Jim Ross confirms he will be leaving World Wrestling Entertainment

Originally published at https://www.postwrestling.com/2019/03/06/jim-ross-confirms-he-will-be-leaving-world-wrestling-entertainment/

On this week’s edition of The Jim Ross Report, the Hall of Fame broadcaster confirmed that he would be leaving World Wrestling Entertainment after the expiration of his contract.

Ross, whose contract will end on March 29th, said he recently spoke with Vince McMahon and mutually agreed it is time to move on.

Ross noted, “I’m 67, I still feel I can get the job done doing wrestling play-by-play and I want to explore that opportunity and possibility. I’ll be moving on in a positive way, nothing but good things to say about everyone involved. You know, I have my critics in WWE as we all do, as people do when you’re there for very long. It’s a very unique community and I have no regrets. The smartest thing I ever did was come to work for Vince McMahon in 1993.”

He added that he wants to stay busy and be on the road following the loss of his wife, Jan, who died in a tragic vehicular incident in March 2017. Ross returned to the WWE several weeks later to call the final match at WrestleMania 33 between The Undertaker and Roman Reigns.

During his two-year stint with the company, he provided commentary for the Mae Young Classic in 2017, select matches and events for NXT and NXT UK and appeared at the 25th Anniversary of Raw in January 2018. He was initially allowed to work for AXS TV as the English voice of New Japan Pro Wrestling alongside Josh Barnett, although unable to continue that role when his AXS TV deal came due at the end of 2018.

On the podcast, Ross ended by stating “I don’t think I’ll be out of work long.”

Can you blame him? He wasn’t even utilized at all.

Maybe he is going to AEW, that would be huge for them.

I would like to see him get hired behind the scenes at AEW for talent relations, creative, etc. I don’t think he should be the full-time commentator but great idea to have him call for a couple of shows.

Co-Signed.

At this point, JR’s biggest value (beyond his mainstream name recognition) would be as a talent coordinator/announcer for the big events. :100:

2 Likes

I’ve read some not great things about his recent play-by-play work (just read… didn’t actually see for myself). But I have no doubt that an invested JR who gets to know the talent and the product on a day-to-day basis can still be one of the best in the business.

I also agree that, as a backstage presence, he can be a huge asset wherever he winds up.