The WWE Moment That Left Jim Ross Fighting Back Tears

Jim Ross has lifted the lid on the moment during his WWE Hall of Fame-worthy career that left him trying not to cry live on pay-per-view.

At WrestleMania 19, like so many shows before, Jim Ross was on the call for WWE alongside his long-time broadcast partner Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler. That show in Seattle saw the third of the trilogy of WrestleMania matches between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Austin had beaten his rival at both WrestleMania 15 and 17 but with The Rock embracing his new Hollywood surroundings, The People’s Champ was finally looking to get a win back over The Texas Rattlesnake.

However, unbeknownst to most at the time, Steve Austin spent the night before WrestleMania in hospital raising fears he wouldn’t be able to compete. Austin did, but The Rock picked up the win, and that proved to be the final match of Austin’s WWE career before a shock comeback 19 years later at WrestleMania 38.

Steve Austin’s Farewell Left Jim Ross Fighting Tears

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Jim Ross admitted he was one of the few people who knew Austin was preparing to say goodbye to the ring and as he took the adulation from the fans in Seattle, he was holding back tears at the announce desk:

I knew it was Austin’s last match but only a few people knew that, Vince [McMahon], Rock, and me. We spent the night before in hospital in Seattle because Austin was dehydrated, his blood pressure was up and it was a real touch-and-go situation. There were times during the night – the night before WrestleMania 19 – that we weren’t sure Steve was gonna be able to wrestle. Thank God he was.

I can tell you that him leaving the ring and me not crying was a miracle. I had to fight that back because Steve and I had grown to be very close, he was the mack daddy there in WWE – sell more tickets, sell more merchandise, PPVs what have you. Those moments are tough, it’s tough to manage your emotions and I’m an emotional guy and I think that works out to my betterment frankly.

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