WWE: 10 Biggest Flops In History

4. Replacing Jim Ross With John Laurinaitis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM8G_iD1zA8 At first glance, this might seem like a strange choice, but let me elaborate. For a long time Jim Ross had headed up the WWE recruitment/talent relations. He looked for athletic performers, many with a background in amateur wrestling, who could be viewed as potential WWE main-eventers. Amongst others, he helped recruit Brock Lesnar and Shelton Benjamin. He was also pivotal in the signing of many female performers - and although knowing Vince's preference for attractive women for his Divas division, Ross also stressed the need for athletic prowess and wrestling fundamentals. When John Laurinaitis was hired by the WWE in 2001 after the collapse of WCW, it was always with a view to replacing Ross. He wasn't as thorough in the way he conducted himself in the job as Ross was - although his supporters wold just say he was doing it differently. His way of recruiting? That guy has an awesome body, we'll take him. Can he wrestle? Who knows. Divas? He would literally flick through swimwear catalogues looking for young, beautiful women and contact their agents. Don't believe me? How do you think Kelly Kelly got into the industry? Not all of his hires were awful, but he had a lot more his than misses. Jim Ross did his homework thoroughly, making sure that the individual would be a good fit. Laurinaitis acted on a whim more often than not. For a long time WWE suffered in this aspect of their business. Hopefully their new developmental facility, NXT, will help alleviate the problem.