Thursday morning during the newest episode of Grilling JR, legendary wrestling persona and AEW commentator Jim Ross opened up about some of the criticism he’s been facing lately. The conversation stemmed from a discussion Ross was having with his co-host Conrad Thompson about the harsh criticism the pair have seen directed towards Kenny Omega and Jon Moxley’s match at All Elite Wrestling’s Full Gear pay-per-view.

You can read the full transcript of JR’s statement on the matter below:

It kind of reminds me of the stuff I’ve been getting a little bit online. There’s a young audience that’s criticizing my work, and I don’t have a problem with them criticizing my work. Everybody’s opinion is as good as the next guy. That’s one thing. I don’t want people that follow me on Twitter to jump on and beat up on some people, because if you look at their Twitter information, they have a picture, they’re young kids, younger kids, teenagers, early ‘20s, and they have you know, anywhere from zero to twenty followers. So it’s not as if these people are learned, experienced, long-term fans to the level that they can critique somebody. But you try to be nice to ‘em, make fun, not make fun but have some fun with it. I had some little girl that said I should retire and I said “Well would you buy me a nice retirement gift?” [laughs] So what are you gonna do? But that’s how it is. That was a little disheartening. When you work your ass off Conrad, for forty effing years in the business that you love and you’re still trying to do it, it’s a little disheartening when people that don’t know you or know how hard it is to do this work are gutting and quartering you. It’s not a fun thing. But I’ve got to get past that, I’m too damn old to worry about it. And I can only do my best. If you don’t like my work folks, don’t listen to it. That’s all I can tell ya. Move to a god damn television. Hell, I don’t know what you want me to say. Cause I ain’t quittin. I ain’t retiring and I’m not gonna leave my spot. I think most people would agree that’s the way to do it.

You can listen to Jim Ross as a member of the All Elite Wrestling commentary team for their weekly live show, Dynamite, every Wednesday at 8 pm EST on TNT. You can also catch Good Ole JR on his podcast, Grilling JR, every Thursday morning with Conrad Thompson.

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Do you love wrestling? Do you have strong opinions on AEW, WWE, NJPW, Impact, ROH, and the independent scene? Do you like to write about wrestling? Then we want you on our team. AIPT is currently recruiting wrestling writers. Apply to write for AIPT today!