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WWE News
WWE News: Jim Ross critically evaluates young talent on the WWE roster, critiques Jack Swagger (must-read interview) Oct 31, 2009 - 1:30:23 PM
WWE announcer and former VP of talent relations Jim Ross took a critical look at young talent on the WWE roster needing to work hard whether they're on a flagship show or WWE Superstars in an interview published this week. He said young wrestlers will prove whether they are capable of being in main events if they don't become complacent.
"They just have to have time. And then they have to make sure that they don't get a comfort level," Ross told Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun in an excellent interview. "'Hey look, I'm the Intercontinental champion' or 'Hey look, I'm on a pay-per-view' or whatever. Are you in main events on pay-per-views? Have you headlined WrestleMania yet? 'Well, no.' Okay, so when you headline WrestleMania, you come back and see me about where you are in your comfort zone. And then I'm going to tell you when you headline one WrestleMania, why don't you come back and talk to me a little bit more at length when you do your second one. That's what you're looking for."
In the interview, Ross gave an impassioned speech about wrestlers needing to show WWE management they are capable of being main-eventers even when they think no one is watching a show like Superstars.
"It's just a matter if seeing who wants it when you get to a certain level. It doesn't matter if you have a six-minute match on Superstars, go out and steal the show," Ross said. "This is being taped before all the decision makers, and all your peers and all the crew, so I don't want to hear about the stage."
Ross also singled out fellow Oklahoman Jack Swagger as having all the ability to be a main-eventer, but a lack of drive or motivation at times. He said Swagger needs to find a fire in his belly to show management he can handle more duties and be put in main event situations.
"He's one of those guys that is so good that he can put it in a little above neutral and be better than most," Ross said. "Somewhere along the way the light has to go off internally with Jack Swagger, where it starts burning brighter and brighter, and then he can use that to elevate up. That's what I see that he needs to do. ... He has to go out and play like it's the NCAA finals. And those back-to-back-to-back-type performances are what gets you noticed and what gives people confidence that, 'okay, this kid's getting it. Now let's roll with him.'"
Link: The quotes are just the tip of the iceberg on Ross's talent evaluation on the younger roster. I recommend reading the entire interview with Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun.
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