Jim Ross Breaks Silence on Vince McMahon’s Car Crash: Reckless Driving Confirmed, WWE Return Unlikely
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has weighed in on Vince McMahon’s recent car accident, painting a vivid picture of the former WWE Chairman’s notorious lead foot. In a candid podcast appearance, Ross—McMahon’s longtime colleague—described riding with the 80-year-old executive as a high-stakes gamble, fueling speculation about McMahon’s post-scandal future in wrestling.
The Accident: A High-Speed Rear-End in Connecticut
The incident unfolded on July 24, 2025, in Stamford, Connecticut, near McMahon’s longtime home base. According to a police report, McMahon rear-ended another vehicle while allegedly traveling 80-90 mph in a 40 mph zone. The other driver, a woman named Sarah Jenkins, detailed the scare on social media, claiming McMahon’s black SUV slammed into her sedan, causing minor whiplash but no serious injuries.
McMahon was issued misdemeanor summonses for reckless driving and following too closely, with a court date set for August 26, 2025, in Stamford Superior Court. No charges of DUI were filed, and McMahon cooperated fully, but the crash comes amid his ongoing legal woes, including a federal sex-trafficking probe that led to his WWE resignation in January 2024.
The timing was eerie: The accident occurred the same day Hulk Hogan passed away from cardiac arrest at 71, adding to a somber week for wrestling icons.
Jim Ross’ Take: “He Drove Recklessly, and He Loved Speed”
Ross, who spent 23 years at WWE until 2019, didn’t hold back on his “Grilling JR” podcast. “He drove recklessly, and he loved speed,” Ross said, recalling rides where McMahon treated highways like racetracks. He described post-event drives as tense, with McMahon weaving through traffic while brainstorming business ideas nonstop. “It was challenging because he never turned it off. It was always about business,” Ross added, calling the constant chatter “boresome.”
Ross isn’t alone in his wariness. Wrestling podcaster Jim Cornette quipped on his show that a “long list” of colleagues, including himself and Ross, refused rides with McMahon. Cornette shared a story of Ross once telling McMahon, “I love my children and want to see them again,” before opting for a cab. The anecdote went viral on Reddit’s r/SquaredCircle, where fans joked it explained Ross’ aversion to “riding with Vince” on commentary too.
This isn’t McMahon’s first brush with vehicular drama. In 1999, he shattered his tailbone in a motorcycle crash, an injury Ross revisited in a 2024 podcast episode, noting McMahon’s “theatre of the absurd” approach to pain. Ross laughed off the parallels, but the pattern of risk-taking—on and off the road—has wrestling insiders shaking their heads.
WWE Return Rumors: A Fading Dream Amid Legal Clouds
McMahon’s crash has reignited chatter about a WWE comeback, but Ross poured cold water on it. “Vince is out of the picture now,” he said bluntly on the podcast, crediting Triple H and Nick Khan for steering WWE to new heights. Under their leadership, the company has seen record ratings and happier talent, a stark contrast to the McMahon era’s controversies.
Rumors persist, though. Sources close to McMahon whisper of plans for a new wrestling venture once his legal battles end—possibly a rival promotion to capitalize on his name. But with federal investigators probing allegations of abuse and trafficking, a WWE return seems improbable. McMahon, once the indomitable boss, resigned amid the scandal, selling his shares and stepping back entirely.
Ross, now a voice for AEW, reflected fondly on their history despite past tensions—like McMahon’s infamous 1997 “ass” comment about Ross’ Bell’s palsy. “People think I’m still mad at him… Only spent 26 years there, made a lot of money, why would I be mad?” Ross quipped in a 2021 interview. He credits McMahon for his career but sees no path back.
Fan and Industry Reactions: Laughter, Concern, and Closure
Wrestling Twitter lit up with Ross’ comments. One X post from @PWMMANews captured Cornette’s jab, garnering laughs and shares: “Jim Cornette reacted to Vince McMahon’s car accident by joking that many people… refused to ride with Vince.” Fans on Reddit’s r/WWE subreddit memed the “I love my children” line, with one user quipping, “JR was in the car with Vince then God would’ve been his witness.”
Concern lingers too. At 80, McMahon’s health—post-quad tears, hip replacements, and now this crash—raises eyebrows. “Vince is a notorious bad driver… None of this is surprising,” a Reddit user posted, echoing Ross. Industry vets like Brian Pillman’s story, where Ross lamented his WWE struggles after a 1996 accident, highlight McMahon’s demanding style.
Broader Impact: Wrestling’s Shifting Guard
For fans, this saga closes a chapter on McMahon’s larger-than-life persona—the speed-loving tycoon who built an empire but left a trail of wreckage. WWE thrives without him, with SummerSlam 2025 drawing record crowds under Triple H. Ross’ reflections remind us of the man’s complexities: Visionary boss, reckless driver, wrestling godfather.
As McMahon faces court on August 26, expect more stories from the road. But a WWE return? Ross says no—and after 40 years in the biz, his word carries weight. “It’s pro wrestling,” he might add. “Sometimes it’s the theatre of the absurd.”