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MITCHELL'S TAKE
MITCHELL SHORT: WWE Hall of Fame, Steve Austin, and Jim Ross – The Game is Afoot Jan 13, 2009 - 9:55:41 PM
It's been awhile since the Jim Ross game has been played in WWE. Ross, the most popular announcer in WWE history, has for many years been more than a little too popular for the likes of Vince McMahon, Kevin Dunn, and others in WWE management. They were ready to send him out to pasture years ago but a combination of not being able to groom enough competent replacements (Remember Mike Adamle's big money contract?) and not wanting that replacement to face blowback from fans has prevented the move.
It hasn't prevented several mean-spirited embarrassments aimed Ross's way over the years. The last, ambushing the clearly upset Ross on the air during the last draft with the news that he was being switched over to Smackdown after all those years on Raw, was something of a wash.
WWE got Michael Cole over to Raw, the A show, without much unfavorable comparison. Ross, on the other hand, found himself Brer Rabbit in the Smackdown briar patch, enjoying a schedule that allowed him to easier attend those OU football teams.
So things were quiet on the Jim Ross front, at least until the inevitable announcement of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's induction into the WWE Hall of Fame at WrestleMania 25 in Houston, Texas. Austin, the biggest star in WWE history, and Jim Ross go together like grits'n'gravy. The two Southerners share a common philosophy about the wrestling business and were strong political allies. Ross's signature call "Stone Cold! Stone Cold!" evokes Austin at his peak.
Oddly enough, that call – and any other trace of Ross - was absent from WWE's otherwise excellent Austin Hall of Fame video. Also serving to separate Ross from Austin's Hall of Fame legacy was the news that "Cowboy" Bill Watts, Ross's mentor and the man who brought him into the business, would also be inducted in Houston. That means that Ross will be making Watts' induction, not Austin's. He would clearly be in Austin's corner that night, augmenting the action, just like he did all those Monday and Sunday nights – if not for the Watts induction.
Did Ross's detractors manipulate events so Steve Austin's legacy wouldn't strengthen the still-working Ross' popularity with the fans one more time?
It's something to think about, but for longtime wrestling, it's as much a
treat to see Watts garner recognition. Despite what has been written about
some of his views, we can thank Cowboy for much of what made wrestling
great. In fact, some of Austin's persona harks back to the days when Watts
was walking tall. Either way, I think Jim Ross is happy. Besides, no matter
what Vince and his cronies try, J.R. remains a favorite of fans. True fans
of the business can think for themselves.
Jerry
13 Jan 2009, 17:21
I wouldn't be surprised to hear Austin want Ross to induct him as well.Is
there some rule that you can only induct one person per year?
the truth
13 Jan 2009, 17:28
you are an idiot.stupid conspiracy thoery.Jr is prob. watts only
friend.Watts started him basically.Besides i heard austin wants
flair.Dumbass
Ben
13 Jan 2009, 17:41
While I understand the logic of the conspiracy theory, I think this is
going to be a GREAT night for good 'ol JR. Between his mentor Watts and
good friend Austin, I doubt he'll be able to walk away in anger.
Jay
13 Jan 2009, 17:56
Absent from the Austin video was any voice other than Austin himself. How
many times did you watch it to conclude Ross wasn't in it?
Personally, I'd like to see Vince induct Austin. They made each other.
Regardless, Austin is not under a talent contract and therefore if he
wanted Ross to induct him Ross will induct him.
Austin has the power so your theory is bunk.
Tom
13 Jan 2009, 18:22
Austin has said himself he wants Flair to induct him.
K. Fabe
13 Jan 2009, 18:48
Vince should show up at the HoF and say that Austin will never enter "his"
Hall of Fame in a billion years after all Austin's done to him.
Then Stone Cold comes out, and you can guess the rest. :p
Mike
13 Jan 2009, 20:13
There will be other video packages for Austin before the big night in
Houston. The Watts letter indicated that the Hall of Famers get to choose
who inducts them. Even if that weren't the case, if Austin wanted JR, he'd
get JR. JR and Austin are good friends and I don't think JR's ego is so
big that he would be offended if Flair, Vince, or someone else inducted
Austin into the Hall of Fame. Like the other posters have said, this is
going to be a great night for JR as he'll see two of his closest former
peers honored on the same night.
Sean Liska
13 Jan 2009, 20:54
JR is in the video saying, "He is the toughest son of a (censored) in the
WWE!"
tuffy
13 Jan 2009, 22:54
Did anyone see the post above by "the truth"? Seriously, what was that?
Are u mentally retarded, truthy?
s.d. jones
14 Jan 2009, 04:08
If not JR, then it would be awesome to see Bret Hart return the favor and
induct Austin, there is mutual respect and admiration there, and Austin did
the honors for Hart at the WWE HOF ceremony a couple years ago. Wouldn't be
the first time Bret put Steve over, but one wonders whether Vince would be
attracted to the idea.
I think a star of Steve Austin's magnitude deserves to be inducted by only
one man: Vince McMahon.
I know McMahon doesn't appear at the Hall of Fame ceremony on camera, but
him inducting Austin is fitting considering their long and legendary
history. And the fact that Vince McMahon himself would induct Steve Austin
would show what a special performer he has been for WWE. A true mark of a
"first ballot" hall of famer
Jules
14 Jan 2009, 07:49
If the Rock can do 2 inductions last year, his Grandfather and his Father,
why cannot Jim Ross do Cowboy Bill Watts and Stone Cold Steve Austin? This
will remind me of how much I enjoyed Mid-South Wrestling and the World
Wrestling Federation. WWE should think about inducting the Freebirds this
year to, while we're thinking along these lines.
brandon
14 Jan 2009, 11:59
i simply do not understand why vince mcmahon and company would have
anything against Jim Ross. The man is quite possibly the most legendary
announcer in the history of the business. not to mention former VP of
talent relations, a position he held at the cusp of the attitude eras
popularity. it seems very silly to me that vince mcmahon would try to bury
a man who has such obvious appeal and popularity and helps get his product
over with fans.
Jay
14 Jan 2009, 16:53
Upon further review, Ross IS in the clip. Geez man will you apologize for
this terrible job?
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It's been awhile since the Jim Ross game has been played in WWE. Ross, the most popular announcer in WWE history, has for many years been more than a little too popular for the likes of Vince McMahon, Kevin Dunn, and others in WWE management. They were ready to send him out to pasture years ago but a combination of not being able to groom enough competent replacements (Remember Mike Adamle's big money contract?) and not wanting that replacement to face blowback from fans has prevented the move.
