, Oklahoma university.
I set my DVR to go 30 minutes past the hour tonight for Old School Raw just in case. This is one show that I will watch live and then rewatch it again later tonight or tomorrow morning. Yes...once a fan always a fan.
It's so warm here today that I'm firing up the grill later and am making burger patties, as we speak, with both JR's Hot BBQ Sauce and JR's Chipotle Ketchup mixed with a little of our All Purpose seasoning. Three ingredients equate to as good a burger as you will ever have and that goes for beef, turkey or chicken. Hell, if I can do it anyone can.
Check with WWEShop.com regularly to see their specials on the JR page of their site. Big things are coming from @WWEShop regarding our family brand. BTW, WWEShop ships our signed cookbooks any where in the world.
We're really happy with @americansoda in Manchester for their efforts in distributing JR's products throughout UK and Europe plus in their American Candy stores. Hit their website for all the great deals including a package that contains a personally signed, collectable trading card.
As of midday Monday I've updated the Q&A section of the site. One interesting question concerned future WrestleMania sites. It's a simple matter in that cities that feel that they want to host a WrestleMania, much like a Super Bowl or Final Four, submit proposals to WWE in an attempt to become a host city. Several cities are in the running for future 'Mania events. The new monies generated from a WWE WrestleMania are significant which is obviously why so many markets are interested. I've read so much online about a specific city being a front runner, etc which is a head scratcher especially at this point while looking ahead at WM31 and beyond. In other words many websites take a small piece of info and run with it as if the entire story has been told. Trust me....for WM31 and beyond the race is only beginning. Many warm weather markets and cites with domed stadiums are "in the hunt."
Thanks for stopping by and for supporting JR's Family of products.
Boomer Sooner!
J.R. @JRsBBQ
Supplemental Information
Spotlight in History
- 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
- 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
- 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
- 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
- 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
- 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
- 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
- 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
Week of Sun 09-13 to Sat: 09-19
- 09-13 1967 Brute Bernard def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-13 1974 Jose Lothario def. El Gran Markus for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
- 09-13 1987 Eric Embry became the WCCW World Light Heavyweight Champion
- 09-13 2008 Dustin Heritage def. Kenny Campbell for the IZW Impact Division Title
- 09-13 2008 Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) def. Nathan Sensation & Striker for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-13 2008 Shawn Sanders def. Kevin Morgan for the OECW Heavyweight Title
- 09-13 2008 Martin Justice became the OECW Southwestern Champion
- 09-13 2009 3rd Rail def. Maniac Mike for the SWCW Hardcore Title
- 09-13 2009 Maniac Mike became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
- 09-13 2014 J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf became the NAW Tag Team Champions
- 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. J. R. Orullian & Running Wolf for the NAW Tag Team Titles
- 09-13 2014 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Running Wolf) became the NAW Tag Team Champions
- 09-13 2020 Dimitri Alexandrov def. O’Brien for the ASP Heavyweight Title
- 09-13 2025 Michael H became the NAW Openweight Champion
- 09-13 2025 Jupiter Jones def. Frankie Lee for the RDW Iron Man Title
- 09-13 2025 Sgt. Hartman def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-13 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Sgt. Hartman for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-13 2026 Tuff Love (Cade Lovee & Cole Lung) def. GBA (Drake Gallows & Colton Kinnamon) for the RDW Tag Team Titles
- 09-13 2026 Nate Bourne def. Ricky Wingrave for the RDW Iron Man Title
- 09-13 2026 Malik Mayfield def. Will Chambers for the UWO Heavyweight Title
- 09-13 2026 Lunchador def. Max Leon for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-13 2026 Max Leon def. Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin def. Montego Seeka for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
- 09-14 2007 Dane Griffin became the UWF06 Texhoma Champion
- 09-14 2013 Team Bull (The Bronze Bull & Bobby Starr) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
- 09-14 2013 The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Chief Mike & Keebler) def. The P. I. N. K. Nation (Ray Martinez & Tommy Toops) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
- 09-14 2019 MVP def. Chavo Guerrero, Jr. for the WCR Heavyweight Title
- 09-14 2024 Original Renegade became the NAW Openweight Champion
- 09-14 2024 Umbra def. Trench Blythe for the WAH Spotlight Title
- 09-14 2024 Pastor Brent def. Daniel Aaron Michalles for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
- 09-14 2024 Jean-Claude def. Eddie LeVaughn for the WAH Heavyweight Title
- 09-14 2024 Manico def. Billie the Kiid for the NAW Indigenous Land Title
- 09-14 2024 Jeb Bingham def. Jastin Taylor for the BCW Heavyweight Title
- 09-15 1969 The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-15 1980 Junkyard Dog & Terry Orndorff def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
- 09-15 1986 Black Bart def. Chris Adams for the WCCW World Title
- 09-15 2007 Sudden Impact (Sudden Impact 1 & Sudden Impact 2) def. Texas, Inc. (Bernard Funk & Tim Rockwell) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
- 09-15 2007 Anthony Jackson def. AWOL for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-15 2007 Shane Morbid def. Justin Lee for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
- 09-15 2012 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 09-15 2018 Chavo Guerrero, Jr. def. MVP for the WCR Heavyweight Title
- 09-15 2019 Chaz Sharpe def. James Southard for the ASP Inter-County Title
- 09-15 2023 Jastin Taylor def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 1975 John Tolos def. Al Madril for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 1988 Michael Hayes & Steve Cox def. The Samoan SWAT Team (Fatu & Samu) for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 09-16 2005 Lily McKenzie def. Chiquita Suzuki for the SRPW Womens Title
- 09-16 2006 Michael Barry def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 2006 Ryan Davidson became the IZW Impact Division Champion
- 09-16 2017 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Womens Title
- 09-16 2017 Skyler Fayden def. Riker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 2017 Big Smooth & Zakk Sinizter became the UWE Tag Team Champions
- 09-16 2022 Shane Taylor def. Johnny Bedlam for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
- 09-16 2023 Red James def. Ozzy Hendrix for the EPW Internet Television Title
- 09-17 1979 The Spoiler & Mark Lewin def. Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
- 09-17 2004 Bobby Dalton def. Shane Morbid for the SRPW Hardcore Title
- 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCB Heavyweight Champion
- 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCB Dual Kombat Champion
- 09-17 2008 Michael Faith became the TCBW Heavyweight Champion
- 09-17 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the TCBW Dual Kombat Champion
- 09-17 2010 Dane Griffin def. Cody Jones for the NWA-OK Texoma Title
- 09-17 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Montego Seeka) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
- 09-17 2010 Michael Faith def. Dane Griffin for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
- 09-17 2016 Mr. Nasty def. Brian Breaker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-17 2026 T. J. Spade became the ASP WTF Champion
- 09-18 1967 Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma def. Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
- 09-18 2005 Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch def. The Hurricane & Rosey for the WWE RAW World Tag Team Titles
- 09-18 2005 Ric Flair def. Carlito for the WWE Intercontinental Title
- 09-18 2015 Sons of Texas (Moonshine Mantell & Killer McKenzie) def. The Imperialists (Charlie Haas & Griffin) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
- 09-18 2021 Thrash def. Jermaine Johnson for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 09-18 2021 Reed def. Thrash for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
- 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-18 2022 Fuel def. Koko for the UWE Apex Title
- 09-19 1979 Mike Sharpe, Jr. def. Mike George for the MSW Mississippi Title
- 09-19 1982 David Von Erich def. Bill Irwin for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
- 09-19 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. Michael Hayes & Steve Cox for the WCCW World Tag Team Titles
- 09-19 2014 Simply Irresistible (Matthew Palmer & James Johnson) def. The Dark Circle (Mace Malone & Apoc) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
- 09-19 2015 Loaded Guns (Jon Cross & Brandon Walker) def. The Rising (Riker & Abel) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
- 09-19 2015 Brian Breaker def. Clint Cassidy for the UWE United States Title
- 09-19 2015 Zakk Sinizter def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
- 09-19 2015 Jon Cross became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
- 09-19 2019 MVP became the WCR Imperial Champion
- 09-19 2020 Pastor Brent became the WAH Heavyweight Champion
- 09-19 2021 Maui Mike def. Thrash for the ASP Mid-American Title
- 09-19 2021 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
- 09-19 2021 Malik Mayfield def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP Livestream Title
- 09-19 2021 Double D def. Jerome Daniel Griffey for the ASP 5-Star Title
- Adam Asher Sep 19th Today!
- Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th Today!
- Jerry Brisco Sep 19th Today!
- Justin Lee Sep 20th
- Joey Stixx Sep 20th
- Pepper Martin Sep 20th
- Boz Sep 20th
- Ethan Page Sep 20th
- Greg Valentine Sep 20th
- Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
- Bishop Simon Sep 20th
- Chuck Singer Sep 20th
- Ricky Morton Sep 21st
- Connor Jones Sep 21st
- Jack Brisco Sep 21st
- Harley D Sep 22nd
- Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
- Doug Somers Sep 22nd
- Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
- Satine Sep 22nd
- Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
- Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
- O'Malley Sep 23rd
- Jason Bruce Sep 24th
- Kai Fayden Sep 24th
- Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
- Connor Crunk Sep 24th
- John J. Bishop Sep 24th
- Len Rossi Sep 24th
- Joe Jones Sep 24th
- Chief Mike Sep 25th
- Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
- Toots Estes Sep 25th
- Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
- Chris Matthews Sep 26th
- Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
- Ka$haNova Sep 26th
- BB Sep 26th
- Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
- Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
- Lone Eagle Sep 26th
- Ben Miller Sep 27th
- Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
- Angel Camacho Sep 27th
- Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
- Trey Count Sep 28th
- Kamille Sep 28th
- Tommy Prince Sep 28th
- Rip Tyler Sep 28th
- Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
- Scott Lee Sep 28th
- David Sammartino Sep 29th
- Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
- Ann Casey Sep 29th
- Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
- Lady Starwind Sep 30th
- Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
- Raymon Downey Sep 30th
- Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
- Seth Coburn Sep 30th
- Fred Urban Sep 30th
- Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
- Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
- Funnybone Oct 2nd
- Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
- Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
- Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
- James Southard Oct 2nd
- Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
Current Champions
United Wrestling Entertainment
Apex Champion
R
- Heavyweight Champion: Brandon Warhawk
- Tag Team Champions: Black Flag Rising
- Apex Champion: R: I: O
