The following interview is available at FeelThePain.net:
The Pain Clinic with Jim Ross
Hosts: Rich âCashmanâ Jones, Danger Boy, Murph, JZ
Available on Hot Talk 1280 WHTK and at FeelThePain.net.
Jim Ross joins the show and talks about taping 22 segments in one night last week in England. This leads into JR giving his thoughts about Jeff Hardy and his recent character development. He thinks Jeff has always been over with the fans.
Mick Foley’s departure from WWE was discussed. JR brought Mick in originally and said “he’s a quality human being” and he’s happy for him. He thought they were beginning to gel before Mick’s departure. Jim talks about teaming with Tazz and shows their similarities in the business and the paths they traveled to get to the top. He loves their meshing on Smackdown.
Jim explains that Tazz is a funny guy and funny to be around. His Tazz facts at jrsbarbq.com are a lot of fun. JR talks about Todd Grisham and Matt Striker’s teaming on the ECW commentary. He loves their work. Striker is a ‘wrestling nerd’ and shows his wrestling history knowledge on the show.
JR talks about moving over to Smackdown. He compares a ‘live’ show versus a taped show in preparation. He explains how he approaches the show and how he prepares. He thinks it flows more like a pay per view than Raw does.
JR talks about the failed Mike Adamle experiment on Monday Night Raw. JR thinks the world of Mike and has always had a great relationship with him going back to the XFL days. He felt Mike’s major problem was a lack of product knowledge of the WWE. JR at times enjoyed Mike’s work. JR thinks the fans have an unfair perception of him.
JR talks about working story lines and he thinks “that ship has sailed’ with him doing any more. He thinks his involvement in stories is getting old. He would prefer not to with his health situation. He said “leave that to the younger guys and the talents who are trying to get established.”
We talk about local guy Colin Delaney in the WWE and JR’s thoughts on Colin going back to work in the WWE. JR puts Colin over as a hard worker and never heard a cross word about him. JR talks about the hardest part of being Executive Vice President of Talent Relations. He hated releasing wrestlers and he tried hard to be fair. He didn’t want to abuse his power. He talks about issues with the job he dealt with.
This lead into talking about Brock Lesnar’s victory at the last UFC pay per view. JR knew he was a freak of nature when he originally signed him and he knew he would work hard to succeed. JR talks about some of the stigma’s hanging over Brock’s head in the UFC. Brock’s upbringing on a farm lead to his success.
We ask JR about his favorite match and he said that he can’t say because of his experience as announcer. It’s difficult for him to say. He said maybe after he retires doing a top 10. Certain matches stand out like Ric Flair and Sting on the first Clash of the Champions on TBS or WrestleMania 17 in Houston. This leads into talking about writing a book but he doesn’t have the time yet in life to start. He wants to give it his fullest effort if and when he does write the book.
We ask JR about this years Hall Of Fame possibilities. He mentioned that last years induction had a Florida flavor and maybe this year will have a Texas one. JR said you will always get deserving guy who won’t get in. This leads into JR talking about Gordon Solie’s induction last year. Jim goes into his work ethic and how he always want to be better ever time he announces.
We ask JR about Oklahoma’s chance at winning the national championship with their early loss in the season. Oklahoma is taking on Texas Tech today and JR said if they can win there and at Oklahoma State next week they can possibly do it. JR comments on Barack Obama’s thoughts on making the national championship a tournament. He agrees and he thinks it would be a revenue generating event and it is the right thing to do.
JR looks at Survivor Series and John Cena’s return. He’s excited to see John coming back. He thinks that is good for business. He’s excited about the three-way for the WWE Championship. JR talks a little about Vladimir Kozlov and his first big chance in the WWE.
We let Jim go soon after.
To hear the show go to www.feelthepain.net.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
