Jim Ross Discusses Working For NJPW On AXS TV, Mauro Ranallo, More

In an interview with The Pro Wrestling Experience, Jim Ross spoke about returning to announcing and his 2016 plans for his Ross Report podcast. Here are highlights:

On his plans for the Ross Report: “Right now we’re going to keep it to one show a week. Podcast One would like me to do two shows , but right now i’m very content with doing one. It’s growing, we’re doing about half a million downloads a week. If I can be guaranteed and it can’t be that we would be able to do another half a million downloads if I did a second show then the income would be worth it. It’s just another tremendous amount more work and right now I’m writing a book and that’s taking some time and with this new project with I’m very excited about with joining New Japan and AXS TV there’s a lot on my plate. The podcast has been a blessing, I enjoy it I enjoy communicating with the fans and interacting with them. So right now one show, but you can never say never we’re open to doing a second show, but it’s has to be under the right circumstances, the right drop dates, and etc. It’s going to be a busy year.”

On doing voice over work for NJPW on AXS TV: “I would suggest to you that my work at Mid-South and all the matches we revoiced for WCW which were dozens a week. I remember one week I was doing over 70 matches a week in my production at WCW in Atlanta. I’ve probably revoiced more existing matches they any wrestling announcer currently working, so to me I have zero issues replicating spontaneity, excitement in an audio booth as I would doing it at ringside. I expect zero issues whatsoever. On March 4th when our first shows airs on AXS TV as far as I’m concerned every Friday night is going to be my own personal WrestleMania. I’m bringing my A Game, I’m anxious to get back on the saddle. I want Josh Barnett and myself to be the very best pro wrestling broadcast team on television period and don’t want to accept anything less. We want to help build the brand of AXS TV.”

On what he’s looking forward to with calling NJPW: “The New Japan office has been often considered one of the premiere wrestling promotions in the world. It’s not something that’s been growing on for the last 4 or 5 years it’s been that way going on for years and years. They have a great heritage and great lineage with their company. The fact that the talent are very fundamentally sound they don’t take any unnecessary shortcuts. I love the physicality I love the “strong style” which basically means ratcheting it up and being more stiff. I love it even UWF, Mid-South and even NWA pardon that styles of wrestling. The fact that anybody can lose on even night, nobody goes through the motion, there’s a lot about their product that brings me back to my early days in the business. Tanahashi is a great star. When I went to call Wrestle Kingdom 9 last year two stars stood out like a sore thumb to me were Tanahashi, Okada and Nakamura. It’s common knowledge that some of the New Japan guys are soon transferring teams to WWE which is good for them and it’s good for New Japan quite frankly. The guy I considered becoming the centerpiece for New Japan for years to come as long as he stays healthy is Okada. He’s 28 years old, he has a great look and is very athletic. The exciting part for me is that I love getting talent over, I love creating excitement and helping the talents brand. We’re going to be on the cusp of ushering some brand new stars for the company.”

On his thoughts on Mauro Ranallo: “I think he’s been terrific. I think he’s everything they wanted and then some. It seems as if WWE is allowing Mauro to be Mauro and that was the only concern I ever had. People ask all the time if they would change a broadcaster presentation when has a supreme skilled set? In business that doesn’t make any sense, but that doesn’t mean that it happens. He’s conscientious he has a lot of energy and he’s emotionally invested in the product. He wants to be good and great. I think his chemistry with Jerry Lawler has been outstanding. I was at a show this past weekend in Oklahoma with the King and he was really happy that Mauro is on board. I think that a lot of guys that are broadcasters that have issues sometimes working with a three men booth it can get crowded a little bit. I’m not a three man booth connoisseur, but that’s what they’re doing and it is what it is. I don’t know Byron Saxton role is, he’s a great kid, but Lawler and Mauro would kill if they were by themselves. That chemistry would be really dynamic. Mauro is doing a great job and he will get better as times goes on. I’m happy to call him a friend. I enjoy his work at AXS TV with Josh Barnett. I think wrestling is best suited for one or two hours max. I love the one hour format for New Japan. We’re going to put our foot on the gas and give you a stellar one hour show.”

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