The Pro Wrestling Thread #7

Friday Blog..Paul Heyman...Wrestlers Aggressively Taking Charge of Their Careers..FCW/Tampa..Grilling Time!

Fri, 06/01/2012 - 12:56pm — J.R.

Here's hoping that you're kicking off a fun, safe weekend. Loads of random thoughts on tap. Don't forget to checkout this link, http://www.wweshop.com/Category/JimRoss to order JR's products here in grilling season. We sincerely appreciate everyone's support. Ding, ding, ding....

Amazed at the amount of questions we have received on Twitter @JRsBBQ regarding Randy Orton's 60 suspension from WWE for a 2nd violation of WWE's Wellness Policy.

Not too sure what there is to not understand even though some followers would have likely been better off outside playing with their friends than asking "What is a Wellness Policy?"

Others have questioned the need for such a policy which I find absurdly stupid, not the policy but the questioning why one is needed.

Bottom line is that the business as always been about such things as "when one door closes, another door opens" and that "being in the right place at the right time" and both are still valid and viable in today's ever changing world and that includes sports entertainment.

As @HeymanHustle pointed out on Twitter earlier this week and as I've mentioned here many times, talents need to become much more motivated and aggressive in obtaining meaningful exposure and then 'maximizing their minutes.' As the old sales cliche goes, one won't get the order until one asks for it. To add to that cliche with another, one can't sell goods out of an empty wagon.

Translation...do what ever is necessary to professionally and legally get noticed and then be able to back it up once your number is called.

There has never been a more opportune time for talents who have the drive, determination, ingenuity, and physical talent to elevate as roster depth at the top of the card is ripe for the pickings.

If one is afraid to break a few eggs to make the omlet, IE afraid to raise the ire of the establishment to make their point or to facilitate an opportunity, then you're likely in the wrong business and remember that the lack of assertiveness, with attitude, likely means failure in other walks of life as well.

I expect various wrestling websites to reprint parts of this blog and only wish more of them would follow the lead of the minority and let fans know that we have a business we are attempting to build at http://www.wweshop.com/Ca...y/JimRoss.

BTW and for the record, I felt that Paul Heyman was on the money in his aforementioned Twitter rant. Paul likely did not give himself enough credit for the natural talent that he has and that I saw in him when he was a 23 year old in WCW with who most management people did not want to work. Paul could be caustic, abrasive, and hard to work with for some but I saw a natural born antagonist/talker and pushed strongly for Paul to become my partner in Atlanta for Turner's organization.

Were there days that I questioned my decision? Absolutely. However, great talkers and TV villains aren't easily manufactured, if at all, and the life long fan and student of the business and I had a combustible team that was, hopefully, fun to listen to back in the day.

Yes, there were days in WCW that Heyman legitimately drove me borderline insane and truly tested my patience but what we documented on the air was a unique dynamic that, by and large, isn't provided in today's marketplace.

Getting questions of what I thought of Thursday night's TNA show. I never saw it as I was all in with the @okcthunder vs. San Antonio on TNT. Plus, any comment I make on TNA is generally considered 'cryptic' or comes with some outlandish conspiracy theory. Bottom line, I don't watch their broadcasts regularly enough to evaluate them and if I did what purpose would it serve? I do have many friends there and hope that they have success.

I'm headed down to Tampa soon to spend a few days at FCW next week. Should be an especially rewarding few days considering all that's going on there. The upside of several young talents is significant but I'm unaware of their timelines as to when they may be called up to WWE. I personally feel that much of getting called up is up to the talents by making themselves more 'must see.'

Really am enjoying how WWE has introduced Damien Sandow to Smackdown. Sandow meant something to the viewer when he had his first TV match thanks to vignettes, etc. How a talent is introduced and how they execute their end of the equation is supremely imperative for any young talent.

What would I think of Brock Lesnar attempting to become a 'two sport' guy and perform in WWE and fight in UFC at the same time frame? I'd suggest that it would be ill advised and that it can't be done on the highest level of each genre in an efficient manner. Obviously, a person could do it, theoretically, and enhance his earnings over the short haul but it seems as if it would be too taxing an issue on one's body to attempt such a feat. I have no idea is that idea is even on Lesnar's radar but we've gotten the question here a great deal. I'm not in touch with Brock and haven't been for years so my take on the matter is merely one man's opinion.

Just updated the Q&A section of this website. Interesting lot of questions that made the cut. One that didn't was someone who wanted to know their chances of making the WWE HOF because they had been a life long fan and still had the 1988 Summer Slam on a vhs tape.

Still of the mindset that Manny Pacquiao will fight Floyd Mayweather in the future on a day where Floyd turned himself into authorities today in Vegas to begin a jail term. There is simply too much money on the table for this must see, history making fight NOT to happen. I'm still under the assumption that the fanbase is being manipulated by both fighter's camps. Both warriors 'need to know' plus NO ONE ever has too much money to turn down this sort of payday that might spawn even more dollars via a rematch or rematches. If the PPV carriers would lessen their percentages for this particular fight or make some other financial 'deal' so that the fighters get more of the PPV money, this is a done deal. As it stands, both camps essentially say it's the other camp's fault that the fight isn't happening which does nothing more then increase the desire of fans to see the fight.

My prediction is that the fight happens in 2013.

Yes, http://www.wweshop.com ships JR's products outside the USA regularly. Some countries won't allow Jerky to be imported but all your questions regarding shipping, etc can be addressed via customer service at WWEShop and @WWEShop on Twitter.

I'm writing another piece for WWE.com and their Classics section of the site that should be posted next Tuesday. This is another installment of my multi part story on the broadcast partners that I've had and we're now in the WCW years.

Thought that the Hatfield's and McCoy's on the History Channel this week was amazing. The DVD sales of that mini series will be staggering.

Best WWEShop. JR's package to consider? I like the JR's Cookbook package that comes with an autographed cookbook and a great selection of our products.

I think our sales at WWEShop.com would pick up if more people did not think that we only make our products for the grill when they are equally as good when used in one's kitchen.

I'd like to see @JoeyStyles and @HeymanHustle on a Legends Roundtable along with @JCLayfield some day. @WWEClassics do a super job on these shows and the Raw Memories Roundtable we taped a couple of weeks ago airs in early July in advance of the 1,000 episode of Raw.

Sold on the belief that Big 12 will expand to 12 teams in football within the next year, if not sooner, and that list could include, potentially, such teams as Florida State, Clemson, and Louisville.

Enjoying the Womens College World Series this week in OKC. Still may hit some more games today or tomorrow. It's airing on ESPN2.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing some time with us. Always appreciate everyone's support.

Boomer Sooner!

J.R. @JRsBBQ

Bobby Roode exclusive: TNA champ on Impact Wrestling's drive to be "legit", Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, his hair cut and his comeback to Bully Ray's calves

TNA Impact Wrestling's world heavyweight champion talks to Rob Leigh about his career, the development of Impact Wrestling and his relationships in the business

Taking his time to consider all angles to each of my questions, it isn't hard to work out why Bobby Roode is TNA Impact Wrestling's top man.

Despite a roster stacked with superstar talent like Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Sting, Hulk Hogan, the world champ is arguably the company's most prized asset. And he's a company man through and through.

He's reaching the end of a week long media tour, having shown his face on TV for major media outlets in Poland and Ireland before heading to the UK to do the radio show , podcast and webcast circuit. He must be tired of having to hear the same questions again and again. But Bobby is the perfect rep for the company both in the ring and out, and has even just made a speech in front of Big Ben in front of TNA's cameras just before we sit down.

Occasionally taking a sip of early evening red wine, Bobby is more than familiar with the ins and outs of next January's five date tour across Ireland, Scotland and England having discussed it many times over the past few days. It is probable he's had to reply to a few enquiries about his favourite match and who his childhood idols were, too (for the record, although he doesn't sit back and get nostalgic that often, he says of his UK Maximum Impact IV six man tags that "there's not a lot of guys who can say they faced Sting and Hulk Hogan at the same time", handily answering both questions).

Nonetheless, he remains even handed without being neutral and - when certain names are raised - sceptical without being scathing. But there's one thing abundantly clear about Bobby Roode: TNA Impact Wrestling is not just a job, it is a fundamental part of his life.

In all honesty, I didn't ever expect TNA to film tapings over here. But this year, the whole crew, kit and kaboodle made it to Wembley. For the next 'Road To Lockdown' tour, the cage crosses the Atlantic for the first time.

"The fans deserve nothing less," says the 35-year-old champ.

"We always try to do something special for the UK fans. Two years ago we had Ric Flair over for the 'Wooo' tour and last year it was Sting and Hulk Hogan. And of course there were the Impact tapings at Wembley which we're bringing back next year.

"Hopefully the reactions from the crowd will be off the charts again."

Brining up different markets and aspects of television production, it is apparent that the man is both a pro and a fan.

Talk of the aforementioned six mans seems to transport him back into the moment he locked up for those main events. But Booby also talks fondly and in equal detail about facing Samoa Joe in Manchester. The impression is very much that the TNA Originals tag is not just a storyline one and - in the best possible, responsible, sense - that this is his company.

A few months ago when he spoke to Mirror Sport, Matt Morgan was also keen to talk about operational matters beyond whether TNA should use a ring with more than twelve turnbuckles.

Holding court: Bobby Roode addresses the fans in the shadow of Big Ben

TNA

Asked whether he has a view on Morgan's belief that Impact Wrestling needs to go on the road, it is clear Bobby does not clock in and clock off according to his entrances and exits through the curtain. A sense of ownership and pride is more than evident.

"I have a huge opinion on it," he says.

"Obviously, I'm not the man who pays the bills; I'm not the wallet, so to speak, But in order for us to take that one step further I think it's a necessity for us to step away from Orlando and do our television tapings elsewhere in the country."

And it would appear that the success of the UK tapings buoyed those whp share Bobby and Matt's ambition to see the company grow - and also as a vindication of the efforts they have made over the past ten years.

Bobby explains: "With the Impact taping over here we took a chance and it paid off. It was a huge success and we're going to come over here and do it again next year. Speaking as a fan, even when we taped in Huntsville, Alabama and Macon, Georgia it was seemed that much better to me. It had to do with the crowd and the look and the arena as well as the talent, it had a big time feel. As a wrestler, we thrive on that. Hopefully in the near future we can move outside of Orlando.

"For us to be... I'm not going to say 'legit', because I believe that we're a legit company but it's just... for that more professional look and a different look it'll make our company that bit better."

That word: legit. Does Bobby feel that wrestling fans don't feel the TNA product is legit? And is he stung by such criticism, if he perceives it to exist?

"No," he insists. "It's just one of these things where people didn't see us making it this far.

"I was here back in the days of the weekly PPVs where people didn't give us a chance. It used to be that the morning after the weekly tapings there was always speculation about whether we'd be back next week. We were all living cheque to cheque, show to show, until we got our TV deal - and then there were three months when we had no TV and everything was aired on the internet. That was a very scary time. But thankfully Spike came in and now we're on in a primetime slot I think it has really elevated our company.

"With the Hogans, the Angles, the Stings and the Hardys - and being able to produce stars like James and AJ and Joe - I think our company is growing month by month, week by week."

Do many of his colleagues feel the same sense of pride so keenly?

"There's a few of us that talk about it, guys that are real passionate about it, guys who've been there since day one." he says.

"The AJs, the Joes, the Abyss's, the James Storms. And guys that haven't been there as long, Bully Ray and Devon - these guys really want this company to succeed and be something very, very special. Slowly we're getting there. It's not going to happen overnight."

Rob and Roode: Our man Rob Leigh with TNA heavyweight champion Bobby Roode

Rob Leigh

With such hunger, but also modesty, it is natural discover that Bobby is determined to constantly keep improving. He admits he has "really focussed on upping confidence in my promo skills" since splitting from Beer Money and becoming a full-time singles performer.

"That was never really a comfortable part for me. I got more comfortable when I was with James [Storm] as I felt he could carry the load and I could play off him a lot.

"Coming out of Beer Money... week by week I'm feeling happier about it, as the mic duty has been put on me. But there's always room for improvement," he adds.

Before last year's Bound For Glory, after a summer of success that had seen Bobby rise through the ranks to become the world title's top contender, it was my contention that the only way in which Bobby was really lacking as a top tier player was his frizzy mop. Had he been reading when he decided to crop it off?

"Well, for eight years, people have had to witness how dry and curly it gets towards the end of a 30 minute match.

"And it was giving me a headche, It was certainly time for a change, to look a bit more modern. And it is in keeping with all the suits I wear. I look more hip."

Were you not 'hip' before?

Realising that talking about being hip is the least hip someone can be, he permits himself a smile and replies with a sense of humour drier than his old hairdo: "Maybe I was more 1980s hip rather than 2012 hip."

Bully Ray, having made the transition from tag teaming around the same time as Bobby, has become a sometime ally, sometime opponent over the past few months. Sharing that similar background, the two have become closer. Ray's interviews have been superb. But is he always banging on as much about his calves backstage as he does onscreen?

"Always," laughs Bobby.

"We work out together now and agin and he'll bring out a calf pose... and I just lift my shirt and show him my abs. Then he walks away."

During the course of Roode's media tour, reports that TNA was in the process of suing WWE over accusations of obtaining secret contract information in an attempt to poach Impact Wrestling's performers made the international news wires. Further reports suggested that Ric Flair's tenure with TNA may have come to an end due to such legal action.

It wouldn't be fair to quiz Bobby too strenuously over the matter - but if Flair is done, will TNA miss him?

"I believe so. I think just the name, having that legendary name around was beneficial," he says.

"But I don't think it is going to hurt us, we have a lot of talent.

"I think Impact Wrestling can stand on its own without Ric Flair but its always nice to have a guy like that around.

"He has always been a pro. He's a fun guy to be around."

Reflecting on the times he and Flair have worked together, Bobby picks out a moment off camera that he'll always remember.

"During the best of five series we had with the Motor City Machine Guns, we came into the back and the first person to shake our hands as we came through the curtain was Ric Flair.

"He'll always be the Nature Boy. He has been one of my main inspirations. I really don't know [about the legal situation] and I really don't care to know."

TNA

Bobby's diplomacy comes to the fore when Scott Steiner - who has ranted about the company on Twitter since his departure - is mentioned. However, his reply does not come off as PR bluff.

Was Steiner's outburst another example of the perils associated with the social networking site, or is that just Scott's way?

He replies: "Scott's Scott. He's a good friend of mine so I can't speak bad of Scott. He's a character.

"Obviously he has some ill feelings to certain people but those are his own personal issues and don't involve me. I don't believe I have any enemies in the business and I want to keep it that way."

Looking briefly to WWE, Chris Jericho had recently been 'suspended' after an incident in Brazil where Jericho utilised the country's flag to assert his role as a heel. Does Bobby feel that Jericho's 'suspension' - widely assumed to be real - was just an angle to explain his absence while touring with Fozzy over the summer?

"I don't know. I met Chris years ago but I actually went to see him in concert last year when he came to my hometown. So we got to chat and hang out then.

"Chris is a cool guy. Whether it's a work or not, I don't know."

In what could arguably be TNA Impact Wrestling's biggest test, the company is set to go live with programming this summer. Will this move be a good one for Bobby Roode?

"It's huge - a win win situation for all of us, fans and those of us in the company," he says.

"When you go live, anything can happen. It excites me because it means I have to be on. When the camera's on whatever happens, happens.

"And I'm sure that anticipation applies across the board in the locker room, too. Everyone feels the same way."

They're all in it together, then. But in testament to his drive, commitment and talent, Bobby Roode may feel he's in it a little bit more than everybody else.

Two WWE Wrestlers Reportedly Test Positive For Banned Substances

Cody Rhodes recently tested positive on a drug test for a banned substance but was cleared after providing a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician.

Prior to being cleared, it would appear that Rhodes believed he was facing suspension. The day after dropping the Intercontinental Championship to Christian at Over the Limit, he cryptically wrote on Twitter: "Time off." He appeared at the following day's SmackDown taping in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and all SmackDown shows since then.

The website also reports that another WWE performer whose name has not been disclosed recently had a positive drug test and will be suspended if a valid prescription is not produced.

WWE announced Wednesday that Randy Orton had been suspended for 60 days for his second violation of the company's Talent Wellness Program. SuperLuchas.net reports the suspension stems from a positive drug test for the anabolic steroid Dianabol, which is banned by the United States Congress under its Controlled Substances Act. He also reportedly tested positive for marijuana, which is subject to a $2,500 fine.

source: SuperLuchas.net

On Thursday, TNA Wrestling took another step in furthering their product by going live for their SpikeTV program "Impact Wrestling." Every week throughout the summer, "Impact Wrestling" will broadcast live at their new start time of 8/7 EST.

Among the top stars of TNA including World Champion Bobby Roode, AJ Styles, and the legendary Sting, you can also see the beautiful females get in on the action. Known as TNA Knockouts, you'll be hard-pressed to find tougher women who have no problem mixing it up in the ring. This week, Tara took time just prior to the first live edition of "Impact Wrestling" to answer a few questions.

Tara, formely known during a 9-year WWE run as Victoria, has been in TNA for the last three years. She had plenty of thoughts about her career, the upcoming "Slammiversary" pay per view that will be held in Arlington on June 10, as well as the live event in Houston at the Bayou Music Center on June 16.

On TNA going live - Being in a live environment is such an adrenaline rush, there's nothing like it. There's so much more to a live broadcast, because you only get one shot. It's not like having a taped show, where you can redo things if you need to. When you're live on national TV, you get one shot to get it right. It's exciting to be a part of.

On TNA coming to Houston June 16 - I love Texas. That's why I'm so excited that we're coming down for some dates. Doing live events like this is so fun, because it's more fan interactive, and we get to play more towards the fans. It's very hands-on, and it's so unpredictable. You never know what's going to happen. Plus the fans get great autograph opportunities before and after the show.

On the Slammiversary PPV in Arlington on June 10 - Again, it's in Texas and even better that it's a pay per view! I'm hoping to be a part of it, so we'll see what happens. It marks 10 years for TNA, and a lot of people didn't think this company would be around that long. So to be a part of a ten year anniversary is exciting for any promotion. As with live TV, you never know what to expect with pay per views, and it's another situation where you only get one chance to get it right. But it's a lot of fun.

On Brooke Hogan in TNA - Brooke's the new GM of the Knockouts Division, and as far as I know, it's going to be more of a reality-based situation with her. I'm not really sure. I do know that TNA is always trying to improve the product, and the Knockouts are starting to get more time. And that's a good thing for us. I think adding her to the picture will be a positive thing for us.

On her matches - It gets harder and harder to raise the bar for my matches. A lot of fans want to see blood and to see you hurting, so it's hard to go out and give them a quality match that keeps them coming back. I just try to put more emotion into each match and try to make it better than the last. I'm highly critical of my own matches. As critical as fans can be, I'm twice as bad about mine. But at the same time, it's also fun to go back and look at older matches and see how to integrate certain things into my next match.

On her career in general - If I were to retire today, I would not have any regrets. I've been doing this 12 years now, and have gotten to live out my dream. I can't pick out a favorite match or opponent, because I had so many favorites. It wouldn't be fair to pick one over the other, because I've gotten to work with some of the greatest women in the business. One highlight though was getting to work with May Young and The Fabulous Moolah during my WWE run. Getting to be in the ring with Moolah on her 80th birthday was a tremendous honor, and to find out that moment was included in her movie "Lipstick and Dynamite" was an even bigger honor for me.

TNA Wrestling invades Texas for a number of shows in June. On June 10, TNA will celebrate a historic decade, with "Slammiversary X." It will be at the College Park Arena in Arlington and will be headlined by Bobby Roode defending the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against the legendary Insane Icon known as Sting. Tickets are available now at the box office or by calling 817-272-9595.

After returning to Orlando for the live post-PPV edition of "Impact Wrestling," TNA rolls into Belton, Texas on June 14 at the Bell County Expo Center. Tickets for that event are available online by clicking HERE or charge-by-phone. Call 512-477-6060. Tara will team up with Velvet Sky and former WWE teammate Mickie James to face the comination of Angeline Love, Sarita, and Rosita.

And then on Saturday, June 16, TNA invades Houston's Bayou Music Center (formerly Verizon Wireless Theatre). Bobby Roode is scheduled to defend the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against the Charismatic Enigma, Jeff Hardy. Tickets are available now, at the LiveNation website or by calling 800-745-3000 for more information.

More information about these events as well as all TNA live events and their "BaseBrawl" series can be found on the official TNA website. A huge thanks goes out to Lindsey Bynum, TNA Live Events Publicist for putting this opportunity together.

Friday Blog..Paul Heyman...Wrestlers Aggressively Taking Charge of Their Careers..FCW/Tampa..Grilling Time!

Bobby Roode exclusive: TNA champ on Impact Wrestling's drive to be "legit", Ric Flair, Chris Jericho, his hair cut and his comeback to Bully Ray's calves

Randy Orton Suspended!

Randy Orton Suspended!

John Cena Why His Marriage Fell Apart

Two WWE Wrestlers Reportedly Test Positive For Banned Substances

Exclusive interview with TNA Knockout Tara

Timmy84	What a pussy. Divorce over remodeling a fucking house?
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alexnvrmnd777	^^ Told y'all!
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Timmy84	babybugz said: Timmy84 said: What a pussy. Divorce over remodeling a fucking house? It's much more going on to get divorce over that... For real. I think their divorce case is gonna get messy once we get more facts.
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EvilAngel	alexnvrmnd777 said: The Rock took part in a Q&A session on his Twitter account this afternoon. Here are some highlights: Brock Lesnar: "I loved wrestling Brock Lesnar. We had epic matches. He's my good bud and one of meanest SOB's walking." Yeah, they had like...one or two matches.
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