Jim Ross Talks Color Commentators, Relationship With Vince McMahon, Cena Heel Turn

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was recently interviewed by Ring Rust Radio to discuss his thoughts on his career, WWE and the wrestling industry in general. Below are some of the highlights.

Ross was asked if he could return today, who would be his ideal color commentator:

“My longest tenured run was with Jerry Lawler. We could go back to work tomorrow, probably call any sport or entity, and be entertaining. The partner that agitated me and knew the buttons to push and was a combustible delivery and presentation was Paul Heyman. The partner that goes off the radar and was absolutely outstanding was Jim Cornette. Much like JBL and myself working together, we would be considered by the mainstream TV world as being too southern, so that will never happen. Cornette would be awesome. JBL would be very good. Taz would get such a contrast in sound. I love working with Terry Funk is the most underrated guy I worked with. Bob Caudle by far the most underrated announcer in the history of the business. I love working with Bobby Heenan. Gorilla Monsoon was like an uncle.”

He also touched on his relationship with Vince McMahon, even after being gone from WWE:

“It’s actually pretty good. We text from time to time and talk on the phone from time to time now. Not a lot, not regularly, but you know, its fine. Vince and I got along and had a tremendous relationship. People have to understand where our relationship started. From day one, what we have built and what we survived at the time when the company was almost bankrupt. We were laying off people left and right, pay cuts, lot of people were bailing. Those of us that stayed loyal were rewarded financially. I signed at one point in the mid 90’s a ten year contract. I don’t know anyone that had a ten year contract with Vince and kept it. I have this thing about keeping my commitments and keeping my word. I kept my word and fulfilled my ten years and he paid me very, very well.”

Ross additionally gave his thoughts on why a John Cena heel turn may not make sense at the moment:

“Well if John Cena turns heel, would the people booing him now cheer him? I don’t know the logic or the answer. Let’s go Cena, Cena sucks. He still sells more merchandise than anyone on the roster. For whatever he is, I think part of that stuff is just trendy. I need a really good reason to turn Cena heel and it wouldn’t be because of crowd chants. Ticket sales, live event business, kids merchandise, things like that are a very good indicator. I’m not a major fan of turning him heel, but I’m not opposed to it. All those things have to be done for the right reasons. Right now we have a wrestling public that has very little patience. I heard someone the other day say they couldn’t believe that Sheamus and the Usos have been in three six-man tag matches and how much longer do they have to watch this. That’s like saying, ‘Why would you want to watch Rock and Austin at WrestleMania three times?’ Once is enough don’t you think?”

The rest of the long interview can be found here.

Editor’s Note

I will never understand the dynamic between Vince McMahon and Jim Ross. It literally makes no sense. As long as Ross is content, I suppose.

Follow @JonAlbaSFC