During the latest edition of his “Grilling JR” podcast, Jim Ross discussed Vince McMahon stepping down as TKO Executive Chairman and from the TKO Board of Directors following a lawsuit filed by former employee Janel Grant against McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis.
The lawsuit made serious allegations against McMahon, including sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault. Ross said,
“Lots of change afloat and personally, I’ll be glad when the winds have swept that change on through. I’m tired of it. It’s embarrassing in a lot of ways that it’s happened this way. It’s affected a lot of innocent people. That’s my take on it. I might be wrong but, it’s time to move on. It’s time to move on and cause some rest and peace for some people and it’s time to move on in my opinion, and I just never believed that Vince (McMahon) would allow his company to get this out of control and it has and I feel badly about that because I know how much the WWE meant to him. I’m sure it still does to some degree. So, anyway, it’s time. Let’s go. Let’s move on. Let’s rewind it and cast the hook in the water one more time and see if we can catch something more positive.”
He continued, “Well, it’ll affect it (Vince McMahon’s legacy in wrestling) to some degree but, it won’t be earth-shattering. It won’t be a big seismic, graphic change, because he’s still Vince McMahon and he’s still built this amazing company that many of us in different forms of pro wrestling are still celebrating, and still playing off of. I just think it’s time for all of us to move on and find happier days and build from there. But you’ll never be able to take away from what Vince built and how he’s helped a lot of people. I mean a lot of guys that are making a living in pro wrestling right now can look at it anyway they choose but if they’re being realistic, they look in the mirror and see Vince McMahon staring them right in the face because he was the catalyst that created a lot of this change and the incomes going up and all those things so, I just wish it was over. I just wish we were moved on and all these issues are settled and we have moved on to happier days, because I think that’s what the business and the world needs is happier days and still get that with the old WWE memories, at least I do. I’m very thankful I had the chance to work there. I’m even more thankful I have a chance to work for Tony Khan now at AEW. So, it’s all good man, it’s all good. We have to build on the positives and that’s what I’m trying to do at my stage of life and my health situation. It’s important for me to build on the positives and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
In a recent episode of his podcast “Grilling JR,” legendary wrestling commentator Jim Ross discussed the news of Vince McMahon stepping down as TKO Executive Chairman and from the TKO Board of Directors. This decision came in the wake of a lawsuit filed by former employee Janel Grant against McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis, which made serious allegations including sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault.
Ross expressed his thoughts on the matter, stating that he is tired of the ongoing changes and finds it embarrassing that the situation has unfolded in this way. He acknowledged that innocent people have been affected by these events and believes it is time to move on and bring some rest and peace to those involved. Ross also admitted that he never believed McMahon would allow his company to get out of control in this manner, given how much WWE meant to him.
While the lawsuit and McMahon’s departure will undoubtedly have some impact on his legacy in wrestling, Ross does not believe it will be earth-shattering or result in a significant change. He emphasized that McMahon has built an incredible company that many people in the wrestling industry still celebrate and benefit from. Ross expressed his desire for everyone to move on from these issues and find happier days to build upon.
Despite the current situation, Ross believes that McMahon’s contributions to the wrestling world cannot be taken away. He credited McMahon as the catalyst for much of the positive change in the industry, including increased incomes for wrestlers. Ross expressed his gratitude for having worked for WWE and now having the opportunity to work for Tony Khan at AEW.
In conclusion, Jim Ross shared his perspective on Vince McMahon stepping down amid the lawsuit filed against him and WWE. While he acknowledged the impact this may have on McMahon’s legacy, Ross emphasized the need to move on and focus on building a positive future for the wrestling industry. He expressed gratitude for his past experiences and optimism for what lies ahead.