wwe.com (wwe.com) says Jim Ross has now retired from WWE to pursue other business endeavors. I believe this means his contract is now terminated with the company, as opposed to the past few years of simply being removed from the broadcast booth.
WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross's retirement was in-part decided by WWE head Vince McMahon, according to the Wrestling Observer.
Ross and McMahon reportedly met on Wednesday to discuss Ross's future with the company, which led to the decision for Ross to "retire from WWE."
According to the report, Ross's future was up in the air following Summerslam Weekend in August, where Ross was partially blamed for Ric Flair's behavior during a 2K Sports gathering to promote the "WWE 2K14" video game.
WWE management reportedly felt that Ross, who was the host of the gathering, should have cut off Flair when he went off-script and made "controversial" remarks about WWE.
(From the Torch)
Kevin Kelly: "Mr. Austin, would you like to comment on Wade Keller's Take that endorsing the XFL hurts your anti-authority character?"
Steve Austin: "Oh shit, he actually said that? I thought the boys in the back were ribbing me!"
Kelly: "No, he really said that. Did they tell you the part about you sitting in the stands, looking all skeptical?"
Austin: "AHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah... oh man that was too much."
JR already wrote a tell all book. (shop.wwe.com) He told ALL about his grandma's recipes for BBQ.
But seriously, while I'd love a warts and all book from JR, I don't believe he'll write such a thing. At this point, I'm not sure if he wants to grind any axes. (Maybe a few years ago when he was angry about being taken off TV, but probably not now.)
EDIT AFTER SEEING POST ABOVE: Oh. Maybe he does have an axe to grind, then.
(edited by John Orquiola on 11.9.13 1350) "Cody, I mustache you a question." - The Miz
Originally posted by DirtyMikeSeaverWWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross's retirement was in-part decided by WWE head Vince McMahon, according to the Wrestling Observer.
Ross and McMahon reportedly met on Wednesday to discuss Ross's future with the company, which led to the decision for Ross to "retire from WWE."
According to the report, Ross's future was up in the air following Summerslam Weekend in August, where Ross was partially blamed for Ric Flair's behavior during a 2K Sports gathering to promote the "WWE 2K14" video game.
WWE management reportedly felt that Ross, who was the host of the gathering, should have cut off Flair when he went off-script and made "controversial" remarks about WWE.
(From the Torch)
Maybe Ric Flair's future with WWE should have been in question instead.
Then again, its been a few years since Vince fired JR. He probably felt overdue.
Meltzer and Alvarez did an audio report that basically said that Ross was fired as the scapegoat for drunk Ric Flair going off-script and wrecking the WWE 2K14 press conference (which 2K loved, but WWE did not). The "retirement" thing is a cover to protect WWE from a fan backlash. We'll see how that works out for them.
Originally posted by KJames199Meltzer and Alvarez did an audio report that basically said that Ross was fired as the scapegoat for drunk Ric Flair going off-script and wrecking the WWE 2K14 press conference (which 2K loved, but WWE did not). The "retirement" thing is a cover to protect WWE from a fan backlash. We'll see how that works out for them.
More people talked about and watched that 30 minute live action ad for the video game with drunk Ric Flair than would have with the creative-drafted script.
Oh, there's the root of the problem. Wrestlers being naturally entertaining rather than following the script Steph's staff worked so hard on.
Yeah, Ross was a little bit off-kilter himself during the event. Big deal. Its an event for video game involving a bunch of dead guys rolling around in Speedos. Lighten up.
Its so dumb that I'm wondering if our legs are being pulled. For what's good for business.
There were so many better names to promote a video game than Flair. No offense to a legend, but that would be like getting my grandfather to promote the new iPhone. Exactly how was Flair supposed to talk up a video game when he likely doesn't have much of an idea what the thing even is? This feels more like poor planning than anything else.
Retirement or not, I'm glad JR's gone. He deserves far better than to be the company's whipping boy for anything that goes wrong. Let's see how things go now that they don't have him to kick around anymore.
The other thing is, moves like this are reactionary and short-sighted. Remember hearing that the company wanted to bring in Steve Austin for a potential Wrestlemania payoff? Probably not going to happen if they're unceremoniously turfing one of his best friends in the business. I'm more curious to see if there's any sort of reaction from Jerry Lawler, who I can't imagine is too thrilled with this, either.
Is this really even a surprise? He's essentially been retired for, how long now? I mean when was the last time we even saw him? I don't think it's really a big deal.
(What's the over/under on TNA firing more people so they can break the bank and try to bring him into the sinking ship?)
The apoplectic rage gripping some of the message boards about this is astonishing to witness. On Cageside Seats there's two guys going back and forth about just how evil and worthless Vince McMahon is and how JR is the one responsible for the Attitude Era, not Vince.
Everyone to some degree is responsible for Attitude Era. Vince hired JR. JR is the one who pushed to hire Mick, Austin and to some degree Rock. Russo helped write the show and the wrestlers busted their ass at the time. Vince is the one losing the Monday Night Wars if he doesn't have a few if not all of those pieces in place.
I do remember seeing JR deny he was drunk, it was just his bells palsy acting up. If it that the was the case or not, he shouldn't be let go. Fans want to hear old time stories by the veterans. If they have a few too many, so be it. It adds to the fun if the fans were having fun and 2K didn't mind who cares?
JR is not going to write a tell all book. He may go on Austin's podcast, set the record straight and that will be it. I do think the constant defense of everything WWE does is now off the table.
(edited by lotjx on 12.9.13 1123) The Wee Baby Sheamus.Twitter: @realjoecarfley its a bit more toned down there. A bit.
Originally posted by Amos CochranThe apoplectic rage gripping some of the message boards about this is astonishing to witness. On Cageside Seats there's two guys going back and forth about just how evil and worthless Vince McMahon is and how JR is the one responsible for the Attitude Era, not Vince.
The attitude era was perfect storm of a lot of factors, but all or even most of the credit for it certainly shouldn't go to Vince. Writ large he lucked into Austin and Rock, two of the biggest stars in the history of the business, both of whom he terribly bungled when he first got hold of them. He also benefited from an overall hot period for wrestling with the competition from WCW.
JR has been gone forever, so this seems like a minor step, but put me in the camp with those who believe he should be on Titan's payroll in perpetuity. He's more than earned it, so a hearty "fuck Vince for this" is entirely deserved.
(edited by Hogan's My Dad on 12.9.13 0936) Quiet, Or Papa Spank!
Well, at least there was a wrestling main-event this week. Matt and Eddie ruled. Like you would expect it to. I anxiously anticipate Ultimo and Matt ruling. As does every fan of the wrestling. Hey! Jamie Noble got to wrestle on Smackdown this week!