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JR's Blog: Sunday Blog, Doug Furnas Thoughts, Questions Answered, Order JR's from WWEShop.com

Posted: Mar 5th 2012 By: CMBurnham

Sunday night thoughts between 'Luck' and 'Eastbound and Down' airings. More answers to your questions primarily from Twitter @JRsBBQ.

I'm anticipating some interesting 'competition' Monday night on Raw as the show stealer, Shawn Michaels, returns to live TV to, apparently, address HHH regarding HIAC at WM28. Point being is that last week's Raw ended with the memorable verbal confrontation between Rock and John Cena and knowing how much HHH and HBK enjoy main event status, who will stand out the most in Boston?

I'd be remiss if I didn't add Chris Jericho and CM Punk to the mix which makes for an interesting RAW on multiple fronts. I still feel that Punk vs. Jericho is going to be damn hard to follow at WM28.

Another question is will we see any physicality between any of the participants of the three, top WM28 bouts? Four, if one includes Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus.

Boston's Monday Night Raw should be a compelling show as the goal is always to build momentum to get to the primary destination, WM28, with as much of a buzz as can be created.

The pressure is on for all involved to deliver in a big time way which was always the fun part of the job for me. The bigger the stage the better I felt that I performed. At least that was always my mindset. My role at ringside totally ceased being a 'job' when the lights were on their brightest. It was too much fun to be considered work.

Back in the day, I used to tell our high school football officiating crew that anyone could call the first half of a game but the great crews were the ones who could take care of business at nut cutting time IE the second half.

Questions and Answers....

What is Bells palsy? Believe it or not I get this question a great deal and one can Google Bells and get plenty of info. Bottom line it is paralysis of the facial nerve that has no known cause or cure. My three bouts of it are highly unusual and I still have paralysis around my mouth which adversely affects me smiling, etc. For those that contract it, and I hear from many who do, stay positive and don't let the affliction beat you. It's not done me any favors professionally but I refuse to allow Bells palsy to kick my ass.

Who from WWE is on Twitter? I don't keep up with that info but it is available at WWE.com.

What do you think of the feuding General Manager storyline? I will admit that I am more interested in it now that I was previously. I'm anxious to see how it manifests itself which I assume will culminate with something at WM28.

What do you make of the Shawn Merriman twitter war with CM Punk? If Merriman's NFL career is on the ropes it's likely a way of garnering attention for the talented albeit controversial athlete. Perhaps Merriman is looking for a WWE career.

Was HIAC featuring The Undertaker vs. Foley the greatest match I ever called? It's impossible for me to name the absolute best bout I ever called but that one was certainly one of a small handful that was easily the most memorable. It was a new concept, the talents were amazing, their issue was compelling and Mick's launch off the top of the Cell is still embedded in my mind.

Will there be squirt tops added to all bottled, JR's products? Absolutely. Going forward when our present supply is sold the new bottles will have a squirt top. Good suggestion.

Why isn't JR's products in Wal Mart? Tough one to address. We'd like to be in Wal Mart but getting national distribution for a small operation like ours is damn near impossible. Plus, Wal Mart has a unique philosophy of returning goods to the seller (us) at their discretion which can be catastrophic. Who knows, perhaps a Wal Mart executive will read this and realize that our products would be a perfect fit for their target demographic? Until then we will continue to try and get a national chain distribution deal.

For those new and reading this, our products are available in retail stores only in the Norman, Oklahoma Homeland Grocery stores. For everyone else, the only way to get JR's is via http://www.wweshop.com/Category/JimRoss.

Why are so many young wrestlers so 'cookie cutter?' Likely many reasons...a lack of 'it'...not enough confidence in their own abilities to take needed chances...no viable, weekly territories to help them develop the needed 5 or so years. Or, it could be how they are coached or respond to their coaching. It could be many things or combinations of factors. I happen to think that FCW has some outstanding prospects currently in training and how they respond and adapt when they are called up remains to be seen.

Thoughts on 'Bounty Gate' in the NFL? I'd say it's likely league wide and prevalent for years. I don't condone it and the transgressors need stiff, swift punishment IE suspensions.

Do you watch NXT? Honestly, not as often as I should. I do watch FCW on DVD.

Will the Steiner Brothers ever be inducted into the WWE HOF? I have no say but I'd rank the Steiners as one of the best tag teams ever and when they were in their prime, healthy, etc they were badass. I still love watching the handful of bouts that they had vs. Dr Death/Terry Gordy in WCW.

How are Wrestlemania sites determined? Cities make formal proposals to WWE to act as the host city much like the NCAA awards tournament sites and the NFL awards Super Bowl cities. So, if you want your city to host a WrestleMania, contact your approiate, city officials.

Suggestion...mix JR's Chipotle Ketchup, Main Event Mustard and sweet, pickle relish to make a rocking topping for burgers or hot dogs. Add onion if you dare.

Do Rock and Cena really not like each other? I'm not around either man these days but my instincts say that they aren't enamored with each other. However, I do not think that will do any thing but help the build to their match at WrestleMania. Each man may say that they love to entertain, etc but in my view they are both alpha male athletes who want to out shine the other at the big dance which obviously will be 'entertaining' as hell for fans.

How's Jerry Brisco? Jerry is feeling great and he called me a day or so ago from Des Moines, Iowa where he was scouting wrestlers at the NAIA wrestling tournament. Jerry has a keen eye for talent and felt good about some kids that he's seen recently.

Thoughts on women's MMA? I think that if throughly promoted and not looked upon by those in power as an afterthought that it can be a profit center. New stars are being created, IE Ronda Rousey, and as more stars shine the genre has a chance to be viable both as a PPV entity and an exciting live event. Bottom line, if nurtured, there is 'new' money awaiting those holding the cards in this specific sport. It also helps motivate women to more emotionally invest in MMA which can only enhance PPV buys in the future. What I enjoyed Saturday night on Showtime was compelling enough to make me want to see more women's MMA.

Will WrestleMania be a four hour PPV this year? I assume so and that might not be enough time for all that's being presented. It's going to be a loaded PPV.

What was it like doing commentary with Terry Funk in WCW? An absolute blast. Terry is one of the most underrated color analysts ever in the business. I loved working with him. Terry obviously was a master performer and understood the art of the soundbyte and how to enhance the featured talents. Go back and listen to some of our work and see/hear how he stood out. The story was about what the fans/viewers were seeing on their TV's and not our agendas.

Sad to hear of the news of fellow Oklahoman Doug Furnas passing away Friday night at his home in Tucson. Doug was from Commerce, Oklahoma, Mickey Mantle's hometown, and played football at NEO in Miami, a JUCO, then at the University of Tennessee. Doug was also one of the most honored powerlifters in the history of that sport.

We brought Doug and his tag team partner Phil LaFon to WWE in 1996 and they never disappointed with their work ethic or professionalism. The duos best work was arguably in Japan with some of their tag bouts still being cult classics with hardcore, mat fans.

I actually officiated a high school football game or two of Doug's when he played at Commerce High School where his funeral will be held Saturday afternoon. Doug and his brother Mike were outstanding athletes for the Commerce Comets and in college. I remember talking football with Doug and he loved Tennessee football and especially had great respect for his position coach, Phil Fulmer, who would go on to become the head coach of the Vols.

Doug was a soft spoken, highly intelligent man who was battling Parkinson's Disease. I've been around many great athletes in my career but I can't recall seeing anyone with more of a combination of strength, speed and agility as Doug Furnas. His power lifting numbers were off the chart, his drop kicks were pieces of art and his speed was amazing for someone as thickly muscled especially his freakish quadriceps. RIP Doug Furnas...a friend and respected colleague.

Thanks for stopping by and especially all those that support our efforts at http://www.wweshop.com/Category/JimRoss. I invite you to follow me on Twitter @JRsBBQ. Count your blessings and remember that tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.