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

-Ross on two of his career goals: "Two of my goals in wrestling are to broadcast HBK and the Undertaker's last bouts which I get the feeling will not be any time soon. There is no reason for either man to contemplate retirement while the money is huge, they can adequately manage their travel schedules and most importantly that they still love what they do. Obviously, their health overrides every thing but both men seem to be holding up well and can do more with less than the vast majority of their peers. As a matter of fact, most wrestlers try to get too much in their bouts which causes a disconnect with many fans because of the break neck pace where maneuvers and situations mean less and less."

Powell's POV: I'm sure those two wrestlers wouldn't have it any other way. It would be a friggin' crime if Michael Cole or one of the young announcers called the final matches of Taker and HBK. Here's hoping J.R. fulfills these two goals.

-Ross on the Smackdown broadcast team: Back to SD, it seemed to me that Todd Grisham and Matt Striker are going to work into being a solid team as they are both fundamentally sound and simply just need time to develop the natural chemistry and the intangibles that come with working with someone over time. Broadcasting wrestling is much more complex these days than many might think simply because of all the agendas that the broadcasters have to address and honor, the story telling of multiple issues, storyline follow up, in show mentions of other products, goods, and services, etc. Plus the pace for many TV wrestling shows necessitates that the voices navigate the waters necessary to help keep the viewers emotionally invested in multiple issues that feel at times non stop.

Powell's POV: I haven't had a chance to watch Smackdown yet (and the world is still awaiting Chris Shore's Smackdown Hitlist debut), but Grisham and Striker did good work together on ECW. Striker is a fun throwback to the days of heel commentators, at least on the nights when Vince McMahon gives him that freedom.

-Ross on Big Show: "Yours truly had a great conversation earlier this week with the Big Show who is spending ample time in the New Orleans area working on a WWE Film that he feels is going to be really funny. Show is a big hearted, funny guy and has natural comedic timing from my personal dealings with him over the years. We laughed about one of his 'recruiting trips' to WWE where he came to our home in Norwalk, Connecticut for dinner and ate, let's say, an ample amount of wife Jan's apple butter and hot biscuits. Jerry Brisco and myself were the two guys that courted Show when he was thinking of staying in WCW or coming to WWE. I'm happy that we got our man who has the potential to be a huge, box office, wrestling attraction if he is not over exposed. I think the big guy's movie exposure will provide Show with some unique opportunities over time in the film world."

Powell's POV: Show's comedy talents have been better utilized outside WWE. I'm thinking of his appearance on Saturday Night Live and as the legendary Captain Chaos. Maybe they'll get it right now that he's shooting one of their films.

Other topics include a nice message J.R. received from Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan's move to TNA.

RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE: