Jim Ross has pushed back against the suggestion that wrestling bookers need in-ring experience, responding to Bret Hart’s criticism of WWE’s creative approach.

Hart recently told Kenny McIntosh of Inside the Ropes that WWE’s problems stem from people telling wrestlers how to perform despite being unable to do it themselves. Bruce Prichard was among those he named.

The comments came up on Grilling JR, where Conrad Thompson also pointed out that AEW boss Tony Khan books wrestling without having competed himself. Ross firmly rejected the idea that this should prevent someone from doing the job.

“No, absolutely not. Not even close. That’s not even a close assumption,” Ross said.

To explain his position, Ross highlighted legendary St. Louis promoter Sam Muchnick and his own experience putting wrestling cards together.

“Sam Muchnick did pretty good in St. Louis, and I don’t remember Sammy ever putting on the tights,” Ross said. “If you understand the genre, and one has product knowledge, you can damn sure be a booker. I’ve booked some pretty successful cards, and made some fellows a lot of money, helped facilitate them making the money, and I never wrestled.”

Although Ross occasionally became involved in physical storylines, he made it clear that he does not consider those appearances wrestling experience. Looking back, he admitted those moments still make him uncomfortable.

“In some of those skits that we did, I don’t call it wrestling. I was embarrassed to do them. I still am embarrassed to think back on some of the days where I got booked into an angle, not being in shape, not being trained,” Ross said. “The JR announcer character’s popularity was the only thing that made it work. I’m honest. It wasn’t my skills, for God’s sake.”

However, Ross does believe experienced wrestlers have a vital role in turning a creative idea into a successful match. For him, coming up with a storyline and working out how to deliver it in the ring require different skills.

“Once the booker, who may not be a wrestler, creates the storyline, the torch needs to go to the wrestling people to lay out the match that you envision in your mind,” Ross said. “The value in having been a former wrestler really is all the money. It’s not creating the idea originally, it’s refining the idea.”

Ross then reinforced his stance in blunt terms.

“So no, that’s bulls***,” he said. “I don’t think you have to be a wrestler to book whatsoever.”

Despite disagreeing with that position, Ross acknowledged that he had not read Hart’s full comments and respected how strongly the former WWE Champion feels about the subject.

“Bret believes what he said. He believes the issue that he identified and his description of it. He believes it in his heart,” Ross said. “Now, whether he’s right or wrong is up to somebody else hearing the message and agreeing or not.”

As for Prichard being singled out, Ross suggested criticism comes with the responsibilities of his position.

“It’s not the first time he’s been criticised. He’s in a role where he will always be subjective and potentially nailed to the cross, because of who he reports to and what he’s doing,” he said. “Nothing new. It ain’t gonna end.”

Ross’s view is that a strong understanding of wrestling can be enough to create compelling stories, while experienced performers help shape how those stories unfold inside the ropes.

Do you agree with Jim Ross, or should wrestling bookers have in-ring experience? Share your thoughts in the comments.