Jim Ross
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Jim Ross has added a new blog entry over on his official website (jrsbarbq.com) where he answers fan questions regarding Rob Van Dam's contract status with WWE, his opinion of TNA's six-sided ring and more. Here are some highlights:

On Rob Van Dam's WWE contract status:
"I don’t know the status of the RVD/WWE contract negotiations, as that is not my area of responsibility any longer. Personally, I think Rob should stay in the WWE and continue to build his legacy and to earn a nice living. Hopefully all involved can work out something that is a win/win for everybody. I think RVD leaving the WWE would be a mistake, but that is simply one man’s opinion."

On TNA's six-sided ring:
"I agree with Steve Austin that TNA’s 6 sided ring isn’t my personal cup of tea, either. I actually find this unique looking structure distracting at times."

Jim Ross has a new blog entry up on his official website (jrsbarbq.com) where he talks about WWE sending Randy Orton home from the company's European tour and Orton's status for Backlash this Sunday:

"Back to the good stuff which this week is Backlash. I fully expect the entire Fatal 4 Way to be intact, including Randy Orton and Edge to go along with HBK and John Cena. Orton, as reported by WWE.com,was sent home from the tour for unprofessional conduct, which I am sure will most likely cost the thirrd generation star some hard-earned cash. Nonetheless, Orton will most likely be in Atlanta Sunday, and if he is not I will be surprised."

Jim Ross has added a new blog on his site while he's in Europe for WWE's tour. Below are a few highlights from his entry, which you can read in full at jrsarbq.com:

Shawn Michaels Using His Old Music:
"I assume HBK came out to his old music because he is working solo at this time. I also assume that Shawn will don the DX colors when HHH gets healthy. Then again, perhaps both HBK and Triple H will do their own individual thing. Personally, I like DX and the duo of Michaels and The Game."

Will Jeff Hardy Be A Main-Eventer?
"I would suggest he is a main eventer now, in my mind’s eye. Jeff is one of the most popular performers in the entire WWE. If Jeff continues to steer the course, I am sure more success will come his way. “Rainbow Hair” is hugely talented.

ON ECW Breakout Star C.M. Punk:
"C.M. Punk is another young man I enjoy watch wrestle. I wish he were on Raw every Monday. Nonetheless, Punk has started a new phase of his young career and we will see sooner than later how well he fits into his new role in ECW. I think he will do great and there is no doubt that Punk’s best days are still to come. The WWE has several outstanding young talents starting to come into their own, and Punk is one of them."

Jim Ross has posted a new blog on his official website.

In regards to a WWE-TNA rivalry, Ross said: "In all due respect to all involved, the good folks at TNA have a few miles to travel before they arrive on the same level as the WWE. The huge misconception here is this: the decision makers at TNA simply need to focus on improving their product and not worry about an imagined war with the WWE.

That is largely what the WWE did during the Monday night wars, which cannot be compared to an updated Monday night war with TNA, in my opinion. This is not a personal attack on TNA or anyone else but the simple fact is most businesses get better when they focus on what they are doing and not what the alleged competitors are up to."

We agree. TNA also has to avoid overpaying for old stars, such as Bill Goldberg. Develop your own talents instead and let word get out about them.

On his official blog, Jim Ross commented on two past WWE superstars:

The Rock has no contract with the WWE as far as I know. I would expect to see “The Great One” again make an appearance on RAW in the future but that is only my opinion. I don’t hold out the same hope for Rock to wrestle again but I wouldn’t either if I were him. Making movies pays well and the chance of serious injuries is significantly lessened.

Will Christian ever return to the WWE? Most likely as he did not burn any bridges when he left and he is a talented performer. I recruited Christian and have a great deal of respect for his passion and love of the business. Plus, he is a great guy. Never say never and I hope to call more of his WWE matches.

Regarding the debate of whether Steve Austin or Hulk Hogan was a bigger draw for WWE, Jim Ross, who is very familiar with WWE’s payroll over the years, wrote in his blog:

"Who out drew who? Who had the biggest year ever for a wrestler in the WWE? We get this question a great deal. Steve Austin had by far the biggest single year ever and had several huge money making years to go along with that one. Hogan may have had more years on top as he was in a main event position longer than Austin, but no one in WWE history ever surpassed Steve's single season earnings record. For the good of the business, I hope someone does some day."

We bet Hogan isn't too pleased to read that. But who do you guys prefer?

Jim Ross had the following to say on his official website:

• The star-studded opening segment [of WWE RAW], with a wide array of stars not normally seen on RAW, really made the beginning of the show feel big time. I hope between now and Wrestlemania we continue to see Smackdown and ECW Superstars on Monday night as we seriously begin to count the days until ‘Mania 23.

• The Ric Flair promo was one of the brighter spots on RAW from my perspective. “Naitch” still has an unbridled passion for the business and even though he will soon be celebrating birthday #58 (I think) Ric can still deliver better than most men half his age.

• Some have asked if Mick Foley would be at Wrestlemania 23 and I can’t confirm such, but it certainly would not surprise me. It might be more likely that Foley will be at ‘Mania more than Hulk will, but who knows?? Perhaps they will both be there and wrestle each other.

I would say that would be an entertaining piece of business if they did. Mick’s new book, “The Hardcore Diaries” will be out next month, as I hear it, and I am really looking forward to reading it.

Over on his official website, Jim Ross has posted his latest blog. Here are two highlights from it:

Triple H's injury: "The only consolation is that this quadraceps injury isn’t quite as serious as the last quad injury Triple H suffered. Don’t get me wrong, this is a serious injury but not a career threatening one as I understand it, especially knowing HHH’s work ethic and how hard he will rehab to get back to ring worthy condition.

Nonetheless, when quality depth is in such short supply, losing an athlete like HHH is a challenging blow to the flagship show of the WWE. It will be interesting to see who steps up and makes this horrible situation into an opportunity to run with the ball, so to speak."

Brock Lesnar: "....it takes TWO to tango. I don’t know if [Brock Lesnar] would even entertain coming back to the WWE as I thought the two parties were close at one time but the deal fell through for reasons I am unaware. Again, if the field was totally level and everyone was on the same page, Lesnar could help the WWE as he is a gifted and talented wrestler.

However, if Brock’s heart wasn’t into the commitment and he was only wrestling for the cash, this would be a partnership doomed from the beginning."

Jim Ross keeps an official website on which he doesn't just sell barbecue sauce - he responses to reader email.

You can read the entire blog here, but we've taken out a few interesting tidbits from it:

• I can’t predict a winner of the Royal Rumble but I do know the event in San Antonio is sold out which is always nice. I don’t even know who is going to be in the Rumble and how the entrants will be divided between Raw, Smackdown, and ECW.

• Rey Mysterio in the ring is a marvel. Simply amazing no matter his size. I disagree with some who felt that Rey is too small to be World’s Heavyweight Champion.

• Who would be a great opponent for the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 23? There are many viable ideas, but what about Hulk Hogan? Taker has never lost at ‘Mania and is Hulk the legend to pull it off? Remember, this is fantasy booking.

On his official website, you can read the following and more from Jim Ross:

• I receive lots of emails regarding a potential Batista vs. Undertaker match at Wrestlemania 23 which, to the best of my knowledge, has NOT been scheduled. Yes, it COULD happen but there is absolutely no guarantee that it will.

• I heard from The Rock a couple of times over the Christmas Holiday and he was his usual upbeat and positive self. He is excited about the new football coach at Miami ... and is staying really busy. The Rock still catches WWE RAW when he can and still has the wrestling business in his blood. We don’t talk about “what if” or “will you come back and wrestle” type stuff because I already know Rock would love to perform in front of a live audience if his unreal schedule would allow for it.

• What is it about the VKM/TNA publicity stunt that I can’t seem to communicate to everyone? This is a publicity stunt and creative material for a TV show. I strongly feel the WWE will NEVER respond to this PR ploy. Again, why should they? There will never be a payoff to the fans.