The Reason Jim Ross Was Removed From The RAW Opening?

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

As seen at the top of last night’s RAW broadcast, WWE debuted a modified montage video. Among the changes were “Classy” Freddie Blassie, Buddy Rogers, Gorgeous George and Harley Race being added, but the most striking change was the removal of the voice of Jim Ross in favor of RAW announcer Michael Cole. Ross was unaware of the change, which he noted last night on Twitter.

Ross was reportedly removed from the opening video montage as punishment for appearing on camera at UFC’s 116 pay-per-view event in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Ross was interviewed on camera by Ariel Helwani of AOL Fanhouse following Brock Lesnar’s victory over Shane Carwin.

While Steve Austin, Bill Goldberg and Paul Heyman were interviewed as well, Ross is the only one currently under contract to WWE and thus decision was made to make an example out of him.

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