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Paul O'Brien talks Jim Ross

Posted: Jul 23rd 2014 By: Paul O'Brien

It?s hard to write something like this and not stray into ?career obituary? territory. Anyone who saw and heard JR?s boxing debut knows that his days as a top-notch announcer aren?t nearly over. If you?ve ever caught his podcast you?d know his days as a communicator aren?t over and if you?ve read his blog or column you?d know his time as fan of wrestling surely isn?t over either.

However, not the first time, his twenty-one year run with WWE looks to be.

And what a loss to a company that delivers so many live hours of TV per week that is.

I don?t know how WWE, or any company, can let walk all those years of experience, passion and skill. It makes no sense in an environment that?s balanced on ?bringing up? the next wave of talent.

Maybe like JR says himself on his weekly podcast, maybe his style of announcing is no longer practiced in WWE. Maybe that?s why he can be cut loose. ?Calling the damn match? is out of fashion, and what a shame that is.

Ross? voice described many of our favourite moments.

His impassioned calls are the score to so many iconic visuals. Ross? sound to WWE was as important as Giacchino was to Lost, Marricone to Leone and Williams was to most everything else.

He was that important.

We sensed a build through his words, a turn through his disgust; a hot main event through his enthusiasm. He welcomed us with passion and at the tip of a great show, he?d leave us with next week?s question.

And that?s not to mention the fact that he signed and assembled the most successful roster of all time.

By some accounts he was treated well, and other accounts not so much - but by his own account his work in WWE lead to a better life for him and his family.

And that?s wrestling?s only true measure of success.

So with 21 years coming, and ?retirement? with it, we say goodbye to WWE Jim Ross and thank you for the calls - the 1,000?s of memorable by gawd calls.