WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross has updated his official blog with thoughts on the TNA/Destination America situation, Wednesday’s NXT special and the “Ronda Rousey affect” on women in wrestling. Below are some highlights.
On the TNA Wrestling on Destination America rumors: “The insanity that is Destination America is on going. As this is being written, the network still has yet to address the rumors that they are cancelling the TNA Impact Wresting TV program in September. The same program that the network abruptly moved from Friday nights to Wednesday nights with little or no advance waning. Nothing official from the network with all the rumors that flying around isn’t prudent in my opinion. Why an official statement can’t be made is hard to fathom but even if they do it late today (Friday) the long, Memorial Dy holiday will essentially engulf the information. I’ve talked to a few folks at TNA and they are as in the dark about this matter as TNA’s fans are. It’s insensitive and unprofessional to keep so many families of the wrestling company in the dark about their future.
I heard a rumor that Destination America wasn’t too keen on TNA announcing that their shows emanated from the UK a few weeks ago which also makes no sense if true. Plus, an insider informed me that it was the network who essentially demanded that Kurt Angle be made TNA World Champion. If any of this is true it sounds like the network is lobbying to be the ‘booker’ of the company as Kurt doesn’t need to work a full time in ring schedule that is often required of being a company’s top title holder.
I am a wrestling fan and have been one for over half a century and hope that TNA and all wrestling companies for that matter remain on the air and are successful. The potential demise of TNA isn’t cause for celebration or any true wrestling fan.”
On Wednesday’s NXT special: “If you haven’t yet caught this past Wednesday night’s WWE NXT show on the @WWENetwork go out of your way to check it out if for no other reason than to see the surprise debut of @SamoaJoe and the amazing match between @SashaBanksWWE vs. @BeckyLynchWWE which was tremendous and could have closed any TV Wrestling show I’ve seen this week.”
On Ronda Rousey and women’s wrestling: “The @RondaRousey affect is alive and well in WWE as the UFC’s top star of any gender is having a profoundly positive affect on the future of women’s wrestling in WWE from what I see. There are ladies on the main roster of WWE that must be feeling the pressure to become more proficient in the ring after seeing what is going on down in NXT. New, assistant head coach of NXT, Sara Amato aka Sara del Rey, is doing an amazing job coaching these young women who are all hungry and stay motivated to improve their games each day which is obvious to any one who watches with any level of objectivity. The match that I saw in San Jose between @MsCharlotteWWE and Sasha Banks was a masterpiece as Charlotte was certainly a Flair while Sasha played the ‘Steamboat’ role and the match was outstanding. Bravo ladies as all of you are making this old, fan very proud.
All of the decision makers in wrestling need to understand that times are changing and some fans truly love women in wresting just as they do tag team wrestling both of which could use continued focus and promotion.”
Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com.
