Big AEW Name Says WWE Release Was ‘Just Disrespectful’

A big AEW name and WWE Hall of Famer has discussed and explained how his release from WWE came about, calling it “just disrespectful”.

Jim Ross has discussed his dealings with WWE in the 2000s, as the company was getting prepared to let him go and replace him on its announce team with younger personnel.

Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Ross said:

“I found out as the process went along but in the beginning, I didn’t know. I didn’t know that I was that ugly or that old. I’m not buying into that bullsh**. Nobody ever told me, ‘JR you’re getting too old’. They’re making themselves vulnerable to an age discrimination lawsuit. It was just another bump in the road. I could’ve easily quit and say I’m not going to be in this wrestling business anymore, bullsh**. Getting rid of JR as the voice of Raw after all the success and years of productivity that we had. And my loyalty meant sh**.

“It was just disrespectful. Poor communication and too many sycophants surrounding the boss to change his mind about the team. JR and the King [Jerry Lawler] were the solid components always on Raw, there was stability there.

“2007 was a bittersweet year. My Hall of Fame induction was a way for me to say goodbye. Todd Grisham was promised my job that Fall. [He was] younger, he did Sportscenter, he’s exactly what they were looking for. He confided with me that it was uncomfortable for him because we were working together on SmackDown. That was the plan, get rid of JR again before the end of the year.

“The reaction I got in Chicago when I was announced it was going into the Hall of Fame blew [Vince] McMahon and Kevin Dunn away. They put the brakes on me being derailed. I knew it was inevitable and I knew it was coming. It’s going to happen, and it’s going to happen when Vince wants it to happen.”

Ross also spoke about how much he was enjoying working with the likes of Tony Schiavone, Excalibur and Taz on the current AEW announce team, saying he believes they can stand up to any announce team today.

Thanks to WrestlingInc for the transcription

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