WWE's Jim Ross: Disrespected at Work, or Working All of Us?

Jim Ross is arguably the greatest professional wrestling announcer of all time.  He has called so many classic matches, so many epic main events, and his voice is so synonymous with WWE that it’s impossible to imagine the company without him.  

Of all the disagreements that we have as fans, and of all the differences of opinion that guys on the inside have, virtually everyone seems to agree that Good Old JR is a valuable asset whose place in wrestling history is set, and cannot be filled by anyone else.

So, why is he being treated as a second-class hack who doesn’t know his left from his right?

Wait, let me rephrase that.

Why is he STILL being treated as a second-class hack who doesn’t know his left from his right?

In columns such as these, it’s important to understand what we’re talking about.  If we do not, then there will be no way to reach a suitable resolution to the issue before us.

This is professional wrestling.  The “business.”  The business is predicated upon a lie, that everything you are seeing in front of you is actually happening.  

The promos, the confrontations, the matches, everything is happening on the spur of the moment, and the people involved are not characters, but are real men and women who are honestly trying to win matches, and really do hate each other.

Now, just in case there was anyone who was not in the loop, there you go.  We can move on.
When a Featured Columnist here on Bleacher Report, or any writer on this site for that matter, sits down to write his belief that Jim Ross is getting screwed six ways from Sunday, there has to be a moment of clarity that is reached.

This is my moment.

There is no way we can really know what is being done behind the scenes.  No way.  Forget it.

So, when Jim Ross says he had no idea that John Laurinaitis was going to call him into the ring several weeks ago, and “fire” him, then we as fans do what is expected, and respond with outrage and shock.

He didn’t know?  Really?

The better question is, how do you know?  How do any of us know if JR was being straight, or was doing what pro wrestling personalities have been doing for 100 years, and was working us with every word?

He responds on Twitter that he was unaware, and of course disappointed.  Of course he would.  What else would he do?

“Yeah, it was all a work, I knew about it the whole time.  You guys didn’t fall for that, did you?”

We are expected to take Jim Ross at his word, because to be honest, it’s all we have.  It’s not the first time he has claimed to not know that he was going to be on the receiving end of a cheap stunt to get someone else over.

JR is the victim, and we the fans, as always, are outraged, and screaming for someone’s head.

There are two points to this, and the first one is obvious.  WWE knows exactly what they’re doing.

Here’s the thing.  WWE creative is well aware that Ross is a sympathetic figure, due to the place he has in the hearts of fans, he is one of the most beloved personalities the company has ever seen.

With that being the case, why not humiliate him at every turn?  Why not shove him into the most miserable of positions as the guy who has worked his heart out to make a better product for you, and is now being disgraced?

Seriously, why not?  He’s their employee, and he has looked good over so many years, in so many different moments.  Why not stick him on the business end of a Mark Henry assault, a supposedly unexpected trade to SmackDown, or a public firing?  

Why not have him kiss Vince McMahon’s bare backside?

You are sick of what is being done with Ross, aren’t you?  Doesn’t it tick you off that a guy with so much respect from his colleagues, and from fans all over the world, is constantly treated like garbage every time he’s on TV?

Good.  That’s what it was meant to do.

Immediate reaction, instant emotion, that is what any promoter is trying to get from his crowd, and Vince McMahon, as the mastermind promoter of all time, is no different.

The second point to all of this?  Maybe, just maybe, JR is in on it.

That’s right, the lovable announcer who cares only about doing what is right for business, is, well, doing what is right for business.

Before you say I’m crazy, and that I could not be more wrong, stop for a second, and think.  Really think about it.

Again, the business is based on deception.  From top to bottom.  We as fans are getting worked all the time, every day.  WWE, despite all of the glitz and glamour they parade in front of us, is still, at its core, a wrestling promotion.

And, wrestling promotions are constantly working its fans.  All day, every day.

Okay, so, assuming I may be right, then your next question is obvious.  Why?  Why is Jim Ross being made into a joke every time he is called into the ring, or is physically confronted at the announce table?

What could possibly be the reason for doing all of that to a guy whose job in the company does not directly affect any of the storylines, or cause any pay per view buyrates to increase or decrease?

Good question.  If you figure it out, let me know.

There is one possible answer to this mess, one that most fans are clinging to for dear life.  JR really is being honest, and has never known about any of the ridiculous spots, or embarrassing moments that have caused us to hate WWE for hating on him.

So, what is the real answer?  Is Ross the unwitting victim, who is being used for cheap heat and always will be?  Or is he just playing his role with a wink, and working us like so many countless other wrestling personalities have over the years?

Before you answer, think about it.  Really think about it.