Jim Ross Says Raw 25 Was Like a Class Reunion, Talks Staying Loyal to WWE

– Jim Ross spoke with Philly Voice about his Raw 25 appearance, staying loyal to WWE and more. Highlights are below:

On returning for RAW 25: “I had a great time. When people read this, they’re going to think, ‘Well, how can J.R. say that he had a great time because of the controversy surrounding the presentation?’ I looked at is as going to a family reunion or class reunion, and you know at your class reunion, you’ve got all kinds of crazy classmates and you love to see them every now and then. That’s kind of how we all – we had a small crew at the Manhattan Center – so everybody got the chance to have plenty of time to visit and see how everyone’s doing and all that good stuff. It was very entertaining and very good for all of us. You just can’t take for granted that you’re going to be there next time. I said on my podcast tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and it certainly fit true on Monday in New York City. You know, as a broadcaster, I would have loved to call more matches. Of all the things I’ve done in wrestling, broadcasting and doing play-by-play is my favorite. So why wouldn’t I want to do more of what I believe I have the most fun doing? That’s how I looked at it. But it was a great day, you know, we were treated good at the hotel, the stuff us old guys like catering was good, no travel issues. It was a good trip and I was happy to be invited. And it was good to catch up with as many of the guys as I did. I was happy to call – I’m a big fan of Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt, both of those kids, kids to me – and I got to call that match. That was kind of neat. That tag match was kind of short, it was kind of backloaded. The Undertaker’s promo. So, you know, it’s just what it was. It’s no big deal. Some people are hell-bent on finding something to bitch about. I can’t find that, I don’t have that in me. It’s not how I feel. I went there for a different reason than people watching it on television or watching it in the arena. I went to work. And as a worker, so to speak, I’d like to have done more work. That’s all. Chalk it up to ego or whatever, but I would’ve liked to have done more work because it’s the most fun thing I do. And if people can’t get that, then they’re just not paying attention and I can’t help you.”

On remaining loyal to WWE despite their ups and downs: “I was only reacting to how I was raised. My parents were both in my household under one roof until long after I got out of high school. That helped me. I had grandparents alive for most of my teenage years. So, it was how I was raised. I believe in commitment. I still believe in commitment. People have a different perception of this than I do. Life is way too short to worry about some of those experiences in my way of thinking. And there are things in my life that have happened that are a whole lot more significant and important than my reaction as to when I got let go or terminated. I had strong opinions, I wanted to change the world, revolutionize the business, all these glorious images in my head, so I wasn’t the easiest guy in the world to manage, either. So, if I had some of those situations with somebody else under my watch, I would’ve fired me, too. Second thing is, Vince [McMahon] kept his word with everything he’s ever told me. All my financial dreams were achieved thanks to my working in WWE. So, I’m very grateful for my situation there whether I’m part-time, full-time, or no time. I don’t see any other way to react and I don’t know why I would react any other way. That’s just me, man. I’ve had great experiences there and at 66 years of age, I’m still enjoying my relationship with WWE. I have no bitterness whatsoever.”

On picking the Eagles to win the Super Bowl: “Here’s always been my philosophy – all the time I was married to my wife, she was a Steelers fan. Grew up in Pittsburgh, got a lot of Steelers stuff here in my house. There’s just no damn way if you’re a Steelers fan anytime in your life that you can ever cheer for the Patriots. So, I would not feel like I was honoring my wife’s memory very well if I cheered for the Patriots. But the other aspect of that is, is that the Eagles – I’m more of an NFC guy than an AFC guy quite frankly – and big Lane [Johnson] playing tackle and doing a hell of a job, by the way, that’s my dog in the hunt. He’s my “Big Dog” in the hunt, so I’m going to be cheering for the Eagles and it’ll be great to see a Sooner win a Super Bowl ring. That’s about as transparent as I can get. It’s all about the lines of scrimmage, offense and defense. That’s the whole ball game. The Foles thing is overthought. He’s a good quarterback and he’s not playing by himself. He won some games down the stretch that they needed to win, so I’m not worried about the quarterback play. I think the game is won and decided at the line of scrimmage, and I just think the Eagles have the advantage in that area.”