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JR's Blog: Lawler is RAW..Nash/Booker..THQ..Sting @ WM27??..Beef Jerky Prices to Increase..Super Bowl Ticket Saga

Posted: Feb 2nd 2011 By: CMBurnham

As I write this blog, it is -11 degrees wind chill index here in Norman coming off the heels of a snowy, blizzard-like night. Needless to say, we won't be leaving the house today w/o it being an emergency. Enough about the weather, I'm Jim Ross not Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel, so let's get to a few random thoughts from the BBQ menu....

Good to see that Kevin Nash might be working out something to remain associated with WWE to some undetermined degree. Nash is a good talker, a smart guy, and has name identity that can be utilized in a variety of marketing ventures within the company. As I previously wrote, Kevin Nash can help WWE in many ways even if he never wrestles again.

Booker T, who has talked of becoming a TV broadcaster in WWE for quite some time, would be potentially good in that role if he can master the skills that it takes at the ringside announce desk. The job is daunting but doable and Booker is a witty, glib guy who understands the business. At this stage of the game I see Booker T's long term tenure with WWE as a 'talker' of which can take many forms and not as a full time wrestler.

Nonetheless I'm happy that apparently both Nash and Booker might wrap up their respective careers in WWE which seems to be fitting. Obviously any thing can happen that might alter that speculation but hopefully both men can return to the WWE fold and help the company in the aforementioned variety of ways.

I'm very happy for Jerry Lawler being utilized so efficiently on Monday Night Raw culminating with a WWE Title match in the Main Event of the next WWE PPV, the Elimination Chamber in Oakland.

For my money, WWE Champion Miz' most memorable match since he has ascended to the thrown was against King on MNR in the TLC match. Miz can learn an amazing amount from observing Lawler who is one of the biz's all time great in ring performers with a career that is still viable on the Global stage at age 61.

Lawler has had memorable bouts with the game's biggest stars in his Memphis based career and there is no doubt in my mind that Jerry will seize the moments that are upcoming while fully realizing that his opportunities to headline a WWE event may be fleeting.

I spoke to King late Monday night as he was traveling from Providence back to Boston and one could easily tell that he was very excited about his potentially, history making opportunity that is upcoming in less than three weeks on PPV.

Let's hope that these recent turn of events leads to Jerry's long awaited, much deserved Wrestlemania bout of which he and I have discussed on many, many occasions during car trips when we partnered on Monday Night Raw.

BTW...just my take but any fans or wrestlers who feel that the veteran Lawler is not deserving of these opportunities or is taking opportunities away from 'younger' wrestlers likely may need counseling.

Why is it that Michael Cole's conduct toward the King reminds me of the late Andy Kaufman's rants directed toward the WWE Hall of Famer?

One thing that needs to be said about Cole, if his goal is to get more fans to dislike him then he is succeeding famously. Cole's current TV persona is very easy to dislike and from the emails and Tweets, @JRsBBQ, that we receive it is working to a 't.'

It seems inevitable that Cole's day is coming TV.

Amazing that some fans actually swear that there is going to be an Undertaker vs. Sting match this year at Wrestlemania 27 in Atlanta. I would be shocked if that occurred but at the same time everyone has the right to fantasize about dream matches that they personally want to see. I still say that there would likely be a large part of the WWE TV audience that only watches WWE that would have to become familiar with the Stinger's body of work. Not that it couldn't be done, it could, but that matter would have to be addressed.

Cutting to the chase, I don't see Sting in WWE any time soon and especially not in the ring vs. the Undertaker in the Georgia Dome. I do think that Sting would be well served to explore potential marketing opportunities with WWE especially considering that all his 'greatest hits' which were in WCW are now owned by WWE.

Enjoyed the Raw Rumble Monday night arguably better than the Royal Rumble Sunday night on PPV. Interesting concept with a great story behind it that had several definitive facets and seemed to involve all 7 men strategically. Granted it's easier to keep one's focus on 7 men versus 40.

One thing that's obvious in today's TV wrestling marketplace is if one doesn't speak in the ring in front of the fans then the TV viewers are very likely to consider said individuals as not on the elite, main event caliber level.

No talking=no star.

Emailer...Rick the Sign Guy is not a WWE employee. He is a heck of a fan and scores some hellacious ducats. Plus, he's seemingly always in uniform. What if he were the anonymous, Raw General Manager?

Got a call from THQ this morning and they are working on some really cool promotional opportunities for yours truly to help promote the upcoming and eagerly anticipated WWE Wrestling All Stars video game that will be released domestically on Tuesday March 29. We all need to band together to make this one a HUGE hit. The King and I reunite on this game and I hope that you will enjoy the nostalgia we are excited to bring you and how we both can still kick the younger announcers asses at the announce table......or so we think.

Still working on those elusive, expensive Super Bowl 45 tickets. Parking and Homeland Security issues are also a nightmare not to mention hotel rooms. I never thought going to a 'local' Super Bowl would necessitate so many challenges. BTW in case that you didn't know, this is a Steelers household.

I still like the 'over' which is set at 45 points the last I looked. The speedy Packers are favored and the turf in Arlington may help them more than it will help the Steelers.

UFC's big PPV this weekend really helps add to the Super Bowl weekend experience in Las Vegas. If you've never spent Super Bowl weekend in Vegas and you enjoy placing friendly wages on the multitude of prop bets on the big game you need to experience it once in your life.

This Saturday night's UFC card is impressive. I'm as anxious to see John Jones fight as much as anyone on the card including the vaunted Anderson Silva. UFC has done a nice job of stacking this card to maximize one's PPV investment.

Would like to attend the UFC event in Vegas on Memorial Day weekend.

Does any one out there actually own a 'Big Boss Grill?" Hey, I was up late last night. Watched the infomercial.

Amazing that so many people seem to feel that John Morrison is being 'held back' and that it basically only takes a snap of the fingers for a talent to go from average/good to great/main events. Promoters for years have wished it were that easy. I like Morrison's direction and feel he is traveling the right road but it's a marathon and not a sprint car race.

Curious to see who is selected as Stone Cold's staff/trainers for the Tough Enough series that starts taping in a week or two. The trainers provide vital components to the success of this renewed, reality show that will air on USA.

I wonder if Austin hosting Tough Enough will mean that Steve might do a drive by on Monday Night Raw at some point sooner than later? One would simply assume so.

Good time to order products from us as no one involved in the process has left their homes in hours. We hope to be able to get to Federal Express tomorrow (Wednesday).

Wife made a meat loaf recently that included both our Chipotle Ketchup and some HOT BBQ Sauce. It was off the page, I swear.

Some 'valedictorian' felt that because I didn't wax poetically about Albert Del Rio winning the Royal Rumble that I did not like the development. Not true. Del Rio is going to be a star in the future and has all the physical tools in which to become a big time player. I enjoy the JBL-like persona with Del Rio plus Ricardo Rodriquez is entertaining as can be and is the closest thing to being a 'manager' that's in WWE aside, of course, from Vickie Guerrero who carries as much fan angst as any male performer in WWE.

When I have written about the lack of quality depth within the biz nowadays and the fact that no one becomes a star in a year or two, perhaps more fans will understand/agree with that assessment now that they are seeing it evolve before their eyes. The good news is that if some of the potential main eventers learn to distinguish and separate themselves from the pack, the future should be dotted with an athletic, relatively young group.

Grab up our Beef Jerky before prices go up due to the increased beef market prices in general. Our Beef Jerky is custom made by a gentleman who's in the Smoked Meat Hall of Fame, I kid you not, and who has been perfecting his craft for over 40 years.

Follow us on Twitter @JRsBBQ. We're on Facebook, too.

Have you read the updated Q&A's on this site? It's free, new dirt.

Thanks for stopping by and please stop by our store if you so choose.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.