Jim Ross comments on WWE developmental, the recruitment of athletes and where that leaves independent wrestlers, NXT TV taping location

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross updated the blog section of JRsbarbq.com. The following items are among the highlights. To order J.R.'s BBQ products, visit WWEShop.com.

-Ross on the WWE Performance Center: The announcement earlier this week of the construction and soon to be opened for business WWE Performance Center in Orlando is HUGE news for the long term future and success of WWE and is a personal dream come true for me. Back in the mid 90's when we started the developmental system in such markets as Louisville, Memphis, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles, I always wanted to someday have a NFL-like facility where athletes could be trained in all facets of the business. To successfully recruit world class, Division 1 like college athletes, we needed to have a facility that would fit every need and compete with the facilities that many of these high level athletes were accustomed to frequenting."


Powell's POV: Ross played a huge role in getting developmental up and running back in his office days. It's good to see that he's still involved in the process and is able to see his vision become a reality. By the way, Ross wrote a lot about his experience at the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion event that took place this week in Las Vegas. Be sure to visit his full blog by using the link above.

-Ross on the NXT taping location: "WWE will now have that facility in Orlando just minutes away from Full Sail University where NXT will continue to be taped approximately every three weeks. WWE's relationship with Full Sail University is a long term one that will see the two entities develop not only in ring talent but other roles including technical jobs, too."

Powell's POV: Full Sail University was represented at the press conference on Thursday. The relationship between WWE and "the other FSU" is a good one on a number of levels.

-Ross on WWE recruiting and indy wrestlers: "We are recruiting highly skilled, motivated, intelligent athletes who have marketable personalities and who have an aptitude for the biz. For any one to think that we are signing individuals who have zero knowledge or passion for our product is just silly. Plus, merely having a muscular physique isn't the only criteria as being a well conditioned, natural athlete with a great motor and a marketable personality is more important that having a marketable physique. The list of talents that we signed over the years displayed a variety of body types and I feel that we are returning to that theory. Plus, WWE will continue to recruit the best of the independent scene however every time someone's friend or favorite isn't immediately signed the indictment will be distributed that WWE isn't looking in the indy scene which, if you look at the current WWE roster, contradicts that theory immediately."

Powell's POV: WWE is taking the right approach in seeking out highly skilled athletes as well as the elite independent wrestlers for the developmental program. It's hard to find any real negatives in the new developmental system, particularly once Triple H noted in an interview with Brian Fritz of BetweenTheRopes.com that he would like to have additional training facilities in other areas at some point.

Other topics include the annual Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion, Edge, Ivan Koloff, and Moly Holly honored, and much more.