Jim Ross Speaks On Misawa's Passing, Umaga's Release, More
Posted by Ashish on 06.14.2009
Another blog from JR...
Jim Ross has a new blog entry up. Highlights are below.
On the passing of Mitsuharu Misawa: Mitsuharu Misawa was never an acquaintance of mine but I felt like I knew him from watching many of his DVD's which were usually with men that I did know. Misawa was arguably the best in ring performer in the world in his prime. First of all, Misawa knew how to wrestle and how to wrestle physically. The fundamentals had been drilled into this legend as a young man who went on to become a Japanese National Amateur Champion. Several things stood out to me about Misawa. In addition to be a physical, fundamentally sound athlete, timing and toughness were two of his greatest attributes. Great timing is a gift that largely can't be taught. It's like ring psychology. Some of it can be taught but mostly it must be a learned trait and some people are in the business for years and never learn great timing or main event level ring psychology. Toughness is another trait that can be nurtured but generally can't be taught. Misawa was naturally tough and it showed. And his fans loved him for it. They also loved his passion and the emotional ride on which he would take them. That's what pro wrestling is, selling emotion.
Another significant piece of Japanese, wrestling history died this weekend. Mitsuharu Misawa apparently died in the very spot that he gained his incredible fame and resounding respect from wrestling fans around the Globe....inside a wrestling ring.
It's a damn shame that the vast majority of American wrestling fans won't give a second thought about the untimely death of "a Japanese wrestler." I encourage all fans to find DVD's of Misawa and watch him in his prime, in the 90's especially. If one is really serious about about being a highly skilled, pro wrestler, then study the late Mitsuharu Misawa.
May he rest in peace.
On Umaga's release: I haven't commented much on the Umaga situation here but I have addressed that matter and many similar issues in the Q&A section. Nonetheless, I have been asked what is next for Umaga? I don't have an answer as the man himself is the only one who can provide that info. I do hope that Umaga takes the time to carefully think things through and to evaluate all aspects of his life and not just his wrestling career. Umaga has been blessed with many athletic skills but nothing compares to the blessings of having a wonderful family which has to come first in any of our major decisions.
great to see J.R. giving respects to Misawa. I can't believe how some people are treating this as some kind of joke because he was "out of shape". Misawa was the best wrestler ever and it doesn't make me a smark for having someone who isn't American as my favourite wrestler, it just shows some people watch wrestling for story lines and lucky people like myself watch wrestling for passion and workrate which Misawa could deliver any night of the week. People don't realise the effect he had on wrestling as a while and it's a major shame he passed despite not being the half the wrester he was when he died, he still had a ton to teach the future generations. He was the pioneer of a generation of wrestlers and I doubt anyone alive will reach the quality of matches he participated in. You don't get in to wrestling to complain about it on the internet or complain about it at all. You get into wrestling by seeing talent that connects with you and thats exactly what Misawa did whenever he wrestled.
Posted By: borgtron (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 02:18 PM
I think I'm gonna retire "BERRRMAAANNNN" now. =(
Posted By: Jamal (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 02:33 PM
Well said about Misawa JR.
Posted By: Kent Baker (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 03:25 PM
"I do hope that Umaga takes the time to carefully think things through and to evaluate all aspects of his life and not just his wrestling career."
Why don't you just come out and say it what you really want to say?
Don't sign with TNA, because WWE MIGHT give you another chance
Posted By: Guest#0779 (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 04:01 PM
Nice that JR's commenting on it but he says "It's a damn shame that the vast majority of American wrestling fans won't give a second thought about the untimely death of "a Japanese wrestler." "
Bit hypocritical seeing as WWE never employs Japanese wrestlers as headliners, despite them being as good if not better of most WWE main eventers. And JR has in the apst been in a position to influence that stance, and never bothered.
Posted By: Mentalist (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 04:31 PM
I was never a fan of the Japanese style of wrestling but I have great respect for the wrestlers. Japanese fans are hard to please and they expect the best out of their stars. I just watched Misawa vs Kobashi on youtube and Misawa was truly a great star. It is a damn shame he never made the trip over to the USA. He would have set the US wrestling scene on fire.
Posted By: Tugman (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Bit hypocritical seeing as WWE never employs Japanese wrestlers as headliners, despite them being as good if not better of most WWE main eventers. And JR has in the apst been in a position to influence that stance, and never bothered.
Posted By: Mentalist (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 04:31 PM
I'd have to disagree somewhat. When JR was in the position of signing talent, he did a pretty commendable job of finding foreign talent as well as some pretty decent independent American talent. This was before WWE placed emphasis on their developmental territories. JR probably played a hand in the signing of guys like Taka Michonoku, Funaki, Doug Furnas, and Phil Lafon as well as getting a few gigs for Great Sasuke, and other international talent. JR is considered to be the one guy in WWE who actually knows and favors pro wrestling over "sports entertainment". I wouldn't be so quick to throw him under the bus with the rest of the WWE clan.
Posted By: bighustle (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 05:02 PM
"It is a damn shame he never made the trip over to the USA. He would have set the US wrestling scene on fire. "
Oh he has, but by the time he did appear on US soil (for ROH at a NYC show that I'm still kicking myself for not attending), he was a bit past his prime and wasn't willing to seek out a contract for WWE or TNA where he would've gained more mainstream noteriety. From all reports however, i heard the match between he and KENTA that took place at the Manhattan Center that night was a flashback to the Misawa of years past. I heard he brought it that night.
Posted By: bighustle (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 05:34 PM
Some fair points Big Hustle.
Posted By: Mentalist (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 05:38 PM
FUCK JIM ROSS FOR CAPITALIZING ON MISAWA'S DEATH! How dare he make a statement about Misawa. He's capitalizing I say! Pure capitalization!
Posted By: JD (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 06:20 PM
omg he died?? i did not know that. R.I.P to one the true greats
Posted By: sp1 (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 06:45 PM
Well said JR. I'd guess JR stopped pushing to hire japanese wrestlers for WWE when he saw how Taka and Funaki were booked among others. If it was his personal choice then the likes of Misawa would probably have been brought over to the states.
Posted By: Flyin' Bryan (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Epic drug test failure
Posted By: Vern gagne's roomate (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Kudos to Jim Ross for paying a wonderful tribute to Misawa. I agree with Ross that everybody who is a wrestling fan, casual or hardcore, should check out some of his matches. He was one of the few wrestlers that was excellent at making it look "real" and I'm not just talking about how stiff Japanese wrestlers work. He had a great workrate in the truest sense. He knew how to "work" a crowd and how to build drama in a physical match.
I'd look for WWE to give some kind of tribute tomorrow night considering Johnny Ace's connection with All-Japan. Maybe it won't happen, but it would be a fantastic acknowledgment to one of the most important wrestlers in history.
Posted By: Gog (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 07:45 PM
I'm usually a Ross fan-boy but...
"Great timing is a gift that largely can't be taught. It's like ring psychology. Some of it can be taught but mostly it must be a learned trait and some people are in the business for years and never learn great timing or main event level ring psychology."
OK, so it can't be taught but it has to be learned?
What, are you gonna call me a grasshopper next?
Posted By: David (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 08:02 PM
We all know that in the E, foreigner = bad guy (on their initial run/push anyway). The crowd has to chant 'U S A! U S A!' so they don't forget which country they are in. If Misawa had made it to the WWF/E he probably would have been an evil Japanese warrior/ambassador who would have feuded with Undertaker, lost and then let go after a failed face turn. No offence but that's how WWE works.
Posted By: Armitage Shanks (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 08:08 PM
The WWE looked far different when Jim Ross had more of a say about the roster. He didn't just bring in foreign and indy talent, he was the one who liked cruiserweights. Around and after the fall of WCW, the 'E had quite a number of talented cruisers.
Yeah, if JR had his way, I think Misawa would have had a fair shot.
At the moment, the only foreign talent that Vince supposedly has left an open door for is Tajiri - the guy who actually got Torrie Wilson over (somewhat). I can't imagine Tajiri wanting another WWE run unless the money is that great or the Japanese feds totally fold - because cruisers and foreigners don't get treated so well.
Posted By: Guest#5319 (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 09:06 PM
Great comments from J.R.
I feel lucky I got to see Misawa live.
Posted By: L I A M (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 09:52 PM
Kudos to Ross for not just mentioning Misawa in only a sentence or two.
I wonder if Vince McMahon really has any idea who he is.
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 11:30 PM
FUCK JIM ROSS FOR CAPITALIZING ON MISAWA'S DEATH! How dare he make a statement about Misawa. He's capitalizing I say! Pure capitalization!
Posted By: JD (Guest) on June 14, 2009 at 06:20 PM
To the guy that originally started the whole "capitalization thing...
Good. You're getting gooched, asshole!
Posted By: The REAL Joe K. (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 12:43 AM
I'm not dead...
Posted By: VADER (Guest) on June 15, 2009 at 02:00 AM
