Jim Ross has explained why he believes it’s time to “move on” from the allegations against Vince McMahon.
Back in January, it emerged that former WWE employee Janel Grant has accused Vince McMahon of sex trafficking and multiple counts of sexual assault. The fallout from the lawsuit has seen McMahon resign from his position as Executive Chairman of TKO, ending his ties with WWE.
In the aftermath of the allegations, many current and former WWE stars have given their thoughts on the situation. The latest on this list is AEW announcer Jim Ross, who worked under McMahon for over a decade.
Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Ross said he thinks it’s time to move on from the allegations as the situation has also affected a lot of innocent people.
“Lots of change afloat. And personally, I’ll be glad when the winds have swept that change on through. I’m tired of it. It’s embarrassing in a lot of ways that it’s happened this way. It’s affected a lot of innocent people. That’s my take on it, I might be wrong. But it’s time to move on. It’s time to move on and cause some rest and peace for some people. And it’s time to move on, in my opinion.
“I just never believed that Vince would allow his company to get this out of control, and it has. And I feel badly about that because I know how much the WWE meant to Vince. I’m sure it still does to some degree. So, anyway, I just…it’s time. Let’s go. Let’s move on. Let’s rewind it and cast the hook in the water one more time and see if we can catch something more positive.”
Jim Ross Believes Impact On Vince McMahon’s Legacy Will Be Minimal
When it comes to McMahon’s legacy, JR pointed to the empire McMahon built, saying it’s unlikely the allegations will have an “earth-shattering” impact on how the WWE Founder is remembered.
“Well, it’ll affect it to some degree, but it won’t be earth-shattering. It won’t be a big seismographic change, because he’s still Vince McMahon and he’s still built this amazing company that many of us in different forms of pro wrestling are still celebrating and still playing off of. I just think it’s time for all of us to move on and find happier days and build from there. But you’ll never be able to take away from what Vince built and how he’s helped a lot of people.
“I mean a lot of guys that are making a living in pro wrestling right now can look at it any way they choose, but if they’re being realistic, they look in the mirror and see Vince McMahon staring them right in the face because he was the catalyst that created a lot of this change and the incomes going up and all those things.
“So, I just wish it was over. I just wish we were moved on and all these issues were settled and we have moved on to happier days, because I think that’s what the business and the world needs is happier days and still get that with the old WWE memories, at least I do.”
Ross added that he is thankful to have worked in WWE, but more thankful to be able to work for Tony Khan and AEW today.
“I’m very thankful I had the chance to work there. I’m even more thankful I have a chance to work for Tony Khan now in AEW. So, it’s all good man. It’s all good, Conrad. We have to build on the positives. And that’s what I’m trying to do at my stage of life and my health situation. It’s important for me to build on the positives, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”
During the same episode, Jim Ross revealed that he has signed a new contract with AEW that will see him on the call for pay-per-view events.
H/T to F4WOnline for the above transcription.