Jim Ross talks about being forced to retire from WWE

Jim Ross

Jim Ross appeared on MMAFighting.com’s The MMA Hour yesterday and discussed his WWE departure. During his appearance, which you can watch above, JR noted that he left because he had “a lot of interests” and that it “was the right time to make that move,” at which point host Ariel Helwani asked if he was forced out.

“I think it was… after a good discussion and expressing myself and things that I’d like to do and just the timing of everything, I think it was… when you say mutual, it means partially to somebody that you’ve been forced out the door or treated poorly or what have you, which really wasn’t the case,” Ross said. “It was something that we had talked about kinda casually and it just seemed like, the way [with] the lay of the land, it was just good timing.

“So, you know, it’s just… I’m not really a negative guy, you and I have talked a few times, I’m always pretty upbeat. I kinda look at the glass half full as opposed to half empty. I had some health issues, thank God I’m over those. I’m feeling really, really good, I’m taking good care of myself. So, I just think it was the right time, with everything presented as it was, it was just the very best decision to make and now we’re gonna move on to the next thing.”

Ross was also asked who was the better promoter between Vince McMahon and Dana White.

“I don’t know who the better promoter is because you kinda have to look at longevity,” Ross noted. “McMahon would certainly have the edge at this point in time, but that’s not to say that Dana hasn’t done, along with his team, just an amazing job of adding that aura of legitimacy as far as UFC being accepted as a mainstream sport. I look at the UFC no different than I look at the NFL or Major League Baseball… I’m sure they’re greatest days are still to come.

Jim Ross also said that he had no plans to work in MMA, although he is passionate about it. He said that he had a brief meeting with UFC President Dana White, and said that entering MMA is something he “would listen to” if the offer presented itself.