Jim Ross declared 'The Voice of WWE' during Appreciation Night after Monday Night Raw goes off the air

Considering WWE and its long history of bullying Jim Ross and badly mistreating him (in character, mostly) when the company travels to his home state of Oklahoma, this is truly welcome news.

Ross, who was being honored with an Appreciation Night on Monday Night Raw last night (Oct. 1, 2012) in Oklahoma City, did an angle with CM Punk during the live broadcast that was relatively tame by the standards set previously. After all, this is a man who was legitimately forced by Undertaker to kiss Vince McMahon's ass in the ring.

Even better, when Raw went off the air, the promotion did it proper.

Vince McMahon came down to the ring (to a big pop) and gave a speech that didn't involve cutting Ross down or making fun of him, though he did mention Ross joining the "Kiss My Ass" club. When the Chairman of the Board went to leave, Triple H came out and gave J.R. the ultimate compliment.

He said "every boy in the back wants you to call their match."

From there, Danny Hodge, Bill Watts, Bob Stoops and Jerry Lawler all made appearances or gave speeches in taped messages that were played on the titantron. The backstage crew all came out to the ramp for a standing ovation and Ross was presented with a glass plaque dubbing him "The Voice of WWE."

Ross proceeded to give an emotional speech of his own, clearly moved by the proceedings, and told everyone to go after their dreams like he did because they do indeed come true.

Good for Ross and good on WWE for doing it right.

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