"What was I thinking?" – Ex-WWE writer admits he made big mistake with Jim Ross (Exclusive)
Jim Ross is widely viewed as one of the most popular wrestling commentators ever. Vince Russo, WCW and WWE's former head writer, recently admitted he regrets mocking the current AEW announcer.
In 1999, Russo and fellow writer Ed Ferrara left WWE to join WCW. While Russo portrayed an authority figure, Ferrara performed as a Jim Ross parody character called Oklahoma. He impersonated the commentator's mannerisms and even made light of his facial paralysis condition.
Russo appeared on Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Outlaws alongside host Dr. Chris Featherstone and former WWE star EC3. Discussing regrets in the wrestling business, the Oklahoma storyline idea immediately came to Russo's mind:
"My only regret, honestly, is that JR stuff. I mean, when I look back now, when I say, 'What was I thinking?' I know what I was thinking. We were in a war and it was absolute gloves off. But, after the fact, looking back, I'm like, 'God, how did you [do that]?'" [12:00 – 12:19]
Watch the video above to hear EC3 reveal what he would have changed about his final WWE run.
Vince Russo praises Jim Ross' professionalism
In the late 1990s, Ed Ferrara and Vince Russo were instrumental in WWE RAW's ratings success before they departed for WCW.
Russo has made no secret that he disliked how former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon conducted business. Jim Ross, by contrast, was always a pleasure to deal with.
"He is the one guy that was in a position of power that, all the time that I worked with him, never lied, never politicked, told you how he felt directly to your face," Russo continued. "JR was the only stand-up guy out of all of them. That's why when I look back at that stuff that I did to him, of all people, bro, it's bad because JR did it the right way. JR was not a politician. He didn't bury other people. He would have arguments with Vince. He would confront Vince. He was the only guy that was really a stand-up guy in that position." [12:29 – 13:17]
Russo previously explained that the Oklahoma character was created because McMahon enjoyed hearing Ferrara's Jim Ross impressions in WWE production meetings.
What are your thoughts on WCW's Jim Ross parody? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
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