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- “Good Old JR” Jim Ross has had multiple stints with WWE, the first lasting just a year between 1993 and 1994, before being brought back soon after and spending nearly 20 years with the company up until his sudden 2013 firing. Ross being let go from the company was a notable moment given that many didn’t believe him to be at fault for the disastrous panel which led to his release, but this didn’t mark the end of his time in professional wrestling or even his story in WWE. In fact, Ross and WWE would rekindle their relationship down the line.
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The relationship between Jim Ross and WWE has always been an up and down one. Despite being one of, if not the most recognizable voice in professional wrestling history, leading the line and creating all-time great moments during the Attitude Era, he was always the subject of disrespect from his boss, Vince McMahon. Over the years, there have been several instances of mistreatment and humiliation, and even multiple examples of him getting fired from WWE. In 2013, Ross was fired from WWE in quite a controversial fashion, and there may be some fans who don’t know the exact details of what happened to him.
UPDATE: 2023/10/20 14:30 EST BY ANDREW KELLY
“Good Old JR” Jim Ross has had multiple stints with WWE, the first lasting just a year between 1993 and 1994, before being brought back soon after and spending nearly 20 years with the company up until his sudden 2013 firing. Ross being let go from the company was a notable moment given that many didn’t believe him to be at fault for the disastrous panel which led to his release, but this didn’t mark the end of his time in professional wrestling or even his story in WWE. In fact, Ross and WWE would rekindle their relationship down the line.
Jim Ross And WWE Have Had An Up And Down Relationship
Jim Ross is in the upper echelon of wrestling announcers, and he is looked upon as a vital part of WWE’s Attitude Era. Classic calls during great moments from multiple eras from Ross have helped to define WWE over the years, but even with that, Vince McMahon had an obsession with making fun of him, and at times, treating him terribly. One of the very first instances of Ross’ poor treatment in WWE came all the way back in 1994, not long after he first joined the company, after previously working in WCW.
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Ross is known to suffer from Bell’s Palsy, which has affected his speech, though it must be said that it never came in the way of the quality of his commentary. However, just two weeks after his first episode of Bell’s Palsy, Ross was fired from WWE. Whilst it isn’t clear if there was any correlation between these two events, it is widely believed that it very much was the cause of his release. It wasn’t long until he returned though, but was once again fired for allegedly leaking information.
Over the years, Ross was made the butt of the joke in several segments, with him often being taken off guard too. For instance, during the 2008 WWE Draft, Ross was drafted over to SmackDown without being warned or consulted, which led to him considering leaving the company. There are many more examples to note, but one of the more controversial times of his run in WWE came in 2013, in an incident which led to his release from the company - though WWE tried to frame it as more of a mutual decision rather than just a one-sided choice from WWE to fire him.
Jim Ross Hosted A WWE 2K Panel During The Weekend Of SummerSlam
In August 2013, during SummerSlam weekend, WWE were hyping up the arrival of their newest video game - WWE 2K14, the next installment in their 2K series. The build this, Jim Ross was elected as the host of a panel which featured an array of WWE wrestlers - both present-day stars and legends of the business, including Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Mick Foley, Paul Heyman, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Rey Mysterio, and most infamously, Ric Flair.
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The entire thing was a little awkward anyway, with it being suggested that Ross himself was a little intoxicated, as one of the first things he said was making light of the drink next to him. Either way though, the awkward humor was endearing to begin with, but things went off the rails when Flair got on the mic, as it was very clear that he was drunk. Although he did deny this, it was evident that he'd had too many, with him often interrupting the others, telling stories that bore no relevance to the discussion, and doing things like suggesting John Cena was a huge drinker, which wasn’t a good look on the company’s number one guy.
Jim Ross Was Fired Due To The Disastrous Panel
The panel continuously went off the rails, and it seemed as though Ross had given up after a certain point, stating things like, “This is real. This is reality television at its best. I’ve lost complete control of my job. I’m sure I’ll never be asked back, and this has probably destroyed what career I have left.” He would also make comments about the panel’s sponsors, which left the company in the sponsor’s bad books.
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Not long later, Ross was let go from WWE after the company didn’t re-sign him following the expiration of his contract. WWE claimed that Jim Ross chose to retire, yet he stated that this wasn’t the case. Unfortunately, Ross was the one to take the fall for WWE for this event, much like he had done for other things in the past, such as the Plane Ride From Hell. On the NotSam Podcast, Ross explained, “I took responsibility”, and that he didn’t handle the event well, whilst also confirming that he was fired for what had happened at the event, even if it wasn’t entirely his fault.
Jim Ross And WWE Reunited Down The Line
Jim Ross and WWE parted ways in 2013 in a move which was said to be the choice of Ross to spend more time with his family, but this felt like a piece of PR considering that he still carried on working around the professional wrestling world on the independent scene and in NJPW. Ross even confirmed as such on the podcast Grilling J.R with host Conrad Thompson. Eventually though, Ross returned to WWE in 2017 to commentate on the main event of WrestleMania 33 between The Undertaker and Roman Reigns shortly following the passing of his late wife. Ross and WWE agreed to a two-year deal which saw him sporadically appear on commentary, work alongside Lita during the Mae Young Classic, and appear in silly reunion segments. RELATED: 10 Wrestling Performers Jim Ross Absolutely Hated (On Commentary)
Ultimately though, WWE didn’t use Ross, and much like in 2013 he felt unwanted. Ross would reveal on his Jim Ross Report podcast, "I need to move on. I still want to play in the game. I still want to stay busy. I still think I can do play-by-play even though others that may surround Vince [McMahon] think I can't,” (H/T Sports Illustrated) explaining his decision to not stick with WWE following the end of his contract.
Jim Ross Believes The Panel Contributed To Him Leaving WWE
Ross leaving WWE at the time was a decision which many attributed to the panel, and of course it was very obvious that this was perhaps a means to an end that WWE were moving towards anyway. Ross himself agreed with the notion that WWE used this moment to bring about his exit. He also did state that using Ric Flair at that time of his life was a big mistake, as it was ultimately he who caused the issues. In an interview with Grantland.com, Ross spoke on the incident.
"I don't think you have to be a Mensa member to figure out that it had an influence on decisions that were made. I was working with the developmental kids [in NXT] and enjoying that, and got called in for that job. It was a very unique night, to say the least. Ric was coming off maybe the most traumatic time of his life. In hindsight, it might not have been the most timely booking, to get him in that environment. And then you can look at the other side and say maybe it's a good thing to get him out around friends. As it worked out, you'd probably lean more to the former than the latter. But here's the deal: I was conductor of a runaway train. I was supposed to keep it on the tracks and that didn't happen. So I don't have any issues taking responsibility.” ( H/T Wrestling Inc )
Ross would go on to say how it all turned out for the best due to having several other projects on the go, which included his podcast and other outside ventures.
