Jim Ross was betrayed by the ratings.
Jim Ross is considered by many the greatest broadcaster in professional wrestling history. Even though many commentators transitioned into that role from a successful wrestling career, that was not the case for Jim Ross.
Jim Ross was everything from a referee to an office assistant but he was never a proper professional wrestler. As such, Jim took the athletes very seriously and never wanted to mock that seriousness by getting into the ring himself.
Despite this, WWE had Jim wrestle many times. One time Jim got physical was on an episode of ECW on Sci-Fi where he caned Matt Striker and drank beer with The Sandman.
Jim has no memory of this.
Questioned about this segment during one of his Grillin’ JR podcasts, Jim explained why he never wanted to wrestle the why he was always put into those positions. Jim drew ratings
"No, I don't [remember]. But if he saw it, it happened. It's on tape somewhere," said Jim. "I've said this many times. I never liked being a physical participant in any of those bits. Because I felt like it took time away from real wrestlers and real athletes that they could use. But the problem was the minute-by-minutes cheated me out of that, my desired goal. I Always got good minute-by-minute ratings, because people knew they're gonna see something. Normally, it was me getting the shit beat out of, and sometimes getting color. So I don't remember that. I'm sure it happen. I'm just trying to figure out what the fuck I was doing on Sci-Fi and ECW. But that's another story, I guess."
Even though Jim never liked being on television as a physical performer, he does own a 2005 TV victory over Triple H in a No Disqualification match. That's more than many Monday Night Raw superstars of the era can say.
These days, Jim Ross is battling skin cancer but is expected to get a clean bill of health and return to AEW Dynamite broadcasting on Wednesday, December 29. Learn more here.
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