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JR's Blog: Thoughts on Chyna, @AustinAries Stars on Ross Report, Lesnar Oppnents, ROH's Joe Koff, NJPW on AXSTV, Bullet Club in WWE?

JR's Blog: Thoughts on Chyna, @AustinAries Stars on Ross Report, Lesnar Oppnents, ROH's Joe Koff, NJPW on AXSTV, Bullet Club in WWE?

Posted: Apr 24th 2016 By: Jim Ross

Here's hoping that everyone is having a great weekend where ever you may be. Our conversation with Austin Aries on the Ross Report podcast is getting super reviews. From talking about his stellar career as an under 6 feet tall wrestler to his vegan lifestyle and his runs in ROH, TNA and now NXT, Austin is a terrific guest. Subscribe for FREE to The Ross Report on iTunes and never mss a show. A new Ross Report drops every Tuesday night at 9 pm E on podastone.com, iTunes and here on the home page of our site.

I am still reeling regarding the sudden and unexpected death of Joanie Lauer aka Chyna this past week in Los Angeles. The cause of death has yet not been revealed but I wonder if it could have been something as simple as sleep apnea? Undiagnosed sleep apnea can cause a heart attack if the affliction goes untreated. I had 99 episodes where I stopped breathing in a hour on my sleep test. I had severe undiagnosed sleep apnea all the years I worked for WWE and as far back as the late 80's in WCW as well according to my wife Jan. When I read that Joanie was being teated for anxiety and for a 'sleep disorder' I immediately thought of the sleep apnea matter. The autopsy will tell us what we don't know about how she passed but the bottom line is that she's gone and she left us much too early.

My most recent communications with Joanie had been somewhat frequent and it was obvious that she still had her good days and some that were not so good. She knew that she needed to regain full control of her life and to essentially create a healthy restart. I was convinced that was exactly what she was doing but I also realized, as did she, that transformation was going to take time and would be a daily 'work in progress.'

As I wrote for my story on Joanie's passing for www.foxsports.com that at the end of the day all that Joanie Lauer wanted was to be happy and to be loved.

That's not a bad goal for any of us. RIP Joanie.

This Tuesday night I have a fascinating conversation with ROH COO Joe Koff for The Ross Report podcast that Ring of Honor fans will embrace and other fans of the genre will enjoy as well. Joe dodges no questions and is hugely forthcoming and honest about his ever growing brand. I used many of your Twitter questions for this interview and Joe Koff answered them all with intelligent, honest responses.

Happy birthday to John Cena who's is obviously one of the best signings that we ever inked to a WWE contract. No one that I ever signed had a stronger work ethic than John Cena. That's what one gets when an All American in college football as an offensive lineman joins the team. John is a terrific example of what young talents should aspire to be as it relates to being a team player, giving unrelenting effort and putting the team's agenda before one's own. @JohnCena is a credit to the wresting business.

Congrats to Samoa Joe for winning the NXT Title from Finn Balor. I saw their match in Dallas and it was an old school, fundamentally sound pro wrestling match that made me proud to be in the business. Joe will be a great opponent for Brock Lesnr someday and no matter who WWE decides to have dance with Lesnar at WM33 in Orlando now is the time to start getting that person ready. Book the match in pencil and begin to work toward it while focusing on who Brock will face in a high profile WM33 bout.

I could also see such men as Cesaro, Kevin Owens and Bray Wyatt being sound booking choices for @HeymanHustle 'client' with the proper build. If fans don't think that Lesnar's WM33 opponent doesn't have at least a remote chance of winning, then the booking won't work.

Really enjoyed calling the AJ Styles vs Okada match Friday night on @AXSTV presentation of New Japan Pro Wrestling. It's great working with @JoshLBarnett on Friday nights and we have some terrific shows still to come that I hope that you will check out. AXSTV is on selected cable systems and DirecTV and the Dish Network.

Here's hoping that TNA can close a deal this week to obtain more funding and if they do that they have a viable and achievable plan to jump start their business with a fresh, new approach that parlays what their current talent roster does best. One thing, for starters would be to not tape so much TV so far n advance so as to be able to change storylines if and when necessary in a more timely manner. However, on going budgets will likely dictate thier taping schedule in Orlando.

I have no idea why The Undertaker was pulled from the recent, WWE international tour but it might be as simple as his lingering and ongoing lower back issues that make flying long distances for a 6'9" 300 pounder virtually undoable. For those to speculate that it's 'politically motivated' is pet coon goofy...and yes I once had a pet raccoon and it was damn sure goofy hence the expression. For you Oliver Stone's out there to assume that his cliche is inapproiate is an embarrassing stretch. Just saying...

I'm all for the faction known as the 'Bullet Club' to be utilized in a main event manner on WWE programming but for anyone to assume that the masses know all bout the New Japan Pro Wrestling creation to be widely recognized is short sighted. The story of the Bullet Club needs to be told to the mass, WWE TV audience for it to work as desired. This positioning will also determine if they are villains or heroes to the fans as well.

The Q&A's here on the site are undated.

Like us on Facebook at JimRossBBQ.

We are also on Instagram now @JimRossBBQ.

My piece here earlier in the week regarding Conor McGregor's 'retirement' being all about one of the two C's, CASH or Creative, seems to be spot on. There's no retirement and McGregor wants to be paid to do extra promotional work for UFC. I see a compromise on the horizon.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ

 

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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
09-19
  • 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
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  • 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
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  • 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

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