Jim Ross Updates

[Chrane]

Jim Ross posted the following on his blog regarding WWE RAW last night @ http://www.JRSBARBQ.com/

On Last Night's Raw: For me to stay hooked for any three hour broadcast, unless perhaps it's an exciting, College Football Game, NFL game or a strong, UFC PPV, is challenging for me. Monday night's Raw was a three hour edition where the conclusion of the show made the three hour investment worthwhile. The NXT wrestlers collective assault on all that is WWE including wrestlers, announcers, the ring announcer, time keeper, security, etc was a complete shocker. Raw's ending from Miami was one of the best conclusions of any Raw episode in years. This incident was completely out of the blue and poses many more questions than answers which is the life's blood of producing episodic TV. The follow up to this matter certainly has my interest and I am more than curious to see where this NXT issue goes. I can only assume that it will be addressed tonight in some form on the 2nd season premier of NXT on Syfy. I agree with some emailers of this site that the NXT invasion and beat down was somewhat NWO-esque but I have no idea if that's the direction this is headed which is another reason that this matter is so intriguing....we don't know its destination.

[Chrane]

Jim Ross Praises Bryan Danielson's Work


Jim Ross posted the following on his blog regarding the release of Bryan Danielson:

I was surprised to get up Saturday morning and to read that Daniel Bryan or Bryan Danielson had been released from WWE. I am not sure of the exact circumstances and until that information is confirmed it's hard to make any definitive comments. Bryan is a talented wrestler who is not going to have any trouble finding work. His in ring style is unique, the young man has certainly paid his 'dues,' what ever that means now days, and he's arguably the most talked about performer on NXT. Certainly Bryan leaves WWE with momentum and with more fans knowing his name than at any point in his career. Plus, who is to say that Bryan will never return to WWE? There may be a great deal more to this matter than any of us know or, honestly, need to know at this time.

[Chrane]

J.R Blasts Internet Report Linking Linda McMahon Campaign to Danielson Release

Jim Ross has blasted an internet report first released by Wrestlzone regarding Linda McMahon's senate campgin manger having some influential power over WWE and the firing of Bryan Danielson. Here is what he had to say:

I've made it a point to not to dwell much on politics on this website. There are many reasons why but largely I find politics boorish and self serving. Partisan politicians are to be disdained because when their personal or their parties agendas come before the American people I find it reprehensible. In my eyes, many TV politicians are akin to certain TV preachers and , well, we all know how that's worked out over the years.

Today a friend sent me a link to a wrestling website that posted a anonymous email saying that Daniel Bryan's firing had something to do with Linda McMahon's campaign for the Senate in Connecticut. More specifically this unknown, unidentified person even went so far as to say that Bryan's termination was dictated by the someone of authority in the campaign. First of all, if you knew Vince McMahon as I do you would know immediately how ridiculous that theory was. McMahon taking orders from some outsider? Right.

I've heard some BS in my life and my share of conspiracy theories during my 4 decades in the wrestling business but this one ranks right up there with some of the stupidest theories I've ever heard.

I like Linda McMahon personally and feel she is a class act as she has always treated me professionally and with respect but if she had asked me, she didn't BTW, I would have suggested to her to not walk but to sprint away from politics. I'm that down on the whole political scene and that world's half truths, posturing for personal gain, party first agendas, and the can't balance our own check book mentality of professional politicians. Granted Mrs. McMahon isn't a professional politician of which I should clarify and furthermore I am not a registered voter in the state of Connecticut.

In all the years that I worked in the front office of WWE never once did Linda attend a booking meeting, discuss with me or my group who was being fired or hired or what was going to happen on TV. When she appeared on TV as a character on a fictional show, for the record, she played a role that was written for her. She was never overjoyed, as I recall, about being on TV in the first place much less when she had to kick me south of the belt line one faithful night in Corpus Christi. She did not like the assignment and neither did I but we both did our jobs as we were produced to do. It was show biz plain and simple.

My point in this blog is that Linda McMahon has zero to do with the day to day running of the WWE and the WWE being the public company that is it isn't so stupid as to allow a political campaign to influence the hiring or firing of a wrestler, what happens in segment 11, or what's booked on the next PPV.

Linda has been detached from WWE likely longer than most outsiders even know.

I've had plenty of personal issues with WWE, for the record I still think that I should be working on the air, and this blog likely won't endear me to some of the higher ups but let me make this clear....Linda McMahon nor any of her campaign workers or staff have a damn thing to do with how the WWE operates from a business perspective and they never will.

The decisions that are made within the WWE are made in the best interest of a public company. End of story.

For someone to be 'anonymous' and to try and take a cowardly approach to why the mysterious termination of Daniel Bryan took place and to place the blame on a political campaign is simply insane. I have great respect for all fans and their opinions regarding the many complex facets of the business but this one has struck a chord that I felt compelled to address.

This anonymous tip business was just plain stupid and as comedian Ron White says, "You can't cure stupid."

Sorry to go off on a 'political' tangent but the talented Daniel Bryan is no longer in WWE's plans. I've been there and I know how he feels. Like many fans I, too, am personally disappointed in this development and hope that Bryan returns to WWE some day.

However, if the young man does or does not return it will have nothing to do with anyone's senate campaign.

Thanks for indulging me on this one and this will be likely one of the last times that I discuss politics on this site unless it is something that I see on TV that I enjoyed like most weeks of HBO's Bill Maher show.

Good night and thanks for reading.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R.

[Chrane]

Jim Ross Comments About the New WWE RAW GM - Is It Him?


WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted the following on his official website, JRsBarBQ.com, about fans asking him if he is the new "anonymous" General Manager of Monday Night RAW...

"We have been hammered with emails from fans who think that I am the anonymous, Raw General Manager. Some are adamant and almost childlike in that if I am that I should tell them and tell them NOW because they HAVE to know. I like the idea of an anonymous GM but it does put some pressure to deliver a viable surprise when the day finally comes to reveal the mystery person or does it? The individual's identity wouldn't necessarily have to be revealed as far as I'm concerned."

[Chrane]

Jim Ross Comments on WWE Diva's Release

Jim Ross has posted the following on his official Twitter page regarding the release of Savannah from WWE...

"Sorry to hear Savannah got released. Nice, young lady. It happens to the best of us... THQ voiceovers start next week."

[Chrane]

Jim Ross Comments On NXT Season 2

The 2nd NXT class is beginning to take shape in my eyes and from this fan's perspective. I still like Husky Harris among others. I think it was Michael Cole who said that Husky had an 'unusual body.' Unique description of the stocky 3rd generation athlete. I would suggest that Husky drop some LB's, I could do the same, but no one can deny that this kid isn't a special athlete who has noticeable quickness for, what I assume, is a 300 pounder. Husky at 260-270 might be at much better weight over the long haul but he's a keeper. I would refraining from any more tattoos if I were him but that's only one man's opinion.

I like McGillicutty as he reminds me of his dad Curt Henning. McGillicutty is appropriately 'Perfect' thus far on NXT. He could take some of Husky's pounds in a minor trading places of 3rd generation guys piece of business. This young man is another potential star.

Kaval has a unique look and I can see him having some off the page bouts some day with Rey Mysterio, among others. If I had Kaval's pipes, I might be looking for work doing voice overs or animated features. This man has paid many dues and I'm pleased that he's getting the opportunity that he has earned. Nonetheless he sounds like a shorter, James Earl Jones.

[Chrane]

Jim Ross Comments on New WWE Show Opening

For those that caught the opening montage of tonight's edition of Monday Night RAW, the voice of WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was removed. J.R. posted the following message on his official Twitter page just moments ago...

"While @ gym got messages my voice was removed from Raw show open. If it matters, that's news 2 me. Been nice 2 have been informed. Oh, well"

[Chrane]

Jim Ross Responds to WWE Opening Montage Edit

Jim Ross posted the following blog in response to be edited of the WWE opening montage:

Too much has been made of me being edited off the WWE signature open. I was on it for a long time and it was time to update the piece. In a year or so it's likely that the open will be tweaked again and who knows who will be added or omitted?

For me to be replaced by Gorgeous George and Freddie Blassie is absolutely a non issue to me as it relates to those who have contributed to the business in the days of yesteryear. I don't even belong in the same conversation with Gorgeous George or Classy Freddie Blassie.

I do not feel the 'conspiracy theory' concept that others have shared here on the site and look at my relationship with WWE as I have for years. I have no issues with cashing their checks and likewise have no issues in doing my assigned duties. I am pleased that I am not on the road 51 weeks a year but I do look forward to traveling to Kansas City this weekend for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match PPV. I'll also be heading to Tampa next week to visit FCW for a few days beginning on Wednesday. That should be a productive trip as well.

I'm an old school guy with a strong, Oklahoma oriented work ethic and am loyal to my employer no matter who that may be. Plus, I stopped fixating on things that I have no control over long ago.

When told by their doctors that one was 30 days away from dying it puts things like TV time, or a lack thereof, who's doing pay by play on a given show, etc and the minutia/politics that can be found in any vocation in its proper place. I thank God every day that I have regained my health and that I am now living a healthier lifestyle that I hope will add years to my life.

I have not felt better mentally or physically in years which is BIG considering where I once was and I have too much to be thankful for to bitch and moan about a sound byte on TV.

While I do sincerely appreciate all the support that I receive and the appreciation for my work over the years, I will say that I'm excited about my future and the various opportunities that I am able to explore under my current professional arrangement. My sound bytes and commentary will live for years to come on DVDs and on such entities as WWEClassics.com and WWE 24/7 On Demand.

For some fans to consider me the "voice of the WWE" is extremely flattering but I've never thought that I deserved that moniker.

[Chrane]

Jim Ross Comments on the New WWE Tag Team Championship Belts

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently commented on the new WWE Tag Team Championship belts as part of his official blog on his official website...

""The new tag title belts and name, WWE Tag Team Titles, makes a great deal of sense to me. Some emailers did not like the design of the titles but I had zero issue with that matter. As I have said in the past, I'm not a 'belt guy.'"