Jim Ross has backed MJF’s warning about taking advice from wrestling veterans, saying the business is filled with people determined to protect their own position.

Speaking to Bleacher Report ahead of All In, MJF claimed that 99 percent of veterans do not have younger wrestlers’ best interests at heart. He argued that an emerging talent could become competition for their spot and income.

Conrad Thompson put those comments to Ross on Grilling JR, and the veteran announcer agreed with the wider point.

“I can’t disagree with him. It’s a con man’s business,” Ross said.

“The boys that can’t turn the I’m working you meter off are more prevalent than those that are not. So con men, always working. They believe their own s***.”

Ross acknowledged that MJF may have exaggerated to get people talking. However, he believes the warning reflects the way some wrestlers operate behind the scenes.

“Is MJF prone, like the boys, to be a little over the top to make his point heard and make his point remembered? Sure, no different to anybody else in this crazy business,” he said. “But it’s built on the premise of being a showbiz presentation. People are always trying to feather their own nest, protect their own spot. Can’t say any of that’s wrong, but the manner in which they do it can be very distasteful.”

Ross also offered a warning to newcomers, encouraging them to think beyond that mentality.

“I hope some of these new kids that come in the wrestling business don’t long and yearn to understand the art of the con. It don’t last forever,” he said.

Turning to life after a wrestler’s main run, Ross pointed to convention appearances and criticised those who spent heavily without planning for their future.

“If you don’t believe me, come to some of those wrestling convention events, and you’ll see them all over the room. There they are, and this is their primary source of income? Are you s***ting me?” Ross said. “You didn’t save your money. How many Rolexes do you think you had to buy? Two, three, new cars. You live that lifestyle, man.”

He argued that constantly trying to work people can also take a toll on personal relationships.

“Most of the guys that can’t get away from the con, what that does, it destroys relationships,” Ross said. “That’s why wrestlers have such a high rate of divorce. Be frank about it.”

Eric Bischoff and JBL have also weighed in on MJF’s comments. On 83 Weeks, Bischoff suggested the figure was closer to 50 or 60 percent, pointing to Bill Goldberg’s early WCW career as an example of veterans offering advice that served their own interests.

Speaking on Something to Wrestle With, JBL also felt that 99 percent was too high, while agreeing with the underlying warning about seeking advice.

Ross, who spent years overseeing WWE talent relations, supported MJF’s broader argument without offering a percentage of his own.