Jim Ross comments on Jeff Hardy's contractual status with WWE, and the Santina rib that was played on him during the WWE Backlash pay-per-view

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

-Ross on Jeff Hardy's contractual status with WWE: "There are lots of emails you can read in the Q&A Section regarding rumors of Jeff Hardy's WWE contract status. I do not know the details of this matter and if I did I would not divulge them. However, any wrestler should have the opportunity to step away and take a hiatus when the time and circumstances dictate such. I am not saying this is what Jeff is or isn't going to do but perhaps, in hindsight, more wrestlers should consider such during their careers.

Powell's POV: Ross had more to say on the Hardy situation in this blog and he also noted that he spent roughly four hours answering reader questions. As for the Hardy story, I reported earlier this week that friends of Jeff's are under the impression that he's open to re-signing with the company, yet expect that he will seek more time off as part of his next contract. Jeff is in the midst of a great run and taking time away will cut into his earnings, yet, as J.R. wrote, you can't blame the guy for wanting some time away.

-Ross on the Santina rib: "Many fans emailed us their thoughts on my interaction with Santina/Santino at Backlash and many of them had much stronger feelings on that issue than did I. The bit was simply an aspect of the TV show that happened to catch me by surprise. It was intended to be funny and entertaining. Some folks thought it was and some thought it wasn't. Santino Marella is a colorful, entertaining and funny character on a TV show, end of story.

"Some fans even suggested that I should have 'quit your job' and 'walked out' of the PPV. Now THAT would have been an intelligent decision. It's show biz folks and some of it we will like and some of it we won't. I've had worse days on the job and seen far less funny attempts at humor on a wrestling show so I easily moved on and tried to contribute to two title matches which immediately followed the foray into comedy at Backlash."

Powell's POV: I didn't care for the skit or the way Vince McMahon and his writers had fun at J.R.'s expense, but the idea that this rib should have caused J.R. to walk off the job is silly. I definitely enjoyed the way J.R. tore into Michael Cole for the Bar-B-Q Man comment by asking who fed him that line. Ross snapping at Cole was ten times funnier than the intended joke.

Other topics include J.R.'s prediction on tonight's Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight, Jose Canseco entering MMA, and why WWE would get involved with "The View."