Jim Ross Explains Why He Decided To Leave WWE

WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently joined ESPN’s Outside The Lines to discuss his exit from the company. “Good Ole’ JR” explained why he has made the decision to leave WWE. Ross said he feels like he has some good years left in him, and wants to be more involved and on the road. Unfortunately, WWE wasn’t giving him the opportunity to do that.

He was only used twice in 2018, but understands, like any company, WWE likely wants to get younger. Here’s what Ross had to say (Transcription credit should go to @JonFuentesMMA for Wrestlezone.com):

The main reason I’m leaving WWE is because, they weren’t using me very much. I feel like I’ve got some great years left. I needed to get out of the house. I needed to be involved, I needed to be on the road. I needed to be around people. And so, that was the main reason I left. I had no issues, I wasn’t mad at anybody. There’s no major controversy here. Just the fact that I believe WWE, in general, as most television producers do, want to get younger.

But I’ve been around since the mid-’70s doing this job, that I truly love doing. When I was unable to get booked, and to be utilized, I had to look for plan B. And plan B was, let’s step away gracefully – Vince McMahon and his family have been amazing to my family. But in 2018, Vince took great care of me, as he always has, financially – I had two bookings in 2018. I kind of felt the writing was on the wall – duh, us Okies are not that dumb. So I just felt like it was time to move on and do it in a graceful and professional manner, and Vince understood that.

I said, “Vince, if anybody could understand wanting to stay in the game, it’s you.” So, I look forward to every day – I’ve had such joy working for WWE, my God, 26 years is an eternity in that world.

Related: Jim Ross To Reportedly Sign Multi-Year Deal With AEW