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

JR's Blog: The Ray Leppan/Adam Rose Situation is Sad, JR's RAW Omaha Feedback, ESPN's The Coach on The Ross Report, Sandow to OklaMania in July, Grill With JR's & Ingles Markets, Brawler Gone

Posted: May 12th 2016 By: Jim Ross

Thanks for stopping by our site on a stormy day here in Oklahoma as we are in the midst of tornado season for us during the month of May. Got to get that storm shelter built, right? Really fun podcast on this week's The Ross Report with our first time guest ESPN's Jonathan Coachman formerly of @WWE fame. We talk about Coach's unique career in WWE and how it prepared him for @ESPN, he and I being called ino a HR meeting that was uncomfortable for all involved, our panned (rightfully so) Country Whipping Match that we had in Chicago on RAW, the XFL and ESPN's relationship with WWE. It's right here on the home page of our site as wll as being at iTunes and at www.podcastone.com.

Finally got around to watching Monday Night RAW via our DVR and here are some quick observations of the broadcast:

Good to see Big Cass' build continue. If 50/50, even Steven like booking doesn't creep into Cass's build, then I think that Cass has a good chance to turn heads which would be because the 7 footer was able to get on the elusive roll that he needs.

The presentation currently in place for Anderson and Gallows needs a little juice but the talents can do something about that with their in ring performances consistently kicking ass and thus earning more special and favorable creative development. The faction name of "The Club" will have to grow on me.

The Club...the Bullet Club is not over within the WWE Universe....yet.

AJ Styles is as good in the ring as anyone in wrestling right now for my money. Great hire by WWE and AJ has been utilized well IMO.

Not sure if the Baron Corbin-Ziggler 'marriage' is actually helping either talent. Why Corbin has even lost a match in his short tenure in WWE is puzzling.

Paige and Charlotte had a nice match that told a good story regarding Charlotte's Dad being 'barred' from ringside. This match made me wonder where Paige has been. She's seemingly been under utilized but there may be a good reason for that. Has Total Divas really help Paige? Just asking.

Miz represented himself well in his bout versus Sami Zayn, who is a machine in the ring. I hope that all this creative directed to the IC Title helps said championship regain some of its lost luster. The creative effort that is being made to accomplish rejuvenating the IC Championship is a positive.

Sin Cara upsetting Rusev had me scratching my head. Rusev is not over and should not be beaten by other talents who aren't over as well. Bottom line with that is that no one advances.

Flair's robe, Mulligan's cowboy hat, Wahoo's headdress, and now Jericho's gimmick jacket is the creative log on the Y2J-Ambrose fire or so it seems.

Kevin Owens continues to be the most consistent WWE performer on TV week after week. I'd love to see Owens programmed with Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Reigns, or any top talent going forward. It seems that if any one in WWE is best suited to be an Austin-like personality it would be Kevin Owens. In other words, in today's marketplace Kevin Owens is going ot be hard to make and keep heel. One of my persona dream matches would be Cesaro vs KO. Great wrestling matches would turn many heads.

What exactly does the 'New Era of WWE' really mean? Or is it simply a social media creation?

The main event was not delivered as teased between Jericho vs Cass and that was a downer to a degree as it was a 'new' bout that had my interest.

Sad to hear of Adam Rose aka Ray Leppan being arrested for a domestic disturbance which comes on the heels of his second wellness policy violation. One can only image the level of stress that this man was/is enduring which absolutely gives him NO free pass to commit domestic battery against his wife. Curious to know what Adam Rose's Plan B is as every wrestler should have a viable, Plan B especially when they get north of their 30th birthday. How does this relate to this incident?

When performers have no plan B, they often find themselves in a state of helplessness. For example, what do I do to stay in America, for instance, as in South African Leppan's situation? What can I now do to provide for my family? How do I properly raise my children and be the husband to my wife that I should be? How do I regain my self esteem?

To eliminate the feeling of hopelessness from a talent's mind set is a primary reason for having a marketable, Plan B for all sports entertainers. The job does not last forever nor does the money that the job creates. If all those entering the wrestling business understands that fact going in then the product, the performers and all that they touch will be better served.

Ray Leppan is not a bad person but he's seemingly in a bad place that merits our positive thoughts. Ray has a special needs son which in itself should encourage wise decision by the head of the household but that hasn't been the case recently. My sincere wish is for the Leppan family to learn from this situation,move on positively and to galvanize with one another. This isn't about one's pro wresting career but instead it's about the head of the household making good decisions and caring for his family.

Ray being suspended indefinitely by WWE was expected after teh domestic battery arrest. WWE did what they had to do without question.

Surprised to hear of Steve Lombardi aka The Brooklyn Brawler and WWE no longer doing business together after a 30+ year professional relationship. Brawler was always great to work with while I was in WWE and I hope that he lands on his feet at the tender, young age of 55. Steve has likely got a helluva WWE related book in him if he choose to write one as he was in the company through it all. When I contacted Brawler he was in good spirits and he was positive which was refreshing.

Take a look at www.imperialwrestlingrevolution.com website and catch up quickly on our July 16-17 weekend in Oklahoma which will feature the day/night long OklaMania on Sunday July 17 at the downtown Cox Convention Center in OKC tickeemaste.com has tickets now for the Sunday events.

Excited that we secured Damien Sandow for our July 17 event. The number of outstanding talents that will converge on Oklahoma the weekend of July 16-17 is spectacular. Now all we need is you.

Upcoming guests on The Ross Report include the newly released Hornswoggle next week followed by JTG on May 31, then Chris DeJoseph of Lucha Underground, Eric Bischoff, Jason Powell of Pro Wrestling dot net, and Mike Tenay. The schedule is posted on our homepage.

We are discussing select dates for our Ringside with Jim Ross shows in 2016. I'm not sure how many we will be doing as I'm gong to be smart regarding the amount of travel that I do but I do love doing these shows. We'd like to do something in the NYC/Brooklyn area during Summer Slam Weekend in August and we are looking at some opportunities in the UK and Ireland for his year also. Getting to Australia and Canada are also on my 'wish list.'

Like us on Facebook at JimRossBBQ.

www.jrsvideos.com is our FREE You Tube channel.

Remember that our friends at Ingles Markets which have some 200+ stores strong in the Southeast USA are now carrying JR's products at all their stores. Grill with us this spring/summer!

Boomer Sooner!

.R. @JRsBBQ