Jim Ross's BBQ Blog thread

[Farooq]

Updates from Jim Ross's blog will be posted here in this thread. This update is from 11/8/13:

Friday is here which means the weekend is upon us. Drove home from Waco, Texas after my Sooners were taken to the woodshed by the undefeated Baylor Bears. I rolled in at 4 a.m. this morning but still had a great trip other than the score of the game. With the holidays just around the corner, please consider gifting JR's products to family and friends. You can order easily and efficiently online at http://www.wweshop.com, http://www.americansoda.co.uk and http://beyondtheropes.co.uk as well. We appreciate your business and support greatly. Moving on........

Good visiting with the esteemed voice of the Alabama Crimson Tide @EliGoldBama while in Waco as he was calling the game for national radio. Great guy and an old friend of Tony Schiavone who's now working with WSB Radio in Atlanta. They broadcast minor league baseball at the same time back in the day.

Also caught up with my friend and former Sooner Spencer Tillman who's a studio analyst for college football for CBS Sports. We talked about their big Alabama vs. LSU game this Saturday night from Tuscaloosa and why the road team in this rivalry seemingly has an advantage.

Also had a great visit with Lance Barrow who is the producer for the #1 NFL game of the week on CBS and produces Jim Nance and Phil Simms and has become a friend. Lance also does The Masters and other major, sporting evens for CBS.

So, other than my OU squad getting exposed to a better team on the road the trip to Waco was enjoyable and the live event experience at the old stadium in Waco was memorable.

Baylor has a legitimately good team, very underrated on defense, and with Coach Art Briles offensive mind in full clarity, they are going to be tough for any team left on their Big 12 schedule to beat. Great QB play which is where it all starts and play calling with allows the players to be put in the best position or scheme to be successful.

Football is a great team game, but more often than not the team goes as goes the quarterback play more often than not. Briles knows how to recruit QB's and how to develop them and then how to best utilize his quarterback creations. Smart dude.


Appreciate the hospitality shown me by the Baylor Athletic Department including John Morris the voice of Baylor sports and @JeromyOtter Director of Athletic Video Production. Classy group of professionals that Baylor's lucky to have.

Jumped off my diet long enough to have the world famous, chicken fried steak @George'sBar in Waco. If you pass through Waco, make sure that you try it.

Still getting lots of emails here and Tweets @JRsBBQ about starting my own wrestling promotion or buying one, specifically TNA. These communications must be from adolescents IE 8 year olds who have no clue as to the value of a dollar or the amazing pain in the backside that it is to immerse one's self into the wrestling biz to where it quickly becomes all consuming in one's life.

Immersing one's life in only one area of interest isn't healthy. Remember that.

The creative process at most wrestling companies has become much too over thought in my view and I feel that what many of fans often see on TV bear out that opinion.

While back on the topic of TNA, their issues allegedly are many. I don't know their internal status so when people ask me what I would do to "fix their problems" any answer that I would provide would be less than thought out or based on a through study of the company. It's irrelevant any way.

As a life long fan of the genre, I hope all companies doing pro wrestling on TV are successful and that their talents earn a great living while living their dreams. I did and I hope that many others get to as well.

Wrestling TV shows all need to be unique. They all need to have exclusive features and benefits that best fits their talent roster and corporate philosophy of entertaining their viewers. However, for any one company to blatantly copy another is just downright silly.

No great meals are served when there are too many cooks in the kitchen. (One guy prepared my delicious Chicken fried steak at George O's Wednesday night.)

More often than not, simpler is better when it comes to keeping fans. who have busy lives. engaged in the weekly, episodic nature of the programming. Athletically based performances based in believable storylines are generally a good place to start when looking at what's wrong with the rasslin biz.

Remember, no TV show no matter the genre can successfully cram 10 pounds of content into a 5 pound bag.

We're a little closer to getting my one man show concept being launched in North America and it looks as if NYC may well be the kickoff event for one night only in the Big Apple sometime in the early part of 2014. Details are still being discussed. Follow me on Twitter @JRsBBQ for the most up to date info. 2014 is going to be a fun year and I hope that you will support our effort and join me when I come to a city near you.

Q&A's are updated here on the site and I invite you to check them out.

No...not a fan of women being in the Royal Rumble. Not even remotely interested and feels it lessens the suspension of disbelief of the entertainment performance. Intergender wrestling is of no interest to me. You asked and I answered. Is that being sexist? Don't think so.

Thinking the upcoming GSP vs. Johnny Hendricks UFC PPV main event war may be one of the most intense fights in ages inside the octagon. St. Pierre is a freakish athlete as his training videos indicates. Hendricks is an old school grappler who has learned to strike and is $2 steak tough. Hendricks has been doing a enormous amount of training in the Oklahoma State University Wrestling Room in Stillwater in recent weeks. What does that say about the former Cowboy's game plan vs. one of the all time greatest mixed martial artists ever? I hate to see fights be put in the hands of erratic judges but one almost hopes that this one at least gets to the fifth round before it's finished. I've got Hendricks winning via a finish but am not so sure on that prognostication that I would wager your money on it. I can see Hendricks, who's hungry as hell to beat GSP and get in a position to earn BIG money, be overly anxious and if that happens and Hendricks gets careless, then the Oklahoman will pay.

Again, thanks for shopping for JR's online especially with the holidays approaching.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ

Link: http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/friday...s-one-man-show-producing-tv-rasslin-order-jrs

 

[Snowman1]

Subbing to this for sure. His blog has been great ever since he was released.
Kinda feels like you're reading a really intelligent internet fan, except... ya know, he's actually one of the most respected minds in the business. Nice to feel validated like that. :smug:

The returning John Cena World Title Bout vs. the champion Alberto Del Rio feels a touch lost in the shuffle. Perhaps because it was made essentially out of no where or perhaps, Del Rio has little momentum, or because Cena is returning early from his surgery and he doesn't feel as if he's been gone that long to make his return even more special.

:sandow:

 

[Snowman1]

Smart-mark confirmed.

Plus, if Punk and Bryan team...they could some day break up and have a series of classic matches that no one in WWE could follow. That's my fantasy booking for the day. Follow that, guys.

 

[Crayo]

Wish he'd post his opinions here. He'd get likes for days.

 

[Farooq]

Update from his blog for 11/10/2013:

Hoping everyone has had a great weekend and is enjoying what's left of it. Low key weekend here in Norman with my Sooners playing on Thursday night in Waco. Hard to believe that the holidays will be here before we know it and I'm suggesting that you consider JR's Family of products for some of your gift giving ideas. Easily order online at http://www.wweshop.com, http://www.americansoda.co.uk and http://www.beyondtheropes.co.uk. Efficient, safe, online shopping with quick, home delivery. My family appreciates your support and every order, no matter the size, helps us.

Good weekend of college football. Looks as if Alabama and Florida State are the cream of the current crop as we speak. Expect the deck to be shuffled again to some degree before season's end but a Bama vs. FSU national title game would be a great attraction featuring outstanding coaching, deep talent rosters and rapid, loyal fan bases. Plus, it would garner a terrific TV rating.

Enjoyed @UFC Fight Night last night on Fox Sports 1 by and large. Was hoping for more time out of the Henderson vs. Belfort main event but I'm sure that Hendo was too. Deadly ending to the contest in the first round. Belfort is hot right now and will be a handful for any UFC fighter that Dana White pits him against. Love Dan Henderson's fighting spirit and lethal right hand and hope that the 40+ year old vet resigns another deal with UFC if details can be negotiated on what would likely be his final MMA contract. Hot crowd in Brazil Saturday night and any time that I can distinctly hear the live audience and the announcers have to fight to get through the noise it's a good thing for me. It makes me feel more a part of the event.

Low key announcing, and that doesn't mean jacking the levels up every second of the event either, doesn't generally work for me in boxing, wrestling or MMA as the 'storytellers' need to bring some passion and spontaneity to work with them to help me emotionally invest at home in what they are seeing in person.

Plus, every fan doesn't know every fighter so succinct, background info on the fighters especially on a Brazilian laden card is critical to insure that the casual/new viewers can make some connection to the fighters.

In pro wrestling, the time filler matches, which are obvious on virtually all TV wrestling shows, often times expose announcing as that's the time when humor is forced and when humor is over staged and isn't organic it generally sounds like a bad, sophomore class, school play.

So, what does one do during these filler IE "let me up bouts?" One might try getting the talent over and embellishing the talent's positive qualities so that said talent's value increases. Stay within the level of the match but do all that one can to make the talents more than just a prelim, comedy act.


Some parody Twitter accounts are highly embarrassing and perplexing. I have one twitter account and it is @JRsBBQ. Any thing else with my name in it is bogus.

News flash...NFL player Richie Incognito spoke on Fox Sports today, BTW good get by @JayGlazer, and the former Nebraska Cornhusker confirmed that he is not a racist or a a bully. I'm happy that ordeal has been finally cleared up. (SMH.)

Incognito's alleged actions in the Dolphins locker room would not have played well in any pro wrestling locker room I ever entered. Wrestler's Court would have administered some harsh justice especially if the 'judge' assigned someone like Dan Hodge to carry out the punishment.

Funny how Chris Benoit questions to me run in spurts. I haven't changed my take on the Benoit into the WWE HOF quandary. Chris doesn't belong there. End of story. If inducted, it would all be about the last few, horrific hours of Chris' life and that would not be fair for the family's that were affected, the other inductees, or the fans. For those fans who loved Chris' in ring work, and I consider myself one of those, then watch him on You Tube, etc and call it a day. I do not speak for WWE on any topic but I'd be surprised to see Chris any more prominent on WWE content in the future than he is now.

As for Chris's son wanting to get in the pro wrestling business, I have mixed emotions. My gut says stay away, learn a trade, get educated and lead a normal, productive life. One the other hand, I'm not big on telling anyone to not attempt to live their dreams just as I did.

I'm just happy that I've got no horse in that race.

If you are a wannabe wrestler and you go to any wrestling school and you are taught or encouraged to deliver as many clotheslines as you want, then you are likely getting sub par training.

If you are not taught the difference in "grabbing a hold" and "applying a hold" then you are likely getting sub par training.

If your instructors, coaches, mentors, etc don't discuss with you the importance of filing your quarterly taxes, then they are idiots and you are naive for ignoring the reality of being an independent contractor.

This is about the time of the year that many WM30 rumors will begin making the rounds especially regarding talents who have "one more match in them" or that are simply looking for any gig or are with WWE on a part time basis ala Brock Lesnar.

I look for Lesnar to play a major role in WM30 in New Orleans but in order to max out Brock's box office appeal his TV persona really needs structured attention and to get 'hot' before April. Not overexposed....just get the Hereford Bull hot.

Nice idea from a fan who had a nice Twitter photo of using JR's HOT BBQ Sauce on their pork chops. Can be grilled, broiled or pan fried. JR's products just as useful in the kitchen as they are on the grill.


Don't miss the travel component of being in WWE as I would be in Manchester, England by this time preparing for RAW Monday night. @MichaelCole and @JCLayfield are already there while @JerryLawler generally arrives on the morning of the event and is gone on the first flight out Tuesday morning.

Vividly remember when Shawn Michaels wrestled Davy Boy Smith on a UK PPV years ago where HBK & company had immense, real heat when all was said and done. Great execution by all involved for that one. The outcome, as I recall it, actually made the European Title have equity.

One of my favorite stops on my Spoken World tour last summer was in Manchester at the Comedy Store. Hope to return some day.

Thanks for stopping by and for supporting our online sales efforts by purchasing JR's family of products. Your support and good will is and has always been sincerely appreciated.

If you have questions, please leave them at the Q&A section here on the site. Thanks!

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ

Link for confirmation: http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/sunday-ramblings-ufc-fight-night-bama-fsu-incognito-benoit-hbk-davyboy

 

[Farooq]

Forgot I had this thread : Sorry :upset:

Crisp, lovely day in Norman, Oklahoma the home of the Oklahoma Sooners who will have their last home football game this Saturday on Fox Sports 1 vs Iowa State that I'll be attending. The four, Norman Homeland stores carry JR's products as do the three Lawton, Oklahoma Country Mart stores. For most fans, I encourage you to shop online for JR's delicious products fromhttp://www.wweshop.com,http://www.americansoda.co.uk orhttp://www.beyondtheropes.co.uk. Our products are as great in the kitchen as they are on the grill and make super, holiday gifts. Get quick, home delivery without any shopping hassles by shopping online.







I remember the first time that I ever met Eddie Guerrero. It was around 1999 and Eddie flew himself to NYC after a WCW TV taping to meet with Vince McMahon and me at the McMahon home in Greenwich, Connecticut to discuss coming to work in WWE.







Eddie appeared to be nervous and also somewhat 'beaten down' and depressed. It was obvious that his tenure in WCW was getting the best of him. Eddie's brown eyes always told a revealing story and his eyes that day screamed "please get me out of this hell and just give me a chance to be the best that I can be."







Eddie was old school respectful and, growing up in a pro wrestling family of significant distinction, was very soft spoken and humble especially to McMahon was who and still is the top decision maker in the business.







The second generation wrestler wanted out of WCW and simply wanted an opportunity to prove that, even though he wasn't the biggest dog in the fight, that he could more than carry his own and become a major star in WWE.







Obviously, 'Latino Heat' was on the money on that one.







I eventually finalized our contractual arrangements with Eddie along with Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn to all come to WWE after getting their release from WCW and the four debuted on RAW on Monday night January 31, 2000 as a group called the Radicals.







Unfortunately, during his very first match in WWE, Eddie severely injured his shoulder executing his signature 'Frog Splash' and had to miss significant time due to the injury.







I think that this may have been where Eddie and I bonded because he was untrusting of authority figures in the business and was deeply concerned that we were going to void his contract if he couldn't perform after 6 weeks of inactivity based on the language in the contract. I assured Eddie that language was in all contracts to protect WWE from dead beat talents who might want to to milk the system and get paid while being 'injured.' I promised him that he was going to be fine, that we loved him and his work and that he would be paid his weekly check while he was on the injured list plus we would obviously paid for his medical bills.







But, I stressed, you have to trust me.







Eddie did trust me and that trust held our relationship together for years. Even when Eddie would come to me with problems including battling demons that he had to have professional help to get under control to having issues with 'creative' and the direction at times that they wanted to take "Latino Heat.'







I vividly remember the day at a RAW TV when Benoit, Malenko and Saturn came to my make shift office at the arena to tell me that their dear friend Eddie Guerrero needed help and that he needed it immediately. Needless to say, the fiery and proud Hispanic star was none to happy that his friends intervened or that I was confronting him about his 'issues.' I went to Eddie's locker room that he shared with his friends and found him unconscious. There would be no negotiating. It was professional help or goodbye.







Before Eddie became a born again Christian, there were multiple Eddie's. There was the 'good' Eddie who was soft spoken, caring and a pleasure to be around. There was the 'troubled' Eddie who carried massive amounts of guilt around after doing things that he knew were wrong and self destructive. There was the "let's have a few beers Eddie" who was a happy go lucky, funny guy. Finally, there was the hard liquor drinking, aggressive Eddie who perceived that he was 'Andre Size' when he was over served.







We sought help for Eddie but then I had to end up terminating his contract after an incident that occurred after Eddie had attended rehab. Sometimes people have to hit rock bottom before they can dig their way out of the holes that they dig for themselves.







When Eddie returned to WWE in 2002 he was essentially a new man. He carried his Bible with him on the road and when he was having a bad day, Eddie would absorb himself in the word of God and find peace. It was an amazing transformation. It was real.







Professionally, Eddie was, I'd suggest, never happier than he was the night of WM20 in NYC's Madison Square Garden. He and his long time traveling partner and friend Chris Benoit both left MSG as the top two champions in WWE. It was the culmination of a long, challenging journey for two, extremely talented men who both were literally obsessed, perhaps to a fault, with shedding the claim that they were both not 'big enough' to be legitimately considered as 'top guys.'







After 40 years in the business, I don't think that I've ever been associated with any one as multi talented, more complex, dangerously driven and passionate as Eddie Guerrero. He was simply an amazingly gifted man who I feel blessed to have known and to have worked with for the handful of years that we were together in WWE.







Any company who puts an automatic size limit on how big wrestlers must be to be hired with WWE, TNA. etc are making a huge mistake. Because one never knows on that rare occasion when one might find another amazingly gifted, passionate, charismatic, in ring genius who's all of 5'8" and reminds us all of the WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero.







Eddie was only 38 years of age when he passed away suddenly of heart issues on November 13, 2005 and no one ever I've known has left a more memorable legacy in the pro wresting biz in only 38 years on Earth than the unforgettable Eddie Guerrero.







RIP Eddie....and Viva La Raza.

This is is latest update from yesterday :sad:
Link: http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/jrs-memories-late-eddie-guerrero1967-2005