Grilling JR - JR's 1994 Return to WWF [Show Notes] (Patreon)

JR today the story we’re going to tell is how you ended up back in the WWF in 1994. We’ve discussed in the past how you were with the company, and not long after your Bells Palsy attack for the first time - Vince McMahon decided to move on from you. You wrote this in your book:

“Vince needs you to come in.” It was Lisa Wolf, head of Human Resources for WWF, on the phone. “Today?” I asked. “Right away,” she replied.

Did you know at this point that you were going to be let go?

You would continue

His words to me were very simple:

“I’m changing my plans and you aren’t in them, so I’m going to let you go.” My contract wasn’t up for another four months or so. I said, “When are you letting me go?” “Now. Today,” Vince replied. I constantly wiped my eye and mouth because of my attack. I said, “Well, what about my contract? I don’t understand you letting me go with no notice.” Vince hesitated in the answer. 

That’s when I said, “I’ve always heard you were a man of your word. I made a commitment to stay here through May, and even though you don’t want me, I am surprised you’re not going to honor your end of the contract.” Before McMahon could say anything, Lisa said, “Well, that’s something Vince and I will discuss.” “We’re not talking about another year,” I continued. “We’re talking about a couple more months until my contract is up. It will let me figure out what I’m going to do. And I thought you’d want to keep your word.”

Memories of that meeting

Not a lot has been discussed about Lisa Wolf. What can you tell us about her and your thoughts on her?

Did they honor your contract?

You wrote in your book when Jan asked you about it - that you didn’t think it was about your condition - just that you were reluctant to play the character in the cowboy hat. Looking back 30 years later - do you still think that is the case?

On May 29th, you did an interview with Wade Keller from the Torch about it - 

"The basic thrust of it was Vince was interested in me becoming a character, much like many of the wrestlers, and was very sure that if I would don a cowboy hat and a western jacket and a string tie that I would be more marketable and would be more effective to him and his product by being this character," Ross explained, as strange as it read the "cowboy hat" line decades later. "I felt very uncomfortable about doing it. It came to an impasse since I wasn't interested in doing that." 

Was it important for you to go into the wrestling press and get your story out there?

Were you concerned about being out of WCW & the WWF in just under 2 years would diminish either your value or reputation?

You actually had a meeting with Eric Bischoff, about returning in WCW. You would write this:

We had one meeting at a place not too far from the WCW offices, a little restaurant. Eric didn’t give me any false hope, I’ll give him that. He said, “I wanted to meet with you because I just don’t think it’s going to be happening.”

What did you think of Eric coming right out and saying that?

Did you think you had any chance of going back to WCW?

He would point out to you - as you wrote in  your book - that politics would play a role in this and that people would be upset about your return. Who do you think he was speaking about?

When you finished your meeting with Eric - did you think your time in the business was done?

Did you & Eric ever talk about this meeting years later or anything?

Let’s talk about what the landscape of the business was then JR. In 1994 - it was the WWF, WCW and then you had smaller promotions like Smoky Mountain & ECW starting to come to the forefront. Did you reach out to either Jim Cornette or Paul Heyman about a role or vice versa?

Were you keeping up with the business as well?

Did you think the business needed a reset? 1994 is not typically remembered as one of the top years.

There wasn’t money to be made doing “indies” as we call them today - but it was something wasn’t it?

What did you think of your time in Smoky Mountain?

What was it like working for Cornette?

You wrote that talents like Glen Jacobs - the eventual Kane - stood out to you. Did it make you think - there’s a way for something to be developmental in the future by utuilizing these companies correctly?

Were you doing any radio or sports or anything like that? Was there any interest in the outside world?

You went on to write - 

I was worried about not making enough money to keep my family secure. I was worried that the door had closed on my dream of working long-term for the biggest wrestling company in the world. I was worried about being forgotten. So I wrote a letter.

May 24, 1994 Dear Vince, I hope all is well with you and your family. I’m sure that during these trying times that their support has been an inspiration. I am sorry that we did not get the chance to talk before I left Connecticut. I called a couple of times but, as usual, you were very busy. I must let you know that everyone was very kind to me as I was leaving, especially Lisa Wolf and associates. The only disturbing thing I have heard is that you perceived me to not be loyal to you and Titan Sports. This is absolutely not true and runs deeper than I need to get into here. I take a great deal of pride in being in our business the past twenty-three years, and I am especially proud of my work ethic. I have told many people that my experience working for you was a positive experience. 

Let’s break that down Jim. The trying times is Vince being indicted by the federal government on steroid charges. What did you think of the case and the situation Vince was in?

What did you hear and who did you hear it from about you not being loyal to Vince & Titan Sports?

What was your relationship like with Bruce Prichard at this point? Did anyone prompt you to write this letter?

You would continue

Because of the lingering affects (sic) of Bell’s palsy, I am having to be creative in finding something to do to provide for my family. I am in the process of launching a mail-order-based home business whereby I will be responding to fan mail via audio cassettes. The primary promotional vehicle will be direct mail to wrestling fans and this is where I need to ask this favor. Would you allow me to use the mailing list you have developed via magazine subscriptions? This could prove to be invaluable in helping me kick off my home business. 

Where did this idea come from and what was the plan for it?

Did you think Vince would help with this or was this just your way of getting you back on Vince’s mind?

What did you hear - besides the loyalty aspect - of your time in the WWF?

If at any time I can be of assistance to you either as a radio or television talent, producing or consulting, please keep me in mind. My travel benefits allow for some very economical commuting. Thanks for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely,

Memories of writing this letter? Did you finish it in one draft, or did you end up doing it a few times before you settled on the final version of it?

You wrote -

With Vince consumed with his trial, WWF had a King of the Ring pay-per-view from Baltimore where the announcers were Gorilla Monsoon, Randy Savage, and former NFL great Art Donovan. I watched and knew it was a train wreck. 

This is probably the worst announced pay-per-view in the history of professional wrestling at this point - you had to know that you were in play to return right?

Within days, my phone rang asking if I’d be interested in coming back and doing Monday Night Raw. “Sure,” I said. I worked with legal about my contract where I got a nice bonus for working “SummerSlam,” too. Not knowing how long I’d be needed, and knowing that SummerSlam was a high priority, I negotiated a very healthy five-figure payday. Then, fortunately, Vince got exonerated.

Who called you? Lisa Wolf or Vince?

What was that conversation like?

Do you think Vince held it against you regarding money at some point?

Wade Keller reported in the July 9 issue of the Torch. "In what had to be tough for both sides to agree to, Jim Ross and the WWF agreed to a two month contract. Ross will fill Vince McMahon's announcing role until after the trial."

Why the two months?

Your return to the WWF took place on Superstars, July 2nd, 1994 - and it would feature you & Jerry Lawler working together for the first time. What was that like?

Your first Monday Night Raw back was on July 11th - the infamous Bret Hart vs. 1-2-3 Kid match. How lucky was the timing for you to get to return on that show for that match JR!

Working with Randy Savage after your previous comments was not ideal I’m sure - but was it different when you were just an announcer on the shows and not trying to do anything else?

Did anything change in the time you were out of the WWF and your return?

Did you realize this would begin an in and out relationship with the WWF for a few years before you were with them full-time for a long time?

Was this one of the most up and down points in your life & career?

Were you actually happy to be back in the WWF - even if it was just for a very small time period?

We will continue that discussion in the coming weeks - as we will talk about your eventual departure in the future.