Jim Ross Reflects on His Tenure as WWE’s Head of Talent Relations: “I Had Too Much Power”
In a candid verbal exchange on his podcast “Grilling JR,” Jim Ross, the mythical wrestling commentator, took a deep dive into his tenure as WWE’s Head of Talent Relations—a function that positioned him at the heart of the agency’s operations for seven pivotal years. Ross’s tenure, which started following the departure of J.J. Dillon, is extensively appeared as one of the maximum influential durations in WWE’s history. Yet, Ross himself admits that the location afforded him a level of energy that, in hindsight, may additionally were too awesome.
Ross started out by discussing why Vince McMahon, WWE’s chairman and CEO, handpicked him for the position. According to Ross, McMahon saw in him a unique combo of traits—revel in, logical thinking, and an exceptional capability to speak with the talent. “He trusted my experience and my logic, and he saw how I communicated with the talents,” Ross explained. His relationship with the wrestlers turned into built on mutual admire, some thing McMahon valued immensely. This recognize, coupled with Ross’s a long time-lengthy immersion inside the wrestling international, made him an excellent candidate to step into the footwear of the departing Dillon.
“J.J. had kind of aged out,” Ross noted, not with a hint of disrespect but with the understanding that Dillon’s role had evolved over the years, rendering him less visible and perhaps less effective in the eyes of McMahon. The WWE was undergoing significant changes, and McMahon needed someone who could navigate the evolving landscape with a fresh perspective. Ross was that someone—a man who had been in the wrestling business for over 20 years and who, crucially, had no personal ambitions to be in the spotlight. “I didn’t want any of the boy’s spots, I didn’t want to be a manager, I didn’t want to be a whatever, I didn’t want to be a talent—and I didn’t. I wanted to contribute to the company’s success,” Ross emphasized, highlighting his dedication to the business side of the sport rather than the allure of fame.
However, with great power comes great responsibility, and for Ross, the weight of his influence became apparent over time. “I think I got too much power,” he admitted during the podcast, acknowledging that within the WWE’s tightly-knit community, his role may have been seen as disproportionately influential. This influence, while necessary for the decisions he had to make, also led to a perception that Ross himself acknowledges was not entirely unwarranted.
During his tenure, Ross became responsible for making some of the most crucial decisions regarding expertise acquisitions, contracts, and the overall path of WWE’s roster. These decisions regularly had a ways-attaining implications, now not just for the employer’s achievement, but for the careers of the wrestlers themselves. Ross’s capacity to balance those responsibilities with equity and respect for the skills turned into key to his effectiveness within the position, but it additionally positioned him below extreme scrutiny. The power he wielded changed into a double-edged sword—essential for the job, yet a burden that could easily lead to accusations of favoritism or bias.
Ross’s reflections on his time in WWE are not merely about the past; they also offer insights into the current wrestling landscape. Now a commentator for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Ross continues to influence the industry he has been a part of for so long. One area where he believes AEW could improve is in the duration of their pay-per-view events. Ross has voiced his opinion that AEW should consider limiting their pay-per-views to three hours. The current format, which often stretches to four or five hours, is, according to Ross, “daunting” for viewers. “I think having a three-hour pay-per-view will be more accessible to most audiences,” he suggested, underscoring his belief that in today’s fast-paced world, shorter, more impactful events could better capture and retain audience attention.
Ross’s insights are not just the musings of a veteran; they are the reflections of someone who has seen the industry evolve and who continues to shape its future. His tenure at WWE may have been marked by an accumulation of power, but it was also a period of growth and success for the company—success that Ross was instrumental in achieving. Now, as he lends his expertise to AEW, his influence on the world of professional wrestling remains as strong as ever.
H/t to ITRWrestling.com
