Grilling JR - JR in New Japan [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Let’s get into our topic today - and it’s your time with New Japan!

Our story really begins from our topic last year - when you “retired” from the WWE in 2013 and you began your first podcast - The Ross Report for PodcastOne. From there you would call boxing for Golden Boy Promotions in 2014 and even do a MMA show with Chael Sonnen.

I’m sure there were wrestling companies that reached out to you in that time frame - TNA specifically. Did you ever get very far with anyone in the pro wrestling world?

Was it about the cash - or was it hard finding a match of a product you were interested in?

In August of 2014 New Japan made two big announcements…the first that Wrestle Kingdom 9 would be held at the Tokyo Dome on January 4th and there was a partnership agreement with Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling to present New Japan on American pay-per-view for the first time. This has to be something you were interested in when announced right?

Where were you & Jeff at in terms of your relationship coming out of Jeff’s exit in the WWF?

Did you think that would be something that would hold you back from doing the show?

You are announced as being the lead announcer on the show on November 11th, 2014 - the first professional-wrestling broadcast you would be a part of since your time with the WWE ended and you credited Barry Bloom with putting the deal together. How did that all go down?

You did not have an agreement with New Japan - but Jeff & GFW is that correct?

Was your deal and pay based upon the success of the pay-per-view?

Were there future events you were promised for or was it a one-time only deal with hope for the future?

You would write in your blog that it took you & Jeff talking to really close the deal. Was that something that was important to both of you?

Did you make requests or suggestions as to who the broadcast partner was going to be?

This won’t be the first time you’re calling New Japan or a Tokyo Dome show - as you were a part of the 1991 & 1992 shows where WCW taped them and were involved in them…did you attend those shows or did you do voiceovers?

For those that don’t know - what can you tell us about how important is the Tokyo Dome to New Japan?

Walking into the New Japan product - on such a big show - how tough is the preparation and making sure you’re ready for prime time so to speak? Are you watching New Japan - or were you already watching it?

You would write this in your blog - and it’s amazing how almost 10 years later it still rings true:

“It will be our job to explain the talent’s backgrounds, the storylines, etc while not ignoring holds, strategy, the transitions and the basics of presenting each match as if it were a legit sporting event without insulting the audience.”

This is what commentary is all about is it not JR?

It’s reported in the Observer that you did a voice over for a pay-per-view highlight package without having a deal in place - and if a deal wasn’t made it would never see the light of day. Was that a measure of good faith?

It’s also reported in the Observer that there was hope that Mike Tenay would be your partner. If it wasn’t for TNA and his agreement with him - do you think Tenay would’ve been your partner?

Would that have been your preferred partner?

Is it a disappointment you never got to work with Mike?

Let’s be honest here Jim - you are a major part of the draw and marketing of this pay-per-view for GFW. Not many at the time in the United States - and to a national audience - were aware of these guys. Nakamura, Okada, Kota Ibushi, Tanahashi, these guys were not the names they are now. It’s being built on you giving it a rub. Is that a lot of pressure on you for this pay-per-view to succeed?

Kevin Sullivan is putting together videos on YouTube to help promote the pay-per-view with interviews you’re doing as well. Sullivan was recently let go from AEW - how good is Sully?

This is written in the Observer:

“For people like A.J. Styles, Karl Anderson, and everyone in the IWGP jr. tag title match, where they’ve never had Ross call their match, it’s a real big deal. The Young Bucks and Kyle O’Reilly have talked about how they consider this show, between appearing at the Dome with Ross announcing as a sign that all of their hard work for years has paid off and they have made it in wrestling.”

Was this sentiment shared with you from the wrestlers?

It’s also reported in the Observer that Jeff had reached out to Chael Sonnen about being your partner but a deal wasn’t made. Was that a suggestion you made?

Sadly there are issues before the show begins between GFW & NJPW. New Japan launches NJPW World and basically undercuts the pay-per-view price of $34.95 versus $8.42 for NJPW World. Were you aware they were going to be doing this?

From the Observer

“Mike Tenay has agreed to his new deal where he will remain a television personality but no longer be the lead broadcaster on the show. Jim Ross called John Gaburick and I believe Dixie Carter up this past week pitching the idea of letting Tenay do the Tokyo Dome show with him. He pitched the idea that they would plug TNA during the broadcast in exchange. It was turned down.”

Jim - tell me about this conversation. Were you surprised they turned this down?

Do you think it had to do with Jarrett and TNA’s relationship?

You would be doing a lot of publicity for the show - including various interviews and in one of them from thebiglead.com you would say this:

“Matt Striker’s my partner. Jeff Jarrett made that call. It’s his money so I’m cool with it. I worked with Striker in WWE a few times, and I’ve been around him a lot. He’s a student. He’s a fan, which is important. He’ll be fine and I think we’ll have a very good show. We’re both approaching it as something extraordinary for our careers because it’s the first time that the Japanese PPV has been on PPV in North America in English.”

Were you disappointed Striker was your partner? Did you have to sign off on it?

You’d also say this:

“It’s kind of an adventure. We’re visitors in their country and their building. I don’t even know if we are going to have English format sheets. It’s old school wrestling with modern sizzle. Great young athletes. They’ve recruited outstanding amateurs, and it shows in the ring. They have good fundamentals. I thought it would be kind of fun and we got the deal done. I’m celebrating my birthday while I’m there, I’m missing Oklahoma’s bowl game. This is not just for the payday — if that were the case I would’ve gone to Vegas with my wife for my birthday and watched the UFC event.”

This was a serious deal for you to be missing all these things - did you envision a long term success?

After Striker is announced Dave Meltzer in the Observer would say this:

“Matt Striker will be the co-host with Jim Ross for the Tokyo Dome show. I’ve seen mixed reactions to that. My impression is it came down by Striker and John Pollock of The Fight Network, who is an expert on New Japan Pro Wrestling, and I had expected all along would be the one doing it. Other names bandied about were Mauro Ranallo (a budget issue) and Kevin Nash (not sure how seriously but I don’t think he was in the consideration at the end) and I know Jeff Jarrett had at least a short conversation with Chael Sonnen, who would have been strong from a personality standpoint but wouldn’t go in with a lot of knowledge of New Japan Pro Wrestling. My name was in the running in the sense one of Jarrett’s friends pushed hard for me right when it became clear there was no longer even a chance of Mike Tenay being able to do it, so this would be Thanksgiving week. I had no contact with anyone about it until someone close to the show mentioned to me my name was discussed but they didn’t think I’d do it due to my ridiculous schedule that week. I did have an e-mail exchange with Jarrett a few days ago over it, but it was brief, although I’d have done it. When I spoke to Pollock this past weekend, I thought he was the guy and said he had been in talks for it but the day before was told they were going in a different direction, so that’s when I figured it was Striker, which came out the next day. Jarrett was looking for the person who he thought would bring the most viewers to the table.”

Could you had imagined doing the show with Dave Meltzer?

Do you know who John Pollock is and would you had worked with him?

Kevin Nash & Mauro Ranallo - what would you had thought of that?

What can you tell us of your time in Japan before the show?

What was it like backstage?

The show draws 12,000-15,000 buys in the United States. That had to be a success right?

From the Observer

“As far as the announcing went, it was a unique experience. Jim Ross and Matt Striker were out there with little but an English format sheet. There was no producer. There was no direction. They had never worked together before. They were never shown on camera, which surprised me, because there was only one video feed, which was for the Japanese audience. Once they continued to talk over a Japanese video package because they had no clue it was airing until they saw it on their monitor and stopped. They didn’t know finishes. They were told to sign off after the interview with the winner in the ring, so they signed off. And the show continued a few more minutes, ending when Tanahashi, after retaining his title over Okada, posed and the pyro went off.

They started out a little disjointed. It was a completely unfamiliar surrounding for both. While both had studied “book knowledge,” of the competitors, it was still very much a new experience. But from the fourth match on, they really clicked. ”

What did you think of working with Matt Striker?

Part of what you would be pushing is that the main event - between Hiroshi Tanahashi & Okada for the IWGP Title - would be the best match you ever called. Was that hyperbole in your mind?

This would be the first show you ever called that featured Kyle O’Reilly, Rocky Romero, Kenny Omega, Alex Shelley, the Young Bucks & more. Did you ever imagine that just 4 years later you’d be involved in the beginning of a new promotion to disrupt professional wrestling?

Was there anything about this that was negative in your mind?

Was this one of the best shows you ever called up until this point in your career?

What is different about the Japanese product compared to the American product - then and now?

From the Observer

“In the final two matches, Ross made Nakamura, Ibushi, Tanahashi and Okada come across like superstars of far more significance than anyone in U.S. wrestling including John Cena comes across today. Striker pushed that Nakamura was his favorite wrestler in the world. Ross made Nakamura come across as a combination of the most charismatic wrestler and the toughest wrestler, and a real larger-than-life star. To his credit, Nakamura in the match also came across as the best wrestler in the world, perhaps by a significant margin.”

JR - you did an amazing job on the show. Was this a career highlight for you?

There was talk after the show that Jarrett was planning on using this success to push other international promoters - like AAA - to do TripleMania on pay-per-view and have you call it. Was that the goal in the long run?

Nothing really happens after this. Why do you think that was?

Just a year later - you’re announced as the new lead announcer for World Pro Wrestling - the New Japan show on AXS. It’s reported that the talks began in November. What can you tell us about this negotiation?

You’re not employed by New Japan - but by AXS is that right?

Did you know it was always going to be Josh Barnett you’d be working with?

What is or was your relationship like with Josh?

Do you know if the final decision is made to bring you in when Mauro Ranallo was hired by the WWE - or was that a buyproduct of things?

New Japan had english announcers at this time for New Japan World - with Kevin Kelly & Matt Striker. Did New Japan ever approach you directly or you reach out to them?

This is just a few weeks after the WWE “raided” New Japan by signing AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows. Do you think this was a position move by New Japan to counteract what the WWE did?

Did you hear from anyone in the WWE when you made the deal with AXS?

You would say this in an interview with Fox Sports:

“For me, the New Japan Pro Wrestling business philosophy reminds me of my earlier years in wrestling. I’ve had numerous other offers, some serious, and others just flirting to return to TV wrestling broadcasting, but none have had the appeal that AXS TV offered me. We think my style will fit the NJPW in-ring presentation well. We’ll know that conclusively in early March. Plus, AXS-TV and I discussed other potential projects outside NJPW.”

What were the other projects?

Was New Japan what you reminded the product you wanted to call was?

Was that a shot at the WWE and its product?

The shows are drawing 200,000 viewers weekly and airing shows that are a few months in delay. What was the process of you & Josh to call the shows?

When AXS was HD Net - they approached you about coming aboard and calling ROH as well wasn’t that right?

It’s also reported in the Observer that you were in talks with Lucha Underground but the deal couldn’t get done. Why was that?

You’re only having to travel to LA eight or ten times a year to record the shows. That had to be nice right?

You would write in your book that Adam Swift was a major factor in bringing you to AXS. What can you tell us about Adam?

Did Kevin and you have any heat regarding the fact you both were doing a similar job for two different companies based around the same content creator in New Japan?

What was the hardest part of calling New Japan? The names, or the fact you were doing voice overs?

Did you want to call the shows live - and was that ever an option?

AXS pushes your debut very heavily where Michael Schiavello interviewed you about pro wrestling before your debut with New Japan. What did you think of the interview with Schiavello and him?

It had to feel great to be wanted like that by AXS and spotlighted was it not?

What did you think of the shows you did with Josh Barnett?

Out of the blue - Kevin Dunn calls to offer you a deal. While you’re under a deal with AXS. How did that all go down?

Kevin Dunn recently left the WWE. What can you tell us about Kevin and his legacy in the company?

They offer to just bring you in for 2 years…and you can keep your podcast, working with AXS, live tours, the whole thing…why do you think that was?

When New Japan put shows on in Long Beach - Kelly & his partner at that point - Don Callis showed up - they had nothing to do. And they weren’t told you & Josh would be there. What happened there?

Tony Khan was front row at the New Japan show in Long Beach. Did you meet him at the show?

Okada & Cody were the main event - and it was in my opinion the best Cody match up until that point. How good was Cody and how great is Okada?

From the Observer

“There were issues with New Japan wanting their team and the idea that Jim Ross was with WWE. As it was, Ross put over the product huge, although, given the quality of the talent and matches, he pretty much had to. Still, he constantly referenced Omega and Okada in particular as the hottest wrestler in the business with the former, and the best wrestler of 2017 in the latter, which was farther than I expected him to go given he works for WWE. You would think he was walking a political tightrope in how much he could put people over, but he ignored that tightrope.”

Were you aware there were issues with New Japan and having you on the show because of your WWE deal?

Steve Austin was at the first night of the show - what did Austin think of the show?

New Japan would run again at the Cow Palace and it would feature what was probably your most well known moment in New Japan - and it was because of Jay White & Juice Robinson. Walk us through what happened…

From the Observer

During the White U.S. title defense against Juice Robinson., on several occasions White whipped Robinson into he barricades. Unlike in most places where the barricades are hooked together and will move from a body being thrown into them, these barricades were not linked together. So when one guy would throw the other into the barricade, the barricade would tumble over. They did it a few times, and White whipped Robinson into the barricade right in front of announcers Ross and Barnett. The barricade moving knocked Ross backwards out of his

chair and he took a fall. Barnett then said something to the effect of “You just done f***ed

up” and left the announcing position and chased White around the ring. Security, thinking it was part of the show, did nothing. Live fans thought it was part of the show. It wasn’t.

Ross was in great pain flying home and checked himself into the hospital on 7/9. He was diagnosed with bruised ribs, a bruised sternum and some lung issues that could possibly lead to pneumonia. With the rib injury, every movement was painful and he had to cancel three commitments this week due to the injury.”

Worst injury in wrestling?

“Ross was even more upset because the night before he had said to New Japan officials to keep the talent away from doing stuff near the announcing position, because they do that in Japan and the announcers usually scatter.”

Was that something you communicated to them?

Just a few months later…AXS and its situation changed. From the Observer

“Jim Ross and Josh Barnett will be gone after the next set of tapings. They are doing voice overs for shows this week which will be the last new shows of the year. Barnett is at this point out for good. We’ve had contradictory stories of the reasons why but obviously it is either a New Japan decision or an AXS decision although the first word we got was it was the former. The situation with Ross isn’t clear but based on tweets by both Ross and Adam Swift of AXS, where Swift thanked Ross, it looks like he won’t be returning in April. One week ago Ross was going to be out at the end of December because WWE was not going to allow him to sign a new deal with his deal ending at the end of the year, but he was to return most likely in April, when his WWE deal expired. Late last week things changed behind-the-scenes. Based on tweets by Adam Swift and Ross and other information we’ve received, it is most likely this next voiceover session, which will cover every show until the end of the year, will be the last show for both Ross and Barnett. Nobody has said anything and AXS officials have told us they expect to release information regarding the announcers going forward at some point next week.”

Was it because of the WWE deal? How did it all end?

Looking back - did the New Japan run make you ready for AEW?

What was the highlight and the low light of your run with New Japan?