WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has spent decades in the world of professional wrestling, and while he is most comfortable at the commentary desk, he did step inside the squared circle on a few occasions.
One of these nights took place on the October 11th, 1999 episode of Monday Night Raw, when he teamed with Stone Cold Steve Austin to take on the team of Chyna and then-WWF Champion Triple H inside the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Austin and Triple H had been at odds for quite some time, and the two were headed for a title match at the upcoming No Mercy pay-per-view.
During the bout, Triple H and Austin began brawling while Chyna was left to deliver punishment to Good Ol’ JR. She hit the legendary announcer with a Pedigree that can best be described as awkward.
In the end, the bout was declared a no contest when Austin and Triple H continued to brawl and Jeff Jarrett interfered in the match, attacking Chyna. He and Chyna would go on to face off at No Mercy, where Chyna won the Intercontinental Title in a Good Housekeeping Match.
“That Hurt” – Jim Ross On Taking The Pedigree From Chyna
Speaking on the latest episode of Grilling JR, Jim Ross spoke about taking the botched Pedigree and revealed that her choice of footwear made the experience quite painful. The 9th Wonder of the World apologized to Ross after the bout, and he said he was content with his role in helping advance her as a character.
“That hurt too boy, you know why it hurt Connie? Look at her heels. She was not in good balance, and she apologised to me profusely after the show for that move. Because she drove my face right into the canvas, because she got off balance, and she was very empathetic about that after the show was over. She gave me a big hug.
“And you know hey, what are you gonna say, don’t worry about it. I’m alright. So, but it helped get the spot over, helped get her over. And as all that mattered was just get her over at that point, [didn’t matter] what I was doing. I was booked to be her, you know, punching bag. And I’m fine with that. It’s not a bad role to have I got paid well.”
If you use any quotes from this transcription, please credit Grilling JR and link back to this article with a h/t to Inside the Ropes.