The following are some excerpts from the most recent online blog entry from Jim Ross over at JRsBarBQ.com:
– Chris Jericho has done an amazing job in carrying the load for his upcoming WM25 bout apparently now against three legends, WWE HOF’ers Rowdy Roddy Piper and Jimmy "Super Fly" Snuka teaming with 2009 inductee Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. Jericho really turned up the steam on Monday night with a physical beat down of the still ultra popular Ric Flair that even had me squirming in my easy chair. Jericho’s TV persona is one of the easiest on WWE TV to dislike which, in the native of Winnipeg’s case, is a good thing. Jericho’s assault of Flair was uncomfortable and disturbing and will no doubt heighten the interest in Jericho’s Wrestlemania bout.
– Next Monday night in Dallas on Raw it will apparently be Jericho vs. "the King" Jerry Lawler and I know that the King will make a good accounting of himself as Jerry is still wrestling a great deal these days on the indy circuit. Kingfish told me that he had matches scheduled for Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week so there will be no ring rust on Lawler come Monday night. Lawler is a master strategist that can accomplish more with less than virtually anyone in WWE and hope the young bucks pay attention to King’s presentation Monday night as he has forgotten more about bell to bell than the vast majority of the "kids" on any roster.
– I thought the HBK promo was intriguing and certainly drove home the point that Michaels is defiant, unafraid, not intimidated and looking forward to breaking the Undertaker’s 16-0 winning streak at Wrestlemania. Streaks are made to be broken, without question, and if any one can rise to the occasion and accomplish the seemingly impossible it is Shawn Michaels. I was also somewhat surprised at the stoic Undertaker’s reaction after Michaels’ cemetery oratory concluded. Normally, the Demon of Death Valley doesn’t show that much emotion so perhaps HBK successfully got under Taker’s skin. Nonetheless this is the most talked about match at WM25 around J.R.’s BBQ from the guests that I have visited with over the past few weeks.
– I have been working on my induction speech for Cowboy Bill Watts entrance into the WWE Hall of Fame and keeping it under three minutes is going to be challenging but doable. Someone once said that yours truly couldn’t say "hello" in three minutes and they are probably correct. I just have to keep thinking "sound bytes" and I should be o.k.
– I would love to see WWE make a concerted effort to develop their Hall of Fame brand with signed merchandise including limited edition numbered and signed collectibles just like the Heisman Trophy winners do. I have a black, football helmet with every living Heisman trophy winner signature on in in a gold Sharpie. I know that as a fan and a collector that items such as this would be a hit in my house.
– Do you remember when Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk) went over the Monday Night Raw stage a few years ago. I could listen to Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie do promos all night . The best promos are those that are organic, guttural, and full of raw passion. That’s what we fans got when we got to hear Terry Funk get in a groove and deliver one of his memorable vintage promos. As "middle aged and crazy" as Terry made himself look, few people actually knew how smart he was concerning the business. Terry Funk, yes that wild man, had one of the best minds for the wrestling business as any one I may have ever been around.
Check out the complete blog entry from Jim Ross by visiting www.JRsBarBQ.com.
