8 Times Key Advice Changed A Wrestler’s Career Forever
3. Jim Ross Tells The Rock To Speak In Third Person
Who could've imagined that a dude fans chanted, "Die, Rocky, Die!" at would go on to become the hottest (and coolest) babyface in the biz less than three years later? If early-1997 was a nightmare for The Rock, then the second half of the year was an experience beyond his wildest dreams that was driven by charisma, catchphrases, a connection with the audience and some wise advice from Jim Ross.
"The Rock says", "If you smell what The Rock is cooking". "The Rock is the best damn Intercontinental Champion there ever was". Seeing a pattern?
JR, a huge sports fan, watched with a smile as then Dallas Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders referred to himself in interviews by using third person. 'Deion did this', and, 'Deion thinks...', he'd say. It made him more of a star than he already was, and Ross thought the same sublime arrogance would work for young Rocky Maivia.
He was right. When Maivia returned from injury in the summer of '97, he immediately started referring to himself by name. It caught on, and it helped him develop a noteworthy promo style that'd rank him amongst the best in wrestling history.