On several occasions, Jim Ross would switch places at the commentary table to enter the ring and actually throw down with other wrestlers, as well as Eric Bischoff and Michael Cole. The moments made fans see Ross in a different light, but the veteran commentator insists he never liked it.
“You only have so much time to create content, and once that time is up and it’s moved on, you can’t go back and redo it,” he said on an episode of his show.Grilling JR” podcast, adding that he wouldn’t have done the House shows anyway. “I don’t need to do it in the ring, I haven’t trained, I’ve gained common sense, but (…) it takes away talent.”
Ross then noted that the actual wrestlers on the roster could use the screen time to get over, pay-per-view, and promote their talent.
“Sometimes I sit and think about it and say, “Ol” JR, as they say in the locker room. And people cared when I sold.” Ross later expressed: However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Ross as he looked back fondly on his pairing with John Cena. “What a powerful team we put together to go up against Alberto del Rio and Michael Cole,” he recalled.
Earlier this month, Ross also commented on being involved in segments, admitting that he was embarrassed to enter the ringand concluding that the only reason he ever made it through the game segments was because of his already established popularity as a commentator.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Grilling JR” and credit ah/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
