Jim Ross largely agrees with MJF’s controversial assessment of wrestling locker rooms, arguing that performers who are constantly trying to work the people around them are more common than those who aren’t.
Ahead of AEW All In: London, MJF told Bleacher Report that young wrestlers make a mistake by automatically seeking advice from veterans. He claimed that 99 percent of people in wrestling don’t have another performer’s best interests at heart because anyone who becomes more successful potentially threatens their own position.
Conrad Thompson read MJF’s comments to Ross during Grilling JR, and the WWE Hall of Famer didn’t push back against the premise.
“I can’t disagree with him. It’s a con man’s business,” Ross said.
Ross believes one of professional wrestling’s longstanding problems is that some performers struggle to stop working those around them even after the show is over.
“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 said.*
He acknowledged that MJF may have deliberately exaggerated his point to make it more memorable, but argued that self-interest has always been part of a business built around performers protecting their positions.
“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 warned younger wrestlers against becoming consumed by what he described as the “art of the con,” arguing that the mentality doesn’t necessarily serve performers well once their active careers are over.
“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.
Ross pointed to the wrestling convention circuit as an example of how dramatically a performer’s financial circumstances can change after their prime earning years.
“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.”*
Many wrestlers from previous generations worked without the type of guaranteed contracts and long-term financial security available to some of today’s performers, making autograph signings and convention appearances an important source of income after their in-ring careers.
Ross believes the consequences of constantly trying to work people can extend beyond finances and professional 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.”
Ross’ reaction follows responses from Eric Bischoff and JBL to the same MJF comments. Bischoff agreed with the general premise but estimated that the number was closer to 50 or 60 percent, using Bill Goldberg’s early WCW run as an example of established wrestlers offering a rising talent advice that could benefit themselves.
JBL also considered MJF’s 99 percent figure excessive but agreed with the underlying warning, arguing that young wrestlers should be careful about asking for advice in the first place.
Ross, however, did not dispute MJF’s assessment to the same degree. His perspective also comes from years spent running WWE talent relations, where he was responsible for recruiting, negotiating with and managing wrestlers in addition to his lengthy broadcasting career.
MJF originally made the comments ahead of AEW All In: London. He entered the Casino Gauntlet Match second but failed to earn the future AEW World Championship opportunity, which ultimately went to Andrade El Idolo.
