Jim Ross enjoyed watching Netflix’s WWE: Unreal, but the legendary announcer believes the series could potentially create some tension among wrestlers who aren’t selected to appear.
Speaking with Conrad Thompson on Grilling JR, Ross praised the documentary series’ production, editing and storytelling after watching several episodes. However, he admitted there were moments when the presentation felt less organic and more like WWE was attempting to sell viewers something.
“Some of it I liked a lot, and I liked it a lot when it’s real natural and organic, but not when it makes me feel like that somebody’s trying to sell me something. Other words, it’s a fine line between entertainment and business. You know, it’s not the shopping network.
It was well edited. It’s slick as hell. I thought that was kind of cool. Very slick. And the edits were nice. The story told a good progression.”
When Thompson asked whether there was a particular scene that gave him that impression, Ross said it was more of a general feeling rather than something he could attribute to one specific moment.
He also praised the decision to feature younger wrestlers and performers who aren’t necessarily established at the top of WWE’s card.
“Not really. Just a feeling I got, a general malaise of it. I did like that they took the opportunity to try to get some younger talents over, or some talents that aren’t necessarily considered in the main event realm right now. So that was good, smart, but it was really slick. It looked good. So technically it was an A-plus.”
Ross then raised a potential issue with the selection process itself. With featured wrestlers receiving additional exposure and an opportunity to tell their stories to a wider audience, he believes those left out could understandably notice what they are missing.
“Those deals, depending on how it’s structured, can really adversely affect the locker room because I got picked to be in the series and you didn’t. So there’s automatically a little rise in temperature. People get the red ass because they didn’t get to be a part of the TV special, of which they’ll be paid something. So they’re missing out on the payday and, more importantly, the exposure that they can garner by telling the story of who they are to the viewer. Why should you be interested in me? What’s your answer?”
Despite those reservations, Ross said the series held his attention and ultimately described it as good, while giving particularly high marks to its technical presentation.
The third season of WWE: Unreal premiered on Netflix in July, with John Cena, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk among the established names featured alongside several rising WWE stars.
