J.R Blogs On HBK, Morrison's Week, Fedor, Announce Teams
JR has a new blog up, here are the highlights?
On John Morrison's Week: We've received a great deal of positive feedback on the Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison bout on this past Friday Night Smackdown. Actually, Morrison had the best week of any one in a WWE ring, in my humble opinion, as Morrison's bout vs. Tyson Kidd on WWE Superstars on WGN American Thursday night was stout as well. I'm anxious to see how these talents are followed up with this week as many in the biz always believed in striking while the iron was hot.
On Announce Teams: Why aren't there more protagonist/antagonist announce teams like there was with Monsoon/Ventura, JR/Heyman, etc? I don't have a profound answer on this subject but I have my assumptions. I think that organizations may feel like it is too "old school 'rasslin" and don't want to go there. It also could be the announce talent base that man many announce positions. It is an art form to be able to balance the good guy/bad guy chemistry in a broadcast booth and not make the show about the announcers but instead focus on the talent. I love the angst that can be created in the right broadcast setting but as long as the broadcasters remember that they are there to enhance the wrestlers' perception/stature/personas. I will admit that some of the most fun I ever had broadcasting was with partners who were perceived as villains such as the aforementioned and talented Heyman, whose persona was extremely easy to dislike, Jerry Lawler in the early to mid 90's whose sarcastic wit was usually spot on and whose timing with yours truly was damn near seamless, and Jim Cornette who had an amazing understanding of the business and knew his antagonist role amazingly well and was one of the very best broadcasters for the genre of pro wrestling that I ever worked with in my 30+ years.
On HBK: Yes, I feel that HBK will be back in WWE action soon, as do most. Furthermore if Shawn's schedule is properly managed he can continue to contribute at a high level for several years to come, if he so chooses. My opinion is that in the upcoming years that a HBK at 75% is better than the vast majority of the men who earn a living in the wrestling biz today.
On Fedor Not Signing With UFC: O.K. so Fedor isn't scared of Brock Lesnar but I made you look. Fedor's "people" will continue to catch the heat of Fedor not signing with UFC for "ridiculous money" as in BIG bucks but if Fedor wants to compete in UFC then he'll push to get the deal done and fight Lesnar for a reported $5M guarantee. Two things here: Fedor's sponsor/entourage want UFC to facilitate the growth and exposure of their rival MMA company M-1 which is absolutely ludicrous and laughable from a business point of view. Secondly, look for Brock Lesnar to perhaps get a new deal now that all the Fedor $$$$ have been thrown around whether those numbers are accurate or not and my feeling is that they are probably embellished somewhat.
You can check out the full blog at JrsBarBQ.com.