JR: Flair Vs. Taker At WM 24, Cena's Surprise, More

Jim Ross is back with another blog at jrsbarbq.com. As usual, here are the highlights:

- Over 6,000 fans attended the WWE Raw live event in Seoul, South Korea a few hours ago. All the superstars are healthy and the reports are that the crowd was "hot" and had a great time. Candice Michelle, who is still healing from the multiple breaks of her collar bone (Clavicle), actually learned a little Korean and spoke to the crowd at "half time" which was well received. Reportedly, one of the most popular Superstars on the event was the venerable, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, as many fans look at appearances by "Naitch" as possibly his last in their arena.

- Stone Cold Steve Austin and I spoke via telephone a day or two ago and he is staying busy with "movie business" and fully expects to do a couple of movies in 2008, especially if the writers' strike ends soon. The DVD of "the Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin" is not loaded with a great deal of talk from other superstars, but is instead a straight on presentation of some of Steve's most significant moments and promos. It was a helluva trip down memory lane for me when I watched this DVD, as it was no frills, let's kick some ass type of a presentation. I am told that Wal-Mart already has it on shelves and it is due out February 12 everywhere. Back on the movie front, it seems that several movie makers are interested in Stone Cold for 2008 projects.

- On whether or not WWE sees TNA as a threat: Not yet in my view. That's not a knock at TNA even though some narrow mined fans will swear that it is. That would have been like comparing the XFL back in the day to the NFL a few similarities but big bottom line difference. With that said I hope that TNA is a successful, profitable company that provides many, many wrestlers with a place to perfect their skills and earn a living.

- The latest on Roddy Piper: I spoke to Roddy in NYC and he is cancer free and feeling better than he has in a long, long time. Roddy will still undergo annual checkups to keep an eye on the "Big C" but he was in excellent spirits.

- On details on the Lashley release: I don't know any specific details of the Lashley/WWE relationship other than what I read and that isn't a positive view of where they apparently stand with each other. If Lashley is "burned out" with the travel he should certainly move on to other endeavors. Bobby is a talented athlete but the business is certainly not for everyone.

- On the big Cena surprise: I can't speak for the announcers but the RAW team was not told of Cena's entry into the Rumble Match. I like surprises but some on the wrestling internet side seemingly like to reveal the pending surprises to make sure that they are not scooped by their competitors.

- On Chris Harris & CM Punk: Mandy, Punk is doing just fine. As you have read, it seems that many fans grow impatient when some athletes become tenured champs. I am not overly familiar with Chris Harris but he seems to be fundamentally sound however The King has been high on Harris for a couple of years now.

- On The Undertaker's streak: Even though I am not a big won/loss guy in general I feel it would take a truly special moment for the Undertaker to lose at a Wrestlemania. My money is on that Taker will never lose a 'Mania event. Finally, comparing Goldberg to the Undertaker isn't fair to either man.

- On a possible Flair vs. Taker match at WM 24: That match would have a ton of sizzle but who would the fans cheer for? Which man would the fans want to see lose? I am still a believer in large part to a hero vs. a villain and I don't fully buy in to the "shades of gray" philosophy.