Jim Ross
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Jim Ross has updated the blog section of JRsbarbq.com to include comments on his farewell speech this week on WWE Raw.

Here's what he had to say:

Being able to address the crowd in OKC was a nice opportunity that is greatly appreciated on my end... I had a challenging time getting through the in ring promo as a million thoughts were running through my mind about my years on Raw, especially my OKC experiences, beginning my career in my home state, etc.

I did not 'write' anything down to say nor did any one else if you are keeping score at home or simply just need to know that info. From what I understand neither did Edge.

In his latest blog entry, Jim Ross acknowledges a ratings decline across WWE programming and says viewers can expect big changes in the future:

"I am anxious to see what changes are initiated on Monday Night Raw this week as it seems that several changes are rumored to be on their way. Last Monday’s lackluster TV rating for Monday Night Raw would certainly be reason enough to move these changes along as no one could ever be content with a 2.9 national cable rating.

"Personally, I am for longer match times and to see if some of the younger, talented individuals who have been developing, some for quite some time, can add to the mix and provide a "fresh feel" to the presentation. The announcers are talking less, which I have zero issues with quite honestly as it is television and not radio, but one could also make a case that the televised, talking segments could be more succinct as well. One man’s opinion.

"It’s time to "reshuffle" the deck as the old wrestling expression goes and attempt to create new stars involved in new issues which might give cause for "business picking up."

What do you think WWE should do to increase ratings?

As fallout continues from the recent William Regal suspension, WWE announcer Jim Ross has chimed in with his take it:

When I was in charge of the WWE talent roster a few years ago we sent Regal to drug rehab as he struggled to overcome his issues. Regal eventually became a success story as he cleaned himself up and got on with his life and career. In recent years, Regal has been a hard working, reliable and viable member of the talent roster.

As a talent perhaps even to the point of being under utilized in the eyes of some. I do not know the details of his recent 60 day suspension but I do not think that Regal has "fallen off the wagon" and retreated to his misdirected ways of years gone by.

Nonetheless, something went awry and the WWE Wellness Program, which is more thorough and organized than ever before, dropped the hammer on the talented Brit. With no pay for 60 days, two strikes against him and a family to care for, Regal finds himself in a challenging position.

Some weak minded individuals could "poor me" it and say to hell with it and revert back to those aforementioned issues, but, I do not think Regal fits into that category.

Jim Ross updated the blog section of JRsbarbq.com. In it, he commented on a pair of issues from this week's WWE RAW:

On the King of the Ring tournament: "The KOR Tourney Monday night in Greenville, S.C. certainly had its moments that featured a strong first half of the bracket and a perplexing second half of the tournament bracket. KOR winner William Regal is arguably one of the more underutilized talents in the biz and even though Regal can definitely talk, which all General Managers must obviously be able to do, he adds a valuable element of experience and expertise to any bout in which he is involved."

On the Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama debacle: "Some wrestling pundits really slammed the 'match' between the impersonators posing as Hillary and Barack. I am not sure what folks expectations were for this "contest," but it was, plain and simple, nothing more than a publicity stunt that did garner a great deal of pub the week of a WWE pay per view.

The WWE made air on media outlets that would never mention the WWE unless there was a tragedy or a scandal. While the "match" was not my personal cup of tea, it did not last long enough to offend me and I sort of got a kick out of the ovation Umaga received when he came to the ring to put an end to the frivolity."

Jim Ross has updated the blog section of JRsbarbq.com. In it, the best WWE announced of all-time tells fans to be patient with the company's latest one:

"I spoke with Mike Adamle, who replaced Joey (Styles), at length Monday night after Raw about his new assignment. Mike is a former world class athlete who played in the NFL so Mike’s natural, competitive nature will help the former running back in his new venture.

Wrestling fans can be tough to please at times and there is no doubt that Mike will have to earn the audience’s confidence, which will be a work in progress.

"Hopefully, wrestling fans will give Adamle the opportunity to settle in and develop his wrestling broadcasting skills..."

We'll give him time, JR. But the guy didn't seem to know basic wrestling holds and even failed to announced superstars' names correctly on Tuesday night. How much leeway does he get?

Jim Ross has updated his official blog. Here are highlights from it:

On who JR sees "leading the charge" for WWE in the next five years: Randy  Orton, Edge, Burke, MVP, Kennedy, CM Punk, to name a few guys I think are good now and should be really good in "5 years." The developmental area has some studs and they will be stars if they aren’t "picked too green.

John Cena: "I would be willing to wager that the mere mention of John Cena, who, as best I know, will only be on the Monday Night Raw show in London in between filming a movie in New Orleans for the WWE, will flood arenas with boos, but at the end of the day Cena will still sell more merchandise than any other WWE Superstar who is on the tour in its entirety."

The Shawn Michaels vs. Batista Feud: "A personal issue is what is evolving between Shawn Michaels and Batista and neither have to change their present persona’s to make it work. I keep reading where one or the other and mostly Batista is going to "turn on HBK" but I don’t see that happening.

I love surprises as most wrestling fans do, but I think these two men can have their match or matches and HBK will have his fans, as will Batista, but I do expect The Animal to hear more boos than will Shawn. I’m personally invested and interested in this issue."

WWE legend Jim Ross was recently interviewed by the Dayton Beach News Journal. Here are highlights from the chat:

Q: Many thought the Raw title match, the Flair-HBK match or the Mayweather-Big Show match would main event the show. Is it safe to say Undertaker-Edge was the final match because there was a title change?
A: "The Taker-Edge match closed the show because it was the right thing to do. The Undertaker and his winning streak are special. The match's ending certainly did not hurt anything."

Q: What was your WrestleMania XXIV moment?
A: "My WrestleMania moment was all about Ric Flair. This was Ric's WrestleMania. Flair's entrance was unforgettable."

Q: Is CM Punk finally getting that push many feel he deserves?
A: "Regarding Punk, I am not a big 'push' guy. That's great 'fan talk' on the 'Net. Punk now has an opportunity. What he does with it is up to him. I like him, but at the end of the day he has to carry his share of the water."

Q: Triple H has now lost his last four WM matches. Undertaker is now 16-0. What's your guess for the main event for next year's WrestleMania 25 in Houston? The Rock-Undertaker maybe?
A: "Next year's main event is impossible to call. Perhaps HHH vs. John Cena, (or) HHH or Cena vs. Undertaker, but that's all speculation. That's like saying who's going to win the 2009 Super Bowl. Any suggestions? I would lay money that the 25th WrestleMania won't include The Rock. Fans need to get over it... The Rock is now a movie star... not a WWE wrestler."

In his latest blog entry, WWE announcer Jim Ross talked about - what else? - the retirement of Ric Flair:

"Ric has a real roller coaster of a weekend emotionally but was much more wound up and nervous for the Hall of Fame ceremony than he was for Sunday’s WM24 match. Ric was always wound tight before a big match, going all the way back to the 80s, when he used to come to the Mid South Wrestling territory. I spent several hours with Ric and his family from Thursday thru Monday night and "Naitch" seemed to be more nervous over giving his speech than wrestling, what would become his last match.

Ric Flair is going to stay very busy working in a public relations capacity with the WWE and will likely be doing ample travel and pressing the flesh with many entities. Who better to do P.R. and tell stories and promote the business than "Naitch."

Read the full blog now.

Jim Ross has posted another batch of Q&A responses on his official website.

Here are the highlights:

Steve Austin returning to the ring: "Austin’s in ring wrestling days are history. However I do see Steve coming back onto TV from time to time for the right reasons. Guys like Austin and Rock are special talents that are not, and sometimes never, easily replaced."

How WWE managed to keep John Cena's return at the Royal Rumble a secret: "Beats me as [WWE spoilers] usually leak for various reasons. Wrestling surprises generally work well. I thought it was a nice touch."

WWE putting the Benoit tragedy behind them and his image returning to TV: "This has been talked about a great deal. I don’t know if there is a right answer on the exact date that Chris Benoit’s images will reappear on WWE products. It might never happen for all I know. The whole horrific tragedy is still an indescribable blur to me."

The chances of Sting showing up in WWE to wrestle Ric Flair one last time: "Slim and none my friend."

Count Jim Ross among those shocked and saddened by the latest Jeff Hardy suspension. Here's what the main WWE announcers had to say in his official blog:

"The 60 day suspension, without pay, for a second violation of the WWE Wellness Program of Jeff Hardy is making headlines on several fronts. This is Jeff’s second strike and with one more he is out of the WWE, which would be a terrible waste of talent and opportunity.

To say I am disappointed in these recent events would be an understatement and for those of us who have long believed in Jeff and have pulled for him throughout his career, these self inflicted wounds are especially distressing. For any one to accurately predict what the future holds for Jeff is nothing more than speculation. Only Jeff can determine those answers but the one thing a talent can ill afford to lose is the company’s trust they work for.

Obviously trust has to be an issue at this point in time between the WWE and Jeff Hardy. I can remembering sharing with Shawn Michaels many years ago during one of his darkest periods that I still believed in Shawn and, luckily for all involved, HBK made it back to the WWE a better man and is a bigger asset today for the WWE than he was in his prime. Jeff is still a young man and can still be a big time player in the WWE if Jeff so chooses.

Interesting days lie ahead for Jeff Hardy and I for one hope he is able to address his issues, take responsibility for his actions, and get back on the road to happiness and success."