10 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About Jim Ross

3. Open Mockery

Though technically still under WWE employ in June 2012, JR wasn't being used in a full-time capacity, with the company only wheeling the ageing announcer out for the occasional big match. That didn't stop the televised bullying, though, with Vince McMahon himself openly mocking Ross' facial paralysis on an episode of Raw.

The segment saw Hornswoggle (who was once unveiled as Vince's illegitimate son) working on his JR impersonation. He turned to McMahon for advice, and the Chairman was happy to oblige. He took the cowboy had from his leprechaun buddy's head, twisted his expression to mimic Ross' Bell's palsy, then barked the words "STONE COLD! STONE COLD! STONE COLD!" in a voice intended to sound like the Oklahoman in his prime.

Aside from its obvious distastefulness, the segment was so jarring because it came completely out of nowhere. There was no need for McMahon to deliver such a skit. It only lasted a few seconds, but Vince's pastiche was far too close to Oklahoma (WCW's old JR parody gimmick) for comfort, and came at a time when WWE had just gone all in on their Be a STAR anti-bullying campaign.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.