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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has published a new blog entry on JrsBarBq.com. Here are some highlights.
Alberto Del Rio needing momentum: World Champ Del Rio needs as much momentum as he can get before facing the returning, face of WWE John Cena for the World Title. Cena's absence hasn't been that long and I wouldn't see him live on TV until the PPV. ADR needs all help he can get ASAP to be able for Cena to be perceived in some level of jeopardy. Heroes who are not in jeopardy or in danger of losing don't move the needle. Cena's surgically repaired arm should be a talking point for the announcers and for ADR. (Perhaps a cross arm breaker fit for a King??)
Contract signing: The contract signing between Orton and Bryan should not be over thought. It's the blue light special. An angle alert. Fans expect fireworks and they should be provided such. Another question is fan support of Bryan to begin to wane in his role of the undersized, overachieving underdog? Fans of heroes have to maintain 'hope' that their guy can get it done in a fair fight. It's simple, human nature/psychology.
Shawn Michaels' presence: If Shawn Michaels is on RAW tonight then he should be better utilized than last week. A HHH-HBK confrontation in virtually any form would be good TV and it all ties into the Bryan-Orton HIAC match for the WWE Title.
Punk & Heyman: What's left to do that is compelling in the Heyman-Punk saga? I love their work but really need to see something compelling and memorable tonight. Knowing those two, we will get it.
Bound for Glory: Someone on Twitter said that I wouldn't admit it if I watched the TNA PPV Sunday night. Wrong, Einstein. However, I did not watch their show as I was watching the Manning vs. Irsay Bowl on NBC plus my regular Sunday night fare including HBO's Boardwalk Empire and Eastbound and Down.
However, if any company changes five titles in one show, which one is supposed to standout to the average fan? Apparently that's what occurred. Sounds like TNA hit the "reset" button on the whole shooting match. No dog in the hunt except for my many friends who work there and I'm pulling for them and their families.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has published a new blog entry on JrsBarBq.com. Here are some highlights.
On WWE having 3 great hours of solid wrestling: The in ring product last night was solid and enjoyable for the most part. Any one who thinks that WWE, or any one else, can have three hours of great, TV rasslin and it all be really good needs to be drug tested. That's not going to happen any time soon. I honestly don't think that's possible at this time in the business.
Dean Ambrose vs. Daniel Bryan: Ambrose vs. Bryan was a really, nice match. Bryan provided his fans 'hope' while Ambrose taking a clean loss gives him something to bitch about and to plot for his retribution. Great selling and near falls which are two essentials of any good, pro wrestling bout.
Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler: Orton vs. Ziggler was another good bout that Orton needed to win and Ziggler provided the 'shine' for that outcome. Another loss that did not destroy Dolph who has proven to me that he is one of WWE's top talents. Many fans are growing impatient of Ziggler's current status on the card but all he can do is continue to out perform as many of his opponents as he can on a regular basis and his time will come. That's akin to HBK being considered only a tag team wrestler and never any thing else for years until Shawn got into one on one bouts and, over time, became a show stealer.
Comedy segment on Raw: As I wrote in my last blog, the obligatory comedy segment was what it was. I'm an old school guy and I'm of the belief that the final RAW prior to any PPV should be all about selling the PPV especially when one is selling the 2nd PPV on a monthly billing cycle. Nonetheless, Santino Marella 'gets it' when it comes to comedy within the genre.
Big E Langston's push: Enjoying the opportunity that Big E Langston is getting and hope that he allows his personality to be unleashed and that E becomes a star. Very bright, athletic kid who played defensive tackle at Iowa after being a state heavyweight wrestling champion in Florida. I enjoyed working with Big E when I would make my trips to Florida in both Tampa and Orlando.
HIAC: It will be interesting to see how many titles change hands come Sunday at the HIAC PPV in Miami. I'm also curious as to what main event closes the show.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with a new blog on jrsbarbq.com. Here are some highlights:
- Tickets for RINGSIDE: An Evening with Jim Ross go on sale Friday at http://www.ticketmaster.com and at the Gramercy Theater Box Office in New York City. I'm doing my first ever, one man shows in the USA on Saturday March 1 in NYC and am hopeful that tickets sell quickly. Hopefully fans from throughout the Northeast United States will join me for one of two shows on March 1 starting at 4 and 8 pm. There are a limited number of meet and greet tickets for both shows.
- I am meeting via conference call later today about producing my own podcast and beginning soon. Seems like the thing to do and I love guesting on them and think I could have a blast interviewing a variety of guests and answering fan's questions as well. That's all to be determined but it looks positive. I will keep you informed here or on Twitter @JRsBBQ where we now have over 990,000 followers.
- It appears that the smart money, or is it, is on Brock Lesnar facing the Undertaker at WM30. That seems to be the strongest sentiment making the rounds online. For the record, I don't know as it's not my hill to die upon these days and I'm merely speculating. On paper, Lesnar vs. The Undertaker is an impressive match IF Lesnar is re-branded/re-energized to the WWE fan base as the indestructible "killer" that he can be. One matter to address is how often will either Taker or Brock appear on Monday Night RAW building up to the encounter to add adequate logs to the promotional fire? It sounds as if Paul Heyman will have to return to be the mouthpiece for Brock as Paul has done in the past, and done it damn well, but having the combatants appear on RAW only sporadically hampers the potential number of PPV buys which one would assume would lessen each man's potential earnings.
- It's really strange as to who doesn't contact their "old friends" when they are in one's home market ala Monday Night Raw this past week and, conversely, who does reach out from one's former company.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his Q&A section once again at JrsBarBq.com. Here are some questions he answered.
Given that the two biggest full time stars on roster are John Cena & CM Punk it's rather strange that they haven't gone at it at WM. Any thoughts on this bout occuring at WM 30? I'd like to think that some day that match will occur at WrestleMania. Time will tell. Don't see it this year though for some reason.
I know this a long shot but if they asked you would you call one last match at wm30 so your fans could see and hear you one last time. That isn't a decision that is up to me. That's 100% a WWE call.
If Austin's career wasn't cut short due to his neck injury, who would you have like to have seen him match up with, either past or present roster? Punk, Bryan, HHH, Orton, etc. Lots of likely candidates.
Any reason we don't see Booker T wrestle anymore..insight? I don't know but it's likely a mutual decision or Book may have injury issues to address.
Do you know if WWE own the Memphis territory library and if not do you see them acquire it in the future? I don't think so nor do I know who actually owns the Memphis Wrestling library as it has been in an unorganized state of flux for years.
What's your opinion on CM Punk being face? Don't you think that he's better as a heel or as a tweener? Also, do you think that Paul Heyman's tweet about Randy Orton is a teaser to a possible Randy Vs Brock at WrestleMania 30? I'm not a big 'tweener' guy. Heyman knows how to play the fanbase. Obviously, Lesnar will be back soon as WM30 approaches but in what role, I don't know.
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- Jim Ross recently did a lengthy interview with Newsday and talked about the CM Punk situation:
"This whole locker room has a different feel to it, and a different -- they're not as edgy as the Attitude Era locker room. They're not as competitive. I don't know that they're as hungry. But now, CM Punk is different. [Compared with] today's corporate wrestler, CM Punk is a little bit of a rogue. And I don't mean that in a negative way."
"Over the last two of three years, he's been my favorite WWE performer to watch in the ring, without question. He would've been a huge star in the Attitude Era, without question. Here's the deal: He's a very cerebral guy, who has an old-school spirit, that really cares about every aspect of the business. I think that he needed time off, ample time off, to recharge his batteries. I think he has, for lack of a better term, a major case of burnout. And I think the problem should have been recognized and addressed much earlier than letting it get to a head and him being so frustrated and such a sense of hopelessness that he decided to go home. Walking away from a problem is never a solution. Never. Solve the problem."
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross updated his Q&A section of JrsBarBq.com. Here are some highlights:
Orton has now lost to Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston in "non title" matches. I am confused as to why i should be taking him as champion seriously. It's an old school philosophy. The champion losing non title bouts gives the impression that the title holder is vulnerable and ripe for the pickings.
Hey J.R., have you ever thought of a Daniel Bryan vs Kurt Angle match ? I feel if they are given 25 - 30 minutes they can deliver an all time classic. Your thoughts ? If both were healthy and the match was creatively presented as it should, there is no doubt that those two wouldn't have a great performance.
How do you think WWE should handle the RAW in Chicago? I mean they refuse to handle the fans now so what are they going to do when 15,000 fans are screaming for CM Punk? The show must go on and hopefully it will have enough good content to help some fans move on so as to not to negatively disrupt the broadcast to an unwatchable degree.
Hey JR,what do you think is the reason for all The Batista hate? I'd guess it was merely the fall out of the Daniel Bryan situation and not directed directly at Batista.
Christian - Elimination Chamber - why? One more match? One too many. I respectfully disagree.
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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:
- Gearing up to have Steve Austin as my first Ross Report @PodcastOne guest that will drop to the world on Wednesday February 19. We plan on hitting the ground running! Slobber Knocker time and best of all the Ross Report will be FREE at PodcastOne.com and on ITunes. Looking at a variety of ways to make the shows fan friendly and interactive.
- Congrats to friends Adam Copeland and his lady Beth on the birth of their baby daughter. I knew of this info a couple of weeks ago but sat on it until the proud Mom and Dad were ready to announce it. Everyone is healthy and happy as another happy citizen resides in Asheville, North Carolina.
- The speculation of what will or won't be booked at WM30 is running rampant. I'm pleased that I have no dog in the fight and am more than willing to see how the card shakes out beyond the Elimination Chamber. I have a feeling that the final WM30 might not resemble what many folks think that it will be. I have actually been enjoying following WWE more now than I'm simply a fan who refuses to read spoilers or most other 'leaks' from the inside.
- I've heard nothing new on the CM Punk front. I've not reached to one of my all time favorite wrestles out in respect for his privacy. Let's not over analyze this matter too. Punk's burned out, he's worn out and he's not likely to return any time soon. However, I'd be remiss to speculate that he's 'done' with the business for good.
So...it's going to be interesting to see who steps up and wants to earn Punk's 'spot.'
Who's got the courage and confidence to demand that prime, TV time and spotlight? This matter has much more to do with individual talent's attitude than one might think. The WWE can't simply wave a magic wand and create a star.
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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:
- Raw can be best described by yours truly as a solid show, not spectacular, but serviceable over the three hour 'cruise.'
Some of the in ring product was good and will mean more with the same level of bouts in the future if the rivalries and the skill sets of the talents continue to be addressed.
Appears to be very obvious that many talents need to kick their way out of their comfort zones and tweak a few wrinkles of their in ring presentation. The same sequencing week after week doesn't make one special.
It makes them the same.
The same is not wrestling code talk for 'special.'
- The follow up on Roman Reigns success at the Royal Rumble was timely. Newly minted, potential main eventers cannot grow on an every other week basis. Reigns needs his weekly moments on RAW to eventually arrive at the Promised Land including a 'moment' at WM30. Don't over think it...Reigns needs to leave NOLA with an enhanced perception. Case closed...per the late Ernie Ladd.
- WWE has done a really nice job of rehabilitating the TV image of the Usos who seem poised to win the Tag Titles sooner than later. Just a year ago the WWE Tag Team scene was flaccid but it's making a nice comeback.
- Admire Orton and Cena working hard and telling a viable story in their main event in a 20+ minute main event. I like these longer main events and even though these two have wrestled countless times, I felt that they had a solid, show closing bout. At the end of the night, I am not quite sure how much momentum WWE World Champion Orton is going to have going into the Elimination Chamber and to a lesser degree for WM30 which may be the game plan.
- Very proud of Amy Dumas aka Lita who will be inducted in the WWE HOF class of 2014 in NOLA the night before WM30. I had heard this info leaded from WWE a couple of weeks ago but did not want to contribute to spoiling the surprise. I did vividly remember meeting Amy in my Stamford office years ago when she came in for a job interview. She had been bold and brave enough to live alone in Mexico to train and develop a different skill set from other females and she eventually became one of WWE's biggest stars, male or female, during my time in talent relations. There;s a funny story about her less than dainty shoulder tattoo that played into her job interview that I tell on our RINGSIDE shows.
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has published a new blog entry on JrsBarBq.com. Here are some highlights.
Tonight's Raw: WWE really needs to hit a home run on RAW this week to build some much needed momentum for the Elimination Chamber. During a three hour RAW broadcast there is SO much info disseminated that it's challenging for any viewer of the three hour broadcast to leave the show at signoff and remember every thing that has been thrown at them. 15 commercial breaks doesn't help matters but that's simply the way it is and is not WWE's fault.
One suggestion would be to provide their info/news while doing their announcer on cameras (King would love that) and with more through use of graphics. If one 'sees' the info while 'hearing' the same it is more likely to be remembered. To over sell during a match can create a disconnect.
Certainly the point has been made in recent weeks that Orton, WWE World Heavyweight Champion is beatable and Mr. RKO surviving the Elimination Chamber is unlikely.
CM Punk update: Many have asked but I'm unaware of any new, @CMPunk news. I'm still hopeful that a mutually agreed upon resolution can be worked out sooner than later. I'd love to see Punk steal the show at WM30 and then chill for as long as it takes to get him back on WWE TV in a win-win scenario. If Punk wanted to take off until WM31, simply plan for it. The guy is too talented, has had a tremendous amount of TV time, etc invested in him and the roster is too thin to not see Punk back at some point.
I know if I ever do a show in Chicago I'd LOVE for CM Punk to be my special guest/MC and grill me with questions. Maybe we could take in a Cubs game and eat at Lisa Varon's Squared Circle eatery while in the Windy City.
As I've said Punk is a favorite of mine and I'd have loved to see him back in the day as one of Cowboy Bill Watts bookers.
Still of the mindset that the upcoming RAW in Chicago should be a fun show to watch for viewers as the rowdy, live audience generally always enhances a broadcast and more often than not in a positive way. It's merely a matter of being able to call audibles and being honest with the viewers.
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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:
- Not sure that I would be as motivated to watch TNA tonight or Friday Night Smackdown if I succumb to reading the "Spoilers." As you know the only "Spoiler" that I enjoy are the memories of the work done by the late, Don Jardine who's in every conversation that one can have regarding the best masked wrestlers of all time.
- Our team is very happy with the results of the first Ross Report podcast that dropped this week. Thanks to the efforts of Steve Austin and Podcast One and, of course, many of you, our first venture into Podcasting was a hit.
We had some audio issues that will be evident on the first two shows but after that we will good to go. It's my responsibility to make every show better than the last and I can assure you that I won't phone any thing in and hope that you will come along on this journey with us.
We have some great guests lined up for future shows including Trish Stratus, Mauro Ranallo, Mick Foley, Lita, Scott Hall, and ESPN's Robert Flores among many others.
- Just food for thought but the more 'corporate' wrestling organizations become the more they should remember that the best feedback they can receive isn't from focus groups or the opinion from executives who aren't passionate about the biz or students of the game. The best feedback one can receive is from the paying customers who are sitting in the arenas.
Always remember that an empty seat speaks volumes.
