Jim Ross Says Some Fans Confuse “Passion” With “Disrespectful Individualism”

Ross says a vocal minority among fans are obsessed with being noticed. 

In a blog earlier this week, Ross acknowledged the annual tradition of a disorderly crowd at the Raw and Smackdown following Wrestlemania. On Monday, beach balls and irregular chants were featured on Raw. Ross referred to the activity as "borderline obnoxious" which prompted criticism from fans but Ross took time in his Wednesday blog to clarify his statements. 

"In an earlier blog posted here a few hours ago, I addressed the live audience that we heard and saw on RAW. While I am not a fan of censorship and feel that fans who pay hard earned cash for their tickets should be able to express themselves as freely as possible, some of the vocal minority seem obsessed with being noticed and heard no matter what. Some fans  have taken exception with my opinion while others have been supportive. Bottom line is that it is just the opinion of one man. Your opinion is just as valid as mine. However, the distractions that some fans feel compelled to exhibit can be embarrassing to other fans who already have to occasionally battle the 'stigma' of being a wrestling fan and who has to attempt, at times, to justify the behavior of their fellow fans. No one loves the passion of wrestling fans more than I but when passion is confused with disrespectful individualism with he hope of getting camera time and attention it isn't overly flattering," wrote Ross.

WWE mentioned the crowd's behavior during broadcast including the beach balls being passed during a match. Roman Reigns tweeted about the reaction he got on Monday. The episodes of Raw and Smackdown following Wrestlemania 33 also featured the debuts of The Revival, Tye Dillinger and Shinsuke Nakamura. Kurt Angle returned to WWE television to become Raw General Manager, Finn Balor returned from injury, and The Hardys appeared on Raw for the first time since 2008. Ross also talked about Raw and Smackdown in his blogs giving his opinion on the episodes. 

Ross' blogs can be found at JRsBarBQ.com.