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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com. Here are some highlights from this entry:
- The VIP tickets for next Saturday March 1 RINGSIDE: An Evening with Jim Ross are sold out for the 8 pm show and there are only about a dozen left for the early show at the Gramercy Theater. Tickets are still available nonetheless for both shows at http://www.ticketmaster.com. Hope to see you in NYC on Saturday March 1.
- Did an interview for the online version of Fortune Magazine Friday talking about the WWE Network. It will be available soon I'm told and I will tweet it out from @JRsBBQ.
- Great PR Friday night for DDP on ABC's Shark Tank. No deal made but a helluva segment on prime time, national TV for the hardworking Diamond Dallas Page...if that is his real name. DDP Yoga is magic. DDP will be guesting soon on the Ross Report Podcast as will Jake Roberts.
- As I wrote in this space many, many weeks ago, it's a smart move by WWE to come to an arrangement with @HulkHogan for WM30 and beyond, I assume. I'm unaware of any details but I see Hulk as a great PR vehicle for the WWE Network and to appear a selected events. I do not see Hogan needing to wrestle to add value to WWE efforts.
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Jim Ross has updated the Q&A section on jrsbarbq.com. Here are a few highlights:
Mr. Ross, Over the years, WWF/WWE has hired various non-wrestling celebrities (Uecker, Tyson, Pete Rose, Burt Reynolds, etc.) to appear at Wrestlemania. My question is, do you think their appearance fees were justified by the incremental revenues i.e. the increased eyeballs? Aside from Tyson, who helped WWE garner great PR in the Attitude Era, you'd likely be surprised at what the other celebs earned. Good paydays but not overpaid and they took nothing away from the talents payoff pool for the event.
After last nights response to Batista in the ring that can't possibly be thinking of still running Batista vs Orton as the Wrestlemania main event can they? That would be crazy, right? I expect some intriguing, creative changes to occur in WWE on the road to WrestleMania and they could start tonight on RAW.
Considering the reactions Batista and Orton got at the elimination chamber .. their match is going to be murdered by the Mania crowd. They are just not connecting with the audience, and the crowd hates them. What is the WWE doing ? Doesn't it listen to its fans ? What are your thoughts? I think that WWE listens and will react accordingly. How could any one NOT hear what we all hear? They can't. Just hang around and be patient or turnoff the shows and wait until things are to your liking.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com. Here are some highlights from this entry:
- Very pleased that my old pal Mick Foley is going to sit in with me Saturday night at our late show at the Gramercy Theater on the Q&A portion of RINGSIDE: An Evening with Jim Ross in NYC. That's was a nice surprise for me and I appreciate Mick taking the time out of his schedule to support our efforts to build a brand with these one man shows.
- The rumblings of Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar at WM30 was made official on RAW or that's what I got out of it. I think that these two will exceed most fan's expectations at WM30. Not sure I can tell you why but it's merely a gut feeling that I have. I think that they keep it basic, physical and at an old school pace which isn't plodding but one that fans can process and 'feel' what they are seeing.
- Getting way too much negative feedback here about how Batista is positioned as if it is Dave's fault. It's really no one's 'fault' as sometimes talents are simply miscast. I've see it happen since the day I walked into the biz in 1974. The great thing about TV Wrestling creative is that the most powerful weapon in the business can be called upon.....the eraser.
I have always thought that Batista, because of the Daniel Bryan phenomenon, was a better fit to be a villian but that's easy to say now. I expect that to occur later this week on Smackdown.
- Great pop for Hulk Hogan and did you notice that WWE gave Hulk his spotlight uninterruptedly and did not align him with anyone nor did they have anyone confront Hogan.....yet. Good to see Hulk back on WWE airwaves. Hogan was more 'over' in 5 minutes on WWE TV than he ever was on TNA Impact.
- Daniel Bryan wants HHH at WM30 but will that keep or make Bryan's fans happy? Likely not. WWE has a golden opportunity to provide Bryan and his fans a 'magical moment' in the Mercedes Benz Super Dome come WM30. Time will tell if that happens. It seems too obvious that it should happen for it to not occur.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com. Here are some highlights from this entry:
- This week the Ross Report podcast has 2013 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Trish Stratus as my guest in one of the most compelling and informative interviews we've had. She tells it like it is from a female's perspective. Honest, candid content from Canada's greatest export. The new podcast will drop late this Tuesday or by Wednesday at the very latest.
- Even though I have no plans on attending the WWE HOF Induction Ceremony at this time due to other obligations, there's no way that I'm going to miss it on the WWE Network of which I enjoy every day. Warrior is a highly intelligent person with unique perspectives on a variety of things and his acceptance speech should be truly unique and intriguing.
Jake Roberts will have a blow away acceptance speech too. Anxious to see who inducts all these deserving folks.
- Thought TNA Lockdown was a better than many TNA PPV's I've watched and was an average presentation in my eyes. I am not a fan of every match being a cage match. I'm not indicting anyone but making every match a cage match puts immense, creative pressure on the talent and there is too much "sameness."
James Storm, Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe, Bully Ray, and Gail Kim are 'players' without question while others in TNA have the opportunity to be as well if they force themselves to continue to change/evolve and not to be comfortable in their current presentations.
Gail Kim is arguably the best female wrestler in the business.
As I have said, I hope ALL wrestling organizations are successful because the more talent that's earning a good living in the biz the better for all involved.
I do think that the 'evil administration' story line served its purpose long ago within TNA. I find it hard to 'dislike' the Dixie Carter TV persona.
- RAW emanates from Memphis tonight and one has to be curious to see if Jerry Lawler survives RAW in his hometown or if he's used to generate 'heat' by some up and coming TV Wrestling villain. I hear that some folks don't fare so well in their home towns on RAW. :) Good luck, King!
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com. Here are some highlights from this entry:
- Cena and Hulk worked for me and Hogan's role at WM30 seems to nicely fit the veteran who WILL get a little physical at WM30....BROTHER!
What if I told you that John Cena and Bray Wyatt will arguably steal the show at WM30? Roll your eyes if you want but when you pair two, athletic performers with legit football backgrounds, both offensive linemen, expect their work rate to increase and their match to be a '10' on the physicality chart.
- Daniel Bryan had another terrific night and WWE is booking DB expertly even though some critics will micro analyze the storyline and find fault with it because that's simply what they do.
As I have said for many weeks, I fully expect Daniel Bryan to have a significant "WrestleMania Moment" in NOLA on April 6.
Just waiting on a handful of fans to complain now that the Bryan story is now too "predictable." Please...stop my pain.
- Not totally surprised that WWE is going to have a 30 man battle royal in the name of Andre the Giant as WWE usually adds a multi person match to attempt to get as many talents on WrestleMania as possible. I still remain firm that appearing on WM30 is an earned opportunity and not anyone's right of passage. With that said, I'm not unhappy that several talents will now get in the game. Good for them and hopefully it doesn't cause the four hour marathon to be shorted on the time needed for specific main event level bouts.
- Without question the bell to bell content of Monday Night RAW has improved significantly over the past few weeks. Yeah, I know that I[m old school and the butt of the occasional joke on RAW but I know what I like and I like physicality, believability and realism....not bad acting or failed attempts at humor.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com. Here are some highlights from this entry:
- Got my tickets for the NCAA Wrestling Championships today via Federal Express. Going to attend w/ WWE HOFer Jerry Brisco who is scouting the event for WWE. I'm going as a fan and to keep my Okie friend company.
If Jerry is lucky, he might find another Brock Lesnar, however, jocular, Hereford Bulls come along very rarely.
WWE is smart to invest in educated, athletic, young people with big personalities who, hopefully, grew up watching some TV Wrestling. Brock was not a pro wrestling fan when he signed with WWE but he burned through the pro wrestling drills in OVW like the beast that he is and was as natural as anyone we ever signed.
- Got a call today from Podcast One telling me that the current Ross Report with Trish Stratus is killing it. Last I looked on the iTunes Sports Podcast Top Ten, it was #1 in USA, #3 in UK, #5 in Australia, and #1 in Canada. Downloading is free at iTunes and http://www.podcastone.com.
Next week Mick Foley is my guest in one of the funniest shows of which I've been a part so be sure and check us out.
- Speaking of WM, I'm not answering any questions regarding who is going to win the Andre the Giant 30 Man Battle Royal because I'm not even sure who's in it. The irony of this attraction is that many participants wouldn't have been on the card if not for this match but they will be some of the same individuals who complain about their pay offs.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com with thoughts from last night's RAW. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com. Here are some highlights from this entry:
- Loved the antagonist angst aka 'heat' that the show produced for the primary storyline going into WrestleMania 30 in NOLA. The opening segment was stellar. Now the winner of the HHH vs. Daniel Bryan one on one match is going into the main event, WWE Title bout with Triple Threat rules and that match now has more intrigue. Good booking from where I'm sitting.
The last segment of RAW rocked as I like "heat" (no jokes please) and HHH got an ample amount of steam on Daniel Bryan which added a great deal to the WM30 scenario. The hay is largely in the barn for this storyline but I'm anxious to see if WWE adds any thing new to the scenario that will culminate in a couple of weeks in the Super Dome in a likely show closing presentation.
Good stuff with the Shield on RAW even though I feel that there is something suspicious about their fan favorite turn as many Tweeted me about during the show @JRsBBQ. I am intrigued by this trio and what goes down with them at WM30.
Bray Wyatt had a great promo which is becoming the norm on Monday nights but it's frightening to think how good Wyatt will be over time. Reminiscent of his grandfather Blackjack Mulligan who was a colorful promo talent in his vaunted heyday. Speaking of Bray Wyatt, I think it's pretty cool to have a grandfather who was recruited to play college football for Bear Bryant and Blackjack's personal recruiter was Bum Phillips, two football coaching legends. The kids got great DNA as his dad, IRS/Mike Rotunda, was grossly underrated.
A fresh match with an up and coming new star vs. the face of the company is an announcer's dream. Wyatt vs John Cena is a match that certainly has my interest I think it will kick ass. I know it will be physical because that what two, former, college football offensive linemen do.
The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal with 30 men in an over the top rope rules scenario, BROTHER, is actually gaining more of my interest. The talents talking about being in it have piqued my curiosity. Funny how that works. I'm assuming that some talents will be in the Battle Royal and in other bouts at 'Mania but that's an assumption.
Got a kick out of Christian on commentary Monday night. Highly underrated talent who is a tremendous asset to WWE in a variety of ways. He and Sheamus have made their rivalry mean something with still more to come I'd think.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com. Here are some highlights from this entry:
- Big few days in OKC with the NCAA Division 1 National Wrestling Tournament in town which will air on ESPN. Heading up soon to catch up with Jerry Brisco of WWE to watch the kids he's been recruiting. in the meanwhile, we're burning daylight...
- Anxious to see how the two hour pre game show for WM30 turns out. I think the pre and post game shows can be a legit asset for WWE if they are smartly produced and the talents step up and deliver provocative content. The upside of these programs are limitless.
- One of the great old school wrestling villains passed away this week as Lorenzo Parente who I first saw in the 60's on Lee Roy McGuirk's Championship Wrestling was a true wrestling heel who was rugged and believable. Parente had a great series of matches for theh NWA Junior Heavyweight Title vs the Legendary Dan Hodge.
- The WWE has gold a magnificent Daniel Bryan/HHH/WWE Title scenario story. Now the challenge is to get other story lines at or near the same level. The history of any WrestleMania is that most cards are essentially a 2-3 bout show and the best one's are where a non main line, main event match over delivers and steals the show. Shawn Michaels vs. Kurt Angle is a good example of such. The early Money in the Bank Ladder matches fit that description as well.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has published a new blog entry on JrsBarBq.com. Here are some highlights:
Jerry Brisco scouting talents: Saw some real studs at the Nationals in OKC the past few days. Jerry Brisco has seen many of these athletes multiple times this season and has a strong group considering WWE as a career choice. When a scholarship athlete makes it to the Nationals one doesn't have to worry about their athleticism so it's their personality that becomes the focus. Plus, it always helps if they are a fan to some degree of the pro wrestling genre. Thanks to Jerry's efforts over the years, the amateur wrestling community looks at a company such as WWE in a new, positive light. In the old days, there was a divide between the amateur's and the pro's.
If just half the kids that have been recruited sign, WWE will have a gifted group of big personality athletes with which to work with in their Performance Center.
Ross Report Podcast with Mick Foley: Getting great feedback on my interview with Mick Foley this week on the Ross Report Podcast. Mick and I had a great deal of fun and had a conversation between two friends and did not do a 'performance' where the guest went solo for long periods of time. For those that think that I interrupted Mick too much, I apologize, but my interview style is to be interactive and to ask questions and/or to simply interject what I'm thinking.
That's not changing. I'm going to engage every guest and present them with as many topics to discuss as I can not to mention going 'off road' if the topics warrant such. It's not much different than if two friends were on a car trip or sitting next to each other on bar stools.
Some listeners seem to be especially entertained apparently by my definition of 'slow burn' booking and a few examples of what is 'slow burn.'
Lita appearing on The Ross Report: This week on the Ross Report I've got Lita in a GREAT interview dropping Tuesday pm. @AmyDumas is one of my all time favorite people that we signed during my time in WWE. She sat in my office in a business suit, the only one she owned, looking for work back in the day and went on to build a Hall of Fame level career. The Ross Report can be downloaded for free at podcastone.com and iTunes.
Jake Roberts appearing on The Ross Report: This week on the Ross Report Podcast I'm visiting with Jake Roberts for a feature that will air after WM30 where Jake will deservedly go into the WWE Hall of Fame. Again, Lita airs this Tuesday pm while Mick Foley is up now.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com with thoughts from last night's RAW. As always, you can purchase JR's BBQ products on WWEshop.com. Here are some highlights from this entry:
- Great house in Brooklyn. Packed RAWS always help sell WrestleMania. Good routing for WWE being in Brooklyn before going into their biggest event of the year. Same goes for Washington D.C. next Monday.
Thought Stephanie McMahon was spot on during the first segment on RAW. Her TV persona equates to an excellent villian. Strange how people on Twitter often times can't tell fiction from reality.
The 4 Way to determine the #1 contender for Big E's IC Title was a solid match that featured a ample hard work by all. The IC Title is in need of more 'shine.'
It seems as if Damien Sandow shaved off his momentum.
Miz....watch out for AH-NOLD's back fist....oops...too late.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Luke Harper vs. John Cena bout. Good showing for Harper. Harper's a keeper and, yes, he reminds me, and others, of the late, Bruiser Brody. Next time he's on TV, take a long gander into Luke's eyes....they're empty...great trait for a wrestler of Luke's ilk.
Don't be shocked if Bray Wyatt upsets John Cena at WM30. I expect the two, former, college. offensive linemen to bring the physicality.
I know that there will be a multi, multi divas title bout in the Super Dome but I missed the concept nor do I know if it's going to be on the PPV or the pre show. I like AJ to prevail at WM30.
BTW...I watched some of the pre game show. Great to see my dear pal Mick Foley paying tribute to Andre the Giant by wearing one of Andre's old sport coats. If I can be serious for a moment (Thx Citizen Storm), Mick was an amazing guest on our podcast the Ross Report this past week.
Congrats to Scott Hall aka Razor Ramon for his induction into the 2014 class of the WWE Hall of Fame. Shame on me for suggesting on Twitter @JRsBBQ that Scott's son Cody induct his father. I got 'woodshedded' for that suggestion as most people want Scott's nWo teammate and long time friend Kevin Nash to do the honors. That works for me too.
Solid, old school style tag team match featuring the Shield and the Real Americans. Aggressive...physical...good emotion by the heroes especially Rollins. In the territory days, many bookers would have loved to have a villain duo like Cesaro and Swagger for many reasons.
Surprised to see the physicality between Lesnar and the Undertaker on RAW. First the hocus pocus and then just a splash of saucey aggression which saw Taker with the upper hand and Lesnar exit a hot kitchen.
