WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross revealed on the latest edition of Grilling JR how he told Vince McMahon that he was leaving WWE for AEW. Here is what he said:
No, not in person. I didnāt want to go to Stamford, it wasnāt required. He was very emotional in that regard, as was I. Itās hard to explain, heās got a soft heart more often than not but he doesnāt want anybody to see it. I remember one time, Iām walking through the gorilla position, and we had something really good, house was great, everything was wonderful, and we kind of got over the hump, and the 83 week thing was now in the rearview mirror, and I was excited about going out and working, and I said, āVince, God damn man, what a night.Ā
I bet our dads are really proud of us.ā And man, he got tears in his eyes, and he screamed at me, āGod damnit, JR!ā He didnāt want to hear that, because it touched a nerve, because heās still fighting, and I still think he is, to this day, to still please his Dad, Vincent J. McMahon. And I believe that. But there is nothing wrong with that. Thereās nothing wrong with sons wanting to emulate their fathers if itās emeritus, if the father is deserving. So yeah, heās got a softer heart. But I think, signing me to a two year deal, I signed a two year contract on Friday before WrestleMania on Sunday, and that was the WrestleMania that I came back as a surprise and helped broadcastĀ the UndertakerĀ vs. Roman Reigns match.Ā
That was my assignment, the main event. So thatās what he talked about this year, āWell, if you had stayed around,ā I said āWell, I got a great opportunity and Iām going to take it, itās the best paying job Iāve ever had.ā And we discussed that a little bit and he said, āWell I canāt match that.ā āWell you can match it, you can match it, but you wonāt match it, and nor would I advise you if I was in my old roll, to match it.ā Let him go.ā