Jim Ross believes that WWE creative is in the shape it's in right now due to Vince McMahon surrounding himself with the wrong people.
This weekend could be a historic one for the wrestling business. AEW's first-ever event will take place, Double Or Nothing. While one event won't make or break the company, it will certainly signify what AEW's intentions are right off the bat. Whether it stands a chance of actually giving wrestling fans fed up of WWE a viable alternative to watch.
WWE already seems to think AEW means business. It has demonstrated that by offering its unused talent bigger and better contracts to sit at home and do nothing. That way they can't go and perform for AEW. Trouble is, today's wrestlers don't want to sit at home and do nothing. Plus, in a few cases, AEW is offering WWE Superstars more money than Vince McMahon can.
RELATED: DOUBLE OR NOTHING MATCH CARD, START TIME, AND HOW TO WATCH
While not an in-ring performer, Jim Ross is one talent who left WWE for greener pastures in AEW. He recently revealed to ESPN that he didn't even bother trying to negotiate a new contract with Mr. McMahon. "To negotiate to do the same thing I'd been doing is something I could not live with," JR explained. The Hall Of Famer was barely used by WWE during his last few years with the company.
JR also commented on the current state of WWE creative and why he believes it is the way that it is right now. "Most of them don't understand wrestling...some of the key decisions are being made without an inordinate amount of product knowledge," the announcer went on to say. He added that Mr. McMahon and WWE would be in a better position if the chairman surrounded himself with writers and consultants rather than marketers.
It's a point that is extremely hard to argue with. During WWE's heyday, the company's creative team was a really small one filled with those who had a fundamental understanding of wrestling. People like JR, Bruce Prichard, and even Vince Russo for a short while. Nowadays, it sounds as if there's a room full of writers. 20 to 30 voices and even if there is a good idea, it is diluted or shot down entirely. On the bright side, JR's mentality will undoubtedly be put into practice in AEW going forward.