"That's just stupid" – Jim Ross blasts short-lived WWE commentary change
Jim Ross was one of WWE's most popular commentators during his combined 23 years with the company. The current AEW announcer recently reflected on Arn Anderson's short stint at the WWE announce desk.
In 2001, Anderson joined WWE after Vince McMahon bought rival wrestling company WCW. The former Four Horsemen member represented WCW on WWE television as a commentator in the early days of the Invasion storyline.
On his Grilling JR podcast, Ross told host Conrad Thompson that Anderson was destined to fail due to his inexperience as an announcer:
"Well, he was pulled off the street, so to speak, to do the job, Conrad. He didn't have any preparation time. I'm sure he didn't go through where they would broadcast a whole show on videotape to get their timing together and things like that. It was just taken for granted that anybody could do commentary, and I defy that. That don't make any sense. That's just stupid." [1:33:03 – 1:33:27]
After leaving his role as a commentator, Anderson worked for WWE as a producer until 2019. He also had a five-year run with AEW as an on-screen character and producer before leaving in May.
Jim Ross on WWE's presentation of Booker T vs. Buff Bagwell
On the July 2, 2001, episode of RAW, Booker T retained the WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Buff Bagwell in the main event. Arn Anderson and Scott Hudson commentated on the widely criticized match, which featured WCW branding.
Jim Ross believes WWE's higher-ups were wrong to heavily promote WCW on the show in Tacoma, Washington:
"It's like any other role in the whole equation. You gotta be prepared and you gotta have preparation. Whatever that includes is what it includes. Those guys had all the pressure in the world on them. It was a new day, a new dawning, and, quite frankly, they s**t the bed on that Tacoma show." [1:33:27 – 1:33:50]
Anderson has made surprise WWE appearances at SummerSlam and Bad Blood in recent months. However, he is not currently under contract with the company.
What are your thoughts on Arn Anderson as a commentator? 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 Jim Ross' quotes from this article.