WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently spoke with Yahoo Sports! to promote his New Japan Pro Wrestling debut on AXS TV tonight, and below are some interview highlights:
Shane McMahon returning and facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania:
“Honestly, I was shocked to see him back. You learn early on in this business to never say never, especially in this case because the bloodline runs too deep. The match itself won’t be Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat or “Stone Cold” vs. The Rock, but it won’t be Dada 5000 vs. Kimbo Slice, either. If your expectations aren’t unreasonable, it will be great match. There will be big spots, crash and burns and things like that. I think the storyline of Shane not losing his place in the McMahon lineage is great. You can really make this an interesting story.”
If CM Punk made the right decision to leave WWE for the UFC:
“Yes, because he was miserable with the WWE. He could have probably went on to do something else in wrestling if he chose to. But he seemed as if when he left it was cathartic for him. He’s a very introspective guy with a high IQ who seemed to be more at peace leaving the turmoil of the WWE behind. But it has kind of followed him with the lawsuit with the WWE and the injuries that have postponed his UFC debut. I think he’ll stay the course and eventually make his debut. What kind of career he will have? I’m not so sure. He’s an attraction. A well conditioned Kimbo Slice, if you will. He’s a student of the game and I would never discount his desire. I think he made the right call because you can’t stay in an environment and be miserable. It’s unhealthy mentally and physically. He seems to be happier now that he’s married and now he’s at home more. He’s so good at wrestling, there’s no reason that he can’t eventually circle around and come back, if he wanted to. He’ll never have a problem finding work but his window to try new things like the UFC is small. Until he proves that he’s a skilled fighter, his cache is his reputation as a pro wrestler with the WWE. Brock Lesnar was the same way until he proved he could kick some ass.”
In related news, you can listen to Ross speak with WZ Radio about his debut with New Japan Pro Wrestling, Triple H vs Dean Ambrose at WWE Fastlane and more in the audio player below!
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.
