Matt Hardy didn’t hold back when discussing the long-standing tension between Vince McMahon and Jim Ross during a recent episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast. Known for his candid comments, Hardy addressed the controversial treatment of JR both on-screen and behind the scenes, and it’s clear that his words cut deep.
During the episode, host John Alba brought up the infamous moments where Vince McMahon publicly embarrassed Jim Ross, from mocking his health conditions like Bell’s palsy to firing him on-screen. Hardy reflected on how those actions were viewed within the company, offering a blunt take on Vince’s approach to his employees.
“I mean, yeah. I mean, and I think J.R. knows that. I think people who worked there knew that, and it was almost something that people would come to expect. Because like, Vince would put people in positions where he knew they were going to feel uncomfortable — and where he knew they would be concerned with having to do these scenarios — and it greatly entertained Vince.”
Hardy then raised an even more pointed question about Vince’s true motives. Instead of seeing it simply as a test of JR’s character, Hardy suggested it may have been more about McMahon’s enjoyment at the expense of others.
“A lot of people just chalk this up to like Vince wanting to test people, but I don’t know if it was Vince wanting to test people, or if it was just Vince very into enjoying himself by making people feel uncomfortable — being an a**hole possibly.”
This direct commentary is significant because Matt Hardy, a respected figure in the wrestling world, rarely goes this far in publicly criticizing Vince McMahon’s behavior. His comments echo a sentiment often shared by many talent who believe that JR was unfairly targeted and that McMahon took pleasure in making others uncomfortable for his own amusement.
Hardy’s candid remarks shed light on the darker side of wrestling’s behind-the-scenes drama, and this isn’t the first time McMahon’s treatment of talent has been questioned. With Hardy now speaking out, it’s clear that these stories of humiliation and manipulation are far from forgotten.
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Do you agree with Matt Hardy’s take on Vince Mc Mahon’s treatment of Jim Ross? Should Mc Mahon have handled JR’s role in a different way? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.