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

JR's Blog: JR's RAW Thoughts..Online Biz On Fire (Pun Intended). Total Divas, Ray Donovan/WWE Analogy, Q&A's Updated

Posted: Jul 31st 2013 By: CMBurnham

Business is booming at http://www.wweshop.com and in Manchester, England at http://www.americansoda.uk.co for JR's products that are perfect for grilling or your kitchen. At WWEShop.com we are rocking the JR's Beef Jerky or as someone used to say "Business has picked up!" It's GRILLING TIME

Enjoyed Monday Night RAW as the broadcast seemed to have ample in ring content of which I enjoy. I also thought @MichaelCole and @JerryLawler had a good night even though I missed the mountain climbing @JCLayfield.

The end game for the McMahon Family conflict interests me especially considering that #1 contender for the WWE Title @WWEDanielBryan is in the middle of it. Where is this matter heading? I'm happy that I have no idea. If Daniel Bryan were to win the WWE Title at Summer Slam, how would that affect the 'family' dynamic? Hmmm

@TheMarkHenry has 'presence. His facials are extraordinary. I can see the big Texan doing well for WWE as a newly minted fan favorite.

Enjoyed RVD's bout with Fandango while it lasted. RVD has been an outstanding 'get' for WWE since he returned at the MITB PPV. His style is unique, it's physical and he has done what every star must do to be a star....connect with his audience.

AJ Lee continues to pilot the crazy train and she is arguably the most compelling Diva in WWE.

Interested in seeing Dolph Ziggler vs. Big E again especially if they're in the ring longer.

Loved the Del Rio vs. Christian match. Great story. ADR focusing on the damaged arm of Christian made the match easy to follow. Isolating a body part is a key component to story telling. A really, solid TV bout.

The follow up on the Sandow-Cody issue was good. I'd like to see them in a high profile match ala Summer Slam to see how they would deliver under the hot lights of a major PPV. Sandow speaking poorly of Cody's family made me squirm.

Daniel Bryan continues to be, arguably, the best in ring talent in the business and "Fear the Beard" countering Kane and winning with an inside cradle was perfect execution.

Thought that IC Champ Curtis Axel had one of his better outings as he seemed more poised and comfortable Monday night. The 'Perfect Son' sounded like an old pro on the mic which is vital and always has been since wrestling moved to TV.

Ryback had a good night even in a losing effort in the Tables Match vs. @JohnCena. Ryback seems to really enjoy his antagonist role and it fits him better and better each week. Being a great, wrestling villain is a skill that isn't easily or quickly acquired. If Ryback had came along in the 70's or 80's, some promoter likely would have made him a 'Russian' or another non American to capitalize on a Nationalism story.

My wife and I enjoyed the premier episode of Total Divas on the E Network Sunday night. I had a few 'flashbacks' from my talent relations days watching the ladies interact with each other and the WWE folks in general. When I became head of talent relations, we had only one or two women on the roster. That aspect of the team grew quickly and the Diva locker room soon became a complex and unique entity. That's not to say that the men didn't have their share of problems, too, but the ladies presented an entirely different ballgame. In the days before cell phones, texting, etc, my home phone rang at all hours of the night and quite often it was a Diva with an issue as the ladies usually wanted to vent right away while the guys would often times 'stew' over what was bothering them.

Ah, the stories.

New drinking game, take a shot every time 'The Count' on 'Counting Cars' says, "Brother." Upon further review, forget the previous statement.

Excited to be heading to LA for Summer Slam to do some work with 2K Sports regarding the new video game that I've done some work on the past several months. I also have an AXXESS autograph appearance Sunday 1-3 pm.

I'd be remiss without noting that The Wyatt Family had a solid night on RAW and that their vignettes introducing them to the WWE Universe were more golden than many perceive. They had an identity before they ever showed up in person on RAW. Reminds me of how Bill Watts established the Rock-N-Roll Express in the Mid South Territory using music videos before Morton and Gibson physically arrived in the 80's.

Thanks for contributing to our Q&A Section here on the site. If your questions don't make the cut they were likely WAY too long or just Pet Coon Goofy.

Tickets for my show in Manchester are still available for Monday August 26 at the Comedy Store via http://www.psievents.eventbrite.com/ . There are just a handful of tickets left for Cardiff as well and available at the same site but they will be gone at any time now. London and Glasgow are both sold out.

If you aren't watching 'Ray Donovan' on Showtime, I feel for you especially if you love great TV. Awesome show! Jon Voight is amazing as patriarch Mickey Donovan who has some evil, Mr. McMahon qualities about him. Plus, I have become hooked on 'Dexter.'

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ