Bob Kelly conducted this interview with Outlaw J.R. James in early September 1994, just after Pro Wrestling Illustrated published it’s Top 500 Wrestlers in the World in the July Issue. (© RINGSIDER Reprinted with permission)

RINSIDER:  First, thanks for allowing us the time to talk with you Outlaw…

OUTLAW:  I’m sure the pleasure is all yours Kelly…

RINGSIDER:  Congratulations on your ranking in PWI, and of course your picture on the front cover!

OUTLAW:  Really, hadn’t noticed….

RINGSIDER:  You’ve got to be kidding.  The most read pro-wrestling magazine in print and you haven’t noticed? 

OUTLAW:  So what?  You’re telling me that people still really read Apter’s rag?

RINGSIDER:  Of course they do.  Should be a real boost in your standings in the world of Pro (interrupted by the Outlaw)

OUTLAW:  Listen up you bald headed geek, I don’t need a whored out mag like PWI to boost my standings.  I’m the world champion, and will continue as long as I want to be.  Being ranked in PWI doesn’t pay for my ranch, my cars, my private jet.  Being world champion does….

RINGSIDER:  But don’t you think having been ranked #37 in the world out of thousands of wrestlers holds some sort of prestige?

OUTLAW:  Are you kidding Kelly?  You have to kidding?  You being a so called journalist, you’re not buying into all that hype that PWI dishes out are you?

RINGSIDER:  It’s the most read pro-wrestling magazine in the world, so you’re telling me that you should not have been ranked so high?

OUTLAW:  Don’t be such a smart%$#@ Kelly, or I might just slap the taste right out of your mouth.  I will tell y’all this,…I should have been ranked higher. But with the influences within the wrestling, well….

RINGSIDER:  So you are saying PWI and the rankings are fixed?

OUTLAW:  No, don’t put words in my mouth Kelly!  All I’m saying is that don’t always believe what you read…..either way. 

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