WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently spoke with TSN Canada in advance of his upcoming RINGSIDE show in Toronto on WWE Survivor Series weekend. You can read a few highlights below:
Ross comments on Seth Rollins’ recent babyface turn and why it will be an easy transition:
“I think once [Rollins] gets engaged in an issue with an established villain, once the hero is wronged illegally, once he’s faced with seemingly challenging odds, all that babyface stuff will start filtering his way. He has always wrestled – with his athleticism and high-flying stuff – as a fan favourite, so he doesn’t have to change that. I think the subtle things – maybe his promo work will be tweaked a little bit, but he’s got to have a cause. Once his cause is established with an established villain, it will take care of itself.”
Ross says the response to AJ Styles by WWE fans has been a nice surprise:
“I’m a little bit surprised because I didn’t know how the general WWE audience would receive A.J. – those who weren’t overly familiar with his work. There are some folks who only watch WWE. They don’t watch New Japan or TNA or what have you, so I was a little surprised that the audience embraced him so quickly. You saw that immediately upon his entrance at the Royal Rumble. I believe he’s the best in-ring talent currently wrestling.”
Ross says WWE is headed in a good direction:
“The WWE has done really well. They gave a hungry Kevin Owens – a Canadian that’s loved wrestling since he’s been alive – and A.J., an overachiever, an amazing athlete and those are their two champions. So I think if that’s an illustration of where they’re headed, I kind of like their athletic direction.”
Ross explains why he thinks we still might see Brock Lesnar fight again:
“I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Lesnar fighting. Even if he’s in his early 40s – say, 40 or 41 – when his WWE contract expires – and I don’t know that to be fact – I think he will strongly consider more UFC because there’s going to be a lot of money waiting for him for a one-time shot to see what he’s got left in the tank. And he sells pay-per-views. He’s like CM Punk. He sold pay-per-views and that was part of the bottom line in hiring both of those guys.”
Kevin Owens says he wants to fight Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania!
