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AS I SEE IT 3/7: Jim Ross, "The Voice", and New Japan Pro Wrestling

AS I SEE IT 3/7: Jim Ross, "The Voice", and New Japan Pro Wrestling

Posted: Mar 7th 2016 By: Bob Magee

Speaking of hell freezing over...it happened for the second week in a row, or at least Hell got a fall nip in the air as Jim Ross began with AXS TV doing voice overs of New Japan Pro Wrestling.

The evening began with a ZERO kayfabe interview with Ross the debut of a new series of interviews by Michael Schiavello in "The Voice Versus", a lead-in to New Japan on AXS TV. For those who haven't heard of him, Schiavello is an Australian sports commentator for AXS TV, calling K-1, Dream, Maximum Fighting Championship, King of the Cage, and The Contender Asia. "The Voice Versus" is a no-BS series of interviews with MMA, boxing and pro wrestling stars. The interviews are kayfabe and BS free, even to the point in his preceding season where he got Hulk Hogan to do as close to truthful an interview as you can get.

This interview with Ross was revealing, too; to the point where Ross talked about blading for the first time in a match with HHH (a story I'd never heard), and took on other subjects ranging from his history in the business, his role in talent management, why he thought WCW turned into an "asylum", the challenges of having dealt with Bell's Palsy, and his preferences in ring style versus some of what he sees today.

If Vince McMahon didn't let this side of Jim Ross come out on WWE Network, DVD, or the like...he was an idiot. Jim Ross is a great storyteller, which I guess shouldn't be a shock given his history. But Ross also didn't do what some people do in interviews and spend all of it putting himself over. Ross admitted that he and Jesse Ventura should have been a better commentary team, but HE let his ego get in the way.

Ross talked about it being hard at the beginning at WWF, and how much Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan were the ones who helped his career continue. He told funny stories about Monsoon carrying around large wads of cash, estimated by Ross as $10,000. Ross asked him why once. Monsoon replied "What if I want to buy something?" Ross said he thought "A ranch?"

Ross also suggests he understood why Vince McMahon fired him after the infamous Ric Flair video game promotional debacle, discussed why he considered retiring, and reconsidered...and is now as busy as he ever was; between New Japan Pro Wrestling, The Ross Report podcast, Ringside with Jim Ross and Friends, CBS Sports's "Knockout Night at the D" boxing series, and the new FITE TV app.

In the Schiavello "True or False" segment, Ross said (among many other things): he was in negotiations to do commentary for UFC 4 and that he believes Brock Lesnar was the wrong man to end The Undertaker's streak.

If your cable/satellite provider has on demand (some providers have limited online or "to go" availability), see if they have this interview. (Xfinity doesn't, at least yet). I can tell you that it's worth searching for. The True or False segment, at least, can be seen at here.

Then at 9:00 pm, Jim Ross started calling New Japan Pro Wrestling. The show featured matches from May 2015; including an edited version of CHAOS (Kazuchika Okada and Yoshi-Hashi) vs. Bullet Club (AJ Styles and Yujiro Takahashi) and a main event NJPW Intercontinental title match of Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Hirooki Goto.

In a certain way, it seemed bizarre hearing him do it, given how great Mauro Ranallo has been at it, and being used to the years of Ross doing WWF/E with its very different style. But in another way it wasn't. Ross was perfectly fine....which shouldn't surprise if you think about it, given that New Japan Pro Wrestling is an athletic product like Mid-South/UWF...and the best of Flair-Steamboat era WCW early on.

Ross clearly loves Kazuchika Okada (what fan, even the most casual, of New Japan doesn't?) and puts him over like crazy. In typical Ross style, he stresses the legitimate athletic background of Okada to do it. I can't wait to hear him call a Tanahashi-Okada match.

It's pretty clear that one thing Ross likes about New Japan was shown in something he said in his Schiavello interview, about wrestlers not being protected (to the degree they are in North America), and wrestlers actually sell moves to get over matches and storylines.

Some satellite and cable providers do allow access to this show online or to go access if you didn't DVR it. Check with your local satellite and cable provider.

To close on a different subject, Mick Foley has launched his yearly WrestleMania Dream Vacation sweepstakes in benefit of RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, the largest anti-sexual assault organization in the United States.

The grand prize is a trip to Dallas for this year?s WrestleMania which includes two air tickets to Dallas,
transportation to hotel, five nights hotel in Arlington, $1,000 spending money, an original 20?32 Rob Schamberger wrestling art, a dinner with Mick Foley, two ringside seats to WrestleMania, two tickets to the Hall of Fame, Axxess, Raw, NXT, and Ring of Honor events.

100% of the proceeds will go to RAINN with tickets starting at $2 each or less if you are buying multiple ones. The sweepstakes close on Tuesday, March 15, at 11:59PM EST. You can purchase tickets at this link

Until next time...

 

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Supplemental Information

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

  • 09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
  • 09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
  • 09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
  • 09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
  • 09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
  • 09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
  • 09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
  • 09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
  • 09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
  • 09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
  • 09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
  • 09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
  • 09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
  • 09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
  • 09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
  • 09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
  • 09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
  • 09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
  • 09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
  • 09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
  • 09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
  • 09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
  • 09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title
09-20
  • Justin Lee Sep 20th Today!
  • Pepper Martin Sep 20th Today!
  • Joey Stixx Sep 20th Today!
  • Boz Sep 20th Today!
  • Ethan Page Sep 20th Today!
  • Greg Valentine Sep 20th Today!
  • Randy Rhodes Sep 20th Today!
  • Bishop Simon Sep 20th Today!
  • Chuck Singer Sep 20th Today!
  • Jack Brisco Sep 21st
  • Connor Jones Sep 21st
  • Ricky Morton Sep 21st
  • Harley D Sep 22nd
  • Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
  • Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
  • Satine Sep 22nd
  • Doug Somers Sep 22nd
  • Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
  • Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
  • O'Malley Sep 23rd
  • Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
  • Connor Crunk Sep 24th
  • John J. Bishop Sep 24th
  • Jason Bruce Sep 24th
  • Kai Fayden Sep 24th
  • Joe Jones Sep 24th
  • Len Rossi Sep 24th
  • Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
  • Chief Mike Sep 25th
  • Toots Estes Sep 25th
  • Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
  • Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
  • Ka$haNova Sep 26th
  • BB Sep 26th
  • Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
  • Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
  • Chris Matthews Sep 26th
  • Lone Eagle Sep 26th
  • Ben Miller Sep 27th
  • Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
  • Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
  • Angel Camacho Sep 27th
  • Scott Lee Sep 28th
  • Trey Count Sep 28th
  • Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
  • Kamille Sep 28th
  • Tommy Prince Sep 28th
  • Rip Tyler Sep 28th
  • Ann Casey Sep 29th
  • Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
  • Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
  • David Sammartino Sep 29th
  • Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
  • Seth Coburn Sep 30th
  • Lady Starwind Sep 30th
  • Raymon Downey Sep 30th
  • Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
  • Fred Urban Sep 30th
  • Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
  • Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
  • James Southard Oct 2nd
  • Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
  • Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
  • Funnybone Oct 2nd
  • Don Fargo Oct 3rd
  • Crystal White Oct 3rd
  • Johnny TV Oct 3rd

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1

Current Champions

Empire Pro Wrestling

Jay Hazzard

All-American Champion
Jay Hazzard

 
  • Heavyweight Champion: Remy Devereaux
  • Tag Team Champions: DeathKnoks
  • Internet Television Champion: Jack Talos
  • Hardcore Champion: Max Mercer