Jim Ross
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On his personal website, Jim Ross recently commented on the following issues:

On Rob Van Dam's future with WWE:
"There were lots of emails this past week about RVD. I look at RVD as being one of the cornerstones of the new ECW. Rob is a talented and unique performer, obviously. I know Rob has done well financially in the WWE and has earned every penny of his cash. I hope Rob has a long productive future with the WWE but in the end that will be Rob’s call."

On rumored matches for WrestleMania 23 this year:
"If you are reading where “X” match has been booked for Wrestlemania 23 then I have some beach front property in Oklahoma to sell you. Point is I doubt very seriously that a Wrestlemania card has been finalized but I am sure it will be the best one available and most doable when the card is released. It is Wrestlemania after all."

On TNA's Voodoo Kin Mafia & their $1 million challenge to WWE:
"I haven’t changed my tune on the ”$1M Challenge”. No, I don’t think the WWE should or ever will acknowledge it. It is a publicity stunt designed to get folks talking and to help draw ratings and sell PPVs. Will it? You tell me."

Jim Ross appeared on 97.1 FM in Detroit on Thursday to talk wrestling. Ross will be appearing on the radio station every Thursday to promote WrestleMania 23. Here are some highlights from his appearance:

- Ross doubts WWE will ever acknowledge TNA's "VKM" angle. (It should be noted that BG James stated in a TNA Conference Call this week that WWE's legal department has already contacted TNA numerous times about the angle)

- In regards to the problems between Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman, Ross said that Vince has the final say and there is no way getting him to change his mind when it is made up. He added that ECW would move on without Paul Heyman and look different.

- Ross said he was concerned about Kurt Angle.

- He said the grind of the road got to Lita and that she had other interests in her life besides continuing work for the WWE.

- Ross thinks Bob Backlund should be in the WWE Hall of Fame.

- In 14 years with the WWE, Ross said he has never requested a day off, but has requested the Monday Night RAW event on January 1, 2007 off so he can attend the Oklahoma vs. Boise State Fiesta Bowl game. As of now, Ross has not been given the night off.

- When asked who his three favorite wrestlers are, Ross said Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels and The Rock.

- On Triple H, Ross said he is unfairly criticized by the internet from people who don't know him.

• Jim Ross announced on his official website last nightt that he has signed a new contract with WWE. His previous contract expired on October 29th and he was working under a contract extension until he negotiated a new deal.

• RAW’s ratings are remaining steady with Monday’s edition coming in with a 3.8 final cable rating and a 5.7 share (same as last week). The show did hours of 3.6 and 3.9.

• Last Friday’s edition of SmackDown pulled a 2.6 cable rating with a 4.5 share.

Good ol' JR certainly has many good ol' opinions about what goes on in the wrestling business. Therefore, it should be no surprise that he recently spoke out about Kurt Angle joining TNA wrestling:

What is the over/under on how long Kurt Angle stays in TNA? I think the world of Kurt and hope he gets totally healthy much sooner than later. Perhaps being a part of TNA will work for Kurt as it relates to travel and in ring demands.

I do think this genre is much better suited for Angle than mixed martial arts, UFC, etc. I wish Kurt well on his new opportunity and that is true, damn true.

Sounds classy of Jim Ross ... with maybe a touch of bitterness or hope for Angle to return to the WWE someday?

Say what you want about Jim Ross, but the WWE RAW announcer certainly isn't afraid to express his opinion. Here are some views on a few topics in the wrestling world:

- On Kurt Angle: "My two cents on this matter is that Kurt should stay as far away from the mixed martial arts world as possible. Yes, there is huge money to be made for a few fights, but at what cost? I say the potential risk facing Kurt is too great to even think of traveling down this road. I am not condemning the promoters of this genre as they are in the business of making money and most defiantly Kurt Angle in the MMA world is money, but is the risk of permanent injury worth the cash? Not where I sit."

- On Paul Heyman: "This I can personally relate to. Paul Heyman made a wise choice of "combat attire" Tuesday night on ECW TV. Much like yours truly, Heyman was not blessed with the body one wants to see in wrestling tights."

- On Kennedy's potential: "Another young talent I like to watch in the ring is Smackdown’s Ken Kennedy.

For some odd reason, Kennedy reminds me at times of "Stunning" Steve Austin. There is just something about Kennedy’s body English and how he carries himself at times that harkens up memories of the blonde haired version of Austin. IF, and it is a huge IF, Kennedy can apply himself as much as Stone Cold did and think about how to get better and to be the best performer in the business 24/7, then Kennedy will become a HUGE asset for the WWE and a very rich man. I would love to see him accomplish all these things."

- On Unforgiven: "Unforgiven was a hit. Even most of the Internet guys liked Sunday’s PPV and their job as critics/reviewers make overwhelmingly positive reviews rare. It was hard to find an abundance of things wrong with the Sunday Toronto event in the Air Canada Center. For me, more wrestling and less talk is always a plus."
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