10 Things Everybody Gets Wrong About AEW

3. "Jim Ross Is Finished"

Brandi Rhodes AEW
AEW

Jim Ross isn't past it.

It's strange and counterproductive, his insistence on questioning the theatrics of, say, the Best Friends' hug spot - did he ever call Scotty 2 Hotty a "dumb bastard" for taking forever to hit the Worm? - but when he chooses to wield it, his power is formidable. Inimitable. His call of MJF's Full Gear turn was vintage JR, to quote the man who never could replace him. "You little bastard, what did you do that for?" was Ross at his impassioned, pearl-clutching best. His shocked disgust put the betrayal over as something truly reprehensible.

On the same night, his revulsion and awe in the face of Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley's gorefest struck the perfect balance, and it's funny. Ross, the apparent villain unfit for these times, captured the tone of a controversial match nobody else managed to agree on.

It's actually fun listening to the unfiltered Ross - that isn't to suggest he doesn't need a filter yesterday - because, and this is the curve we deal with in 2019, he is at least a real human being. The other week, he corrected himself when confusing the Butcher for the Blade with priceless self-deprecation: "I should know it's the Butcher - it's written all over his ass."

That is far more preferable - and hilarious - than an awkward few seconds of bollocked silence.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!