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JR's Blog: JR & Pittsburgh Pirates Job, Ross Report Podcast, @JeremyBorash, @ArielHelwani, Wrestle Kingdom 10, WWEShop.com, @HOBDallas

Posted: Jan 5th 2016 By: Jim Ross

Happy 2016 everybody! Thanks for stopping by our site and for all the birthday wishes on Sunday January 3. The Q&A's are updated and you can listen to our latest Ross Report Podcast by simply clicking on the Podcastone.com icon on the homepage. Our show with @JeremyBorash is live now and has been a fantastic podcast. I hope that you will listen to JB and JR shoot the breeze. Tuesday night at 9 ET, as usual, a new Ross Report Podcast drops with MMA's top journalist/broadcaster @ArielHelwani. Ariel is a life long pro wrestling fan who attended his first WWE event in Montreal when he was 6, was in attendance at the Montreal Screw Job in 1997 and sat in amazement while watching Rock vs. Hulk at WM18 in Toronto. You will like this show especially if you want to hear Ariel's take on Brock Lesnar, CM Punk and today's UFC and WWE. Download The Ross Report for FREE at podcastone.com and subscribe for FREE at iTunes and never miss a show.

Who would have thought that me answering a simple, harmless Tweet from a fan about the vacant Pittsburgh Pirate baseball broadcasting gig would have created such a stir. Being a life long broadcaster and baseball fan, among many sports, I simply said I'd relocate to Pittsburgh, my wife's hometown, to be able to broadcast baseball in the major leagues specially in Pittsburgh. Obviously, I have had zero interaction with the Pirates organization nor do I expect any. I do appreciate the heartwarming support that I've received via Twitter @JRsBBQ regarding this matter and I respect the opinion of the naysayers who have made it clear that they do not want a 'pro wrestling guy' touching their baseball broadcasts. That take is somewhat narrow minded but I certainly understand where they are coming from whether I agree or not.

I've been battling that stereotype for years.

Of all our manor sports in the USA, baseball seemingly lends itself to the most refined degree of storytelling. I think I am basically a storyteller at heart as my best work whether it has been in the ring, the gridiron or elsewhere has been that of a storyteller. Could I broadcast MLB? Absolutely. Do I think that opportunity will arise in Pittsburgh or elsewhere? Highly Unlikely.

Nonetheless the buzz that was created certainly shows the power of social media and the fact that many Pirate fans were willing to support their beloved Bucs in perhaps thinking outside the box. It was fun on my birthday.

Congrats to all involved wth Wrestle Kingdom 10 that took place in the Tokyo Dome on January 4. Two or three, incredible, match of the year level bouts. Happy that Kevin Kelly and Matt Striker called the show. The NJPW brand is arguably the best overall in ring product within the genre these days. Happy that we could introduce so many fans to the brand last year while promoting the PPV of Wrestle Kingdom 9.

I watched five hours of NJPW on @AXSTV Friday night upon arriving home from the Orange Bowl. @MauroRanallo and @JoshLBarnett do a stout job on the action packed one hour broadcasts. They stay with the action and push me to make an emotional investment which is missing in many pro wrestling broadcasts these days.

Mauro Ranallo starts as the new voice of WWE Smackdown this Thursday night when the show moves to the USA Network. I'm happy for Mauro who is an excellent hire by WWE.

TNA Impact Wrestling debuts on Pop TV this Tuesday night January 5. Curious to see what changes TNA institutes and how they are going to rebrand their company. Only one chance to relaunch with a first impression that is impactful, no pun intended. Hopefully, they will play to their strength which is their bell to bell product and not over scripted, bad acting. Let the horses run!

www.wweshop.com has completely restocked their shelves on JR's products. www.ameriansoda.co.uk in Manchester, England will be at full restock mode soon as well.

Enjoyed our few days on South Beach but obviously not overwhelmed with the outcome of the game. Clemson was simply better than my Sooners and I wish them good luck against the juggernaut Alabama Crimson Tide.

Coming to Wrestlemania Texas? Tickets for our three shows, RINGSIDE with Jim Ross & Friends at the Dallas House of Blues are available starting at $20 at www.ticketmaster.com. Join us if you can on Saturday April 2, before and after the WWE HOF Ceremony, and after RAW on Monday night April 4.

Remember that JR's products are available at Ingles Markets in over 200 stores throughout the Southeast USA. @InglesAdvantage.

Download the Ross Report Podcast for FREE at podcastone.com or iTunes. Thanks!

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ