J.R. Blog Report: Stone Cold, TNA Not A Threat, & More
Jim Ross has posted a new blog entry on his website, as well as a very lengthy set of Q&A responses, covering a large number of topics. You can check it out by clicking here. The following are the highlights:
- Stone Cold Steve Austin and I spoke via telephone a day or two ago and he is staying busy with “movie business” and fully expects to do a couple of movies in 2008, especially if the writers’ strike ends soon. The DVD of “the Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin” is not loaded with a great deal of talk from other superstars, but is instead a straight on presentation of some of Steve’s most significant moments and promos. It was a helluva trip down memory lane for me when I watched this DVD, as it was no frills, let’s kick some ass type of a presentation. I am told that Wal-Mart already has it on shelves and it is due out February 12 everywhere. Back on the movie front, it seems that several movie makers are interested in Stone Cold for 2008 projects.
- Over 6,000 fans attended the WWE Raw live event in Seoul, South Korea a few hours ago. All the superstars are healthy and the reports are that the crowd was “hot” and had a great time. Candice Michelle, who is still healing from the multiple breaks of her collar bone (Clavicle), actually learned a little Korean and spoke to the crowd at “half time” which was well received. Reportedly, one of the most popular Superstars on the event was the venerable, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, as many fans look at appearances by “Naitch” as possibly his last in their arena.
- Funaki has a broken nose, but his modeling career is still on target. Smackdown’s ”#1 announcer” may be the biggest Dallas Cowboys fan in the WWE, in case you are keeping score at home.
- There is lots of speculation as to who will be in the WWE Hall of Fame class for 2008. I stand by my original picks of Gordon Solie and The Brisco Brothers, but there are so many deserving individuals that have earned the right for this distinction. One has to assume that word will be released soon to help sell tickets for the event, as tickets go on sale soon for the induction ceremony to be held in Orlando at Amway Arena the night before Wrestlemania 24. As a fan, I can’t imagine making the trek to Orlando for WM24 and not attending the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
- On whether TNA is a threat yet: Not yet in my view. That’s not a knock at TNA even though some narrow mined fans will swear that it is. That would have been like comparing the XFL back in the day to the NFL a few similarities but big bottom line difference. With that said I hope that TNA is a successful, profitable company that provides many, many wrestlers with a place to perfect their skills and earn a living.
- Regarding Bruno Sammartino's commentary on the UWF broadcasts currently being repeated on ESPN Classic: Based on the level of overall wrestling that Bruno had to work with and also working with a “green” play by play guy, I thought Bruno did just fine. He did not insult my intelligence, no jokes please, and made chicken salad instead of a less than palatable alternative.
- C.M. Punk had an impressive outing in the Royal Rumble in my perspective and Punk seems to be evolving well. I really like his upside.
- I spoke to Roddy [Piper] in NYC and he is cancer free and feeling better than he has in a long, long time. Roddy will still undergo annual checkups to keep an eye on the “Big C” but he was in excellent spirits.
- I like where Jeff Hardy is seemingly headed and hope that his evolution continues. His work and the fans’ reactions will dictate much of the success or lack thereof. Jeff has “it” without fail.
- I love Tommy Dreamer's passion and always have. He has more miles in his tank and experienced vets like him are more valuable in today’s marketplace than ever. After Tommy has finished his career, hopefully while he can still bend over and tie his boots, he should make a helluva trainer of young wrestlers.
- I do believe that some day Brian will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame but I also feel it won’t be in the next few years.
-- I am not overly familiar with Chris Harris but he seems to be fundamentally sound however The King has been high on Harris for a couple of years now.
