Jim Ross is glad to see 43-year-old working with WWE again
Former WWE announcer and talent relations executive Jim Ross recently gave his thoughts on Brian Kendrick helping Bad Bunny before Backlash.
Bad Bunny defeated Damian Priest in front of his adoring fans in Puerto Rico on May 6. Although Kendrick no longer works for WWE, he confirmed last week that he trained the rapper ahead of his first singles match.
On his Grilling JR podcast, Ross praised Bad Bunny's performance and gave Kendrick credit for helping the celebrity with his moves in the ring:
"I'm glad Brian's working back with WWE. He's a good kid. Somebody said he had a lot to do with (…) Bad Bunny. He's really good, by the way. He's very good for his experience level. But I heard Brian Kendrick was involved in the training of Bad Bunny. If that is true, I don't know if it is or not, then he did a hell of a job. Somebody did a hell of a job." [2:00:17 – 2:00:48]
Kendrick wrestled for WWE between 2002-2004, 2005-2009, and 2015-2020. The 43-year-old transitioned into a backstage producer role before being granted his release in 2022. He previously worked with Bad Bunny before the megastar's in-ring debut at WrestleMania 37.
Jim Ross on Brian Kendrick's painful WWE injury
The latest episode of Jim Ross' podcast revolved around Judgment Day 2003. The event began with Brian Kendrick (then known as Spanky) teaming up with Chris Benoit and Rhyno. The trio lost a six-man tag team match against Chuck Palumbo, John Cena, and Johnny Stamboli.
Former WWE talent, Brian Kendrick helped Damian Priest and Bad Bunny train for their Street Fight at #WWEBacklash on Saturday.
- per @FightfulSelect https://t.co/2shyUgAB7K
Ross also commented on Kendrick receiving a concussion after being kicked in the head by Stamboli:
"I don't have an axe to grind with Johnny Stamboli or anybody else, but maybe he was in an environment that he wasn't quite ready for primetime (…) A basic kick became disastrous. It could have been really bad." [1:59:58 – 2:00:16]
Two decades on, Kendrick now wrestles on the independent scene. AEW booked the former Cruiserweight Champion against Jon Moxley immediately after he left WWE in 2022. However, the match was nixed after Kendrick's controversial remarks about the Holocaust came to light.
What are your thoughts on Brian Kendrick? Let us know in the comments section below.
Please credit Jim Ross' Grilling JR podcast and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.