JR claims Austin's carrer in WWE is Over

[Guest HartFan86]

I would paste and copy it, but my damn IE isn't working...so I figured I would post it just to let you guys know.

 

I'm not sure if this is a work or shoot still. I'm leaning towards work, but JR usually tells it like it is.

[Guest]

The Hoss Report:

 

 

Ross Report -- June 14, 2002

Greetings from under a somewhat well-worn black Resistol hat from what has been one of my most challenging weeks in recent memory.

It is hard to believe that Stone Cold Steve Austin has left the company over differences in creative direction. It is even harder to believe that his WWE career looks to be at its end as a result of this matter. There is no secret that Austin and yours truly are very close friends and have been for years. This was simply as tough a week for me personally as when I unexpectedly lost my mother and father, at different times, over the last few years. Steve walking off the job and ending his career with this company at this own hand is damn hard to swallow and I still do not fully understand why this method of protest was selected by one of the fiercest competitors in the business' history.

 

I have been aware of his unhappiness as of late regarding creative and we have had several spirited conversations over this subject as a result. However, I never in my wildest dreams ever expected the Rattlesnake to walk out on his commitments just as he did immediately following WrestleMania, which was at that time credited to burnout. My last of many conversations over the past few weeks with Steve occurred on our cell phones as he was sitting on a Delta Airlines jet in Atlanta Monday afternoon, preparing to fly back to San Antonio. Our conversation was candid and honest as they always were and he knew how strongly I felt against the emotional decision he was making.

 

To no-show an event is not the way to do business. There is no way it can be justified no matter how drastic the circumstances seem to be or actually are. Problems are solved, or at least thoroughly addressed, by communicating and when that communication is done in person it seems to me that these issues generally get worked out and some degree of closure achieved. We were not given that opportunity Monday. Instead, the most productive superstar in WWE history decided to take his black boots and go home without confronting his problems, unlike the way the character had confronted every enemy in his history-making career in this company.

 

Random thoughts and opinions:

I like the possibility of so many new faces that could be utilized and introduced over the next several weeks. Also, it looks as if several of our established talents are about to be challenged to contribute in a more significant way from a creative standpoint. I think our fans like and demand "new" and "fresh" ideas and concepts featuring talents who are not overexposed and who have the physical capabilities to execute and suspend the disbelief of event the most die-hard fan.

 

These creative challenges will not be fixed over night but they will be solved in time. How much time? Your guess is as good as mine. Who will be the new breakthrough stars? Whomever the consumer accepts. What storylines will increase ratings and increase the desire to buy tickets? There is absolutely no guarantee what storyline is going to be positively accepted until they are tested. Who are the most underutilized talents in WWE? Several come to mind. Are all these talents contributing to the creative process and are they all ready to physically step up when their number is called? Not so sure on the first part of the question, it's sad to say, but I do feel positive about the physically ready aspect. Indeed we have plenty of work to do but we have good people who are trying their best to turn things around in their area of expertise. There is no lack of effort around here even though it is sometimes difficult to sort through all the negative feedback we seem to receive. I suppose that is just a sign of the times we live in at this moment but if you put yourself in our shoes, especially the creative team, it becomes very challenging to stay positive and to attempt to come up with the "next big idea." However, that is the proverbial lay of the land and those that can not take the heat need to exit the kitchen. However, if we invest this summer in establishing new talents, creating fresh rivalries, and not overexposing older, more limited talents I feel we will be much more prepared to positively compete with our broadcast rivals come the new fall season. Should be an interesting next few months as it relates to our TV product. I am very anxious to see who steps up and plays and who decides that WWE is not for them at this time.

 

I am headed to Memphis tomorrow to attend the Tyson-Lewis fight and then it will be on to my old stomping grounds in Atlanta Monday for RAW. I hope you have a great weekend and I will see you back here next week.

The first question the interviewer asked me was, "You don't want to be here do you?" My answer, "Hell, no." This was the toughest one on one interview I have ever had to do in my 25 plus year career. As a broadcaster and administrator, I have found myself in some pretty emotional and tragic situations on the job, as many longtime fans know, but this was just so damn hard to discuss and to explain.

Our challenge as a company is to regroup, refocus, and to rebuild. We owe that to ourselves, our stockholders, our talents and, most importantly, to our fans. This journey back to prominence, notwithstanding Austin's departure, was always going to be a long and challenging one and nothing has changed really. It is still going to be tough but now it looks like several new faces will be provided an opportunity to step up and play on the very top level. I do not know who these talents specifically are as I compose this report but I do know they are on this roster and will give us all they have once their number is called. I hope they are young and fresh hands. I hope they realize the opportunity that awaits them. I hope that they do not utilize the negative traits of some talents who came before them, a few still on our current roster, as their road maps to success.

 

I hope that remaining veterans on our roster who have had box office and in-ring success step up and assume leadership roles in the WWE or, if not, simply step out of the way and make people miserable elsewhere. We are at a place in time where the things that are truly important are a positive attitude, work ethic, being unselfish, and focusing on what we all can do for our company, for the company that pays our bills, and for our fans who really make it all happen. Now is not the time for the remaining veterans who may see the end of their careers unfolding before their very eyes to react like insecure children and who refuse to count the many blessings that they have. This is not about "my people calling your people" or getting "my agent involved" in attitudinal issues disguised as financial ones. Now is the time for all of us to step up and do our absolute best work in our specific areas. Absolutely nothing else will do or should be accepted. For those who do not feel that way, as a company, we should do all we possibly can to eliminate these individuals from our roster as quickly as humanly possible.

 

The results will be an exciting new product with compelling new stories to tell, rivalries to develop and fresh match-ups to highlight.

Just as I was thinking of slowing down somewhat to stop and smell the roses, so to speak, and attend more Sooners football games and BBQs I am now re-directed to doing all I physically and mentally can to get our business healthy again. We will succeed with this task only when we are surrounded by positive people who care more about the product and the company than they care about their own careers and fragile egos.

 

As the head of our Talent Relations department, if I am unable to accomplish this goal, maybe it is time for old J.R. to head back to Oklahoma and go fishing. However, I will not walk away from this task at hand without a fight and when I leave I will give my notice in person. Thanks for listening and I encourage you to stay tuned. Unpredictable and interesting times are upon us. I am very anxious to see how our entire WWE team responds over the next few weeks.

 

Take care.

 

J.R.

[Guest Ash Ketchum]

Ross speaks wisely...

 

And if he leaves... then Raw TRULY goes to hell.

 

*holds up "BUY MAH BBQ SAUCE!" sign*

[Guest]

Work.

[Guest]

Random thoughts and opinions:

I like the possibility of so many new faces that could be utilized and introduced over the next several weeks. Also, it looks as if several of our established talents are about to be challenged to contribute in a more significant way from a creative standpoint. I think our fans like and demand "new" and "fresh" ideas and concepts featuring talents who are not overexposed and who have the physical capabilities to execute and suspend the disbelief of event the most die-hard fan.

 

These creative challenges will not be fixed over night but they will be solved in time. How much time? Your guess is as good as mine. Who will be the new breakthrough stars? Whomever the consumer accepts. What storylines will increase ratings and increase the desire to buy tickets? There is absolutely no guarantee what storyline is going to be positively accepted until they are tested. Who are the most underutilized talents in WWE? Several come to mind. Are all these talents contributing to the creative process and are they all ready to physically step up when their number is called? Not so sure on the first part of the question, it's sad to say, but I do feel positive about the physically ready aspect. Indeed we have plenty of work to do but we have good people who are trying their best to turn things around in their area of expertise. There is no lack of effort around here even though it is sometimes difficult to sort through all the negative feedback we seem to receive. I suppose that is just a sign of the times we live in at this moment but if you put yourself in our shoes, especially the creative team, it becomes very challenging to stay positive and to attempt to come up with the "next big idea." However, that is the proverbial lay of the land and those that can not take the heat need to exit the kitchen. However, if we invest this summer in establishing new talents, creating fresh rivalries, and not overexposing older, more limited talents I feel we will be much more prepared to positively compete with our broadcast rivals come the new fall season. Should be an interesting next few months as it relates to our TV product. I am very anxious to see who steps up and plays and who decides that WWE is not for them at this time.

 

I am headed to Memphis tomorrow to attend the Tyson-Lewis fight and then it will be on to my old stomping grounds in Atlanta Monday for RAW.

 

Nice copy and paste job, JR.

[Guest chirs3]

Wow... this is messed up.

 

If Austin is leaving for good, I'm perfectly OK with that.

 

But if JR leaves for good, there's a serious chance that Raw will no longer hold my interest.

 

How's that for bass-ackwards priorities?

 

I think JR gets a bad rap, at least from what I've read online. He's easily the best commentator the WWE has right now, and before you say "That's not saying much" I think he's pretty darn good. The show can go on without Austin, but I can just see them sticking Cole in JR's spot if he leaves, and then...

 

Ew.

[Guest bcu1979]

Damn!  JR's so passionate I almost want to believe him this time about there being real changes on the horizon. But it's hard to buy his attacks on the politicians with fragile egos when you know Triple H and Undertaker and Kevin Nash aren't going anywhere anytime soon.

 

I also didn't like his description of the new main eventers as "fresh." To me that means Lesnar is going to get a Goldberg push before getting beat back down by Taker and Triple H because he "can't work" and "isn't over" and the usual excuses. Meanwhile, guys who are ready and have been ready (Angle, Jericho, Benoit, RVD, etc) are going to stay in the midcard because they are damaged goods now thanks to the usual suspects.

 

I still don't believe Austin is really gone. Or that J.R. would turn on him in such a public manner. But the idea that this has become some elaborate work makes even less sense.

[Guest myburninghammer]

Man, this shit is getting so damn cloudy.

 

I don't think its a work...yet. The sense i got from JR was that he was acting like an annoyed parent trying to teach a bratty child a lesson, using reverse psychology--the "fine, we'll just gone without you and you'll see how it feels" type of guilt--to put him back in line. I'm not sure its a threat per say, but they're definitely putting the onus on him totally to goad him back.

 

Unfortunately, that doesn't make the work/shoot boundaries any clearer.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

I hope that remaining veterans on our roster who have had box office and in-ring success step up and assume leadership roles in the WWE or, if not, simply step out of the way and make people miserable elsewhere. We are at a place in time where the things that are truly important are a positive attitude, work ethic, being unselfish, and focusing on what we all can do for our company, for the company that pays our bills, and for our fans who really make it all happen. Now is not the time for the remaining veterans who may see the end of their careers unfolding before their very eyes to react like insecure children and who refuse to count the many blessings that they have. This is not about "my people calling your people" or getting "my agent involved" in attitudinal issues disguised as financial ones. Now is the time for all of us to step up and do our absolute best work in our specific areas. Absolutely nothing else will do or should be accepted. For those who do not feel that way, as a company, we should do all we possibly can to eliminate these individuals from our roster as quickly as humanly possible.

---------------------------------

Why do I think he is talking about Hogan and not Taker?  Which is sorta confusing as Hogan has been jobbing left, right and centre.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

I don't know about you guys, but I want GOOD storylines over NEW storylines.

[Guest dreamer420]

I truly believe Austin is gone from the WWE after reading the Ross Report.  JR spent the entire report describing his friendship with Austin and giving memories of Austin so it looks like he is gone for sure.

[Guest thefrenchargel]

Until the writing team can come up with a good idea for a big storyline, they should just let the wrestlers wrestle. The way they're going though is starting to shape up like they're going to drop another stinkbomb. Expect Gang Wars, V 2.0, by survivor series time.

[Guest]

It may just be me, but I'm really noticing a feeling of near-desperation in his words. The WWE is truly baffled as to what the problem is nor do they know how to fix it. I won't say how to, because I don't know either, but things really aren't looking very good.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

Why do I think he is talking about Hogan and not Taker?  Which is sorta confusing as Hogan has been jobbing left, right and centre.

I'd suspect he's talking about Clique v2.0 myself. All the bitchy X-Pacs of the world.

[Guest Anglesault]

Talking resolves all issues? Do you really think saying "HHH, don't bury anyone you consider a threat, PLEASE?" "OR X-Pac, if you don't mind, can you act like a mature adult?" You cannot talk to the Clique.

 

You know what, I hope JR follows Austin out. I don't care what anyone says, but I have always respected Ross. And the man is probably slowly losing his say int he company. Just leave, Jim, and keep your dignity.

[Guest]

Talking resolves all issues? Do you really think saying "HHH, don't bury anyone you consider a threat, PLEASE?" "OR X-Pac, if you don't mind, can you act like a mature adult?" You cannot talk to the Clique.

 

You know what, I hope JR follows Austin out. I don't care what anyone says, but I have always respected Ross. And the man is probably slowly losing his say int he company. Just leave, Jim, and keep your dignity.

Going by the logic then Jericho and Angle should leave too.  Throw in Booker, RVD and Benoit too most likely since his #1 feud is now gone and he will probably be regulated to the IC title.

[Guest dreamer420]

It may just be me, but I'm really noticing a feeling of near-desperation in his words. The WWE is truly baffled as to what the problem is nor do they know how to fix it. I won't say how to, because I don't know either, but things really aren't looking very good.

if the wwe didn't tank in 1995 then they have nothing to worry about now or anytime soon.  business was way worse then and the wwf didn't have half of the talent they have right now.  to fix the problem a new superstar will have to take over his place and the shows will go on.  my personal choices for that role are booker t and rvd, who can both be huge marketing machine, because, face it, that's all that is important to the wwe.

 

I think Tommy Dreamer could fix this problem.

[Guest Anglesault]

Talking resolves all issues? Do you really think saying "HHH, don't bury anyone you consider a threat, PLEASE?" "OR X-Pac, if you don't mind, can you act like a mature adult?" You cannot talk to the Clique.

 

You know what, I hope JR follows Austin out. I don't care what anyone says, but I have always respected Ross. And the man is probably slowly losing his say int he company. Just leave, Jim, and keep your dignity.

Going by the logic then Jericho and Angle should leave too.  Throw in Booker, RVD and Benoit too most likely since his #1 feud is now gone and he will probably be regulated to the IC title.

I've been preaching that for a LONG time.

[Guest Choken One]

I don't know but if Austin's gone for good, then they need to get Rock back NOW...to keep things afloat for the summer.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

I just figured when ross said 'box office and in-ring success step up and assume leadership roles' he meant Hogan.  The kliq never made money for the Wwf.

[Guest]

"I'd suspect he's talking about Clique v2.0 myself. All the bitchy X-Pacs of the world."

 

Agreed; Hogan and UT have been pretty cooperative lately.

 

Does J.R.  keep appealing to the "insecure" veterans in the hope that they'll recognize themselves finally?  Of if they truly don't give a shit - and he can't help but be aware of that - why bother keep yammering about it?  Is it for out benefit to shut us up?  Either shit or get off the pot.  As somebody else said, maybe he has just a fancy title but no real stroke?

[Guest]

I am positive now that this isn't a work. They've carried it too far. For Austin to come back now, or hell even in a few months, JR would come off looking like a liar and so would the entire WWE. You can argue all you want about how Confidential is proving that this is a work, but all I see is a company desperate for ratings, doing everything they can to attract interest, even if it's at Austin's expense... which is nothing new (SEE Bret Hart.)

 

It's a shame, but in all honestly, JR is right on this matter. I am a huge Austin fan, always have been, and I always will be. If Austin chooses to go to NWA-TNA which he probably won't but if he does, I'll follow him there. BUT, I have to set aside my personal feelings for the guy and admit that what he did was wrong. Either way, a positive can come from this. It leaves a good strong face spot open on RAW for someone to fill. Flair is the temporary solution. I honestly think the WWE is going to attempt a major creative change. It's getting to the point where they have to. They know this. It's just going to be interesting to see who they choose to fill the spot. Hopefully they'll make a wise choice and go with RVD, or Booker T.

[Guest dreamer420]

I don't think he would go to the NWA.  He's too big of a star to work with Jeff Jarrett remember.

[Guest Austin3164life]

I remember I used to say that Triple H (during that whole INTENSE period) is causing the downfall of Austin and Rock (with help from the Clique) to put himself in the spotlight.  Notice how he has been at booking meetings in the past.  It's possible that Triple H could have a hand in Austin's undoing.  I can't believe I'm saying this but Triple H is beginning to succeed in the politics game of chess.......

[Guest Vyce]

For Austin to come back now, or hell even in a few months, JR would come off looking like a liar and so would the entire WWE.

 

Well, gee willickers, they wouldn't LIE to us, would they???

 

I mean, surely good ol' cowboy-hat-wearin', BBQ-sauce-luvin', Okie-boomer-sooner JR hasn't ever lied or fed us false information to swerve us before, has he!  HAS HE?!?!

 

Work, shoot, whatever.  Don't EVER underestimate the WWF's capacity to lie threw it's teeth.  This is VINCE FUCKING MCMAHON we're talking about.

 

I personally hope Austin does leave.  Not for the reason you all do, cause I support him totally, and as a fan of the man I'd rather him not have to deal with those assholes ever again.  They're not worth the headache any longer.

[Guest]

[i remember I used to say that Triple H (during that whole INTENSE period) is causing the downfall of Austin and Rock (with help from the Clique) to put himself in the spotlight.  Notice how he has been at booking meetings in the past.  It's possible that Triple H could have a hand in Austin's undoing.  I can't believe I'm saying this but Triple H is beginning to succeed in the politics game of chess.......]

 

Oh sure, he'll win the political game of chess and will eventually run the WWE, but in 10 years time Raw will be a touring talk show hosted by HHH & Stephanie.  There will be no workers employed other than Hunter himself who will have squash matches against local jobbers in between interview segments with B-list celebrity guests.  Chris Jericho will maintain a job as the put-upon punchbag sidekick, although he will never wrestle.  I have seen the future of American wrestling and it is bleak.

[Guest cabbageboy]

Austin wouldn't go to the NWA....Jerry Jarrett owns the promotion and well, Jeff is simply too big of a star to work with Austin.

[Guest]

Guys, do you relize that if Austin were to go to the NWA, the wrestling world would change forever and finally, some competiton and an alternative from what the WWE has been giving us lately. The NWA would wound up being a sucess if Austin were to go.

 

GO TO THE NWA AUSTIN GO!!!!!

[Guest]

NO!!!! DON'T GO TO THE NWA AUSTIN!!!

 

Then I'd have to shell out $$ every week for a pay per view!!! FUCK THAT!

[Guest El Satanico]

Well if Austin went to NWA TNA then they have a better chance of getting a decent TV deal. If they got a decent tv deal they probably would stop the PPV.