The Ross Report

[Guest bravesfan]

Ross Report -- Dec. 20, 2002

 

Greetings from under the black Resistol hat while taking a break between media appearances in Tulsa (from 6 to 10 a.m. this morning) and in Oklahoma City (from 4 to 7 p.m. tonight), before Saturday's RAW taping at the new Ford Center in Oklahoma City.

 

Armageddon was a very solid show. I'm big on effort; I have a keen eye on the effort that the talent puts forth. I firmly believe that anybody who's successful is successful because they put out more effort than their competition and peers. Even though some matches had more developed stories -- and others had less TV time to build -- the one thing that everyone would probably agree with is that WWE Superstars put out effort from top to bottom Sunday at Armageddon. As a result, I felt like the show was very solid, and I believe that most people who watched it would have no problem saying they got their money's worth. That's extremely important to us -- that our fans get their investment back and, hopefully, much more.

 

Jerry "The King" Lawler's book came out this week, and I wholeheartedly encourage anyone who hasn't checked out to do so. It's one of the most entertaining books I've read from the wrestlers. For me personally, it's reminiscent of Mick Foley's first book, which I consider to be the benchmark. Our goal should be for all of our books to approach the entertaining nature of "Have a Nice Day!" I think the King's book is certainly a must-read for any wrestling fan, especially the hardcore fans and the fans who have been around a while. Fans who started watching wrestling in the 1970s and early 80s will really enjoy it. And for younger fans, it's as good of an opportunity to learn how the territories operated and why they were successful or not as anything that has ever been written.

 

I'm doing an appearance on a sports talk radio station in Oklahoma City today from 4 to 7 p.m., and I'm sure we're going to be talking about WWE and OU football. Then, of course, our show tomorrow night is at the new Ford Center. It's our first event at the facility, which just opened this past summer and is a beautiful building. Knowing the Oklahoma fans, they're looking forward to the show and will be really enthusiastic, which we certainly appreciate. It's absolutely inevitable that the hotter the crowd is, the better the show is. It just motivates the Superstars when there's a fair number of folks there who are making noise and having fun.

 

The atmosphere in Oklahoma City on Saturday night for RAW, as well as in Tulsa on Sunday night for the SmackDown! taping, will be good. I've had some unique personal experiences in Oklahoma City. That was were I ran afoul of Stone Cold Steve Austin almost two years ago, the day after WrestleMania X-Seven; and that's where I puckered up and kissed Mr. McMahon's behind. I have some memories of UWF, but I think they've been overshadowed by me getting beaten down by Stone Cold, and me joining the "Kiss My Ass Club." Based on past experiences, I always hold my breath about what kind of night I'm going to have when we broadcast from Oklahoma City. I'm anxious to go on the air tomorrow. I think our television shows are really going to end the year on a positive note.And I'm really looking forward to the New Year. As Vince McMahon has said publicly, we expect to see the return of The Rock, and we certainly also hope to see the return of Stone Cold, in the early part of 2003. There certainly are no firm dates etched in stone. But it's our hope and belief that we'll have those two back with us at some point in the early part of next year. One would assume that if that were to occur, they'd be involved in the march to what we hope to be a hugely successful WrestleMania.

 

WrestleMania XIX is set for Sunday, March 30 at SAFECO Field, home of the Seattle Mariners. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, Jan. 11, and will be available at the SAFECO Field Box Office and via Ticketmaster.

 

Also in the New Year, we're looking forward to our international tours, which start with South Korea and Japan in January, and South Africa in February.

 

In addition to all my other responsibilities this weekend, I'm also trying to squeeze in some time with my daughters for a little bit of an early Christmas, before heading back home to celebrate the holidays, watch a little college football and recharge my batteries.

 

Aside from that, I'm making plans for my wife and I go to go the Rose Bowl and spend a few days in Southern California that week, beginning Dec. 30. Hopefully my Sooners will come out victorious in the "Granddaddy of 'Em All" against a very, very good Washington State team, which comes into the game in a very unusual emotional state, as their coach, Mike Price, has accepted a job at Alabama. They're either going to be sky-high or not. My sense is they'll play very well. Bob Stoops' Sooners will be healthy, hopefully, on Jan.1, and they have a great staff. When this staff has this much time to prepare for an opponent, they're pretty awesome.

 

I may have another abbreviated report next week, due to the fact that it's the holiday season and people are spending time with their families. I hope everyone has a good weekend and great Christmas.

 

J.R. (Boomer Sooner!)

[Guest CanadianChick]

Nothing to really note this week. That's understandable with the holidays and all though.

[Guest CanadianChris]

I firmly believe that anybody who's successful is successful because they put out more effort than their competition and peers.

 

BULLSHIT. Unless you define "effort" as "slipping the meat missile to the boss's daughter" or "being a huge, untalented lunkhead."

[Guest HartFan86]

Well, at least they are selling tickets for Mania 2 months ahead of the show instead of one. I still don't get why they dont put tickets for sale months before instead of just 1.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

"Oklahoma fans, they're looking forward to the show and will be really enthusiastic, which we certainly appreciate. It's absolutely inevitable that the hotter the crowd is, the better the show is"

 

I'd rather be going to SMACKDOWN! Jim. But you put it in Tulsa, which is 4 f'n hours away. When OKC is only 20 minutes. Believe me I'd be going to SD! if I could!

But the crowds in OKC are always hot for some reason. Must be something in the water.

[Guest candie45]

Well, at least they are selling tickets for Mania 2 months ahead of the show instead of one. I still don't get why they dont put tickets for sale months before instead of just 1.

Didn't tickets go on sale for Mania in like November last year? I bought my tickets in Jan or Feb I believe, but I thought the initial sale was in late 2001?

[Guest AndrewTS]

Armageddon was a "solid show." Blah blah blah. The Ring's book, please buy it. Blah blah blah.

 

..Boomer Sooner!

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

RVD mentions = zero.

 

No direction...check

[Guest ShooterJay]

With every Ross Report, I hate JR more and more.

 

Compare this drivel to Jeremy Borash's "From the Inside," and you'll see why.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Does Jim Ross even write the Ross Report. It's the same thing everyweek. Kiss up to the hosses, take shots at the smarks, and talk about Oklahoma football.

He might just tell the ghost writer that he's spending Christmas with his daughters, and going to the Rose Bowl with his wife. The rest of the report is up to your discreation.