10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (May 13)
9. Jim Ross & Coach Hated Hitting One Another With A Leather Strap
In 2003, Jonathan Coachman was wedged between the familiar, established duo of Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler on the commentary desk. As the chief announcers on Monday Night Raw, JR and the 'King' had become a successful double act, something Coach was wary of interrupting.
Positioned as a definite heel, the story called for Coachman to make a move for JR's seat, pushing him out of the picture. That would eventually lead to a tag-team match at the Unforgiven pay-per-view, pitting Coach and Al Snow against the team of Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler. The villains would win the bout, but there was another for fans to look forward to.
Voted one of that year's worst matches, Ross and Coach contested a 'Country Whipping Match' on the September 29 edition of Raw. Speaking with JR on his popular podcast, Coach said that he hated every minute of the bout, because he really didn't want to hit the legendary announcer with the leather strap.
There was no way around it, however, and the pair had to lay those shots in and make them look as real as possible so as not to ruin the illusion.