Jim Ross Admits He ‘Wishes’ AEW Had Top NJPW Star

Jim Ross recently spoke on his Grilling JR podcast about the ‘Forbidden Door’, and naming which New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star he wishes was in AEW.

Jim Ross worked for NJPW between 2015 and 2018, providing English commentary for the shows alongside Josh Barnett. JR revealed on the podcast that he still enjoys watching NJPW, and that he wishes former IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada was in AEW.

JR said:

“After a couple of years of doing voiceovers I still enjoy watching New Japan, they give you some great matches from time to time, some really great matches. And some of my favourite stars are there. I wish we had Okada, I’d love to see Okada in a big pay-per-view main event for AEW someday. And who’s to say that can’t happen? I don’t know that it’s going to happen.”

JR continued, saying that he believes that once travel restrictions are lifted more AEW and NJPW crossovers will occur. He added:

“We have a great relationship with the New Japan office and I think that somewhere down the road, one would assume when travel issues are lessened, having an AEW presence in New Japan for some big shows, seems to me would be a likely move. Secondly, if that’s the case then reciprocally having some guys from New Japan here – I’m partial, Okada’s a friend of mine and we like each other, even with his English and my Japanese which is non-existent, we communicate pretty well.”

Jim Ross is currently a lead announcer for AEW, but also helps out behind the scenes. JR recently revealed that AEW star Darby Allin  runs all his creative ideas by him for honest feedback.

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