WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with some thoughts about the new Brand Extension era and WWE’s decision to not suspend Brock Lesnar after failing multiple USADA drug tests.
The dust is still settling from the WWE Draft and JR expects to see additional changes trickle down to RAW and SmackDown in the coming weeks.
“Patience…too many fans are figuratively knocking themselves out with self imposed knee jerks over the first airings of RAW and Smackdown Live following the WWE Draft,” he said. “This function of the brand separation is a process and will take time to refine and sort out. Patience is a virtue and some pro wresting fans seemingly aren’t overly virtuous.
JR argued that overwhelming fans with too many changes at once negatively affects the impact of said changes.
One of the big stories of the past several weeks is the news that WWE will not be suspending Brock Lesnar after he failed two USADA drug tests prior to UFC 200 back on July 9th. Even though the substance Lesnar had in his system violates WWE’s Wellness Policy, the fact that he’s a part-time performer means he’s not subject to the same rules as the rest of WWE’s roster.
“I have no issues with this philosophy as it is daunting to test part timers who are not in the every day rotation of the roster,” Ross said. “WWE’s drug testing program is by far the best within the genre and it strikes me odd that other company’s who either rarely test their talents or don’t do it all are seldom questioned on this matter simply because ‘they can’t afford it.'”
He continued, “Please do not construe this as me eluding to the fact that I enough PED usage even in an entertainment entity. I don’t. Talents don’t need them but the narcissistic nature of many pro wrestlers always will rear its ugly head when it comes to how they look and the short cuts some talents take to achieve an unnatural appearance.”
Check out the full blog over at JRsBarBQ.com.
