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The following are excerpts from the latest online blog entry from WWE Hall Of Fame announcer Jim Ross:
JR On Gina Carano Fight & Brock Lesnar: Showtime’s presentation of the Gina Carano-Cris Cyborg contest was, by and large, nicely done from a TV production perspective. There is no doubt that this particular attraction was the "Main Event of the Evening" and for 4:59 the ladies emotionally engaged the fans as no other fight seemed to do Saturday night in San Jose. Cyborg was simply too strong and too skilled in a variety of fighting techniques or so it seemed to me for the charismatic and gutsy Carano to handle on this night. Based on their respect MMA training as it stands today, Carano will be challenged to ever defeat Cyborg who’s Brazilian culture seems to foster amazing MMA competitors. I do personally feel that MMA would be wise to cultivate more women to compete in MMA as it certainly provides Strike Force an exclusivity at this time from UFC. I know my wife emotionally invested in the fight more than she ever has the men with the exception of Brock Lesnar who she got to know after I hired Brock in WWE out of the University of Minnesota. Female competition in MMA is here to stay as it is marketable, promotable alternative, and can sell tickets IF the MMA world can continue to build female stars. Building new stars….sound familiar?
JR On Kurt Angle Arrest: It was troubling to hear of Kurt Angle’s arrest in his hometown of Pittsburgh over the weekend. I’ve always had a respectful repore with Kurt ever since we signed him to his first WWE contract. Without question, Kurt Angle is one of the best athletes to ever migrate to pro wrestling and "got it" as fast as any one that I can recall. Nonetheless one being arrested in one’s home town is regrettable and embarrassing. From a personal point of view and speaking as someone who has enjoyed most of my business dealings with Kurt, I hope that he can recover from this matter and regroup. If regrouping requires Kurt to leave pro wrestling and moving to other endeavors such as acting full time then so be it. Perhaps the former Olympic Gold Medal winning Freestyle Wrestler in the ’96 Games in Atlanta puts too much physical pressure on himself in an athletic setting and may be more relaxed and happier if movies were his focus is not being a "jock." What has occurred lately for Angle obviously isn’t working for a legitimately decent human being. It seems as if problems exist and my theory has always been that if one can’t, after doing all that’s humanly possible, solve a problem then the only alternative is to eliminate the problem. There are times in everyone’s life where they need to step away from what they feel that they have immersed themselves and take the time to reassess. Trust me on which I speak as, from the best that I can tell, we only pass this way once.
JR On Mayweather Hosting RAW, More Host Ideas: Obviously I have no say in the matter and speaking as a fan, but WWE obtaining Floyd Mayweather, Jr to be the guest host of Monday Night Raw in Money’s home town of Las Vegas next week seems to make a great deal of sense if it happens. Plus, Floyd could well rival Shaq as the most entertaining guest host on the WWE’s top TV priority and help make for a really entertaining show. More suggestions for Raw Guest Host ops: Gene Simmons, Dog the Bounty Hunter along with Dog’s wife Beth, Jane Velez-Mitchell on a couple of double espresso’s, no one named "Jackson," (on second thought, Jesse Jackson might be intriguing especially when he did the obligatory opening show promo), Larry King who could orchestrate a Divas in Suspenders bout, and Memphis Mayoral Candidate Jerry Lawler which is merely a cheap plug on this site for any one who may live in Memphis who I hope votes for Jerry for Mayor. I can assure you that Lawler running for Mayor is NOT a publicity stunt. My old broadcast partner is deal serious. Funny, too, as we rarely talked politics when we traveled together as we both dislike professional politicos who like to hide behind the "public servant" moniker.
Check out the complete blog online at www.JRsBarBQ.com.
