Jim Ross doesn’t have a problem with WWE Radio at all. He just wishes AEW was getting the same kind of attention.
Days after Tony Khan confirmed AEW is still moving forward with plans for its own podcast network, the WWE Hall of Famer reacted to WWE’s new SiriusXM partnership and admitted he’s happy to see wrestling expanding into new media. At the same time, though, Ross couldn’t hide his frustration that AEW continues to be left out of those conversations despite what he believes the company brings to the table.
Speaking on Grilling JR, Ross admitted he hasn’t listened to enough of WWE Radio to form a full opinion yet, but said the concept itself is something he’s believed in for decades.
“We’ll see how it works out. It’s like this week—WWE Radio. I’m curious to see how that’s going to progress. I haven’t experienced it or sampled it enough to give you an honest opinion, but I’ve heard little snippets and it’s an interesting process, to say the least.”
Ross then revealed that the idea isn’t new to him at all. In fact, he said he pitched wrestling radio years ago and remains convinced the two are a natural fit when done correctly.
“You know, I came up with the idea to do a WWE radio show back in the day. Monsoon and I were the hosts and all that good stuff. So my point is, I believe pro wrestling and radio are very compatible. If you know what you’re doing, you can make the broadcast very intriguing and very interesting.”
While Ross doesn’t see WWE’s latest media expansion as a bad thing, it did leave him thinking about one company that he believes deserves a much bigger focus. When Conrad Thompson asked whether WWE’s exclusive SiriusXM partnership was a negative development for wrestling fans, Ross made it clear that wasn’t his concern. Instead, he turned the conversation toward AEW.
“I think it’s par for the course, Conrad, to be honest with you. I’m anxious to see how it evolves, how it develops. Like I said, I’m a big proponent of the concept of pro wrestling and radio.”
Ross then admitted he wishes AEW received more recognition across those same mainstream platforms, arguing that the company’s roster and in-ring product deserve far more attention than they currently get.
“I wish my AEW would get a little love out of that whole… those topics and those outlets. It seems like sometimes, as I said before, they’re overlooked. There’s too much talent at AEW. They’re doing too many good things in the ring to not be acknowledged. That’s my take on that deal.”
Whether AEW’s podcast network ends up giving the company the extra exposure Ross is looking for remains to be seen. But if you ask JR, the talent has never been the issue. The recognition is.
Do you agree with Jim Ross? Should AEW be getting more mainstream media attention, or has WWE simply earned its larger platform? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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