How A Foolish Decision By Vince McMahon Almost Made Jim Ross Quit WWE
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Jim Ross and Vince McMahon had a mixed relationship despite working closely together for many years. Ross was trusted by McMahon more than most when working backstage and on-screen in important roles. However, it became a common trend for JR to get embarrassed on television solely to entertain Vince’s bullying sense of humor.
One specific instance saw Ross flat out admitting that it was almost the point of no return. JR lasted in the play-by-play commentator role for well over a decade, but it could have ended sooner. McMahon trying to once again have fun at hi expense almost pushed his buttons too far. Ross considered quitting WWE after a Vince McMahon decision embarrassed him one too many times.
Vince McMahon Sent Jim Ross To SmackDown In The 2008 WWE Draft
The 2008 WWE Draft featured names switching brands from Raw to SmackDown without having any notice. Vince McMahon made it clear that most of the wrestlers would not be given any notice to keep their authentic reactions. Former WWE writers did reveal that certain respected top stars like John Cena and Triple H were given warnings, but McMahon did not care to offer said information to most other names switching brands.
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Jim Ross was completely blindsided here when he was moved from Raw to SmackDown. Michael Cole followed it up by also getting drafted and moving to Raw. The unofficial trade was a huge deal at the time since Ross was the voice of Raw and Cole was the voice of SmackDown for many years. There were very few instances of any broadcasters switching shows before then.
The live reaction of Ross being upset and short with his words confirmed that he was clearly unhappy. Cole expressed mixed emotions of being excited to join the Raw brand, but he did share that it was tough leaving the show that he was such a big part of. It was clear though that Jim Ross took it harder and felt disrespected.
Jim Ross Was So Upset That He Considered Quitting WWE
Vince McMahon’s history of firing or embarrassing Jim Ross saw him never breaking and always coming back to do his job. Moments like kissing Vince’s backside or having his serious surgery mocked in a skit may have upset Ross, but he never considered quitting. That made it more alarming when JR wrote a blog the night after the draft discussing his thoughts about quitting after Raw.
Ross said the following about talking it out with his wife before making his final decision:
"I am not happy about this surprise development. I also contemplated calling it a career Monday night and not going to Houston to tape SD. After speaking with my wife and thinking on this matter until 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, I have decided to do the right thing for the fans who care and the talent who care and begin my new assignment."
WWE talked JR into staying by claiming his presence would help SmackDown with the network executives and that a change was needed in the presentation of each show. Ross’ wife also talked him out of the anger and not to make a rash decision. There were few jobs for wrestling broadcasters at this time when only TNA had a television following as a drastically smaller company.
Jim Ross Felt Disrespected That He Wasn't Told Before It Was Announced Live On Raw
Many fans wondered why Jim Ross was so upset about this more than the other things Vince McMahon did. The level of pride that Ross put into his work made it a big deal that he was the voice of the Raw brand. Before SmackDown started airing on Fox a few years ago, the show was nowhere near the tier of Raw in Vince’s eyes. Even as recently as 2018 saw Raw sweeping SmackDown in a series of Survivor Series matches.
Ross moving from Raw to SmackDown was objectively a demotion that felt like greater disrespect than a segment with McMahon’s terrible comedy humiliating him. The personal nature of losing such a coveted spot without the warning embarrassed JR more than the previous moments. Ross had a camera right in his face after a career low moment.
Vince clearly wanted the younger Michael Cole to move up to the top play by play role in WWE. This part of the equation is more acceptable since Cole is still their top commentator today. However, it was the disrespect of being demoted without a warning on live television that rubbed Ross the wrong way. JR’s long and strange history with McMahon almost ended in a more volatile way on this night before cooler heads prevailed.
