Carlito Rips WWE; Jim Ross' Latest Blog; Recap Of WWE Screening Of The Condemned
The Detroit News has a brief recap of WWE's advance screening of The Condemned. The screening took place in Detroit Friday night, and had a huge turnout from fans as well as WWE stars attending.
CLICK HERE to read the article.
The Calgary Sun posted this interview with Carlito. As you will read, Carlito is not happy he is not a part of Wrestlemania. Here's the article:
DETROIT -- While many of WWE's superstars are trading punch for punch, kick for kick, headlock for headlock and table for table at tomorrow night's Wrestlemania, Carlito will be backstage watching, unhappy to be on the sidelines.
"I'm out of Wrestlemania," he says. "Apparently, they had to make space for Kane vs. Khali and Melina vs. Ashley. How can I be at Wrestlemania? If I politic and kiss a--, I should make it.
"I'm not going to cry or be bitter, there's always next year ... and I don't want to get fired. But they're showing disrespect by not having Ric Flair at Wrestlemania and even more disrespect by not having Carlito there."
He doesn't like the role he has been given, that of a fan favourite, saying, "I absolutely hate being a babyface more than anything else."
So while Carlito is steaming, WWE has put together an intriguing lineup for Wrestlemania, perhaps the best in recent years.
Jim Ross posted the following new blog on his website, jrbarbq.com:
A Detroit Report.. Cena Haters.. OU QB.. Battling, Boxing Brits.. Austin’s Beer Thrower.. Kiss My Ass Club.. Why Young Wrestlers Fail.. Origin of Bundy’s 5 Count.. Head Bangers.. So long Tony Soprano.
We are having a wonderful experience here in Detroit and I have come to realize that I will have a difficult time making it through my Hall of Fame induction speech Saturday night without getting emotional. The reason is I have met so many wonderful fans here in the Motor City and their heartfelt remarks have really made an impact on me. It is hard to believe that fans from all 50 States, 9 Canadian Provinces and 23 Foreign Countries have descended on Detroit for the simple reason of enjoying Wrestlemania weekend. If I was not in the business I am sure I would be here doing the same thing. There has already been a few tears of joy shed here this week and I hope I don’t come off as a blubbering, old fool Saturday night, which will air on the USA Network at midnight eastern/11 p.m. central. Seeing so many old timers here in Detroit this week has been wonderful. I keep saying I am going to attend a Cauliflower Alley Club Convention some day – and these conversations with the greats make me realize why. I love the traditions and the heritage of our business more than I can articulate.
Here’s some quick feedback on some of your comments:
Cena “Haters” – This is a sign of the times within our business. There are fans of the good guys and fans of the bad guys and that is the way it is seemingly going to be moving forward. There may never be a 100% fan-favorite again like we saw in the old days. The fine line between good and evil has been blurred in our every day lives and that carries over into wrestling. I encourage the fans to express themselves in any way they choose just as long as they are present and loud. Raise all the hell you can no matter who is cheered or jeered. John Cena has never once complained to me about the fans booing him and we talk a great deal. As you know, I like the kid. I am not totally unbiased because I signed him, but John’s work ethic and dedication to the product is amazing. Nonetheless, if you feel compelled to boo John – have at it. He will survive I assure you, and only get stronger through this perceived adversity. John will hear his share of the boo’s on Sunday at Wrestlemania against HBK who will undoubtedly be the sentimental favorite in the WWE Title Match, but will just make the WWE Title match even that much more interesting. Batista better come prepared to be booed against The Undertaker, as well. I get booed in some cities like Austin when “Boomer Sooner” is played, but I don’t take my marbles and go home. Neither will Cena or Batista. Defiance is a sign of the times and I am not sure that is a blessing or a curse.
Who will be the OU starting QB this fall? I am sure the coaches would love to know, but it is currently a 3 horse race. My “guess” is that it will be Sam Bradford, a red shirt freshman. It will be an interesting summer and fall to be sure as it relates to the Sooner quarterback job. The team returns 18 starters and 37 of the top 44 players from last year. Obviously I am looking forward to a great 2007 for OU. Perhaps they too will have a “Hall of Fame” year.
Ironically I have been watching some battling Brit’s in the boxing ring the past few months and there are some tough SOB’s to say the least competing these days. I even remember when a gutsy Henry Cooper fought the great Muhammad Ali once upon a time.
Yes, it is unfortunate that Ric Flair is not officially on the Wrestlemania card, but I see positive things in store for “Naitch” in the future. In his prime Ric’s still the greatest I have ever seen perform in person.
Ringside time keeper Mark Yeaton is the person who tosses Stone Cold his beers. Yeaton has nice under handed throwing motion, but he ain’t
no Jenny Finch.
How do I feel about being an original member of the Mr. McMahon “Kiss My Ass Club”? About the same as the Dr. Heiney business… just another day at the office really. When we start taking ourselves too seriously in this business is when problems really escalate. I know I have been guilty of that. Whether I liked it or not, and I personally didn’t, doesn’t matter. I am a professional and do my best to be a team player. Plus, neither matter killed me and it seems I have rebounded o.k. Bottom line in 33 years I have MANY more good days than bad ones. As a matter of fact it isn’t even close.
The reason most young wrestlers end up failing when it looked as if they had great potential in a developmental program is usually because they were called to the front lines before they finished basic training. My old school way of thinking is that normally, not all the time but normally, a wrestler needs 3 years minimum of training and experience before they should even be called up to the big time. Usually 5 years is a more realistic time table.
Yes, King Kong Bundy is an engaging individual and one of the good guys in the biz. I actually suggested that Bundy use the “5 Count” for his matches in the Mid South territory back in the day. Bill Watts was good about listening to my ideas when I was young, which helped me grow and evolve within the business structure of wrestling which can be a little “cut throat” specifically in the territory days. I still crack a smile, or as good a smile as my face will allow, when I think of the “Married With Children” episode Bundy was on years ago.
We get lots of questions about will (fill in the blank) ever return to the WWE? Here’s the deal, there probably are a few, I stress a few talents who would not accept the offer to return to the WWE under any circumstances, but the VAST MAJORITY of the wrestlers I have known and know today would jump at the opportunity if the money was to their liking. That’s just being dead honest. But keep in mind that older wrestlers cannot be expected to work a long term, full time schedule as they once did and should not be expected to do so. Most wrestlers, active or semi active today, would return to the WWE if the opportunity presented itself simply for the money they could earn at this stage of their career. That’s not a bad thing. The one’s that yell the most about never coming back are the one’s who have no chance of coming back.
I do not know the whereabouts of the Headbangers, Mosh and Thrasher. Can anyone help us?
Samoa Joe… will he ever wrestle in the WWE? I do not know, but again, if opportunity and the money present itself I would be hard pressed to emphatically say no. I like Joe’s work as he reminds me of a young Mick Foley in many ways, only with a better tan, especially as it relates that one can be a great wrestler without a body builder’s physique. Passion and heart are not measured in pounds or inches.
Yes, I do LOVE The Sopranos and have watched EVERY episode MANY times and look forward with sadness to the final episodes scheduled to start April 8 on HBO. Perhaps the all mighty dollar will rear its influential head and convince the cast and crew to do another season or perhaps a full length feature film. Unfortunately, no, I have never met James Gandolfini, Tony Soprano, but a flight attendant told me recently that she had Gandolfini on a flight and he was a very nice man. Good to hear he has not allowed his fame to make him a jackass. We do own some signed Sopranos’ memorabilia.
Stay tuned for more blogs and updates and please visit our store and try out some of our new Beef Jerky and Sauces. Business is great and repeat business amazing which is what really has us enthused and optimistic.
Enjoy Wrestlemania and all that it is about.
My pulse is beating a little faster simply writing its name. I am one lucky Oklahoman.
BOOMER SOONER! J.R.
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