Hall of Fame WWE commentator Jim Ross recently shared his personal insights on his podcast “Grilling JR”, where he discussed numerous topics, among them his most favorite match that he called in AEW, his opinion of the Costco Guys’ influence on Tony Khan’s company, and other subjects.
Here are a few notable points from the podcast discussion:
Addressing the question of whether the involvement of the Costco Guys in AEW represents a negative implication, Ross stated, “This is an excellent development. It’s no hindrance at all. Traditionalists might want them in good old-fashioned wool tights and clutching the tag rope, which I do agree with. They may disapprove of such gimmicks, but you cannot force them to endorse them. However, it furnishes the AEW circus with another stage. They won’t be the main event but they will indeed have their spot under the big tent. Even with their pre-show gig on Saturday in Newark, I am certain they garnered some viewership. I’m an advocate for such strategies. WWE, in my opinion, has skillfully integrated celebrities into its fold over the years. We’ve done similar at AEW, albeit not as extensively, enlisting celebrities like Mike Tyson and Shaq.”
On the topic of his favorite match that he officiated in AEW, Ross declared, “The Rhodes boys’ face-off, Dustin vs. Cody, at Double or Nothing 2019, stays closest to my heart. It remains the best match I have had the opportunity to call in AEW till this day. Other matches have been commendable, but this encounter was steeped in a natural emotional depth, deriving from sibling rivalry and a riveting backstory. A level of emotion that cannot be simply conjured up or simulated. It was genuine. Having the honor to be on the commentary team and the gratitude I personally owe to Cody and Dustin for the on-screen brilliance of that match make it a standout event for me.”
The podcast also includes a link to Ross’s “Grilling JR” episode titled “My Favorite WrestleMania Match” for further listening.