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WWE Alum, TNA Champ Bully Ray Says JR Would Benefit TNA

Posted: Sep 23rd 2013 By: mikeiles

TNA champion Bully Ray, formerly known as Bubba Ray Dudley, said in an interview with UK publication The Daily Star that he'd support Jim Ross joining the decade-old promotion as it seeks to steady and grow its national presence.

I would love to see Jim Ross in TNA. I think TNA would benefit hugely from Jim. He's a straight shooter, a man's man. On a personal level, when Devon and I signed for WWE, we negotiated with Jim and he was the man who signed the contracts with. He's just a top quality person.

Jim Ross recently retired from WWE. He continues to tweet and update his blog. He's a wrestling fan and a passionate supporter of the industry. Along with his on-air role as perhaps the best-known play-by-play announcer in wrestling history, Ross was a talent scout and talent relations manager for WWE.

Bully is absolutely correct that TNA would benefit from adding JR. Along with being one of the most respected men in the industry, he brings immense experience in producing not only a show but a promotion.

TNA has struggled with talent relations and financial management. JR would step in and shape things up quickly.

TNA has struggled to maintain credibility amongst many within the industry as a result. By simply having his name attached to the company, he'd raise that credibility and restore some confidence in the organization.

All that said, though, there is not a chance JR ever signs with TNA nor appear on any of the promotion's programming in any way, shape or form. JR has been more than satisfied sitting at home, offering perspective from afar, blogging, tweeting and working on Web and DVD projects for WWE.

I can't imagine a scenario that would uproot him from a comfortable retirement and occasional payday for a special WWE appearance here or there. I also can't imagine TNA giving him the control that would be necessary to flip the direction of a floundering company.

I expect to see JR on WWE DVDs and television within the next year despite this supposed retirement. Performers rarely "retire" from wrestling, and JR still has financial value to WWE through his voice and knowledge.