Greetings from under the 200X, black Resistol hat from WWE's resident Oklahoman, who is counting down the days until Royal Rumble while looking forward to returning south of the Mason-Dixon line this Monday in Mobile, Ala., for Monday Night Raw.

This week's Superstar of the Week is another no-brainer, just as it was last week when Ric Flair got the nod. This week's Raw Superstar of the Week Award goes to another North Carolinian, Jeff Hardy. Not only is the younger Hardy the Intercontinental Champion, but he is also the No. 1 contender for Randy Orton's WWE Title. These two will meet at Royal Rumble from the sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York City. No Superstar in the entire WWE is hotter or on more of a roll than Jeff Hardy these days, and for his efforts the high-flying, risk-taker will receive delicious gifts from www.jrsbarbq.com, including our mouthwatering BBQ sauces, Chipotle Ketchup, Jalapeño Honey Mustard, Beef Jerky and our new "J.R.'s Nuts," which are Oklahoma-grown peanuts that come in a variety of flavors.

Jeff takes an awful lot of chances seemingly in every bout he competes in, and eventually that may be his downfall. But until then, watching this young man go for the richest title in WWE is as exciting as anything we have experienced on Raw in quite some time. 

The folks at the Mohegan Sun Arena were wonderful hosts, and the fans in attendance, who sold out the place, really enhanced the show. I met fans, took photos and signed some autographs at 4 a.m. the next morning as I was leaving the hotel to go catch my plane back to Oklahoma. Those are some dedicated Raw fans, let me tell you!

The Strange Bedfellows Match established a handful of things: The HBK-Mr. Kennedy issue is still evolving, Trevor Murdoch misses his tag team partner, the talented Lance Cade (who has a separated shoulder), and Charlie Haas apparently feels like a different man when he puts on a wrestling mask. Another thing that we established was the name of Kennedy's finishing maneuver, which is called the Mic Check.

The Trading Places Match did not feature Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, and there was no cameo from Jamie Lee Curtis, whom the original film featured. But we perhaps saw a preview of things to come in the tag team scene between World Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes & a grumpy Hardcore Holly and Carlito & his partner, Santino Marella. Santino and Carlito are both rumored to be renown ladies' men, which doesn't make them bad guys, but one has to wonder if "distractions" such as this could prevent this talented duo from attaining the World Tag Team Titles.

The Lingerie Pillow Fight might not have been the most athletic contest on Monday Night Raw, but it was arguably the most unique. My Hall of Fame partner, Jerry "The King" Lawler, might describe what we saw Monday night differently, but I have one question: Would any of the ladies have fared as well, including the returning Ashley, if the Glamazon Beth Phoenix had been in the contest? The Women's Champion reminds me of a young, female Hulk Hogan from way back in the day. Is that so wrong?!

I think a coast-to-coast car trip with "Uncle Jerry" Lawler and a select group of WWE Divas in a vehicle, such as a motor home manned with "lipstick cameras" would be hysterical, great TV, especially for WWE.com. It might even rival some of the exploits of Big Dick Johnson. Throw Britney Spears in for good measure, and WWE would have a hit on their hands. 

Triple H was at his badass best on Raw as he beat William Regal like a government mule in the First Blood Match. But at the end of the day, The Game is still not going to be in the Royal Rumble Match, even though Mick Foley and Hornswoggle will be. Go figure. Another point that I would like to make is that Regal is tougher than a $2 steak because he was able, to the best of my knowledge, to avoid being hospitalized after taking a helluva beating.

JBL's actions against Chris Jericho Monday night were irresponsible and dangerous. But I will bet you a slab of ribs from J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q Restaurant that JBL won't even get a slap on the wrist from the head honchos at Raw for attempting to maim Y2J.  This could wind up a really nasty one-on-one match at the Rumble event.

On the live broadcast I mentioned that JBL treated Jericho like a farm animal, but I did not mean to infer that I endorsed animal abuse … DUH! Unfortunately, some farmers and ranchers have abused farm animals over the years, and that sickens me, for the record. Some of the most physical trips to the woodshed when I was a young lad were a result of not properly caring for our animals -- as in forgetting to water them, etc. Plus, the damn show is live and sometimes announcers who broadcast live TV wish they could recapture things they have said, but that isn't the way it works. In today's higher tech and more demanding way of producing sports-entertainment, the role of the announcer is much more challenging, and it is easy to say things one wishes he could take back. But all any of us can do is our best.

How good was the Jeff Hardy - Umaga Steel Cage Match that closed the show Monday Night? That was big-time stuff my friends, and it will be a hard act to follow next Monday night in Mobile, Ala., where I hope to say hello to our old friend, Paul Bearer, who lives in that neck of the woods. It's also not too far from Foley, Ala., where the No. 1 high school football player in America, Julio Jones -- who I would personally love to see in Norman one day (but I digress) -- resides.

With WWE going HD in less than two weeks and Royal Rumble looking us in the face, interesting days lie ahead for WWE Superstars, and I am especially interested in seeing which 30 individuals make it into the Rumble match. Could some surprises lie ahead? Stay tuned.

Thanks for stopping by and for visiting our "Q" site at www.jrsbarbq.com.
 
BOOMER SOONER!
J.R. 

Be sure to check out J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q Restaurant at www.jrsbarbq.com. 

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