WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety (and find some great BBQ products) at JRsBarBQ.com. In this update, Ross shared his thoughts on the unfortunate passing of Chris Kanyon as well as Jack Swagger’s World Heavyweight title win on Friday’s SmackDown. Some highlights:

Kanyon’s Death: Ross wrote, “The death is being investigated as a suicide as those close to Chris say that he has been battling depression for quite some time. … Chris was an innovative wrestler who always sought new maneuvers and holds to utilize in his matches and was a really good teacher and helped many of today’s stars with a variety of in ring techniques. Chris was a guy who seemingly wanted to be a pro wrestler most of his life and embraced the fact that he made it but obviously had issues after leaving the ring. Chris Kanyon will always be considered an underrated star in my eyes and I sincerely wish his many friends and his family our heartfelt condolences during these challenging and heartbreaking times.”

Jack Swagger’s World Heavyweight Title Win: Ross congratulated the fellow Oklahoma native for his big win and noted that Swagger was his final recruit as the head of WWE’s talent relations several years back. Ross wrote, “I’d love to see Swagger be able to establish his Championship reign over an extended period of time but wish him the best nonetheless. We had a great, private conversation after Wrestlemania at the hotel and he knows what I personally expect of him and what he potentially can do in WWE if he catches a break, conducts himself as a professional, and works harder than any one on the roster night in and night out.”

Ross also put over Swagger’s amateur wrestling credentials as a key factor in his potential in WWE.  “Amateur wrestlers more often than not [possess] an uncanny work ethic that is generally beyond reproach and any one who thinks that world class athletes who survive successfully in the world of amateur wrestling and who possess charisma can’t be successful pro wrestlers are kidding themselves. Granted many of these amateurs need coaching and time to reach the level one would ideally like but that’s the function and responsibility of those who are training these men. ”

– HonkyTonkMan.net, which initially broke the news of The Nasty Boys’ departure from TNA Wrestling, notes that Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags weren’t initially informed they had been let go. An upset Sags reportedly found out he had been let go via news reports online. One company source confirms that Eric Bischoff was instrumental in their release from the company and that neither him nor management contacted the duo to inform them they had been let go.

-Jimmy Hart, who was brought in to manage Knobs and Sags, is still with the company.

— Orlando Jordan’s on-screen female companion is an independent women’s wrestler by the name of Santana G. currently training with the Orlando-based “I Believe in Wrestling” promotion. She is the daughter of St. Louis-based High Voltage Wrestling promoter TNT Kenny G. Santana was trained by former IWA-MS Heavyweight Champion Dingo.

WWE NXT rookie Daniel Bryan has updated his WWE Universe blog with his thoughts on Shawn Michaels’ retirement, as well as people backstage in WWE who do not think he’s got what it takes to be a star.

Bryan, who was trained by Shawn Michaels’ Texas Wrestling Academy school a decade ago, says he spoke with his former teacher following WrestleMania. “I was able to speak with him briefly Sunday night, and he told me that it was my time now and if I ever needed anything to just let him know. Words cannot express my gratitude for the great training he gave me, and for his support. I’m sure he will miss wrestling, but wrestling will miss him even more.”

Bryan, who broke into wrestling through Shawn Michaels’s TWA training school ten years ago, also talked about not being liked by “some backstage” and continued to play up the TV storyline where his perceived lack of charisma and size is an issue.

“I know I’m not what WWE usually looks for in a Superstar. It’s quite obvious by Michael Cole’s commentary that he doesn’t think I have what it takes and I know there are even more people in the back who think the same thing. They doubt my mic skills and they doubt whether the WWE Universe can get behind someone who looks as plain as I do…but none of them doubt my in ring ability,” Bryan said.

“I may not be what the WWE looks for when they’re recruiting, but most of the people they recruit don’t have the passion for this business that people like Shawn Michaels have. I do, and I’ve proven it over the last ten years. I will outwork, outsmart and outclass 99.9% of the muscleheads and pretty boys that they think have the right ‘look.'”