WWE legend reveals, "Jim Ross and I have had a very, very strange relationship" about the AEW personality
AEW is fortunate to have WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross on its roster as the company celebrates five years since its founding. JR has been a part of the industry since 1974 and has had working relationships with many fellow legends. In rare public remarks, one current WWE star has just made interesting comments on Ross.
Michael Cole joined World Wrestling Entertainment in early 1997 as a voice-over talent and host. He ended up on the RAW commentary team before the end of the year, joining Good Ol' JR and Kevin Kelly for a time. At one point, Cole replaced Ross as the RAW play-by-play announcer after JR became ill with Bell's palsy. The two legendary commentators worked together for years and even feuded in the storylines.
The current Voice of WWE was recently profiled by The Ringer, and he stated that he was one of the most hated men in the business when Vince McMahon gave him the top job at the RAW announce desk. The 57-year-old said joining WWE was a no-win situation due to how he was signed to be the heir apparent of "probably the greatest wrestling announcer of all-time" - JR.
Ross recalled how Cole "got shoved" into his announce chair to take over while he was out healing. The 72-year-old said Cole was being booed by hardcore fans and was unpopular from the start because they thought he was taking JR's job. The current RAW commentator recalled his relationship with the AEW personality:
"Jim and I have had a very, very strange relationship," Michael Cole said.
WWE's Vice President of Announcing does not remember himself and Ross exactly being friends. It was noted that a friendship would have been almost impossible because, despite his praise for JR, Cole was hired as the man who would one day get the top spot, like other young sports announcers before him.
WWE took Jim Ross vs. Michael Cole into the ring
The announce desk rivalry between Michael Cole and Jim Ross became physical at times. World Wrestling Entertainment did similar programs with other announcers, such as Jonathan Coachman and legendary wrestler Jerry Lawler.
The first-ever Ross vs. Cole singles match took place on April 25, 2011 but ended via DQ in just over four minutes due to interference by Jack Swagger. This led to Swagger and Cole defeating JR and The King in a Country Whippin' match at Extreme Rules the following weekend.
There were several segments and angles between Cole and Ross over the years, but they locked up again that same year on October 25. The RAW Mexico City main event saw JR and John Cena defeat Cole and Alberto Del Rio in just under 12 minutes.