Jim Ross has clearly stated that WWE never invited him to be part of John Cena’s farewell event, and he is not pretending otherwise. On a recent episode of grill jr, Conrad Thompson asked Ross if WWE had reached out before Cena’s last match, to which Ross responded candidly, "No, are you kidding me? Why would they do that? That’s wrestling. I don’t work for them."
That said, Ross mentioned he would have gladly helped if asked. He expressed that if WWE had made a request, Tony Khan—who is a pro wrestling fan—would likely have approved it. Ross said, "If they thought I could help, I’d be happy to be involved."
Beyond his opinions, Ross played a significant role in Cena’s early career, having personally scouted him during his training at Rick Bassman’s UPW school in California. He reflected on watching Cena grow, highlighting his strong work ethic and dependability, saying, "John Cena was one of the guys I recruited. He worked hard… He was reliable. Absolutely, he was reliable."
Ross also touched upon the jealousy Cena faced from peers in his early days but noted how Cena overcame it to become one of WWE’s most trusted stars. Despite this important connection, WWE chose not to involve Ross in the farewell, a decision Ross accepts without bitterness but remains clear about. They simply did not ask.
Was WWE missing out by not including Jim Ross in John Cena’s farewell? Or is it just the nature of modern wrestling politics? Fans are encouraged to share their views in the comments.
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Fan Take: This situation highlights the often complicated and political nature of professional wrestling, where key figures behind the scenes can sometimes be overlooked. For WWE fans, including someone like Jim Ross in Cena’s farewell could have added a meaningful layer of authenticity and respect, enriching the overall tribute.
