Jim Ross says he's disappointed with AEW for letting WWE legend leave the company - "Having him around was a good thing"
AEW commentator Jim Ross recently spoke about Arn Anderson's departure from Tony Khan's promotion. The Enforcer left the company in May 2024.
Arn Anderson signed with AEW in 2019 as the head coach and personal advisor for Cody Rhodes. The veteran also managed his son Brock Anderson and some other talent in the promotion while also working backstage as a producer for shows. Arn Anderson's contract expired in May 2024 and the Hall of Famer has appeared at WWE Summer Slam and Bad Blood PLE's since then.
In the recent edition of his Grillin JR podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer revealed that he was disappointed to see Arn Anderson leave AEW. Jim Ross also noted how Anderson helped launch John Cena to the next level.
"I was surprised and disappointed because I always believed that having him around was a good thing. He was the guy that kinda molded John Cena and John Cena began one of the biggest earners in WWE history." [From 01:34:28 to 01:34:45]
Check out the video below:
AEW veteran Jim Ross on Arn Anderson's short stint on commentary in WWE
During the WWF Invasion storyline, Arn Anderson moved to the promotion after Vince McMahon bought WCW. The Enforcer represented WCW on the commentary team in the Stamford-based promotion.
In the same video, Jim Ross shared his thoughts on Arn Anderson's commentary. The veteran said that Anderson was given the role without preparation and slammed the promotion for letting anybody do commentary.
"Well, he was pulled off the street, so to speak, to do the job, Conrad. He didn't have any preparation time. I'm sure he didn't go through where they would broadcast a whole show on videotape to get their timing together and things like that. It was just taken for granted that anybody could do commentary, and I defy that. That don't make any sense. That's just stupid."
The fans will have to wait and see if Arn Anderson returns to WWE television in the near future.