Jim Ross Says Mike Tyson Was “Born for the Pro Wrestling Business”

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has praised boxing icon Mike Tyson for his memorable 1998 WWE appearance, claiming he was “born for the pro wrestling business.”

Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross looked back at Tyson’s involvement in the heated feud between “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels, which culminated in the main event of WrestleMania 14. Tyson served as the special guest enforcer for the match, helping Austin secure the WWF Championship and famously knocking out Michaels after the final bell.

Ross fondly recalled Tyson’s enthusiasm and energy throughout the build-up to the event.

“Mike was happy, he was involved, and he was tuned in,” Ross said. “Mike was fun to work with, I did an interview with him, kind of a lost interview; I don’t know where it is. But there was an interview where I talked to Mike, and it worked out beautifully. Mike Tyson was born for the pro wrestling business, and he did a great job for us, no question.”

Tyson’s presence generated massive mainstream attention for WWE, boosting the company’s profile at a pivotal time during the rise of the “Attitude Era.” His involvement not only added legitimacy to Austin’s burgeoning superstardom but also brought a new wave of publicity to professional wrestling as a whole.

Reports later revealed that Tyson earned $3 million for his work leading up to and including WrestleMania 14, a hefty fee that WWE considered a worthwhile investment, given the surge in popularity and success that followed.

Tyson’s brief but impactful stint in WWE remains one of the most iconic celebrity involvements in wrestling history.

Why Does Jim Ross Believe That Matt Morgan Never Became A Top Star In WWE?

Jim Ross spoke about why he believes that Matt Morgan didn’t become a top star in WWE despite having all the necessary physical attributes, as he stood at seven feet tall and weighed close to 300 pounds. Ross said Morgan failed to connect with the audience and that, for some reason, his personality didn’t shine through when he was in front of a crowd.

H/t to ITRWrestling.com