The following are highlights from the latest Jim Ross blog:

On WWE Night Of Champions: “WWE’s Night of Champions PPV in a few weeks headlined by Lesnar vs Cena in the rubber match for the WWE title is by far the strongest match on the card which provides Sheamus vs. Cesaro US Title bout and/or Ziggler vs. Miz IC Title bout a dark horse chance to over achieve what is expected of them and turn heads. Their only enemy is to be saddled with not enough time to tell a viable story.”

On Jerry Springer and Michael Sam: “So, Michael Sam is out and Jerry Springer is in next week on RAW. Nice payday and exposure for the 70 year old talk show host who actually tapes his TV show in Stamford, Ct. Unfortunately some fans will ‘damn’ this segment before it even airs which isn’t fair but it’s reality.”

On pro wrestling announcing: “As I said on a recent Ross Report Podcast, I’m of the mindset that WWE would serve its self well if they had separate announce teams for RAW and Smackdown. I’ve expressed this sentiment for months. I’m reluctant to talk announcing because it’s often times thought that I’m angling for work which is laughably ridiculous. It’s just my opinion that WWE shows need different sound tracks to give each program some exclusive identity. I’d have @MichaelCole anchor the flagship RAW broadcast with @JCLayfield and @JerryLawler and utilize @WWETomPhillips to anchor Smackdown perhaps with @ReneeYoungWWE before another network nabs her. Adding a third member of the Smackdown crew would be fine too as it’s good to experiment to see where the chemistry exists.”

“Again, I honestly say that @MichaelCole is much better suited to navigate today’s sports entertainment presentation than I ever was. I was a wrestling play by play guy of which there’s little demand for these days on the biggest stages. Times change and it’s challenging for some WWE broadcasts to sound more like an infomercial than an entertaining, ‘sporting’ event with so many agendas and masters to serve.”

“I sincerely wish all the talents broadcasting wrestling in today’s world the best because those days were the best of my life within the wrestling biz but, again, I will reiterate that I have no desire to re-engage. Just too many new, irons in the fire. Nonetheless, someone will turn what I’ve said here into some sort of covert message or accuse me of not being truthful but don’t waste too much of your time on that concept and finish your homework or jump back on the internet.”

Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.

The deal for Jerry Springer to appear on next Monday’s edition of WWE RAW reportedly came at the last minute. The fact that it wasn’t mentioned during the WWE Main Event broadcast on Tuesday night, even though WWE had announced it on their website before the show aired, points to the fact that the Springer deal was likely done at some point in the past day or so.

Additionally, WWE decided to push next week’s RAW as the “season premiere” episode, so for the rest of the week leading up to Monday, expect that angle to be promoted by WWE as well.

As noted, with the NFL’s Monday Night Football returning against RAW next Monday night, WWE has tried everything from inviting Michael Sam to the show, to booking Jerry Springer, to announcing two SummerSlam rematches, one of which is in a steel cage, all to try and combat the expected drop in ratings.

Michael Sam, who was invited by WWE to appear on next week’s RAW as part of a publicity stunt, has signed with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

WWE.com posted the following, extending their offer to Sam and congratulating him on his new gig.

“Congratulations to Michael Sam on signing with the Dallas Cowboys! WWE will extend its invitation for Michael Sam to appear on any future Monday Night Raw he wishes. We offer our support for Michael as he continues his journey.”

ESPN reporter Adam Schefter noted on Twitter today that Michael Sam will take a physical for the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday. As a result, it’s pretty unlikely that Sam will be appearing on Monday’s RAW.

Schefter tweeted the following:

Cowboys plan to bring Michael Sam to Dallas for a physical Wednesday, per team source. If all goes well, Sam will be a Cowboy.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2014

To be clear, Dallas would like to sign Michael Sam to practice squad, not active roster. First things first. Physical Wednesday.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2014

Dallas D needs all the help it can get. Also, if Jerry Jones can't sell Johnny Football jerseys, might as well sell Michael Sam jerseys.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2014

– The ESPN 2 talk show “SportsNation” covered WWE’s publicity stunt involving gay NFL player Michael Sam. Host Max Kellerman spoke about the topic, stating that if Sam still has NFL aspirations, he should not appear on the show next Monday night in Baltimore, Maryland. The show conducted a poll as well, with 72 percent of the votes saying Sam should not appear on the WWE program.

– Brie Bella posted the following tweet on Twitter today, apologizing for hitting her sister on Monday night’s edition of WWE RAW:

After breakfast I realized no matter how mad I get, I shouldn't have hit my Sister on #Raw. Sorry to my fam and to #WWE for my actions. – B

— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) September 2, 2014

The following are highlights from the latest Jim Ross blog:

On WWE’s publicity stunt with Michael Sam: “The publicity motivated move by WWE to invite Michael Sam to next week’s RAW is intriguing as far as media exposure is concerned. The former SEC conference defensive player of the year was recently cut by the St. Louis Rams but is likely to be picked up on another NFL team. Sam is the first, openly gay NFL player to come out prior to the annual NFL Draft. It will be interesting to see how Sam’s creatively utilized IF he accepts WWE’s invite. Perhaps WWE is Michael Sam’s plan B. Who knows?”

“This matter will get WWE more national publicity than any thing else advertised on the first RAW of 2014 versus the NFL’s Monday Night Football. Again, will Michael Sam agree to appear? Stay tuned.”

On Stephanie McMahon and AJ Lee: “The tension between Stephanie McMahon and AJ Lee was interesting. Could be an compelling scenario going forward especially the promos.”

On NXT: “Been enjoying the NXT broadcasts on the WWE Network. Generally an excellently paced, one hour show which makes NXT an easy show to watch. Impressed with Charlotte, Ric Flair’s daughter, who has legit athletic skills and a marketable look. I’d merely suggest that she refrain from getting any more tattoos which officially reconfirms that I’m an old school guy. Seriously, Charlotte has a good shot to have a nice WWE career and I speculate that she will be called up to the main roster sometime this year.”

Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.

The official FOX Sports and CBS Sports websites have picked up the story of WWE inviting Michael Sam to next week’s RAW.

As noted on Monday night, WWE invited Sam, the first openly gay player in NFL history, to attend next week’s RAW in Baltimore, Maryland, where they promise to give him an open microphone and tell his side of the story.

You can check out the FOX and CBS articles at FOXSports.com and CBSSports.com, respectively.

As seen on last night’s RAW, WWE has invited the first openly gay NFL draftee Michael Sam to next week’s show from Baltimore, where he’d be given an open mic to speak about whatever he wants.

Stephanie McMahon released the following letter to WWE.com, personally extending the invitation to Sam:

Exhibiting class and dignity rarely shown in professional sports, Michael Sam, WWE invites you to next Monday’s Raw to speak of your struggles to succeed, lessons you have learned along the way, the courage it takes to be yourself and the prospects of your continued journey.

You are a role model, who, by example, can encourage everyone to stand up and openly be themselves.

Signed,
Stephanie McMahon
CBO, WWE

It was announced on this week’s edition of WWE RAW, which took place in Des Moines, Iowa, that on next week’s show an invitation has been extended to Michael Sam to appear.

Michael Sam is the first openly gay player in NFL history, a player that was cut recently from the league. The announce team of Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and JBL noted during Monday’s RAW that if Michael Sam accepts WWE’s invitation to appear on RAW, they will give him an “open mic” and allow him to tell his side of the story.

Next week’s edition of WWE RAW emanates from Baltimore, Maryland.