During a recent episode of his “Poddin’ Ain’t Easy” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer The Godfather shed light on a difficult backstage chapter involving former WWE superstar Ahmed Johnson and legendary announcer Jim Ross. According to The Godfather, who is known for his candid wrestling insights, tensions between Johnson and Ross escalated to the point where intervention was necessary, with The Godfather himself asked to mediate the situation to prevent it from turning physical[3].
The volatile relationship between Ahmed Johnson and Jim Ross is a well-documented aspect of WWE history. Johnson, the first African American Intercontinental Champion, was a major talent with undeniable physical presence and charisma but reportedly struggled with backstage dynamics and “didn’t get it” during his WWE tenure, as The Godfather bluntly described. “Back then, didn’t get it, didn’t want to play the game, didn’t want to listen. Thought he knew it all,” The Godfather said, highlighting that Johnson was resistant even to advice from veterans like Ron Simmons[3].
The situation reached such a level of concern that WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco—an influential backstage figure—requested The Godfather’s presence during a meeting between Johnson and Jim Ross. Ross, known for his straightforward leadership and deep wrestling acumen, was the subject of alleged threats from Johnson, prompting the need for a respected mediator. The Godfather, recognized as one of the toughest men in WWE, intentionally stayed to “have JR’s back” during what was described as a tense conversation[1][3].
Jim Ross has also spoken about Ahmed Johnson’s backstage reputation separately, noting that many wrestlers and officials supported Ron Simmons in their real-life feud with Johnson. Simmons, revered for his professionalism and locker room respect, was reportedly stiff in the ring with Johnson as a form of retaliation for Johnson’s careless style that endangered others. This contrast further damaged Johnson’s reputation internally and eventually impacted his push as a main-eventer[2][5].
Beyond issues with Jim Ross and Ron Simmons, Ahmed Johnson’s backstage challenges were multi-faceted. He briefly aligned with The Nation of Domination, a major faction at the time, but personality conflicts ruined that alliance. It’s also reported that The Rock, another Nation member, challenged Johnson to a fight over frustrations stemming from Johnson’s attitude and in-ring work. Although no physical altercation occurred, this incident further illustrates the level of backstage heat Johnson carried among his peers[1][4].
Despite the controversies, The Godfather himself clarified that he personally never had problems with Johnson. He credited Johnson’s downfall primarily to his failure to adapt and listen during his WWE run, but noted a marked change over recent years, describing Ahmed as seemingly more humble and grounded than before[3].
In addition to these backstage stories, some of Ahmed Johnson’s most memorable moments include both dramatic and unusual on-screen segments. One notably wild incident involved Goldust kissing an unconscious Johnson during a match, which led to Johnson’s furious outburst upon regaining consciousness[1]. Incidents like these encapsulate both the intriguing and chaotic elements that surrounded Johnson’s WWE career.
Sources close to WWE indicate that the backstage atmosphere during Ahmed Johnson’s time was charged with tension due to his large stature, strong personality, and inconsistent professionalism. Several veterans, including Jim Ross, valued locker room harmony highly, which made Johnson’s behavior appear increasingly problematic over time. The Godfather’s involvement as mediator in the Johnson-Ross incident exemplifies how close these disputes came to boiling over and how WWE management attempted to quell them quickly behind the scenes[3][5].
In recent years, Ahmed Johnson seems to have reflected on his WWE past and made strides toward humility and reconciliation, a perception shared by The Godfather and echoed in interviews. This arc from controversy to calm has added depth to Johnson’s legacy beyond just his remarkable in-ring ability and championship milestones[3].
This story, reported through interviews, podcasts, and insider WWE accounts, offers fans rare insight into the friction that shaped the careers of some of WWE’s most iconic personalities. It reminds us that professional wrestling, while scripted on-screen, often involves highly charged real-life drama behind the curtain.
Sources: WWE.com, The Godfather’s “Poddin’ Ain’t Easy” podcast, Fightful, The Sportster, Wrestling News, YouTube interviews with Jim Ross and Bruce Prichard.