Excalibur Recalls Chemistry Test With Jim Ross Before Starting With AEW

Since day one of AEW, Excalibur has been the most consistent voice at the promotion's commentary desk. But that may not have been the case if he hadn't impressed colleague Jim Ross in the weeks leading up to AEW's first event, Double or Nothing. In an interview with "Ballast Point Brewing Company," Excalibur revealed he and Ross were tested together to see if they were compatible, and that Ross may have been a bit uneasy about Excalibur's professionalism due to him wearing a mask.

"Before we even called a show together, they brought us in for a chemistry test," Excalibur said. "We all sit down behind the microphones, but I see there's cameras there, so I put on the mask. And JR looks at me and says 'You know, this isn't about you, right?' And I'm like 'Sir, please, I know. Just give me a chance.'"

Ross and Excalibur have worked together since, save for Ross' prolonged absences due to health issues, and the WWE Hall of Famer has since gone on to call Excalibur "a great friend" and "a great asset to me." Part of that may be because, at least in Excalibur's mind, he does try to put the wrestlers first and his own performance second.

"The thing that I like to do most is keep the focus on the action in the ring," Excalibur said. "Because really, it's not about me. I'm just the voice, the narrator that's describing the action. The meat and potatoes of it is what's going on in the ring. And the effort being given by these guys and girls who are, quite frankly, they're risking their lives in some cases. Their future, future health, future prospects, future ability to interact with their kids, things like that. Me being respectful of that is paramount to me. It's the most important thing to be respectful of the effort being put forth by these people."

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Ballast Point Brewing Company" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription