J.R. almost quits last night

[KingofOldSchool]

The following is from Jim Ross' blog.

As many of you know, I was “drafted” to Smackdown Monday night in the “random lottery”. Obviously that means I will be leaving Monday Night Raw and my long time partner Jerry Lawler. I am not happy about this surprise development. I also contemplated calling it a career Monday night and not going to Houston to tape SD. After speaking with my wife and thinking on this matter until 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, I have decided to do the right thing for the fans who care and the talent who care and begin my new assignment. It has been explained to me that the WWE’s Smackdown tenure on My Network is a high priority within the corporation. Allegedly, my presence is needed in that effort. Many are speculating about when I learned of this development…the same time those of you were watching at home. I should have detected something with the demeanor of certain individuals either thru their plastic, poker faces or the perceived smirk that I thought I might have seen on some of their faces during the day. As far as going to Connecticut each week to do Smackdown post production, that’s not going to happen. Either Mick Foley can handle it or the WWE can install a DSL line in my home to facilitate the work. I will miss working with the King as the wrestling biz is one in which a guy can count his legit friends on one hand…even after a 30 plus year career. King has been like a brother to me….albeit an “older brother”. We will remain friends no matter that our team has been corporately imploded. I believe that I have been strongly loyal to the WWE no matter the hands that were dealt to me over the years. In my tenure there I have earned a good living of which I am thankful. I will fulfill my commitments that I have made because unlike many in the business, my word is still my bond. I can’t predict how long my Smackdown tenure will be, but I can promise that no matter how long or short it is that I will do my utmost best while sitting at ringside. I am not the kind of man who will “phone in” a damn thing. My sincere thanks to all of you who have supported me on RAW over the years. I hope I was able to provide you a memory or two. Hopefully, we can create new memories now on Smackdown. Based on my professional experiences, I look at each broadcast as potentially my last, which helps keep me motivated. So with that said we begin another chapter in my crazy life in the unpredictable world of ‘rasslin. I still plan on attending RAW in my home market of OKC next Monday and I hear that tickets are still available. Any one have any extras? Boomer Sooner! J.R.

[darkpower]

What is it with this guy? Did he really want to hog RAW until he dies on the show or something? Jesus. He bitches every single time he's removed from the show for whatever reason. As good as he once was, he's not the best anymore, and he REALLY needs to get the fuck over it already.

JR, THERE ARE OTHER COMMENTATORS IN THE WWE THAT CAN DO THE JOB BESIDES YOU!! SHUT THE FUCK UP AND QUIT YOUR GODDAMN BITCHIN'!!

[Xero]

A. Michael Cole is terrible.

B. JR is still the best hype machine in the business.

C. They didn't even tell him before hand. At the very least he should have been notified.

[KingofOldSchool]

J.R. sees this as a demotion which in all purposes it is. I would have preferred to see Foley move to Raw and Lawler to Smackdown. At least Lawler and Cole called Smackdown in the early years.

[darkpower]

Well, if it's a demotion, by this, I think he deserves it.

I don't think Cole is terrible. In fact I don't see why so many people still hate the guy (besides expecting another JR or something). He's probably the best active commentator that the WWE has right now, in my opinion.

Again, I wasn't expecting that, either (I was expecting a Adamle/Cole switch myself or a ring announcer switch), but Cole does deserve a chance after all the crap he got from some fans who hasn't given him a break. I think he does very well.

And not many people knew they were getting traded. I think they only told Triple H about the trades that were going to happen (and someone else, but I forget who that was already).

[Theo Dious]

Originally Posted by Xero Limit 126 A. Michael Cole is terrible.

Cole & Lawler > JR and Lawler

Not by much maybe.

Plus Lawler will probably throw a tantrum every week and totally shit on Cole for the whole broadcast the way he did with Coach.

[The CyNick]

I would normally say he should be a little more professional, but the whole not telling your emplyees before they go on live TV is pretty pathetic IMO. So JR owes them nothing.

That said, I do think he's being a little bitchy about it. He's had a great run as lead announcer, at some point they have to let someone (not named Coach) run with the ball. MC has been a good 2nd string guy now for years and years. Time to see if he can sink or swim.

[Evil Vito]

I don't mind the move at all, and I think Cole deserves a promotion. JR is just way past it, IMO. The man is a legend no doubt, but its time to move on.

I get the sense people in WWE felt the same way, and that if he wasn't going to retire...may as well draft him to another show, even though he might quit.

[Theo Dious]

Hoenstly I am quite curious to hear JR and Foley together on the sticks.
Maybe Ross can turn heel again and bring in Fake Lashley and Fake Lesnar?

[KingofOldSchool]

Originally Posted by DarthTedious Cole & Lawler > JR and Lawler Not by much maybe. Plus Lawler will probably throw a tantrum every week and totally shit on Cole for the whole broadcast the way he did with Coach.

Foley/JR > Coleslaw/Kingfish

[darkpower]

Something from PWInsider:

ONE MORE NOTE ON JIM ROSS' MOVE by Dave Scherer @ 2008-06-24 13:31:09 As Buck reported, Jim Ross has made his latest blog entry at his website JRsBarBQ.com and he addressed a story that we had earlier today on the site, his feelings about being moved to Smackdown last night during the draft. As you can tell by this post, JR is not at all happy about moving to Fridays. As I said earlier, I feel Ross deserved to be told in advance about this move. His tenure and status as the greatest announcer of all time make him like the Undertaker to me, in that he should have the right to set his own course in WWE. Of course, they feel differently. I also think it's wrong that Monday's Raw is in his home state, and presented by his BBQ restaurant no less, and he was pulled from the job that he loved just in time for that. Ross is a better man than I am. I would have called it a career.

That, to me, is just an excuse being made. We already knew that no one besides THE top stars (read: Triple H and I think Batista) knew they were getting drafted until it happened, so why it was alright for THOSE people to not be told but not be alright for JR to not be told screams of double standard. And remember, no one told Cole of any of this, either, so HE was shocked, as well. He thought he was out of a job for a moment. Imagine that...JR gets drafted to SD, but at least he (for that moment) still had a job, but you're standing there while someone else takes the seat you occupied for 10 years wondering if you'll still HAVE ANY job in the company. I think THAT was worse than anything JR went though that night.

[Theo Dious]

Originally Posted by KingofOldSchool Foley/JR > Coleslaw/Kingfish

I'll have to witness them in action before I concur, but I'm inclined to think that that will in fact be the case.

[DrA]

Originally Posted by darkpower Something from PWInsider: That, to me, is just an excuse being made. We already knew that no one besides THE top stars (read: Triple H and I think Batista) knew they were getting drafted until it happened, so why it was alright for THOSE people to not be told but not be alright for JR to not be told screams of double standard. And remember, no one told Cole of any of this, either, so HE was shocked, as well. He thought he was out of a job for a moment. Imagine that...JR gets drafted to SD, but at least he (for that moment) still had a job, but you're standing there while someone else takes the seat you occupied for 10 years wondering if you'll still HAVE ANY job in the company. I think THAT was worse than anything JR went though that night.

How do you know anyone felt as if they were out of a job? They could have been making Smackdown a three man color commentating team.

There is so much tainted logic in that paragraph that I really don't know where to begin.

[Theo Dious]

As I said earlier, I feel Ross deserved to be told in advance about this move. His tenure and status as the greatest announcer of all time

As I have said earlier, nothing will ever convince me that JR is better than Monsoon.

[Theo Dious]

Originally Posted by DrA How do you know anyone felt as if they were out of a job? They could have been making Smackdown a three man color commentating team. There is so much tainted logic in that paragraph I really don't know where to begin.

Yeah, they'd fire Jim Ross on the air without telling him first. What twat-ass wrote that article?!

[darkpower]

Originally Posted by DrA How do you know anyone felt as if they were out of a job? They could have been making Smackdown a three man color commentating team.

But did Cole KNOW that was the case? HE didn't know that, and neither of us did. He looked just as dazed and confused as any of us were. They might've been wanting that, but no one there even knew there would BE a draft of announcers, much less who it would be that got traded.

There is so much tainted logic in that paragraph that I really don't know where to begin.

So...if that was YOU in Cole's place when that happened, that would really be your first thoughts during those 30 seconds? Jesus, man, THINK about that!

[darkpower]

Originally Posted by DarthTedious Yeah, they'd fire Jim Ross on the air without telling him first. What twat-ass wrote that article?!

The same guy that wrote the news story I mentioned here: http://tpww.net/forums/showthread.php?t=80771

[Theo Dious]

Originally Posted by darkpower So...if that was YOU in Cole's place when that happened, that would really be your first thoughts during those 30 seconds? Jesus, man, THINK about that!

OMG, you mean someone might have had to spend half a minute wondering about whether or not he just lost his job? Jesus fucking Christ man, nobody ever has to put up with that anywhere! Just think, 30 whole seconds of your life, after which you are told you are being given the best promotion you can recieve in your position?! BARBARISM!!! Fuck Guantanamo man, close fucking WWE for torture tactics like that! HOW DARE THEY! THINK OF THE MOTHERFUCKING CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!111

[Heyman]

Personally, I don't think it was a good idea to have JR move from RAW (especially without him being notified beforehand). JR is one of the most senior most employees within the WWE, and he deserved far more respect (even though he is a homosexual).

Add to that - as much as JR screws his words on occassion, he is still far and away the "best in the biz." NO ONE is as passionate about the wrestling biz as JR as (atleast amongst commentators). This shines through and through whenever he commentates.

Granted - Smackdown is moving to a new network in the fall (and Smackdown could use some more 'recognizable talents' on the show), but I still don't think it was a good move to move JR. Very classless on the WWE's part (although I did find JR's reaction to be somewhat hilarious. ).

As far as JR goes, I don't think he'll quit. Too much class, and he loves the business too much.

[darkpower]

Originally Posted by DarthTedious OMG, you mean someone might have had to spend half a minute wondering about whether or not he just lost his job? Jesus fucking Christ man, nobody ever has to put up with that anywhere! Just think, 30 whole seconds of your life, after which you are told you are being given the best promotion you can recieve in your position?! BARBARISM!!! Fuck Guantanamo man, close fucking WWE for torture tactics like that! HOW DARE THEY! THINK OF THE MOTHERFUCKING CHILDREN!!!!!!!!!!!111

Yeah, really.

Seriously, though, I'm just saying this because everyone is SOO up in arms about JR not being told he was moving to SD, when they don't even consider that no one else was told much of ANYTHING about who was going where, if anywhere. I mean, assuming they DID tell him, would that have made him any less of a whiny ass cunt about it? HE's been told before about him being written off of RAW for something, and he bitched about that, too. And he still knew he would commentate somewhere, while another commentator was wondering, even for that little time, what they were going to do with him (no one gave a shit about that), before getting that HUGE sigh of relief and excitement.

Personally, I think he REALLY needs to shut up, and people need to stop making excuses for why it was so horrible that they didn't tell him when they didn't tell anyone besides HHH and Batista about their moves if any.

[Heyman]

Jim Ross used to be Vice President of the WWE if I'm not mistaken (I'm not even sure if he still is).

JR should've been treated with more respect in my opinion. JR is not simply "one of the boys." If Triple H and/or Batista were told about their moves before the show (as you suggest that they might have), then it makes this look even worse IMO.

[Theo Dious]

I mean, assuming they DID tell him, would that have made him any less of a whiny ass cunt about it? HE's been told before about him being written off of RAW for something, and he bitched about that, too.

Seriously, people seem to forget what a 3-year-old girl he turned into last time.

[Destor]

Originally Posted by darkpower Personally, I think he REALLY needs to shut up, and people need to stop making excuses for why it was so horrible that they didn't tell him when they didn't tell anyone besides HHH and Batista about their moves if any.

JR is the HHH of commentary.

[Rob]

I seriously laughed sooooo hard last night watching Raw when JR got drafted. The look on his face was PRICELESS. I thought he was gonna cry.

Bottom line, NOBODY except Triple H and Umaga knew 100% they'd be drafted. Everyone was in the same position and I didn't see anyone else nearly crying over it. It's not an ideal situation but everyone basically got the same treatment. Throwing a hissy fit and not going to Smackdown would have been a total slap in the face to the brand and even more unprofessional.

[Londoner]

I'm glad he's moved to smackdown, gives me another reason to start watching the show now. Interested to see how JR/Foley works.

[Evil Vito]

ROFL @ Raw being in Oklahoma City next week

Poor Michael Cole is gonna get booed to no end when he is introduced before the show. For his safety I'd have him enter with King or let JR bring him down to the ring or something.

[Rob]

Pretty good I'd imagine. I would have drafted Cole and Tazz back together personally or put Tazz on Raw.

Smackdown needed to be revamped and refreshed BADLY and these 5 draft moves helped it.

[Jeritron]

It's pretty bad that they did it the way they did to him. The least they can do is have a sendoff for him as the voice of Raw next monday in his hometown, since he'd like to be there.

But I think it's a blessing in disguise as well. He gets to join his friend Mick Foley, and call a brand that features HHH and Edge, instead of one that's Cena and Batista. With the addition of HHH, Jeff Hardy and others, Smackdown has literally overnight become an equal, and no longer a distant B brand. Adding JR as the voice of the show only strengthens this.
I think it will work out just fine, since they seem to be taking the show seriously now. You can bet HHH won't be on the B show, if he's going there, it's gonna be on par with Raw and get some main events.

I'm actually more excited about Smackdown than Raw. I only wish they left Matt Hardy be on Smackdown and Kane on ECW.

[The MAC]

imagine if he quit and went to tna and replaced that cunt, Don West.

[Jeritron]

JR would be more valuable at this moment to TNA than just about any wrestler conceivable

[darkpower]

I also remembered something about the match that they had TO trade the announcers.

When the three other ladies (after Melina's injury) went after each other, JR made a botch that MIKE ADAMLE schooled him on. Adamle responded to a question of what the ref's decison would be (or something like that):

ADAMLE: It's gonna be a DQ? JR: What's THAT mean? ADAMLE: DIS-QUAL-I-FCA-TION!!

That was before the decision came down OF the double DQ.

So...JR didn't know what DQ meant (or what the ref SHOULD do there in kayfabe) and it took someone who they dogged on all night about his botches to CORRECT someone who has had 25+ years in the business and should know more than that?

Showed you just WHY it was time for this move to happen.

[Jeritron]

wtf are you talking about?

Also, I think anyone with a brain would be able to figure out that he meant "whats THAT mean" as in "what's a disqualification mean to the stipulation of this match"

[Jeritron]

Adamle's a moron

[Mooияakeя™]

Originally Posted by DarthTedious As I have said earlier, nothing will ever convince me that JR is better than Monsoon.

Monsoon is the man, even then to me JR is second to Lord Alfred. Heenan / Monsoon is the shit tho.

[XL]

I think it's more likely JR meant "What's THAT mean...in regards to who gets the draft pick!"

EDIT: Jeriton beat me to it!

[darkpower]

Originally Posted by Jeritron wtf are you talking about? Also, I think anyone with a brain would be able to figure out that he meant "whats THAT mean" as in "what's a disqualification mean to the stipulation of this match"

It was pretty fucking funny, though....and like ANYONE knew what a double DQ would've done with that match's stipulation.

The worst thing about that whole thing, though, was that when we saw the announcers being traded, it was like no one gave a shit about Melina's ankle injury (it was like they only reminded them of it after they went to commercial and it became an afterthought). I know that opinion won't be too popular, but still, that's what I felt about it.

[Theo Dious]

Originally Posted by XL I think it's more likely JR meant "What's THAT mean...in regards to who gets the draft pick!" EDIT: Jeriton beat me to it!

Still, it was funny as hell what Adamle did with it, whether he did it on purpose or not.

[darkpower]

Originally Posted by DarthTedious Still, it was funny as hell what Adamle did with it, whether he did it on purpose or not.

I agree. That was SO heel of him to respond that way. In fact, I don't think anyone had ever played one of JR's comments like that before (besides when the King did his annoying heel shtick, and I'm not counting that because I HATE the King).

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Jeritron You can bet HHH won't be on the B show, if he's going there, it's gonna be on par with Raw and get some main events.

A part of me is still not convinced that Triple H will be working Friday Nights.

I still think that...

a) Triple H will once again be traded back to RAW
b) Triple H will "lead" Smackdown into invading RAW in order to get the "#1 timeslot."

I'm also a little surprised that the WWE's two most emerging talents (Kennedy and Jeff Hardy) were also sent to Smackdown. Something smells fishy....and it's not JR's vagina.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Originally Posted by Heyman A part of me is still not convinced that Triple H will be working Friday Nights.

Because it's taped on Tuesday?

HHH still gets his Friday night fuck.