January 31, 2008

Exclusive with Jim Ross

Leading up to WrestleMania 24 in Orlando on March 30, JAWBreaker will have some exclusive questions and answers with WWE announcer Jim Ross. Thanks to WWE's Bob Collins for setting this up. Enjoy!

Question: Thoughts about having WM 24 in Orlando and outside.

Answer: "With Florida's tradition and heritage in pro wrestling thanks to men like Eddie Graham and Gordon Solie, it seems to me that the 'Sunshine State' is past due for sports-entertainment's biggest event. Let's hope that 'Sunshine State' thing holds true the evening of March 30. But the event will proceed rain or shine. Outdoors makes this a most interesting WrestleMania as it relates to the ambiance considering that there is no roof to keep the noise contained. I am really excited nonetheless about broadcasting an event from the Citrus Bowl."

Question: Do you think there will be a ladder match at WM 24, and, if so, how exactly will that work with the event being outside?

Answer: "I am clueless as to what matches are being considered for WM 24 but one would assume that the Money in the Bank Ladder match will be included again this year as we have seen the past couple of WrestleManias. No one has confirmed that with me, but I would be surprised if the Money in the Bank Ladder match did not happen."

Question: With WM 24 being outside, do you anticipate extra security issues/plans? And/or what are the extra concerns?

Answer: "Security issues are always closely addressed, but we have had to secure more people in the past at WrestleManias than the Citrus Bowl will hold. After 9/11, security for all major events has become a bigger priority. This should be a great family show unless the Citrus Bowl tries to set an all-time record with beer sales if indeed beer is sold at the venue. That was a joke."

Question: How will WWE replicate wrestler entrances?

Answer: "One would think that the utilization of giant video screens will be efficiently utilized so everyone attending will have a true WrestleMania experience. No costs will be spared on making WrestleMania 24 fan-friendly and to create memories that will last a lifetime."

NEXT FEW MONTHS

JAWBreaker will have some exclusive items the next few months as it relates to WrestleMania 24 and to one of the biggest names in the last 20 years. Stay tuned.

WWE ROYAL RUMBLE REACTION

How did I fare on predictions?

The Royal Rumble match:

In the Jan. 17 JAWBreaker, I had this (check the archives):

"Finally, as one big-name wrestler currently in the business told me last week, John Cena could become healthy and throw a curveball into the Raw world-title picture. That comment surprised me, but let's not forget about the possibility of Cena actually wrestling at WM 24."

Guess that big-name wrestler was right, huh? Besides, who would believe a report in the Sun about Cena being a no-go for WM 24, right?

In what is the biggest surprise in Royal Rumble history, Cena returned from injury months early and won the event. This gives Cena a world-title-of-his-choice shot at WM 24, although he's taking his shot at Orton at No Way Out.

Rumble reaction: The Great Khali seemed to be eliminated too quickly, even though it was by the Undertaker. Is Undertaker really in a feud now with Snitsky? So much for my prediction of Finlay being No. 30, although he might have been if he hadn't come out to save Hornswoggle. Jimmy Snuka-Roddy Piper was a mark-out moment. So much for a Shelton Benjamin push, huh?

Breaking it down: As for my most likely to win predictions, I had two of the final three in HHH and Batista. Kane, who was No. 4 in the final four, was my No. 10 most likely to win prediction. Umaga, who was No. 5 Umaga in the final five, was my No. 7 most likely to win prediction. The rest: Undertaker, my No. 2 to win, was No. 20 in the final 20. Mr. Kennedy, my No. 4, was No. 6 in the final six. HBK, my No. 5, was No. 19 in the final 19. Finlay, my No. 6, was No. 16 in the final 16. The Great Khali, my No. 8, was No. 29 in the final 29. And Big Daddy V, my No. 9, was No. 12 in the final 12.

Since I didn't predict Cena, I'm 0-1.

Ric Flair vs. MVP: I'm 1-1, as the legend of The Nature Boy Express continues its roll into Orlando for WM 24. Mild controversy with the referee giving MVP an excuse for losing.

Chris Jericho vs. JBL: I got the DQ part right, but it was Jericho who was DQ'd. That makes me 1-2.

Rey Mysterio vs. Edge: Easy one here, as Edge won. Even though Edge needed Vickie Guerrero's help, it makes me 2-2. I'm concerned Edge got the fans behind him. But, it's the "opposite" New York crowd.

Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy: Another easy one, although Hardy will most likely get a world-title run later this year. I finish 3-2.

PPV reaction: WWE is pushing Ric Flair-Ken Kennedy. WWE is also having fun with Santino Marella-Maria, which is fine by me.

WRESTLEMANIA 24 REMINDERS

Each week, leading up to WM 24 in 2008 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, I'll post any new information here. You can count on this being your only weekly source for WM 24/Orlando news.

When: March 30, 2008.

What: Five-day celebration of the biggest annual event in sports entertainment.

Where: Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Outside?: Yes. WWE has had only one other completely outdoor WM (WM 9 in 1993 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas).

Vince McMahon, commenting to me March 21 about the weather factor: "We have little concern about the weather. It's worth the risk. WrestleMania will go on, regardless of the weather."

March 30 weather: From my research, from 1997 to present, the average daily precipitation is 0.04 with a historical range of 0.00 to 0.21. Average temperatures from 60 degrees to 81 degrees. Rain in 1997 and 2001, but not after 7 p.m. That means WM 24 is safe, right?

March 28-April 1 weather: From my research, from 1997 to present, the average daily precipitation is 0.13 with a historical range of 0.00 to 2.25. There is an 18 percent chance of a precipitation day -- which is nine days out of 50 in historical record. Rain in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2007 (all odd years). And next year is 2008, so that's good pattern-wise.

Expected crowd: 65,000, with an outside shot at 70,000.

Number of tickets sold: As of Jan. 28, we're at 56,721, according to WWE officials.

Tickets: Still available. Go to the Amway Arena box office in Orlando, Florida Ticketmaster ticket centers and FYE stores, charge by phone at 407-839-3900 and online at ticketmaster.com. For groups of 20 or more, order at 407-849-2014. Tickets are not on sale at the site, the Florida Citrus Bowl. Tickets are $250, $150, $95, $55 and $40. Prices include $5 per ticket facility fee.

WWE ticket deal: Orlando vacation package is available at wwe.com

Ticket offers: A JAWBreaker reader has seats in Section 118, Row R, Seats 21 and 22. He wants $300. Another JAWBreaker reader has three tickets in F39, Row K, Seats 13/14/15. She wants $799.50. If interested, kindly e-mail me, and I'll let them know.

Seating chart: ticketmaster.com/seatingchart/278605/20876

Parking: More information will be available at a later date.

Expected profit: $25 million in new direct spending for Central Florida. WWE sources say Detroit made $30 million in revenue on this year's event.

Hall of Fame: The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be March 29, 2008. The location is the Amway Arena in Orlando. Possible entrants could be Ric Flair, Randy "Macho Man" Savage and Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. Other rumored names are the Von Erichs, Ted DiBiase, Mae Young, Gordon Solie, Brisco Brothers, Rick Rude, Bob Uecker and Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia (with a likely induction from The Rock).

"Bacon, Bagels & Biceps Brunch:" 10 a.m. on March 30 at Rosen Centre Hotel (9840 International Drive in Orlando). Expected to accommodate 1,500-2,000 WWE fans and about 12 WWE superstars. Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster. All seats are $125. Not an autograph session, but superstars will answer questions from fans and interact with one another.

Pre-WM 24 fan cruise: Ted DiBiase is the main attraction for the cruise "Wrestlevessel" from March 27-March 31 to the Bahamas, followed by a WM 24 ticket. This is not a WWE event. For more information, call Northeastern indy manager Bobby Riedel at 1-888-813-SHIP or visit wrestlingfancruise.com

(To save space, I will now only list the most recent WM 24 JAWBreaker match predictions):

January 31, 2008 JAWBreaker match predictions: Lots of changes here (it's very realistic WWE could go with eight of these 10 matches): John Cena vs. HHH vs. Randy Orton vs. Jeff Hardy (I don't think WWE should miss the boat with Hardy, whose fans need a boost); The Undertaker vs. Edge; HBK vs. JBL; Batista vs. MVP; Chris Jericho vs. Mr. Kennedy; Ric Flair vs. Mr. McMahon; Umaga vs. Finlay; Hulk Hogan vs. The Great Khali; Beth Phoenix vs. Maria (Candice Michelle's injury is holding her back; as bad as the women's division is right now, a match may not even make the card); Four on four: (Matt Hardy, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Kane vs. Carlito, Shelton Benjamin, Chavo Guerrero, Big Daddy V). Dark match: Tag-team battle with Lance Cade/Trevor Murdoch, Brian London/Paul Kendrick, The Miz/John Morrison and Cody Rhodes/Hardcore Holly.

Most likely promo: Ric Flair will cut a promo about having ridden Space Mountain (at Disney World) all night long.

GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA 24?

If you are from Volusia or Flagler County and successfully get tickets for WM 24 in Orlando, please let me know at [email protected]

I might need to talk to you for future stories.

WWE'S NO WAY OUT PPV -- FEBRUARY 17

John Cena vs. Randy Orton: The seeds are planted for Cena to defend his title against HHH at WrestleMania. That's assuming Cena wins here. I don't think WWE had Cena win the Royal Rumble for nothing. Pick: Cena.

Elimination chamber (Umaga, HBK, Y2J, JBL, Jeff Hardy, HHH): In order of most likely to win, I'd go HHH, Jeff Hardy, HBK, Y2J, Umaga and JBL. HHH won't miss out on main-eventing WM 24. Go with the bosses' son-in-law.

Mr. Kennedy vs. Ric Flair: Flair will make it to WM 24. Thus, Kennedy is a good opponent, but he won't end Flair's career.

Undertaker vs. Batista vs. MVP vs. Finlay vs. Great Khali vs. Big Daddy V: In order of most likely to win, I'd go Undertaker, Batista, Finlay, Great Khali, MVP and Big Daddy V. I think it's safe to say Undertaker or Batista will face Edge at WM 24, assuming Edge wins.

Edge vs. Rey Mysterio: Again? Filler match. Edge will defend his title at WM 24.

WEEKLY HEADLINES AND MY REACTS

Kurt Angle calls Brock Lesnar a "mental midget." REACT: Will these two ever settle their differences?

Vince McMahon reportedly approves incest story line between Katie Lea and Paul Burchill. REACT: I remember the Ken Shamrock-Ryan Shamrock and the Headbanger Mosh-Marianna Komlos segments from the last 10 years. At the time, they weren't appropriate television. I fear for this story line as well.

Ultimate Warrior requests police protection for his controversial blog about Heath Ledger. REACT: Warrior needs to get back in the ring and let his actions do the talking. And this is coming from a somewhat-Warrior fan.

WWE releases writer Dave Lagana. REACT: There aren't too many writer names people have heard of. ECW's ratings, no doubt, is the culprit. Dusty Rhodes would be a good replacement.

Bussey Bunch reality series: I watched the first few episodes. It takes a little warming up too. It's not horrible television.

"Game Plan" with The Rock. REACT: I rented this movie the other day. After now having seen several of The Rock's movies, this is the first one I can truly say makes me think he has a strong career in movies. I enjoyed the film immensely.

Jeff Hardy really banged up. REACT: Explains why he didn't beat Orton, but don't count him out of the WM 24 main event just yet.

Christy Hemme. REACT: If you have a concussion, speak up immediately!

Report of new WWE policy not allowing fans to use cell phones to take photos or videos. REACT: Even if true, there's no way WWE or stadium officials could enforce this 100 percent. What if I had my cell phone out making a phone call or sending a text message and the stadium official thought I was taking a picture, and then confiscated my phone or ejected me from the building?

Brock Lesnar's UFC fight Saturday. REACT: I think Lesnar will lose late in the first round.

Early in the Undertaker's career, he could have "resurrected" Jerry Lawler's career. REACT: That would have been an interesting early days feud.

JBL's Mamajuana Energy drink. REACT: Don't expect JAWBreaker to do a review on that one. I don't need it.

WWE PPVs in movie theaters here in the U.S., like in Canada. According to WWE, PPV is different with monthly fees on box rentals. It can be expensive. Then, there is the cost of a PPV. REACT: As long as box rental monthly fees don't come here, don't expect WWE PPVs in movie theaters in the U.S.

Raw on NBC. REACT: Might happen. I'd give it a 25 percent chance, which grows daily with the writer's strike.

HULK HOGAN UPDATE

1. Linda Bollea (Hogan) to the Tampa Tribune: She accused Terry (Hulk) of "legal shenanigans" and hiding $10 million from her. She wants those assets frozen. REACT: Discussion to a newspaper makes this divorce "rumor" seem legit. It looks like it's sadly, and not surprisingly, over money.

2. Considering I started out 0-6, I finished a respectable 4-9 on Monday's pre-match predictions. The cheerleader, Kim, was downright brutal not being able to make it up the wall. She said she "slipped on the wall." Yeah, slipped about 50 times. I am now 46-46 for the year. Wow, .500!

3. Orlando is one of the cities that will hold tryouts Feb. 2 for season two of "American Gladiators." Visit nbc.com for further details!

4. Hulk Hogan said Monday that Brooke Hogan would take over "Hogan Knows Best." REACT: Sounds to me like this will become a 100 percent vehicle for Brooke's music career, leaving Nick (car incident) and Hulk (divorce) to handle their problems.

5. Hulk Hogan said he would endorse Obama.

SHOW REVIEWS

WWE Smackdown: The Rey Mysterio beatdown and DQ handicap match win was a smart move heading into his match with Edge. Is the Festus gimmick dead? Please say it ain't so. Jimmy Wang Yang's push continues. The Chuck Palumbo-Jamie Noble feud remains a very strong low- to mid-card story line, and the crowd enjoys it. It's too bad it has to use Michelle McCool negatively, who was developing nicely as an in-ring competitor. What was with MVP using "305" in his speech vs. Ric Flair? OK, Miami I get it. But don't rip off Rey Mysterio. You did, however, have to love the MVP-Flair dialogue. Great illustrations using golf, shuffleboard and retirement homes. Finlay's massive beatdown on The Great Khali in Belfast Brawl No. 2 was impressive. Hornswoggle being warned by Mr. McMahon about Finlay makes me think Finlay will turn on Hornswoggle. Batista served notice to the other 29 wrestlers. Undertaker-Big Daddy V was surprisingly very solid, with Big Daddy V kicking out of a chokeslam, old school and one triangle choke (before getting bloody in a second triangle choke). CM Punk-Edge had little promotion. It was slow, picked up some, but ended with Punk slipping off the rope.

WWE Raw: The sound kept cutting out early in the show, but it got better. I liked how WWE cameras showed John Cena's scar. However, Cena called Orlando's big attraction, Disneyland, while Chris Jericho later called it correct in Disney World. I liked how Randy Orton said he won't wrestle on free TV anymore. I was surprised Cena went "over" on Orton at the end of the show. A good point was made that with Beth Phoenix dominating the women's division that it's more dangerous than fun. Ashley didn't wrestle in the tag-team match. That was strange. Mike Adamle annoyed me. While he had a strong voice, he didn't add anything to the announcing. Carlito beating Cody Rhodes was smart, as Carlito is the stronger of the Carlito-Santino Marella pairing. DX's Michael Buffer bashing was funny, as was HHH's comment about Snitsky's teeth. Umaga and Snitsky vs. HHH/HBK was hard-fought. Umaga's kick to HBK was sick-looking. Umaga seemed to get the best buildup here. I didn't know HBK broke his nose at the Rumble. WWE teasing JBL-Orton is silly. Who would want that match? However, Orton saving JBL in the main event was repayment from a few months ago. JBL is at least one step slower in the ring, but he's credible. Don't forget, Jeff Hardy is still the Intercontinental champion. I'm concerned where the Vince McMahon-Hornswoggle story line is going. It's not like Hornswoggle had a chance to win the Rumble. Mr. Kennedy-Brian Kendrick was decent, while Ric Flair-Mr. Kennedy will be respectable. Maria's match was a waste of time and a cheap Playboy plug.

WWE ECW: Just when you think Shelton Benjamin might get a push, he loses to Kane. At least it was a countout. Victoria beating Kelly Kelly makes sense. Tommy Dreamer is not the answer to the Colin Delaney angle, and The Miz and John Morrison deserve better. At least CM Punk beat Elijah Burke. But it's almost like it's forgotten he was ECW champion. Hopefully, WWE will wise up and put the ECW world title back around Punk's waist, since an angle with Edge seems unlikely. Maybe Kofi Kingston will deliver a good angle.

REMINDERS

Memorial funds:

The Nancy and Daniel Benoit Foundation for Battered Women and Abused Children; c/o Decker, Hallman, Barber and Briggs; 260 Peachtree St. Suite 1700; Atlanta, Ga., 30303.

Sports Legacy Institute. Attn: Benoit Family Fund for Brain Injury Research; 230 Third Avenue; Waltham, MA. 02451-7528.

Brian Adams Memorial and Family Fund; Bank of America; 4918 Anniston Circle; Tampa, Fl., 33647.

Lex Luger fundraiser; GT Agency, 1901-B E. Atlantic Bl., Pompano Beach, Fl., 33060 or 954-675-0552.