In his latest email feedback blog entry, Jim Ross takes on a number of topics. Some excerpts:
I was surprised when Marty Janetty returned to the WWE the last time so far be it from me to guess if or when Marty might reappear in a WWE ring. It could be Monday night or it could be never.
I don’t know when Beth Phoenix will return to the WWE but I hope it is on RAW because Beth can wrestle and has a score to settle with Victoria who broke Beth’s jaw. My guess is that we will see Beth after the first of the year but you know my accuracy rating isn’t what it used to be.
I would enjoy watching a Hulk-Big Show match at Wrestlemania but I have heard nothing official about such. It certainly seems like Hogan would be a part of ‘Mania 23, 20 years after his match with Andre The Giant in nearby Pontiac.
I disagree with [a reader] that The Rock turned his back on his fans. The Rock capitalized on an amazing opportunity to manage his health and to provide his family and his extended family with a wonderful quality of life. I assure you that The Rock has the business in his blood and if he were still wrestling today might well have surpassed every record ever set by any individual in wrestling. Plus, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of the nicest, classiest people I have ever had tht privilege to know in this business. I was a lucky son of a gun to have hired “The Great One”.
Is Hulk a better wrestler than Stone Cold? Not in my opinion but both are money making machines that may never be surpassed by anyone ever in this business. I hope they are for my 401K’s sake but I won’t hold my breath no matter what my ex-wife might suggest.This isn’t going to sound good or probably feel good but the old ECW is DEAD. I don’t see it coming back. I think the re-launched ECW will end up being successful but as I have said before it is a work in progress. I am willing to give it a chance to grow and evolve. I, too, have used the Waffle House to drown my sorrows especially when I ordered my hash browns scattered, covered, smothered AND chunked! I am sure that in your life you have bigger fish to fry than to worry about the state of a wrestling brand.
He also confirms that Henry Godwin has wrestled with WWE lately and that Chuck Palumbo is under WWE contract, gives his feeling on Kurt Angle and Big Show (they should take time off and take care of their health) and talks about Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin, even comparing Ken Kennedy to a young Austin.
You can also read a blog entry specifically about the Big Show here and another feedback piece here, where he talks about having heard “ZERO” about a possible Batista/Undertaker match at Mania, who he’d nominate for the Hall of Fame next year (Bruno, Backlund, Flair and Dusty, to start), why he’s asking for January 1 off, among other topics. Some notable quotes from the latter:
There are always going to be questions regarding perceived “underutilized” talent. Someone you think is “underutilized” might not be in the eye’s of others. Many “underutilized” talents need to take a longer look in the mirror and decide to come to work every day willing to give no less than 100% of themselves and to do the little things it takes to reach main event level status and to more importantly stay there. I had a talent say to me once that when they were “put in the right spot, I will start working hard”. It doesn’t function that way.
The Talented Sho Funaki as a main eventer? I love Sho but Sho main eventing over the long term might be a challenge for Sho. But remember, “never say never”.
What are my thoughts on ECW. I like the brand and always have. The re-introduced brand is still evolving without question. I think ECW is a work in progress but the sky is the limit. I personally, I stress personally, am not a fan of every match being “hardcore” because then it makes that stipulation ordinary. I do love the ECW “spirit” and pride many of the ECW originals still have for their presentation of a few years ago. What form ECW takes as time marches on will be interesting to track. Change is not always bad but some “old schoolers” (I am old school to in many ways) will never accept anything but what “used to be”. I can understand and respect that mindset but I can’t vouch for how viable it is.
Of course, there’s plenty more — almost too much to keep up with! — so click here to hear his thoughts on using Eddie’s name in storylines, Lita’s departure and whether or not he should turn heel, and here for his thoughts on Survivor Series, in particular CM Punk. There are also recent posts on Thanksgiving, his new WWE contract and more. JR’s Web site has also announced that the RAW announcer will be on 97.1 Free FM (WRKR) in Detroit every Thursday at noon Eastern time through Wrestlemania 23.
