– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has published a new blog entry on jrsbarbq.com. Here are some highlights:
Brian Pillman’s passing:
My friend Brian Pillman died on this day in 1997 at the age of 35. I think of Brian every day in some fashion. Brian was obsessed with pro wrestling, amazingly unpredictable, and a classic, athletic overachiever. Brian could be described as “brilliantly crazy” and an “athletic, wild man” and one wouldn’t get an argument from too many folks that knew Brian well. I helped him get his break in WCW bringing him in from Calgary and also hired him to come to WWE.
The story of Brian planning on chaining himself to the goalpost at a Super Bowl is true. The Cincinnati native felt it would garner him global publicity and certify him as a legit, crazy man.
I still remember to this minute where I was standing in the arena in St. Louis when I got the news of his untimely passing. A heartbreaking day.
Hulk Hogan’s current status in the wrestling business:
I’m unaware if Hulk Hogan has legitimately left TNA or not and don’t have a dog in that hunt but if he has then Hogan returning to WWE in a part time, marketing based role isn’t out of the question strictly in my opinion. That’s without me having any inside knowledge whatsoever, however, Hogan in the right role, at the right dollar figure would be good for WWE business interests on a variety of fronts and none of them include Hogan wrestling, again, in my opinion.
Hulk reuniting, in some form, with The Warrior at the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony along with the induction of Randy Savage would be a uniquely themed event and add a great deal of sizzle to the ceremony and the DVD of the event. Again, this is mere speculation as I am not in the WWE loop nor have I spoken to anyone about this matter. Just wearing my booking ‘hat’…no pun intended.
Battleground predictions:
King will wear a T Shirt and JBL will lay his hat wrong side up on the announce desk. Michael Cole will navigate the broadcast which is easier to do than RAW’s. Would enjoy a little more conflict between JBL and the King. Hope the broadcasters have a great night and the freedom to create and follow the video.
Daniel Bryan wins the WWE Title or so I feel that he needs to win the WWE Title. Cups of coffee, by the way, with the most prized championship in WWE doesn’t count or help anyone in a significant manner. (The WWE think tank has to be planning WM30 and each PPV prior to April 2014 is pivitol.) The underdog winning and giving his fans ‘hope’ seems logical.
ADR WINS VS RVD VIA TAP.
I think that Punk slips past Ryback but Punk doesn’t get his hands on Paul Heyman in any significant manner. However, Ryback winning wouldn’t be a shocker. UK wagerers beware. Perhaps you can secure some ‘insider info,’
Don’t see AJ Lee losing the Divas Title as she’s the top Diva in WWE, reality show or not. Beating AJ does not make sense to me which is why she could lose upon further review. Surprises for surprise sake isn’t always the wise decision.
With no tag titles at stake, at least from what I gather, and the Rhodes Family’s jobs on the line, I expect the heroes to prevail in this one against the Shield. This should be a helluva match and I’d damn near smile (Think Bell’s palsy) if the Dream hit just one bionic elbow.
Cutis Axel retains the tepid, IC Title against R Truth in a bout more suited for RAW than PPV. It will be interesting it these two perform in an attempted, show stealing, PPV level or perform as if they are on a weekly TV show. Maximize those minutes.
Bray Wyatt will walk out of Battle Ground and Kofi Kingston likely will not. That doesn’t mean that Kofi will lose but he should if the Wyatt Family are at ringside.
