Report: AEW Wrestlers Unhappy With Recent Criticism From Jim Ross

On the latest edition of Grilling JR, Conrad Thompson asked AEW Commentator Jim Ross if he thinks moves like the Superkick should be protected. 

Good Ol' JR said: "No, the evolution of the business is bulls**t, or that the business is evolving. How the f**k do you know it's evolving? Not you Conrad, but in general. Now, come on. Yes, they should be protected. Of course, they should... The DDT's a finish instead of a transition spot... The Superkicks are just a part of the flow of a match. Nobody wins with it. So what does that say to you? Does it say that back in the day guys were more proficient at delivering a DDT or a Superkick than they are in this generation where things are evolving - things are changing in the wrestling business? I want some proof of that s**t. I want somebody to prove to me that the changing of the wrestling business is what it is today and it's making a difference... I say no. 

"So I told a kid in AEW, I said, 'Everybody does the same f*****g spot. All you guys get outside. You cluster up like quail. You stand there in the huddle friends and foes together side-by-side so that you can catch some leaping idiot going over the top who never wins with this move. They don't get an advantage with this move... The 'Holy s**t' chant is what got that going I think. They love to hear that, 'Holy s**t. Holy s**t.' 'This is awesome.' It's a spot folks. It's a trapeze act... I don't buy into that. A DDT is a great finish, it should be used as such."

Following JR's comments, WrestlingNews.co reached out of a couple of AEW wrestlers. They were told that Ross made "a lot of good points" but that some wrestlers are less likely to take his criticism on board if he does so publicly. Jerry Lynn has been praised behind the scenes in AEW as he is considered a "straight shooter" but the belief is that he gives constructive criticism. 

A wrestler in the promotion told WrestlingNews.co: "Look I know there is a lot that JR can teach us but burying us on the show or on his podcast is only going to make some of us ignore what he says. I grew up watching JR and he is the best and we love it that he calls our matches but maybe find a different way to criticise the wrestlers in the ring. Everyone is doing what they have been taught. I agree that sometimes things need to be slowed down but that won't happen when the guy who is supposed to help put us over is going out there and publicly burying us."

The likes of Brandon Cutler and Dax Harwood have both commented on Ross's remarks and the response within AEW.

Cutler tweeted: "THIS WEDNESDAY on #AEWDynamite. 7 vs 7. We're gonna go outside, cluster up like coils, stand there in a huddle, friends and foes together, side-by-side to catch some leaping idiot going over the top. Can't wait 8pm TnT. Hopefully for 1M viewers let's fn go."

Harwood later wrote: "Imagine not listening to criticism from the men & women who've shaped our profession, and paved a road that allows you to make a living today; all because they hurt your feelings."