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Jim Ross Interview Pt. 5

Posted: Feb 28th 2008 By: CMBurnham

Leading up to WrestleMania 24 (XXIV) in Orlando on March 30, JAWBreaker will have some exclusive questions and answers with WWE announcer Jim Ross. This week, Ross' commentating partner Jerry "The King" Lawler joins me for a few questions. Here is Week 5 with Jim Ross and a special appearance by Lawler.

Question: Fans are anxiously anticipating Ric Flair's Hall of Fame induction. Will Ric Flair literally ride Space Mountain at Disney World? Maybe we can expect a promo from there promoting his match against Shawn Michaels?

Answer: "Flair will raise the bar as it relates to emotion and raw passion when he enters the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday night March 29 in the Amway Arena in Orlando, which no fan should miss if at all possible. I have said, and I mean it sincerely, even if I was not in the WWE, I would travel on my dime to see 'Naitch' take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame. This particular night can never be replicated again. Flair recording a promo from a roller coaster . . . what have you been smoking . . . BROTHER?!"

Question: It's very likely, with Jeff Hardy in the Money in the Bank ladder match at WM 24, that the Intercontinental Championship won't be defended at WM for the sixth consecutive year. Will this title ever mean something again, especially on the biggest stage of them all?

Answer: "I think the IC Title means something now. Could it mean more? Sure it could. Whether it is defended at WM 24 or not, the IC Title is the third most prestigious title in the WWE behind the WWE Title and the World's Title. I do agree that there could be more focus surrounding the Intercontinental Title and the title could be featured much more than it is. Plus, one is assuming that Jeff Hardy will still be the IC Champion come WM 24."

Question: Any chance we'll see a WWE Draft after WM 24?

Answer: "I assume that there is a chance, but I have heard nothing concrete about this matter. In 2008, I would rather see an influx of new, young talents make their debuts in an organized, systematic process rather than see the same established talents simply change addresses. I like the overall concept of the Draft, but I don't know that it has to be a cut and dried, annual affair. Although it does generally garner a nice TV rating and helps rosters that have been depleted by injuries."

Question: Your early reviews of new announcer Mike Adamle?

Answer: "I personally like Mike, who I first met when we worked together in the XFL. He seems to be adjusting well in the WWE community and has indicated to me that he will maintain his other projects -- including working for the NBC-TV affiliate in Chicago. In today's marketplace and with the volume of information that flows on the Net, all wrestling announcers are subject to negative feedback from time to time and, like the rest of us, Mike will not be immune to criticism from time to time. Mike is largely filling a role that Mean Gene Okerlund perfected in his Hall of Fame career, so the former NFL running back has significant shoes to fill. Mike is a sharp guy and might even have play-by-play instincts as his WWE experience evolves. Some of Mike's critics already have him termed as 'a failure' after only about a month on the job, which is totally unfair."

Question: What are your impressions of the announce team of Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse Ventura and how they made WrestleManias 3, 4, 5 and 6 bigger and better? (I think they did all four of those together, and I'm not sure if they did WMs 1 and 2 or not.)

Answer: "I have always been a fan of both men's work and was especially close to Monsoon, who became a mentor to me soon after I arrived in the WWE in 1993 when I was not considered a 'popular hire.' Monsoon always held his ground with the controversial Ventura, which made their on-air conflicts that much more entertaining back in the '80s. Ventura could dominate a broadcast if he was allowed to but not with Gorilla. They meshed well, and 'The Body' still had plenty of opportunities to contribute in his own unique style. In my opinion, Monsoon's best broadcast partner was Bobby Heenan, hands down, while Jesse probably worked best with Vince McMahon, but that's not to say that the Gorilla/Body combo did not do an excellent job in the early days of WrestleMania. Plus, one has to remember that in those days that a more traditional combination of play-by-play and antagonist color analyst was the norm, which isn't the case these days in the WWE. Play-by-play has been supplanted by being a story teller, while color commentators are not automatically antagonists."