Jim Ross has recalled working with Donald Trump in WWE back in 2007, revealing that the former President of the United States was more keen on one aspect of WWE than any other.
Back in 2007, long before he became President of the United States, Donald Trump appeared on WWE television and later at WrestleMania 23 for what was billed as the “Battle of the Billionaires.”
The story saw both Trump and Vince McMahon choose representatives to meet in the ring at WrestleMania, where the loser would have their head shaved bald. Bobby Lashley was the man representing Trump, while McMahon selected Umaga. In addition, Stone Cold Steve Austin served as the special guest referee.
In the end, Lashley claimed the win, leading to the surreal scene of he and Donald Trump shaving McMahon’s head. This was only topped by Austin giving the future President a Stunner.
Speaking on his podcast, Grilling JR, available via AdFreeShows, Jim Ross recalled working with Trump. The announcer said that he acted as translator for the ‘wrestling speak,’ so the star was aware of what was going on. However, Trump appeared to be more interested in the WWE Divas, than the rest of the product.
“I don’t know if he’s a perfectionist but he’s going to perfect his image, he was certain of that,” Ross said. “I had several conversations with him and he kind of relied on me to translate some of the wrestling-speak which I did, the best I could. He seemed to me to be more interested in the divas than the rest of the show. ‘Who’s she, what’s that one,’ that kind of thing. But I can’t say that’s a mistake, he’s a healthy red blooded American man and sometimes his little head thinks for his big head, hell, I don’t know.
“He was okay Conrad, he was protective. His son, I can’t remember which one it was, was really scary, dorky. His facial expressions, like he was a secret service guy and he couldn’t beat his way out of a paper bag. I didn’t have any real issues with Trump, I had more issues with him as president than I did as a performer at WrestleMania 23. He was okay, he was in a new land and he’s not used to being in a new land, he’s used to being the emperor of the new land and he was in a different world, he was in Vince’s world and he adapted and we did well.”
H/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.