In his latest blog entry, Jim Ross talks about the recent injuries, releases, and the art of “stepping up.” Here’s an excerpt, but definitely click through and read the entire thing:
For anyone to surmise that people in management enjoy making others’ lives miserable is borderline ignorant. Releasing talent is somewhat of a subjective thing at times, and is a judgment call in many instances. Sometimes the releasing of talent is long past due and inevitable and usually is a group decision to a large degree. I have had the task of releasing wrestlers who were probably provided too many “second chances†in hindsight, but even though these aforementioned wrestlers needed to leave, it did not make it any easier. There are usually good reasons for talent being released, including the talent being unhappy and “wanting out.†Dismissals are somewhat like injuries, in that when the roster changes, it gives others the opportunity to “run with the ball.†Here again lies another misconception – that management TOTALLY controls who “steps up†and who doesn’t. “Stepping up†is a personal choice and if more young talents would do things when they are in the ring to distinguish themselves, we would not be receiving the same questions over and over about why “wrestler X†is “being held back.†Wrestlers are on the road 51 weeks a year with most of those events not televised. Wrestlers have many chances to step up and “steal the show†at these events, plus conduct themselves as a professional during these tours. Does that mean that wrestling management hasn’t missed on some talents? Of course not. That has happened many times in the past and will continue in the future. People in management are human too, and can make mistakes. I know I have, but I can honestly say if a talent does consistently good work, regularly overachieves, noticeably improves in the ring and on the mic and conducts one’s self as a professional, that good things happen more often than not. With today’s alarming lack of depth in quality main event level talent, there has been no better time in my career for young wrestlers, many of whom would not even have been on the deeper, more talent friendly main rosters of a generation or two ago, their best chance to move up the ladder and into main event-land. Yes, it is a “team†effort, as to the development of superstar main event level wrestlers, but too often management is given all the blame for a wrestler not being featured.
He also talks about adding new WWE titles, calling moves vs. telling a story, Austin’s film future, the possibility of Rey Mysterio joining the RAW or ECW roster upon his return and the chances of Chris Jericho returning to WWE.
In other news, Jeff Jarrett vs. AJ Styles in a King of the Mountain qualifier has been announced for next Thursday’s iMPACT!, which will be taped along with two additional hours of the show on Monday in Orlando.
There’s a good article on Pro Wrestling Guerilla in Swindle Magazine.
WWE US Champ Montel Vontavious Porter is interviewed at IGN.com talking about his outfit, Benoit and more.
The NWA book National Wrestling Alliance: The Untold Story of the Monopoly that Strangled Pro Wrestling by Tim Hornbaker has finally shipped, according to PWInsider.com, after many delays.
Brock Lesnar’s SUPPOSED to have his MMA debut next weekend, going up against Saturday Night’s Main Event, but there have been some issues with his opponent not being cleared. Alex Marvez talks with Lesnar about his debut, as well as the chances of facing Kurt Angle in his latest column. (Also, apparently Brock and Sable ARE still married, so ignore what you’ve read about this previously.) Our friends at InsideFights.com have more details on the issues surrounding next Saturday’s MMA show.
Finally, if you’re interested in Booker T’s promotion, info can be found here.
