You Won't Believe What CRAZY Match WWE Almost Booked
WWE nearly booked one of the most unlikely matches ever before changing plans.
Jim Ross and Paul Heyman formed one of the best commentary duos ever in 2001. The antagonistic Heyman made him the perfect heel counterpart to JR's impassioned play-by-play man - few could have replaced Jerry Lawler with such ease, but Paul E did it.
As good as they were on comms, hardly anyone had any desire to see either man step foot inside the ring. Get this: Vince McMahon almost booked that very match, and it would've happened on pay-per-view. Ross told co-host Conrad Thompson (on his 'Grilling JR' show) that the boss considered putting JR vs. Heyman on the Invasion card back in July '01.
Seriously.
Ross isn't sure how close it came to happening, but he knows it was talked about. The company did put referees Earl Hebner and Nick Patrick on the WWF vs. WCW/ECW show, so it's possible that was a late replacement for some unlikely battle of the announcers.
Both men were likely relieved when it didn't happen. JR has said many times, both on his podcast and in his books, that he never really wanted to work matches. He would have done as he was told though.