Q&A w/ JR, Part II
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
With our wrestling discussion in the books, here’s what else is going on with our favorite wrestling announcer, Jim Ross.
BP: You’ve been saying your second JR’s Family Bar-B-Q restaurant is going to open sometime soon, what’s the latest?
JR: Our second restaurant is going to open July 14 (Monday). It’s going to be right off the 19th street exit in Moore near the Wal-Mart and Lowe’s.
BP: What can we expect from this second one?
JR: It’s going to be a lot bigger, almost twice the size of our first one. We’re going to have 14 TVs, and those are going to be bigger than the ones we have now.
The first restaurant had a real homely-like atmosphere. We don’t want to get away from that, but this is going to be a chance to bring in more people.
BP: One of the many appeals of JR’s is the sports memorabilia. Without giving away too much, what are some of the items for display?
JR: My goal, which we’re well on our way to attaining, is to have a signed OU football game jersey from every OU NFL alum. It’s a pretty big task, but it’s going well.
I became friends with Brett Favre during his rookie season. He was with the Atlanta Falcons while I was still with the team. At WrestleMania XIV, I received a package, and it turned out to be a signed Favre jersey. That’s something really special.
BP: Last July, the restaurant biz was just a dream. Now you’re onto restaurant No. 2, did you ever think it would take off like this?
JR: No, I had no idea (laughs). I wish I could say I had this vision, but I have to give a lot of credit to my partner, Hal Smith.
Hal is a restaurateur. He owns Charleston’s and Louie’s. He knows what he’s doing. I just had a dream, and Hal has made that dream a reality.
BP: Alright, you’re in Norman, going to Moore. What’s next for JR’s?
JR: We’re definitely exploring our options. We’d like to put a couple in the Oklahoma City area and a couple in Tulsa. From there, we’re really looking at Lawton. Lawton has some really big schools and a military base, it’s a perfect environment.
I always say I don’t think Colonel Sanders knew that he would become the face of chicken. I’d love to be the Colonel Sanders of Bar-B-Q.
BP: How successful is the line of JR’s merchandise doing?
JR: That’s doing great. We have a lot of new and creative ideas we’re looking to try to implement. There are a lot of T-shirt designs we’re mulling over.
BP: UFC President Dana White has said he would like to come to Oklahoma City in the next six to 12 months. Your impressions of MMA?
JR: I love MMA, it’s an exploding sport. There’s a lot more structure than what there used to be. I am a major college wrestling fan. And what MMA does is give those kids a chance to still use their skills after college. Not every wrestler wants to go to the Olympics, and of course, not every wrestler can.
But with MMA, at least some of their skills can carry over. They have to learn some new skills, but they can still use their grappling abilities.
BP: What’s one of the big reasons why you feel the sport is doing gangbusters?
JR: I think a big part that not too many people are talking about is the addition of Marc Ratner to the scene. Ratner is big in Nevada, and he was the big boxing guy for so long with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. But when he made the jump to MMA, he gave it a lot of credibility with state commissions. He’s one of the most respected guys I know, and I think it’s only a matter of time before New York starts to sanction events.
As a huge boxing and MMA fan, leave it to a “wrestling” guy to make the Boneman realize just how big Marc Ratner is. That’s an excellent and valid point if I’ve ever heard one.
Again, just want to thank JR for his time. I’m sure he could have had better things to do on a Thursday afternoon.
He’s still courteous to everyone who wants a photo or autograph. He’s just as comfortable talking wrestling with me as he is talking OU athletics with Joe Castiglione (who happened to enter JR’s about 10 minutes after yours truly).
Stay tuned Tuesday as the Boneman will be back with a full recap of Raw. For the first time ever, I don’t plan on making any signs for the event. I just want to enjoy it 
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Enlightening read. It’s nice to know people can come here for unique information and opinions about boxing, wrestling, and MMA. It’s a nice blend that would not hurt to be promoted more (lots of crossover fans of the sports). Keep up the good work, Boneman.
Just one question: Pac-Man seems to be cleaning up on the lighter divisions. What does the fight doctor prescribe to be next for him?