Jim Ross Signs "Lucrative" Deal With AEW

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has officially joined All Elite Wrestling.

JR's AEW signing was revealed in the latest episode of "Road to Double Or Nothing," seen above. The episode features AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes praising Ross, and Ross talking about signing with the company.

It was also revealed that Excalibur and Alex Marvez will be on the AEW announce team. Alicia A will serve as the backstage correspondent and former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts will be the AEW ring announcer. Brandi Rhodes said she made the decision to sign Roberts.

JR's WWE contract just expired at the end of March.

AEW sent us the following press release on JR's signing. It was noted that JR has signed the most lucrative deal in commentary history, which is for three years.

Legendary Commentator Jim Ross Joins All Elite Wrestling in Most Lucrative Deal in Commentary History

-- AEW Signs Jim Ross to 3-Year Deal as Senior Advisor --

Las Vegas, NV (April 3, 2019) – All Elite Wrestling announced a groundbreaking three-year deal with legendary commentator Jim Ross, generally considered to be the greatest pro wrestling announcer of all time. Effective immediately, Ross will take on the role as Senior Advisor in what is the most lucrative deal in pro wrestling commentary history.

Ross' first in ring appearance for AEW will be at DOUBLE OR NOTHING, the highly-anticipated event on Saturday, May 25, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. He will also work closely with the senior leaders at AEW on their roadmap to shift and reinvent the wrestling landscape.

"I've been part of the wrestling community since I was 7 years old, and there's no greater thrill than welcoming the voice that I grew up with, Jim Ross, to our AEW family," said Tony Khan, President of AEW. "We all share a common goal to make this the true golden age, to make this the greatest time ever to be a professional wrestling fan. And, as a business, we also seek to make this a new golden age for the performers and our staff members. Our entire team is thrilled to have Jim onboard and we can't wait to shake things up together."

"We're all excited about having the legendary voice of our childhood come here and help the new generation of talent with his expertise," said Nick Jackson, EVP at AEW.

"I'm moving on in a very positive way to this timely opportunity to be on the ground floor of one of the most exciting moments in the history of pro wrestling," said Jim Ross. "I've known Tony, Cody, The Young Bucks and Kenny for a long time, and I know they're going to change the world of pro wrestling. Their roster is already packed with top-level talent and up-and-comers. They've got a huge show coming up in May. They've brought in game-changing partners like KultureCity. And they've got an all-inclusive, welcoming culture like I've never seen before. I'm ready to change the world with them."

www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/04/jim-ross-officially-signs-with-aew-652669/

Can't really say i'm a fan of this decision. Ross hasn't been on his A game in years but hey maybe he can help in other ways

[111111]

It says its "the most lucrative commentary deal ever" but then says his role will be as an advisor.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Apr 3, 2019 11:54:54 GMT -5 111111 said:

It says its "the most lucrative commentary deal ever" but then says his role will be as an advisor.

That's why I only put lucrative instead of the rest

He's working right now as an advisor which is his day to day role and i'm guessing doing commentary as well or at the very least the first few shows

[Tenshigure]

Can't say I'm a fan of the move, but as long as he stays in an advisor position and not commentary I think it'll be fine.

[brown bricks]

If you're wanting to be a 'fresh' new company, why sign a bitter old drunk like JR? Did they not see his performance on the New Japan shows? Count me in as one of those who hopes he stays far away from the commentary table.

Also, is Tony Schiavone signed on as a commentator or is he just doing Double or Nothing?

[Deleted]

The way that AEW throws around “most lucrative” contracts and Executive VP titles is definitely cause for concern.

[Deputy Muscle]

I think if he's kept off air and used as a mentor to the new commentators it's a good get.
Also it's been said before but the guy just has an absolute ton of experience in the back office which could be a big benefit.
That said I hope they're not just throwing money about to get another name.

[Pgarodactyl]

So where's his shirt?

And will it be as good as Michael Nakazawa's?

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Apr 3, 2019 11:58:49 GMT -5 @akeemresurrection said:

The way that AEW throws around “most lucrative” contracts and Executive VP titles is definitely cause for concern.

Got to use stuff that pops up at the screen but they don't want to fall into the hyperbole side of things with that

Whoever else gets an executive title is meaningless as Cody, Bucks and by extension Kenny are the bosses but hopefully they find a fine lean in giving guys creative freedom while also retaining a sense of order

[Deleted]

I so did not want to read this.

[Feargus McReddit]

Apr 3, 2019 11:58:49 GMT -5 @akeemresurrection said:

The way that AEW throws around “most lucrative” contracts and Executive VP titles is definitely cause for concern.

Like the good Captain said, it’s a way to make roles look good for business cards and it happens across a lot of businesses.

Disney, for example, has 5 Senior Vice Presidents for some unknown reason. They probably asked for it as a job title since they all do different things.

[Andy Martin]

Not the best thing to be throwing money at.

[Deleted]

Apr 3, 2019 12:10:12 GMT -5 Feargus McReddit said:

Apr 3, 2019 11:58:49 GMT -5 @akeemresurrection said:

The way that AEW throws around “most lucrative” contracts and Executive VP titles is definitely cause for concern.

Like the good Captain said, it’s a way to make roles look good for business cards and it happens across a lot of businesses.

Disney, for example, has 5 Senior Vice Presidents for some unknown reason. They probably asked for it as a job title since they all do different things.

I get that. I’m actually more concerned with guys like Jericho and JR getting the most lucrative contracts of their careers. This could be a money mark situation, we’ll just have to wait and see.

[Feargus McReddit]

Apr 3, 2019 12:12:41 GMT -5 @akeemresurrection said:

Apr 3, 2019 12:10:12 GMT -5 Feargus McReddit said:

Like the good Captain said, it’s a way to make roles look good for business cards and it happens across a lot of businesses.

Disney, for example, has 5 Senior Vice Presidents for some unknown reason. They probably asked for it as a job title since they all do different things.

I get that. I’m actually more concerned with guys like Jericho and JR getting the most lucrative contracts of their careers. This could be a money mark situation, we’ll just have to wait and see.

I getcha and I agree it is a concern but I guess it also depends what they mean by “lucrative”, really.

[Facetious]

Advisor is fine, but as an actual commentator? Hard pass. I cannot stress enough about how bad he was in New Japan. And how he had every excuse in the book for it.

[Error]

As one of those that think the game has passed JR by, I more than welcome him proving me wrong. I hope he does, I just don't see it happening. That said, I think him being the guy in the Gorilla position directing and writing with Marvez and Excalibur would be great spot for him.

[Deleted]

AEW all in on that circa 2009 WWE reunion

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Apr 3, 2019 12:18:13 GMT -5 @sigmax said:

AEW all in on that circa 2009 WWE reunion

Chris Masters: WHAT ABOUT ME CODY?

[toodarkmark]

Im really happy the internet didn't exist when Gordon Solie or Lance Russell signed to WCW back in the day.

Jim Ross is the third guy on the announce team. Jim Ross is someone who helped run UWF,WCW, and WWF. Jim Ross is super close to Cody Rhodes. Jim Ross is recognized by people who haven't watched a wrestling show since 1999, and comes up in ESPN comments everyday.

Jericho and Ross were mentioned as talking about this venture 6 months before AEW was announced. People knew this. Yet, when it happens, they cant wait to yell money mark and how much he sucked on NJPW.

I get a feeling he will be more prepared, more invested in, and knowledgable about a product he works with everyday. And as he has more time to get over his wife dying, maybe he will back to being close to the best announcer ever.

[Captain Stud Muffin (BLM)]

Apr 3, 2019 12:30:19 GMT -5 toodarkmark said:

Im really happy the internet didn't exist when Gordon Solie or Lance Russell signed to WCW back in the day.

Jim Ross is the third guy on the announce team. Jim Ross is someone who helped run UWF,WCW, and WWF. Jim Ross is super close to Cody Rhodes. Jim Ross is recognized by people who haven't watched a wrestling show since 1999, and comes up in ESPN comments everyday.

Jericho and Ross were mentioned as talking about this venture 6 months before AEW was announced. People knew this. Yet, when it happens, they cant wait to yell money mark and how much he sucked on NJPW.

I get a feeling he will be more prepared, more invested in, and knowledgable about a product he works with everyday. And as he has more time to get over his wife dying, maybe he will back to being close to the best announcer ever.

Nobody is really surprised nor calling out money mark. What was called out was why does every AEW signing have to be lucrative

In regards to Ross yes, he is very valuable backstage but his ace days are long since behind him in the booth. As a guy considered the greatest of all time he had no excuse to not be prepared with NJPW and rested on his name value

I hope he delivers at commentary but i'm not really expecting him to