Jim Ross is back with yet another blog update this weekend over at jrsbarbq.com. Here are some of the highlights:

- Backlash feels like a “sleeper” PPV & will likely bring with it some surprises.The match that may plesantly surprise us is the Steamboat-Jericho bout. I’m approaching this (unofficially) as Ricky’s last 1 on 1 bout. I have loved his work for years and admire him as an honorable man & one of the best fan favorites ever. Chris Jericho is the perfect opponent for “The Dragon” which makes this match even more intriging to me as a fan.

- I’ve been traveling some recently w/ Matt Striker on the road which I enjoy. Matt is a real student of the biz who wants to learn his craft. Plus, he’s a good “wheel man.” We’ll make our way to NYC after Backlash.

- I was hoping to hook up w/ JBL while in NYC but John is out of town next week. He did give me some BBQ joints to try. John is busy building his businesses which could include doing business w/ JR’s Family BBQ down the road.

- After this coming week, specifically Tuesday nite at MSG when MVP faces Dolph Ziggler for the U.S. Title, it looks as if WWE is going to be really serious about the brand separation. I hope that assumption is accurate. I like giving more talents the opportunity to become stars.

- I’m anxious to see what our announcer assignments will be for Backlash. Several bouts intrige me on what I perceive to be a largely “wrestling heavy” event. Backlash is sold out as is Monday’s Raw in Bridgeport and Smackdown Tuesday in MSG.

Labels: jim ross, matt striker, smackdown

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross updated the blog section of JRsbarbq.com. The following items are among the highlights.

- Ross comments on Ric Flair's departure from WWE: "The announcement a few days ago that Ric Flair and the WWE had mutually agreed to part ways surprised me. When I last spoke to Ric in person we were in Charlotte for Smackdown and I spent several hours with 'Naitch' that lasted well into the middle of the evening/early morning. He had several family members with him and Ric seemed really to be having fun.

"Ric's schedule with the WWE had been somewhat ambitious in Ric's view as Ric was one the road as much or more than he had been with his wrestling schedule in his later career. Nonetheless Ric said he was having a great time as a 'Good Will Ambassador' for the WWE when we spoke. I do know that Ric had apparently received several offers to do numerous outside projects that were beyond the parameters of the WWE and that he seemed keenly interested in doing..."

- Ross on the WWE announcer situation: "Yours truly had a chance Tuesday afternoon to sit down with Todd Grisham and Matt Striker and offer them some advice and a few dos and don'ts as it relates to wrestling broadcasting. Michael Cole, Tazz, and Joey Styles also contributed to the team effort. Striker is a natural fit at the announce desk or as a wrestling manager and considering that wrestling managers don't seem to be in vogue at this time then Striker's skills are best utilized as we saw Tuesday Night on ECW.

"The former NYC school teacher sat in for Tazz who in turn sat in for a healing Mick Foley on Friday Night Smackdown. With Foley's status as it is, I would not be surprised to see both Striker and Tazz back in the same, fill-in roles that they fulfilled this week on next week's ECW and Friday Night Smackdown broadcasts. I also thought that Todd Grisham did a really nice job in his second week on ECW after replacing Mike Adamle who is the new, Raw G.M."

Labels: jim ross, matt striker, ric flair

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Matt Striker was moved to Raw because there is a lot more interview time on the brand compared to ECW and he'll be much more useful there. He could be used as a manager for some guy in developmental that gets called up, or used like Santino Marella as a guy that gets a lot of interview time but whose main role is to put over the mid-level babyfaces of Raw.

Labels: matt striker, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

After picking up a historic win on ECW’s 100th Episode, Colin Delaney will at long last sign a contract to become the Land of the Extreme’s newest Superstar on the next ECW on SciFi. The persistence and passion has finally paid off for Delaney whose dreams came true after defeating General Manager Armando Estrada. But will the youngster with a small stature, but a big heart, have what it takes to be a success in ECW? How will Delaney match up to his fellow Extreme Superstars? And what will Estrada have in store for Delaney?

ECW Champion Kane joined forces with CM Punk to defeat Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely in tag team action. Mr. Money in the Bank delivered a devastating G.T.S. to Guerrero for the win as WWE Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison looked on. The Big Red Machine and the Straightedge Superstar are an Extreme force when paired together – how will these two Superstars leave their mark in the Land of the Extreme? And when will Punk cash in his Money in the Bank privileges?

Kofi Kingston remains undefeated in ECW action after defeating Matt Striker on Tuesday as Shelton Benjamin offered guest commentary. But after defeating “Your Teacher," Benjamin stormed into the ring to attack Kingston, leaving him face-down on the mat. Has Kingston finally met his match? Will the “Gold Standard” be able to stop the Jamaican Superstar’s winning streak?

Finally, Mick Foley will also make his return to ECW and Matt Striker’s Classroom next week. What will transpire between the Hardcore Legend and “Your Teacher”? What does the SmackDown color commentator have in store for the Land of the Extreme?

To find out the answers to these questions and more, tune into Tuesday’s ECW on Sci Fi at 10/9 CT.

Labels: colin delaney, ecw, kane, kofi kingston, matt striker

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments

Labels: matt striker

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:12 PM | Permalink | Comments

Preview:
Punk steps on the road ahead
March 18, 2008

Last week, CM Punk was victorious in front of a hometown crowd on ECW, earning a coveted spot in the WrestleMania XXIV Money in the Bank Ladder Match. The Straightedge Superstar picked up a win against Big Daddy V, then delivered a fierce GTS to an angry Matt Striker.

Now that Punk is on his way to WrestleMania in mere weeks, his eyes are surely set on ECW gold. But what will Punk bring to the Land of the Extreme on his way to Orlando, Fla.? He'll get a good look at gold as he teams with SmackDown's Jesse & Festus to face the "Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin and the WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison & The Miz in six-man tag action.

Speaking of WrestleMania, ECW General Manager Armando Estrada announced that Superstars from Raw, SmackDown and ECW will compete in a special 24-Man Battle Royal on March 30. The winner of that match will face Chavo Guerrero for the ECW Championship. How will ECW’s Superstars leave their Extreme stamp on WrestleMania XXIV? Who will participate in the 24-Man Battle Royal, and who will earn a chance at Guerrero’s ECW gold? How will Guerrero garner momentum going into his match at WrestleMania XXIV?

WWE Tag Team gold remained in the hands of The Miz & John Morrison for the second week in a row when they defeated Tommy Dreamer & Colin Delaney in an Extreme Rules Match on Tuesday night. Is this the end of the underdog duo of Dreamer & Delaney, or will Dreamer continue to aid Delaney in making his WWE dreams come true? Will Delaney ever get his own entrance music?

Finally, tonight will mark the addition of another legendary name to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2008. Names for this year's Induction Ceremony already include "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, The Brisco Brothers and more. Who will be added tonight in the Land of the Extreme?

Find out the answers to all of these questions and more on the next ECW on Sci Fi, tonight at 10/9 CT. Also, be sure to catch ECW in its entirety every week on WWE.com, available from Wednesday to the following Monday afternoon.

Labels: c.m. punk, ecw, matt striker, tommy dreamer

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:25 AM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross is back with, yet, another jam packed blog entry. In this entry, Ross speaks on Bobby Lashley's return to the ring, Jericho's return to RAW last week and much more. Below are several highlights:

Jim Ross On Jessica Hatch Signing With WWE: I have no idea if or when eliminated diva Jessica Hatch will be signed by the WWE but I do hear she has the desire to be a WWE diva. I would suggest that she head to Louisville and learn to wrestle and to work on her verbal skills and then watch the negotiation process begin.

Jim Ross On Chris Jericho's Return To RAW: I was extremely pleased to see the return of Chris Jericho to Monday Night Raw. The build up and the final presentation was nicely done. The live crowd in Ft. Lauderdale, albeit some what laid back throughout the night at times seemed to come to life when Chris made his appearance. The introduction of any talent is crucial but not as crucial as the plan going forward on a weekly or regular basis. It looks like we may be heading for Jericho vs Orton at Armageddon if I had to make a guess. Jericho is a great addition to the locker room. Of course, being an “old schooler” I don’t believe in bringing any talents, rookies or veterans, into a locker room who are going to be disruptive of which Jericho is definitely not. Chris is a credit to the business.

Jim Ross On HBK's New DVD: I just got a copy of the new HBK DVD and I plan on watching as soon as time permits. I am anxious to see it especially since I was working in Shawn’s first territory back in the 80’s. From those insiders that have seen the DVD, I am told it is really well done.

Jim Ross On Matt Striker's Future: Matt Striker’s career, in my opinion, is as a manager and not as a wrestler even though Striker’s mat skills are just fine. It just seems to me that Striker can fill a much needed void as a wrestling manager and become a big time player with the chance to be around for a long time and to not leave the business with the physical ailments that often time plague some grapplers.

Jim Ross On Bobby Lashley's Return: I don’t know if Bobby Lashley will be back for the royal rumble or not as he is still rehabbing his surgically repaired torn labrum. I don’t expect to see Lashley before the first of the year based on how his rehab is progressing. It is a slow process to say the least. Wrestling at the rumble would be great for Lashley and the fans but mother nature and Lashley’s own pain threshold will have a lot to say about when Bobby returns. Lashley’s surgery was a major deal.

Here's the link to Jim's full blog

Labels: bobby lashely, chris jericho, jessica hatch, jim ross, matt striker

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments