• Jim Ross On Why WWE Passed On Signing Roman Reigns In 2006
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross discussed WWE not being interested in signing current Universal Champion Roman Reigns back in 2006 on a recent edition of his Grilling JR podcast.
He said that the company wanted him to get out of his football system first, as he was playing Football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets back then.
“He changed his body immensely, he was a 300-pound nose tackle for Georgia Tech there in the ACC, and before [John] Laurinaitis took over talent reactions, he was certainly on my radar. And we were all aware [of him], Michael Hayes, different guys, because Hayes was close with the Samoans.
He has Football to get out of his system, and I encouraged that, quite frankly. You don’t want somebody to come in and not be sure that they’re at the right place for them. So if he got a chance at Football, and he didn’t make it for whatever reason, then he gets it out of his system, and then here we go.”
JR said that the same was the case with IMPACT Wrestling Hall Of Famer Ken Shamrock. WWE wanted to him to get out of his MMA system, even though “he was getting over like a son of a gun”.
WATCH: Non-PG Shot Of Lacey Evans’ Butt:
• On This Day In Pro Wrestling History (November 27, 1999) – Old School Wrestling Legend Passed Away
On this day in 1999, we lost Old School Wrestling Legend Hiro Matsuda at the age of 62 due to prostate cancer.
Matsuda wrestled professionally all over the planet during the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s, but also worked as a pro wrestling teacher in the meanwhile.
Some of the students he trained, who eventually became house hold names were “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan, “The Total Package” Lex Luger, “Cowboy” Bob Orton Jr., “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff, “Faarooq” Ron Simmons and “Razor Ramon” Scott Hall.
In 2018 Hiro Matsuda was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the annual Legacy-Wing inductions.
† REST IN PEACE!
July 22, 1937 – November 27, 1999
