AEW star on Vince McMahon disagreement that led to WWE exit
Vince McMahon dealt with hundreds of wrestlers and on-screen personalities during his days as WWE's Chairman. AEW commentator Jim Ross recently recalled how a difference of opinion with his former boss led to his brief departure from the company in 1994.
Ross joined WWE as a commentator in 1993 after making his name as an announcer and executive in Mid-South Wrestling and WCW. After almost a year in the Stamford-based promotion, he was abruptly let go by McMahon three months before his contract was due to expire.
On his Grilling JR podcast, Ross told host Conrad Thompson that McMahon wanted him to become a television character. The legendary announcer had no problem wearing a cowboy hat, but the former WWE Chairman did not well receive his refusal to wear a string tie and western-style jacket.
"Conrad, I think I was wrong," Ross said. "I made too big a deal out of it when it wasn't. It was costume, television apparel. It's like an actor going to the director saying, 'Do I have to grow a beard? I have to wear the hat?' I didn't care; the hat was fine. I wasn't overwhelmed with the oversimplification of what my character was supposed to be." [26:42 – 27:10]
Shortly after leaving, Ross sent a heartfelt letter to McMahon asking for help with a mailing list for his new business. The letter ultimately led to his return to the broadcast team.
Why Jim Ross thinks Vince McMahon let him go
Between 1982 and 2022, Vince McMahon was in charge of WWE's creative direction. It is well known that the 78-year-old usually got his way and expected on-screen talents to do as they were instructed.
With that in mind, Jim Ross knew it would cause an issue if he refused to wear the western-themed attire McMahon wanted.
"The theory is that I told him no, and most people don't have the experience of telling Vince McMahon no and 'living to tell about it,' and I didn't live to tell about it. And, honestly, after looking back at it, in today's world, especially, I had no issue with it at the end of the day. But I said no, and he doesn't like to be told no," Ross added. [27:37 – 28:07]
Ross also spoke about the "challenging" and "dangerous" employee who was present at his WWE exit meeting with McMahon.
Please credit Grilling JR and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.