Jim Ross Admits He Didn't Want To Work With Jesse Ventura, Reveals Why He Changed His Mind

On the latest episode of Grilling JR, Jim Ross spoke about working with Jesse Ventura back in WCW.

“No, I wasn’t excited to work with him, which was my mistake. Jesse was a little bit full of himself, as was I. When I found out what he made, which was double what I made and I’m doing three shows, I wasn’t overwhelmed with that. And I told Kip Frey that. I said, ‘These numbers get out and we all get the bottom line, for some of us that are competitive, it’s not good.’ I wish I’d never known what he was earning. So I was making about $150,000 or somewhere around there, and I think he was making $350,000. I didn’t understand that. He made double what I made. He did one show and then a pay-per-view every now and then. And I didn’t work well with him in the beginning. That’s my fault, that’s not Jesse’s fault.”

Ross continued.

“He and I have discussed this. He’s appreciative of the fact that I admitted the error of my ways. But we had the potential to be really good and if I hadn’t had such a chip on my shoulder and all that, we probably would’ve been really good. Jesse as a personality rubbed me a little bit wrong, and I’m sure mine did him as well. And again, most of that is on me – the jealousy and insecurity that the wrestling business breeds. My whole attitude toward Jesse from then to now has changed 180 degrees.”