Jim Ross Played Role In WWE Landing Major Star Despite Working Elsewhere

Jim Ross was making recommendations to Triple H despite leaving WWE.

As well as his career as an announcer, Jim Ross is known for having a tremendous eye for talent. WWE’s former Head of Talent Relations played a role in the company signing stars such as The Rock, Mick Foley, John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and more.

Speaking on a recent episode of Grilling JR, Ross recalled working with NJPW in 2015. During this period he got to watch Kazuchika Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura on a regular basis and both made a big impression. While Okada was being positioned as the next major star in NJPW, Ross contacted Triple H and urged him to sign Nakamura.

At the time, Triple H was running NXT, and in January 2016 it was announced that The Game had his man.

“I remember talking to Triple H and said, ‘Man you need to get all over this Nakamura dude,'” Ross said. “I said, ‘He’s got a little Freddie Mercury in him. He’s got a killer wrestler in him. He’s got great facials. He’s in great shape. He’s not too old.’ So eventually, down the road, we see that Shinsuke is a member of the team and does a hell of a job.”

Jim Ross Entering Final Year As An Announcer

Now very much in the veteran stage of his career, Jim Ross revealed he’s likely into his final year as announcer. After returning to AEW at Revolution to call Sting’s final match, Ross said he’d signed a new one-year contract with the company, commenting it was realistic to think it would be his last as a commentator.

As part of the new deal, Ross will call the action at WWE pay-per-views.

H/t to Wrestling Inc