10 Things We Learned From Inside The Ropes With Paul Heyman (Glasgow)
4. 2001 WWF Commentary Gig Was A Rib On Jim Ross
Before the initial WWE Draft, Paul Heyman had a different gig in the company. Once it became clear that the original ECW was failing badly, Heyman signed on to become a colour commentator with the then-WWF in the Spring of 2001. This was a direct replacement for Jerry Lawler, who was at odds with the promotion at the time.
Appearing for the first time on the March 5 broadcast of Raw, Paul immediately went about stirring up some banter with Jim Ross and drawing more passion from JR than fans had witnessed for quite some time. From the off, the pair were at loggerheads, which is exactly what Heyman wanted.
Stunning the live crowd during his Q&A shows, Heyman said that the entire idea was a rib on Jim Ross by Vince McMahon. Once Paul caught wind of this, he knew what his job was, the boss wanted something a little different and he wanted to see Ross get fired up.
The joke definitely worked to the WWF's benefit, Ross and Heyman were like an old married couple, with Heyman doing everything he could to antagonise.