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MCNEILL'S TAKE
MCNEILL: Back to the Barbecue Blog - Stop asking me about bad booking, Christian in ECW, Randy Savage, and Sting!
Feb 13, 2009 - 2:29:55 PM


By Pat McNeill, Torch Columnist

From the Barbeque Blog: Hi, everybody! The Dan Hodge book signing Saturday afternoon at our BBQ joint in Moore, Oklahoma was a huge success. Dan and author Mike Chapman sold many copies of "Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story" which I recommend that you check out. It's a fascinating read of another era of the business and of sports in general. Lou Thesz once said that the two toughest men he ever faced were Dick Hutton and Dan Hodge, both former NCAA Champions. Thesz lost to Hodge in a notable match in 1968 in Japan that, in the big picture, ranks as one of the more significant bouts in pro wrestling history that many folks never saw or heard of.

And now it's time for more of your questions. As I have mentioned on this site many, many, many times, I cannot answer your questions about why Vince McMahon had heat with Randy Savage, when Sting is coming to WWE, or how to get hired by WWE. Also, since I don't have anything to do with the WWE creative process, complaining about Smackdown to me won't do you any good. (On a personal note, complaining about the product has never helped me, either.) On with the questions!

Adam Ant Says:
2/8/09. 5:26 PM.


Seriously, can you stop with Vince McMahon and his wretched family stinking up the show. I groaned last week as Shane strutted down to the ring because I know perfectly well once again WWE is going back to the same tired inane booking they've using for years. We gotta hype WrestleMania so naturally it's time to insert Vince McMahon and his crotchfruit Shane and Stephanie into storylines. What are you going to do about this?.

Do you people not read my opening paragraphs?

Manny From Montreal Says:
2/8/09, 5:43 PM.


Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I plan on ordering some of the BBQ sauce. Do you have any recommendations as to what will work in smoke meat? I am from Montreal so, smoke meat it is. Our fellow Canadian Chris Jericho appears to have had a rough weekend. I hope for all involved that the viral video of Chris Jericho punching a 20 year old woman in the face is a staged event. I don't believe it is. However, I am hoping that Chris Jericho wouldn't punch a woman in the face for any reason. Have a great day and I look forward to your reply.

Um... Our BBQ Sauces and the Chipotle Ketchup both work great on smoked meat. You can brush on the BBQ Sauce during the final stage of smoking the meat while using the ketchup ala a steak sauce. I think you'll enjoy it.

Brighton Says:
2/8/09, 5:52 PM.


Hello, J.R. I. just read about the Chris Jericho incident in Canada and watched the video. I think it's crazy that some fans still don't seem to understand that heel superstars are just acting. I saw he was attacked by five or so fans including one woman who spit in his face and pushed him more than a few times. I think the stupid woman got what was coming to her. Do you see the WWE taking any actions against Chris for this?

Do we have any other topics? The Danny Hodge book? Old stories about "Cowboy" Bill Watts? Some MMA questions? (I'm really starting to enjoy that UFC stuff.)

I Love Lamp Says:
2/8/09, 5:58 PM.


I just read and watched the video about Chris Jericho's problem with fans while he was trying to leave a arena I don't blame Chris a bit for what he did. The women assaulted him first, from what I saw, and the men she was with got physical with Chris. He was only trying to leave. Shouldn't there be more security for wrestlers when they are leaving?

I don't know all the details, as I wasn't there. I haven't, er, closely watched the cell phone footage, but it seemed that some fans acted out in an embarrassing fashion. As for security, I asked Mr. McMahon your question on Tuesday, and he said "They can hire their own damn security. We're paying them enough. And they're not employees, they're independent contractors!" Or something like that. Thanks for a question that allowed me to change the subject.

Mikey P. Says:
2/10/09, 10:02 PM.


Putting Christian on ECW is by far one of the biggest bonehead moves I've ever witnessed. It's gotta be right up there with the Gobbly Gooker and Bastion Booger, and that's not on Christian. He's one of the top talents in wrestling, and because he made a name for himself in TNA, you guys are going to bury him on ECW. You guys need to get over yourselves and open your eyes (pun intended) to the talent you have in Christian.

I still don't have anything to do with the creative process. And I'll have you know that I wanted Christian to be on our show, Smackdown. I'm not the only one. Triple H had been walking around for weeks saying he had "big plans" for the guy. Fortunately, Stephanie was able to calm him down.

Trey Z. Says:
2/10/09, 11:26 PM.


Hey, J.R.. My question is concerning the "PG" turn that WWE is taking. I'd like to say I have no problem with this at all. But with the WWE dropping phrases like "F-U," and "One Night Stand," and with the recent conduct of fans in British Columbia, do you see the WWE stopping the sale of alcohol at live events?

That's the day I quit.

Hal Spears Says:
2/11/09, 3:46 AM.


The WWE Draft is coming up on April 13th. After what happened last year, are you concerned that the McMahons will use the gimmick to screw around with you some more?

Why? What have you heard? I mean, of course not. I love announcing professional wrestling and I don't care who my partner is, as all three WWE color guys are very good. I don't have a preference, as far as you know.

J.C. From Houston Says:
2/11/09, 7:30 AM.


It's NOT the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania. WrestleMania 25 is the 24th Anniversary of the first WrestleMania. Everyone knows that. Get it right.

Lighten up, Francis.

Snake Says:
2/11/09, 10:30 AM.


Shane McMahon? Beating up Randy Orton twice in three weeks? Really?

Snake, I love Shane McMahon's passion and intestinal fortitude, as we have all seen Shane O'Mac risk life and limb in the ring on many occasions. Besides, I can honestly say that Monday Night Raw is the perfect place for Shane McMahon's unique brand of excitement.

That's it for me this week. See you in Seattle for No Way Out. Boomer Sooner!

-J.R.

Pat McNeill of Fairfax, Va. has been a PWTorch Columnist since 2001. Listen to his weekly Torch VIP Audio Show, "The Real Deal with Pat McNeill," every week at PWTorch.com/members where he analyzes the Hot Five Stories of the week, answers reader questions, covers news stories that would otherwise slip through the cracks, and occasionally sings the hits. He also joins Wade Keller and Bruce Mitchell after PPV events for the post-show VIP Audio Roundtables.


Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.

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