Jim Ross: I Had Too Much Power as WWE’s Head of Talent Relations

One big thing

Jim Ross, former WWE Head of Talent Relations, believes he was perceived as having “too much power” during his tenure from 1995 to 2002.

Why it matters

Ross’s candid reflection offers insight into the inner workings of WWE’s talent management during a pivotal era in professional wrestling history.

The details

• Ross shared his thoughts on the “Grilling JR” podcast about why Vince McMahon chose him to replace J.J. Dillon in the role.

• He credits his experience, logic, and communication skills with talent as key factors in his appointment.

• Ross believes Dillon “aged out” and became “overexposed” in McMahon’s eyes.

Ross on his qualifications:

“I think Vince’s logic [was], here’s a guy that’s been in the business over 20 years, he’s a student of the game, he doesn’t want any of the boy spots, he doesn’t want to be a manager, he doesn’t want to be a whatever, he doesn’t want to be a talent and I didn’t. I wanted to contribute to the company’s success.”

The impact

• Ross’s influence in talent relations continues to resonate in the industry.

• Current wrestlers still reach out to him for business advice.

• He recently advised AEW star MJF to “slow down and take a deep breath” to ensure a more natural career progression.

The bottom line

Jim Ross’s tenure as Head of Talent Relations was marked by significant power and influence, which he now reflects on with a mix of pride and self-awareness.

What do you think about Jim Ross’s impact on WWE talent relations during his time in the role? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.