Long-time AEW announcer Jim Ross has admitted that a recent controversial moment in the company left him feeling “uncomfortable!”
In the promotion’s annual Blood & Guts match last month, AEW garnered controversy when Jack Perry took an unprotected chair shot to the head, taking the match’s traditional expectations of violence to a whole new level.
The spot attracted criticism from both fans and talent alike. Most notably, WWE’s Corey Graves appeared to criticise the spot in a deleted post to his X account. But it wasn’t just those within WWE that were greatly concerned by the divisive moment.
Speaking on Grilling JR, AEW lead announcer Jim Ross admitted that he agreed with the widespread concerns about the spot and even felt uncomfortable watching it happen. While he understood that it fit with the usual violence seen in Blood & Guts, he felt there were other ways to feature a violent-looking spot without the dangers of an unprotected chair shot.
“I can understand people’s concern, and by and large, I agree with them. I was uncomfortable with it, to be honest with you. But I understand why it was done, I understand the environment that were in on that show. When I saw it watching it here at home, I was mildly shocked that it came from such velocity and harmful intent.
Thank god I think they only used it once if I remember correctly, so it was … it’s tough, man. It’s how far do you go? What’s too much? What’s not enough? I would just suggest that there are ways to get the same violence without scrambling a guy’s brains.”
Thankfully, The Young Bucks later revealed that Perry was fine after the spot and that they would not have gone through with it without ensuring all necessary precautions had taken place.
Jim Ross Believes Shane McMahon Would Be A Benefit To AEW
Rumour and speculation about a potential future in AEW for Shane McMahon have been swirling after a photo of a meeting between McMahon and AEW President Tony Khan emerged late last month.
Jim Ross recently shared his thoughts on McMahon potentially becoming All Elite, sharing his belief that Shane could bring a lot to AEW, both as a limited in-ring talent as well as in other roles.
h/t to WrestlingInc