Reason Behind Miss Kitty’s Topless Segment at Armageddon 1999 Explained

Jim Ross didn’t hold back on his Grilling JR podcast this week, taking a deep dive into one of WWE’s most talked-about moments: Miss Kitty’s reveal during Armageddon 1999.

The infamous segment, where Stacy Carter exposed herself on live TV, has sparked countless debates over the years, and Ross gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the reasoning behind the controversial decision.

“It was a way to try to entertain men 18 to 34,” Ross said bluntly. “If you’re a marketer or a business person, you know that demographic likes that kind of thing. Pro wrestling is a male show. If you lose your males, you’re out of business.”

Ross acknowledged the role of women in wrestling but emphasized the business realities of appealing to WWE’s primary audience at the time. He explained that Miss Kitty’s provocative moment wasn’t about sidelining women’s contributions but about catering to what the company believed its key demographic wanted. “Show them a couple of boobs, and Miss Kitty…was happy to provide that opportunity with her luscious little breasts,” he quipped.

Ross also addressed whether Miss Kitty received extra pay for the controversial stunt, confirming she was “properly rewarded.” He added, “It probably enhanced them going from a good payday to the best payday they ever had. So hell yeah, they got compensated for it.”

While Ross admitted performers sometimes felt underpaid in hindsight, he defended WWE’s compensation strategy, pointing out that Vince McMahon personally reviewed payroll to ensure fairness for top stars.

Miss Kitty’s Armageddon 1999 moment may forever be one of WWE’s most polarizing stunts, and Jim Ross’ candid take only adds fuel to the debate. Whether you see it as savvy marketing or a step too far, there’s no denying it defined an era in pro wrestling where pushing boundaries was the name of the game.

What’s your take on Jim Ross’ explanation? Was WWE’s approach back then justified, or do you think they went too far? Share your thoughts in the comments!