Legendary wrestling commentator Jim Ross has insisted broadcasters should avoid using pronouns when calling the action.
The 71-year-old Hall of Famer, who defined a generation for WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has revealed one of his golden rules and urged other people in the same line of work to take heed.
‘I got hooked on these pronouns in the last couple of weeks in all kinds of sports about people,’ he said. ‘Announcers, big-time announcers who make a good living relying on pronouns.
‘It takes away from your work. Don’t use pronouns if you’re a broadcaster. Use names, use cliches. “He’s the champ, he’s the tough guy, he’s this.” ‘
JR’s issues with pronouns are on a practical level, as he wants broadcasters to be specific when it comes to calling whatever sport they’re covering.
Speaking on his Grillin’ JR podcast, he added: ‘But there are all kinds of ways to describe somebody instead of saying, “He. He did this.” All right, what’s he doing? “He’s going to hit him.” Okay, who’s he and who’s him?’
Using an example from the wrestling world, the veteran commentator noted that people may be more likely to start watching if they hear a specific name rather than a generic term.
He explained: ‘Could he have said that, “Tully Blanchard, one-half of the tag champions is attacking so and so?” That’s more tangible. I’m gonna come out of the kitchen and quit making my sandwich if I hear names.
‘If I hear pronouns, you don’t move the needle. It’s just lazy, it’s freaking lazy.’
He urged anyone in his line of business to ‘avoid’ pronouns where possible, as he believes it will enhance the experience of those tuning in.
‘If any announcers are listening,’ he continued. ‘Don’t use pronouns as you can keep from it. Sometimes you can’t help it, I get it. But if you can, avoid them and you’ll have a better broadcast.’
Meanwhile, JR is currentlylast month which left him with a black eye and a concussion, while he sounded out of sorts after the incident when he appeared on the July 17 episode of AEW Collision.
‘There’s nothing more important than our health. So many times, we take it for granted, and I have for years. So I’m gonna be a little bit more aware of my health,’ he said.
However, he promised: ‘It’s time to be smarter. I haven’t called my last wrestling match. I just don’t know when the next one’s gonna be.’
