from jrbarsbq.com
Jim Ross has posted his latest blog entry on his official web site. Below are the highlights:
- Fans ask all the time why an event hasn’t been held in their area for an extended length of time, or that they have a great facility in their community that would be a wonderful locale for the WWE to produce a show. The issues that determine what facilities are utilized and which are not, include routing the event, must be compatible with previous few days events and the following few days events as it is preferred to not be an isolated “one off,†the building’s availability to hold the event and the building’s interest in hosting the WWE. Some arenas, who are the only facility in town, in essence can make the financial dealings with the WWE so tough that it makes even a well attended event not profitable enough to promote. Many, many times the local venue has as much if not more to do with why a WWE event has not been held as does the WWE. Usually it is simply a matter of geography and routing that precludes the WWE from promoting in a given market. Plus, the fans usually never take into consideration how badly their local venue wants a WWE event as it relates to the financial arrangement. Everyone involved needs to make a profit and some buildings are so independent that they don’t care if the promoter makes a buck or two or not.
- No one has ever spoken to me about moving over to Smackdown and replacing Michael Cole, who would then go to Raw. That move would not interest me whatsoever. I like my Monday schedule, working with The King, and I am emotionally invested in the Raw brand from the many years I have been a small part of the proceedings. I have a great sense of pride with being a part of the flagship broadcast of the WWE, the unchallenged “A†Show of the company, trust me. After all these years of announcing on Raw, I feel a sense of “ownership†of the brand which keeps me motivated, competitive and excited about every Monday that I work. I watch Smackdown every Friday night, but as far as being on their broadcast team I have no desire to move brands.
- This will be the last time I answer this question about a proposed UK Pay Per View and I hope our illustrious webmaster never posts this query again. I DO NOT know when the WWE will produce another PPV in the UK. Once again, I DO NOT know when the WWE will produce a PPV in the UK, HOWEVER, I do feel that the odds are definitely in the favor of the UK for this to occur. The UK business is immensely vital to the global success of WWE and a major WWE PPV originating from the UK seems to me to be a layup. The question isn’t really if, but when, in my opinion. This matter is officially closed as it relates to this forum. Next.
- Taker is still “the Man†and can have a good match with an inferior opponent and can still have a great match with an average opponent. Just think of the kind of contest the Deadman could have with a bonafide main event star. There is plenty of fuel left in The Undertaker’s tank, but I do get concerned about him staying physically healthy and not becoming over exposed. Taker vs. Batista at WM23 was strong.
- WWE’s 24/7 Legend’s Roundtable is a hoot to be a part of and the new episodes will be debuting soon, as I understand it. This feature is the most popular of all the content on WWE 24/7 and it is one of the most enjoyable on which to work. These broadcasts are free wheeling and not over produced to any degree and that promotes an open and entertaining “debate†among the participants. It’s like going to a bar and having a few beers with one’s friends and “shooting the breeze.†The last panel consisted of Mick Foley, Michael Hayes, Tazz, Pat Patterson, and yours truly.
- I found Gorilla Monsoon to be one of the finest men I have ever met in any walk of life. Within the wrestling biz itself, Gorilla was a saint. His word was his bond and he told it like it was. One always got the truth from Gorilla. He took me under his wing, when it was not the popular thing to do, when I first came to the WWE and treated me like a son. He offered me advise and became a confidant. I loved the big guy. Gorilla lead like a tough minded coach and had no issues expressing himself to anyone. He was extremely distressed the second time I was terminated with the WWE, but we still kept in contact and I did not hesitate when he passed away to fly from Atlanta to attend his funeral services in New Jersey. Gorilla was never the same after his son, referee Joey Marella, was killed in a car accident. I sincerely wish that Gorilla’s two grandsons, Gino and Joey, had been given the opportunity to get to know their grandfather, before he passed away, as Gino “Gorilla Monsoon†Marella was one helluva man. Men with Monsoon’s character and integrity are in short supply in this world. God Bless my friend Gorilla, one of my mentors.
- IF, in his prime, Randy Savage were in the last WWE Draft, I would assume he would be included on the Raw roster as that is the top priority broadcast of the WWE, but Randy, in his prime, would help any of the brands. A vibrant Randy Savage would help any one’s roster whether it be in the WWE or elsewhere. What’s not fair, is to consider the Randy Savage of today vs. the Randy Savage in his prime, as it relates to being an every day wrestler, which would not be a fair scenario to put Savage in these days. Some how some crazy Savage fanatic will most likely take umbrage to this statement, but I mean no disrespect by my comments.
- I never had many negative experience in my years of working with and traveling to OVW event in Louisville. Working with Danny Davis and Jim Cornette was more often than not a breath of fresh air, as it took me back to my roots of a small, wrestling territory. I also enjoyed doing the occasional “cameo†on TV and had fun being able to do some play by play on the OVW TV show from time to time. I am very proud of the contributions that OVW has made to the WWE and the stars that were produced in Louisville under OVW’s watch. Honestly, my most enjoyable times in OVW were not on camera, but in the afternoon having lunch with Danny and JC and discussing the young wrestlers and who was “getting it†and who wasn’t and what we all collectively needed to do to help produce more stars for the WWE. The WWE has no more important department, in my view, that their developmental programs which produce tomorrow’s superstars.
- After being granted his release, will Booker T be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year? I would suggest that as in most phases of our lives that “timing†counts for a great deal and this might not be the best timing for Booker to be inducted, if you smell the “Q†that Ol J.R. is cooking. This is only one man’s opinion as I would suggest that Booker will remain active in the ring for the next few years. Booker’s accomplishments certainly are deserving of Hall of Fame consideration, without question.
- I have never personally heard of any wrestler/author getting too much grief over what they have written about their peers. Most of the wrestlers don’t generally read the books of their associates for some reason of which I have never fully understood. Ric Flair and Mick Foley had a short lived “issue†over something Ric wrote in his book or that Mick wrote in his book…I really have lost track of this less than earth shattering matter…but that’s really the only significant issue that comes to my mind. Perhaps that will change in the future and it really depends on how much “dirt†is thrown on a wrestler by another wrestler turned author. I look for more wrestlers to do more down and dirty “tell alls†as time goes by, as it seems the public can’t get enough of this sort of stuff.
- The internet has changed the way many genres are evaluated and perceived. Wrestling is right there among them. Most internet wrestling sites work hard to produce a good product and some have professionals running their operations, but many have to depend on part time journalists/writers, who have full time jobs but are fans of the product to contribute creatively to the sites. Based on today’s marketplace, controversy is what sells, and websites like TMZ make a fair buck selling “dirt†and gossip. Sensationalism isn’t a wrestling exclusive as the Nancy Graces, the Fox News talking heads, Real Sports, and politics in general of the world are knee deep in sensationalism, too.
- I don’t know the details of why Daivari was released, but it may have been his idea. Perhaps he wanted to grow faster as a professional than he felt he was growing in the WWE. I think Daivari is a talented young man who is a true student of the game and is an intelligent individual, who will do well no matter where he hangs his hat, so to speak.
Jim Ross has posted his latest blog entry on his official web site. Below are the highlights:
- Fans ask all the time why an event hasn’t been held in their area for an extended length of time, or that they have a great facility in their community that would be a wonderful locale for the WWE to produce a show. The issues that determine what facilities are utilized and which are not, include routing the event, must be compatible with previous few days events and the following few days events as it is preferred to not be an isolated “one off,†the building’s availability to hold the event and the building’s interest in hosting the WWE. Some arenas, who are the only facility in town, in essence can make the financial dealings with the WWE so tough that it makes even a well attended event not profitable enough to promote. Many, many times the local venue has as much if not more to do with why a WWE event has not been held as does the WWE. Usually it is simply a matter of geography and routing that precludes the WWE from promoting in a given market. Plus, the fans usually never take into consideration how badly their local venue wants a WWE event as it relates to the financial arrangement. Everyone involved needs to make a profit and some buildings are so independent that they don’t care if the promoter makes a buck or two or not.
- No one has ever spoken to me about moving over to Smackdown and replacing Michael Cole, who would then go to Raw. That move would not interest me whatsoever. I like my Monday schedule, working with The King, and I am emotionally invested in the Raw brand from the many years I have been a small part of the proceedings. I have a great sense of pride with being a part of the flagship broadcast of the WWE, the unchallenged “A†Show of the company, trust me. After all these years of announcing on Raw, I feel a sense of “ownership†of the brand which keeps me motivated, competitive and excited about every Monday that I work. I watch Smackdown every Friday night, but as far as being on their broadcast team I have no desire to move brands.
- This will be the last time I answer this question about a proposed UK Pay Per View and I hope our illustrious webmaster never posts this query again. I DO NOT know when the WWE will produce another PPV in the UK. Once again, I DO NOT know when the WWE will produce a PPV in the UK, HOWEVER, I do feel that the odds are definitely in the favor of the UK for this to occur. The UK business is immensely vital to the global success of WWE and a major WWE PPV originating from the UK seems to me to be a layup. The question isn’t really if, but when, in my opinion. This matter is officially closed as it relates to this forum. Next.
- Taker is still “the Man†and can have a good match with an inferior opponent and can still have a great match with an average opponent. Just think of the kind of contest the Deadman could have with a bonafide main event star. There is plenty of fuel left in The Undertaker’s tank, but I do get concerned about him staying physically healthy and not becoming over exposed. Taker vs. Batista at WM23 was strong.
- WWE’s 24/7 Legend’s Roundtable is a hoot to be a part of and the new episodes will be debuting soon, as I understand it. This feature is the most popular of all the content on WWE 24/7 and it is one of the most enjoyable on which to work. These broadcasts are free wheeling and not over produced to any degree and that promotes an open and entertaining “debate†among the participants. It’s like going to a bar and having a few beers with one’s friends and “shooting the breeze.†The last panel consisted of Mick Foley, Michael Hayes, Tazz, Pat Patterson, and yours truly.
- I found Gorilla Monsoon to be one of the finest men I have ever met in any walk of life. Within the wrestling biz itself, Gorilla was a saint. His word was his bond and he told it like it was. One always got the truth from Gorilla. He took me under his wing, when it was not the popular thing to do, when I first came to the WWE and treated me like a son. He offered me advise and became a confidant. I loved the big guy. Gorilla lead like a tough minded coach and had no issues expressing himself to anyone. He was extremely distressed the second time I was terminated with the WWE, but we still kept in contact and I did not hesitate when he passed away to fly from Atlanta to attend his funeral services in New Jersey. Gorilla was never the same after his son, referee Joey Marella, was killed in a car accident. I sincerely wish that Gorilla’s two grandsons, Gino and Joey, had been given the opportunity to get to know their grandfather, before he passed away, as Gino “Gorilla Monsoon†Marella was one helluva man. Men with Monsoon’s character and integrity are in short supply in this world. God Bless my friend Gorilla, one of my mentors.
- IF, in his prime, Randy Savage were in the last WWE Draft, I would assume he would be included on the Raw roster as that is the top priority broadcast of the WWE, but Randy, in his prime, would help any of the brands. A vibrant Randy Savage would help any one’s roster whether it be in the WWE or elsewhere. What’s not fair, is to consider the Randy Savage of today vs. the Randy Savage in his prime, as it relates to being an every day wrestler, which would not be a fair scenario to put Savage in these days. Some how some crazy Savage fanatic will most likely take umbrage to this statement, but I mean no disrespect by my comments.
- I never had many negative experience in my years of working with and traveling to OVW event in Louisville. Working with Danny Davis and Jim Cornette was more often than not a breath of fresh air, as it took me back to my roots of a small, wrestling territory. I also enjoyed doing the occasional “cameo†on TV and had fun being able to do some play by play on the OVW TV show from time to time. I am very proud of the contributions that OVW has made to the WWE and the stars that were produced in Louisville under OVW’s watch. Honestly, my most enjoyable times in OVW were not on camera, but in the afternoon having lunch with Danny and JC and discussing the young wrestlers and who was “getting it†and who wasn’t and what we all collectively needed to do to help produce more stars for the WWE. The WWE has no more important department, in my view, that their developmental programs which produce tomorrow’s superstars.
- After being granted his release, will Booker T be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year? I would suggest that as in most phases of our lives that “timing†counts for a great deal and this might not be the best timing for Booker to be inducted, if you smell the “Q†that Ol J.R. is cooking. This is only one man’s opinion as I would suggest that Booker will remain active in the ring for the next few years. Booker’s accomplishments certainly are deserving of Hall of Fame consideration, without question.
- I have never personally heard of any wrestler/author getting too much grief over what they have written about their peers. Most of the wrestlers don’t generally read the books of their associates for some reason of which I have never fully understood. Ric Flair and Mick Foley had a short lived “issue†over something Ric wrote in his book or that Mick wrote in his book…I really have lost track of this less than earth shattering matter…but that’s really the only significant issue that comes to my mind. Perhaps that will change in the future and it really depends on how much “dirt†is thrown on a wrestler by another wrestler turned author. I look for more wrestlers to do more down and dirty “tell alls†as time goes by, as it seems the public can’t get enough of this sort of stuff.
- The internet has changed the way many genres are evaluated and perceived. Wrestling is right there among them. Most internet wrestling sites work hard to produce a good product and some have professionals running their operations, but many have to depend on part time journalists/writers, who have full time jobs but are fans of the product to contribute creatively to the sites. Based on today’s marketplace, controversy is what sells, and websites like TMZ make a fair buck selling “dirt†and gossip. Sensationalism isn’t a wrestling exclusive as the Nancy Graces, the Fox News talking heads, Real Sports, and politics in general of the world are knee deep in sensationalism, too.
- I don’t know the details of why Daivari was released, but it may have been his idea. Perhaps he wanted to grow faster as a professional than he felt he was growing in the WWE. I think Daivari is a talented young man who is a true student of the game and is an intelligent individual, who will do well no matter where he hangs his hat, so to speak.