On a recent edition of his “Grilling JR” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross discussed a myriad of topics regarding WWE WrestleMania 25.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Ricky Steamboat vs. Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 25: “Not really [surprised Steamboat returned]. You know, it’s hard to get that stuff out of your system. And Ricky stays in great shape, even to this very day. He can have a match with anybody, as they say, and he can, could. But I liked the marriage between Jericho and Steamboat. They seemed to fit each other, they seem to be on the same page. And so I enjoyed that story, as it was told somewhat succinctly. It may have been rushed a little bit. But in any event, I thought that it was good. Chris looks good in a suit. Steamboat was there, special night. So it was a great opportunity for Jericho to turn on put on his heel face and go have a match with one of the greatest baby faces that ever lived. And they did that, they did a nice job.”
On the Legacy group: “I liked him. I thought it was an opportunity to advance young talents that had a pedigree and had the DNA you’re looking for… So I liked them, I thought that whole deal had legs.”
On JBL’s announcing: “He’s good at sound bites. You know, he was a very underrated broadcaster, in my opinion. And could still walk in there again tomorrow and do a great job. He’s had a good aptitude for communicating, good communicator.”
On The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25: “Again, if I had a wrestling school or territory, that match would be required viewing. Study it, understand — how these guys did their transitions was brilliant. Meaning this, folks. Michaels is on the offense in his picture on YouTube, dropping in an elbow on the Taker, who’s patiently waiting. But when Shawn’s on the offense, how does he get to — how do you transfer into selling? How do you how do you make that? How do you make that transformation, and how does that match evolved? What do you what did you do to get Shawn in trouble so taker can take advantage.
“Those transitions were brilliant. So if you watch this match, watch how they changed from offense to defense almost seamlessly. And they always connect the dots… But Shawn’s a gamer, man. That’s why many people consider him the best that’s ever been in the ring. And I’m sure Taker on this night, certainly using this night as an illustration — that was great facial expression there, again on YouTube. I think Shawn was kicked out. And that’s an expression Taker gave us. Priceless, priceless.”
WrestleMania 25: A Look Back at Memorable Matches and Moments
WrestleMania 25, held on April 5, 2009, at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, was a landmark event in the world of professional wrestling. The show featured several memorable matches and moments that left a lasting impact on both fans and industry insiders. In a recent episode of his “Grilling JR” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross shared his thoughts on some of the key aspects of WrestleMania 25.
One of the standout matches of the night was Ricky Steamboat’s return to the ring to face Chris Jericho. Ross expressed his lack of surprise at Steamboat’s return, highlighting the wrestler’s enduring passion for the sport and his remarkable physical shape. Ross praised the chemistry between Steamboat and Jericho, noting that they seemed to be on the same page throughout the match. Despite feeling that the storyline may have been rushed, Ross commended both wrestlers for their performance and the opportunity it provided Jericho to showcase his heel persona against one of the all-time great babyfaces.
Another notable element of WrestleMania 25 was the Legacy group, consisting of young talents with wrestling pedigrees. Ross saw this as an opportunity to advance promising stars who possessed the necessary DNA for success in the industry. He expressed his approval of the group and believed that it had significant potential for growth.
JBL’s announcing skills also received praise from Ross. He described JBL as an underrated broadcaster with a knack for delivering impactful sound bites. Ross believed that JBL’s communication skills made him an effective commentator and suggested that he could easily step back into the role and excel at it even today.
However, the match that stole the show at WrestleMania 25 was undoubtedly The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels. Ross emphasized the importance of studying this match for anyone interested in professional wrestling. He highlighted the brilliance of their transitions from offense to defense, noting how seamlessly they executed these shifts. Ross emphasized the importance of connecting the dots in a match and praised Michaels for his ability to convey emotion and tell a compelling story in the ring. He also commended The Undertaker for his expressive facial expressions, which added depth and drama to the match.
WrestleMania 25 was a night filled with unforgettable moments, and the matches discussed by Jim Ross on his podcast only scratch the surface of the event’s overall impact. From Steamboat’s return to the Legacy group’s potential and the masterful performance of The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, this WrestleMania left a lasting impression on both fans and industry insiders alike. It serves as a testament to the artistry and athleticism that make professional wrestling such a captivating form of entertainment.