Jim Ross opens up on WWE’s harsh treatment

Bishal Roy — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 17:03:25 +0000

Jim Ross, who has been with WWE for a long tenure as a commentator recently talked on Grilling JR podcast about the release of several long-time employees of the company.

Jim Ross comments on the release of Tony Chimel and Mike Chioda

During the podcast, Jim Ross recalled the time when he had heard the news of the release of several WWE employees and specifically mentioned about WWE veterans, in-ring announcer Tony Chimel and referee Mike Chioda.

Ross said that he was disappointed the way the veterans were furloughed without any proper send-off, despite being with the company for thirty years.

Jim Ross said, “They were loyal, they did their jobs very well. I felt badly for the way they departed the company. It should have been more ceremonial and feel good because you’re letting people go that have been with the company for 30 years.”

Referring to WWE’s claim of being the publicly traded company, Ross compared its treatment towards the long-term employees. Good Ol’ JR said that the company should start treating people fairly instead of treating them “like s–t.”

He said, “It’s all under the name of, ‘We’re a publicly traded company. Just because you’re a publicly traded company doesn’t mean you can treat people like sh**.”

He added, “Nowhere in the publicly traded company manual does it say now that you’re publicly traded you can treat people like dogsh**. It’s not that. You still have to be a people company.”

Chimel had been at the company since 1991 and worked as a ring announcer for the SmackDown.

He had moved into a behind-the-scenes role in recent years and worked as a production manager.

He often made special TV appearances and cameos on the WWE Network shows.

Jim Ross had previously talked about how Vince McMahon wanted to let go him as well in the past and he had ended up leaving the company and joined AEW, which is often considered as the rival of WWE.

ALSO READ: Jim Ross reflects on how Vince McMahon wanted him out of WWE

It was recently reported that as many as 10-15 WWE employees were released. They worked mainly as backstage and logistical staffs in the headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

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Tony Chimel, Jerry Soto released in WWE’s latest cut-down spree

Ramon Nash — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 07:07:54 +0000

WWE released more than a dozen employees. Most of them are backstage employees who worked at the WWE HQ at Stamford, but a few on-screen talents were also released. The most well-known amongst them are announcer Tony Chimel and commentator Jerry Soto.

CHIMEL HAS BEEN A LONGTIME EMPLOYEE OF WWE

Tony Chimel has been quite a long-term employee for the company. Before Chimel become a ring announcer, he was one of the main ring technicians for the WWE, alongside later referee Joey Marella. Chimel then began announcing duties for the company in 1989, working mostly televised B-Shows or non-televised house shows and filling in for Howard Finkel whenever necessary, including appearances on Raw.

Chimel later became synonymous with Smackdown, where he was the main ring announcer from its inception in 1999. He was also the ring announcer at SmackDown brand pay-per-views from 2002-2007, in storyline acquiring the rights to become the announcer of the show by defeating Howard Finkel in a Tuxedo match.

HE WAS ESPECIALLY FAMOUS FOR HIS INTRODUCTION OF EDGE

Later, Chimel began gaining a reputation for introducing Edge, where his voice usually cracked while shouting ‘Rated-R Superstar’, leading Chimel to become Edge’s go-to ring announcer, and making guest appearances to introduce him.

JERRY SOTO WAS A REGULAR MEMBER OF THE WWE BROADCAST SINCE 2011

Another on-screen personnel in the latest list of releases include Spanish commentator Jerry Soto. Soto, who had been furloughed this March, was a regular member of the WWE broadcast since 2011. Soto had last appeared on WWE TV for the March 19 edition of WWE En Espanol.

Soto spoke to Superluchas, confirming that he is officially unemployed. Now that he is out of a job with WWE, he is interested to make a name for himself as an actor.

“Hi. Officially, I don’t have a job. I take a bit of your time to tell you that I’ve been on furlough since March. Now, the time has come to get another job, preferably acting. I write it here so that you have me in mind with employment opportunities. Thanks for your time. It is not the end, but another beginning. If you’ve lost your job too, patience, joy and strength, and everyone, a disinfected hug,” he said.