During a recent episode of his podcast, Grilling JR, Jim Ross responded to doubts about Shinsuke Nakamura’s dedication and skill in WWE. Ross highlighted Nakamura’s strong reputation in Japan and emphasized the difficulty foreign wrestlers face gaining full acceptance in WWE.
I saw Nakamura in Japan, and he was — it fascinated me. I can’t relate to tell fans saying, ‘I hate that guy. He’s horrible, he can’t work,’ whatever. He got over in Japan in a big way. So I think it speaks to the challenge of having a foreign talent in a key position. But you know, he can cut a promo now. He’s in good shape.
— Jim Ross, Grilling JR podcast
Nakamura’s Ability to Maximize His Ring Time
Ross pointed out Nakamura’s knack for efficiently using his time in the ring, a crucial skill for athletes across sports. This was a key aspect Ross praised following Nakamura’s recent bout with AJ Styles on Saturday Night’s Main Event.
He knows how to work, so he knows how to maximize his minutes, which is a key thing to any ball player, NBA guy, whatever.
— Jim Ross, Grilling JR podcast
Ranking WWE’s Major Annual Events
In the same podcast, Ross discussed the hierarchy of WWE’s biggest shows, placing WrestleMania firmly at the top. When comparing Royal Rumble and SummerSlam as the second biggest events, he leaned toward the Royal Rumble due to its established brand identity and consistent excitement.
But SummerSlam is dependent upon what the attraction is. You know, Vince and I used to talk about this all the time. The issue is, the Rumble has a brand. It has an identity. And so my most fun matches I’ve called have been the Royal Rumble. It’s a haul because back in the day, I’d always look forward to working the Royal Rumble because it was a very busy PPV. So you’d always try to have some good support matches. And then you move on, because the stakes are very high, obviously. So I think I’d go WrestleMania, Royal Rumble. SummerSlam would be my off-the-cuff guess. It’s very subjective.
— Jim Ross, Grilling JR podcast
Ross explained that while WrestleMania remains undisputedly the largest event in WWE’s calendar, the Royal Rumble holds a special place due to its iconic nature and the intense competition it generates.
Significance of Ross’s Comments on Nakamura’s WWE Journey
Jim Ross’s defense of Shinsuke Nakamura shines a light on the challenges international superstars face when adapting to WWE’s unique environment while also recognizing Nakamura’s professionalism and in-ring intelligence. As WWE continues to spotlight global talent, such endorsements could help shift fan perception and bolster Nakamura’s standing. Moving forward, Nakamura’s ability to capitalize on his ring time and promos may further solidify his role within the company’s premier events.
