What’s the story?
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Jim Ross detailed his emotions as he returned to WWE’s announcer’s table at WrestleMania 33. Here’s what Ross had to say:
“I was really worried about getting emotional. I’d been emotional several times during the day and cried a bunch, but the waterworks didn’t come.”
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WrestleMania 33 in Orlando last night was the scene of many epic moments including the return of Jim Ross. Ross is a member of the WWE Hall Of Fame but hasn’t been working with the WWE since 2013.
JR made his triumphant return to the broadcast booth for the main event match at ‘Mania between Roman Reigns and The Undertaker.
The heart of the matter
Jim Ross has been on a life roller coaster throughout the last few weeks. He tragically lost his wife, Jan, two weeks ago after she was struck by a car. Ross’s return came six and a half hours into the WrestleMania broadcast when he made is way out to the Citrus Bowl to a chorus of heartfelt cheers from the audience before Roman Reigns fought The Undertaker.
Here’s what Ross told SI:
“The Undertaker has been a big part of my professional life since we got him from World Class Championship Wrestling to WCW in 1989. Then of course, when I was here in WWE as head of the talent relations department, The Undertaker was the captain of the team. He was even bigger in the locker room than he was in the ring, which may be hard for some people to fathom. He was the conscience of the WWE, and Mark Calaway is everything a professional wrestler should aspire to be.
In addition to returning to the WWE for the first time since WrestleMania 27, last night marked the first time JR called a Roman Reigns match. On that topic, Ross said:
“Nobody gave me any announcer notes, so what you heard me say about Reigns was real. He’s a big, athletic, young guy with so much potential. I like him and I don’t particularly care if fans think he’s a villain or a fan favorite. I’m not caught up in his creative – I don’t care if he’s a babyface or a heel. I just like to see big athletic guys that are tough and demonstrate that in the wrestling ring, and I thought he did that well. He took a lot of punishment, he sold well, and he kept fighting.”
The impact
JR returning to the WWE will resonate through the company in a lot of ways. His involvement in WWE Network specials will be significant, but his ability to lend his voice to major events and moments will be even more impactful.
The Undertaker’s retirement just wouldn’t have sounded right without JR calling it. Ross told SI that he has not spoken to the WWE about his next assignment and added that he’s going to continue his work with AXS and New Japan because he has a contract. However, he maintained that the WWE is willing to work with him despite his other contracts and said they have faith in him.
Author’s take
I know Jim Ross has an obligation to his AXS deal and NJPW. That said, its imperative that he dive right back into WWE immediately. Whatever he touches instantly turns to gold. The credibility he gives the business is second to none as he’s the greatest pro wrestling announcer of all time.
The fact that he speaks so highly of Undertaker isn’t a big surprise but his praise of Roman Reigns shows why the WWE as a company treats Reigns the way it does. JR has scouted talent all across the world so when he talks about talent, I listen. It’ll be hard to change my mind on Reigns but if there is one man to help do it, Jim Ross is that man.
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