The HOSS~! Report is up.

[Guest KingOfOldSchool]

Greetings from under the black 200X Resistol hat from a very happy Oklahoma Sooners fan who is looking forward to heading back to my old stomping grounds in Little Rock, Ark., this Sunday night for No Mercy on pay-per-view.

 

As you could probably guess, I really enjoyed my trip to the Cotton Bowl last Saturday to see the Sooners take on the Texas Longhorns. The OU victory against our rivals to the south was as sweet as BBQ sauce. I attended the game with Bradshaw and his buddy, Coach Craig Simmons, along with Mark Henry, and for two of us it was a helluva great day. Craig played for Oklahoma State in the mid 1970s and coached at an Enid, Okla., high school for many years, and he and I were the ones smiling at day's end. That makes it three years in a row for the Sooners over Texas, and I had the privilege of watching the game from the Oklahoma sideline inside the team bench area. The four of us enjoyed a great conversation with Oklahoma assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops Friday night at the Sooners team hotel, where I stayed. My boys have one helluva tough game this Saturday against a very, very good Iowa State team that is nationally ranked and has perhaps the best offensive player in the nation in quarterback Seneca Wallace. This will be like a bowl game for the Cyclones and thank goodness we play them in Norman. I will be happy to settle for a one-point victory in this Big 12 contest. This could be some folks' upset of the week because of last week's very emotional victory and the fact that ISU is playing great football. Another nail biter for yours truly.

 

Traveling to Little Rock brings back many fond memories for me, as this was our regular Tuesday night stop in the old territory days when I first got my start in the business, working for the late Leroy McGuirk and Cowboy Bill Watts. We had several memorable nights in the old Barton Coliseum on the Arkansas State Fairgrounds, where many a Razorback would down ample quantities of cold beer and raise hell at the wrestling matches. For a young referee like me, this was a great learning experience in the mid 70s, when folks seemed to take things a little more seriously when their favorite star did not fare as well as expected.

 

Sunday's event will have seven or eight matches, and I expect to see a heavy in-ring presentation. Several of the contests have an excellent chance of being solid wrestling matches and there is no doubt that some will probably be outstanding.

 

The Hell in a Cell for the WWE Title between the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar is a tough one to predict because the cage adds a unique element to the presentation, and Lesnar has never been in one of these matches. Taker has been in many cages and has had some memorable moments in the Hell in a Cell over the years. As a matter of fact, Taker has been in more Cell matches than anyone in WWE. No doubt it will be physical, and it will be a miracle if both men are as healthy when the match is over as when it starts. Referee Tim White was injured seriously in the last Hell in a Cell, back in May, so no one involved in this process is safe. This one could very easily be a bloodbath, considering the structure surrounding the ring is rather unforgiving. It's pretty much a gimme that this match will close the show. Realistically, what else could follow it?

 

I expect the Triple H-Kane World Heavyweight Title Match to be an old-school contest, or at least that's what I personally hope it will be. I am sure these two will have a compelling match that conveys a clearly defined story.

 

Both tag matches on the pay-per-view have the chance to be very good, especially the SmackDown! contest featuring Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio, which has had the most time to develop its story over the last several weeks. Although Chris Jericho and Christian have been champions for less than a week, their match with Booker T and Goldust might surprise some, as Jericho and Booker have had some physical interaction in recent weeks, which should add some additional interest to this one.

 

There are two ladies matches on this pay-per-view, which is a first for WWE to the best of my knowledge. Trish Stratus and Victoria have been developing a well-defined rivalry over the past few weeks, and this match should be solid. These two ladies have certainly been physical over the past few RAWs, and I expect more of the same Sunday. Torrie Wilson vs. Dawn Marie will provide its share of sizzle as this issue is still developing after Torrie caught Dawn in the shower with good ol' Al Wilson, Torrie's dad, this week on SmackDown! Yes indeed, that Mr. Wilson is a "randy rascal," isn't he?

 

Rob Van Dam vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair is a real contrast in styles but both men, especially Flair over the many years, seem to always turn it up on PPV, and I am sure that will be the case at No Mercy.

 

Ticket sales in Little Rock have been challenging, and great seats are still available for the live event in the beautiful ALLTEL Arena. This is WWE's first-ever PPV from Little Rock, and I hope it will be a memorable one for all involved. As always, you can count on this talent roster giving 100 percent effort for our fans, and I know that is what you will receive at No Mercy.

 

It's hard for me to believe that the first Hell in a Cell Match was five years ago this month, October 1997, when a bloody Shawn Michaels, with a giant assist from the debuting Kane, defeated the Undertaker. Michaels needed 18 stitches after that war.

 

Of course, the most famous Hell in a Cell was in June 1998, when Mick "Mankind" Foley was thrown off the top of the Cell by the Undertaker and lived to tell about it ... barely. Mick lost two teeth and sustained internal injuries and a concussion in this tape collectors' treasure.

 

The WWE Title has yet to change hands in a Hell in a Cell, for the record. However, the WWE Title did change hands at a No Mercy when, in 2000, Kurt Angle defeated The Rock. Who knows what this Sunday will bring?

 

Many fans are sad to see the Intercontinental Title go away at No Mercy after so many years, as it is a part of the Winner Take All stipulation in the Triple H-Kane matchup. Pat Patterson, who suffered a dislocated shoulder at the hands of Rosey and Jamal on Monday's RAW, was the first IC Champion, claiming the title in 1979.

 

Patterson was examined by Dr. Jim Andrews Thursday in Birmingham, Ala., and will not have to undergo surgery at this time, but will instead begin four to six weeks of rehab. The sad irony of this incident is that Patterson probably took his last tumble in a ring in his hometown of Montreal, where his career got started over 40 years ago.

 

Billy Gunn dislocated his shoulder last Monday night in London, Ontario, and was also examined by Dr. Andrews this week. No surgery is scheduled at this time as doctors want to wait a few weeks to see if a nerve problem in his shoulder clears up. They'll reexamine Billy in early November. This is the same shoulder that the veteran had surgically repaired a few years ago. This was one of the most disturbing dislocations veteran observers could remember ever seeing.

 

Bob "Hardcore" Holly is at home beginning the long road to recovery after his neck surgery last week. Bob was up at 5 a.m. after his surgery ready to begin his physical therapy.

 

He also has refused pain medication, which either speaks to the toughness or the stubbornness of this athlete. Bob will be out of action for about one year. I have read some observations on the Internet about this situation with some amazing conspiracy theories and alleged locker-room talk that I find to be irresponsible and ridiculous by those reporting theory as fact.

 

Bubba Ray Dudley has been cleared to return to work from the concussion he suffered in the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match from Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago. Bubba has seen a neurologist, and his CAT scan and X-rays were normal.

 

Goldust had a trapezoid muscle strain and was held out of action Monday on RAW but has seen a doctor and is good to go this weekend.

 

It is expected that Kanyon and Maven will both be released from doctor's care near the end of the month and will then report to Ohio Valley Wrestling for an extended stay to get back in ring shape so they will both be 100 percent when they return to WWE television. Both will see their physicians on Oct. 22 and could be released at that time.

 

Sean O'Haire is about two weeks away from being back in the ring from his abdominal tear.

 

Rhyno will be going down to Louisville, Ky., to work out in OVW but is not ready for matches yet. He is still expected to be at 100 percent sometime in December.

 

Randy Orton has begun his physical therapy for his shoulder, and it is progressing well. Randy should be back in the ring by mid-February if all goes well, even though we will probably see him on RAW frequently between now and then.

 

According to our medical staff, all other injured talents are progressing as planned and on target to return as previously reported here over the past several weeks.

 

I must say that our trainers, Chris Brannan and Larry Heck, do one helluva great job working with our athletes every night on the road. We could not do without them, and they are a tremendous asset to WWE.

 

In another of my many senior moments, I meant to use bowler Pete Weber as a reference in a recent Al Snow-Test match where a bowling ball came into play but instead used the outdated reference of Dick Weber, who is Pete's dad. Shame on me.

 

I read recently where Mike Awesome returned to WWE three months early from knee surgery and against doctors' orders, which is totally inaccurate.

 

No one who has been inactive due to an injury is allowed to return to work without clearance from the attending physician and no doctor short of a veterinarian would release an athlete 90 days early from ACL surgery. Mike is a fine talent and looks to be headed for All Japan.

 

SmackDown! Superstars and staff will be leaving immediately after the Memphis taping Tuesday night to head for Helsinki, Finland, for Thursday night's event. Helsinki is the only event not sold out for this upcoming tour, but is very close, with only a handful of tickets remaining. I am anxious to see the reception agent Dave "Fit" Finlay receives when he is introduced to the hometown faithful in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Friday night. Fit grew up about ten miles from Belfast. By the way, the plane will stop for fuel in Gander, Newfoundland, if any of you are in the area in the middle of the night Tuesday.

 

Kevin Nash will be signing autographs in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 16 to kick off ticket sales for an upcoming RAW there. Nash played basketball for the Volunteers a few years ago. By the way, I hope Kevin does return from his quadriceps injury by the Royal Rumble in January, as he has targeted, but I still think it will be a photo finish as his surgery was on July 9 and this is an eight-month rehab. You do the math.

 

Mark Henry will be at a WWE press conference in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct. 29 and in Tokyo on Oct. 30-31 to promote upcoming live WWE events. Mark should be able to get back in the ring with in a week or two from his ankle injury. He should be over the Longhorns' loss to Oklahoma by then.

 

Sources say, or talk in the locker room has it, or wrestlers are saying -- whatever works best for the occasion -- that the Big Show and Coach both did very well at the tables recently in Las Vegas. Speaking of the Big Show, next week he will be taping an appearance on the UPN show "One on One," which airs Monday nights at 8:30.

 

Good talking to New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens and his boys at the Cotton Bowl Saturday. The Rocket is a big Longhorns fan and told me he couldn't believe the Yankees were not still playing baseball in October. Hopefully, the Clemens family will join us for RAW again when we return to Austin in early December.

 

Lots of media appearances scheduled for Hollywood Hulk Hogan as he prepares to start promoting his upcoming book.

 

Eric Bischoff will be doing a ticket on-sale appearance at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday, Oct. 26.

 

Terry Taylor will be joining WWE as a road agent beginning this Sunday at No Mercy.

 

We had a great meeting on Tuesday in Toronto with the wonderful folks who are manufacturing and distributing our BBQ sauce. I came away from the meeting feeling great about the project, and I know my late mama had to be smiling down on us. The sauce will be available in May or June, about the same time the new cookbook comes out. These cooking geniuses have captured the taste amazingly, using my wife's awesome recipe.

 

Triple H is hosting the Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas on Saturday night and then will be flying to Little Rock, arriving late Saturday night. Busy weekend for the Game.

 

Shawn Michaels will host RAW at The World in New York City on Monday night.

 

Thanks for spending some time here with us this week, and keep your fingers crossed Saturday for my Sooners. I hope you enjoy No Mercy Sunday on pay-per-view and that you will check out RAW on Monday night from Nashville. In the meantime, don't forget to count your blessings.

 

J.R.

 

Really nothing of note, except him addressing the Brock/Bob Holly thing. I was expecting him to address Raw at least. A majority of it was football, No Mercy hype and HIAC history.

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

"I expect the Triple H-Kane World Heavyweight Title Match to be an old-school contest, or at least that's what I personally hope it will be. I am sure these two will have a compelling match that conveys a clearly defined story."

 

I have now drawn one simple conclusion: JR has ZERO idea what the term "old school" means. He uses the word so much it has lost all it's meaning, whatever it meant in the first place is up to you. What the fuck kind of story can they tell in that ring? How will Kane be able to use his in-ring skills (or lack thereof) to protest his innocence?

 

I mean, good lord, JR uses the term "old school" in just about every Ross Report.

 

" I thought that the angle involving The Undertaker beating up all of our officials had a very old-school feel to it. No doubt the Deadman will continue to utilize his in-ring psychology and tell a compelling story."

 

Goddamn I really hate Jim Ross at times.....

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

Several of the contests have an excellent chance of being solid wrestling matches and there is no doubt that some will probably be outstanding.

He's totally talking about the Dawn-Torrie match right here.

 

Ticket sales have been challenging

 

 

From what I can tell, JR's use of old school means "slow and boring". Next week he'll say "Kane and HHH had a real old school type match for the Raw title. Lots of brute physicality in this one."

 

Roughly translated, that means "Since these guys are slow, this match was boring. HHH tried to cover it up by working the leg, but that made it even worse. And what was with all the lame punching?"

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

Ticket sales in Little Rock have been challenging, and great seats are still available for the live event in the beautiful ALLTEL Arena.

Understatement of the year.

 

This is WWE's first-ever PPV from Little Rock, and I hope it will be a memorable one for all involved

I'm sure it will be memorable, probably for all the wrong reasons, though.

[Guest razazteca]

Mark Henry should tour Japan as he could easily be confused for their Hoss flavor of the month Bob Sapp.

 

what if WWE had brawl for all and Mark Henry won?

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

I expect the Triple H-Kane World Heavyweight Title Match to be an old-school contest, or at least that's what I personally hope it will be.

 

He used the same words to describe Taker/HHH at King of the Ring, and we all know how well THAT one turned out to be.

 

Both tag matches on the pay-per-view have the chance to be very good, especially the SmackDown! contest featuring Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio, which has had the most time to develop its story over the last several weeks.

 

How come no mouthfucking for the competitors in THIS match? Oh yes, that's right, because they don't need it!

 

Yes indeed, that Mr. Wilson is a "randy rascal," isn't he?

 

Randy rascal? Quoi?

 

Bob will be out of action for about one year. I have read some observations on the Internet about this situation with some amazing conspiracy theories and alleged locker-room talk that I find to be irresponsible and ridiculous by those reporting theory as fact.

 

I didn't hear about that - I heard about Lesnar possibly shooting on Austin, not Holly.

 

Randy should be back in the ring by mid-February if all goes well, even though we will probably see him on RAW frequently between now and then.

 

Yay. It's a shame I don't watch RAW.

 

I read recently where Mike Awesome returned to WWE three months early from knee surgery and against doctors' orders, which is totally inaccurate.

 

This is news. Really JR, you should stay away from the bullshit news sites. You'll sleep better.

 

By the way, I hope Kevin does return from his quadriceps injury by the Royal Rumble in January

 

Because you NEED Nash in main events right away, right Ross?? Just like back in July when you said so and he went and tore his quad 3 days later! You sure can pick them, JR!

 

No "BOOMER SOONER" closing??

[Guest Ravenbomb]

what if WWE had brawl for all and Mark Henry won?

 

 

then I'd throw shaven cats at him

[Guest MD2020]

I expect the Triple H-Kane World Heavyweight Title Match to be an old-school contest, or at least that's what I personally hope it will be. I am sure these two will have a compelling match that conveys a clearly defined story.

 

 

Well, if the match conveys a clearly defined story, then it'll be 1-up on the angle between these two.

[Guest art_vandelay]

Many fans are sad to see the Intercontinental Title go away at No Mercy after so many years, as it is a part of the Winner Take All stipulation in the Triple H-Kane matchup. Pat Patterson, who suffered a dislocated shoulder at the hands of Rosey and Jamal on Monday's RAW, was the first IC Champion, claiming the title in 1979.

 

Patterson was examined by Dr. Jim Andrews Thursday in Birmingham, Ala., and will not have to undergo surgery at this time, but will instead begin four to six weeks of rehab. The sad irony of this incident is that Patterson probably took his last tumble in a ring in his hometown of Montreal, where his career got started over 40 years ago.

 

Fuck, so many useless bumps, so many injuries at the hands of two obese Samoans who couldn't work safely if their lives depended on it.

[Guest MixxMaster]

I attended the game with Bradshaw and his buddy, Coach Craig Simmons, along with Mark Henry, and for two of us it was a helluva great day.

Hidden meaning: Even if your a HOSS, if ya don't brown-nose Good ol' JR, then forget about your future here...

 

For a young referee like me, this was a great learning experience in the mid 70s, when folks seemed to take things a little more seriously when their favorite star did not fare as well as expected.

Hidden Meaning: WHY bah Gawd, don't people care about our weak product?

 

Sunday's event will have seven or eight matches, and I expect to see a heavy in-ring presentation. Several of the contests have an excellent chance of being solid wrestling matches and there is no doubt that some will probably be outstanding.

Hidden Meaning: These storylines suck so much that we won't mention them, and we can only hope that Benoit, RVD, Booker, and Jericho can save this ass-fest.

IF not, then THEY will take the blame, regardless....

 

As a matter of fact, Taker has been in more Cell matches than anyone in WWE. No doubt it will be physical, and it will be a miracle if both men are as healthy when the match is over as when it starts.

Hidden Meaning: This will be a slow, plodding match, with little actual wrestling, thanks to Mark, lots of stupid punching and kicking, and some blading...

 

 

Referee Tim White was injured seriously in the last Hell in a Cell, back in May, so no one involved in this process is safe.

Especially the viewers attention

 

It's pretty much a gimme that this match will close the show. Realistically, what else could follow it?

Hidden Meaning: Triple H is pissed that he's not headlining, so expect some more people being put down on RAW...

 

I expect the Triple H-Kane World Heavyweight Title Match to be an old-school contest, or at least that's what I personally hope it will be.

Hidden Meaning: This match will suck more than the Kennel in a Cell match, bah Gawd...

 

I am sure these two will have a compelling match that conveys a clearly defined story.

Hidden Meaning: as clearly defined as ignoring Kanes' history, that is...

 

Both tag matches on the pay-per-view have the chance to be very good, especially the SmackDown! contest featuring Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit vs. Edge and Rey Mysterio, which has had the most time to develop its story over the last several weeks. Although Chris Jericho and Christian have been champions for less than a week, their match with Booker T and Goldust might surprise some, as Jericho and Booker have had some physical interaction in recent weeks, which should add some additional interest to this one.

Hidden Meaning: And like I said, if they don't save this show, then they will be jobbing to the Brooklyn Brawler/Steven Richards on air, and Pat Patterson backstage...

 

Rob Van Dam vs. "Nature Boy" Ric Flair is a real contrast in styles but both men, especially Flair over the many years, seem to always turn it up on PPV, and I am sure that will be the case at No Mercy.

Hidden Meaning: Triple H said at the last produciton meeting that RVD just isn't ready yet, so the Dirtiest Player in the GAME, is going to take him to school...

 

As always, you can count on this talent roster giving 100 percent effort for our fans, and I know that is what you will receive at No Mercy.

NOTE: EXCEPT for HHH and UnderTaker, they're the leaders, dammit, they don't HAVE to EVER lose(that's what Steph told me)...

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Ok....I think it's funny that when he hears a net rumor that is probably true(hence rumor we all know it's a rumor JR) he jumps all over it and makes himself look like an ass in the process of discrediting it.

[Guest Kotzenjunge]

I think I may have to like Nash now that I know he played basketball for Tennessee.

 

Fo sheez,

Kotzenjunge

[Guest BillyTheStud]

Quit bad-mouthing JR, he has to talk like that to keep his job.

[Guest KingOfOldSchool]

Is that you, Jim?

[Guest Leena]

I think I may have to like Nash now that I know he played basketball for Tennessee.

 

Fo sheez,

Kotzenjunge

I wouldn't say he played... more like lumbered and sat on the bench. I have some rare footage of him from the '80 season. He sucked, bad... he literally couldn't even jump.