"It never jived" – Jim Ross on the WWE commentator he disliked working with
Jim Ross has worked with several broadcast team members during his legendary career. In a recent podcast episode, the WWE Hall of Famer recalled how he did not get along with former commentary partner Macho Man Randy Savage.
Savage was one of WWE's most high-profile wrestlers in the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1993 and 1994, the former WWE Champion significantly reduced his in-ring schedule and mostly served as a commentator.
On Grilling JR, Ross told host Conrad Thompson that he preferred sharing the announce desk with Jerry Lawler instead of Savage:
"Even though I didn't like working with Savage, that wasn't my call, wasn't my choice, but I think I filled in something that he didn't. You have to let Randy be Randy. Simple as that, Connie. I learned that early on. You just gotta let him be himself and see where it takes you. It's not the way I prefer to work. Lawler was more predictable. I thought Lawler was more talented. It [partnership with Randy Savage] never jived. Never jived." [1:00:50 – 1:01:24]
Savage initially planned to continue wrestling, but then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon wanted to focus on up-and-coming stars as part of a "youth movement." Ultimately, the eccentric wrestler left WWE in 1994 to resume his in-ring career with WCW.
How Randy Savage frustrated Jim Ross
WWE announcers work as a team to guide viewers through the in-ring action and storyline twists and turns.
Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross were known for having arguably the best on-screen chemistry of any broadcast duo in WWE history. With Randy Savage, however, Ross never felt as though his fellow commentator wanted their partnership to succeed:
"Sometimes I could tell he'd tune me out because I'd say something and he would react as if he didn't hear it, and that's just not a cool thing. Not good at all. But, anyway, we made it through." [1:01:25 – 1:01:45]
In the same episode, Ross explained why he sent a heartfelt letter to Vince McMahon shortly after being let go from WWE in 1994.
Do you have any memories of Jim Ross and Randy Savage's commentary partnership? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Please credit Grilling JR and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.