“Made no sense” – Legend says WWE wasted audience’s time with Kane backstage drama

Glenn Jacobs’ Kane character was forced to unmask on the June 23, 2003, episode of WWE RAW after losing to Triple H. Jim Ross, a WWE commentator and executive at the time, believes the legendary wrestler should have been booked differently after the unmasking.

On July 14, 2003, Ross told Kane in a backstage interview that he needed psychological help. As Stone Cold Steve Austin watched from the ring, The Big Red Machine reacted to Ross’ remarks by dousing the announcer in gasoline before setting him on fire.

Ross said on his Grilling JR podcast that he had no problem participating in the outlandish segment, but he believes it lacked logic:

“Made no sense. I didn’t mind doing it because they had a stunt double come in and they burned him. They just wanted me to scream, which I did, but I thought it was a waste of time because it was unrealistic. It was unbelievable.” [53:35 – 53:51]

The segment ended with former WWE authority figure Stephanie McMahon shouting for help. Moments later, several backstage officials arrived to put the fire out.

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Another reason why Jim Ross disliked the Kane segment

WWE wrestlers and on-screen personalities are often written off television for several weeks after being on the receiving end of a serious attack.

Jim Ross thinks WWE’s decision-makers should have removed him from programming to highlight his injuries from the fire. However, he returned to the broadcast table almost immediately.

“I was back on TV in a week or two,” Ross continued. “It wasn’t even sold well, and that ain’t my problem. I didn’t book it. I did what I was told, and so I thought it was a waste of time, Conrad [Grilling JR host Conrad Thompson]. It was not a good scene for me. I understand the logic, I do. It just was unbelievable logic, and that’s not the best kind.” [54:03 – 54:31]

In the same podcast episode, Ross recalled how a major WWE controversy in the 1990s alienated half the locker room.

Do you have any memories of Jim Ross and Kane’s segment? Hit the discuss button and let us know.

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Please credit Grilling JR and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use Jim Ross’ quotes from this article.