Jim Ross comments on a "must win" edition of WWE Raw, WrestleMania 29 predictions, and WWE scouting

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 : I look at tonight's Raw very simplistically. I feel the show is in a 'must win' situation as it relates to the road to WrestleMania but the same can be said for every Monday Night Raw broadcast since the Elimination Chamber PPV occurred. A heightened sense of urgency, from everyone, some timely surprises and a renewed and enhanced focus on the money match aspects of WM29 are imperative to nail tonight in Philly where the arena is sold out.
Hopefully, the broadcast starts off hot and engages the live audience early so as to sustain momentum and build upon it throughout the three hour broadcast."

Powell's POV: This is an important show for WWE. The last two Raw shows left a lot to be desired and it feels like the WrestleMania buzz isn't where it should be. Here's hoping that changes with a couple of hot Raw episodes heading into the biggest show of the year.

-Ross on WrestleMania 29: "I'm predicting that WM29 will be the most lucrative event ever produced by WWE from a live gate standpoint, I'm guessing the live gate will be approximately $12M, and over 1M PPV buys."

Powell's POV: The event is essentially sold out so the gate will be huge. I believe the event will top one million buys, but the quality of the next two weeks of television combined with the media blitz will determine whether they can top last year's numbers and possibly even break the record for WrestleMania buys.

-Ross on WWE scouting: "Gerald Brisco scouted the NCAA Wrestling Nationals over the weekend and has some intriguing prospects interested in WWE. We feel that next year will be a banner year with many of these recruits because several have another year of eligibility remaining. The last thing that we would do is encourage a kid to leave school and not finish their commitment to their team and to cease their efforts to earn a college degree. Plan B is imperative because most prospects will not make it as it has been demonstrated over the years. It's the same way in the NFL or on Broadway."

Powell's POV: Scouting is a big part of WWE's plans for developing future talent. They are taking the right approach in not encouraging talent to leave school. It's the right move for the athlete and also for the company, as they could close a lot of doors if college coaches felt that the company was trying to take away their athletes before their eligibility expired.

Other topics include JR's schedule for WrestleMania appearances, the CAC convention in Las Vegas, WWE NXT call ups, Arnold Schwarzenegger inducting Bruno Sammartino, and more.