J.R Blogs On Reid Flair's Issues, Tag Teams, Working For WWE & More
Jim Ross has a new blog entry up. Highlights are below.
On Reid Flair: Reid Flair, the youngest son of "The Nature Boy" was arrested again last week for another DUI and apparently in possession of heroin. The drunk driving matter is a serious issue but the heroin business takes this matter into an entirely new level of severity. Reid needs extensive, professional help immediately and he needs to take that help seriously, as in life or death serious. The young man is lucky that he is still alive and is flirting with disaster as would any one who uses and abuses illegal drugs and/or alcohol. I think being in the wrestling business should be the furtherest thing from Reid's mind right now and quite honestly the wrestling biz simply might not be the right vocation for the son of arguably the greatest in ring performer of all time. Following any famous father's footsteps is a daunting task for any athlete or entertainer especially in the relatively small world of pro wrestling. Reid Flair needs to address his issues and prioritize getting healthy and not worry about learning how to be the "next Naitch" or Reid's next booking. Reid's generation, in general, has entitlement issues that will never serve them well and that usually lead to disaster to some degree including the ultimate disaster of facilitating one's own demise. The good Lord gave Reid a break but my suggestion to Reid is for Reid Flair to not to P.O. Him, man up, and prioritize living his life clean and sober. I'm pulling for Reid to kick out of this matter and get his life on track and to evaluate if putting all his eggs into the "wrestling basket" is prudent thinking.
On tag team wrestling: We get tons of emails about tag team wrestling in today's TV wrestling marketplace. Bottom line is this.....great tag team wrestling has its place in the business w/o question and I am a long time fan of some of the greatest tag teams ever in wrestling. Back in the day, no one wanted to follow a Midnight Express vs. Rock 'n Roll Express bout on any card if they didn't have to. However, teams like that don't exist any longer. Period. Bottom line. End off story. If teams can come together organically and develop natural rivalries with other quality teams, then I say go for it. However, to simply throw teams together, as some fans suggest, for the sake of having a tag bout on TV makes little sense to me. Over the years, with some exceptions, the big money in wrestling has always been in one on one bouts and that fact hasn't changed today in my view. With the overall lack of quality, main event level depth within the business today, I do not see red hot, tag team wrestling returning any time soon to the scene especially if fans are looking for several, established teams to dot the landscape.
On time limits: Ever wonder why most wrestling bouts utilize no time limits on TV or at live events? Me, too. I think using time limits adds to the drama much like main stream sporting events that utilize a game clock in various fashions. I personally like the sense of urgency that time limits provides a wrestling match. Of course, that's just one man's opinion.
On getting a job with WWE: I wish people would stop asking me how to get a job with WWE and simply do what other somewhat normal people do and that is to contact the WWE Human Resources Department and find out the job openings and qualifications thereof. If one is looking to be a WWE broadcaster, get ample experience in broadcasting and make yourself a demo reel to accompany your resume and make sure that you don't look or sound like me.