WWE: 5 Reasons the Jim Ross Spot Shouldn't Have Happened on RAW

Tell the truth.  When you saw Jim Ross standing in the ring with Mark Henry, you knew something bad was going to happen, right?

On the Sept. 19 edition of Monday Night RAW, Mark Henry physically assaulted Jim Ross.  After stating that Ross was one of the naysayers who did not believe in him, Henry snapped, taking out his aggression on the WWE Hall of Fame commentator.

Jerry Lawler came to JR's rescue, but was himself attacked.  He was legitimately hurt when the announce table that he was put through was not the rigged table that was expected. 

Lawler, of course, is an old pro, and while at his age he should probably not be taking bumps of that nature, he knows the risks involved.  He's seen a lot worse.

Ross, however, is a commentator, and always has been.  He physically is not in the shape that even Lawler is in, and for me the question is why did this spot have to happen?

Perhaps it's an overreaction on my part, but I just expect a little bit more from the company that is currently pushing CM Punk, and has given the World Title to a man who has put his time in, instead of a flash-in-the-pan attraction.

This spot should not have happened, and here are my five reasons why.

5. He's a 59-Year-Old Commentator

Jim Ross is not a young man anymore.

For Michael Cole to get roughed up in the ring, it's really not that much of a big deal.  He's younger, and he's quicker on his feet.  He's in fairly good shape, and could take low-to-medium impact bumps if needed.

Ross, however, is not Michael Cole.

He should not be in the ring, for any reason.  No matter how protected he is, or how controlled the situation, anything can go wrong. 

Having Ross be physically involved in a spot at his age, especially since he is not a trained wrestler, is an irresponsible move.  Irresponsible and unnecessary.

4. The Be a STAR Campaign

Be a STAR, which stands for "Show Tolerance And Respect," will promote positive methods of social interaction and encourage people to treat others as equals and with respect, because everyone is a star in their own right.  Don’t be a bully, be a STAR … Show Tolerance And Respect.

This mission statement from the Be a STAR organization, that promotes anti-bullying, is very telling, especially when considering the spot that occurred between Ross and Mark Henry.

Granted, WWE is based on professional wrestling, an art form that features simulated violence and physical aggression on others.  Yes, it is a worked environment, where everyone is trying to take care of each other, this is not boxing or MMA.

But, we're not talking about the actual physical aspects of the company, we're talking about the image.

The message that is received by the average person who sees 59-year-old Jim Ross be physically assaulted by a bigger, stronger man, is perhaps one that directly contradicts what WWE preaches by supporting the Be a STAR campaign.

WWE cannot have it both ways, and every time they do, they totally contradict themselves.

3. It's Been Done Before

How many times have we seen this before?

A heel needs to get over, to give fans another reason to hate him. So, when all else fails, Jim Ross is there.

He's a convenient target, and he's pretty easy to beat up.  It has happened so many times before that  when we see it, it has all but lost its effectiveness.

Why involve JR at all?  What's the reason for it?

Because everyone loves him.  Fans respect him, he's always been a favorite and when you mess with that, you spit in the face of every one who loves the guy. 

The truth is, there are countless other ways for a heel to get over, and the time for this needs to end.  He should no longer be used as bait for WWE that wants to sell its most hated wrestler to the crowd.

2. Nothing Was Accomplished

So, what's next? 

A two-on-one handicap match pitting Randy Orton and Jim Ross against Mark Henry?  How about Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler against Mark Henry?

What did the spot accomplish, other then generate cheap heat from the crowd?

Instead of being outraged that Mark would lay his hands on a helpless man, most fans saw the move for what it was, merely a way to make him more hated.

When the intention is that obvious, the end result is usually not what the company expects.  This situation is no different.

JR had no connection to Mark in any significant way, and that will likely remain the case.  So, other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time, these two had no reason to interact at all.

1. Mark Henry Didn't Need the Spot to Get Over

Mark Henry is the biggest, baddest man in WWE. 

He is an animal hellbent on destruction, completely decimating everyone in his path, and no one is safe from his rage.

He is now the World Heavyweight Champion, and arguably the most dominant champion since Brock Lesnar.  He is at the highest point of his WWE career.

He did not need the spot with JR to get over, either as a heel, or as champion.

It was unnecessary and useless, a move that should not have happened in the first place.

The truth is, he did not maul JR. Ross did not take a vicious bump, or get legitimately injured in any way.  By all rights, the spot, in the minds of some fans, would likely be thought of as no harm, no foul.

For me, however, it's a cheap, tired old tactic that has run its course and needs to be shelved.  Mark Henry has already destroyed every WWE Superstar placed in front of him, including Randy Orton, and there was no reason to add Jim Ross to that list.

It was a silly waste of valuable air time, and WWE, despite all their critics, can do much better than this.  Here's hoping they will.