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JR's Blog: Broken Matt Hardy Talks TNA on Ross Report Podcast, RAW/SDLIve/205 Feedback, RINGSIDE Shows, @TheRock

Posted: Dec 1st 2016 By: Jim Ross

Greetings everyone and thanks for stopping by our site. I hope that you will consider bookmarking it and visiting often including leaving us your questions at the Q&A section. We do our best to update them regularly and while we can't answer all the submissions we do address many of them. Remember that you can subscribe to our Ross Report podcast for free at iTunes and they will automatically download each week's show into the device of your choice every Tuesday night at 9 pm ET. Subscribing is FREE and it helps us greatly. Thanks!

We are getting amazing feedback on our podcast this week featuring Broken Matt Hardy and the legendary Bill Apter. Matt was in 'Broken Matt' persona the entire conversation and he did happen to drop a few newsworthy bombs during our chat. This is a fun, informative how that you can listen to for free at www.podcastone.com, iTunes and right here on the homepage of our site.

Matt Hardy has professionally reinvented himself and has evolved into, arguably, the most compelling TV person in the genre the past several months. Perhaps TNA should consider Matt for their head of creative role in Impact Wrestling.

I previewed the footage that we will see on TNA Impact Wrestling on December 15 on POP TV from the Hardy compound in North Carolina and it was a blast to watch and was right in line with the previously produced TV content from Hardyland. I'm very impressed with the production and creative that we have seen on these mini movies from the mind of Matt Hardy, Jeremy Borash, and others. Bravo, to all of you.

My Sooners chances of making it through the back door to advance to the college football playoffs are slim but it all starts this Saturday by wining Bedlam in Norman versus in state rival Oklahoma State. I will be there on the sideline rain or shine to support our team and I hope that my fellow Sooner fans who are attending arrive early, in full throat and ready to make a truck load of noise every time the Pokes have the ball.

Monday Night RAW Afterthoughts:

Thought @HeymanHustle was extraordinary in his role Monday night as Lesnar's advocate. Image anyone else performing this role. I can't.

The Women's title bout was a good story and well executed although I often times am concerned about the risks the ladies take in the ring and more specifically outside the ring as it relates to their personal health. Are there too many title changes?

Enjoying the way that massive, Braun Strowman is being developed and I hope that this route remains deliberate and a spoonful at at time while he develops his skills.

Chris Jericho continues to make a statement that he is the best pro wrestling villain currently on TV.

Thought the announcing trio had a solid night. They don;t have an easy job navigating a live, three hour broadcast every week.

SMACKDOWN LIVE Afterthoughts:

Enjoyed Becky Lynch/Alexa Bliss opening show talk and physicality to help set up their bout this Sunday at TLC. It wasn't too much talk for me and they paid it off with some action that made sense. Key to the segment? Becky Lynch selling.

Curious as to the promo done by American Alpha who seemed to be foreshadowing an antagonist direction or so it seemed to me. They acted somewhat nerdy, over confidant, etc which lends to getting booed in today's world of sports entertainment.

Enjoyed AJ Styles aggression on James Ellsworth but the WWE is still challenged to get their fan base to boo Aj much like they are challenged to get the majority to cheer Roman Reigns.

Do we all make too much of who gets cheered and who gets jeered in the rasslin game these days? Just asking.

Easy to see that Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton could both be significant favorites if WWE chose to travel that road.

This show felt like it was a bit talk heavy but that's often the case for 'go home' shows leading into major, Sunday events.

Interesting listening to the four broadcasters work this two hour show and they seem to have a system in place as to hopefully not over talk what we can see on TV.

WWE 205 Afterthoughts:

I think I'm going to enjoy the announce team even though I'm not a huge fan of three man teams. Adding Austin Aries to the mix with Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves worked for me.

Looking forward to seeing how the TV personas of the Cruiserweights evolve. This is the key to this brand making a significant splash that many of us hope it will be. We know that these men can wrestle but who are they and why should I care about them?

RINGSIDE with Jim Ross Show heads to Phoenix at Stand Up Live on Thursday January 12 for one show and VIP tickets and General admission tickets, only $25, are available now at www.standuplive.com. I'd love to see you there for our stories and your questions for the fun, Q&A portion of our live show.

If you are coming to Wrestlemania 33 in Orlando I invite you to join me and a cast of maybe 'thousands' for two, matinees at Plaza Live for our RINGSIDE Shows and tickets start at only $25 at www.ticketfly.com. Go VIP if you can and get in the venue at noon, do the meet/greet/photo op thing and enjoy the full process of our event. Both our Orlando shows will be over by 4 pm which will allow you to hit both NXT Take Over and Wrestlemania itself with plenty of time to spare.

What a year the @TheRock is having and I couldn't be prouder of one of our most distinguished, WWE signees who has far exceeded what many ever thought was possible for him to attain. I vividly remember Dwayne telling me when he signed with us that "I'm going to become your top guy." He did not do it in a bravado, braggadocios manner but instead it was said in total confidence and as if failure was not an option. I'm proud to say that we have maintained our friendship all these years later and I certainly remember the days when Hollywood's Biggest Star had only 'seven bucks' to his name.

My how times have changed. Check out the cover of the latest Sports Illustrated to see the 'Great One.'

Our team is working on a fascinating project concerning the life and times of Mildred Burke who was one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling of any gender in the 1930's-1950's. Think 'A League of our Own' with a dramatic, pro wrestling backdrop and ample, R Rated material.

Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg both in the Royal Rumble Match in San Antonio on Sunday January 29 should help sell more tickets for the Alamo Dome event. I can see these two studs colliding in some violent manner in San Antonio which would then lead to their 'blow off' match at Wrestlemania on April 2.

Curious, but would WWE need to 'blow off' this rivalry if fans are still interested in it and both men are willing to extend the matter?

We will be bringing the RINGSIDE with Jim Ross Show to San Antonio the afternoon of the Royal Rumble with VIP meet/greet/photo op ticket holders starting at noon until 2 pm, the show starting at 2:30 and ending by 4 pm at the Improv Comedy Club at Rivercenter which is only a short walk to the Alamo Dome. Tickets for our San Antonio show are available now at www.rivercitycomedyclub.com.

Check out ROH PPV this Friday night at 9 PM ET on @FITETV App. It should be a helluva wrestling show and you can enjoy the PPV any where in the world on the FITE App as long as you have a smart device and WiFi.

I talk to Chael Sonnen next week on The Ross Report podcast and he is as compelling as ever especially regarding what he feels is the future of Conor McGregor in the WWE. Hint...it;s all about the money and it's not far fetched.

The Q&A;s here on the site have been updated and await you.

Thanks for the visit and for your support of our projects.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ