View source for Jim Ross

{{Short description|American professional wrestling commentator}}
{{other people||James Ross (disambiguation){{!}}James Ross}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
|name = Jim Ross
|birthname=James William Ross
|image = Jim Ross 040518.jpg
|image_size =
|caption= Ross in 2018
|names = '''Jim Ross'''
|height = 5 ft 9 in<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saalbach |first=Axel |title=Jim Ross - Facts @ Wrestlingdata.com |url=https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=235 |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=wrestlingdata.com |language=English}}</ref>
|weight = 258 lb
|spouse = {{marriage|Jan Grillette|1993|2017|end=died}}
|alma_mater = [[Northeastern State University]]
|children = 2
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|1|3|mf=y}}
|birth_place = [[Fort Bragg, California]], U.S.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=JRsBBQ|author=Jim Ross|number=621103769426640896|date=14 July 2015|title="@andrewflynn_: Why does Wikipedia have @JRsBBQ's birthplace as Wythenshawe?" I was born in Ft Bragg, Calif.}}</ref>
|trainer =
|debut   = 1974
|website = {{URL|jrsbbq.com}}
|billed=[[Norman, Oklahoma]]}}
'''James William Ross''' (born January 3, 1952)<ref name="Birthdate">{{cite web|last=Ross|first=Jim|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/01/05/happy-new-year-everyone-lots-of-feedback-answered-today%e2%80%a6-life-goes-on%e2%80%a6-and-so-does-work%e2%80%a6/|title=J.R.'s Blog " Happy New Year Everyone! Lots of Feedback Answered Today... Life Goes On... and So Does Work..|access-date=2008-01-06|date=January 5, 2008|publisher=JRsBarBQ.com|quote=I was born on January 3, 1952, in [[Fort Bragg, CA]].|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330044734/https://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/01/05/happy-new-year-everyone-lots-of-feedback-answered-today%e2%80%a6-life-goes-on%e2%80%a6-and-so-does-work%e2%80%a6/|archive-date=March 30, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> is an American [[professional wrestling]] [[Sports commentator|commentator]], sports announcer, podcaster, and occasional professional wrestler, better known by the [[ring name]] '''Jim Ross''' (often shortened to '''JR'''). He is signed with [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW), where he serves as a commentator as well as an analyst and senior advisor.<ref name="AEW">{{cite web |last1=Barrasso |first1=Justin |title=Jim Ross is joining AEW: "I'm back in the game" |url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/04/03/wwe-aew-news-jim-ross-interview-wrestlemania-preview |website=SI.com |date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403165106/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/04/03/wwe-aew-news-jim-ross-interview-wrestlemania-preview |url-status=live }}</ref>  Ross is best known for a long and distinguished career as a play-by-play commentator for [[WWE]]. Known affectionately by WWE fans as "Good Ol' JR", Ross has been labeled as the greatest wrestling commentator of all time.<ref name="WWEProfile">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/jimross/|title=Jim Ross' WWE profile|access-date=2011-03-29|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=2012-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224014057/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/inductees/jimross|url-status=live}}</ref>
After years of working various jobs in the professional wrestling industry, Ross became the primary play-by-play announcer for [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|Mid-South Wrestling]] in the early 1980s. He went on to do commentary for the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA)'s [[World Championship Wrestling]] [[List of National Wrestling Alliance territories|territory]], before jumping to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), making his first appearance for the promotion at [[WrestleMania IX]] in 1993. During his tenure with WWF/WWE, Ross was widely regarded as the voice of the company, particularly during the [[Attitude Era]] of the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was also the lead English-language announcer for [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] on [[AXS TV]] from 2015 to 2018 and has occasionally done play-by-play for [[boxing]] and [[mixed martial arts]] fights. He has been inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame|WWE]], [[NWA Hall of Fame|NWA]] and [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|''Wrestling Observer Newsletter'']] halls of fame, and has been honored by the [[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]] twice.
Outside of wrestling, Ross is known for his [[barbecue sauce]] and [[Jerky|beef jerky]] brand, J.R.'s Family BBQ.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/store|title=Store {{!}} J.R.'s Family BBQ|access-date=2016-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014023020/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/store|archive-date=2013-10-14|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also hosts his own weekly [[podcast]], ''Grilling JR''.
==Early life==
James William Ross was born on January 3, 1952, in [[Fort Bragg, California]].<ref name="Birthdate" /> He is a citizen of the [[Cherokee Nation]].<ref name="Cherokee">{{cite web | last=Archives | first=Phoenix | title=Cherokee announcer honored | website=cherokeephoenix.org | date=April 9, 2005 | url=https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/cherokee-announcer-honored/article_6a27f100-0cad-5b07-bba2-17794882c48e.html | access-date=December 4, 2023 | archive-date=December 4, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204065816/https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/news/cherokee-announcer-honored/article_6a27f100-0cad-5b07-bba2-17794882c48e.html | url-status=live }}</ref> His family came to Oklahoma on the [[Trail of Tears]]. He sold his great-great-grandfather's original land allotment from the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] in 2022.<ref name="Cherokee"/>
His maternal grandparents owned a [[general store]] in [[Westville, Oklahoma]], and his paternal grandfather, Dee Ross, owned an off-sale beer store and was a carpenter.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} While attending Westville High School, Ross played [[First baseman|first base]] on the Westville baseball team.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} Ross was a two-time all-conference football player for the Westville Yellowjackets in 1968–69.<ref name="Unlikely">{{cite web|url=https://tulsaworld.com/jim-ross-talks-about-his-unlikely-journey/article_672667ae-6590-5d6e-b8d7-ca83bc74407b.html|title=Jim Ross talks about his unlikely journey|last=Hoover|first=John|publisher=Tulsa World|date=May 11, 2014|access-date=December 16, 2023|archive-date=December 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216232503/https://tulsaworld.com/jim-ross-talks-about-his-unlikely-journey/article_672667ae-6590-5d6e-b8d7-ca83bc74407b.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross was also President of the Student Body, a 4-year letterman in [[basketball]],{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} and State Vice President of the [[National FFA Organization|Future Farmers of America]] (FFA).<ref>{{cite news |title=Student Council Installs Officers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226249/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=18 September 1969 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=6 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070054/https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226249/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the FFA Oklahoma Speech Champion in 1968 and 1969 and runner up for the FFA National Speech Championship in 1969.<ref>{{cite news |title=Westville FFA Wins Three Firsts |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/14935347/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=26 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=4 April 1968 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=8 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070052/https://www.newspapers.com/image/14935347/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jim Ross Wins First In State |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/14955794/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=8 May 1969 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=9 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070059/https://www.newspapers.com/image/14955794/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Langley |first1=Mrs. W F |title=Westville; Jim Ross Places Second |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226205/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=26 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=21 August 1969 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=8 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070053/https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226205/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was awarded the FFA State Degree in 1970, the organization's second highest award.<ref>{{cite news |title=Two Get FFA Award |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226561/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=23 April 1970 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=6 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070056/https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226561/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He ran for and was elected vice president of the FFA Northeast District in 1970.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jim Ross is FFA Candidate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226493/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=5 March 1970 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=8 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070053/https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226493/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Westville FFA'er Attends Meeting |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226633/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=11 June 1970 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=8 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070054/https://www.newspapers.com/image/5226633/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ross was also named Honorable Mention on the 1969 High School All-State Football team by the Tulsa World as a center.<ref name="Unlikely" />
In high school, Ross did well academically, reaching the [[National Honor Society]] his sophomore year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jim Ross Named 'Farmer' Of Month |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/5792780/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=27 April 1967 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=6 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127080742/https://www.newspapers.com/image/5792780/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> He received an award for maintaining a 3.6 [[grade point average]] his junior year.<ref>{{cite news |title=Untitled |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/14952435/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=6 March 1969 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=8 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127080741/https://www.newspapers.com/image/14952435/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1969, Ross was nominated by Representative [[Wiley Sparkman]] to serve as a page for the [[Oklahoma House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Boys Serve As Pages in Legislature |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/14954683/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=26 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=17 April 1969 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=8 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070054/https://www.newspapers.com/image/14954683/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, Ross served as the treasurer for Oklahoma [[Boys/Girls State|Boys State]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Westville Youth Named Treasurer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/14957315/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=Stilwell Democrat-Journal |date=12 June 1969 |location=Stilwell, Oklahoma |page=5 |archive-date=27 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127070057/https://www.newspapers.com/image/14957315/?terms=%22Jim%20Ross%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> For 18 years, Ross officiated high school and college baseball, football and basketball games in Oklahoma.<ref name=jrcareer>{{cite news|url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1992/07/03/westvilles-ross-joins-falcons-booth/62488692007/|title=Westville's Ross Joins Falcons' Booth|first=Dale|last=Saviers|publisher=The Oklahoman|date=3 July 1992|access-date=22 March 2022|archive-date=2 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202143454/https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1992/07/03/westvilles-ross-joins-falcons-booth/62488692007/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Broadcasting career==
===Professional wrestling===
====NWA Tri-State/Mid-South Wrestling/Universal Wrestling Federation (1974–1987)====
During his tenure at [[Northeastern State University]], Ross had spent some time commentating on college radio. With this experience, Ross was given the opportunity to fill a broadcast position in the local [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|NWA Tri-State]] territory, after an announcer was unable to appear at one of the territory's events.<ref name="MIT-speech">{{cite web |url=http://www.f4wonline.com/?aID=19019 |title=Recap of Jim Ross' speech at MIT |access-date=2007-03-25 |last=Encarnacao |first=Jack |date=23 March 2007 |publisher=[[Wrestling Observer]] |archive-date=2008-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081208100515/http://www.f4wonline.com/?aID=19019 |url-status=live }}</ref> After his arrival in the promotion, Ross first worked as a referee starting in 1974. Ross remained as a referee until 1977 when he then transitioned to the promotion's broadcast team. After [[Bill Watts]]' purchase of NWA Tri-State in 1982 and the subsequent re-branding to [[Universal Wrestling Federation (Bill Watts)|Mid-South Wrestling]] (MSW), Ross was promoted to the promotion's lead play-by-play position and also became Mid-South Vice President of Marketing.<ref name="WWEformProfile">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/jim_ross/profile.jsp |title=Jim Ross' former WWE profile |access-date=2008-05-20 |publisher=[[WWE]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041127040610/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/jim_ross/profile.jsp |archive-date=2004-11-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref> During this time, Ross was able to call his first [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] match which featured [[Ric Flair]] and [[Ted DiBiase]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
====Jim Crockett Promotions/World Championship Wrestling (1987–1993)====
When [[Jim Crockett, Jr.]] bought the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) and merged it with his [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] (JCP) group, Ross joined JCP and began doing color commentary alongside [[David Crockett (wrestling)|David Crockett]] and [[Tony Schiavone]]. With his new position, Ross became the head play-by-play man for the [[National Wrestling Alliance]].<ref name="WWEformProfile"/> Ross continued to hone his skills as JCP became [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), following the purchase of the regional promotion by [[Ted Turner]]. In 1991, WCW left the NWA and Ross was teamed with former NWA broadcaster [[Bob Caudle]]. In 1992, he also spent one season as a commentator on the [[Atlanta Falcons]] radio broadcasts.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Ross worked his way up the WCW ladder to become head of broadcasting, but had a contentious relationship with WCW's newest commentator and future executive [[Eric Bischoff]]. According to Ross, Bischoff, who reported to him, did a really good job of "selling himself" to executives of WCW's owner [[Turner Broadcasting System|Turner Broadcasting]]. According to Bischoff, Ross mistreated him and others (mostly in deference to Ross's then-supervisor [[Bill Watts]]), and when Bischoff was promoted to executive producer in 1993, Ross demanded and received his release.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Ross had a three-year contract with Turner Broadcasting, but he took an immediate buy-out for fear that he would not get work elsewhere due to being taken off television for a long period of time. [[Mick Foley]] claims that Ross resigned from WCW's booking committee.<ref>Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.145)</ref> Ross left WCW after being taken off the air by Bischoff.<ref>Foley, Mick. Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks (p.238)</ref>
====World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE (1993–2013)====
[[File:Jim Ross No Mercy 2007.jpg|thumb|right|Ross at the [[No Mercy (2007)|2007 No Mercy]]]]
Ross was hired by the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] and made his on-screen debut at [[WrestleMania IX]] at a specially constructed outdoor venue at [[Caesar's Palace]] on the [[Las Vegas Strip]]. He took over for [[Gorilla Monsoon]] on ''[[WWE Wrestling Challenge]]'' the following weekend. Ross worked alongside [[Bobby Heenan]] on the show until Heenan left the WWF in December 1993. Ross was originally the main voice of the WWF's [[pay-per-view]] events when he was first brought in, calling both [[WrestleMania IX]] and the [[King of the Ring#1993|King of the Ring]] with Heenan and [[Randy Savage]] in 1993. [[Vince McMahon]] took over his position at pay-per-views starting with [[SummerSlam (1993)|SummerSlam 1993]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Ross suggested the idea of Radio WWF to McMahon, the idea was given a try and Ross was made host alongside Monsoon. In this role, Ross was joined by co-hosts such as [[Raven (wrestler)|Johnny Polo]], and talked to various WWF wrestlers and [[Fan (person)|fans]]. Ross and Monsoon called SummerSlam and [[Survivor Series (1993)|Survivor Series]] at the end of 1993 and the [[Royal Rumble (1994)|Royal Rumble]] for Radio WWF.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Ross was fired on February 11, 1994, two weeks after suffering his first attack of [[Bell's palsy]] on January 30, 1994, as stated by Ross on the September 23, 1996, episode of Raw. He subsequently became an announcer for [[Smoky Mountain Wrestling]] and the [[National Football League]]'s [[Atlanta Falcons]] (the second time he was with the Falcons as an announcer). In [[Smoky Mountain Wrestling]], Ross was reunited with former [[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA]]/[[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] announcer [[Bob Caudle]]. The promotion was owned by longtime [[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA]] Manager [[Jim Cornette]] and featured many former [[National Wrestling Alliance|NWA]]/[[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] wrestlers such as The [[Rock 'n' Roll Express]], [[Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)|Eddie Gilbert]], and [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|"Dr. Death" Steve Williams]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
When [[Vince McMahon#Legal trial|Vince McMahon]] was indicted by the United States [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] in 1994, he was unable to continue commentating on ''[[WWE Raw|WWF Monday Night Raw]]''. After a few weeks of [[Gorilla Monsoon]] on play-by-play, the WWF rehired Ross to fill in for McMahon alongside Randy Savage throughout that summer. After McMahon was acquitted, Ross was let go by the WWF for purportedly leaking inside information to journalists. Ross briefly returned to Smoky Mountain Wrestling.
The WWF rehired Ross once again in December 1994. Relegated to the syndicated WWF programming for the majority of the next two years, Ross rejoined the primary announce team in the summer of 1996. In September 1996, Ross turned [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] in WWF storylines for the first time in his career. Following [[Scott Hall]] and [[Kevin Nash]]'s departure from the WWF for WCW and their debut there as [[Outsiders (professional wrestling)|The Outsiders]], Ross began to proclaim on television that he was still in touch with Razor Ramon and Diesel (Hall and Nash's WWF personas, respectively) and claimed that he would be bringing them back to the WWF soon. Other announcers were skeptical, and [[Professional wrestling authority figures|WWF President]] Gorilla Monsoon said that Hall and Nash were under contract with "another organization", and ordered Ross to cease and desist mentioning them on the air. On the September 23, 1996, episode of ''Monday Night Raw'', Ross delivered a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Work (noun)|worked]]-[[Shoot (professional wrestling)|shoot]] [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Promo|promo]] during which he ran down [[Professional wrestling authority figures|WWF Chairman]] [[Vince McMahon]] (outing him as [[chairman]] and not just a commentator for the first time in WWF storylines) and debuted his "new" [[Outsiders (professional wrestling)|Diesel and Razor]], claiming that while working in the WWF "front office" he had been the man responsible for so many people leaving the company as part of his "revenge" against the WWF for how they treated him in the past. While he was kept on the air by McMahon, Ross portrayed himself to be bitter and spiteful, with repeated potshots at McMahon. However, the "New Diesel-New Razor" storyline was poorly received by fans, and Ross's heel turn was quickly dropped.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
[[File:WWE- Birmingham 200997 (16).jpg|thumb|left|Ross was mainly used as a commentator, but occasionally hosted in-ring interviews such as here with [[Ken Shamrock]].]]
After this [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Angle|angle]], Ross went on to host various WWF programs such as ''[[WWF Superstars of Wrestling|Superstars]]'', ''[[List of former WWE programming#Action Zone (1994–1996)|Action Zone]]'', ''Raw Is War'', and ''[[WWF Shotgun Saturday Night|Shotgun Saturday Night]]''. At the end of 1998, Ross took a break from ''Raw Is War'', due to another attack of Bell's Palsy he suffered whilst broadcasting a PPV (Capital Carnage) in London, England. Earlier in the day Ross had been informed his mother had died. On March 8, 1999, he returned to ''Raw Is War'' as part of a storyline alleging that McMahon fired him because of his condition, but that he would not go down quietly and enlisted the services of [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|"Dr. Death" Steve Williams]] as his personal "enforcer". Ross confronted his replacement, [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]], in the ring. Despite Cole's insistence that he was not trying to steal Ross's job, Ross kicked Cole in the crotch and attempted to return to the announce table, though [[Terry Taylor]] ended up commentating for the rest of the night. The narrative went as far as to have Ross set up his own announce table in front of the official announce table labeled "JR Is Raw". The storyline was soon dropped as the attempt to turn Ross heel failed (the fans ended up cheering Ross and booing Cole) and he took his seat back as "official" commentator of ''Raw Is War'' starting with the main event of [[WrestleMania XV]]. Ross's Bell's palsy proved fodder for ridicule by WWF's competitor, WCW, in late 1999. [[Ed Ferrara]] parodied Ross, including doing a full impression including mockery of his modified voice due to his medical condition. This was received negatively by fans and wrestlers alike. Ferrara ceased mocking the medical condition after the first week due to Turner [[Broadcast Standards and Practices|Standards and Practices]] stepping in and overriding [[Vince Russo]].<ref name="OK">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDJSQuGaRa8 |title=The Ross Report #34 – Ed Ferrara |work=Grilling JR |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=May 24, 2020 |access-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301110359/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDJSQuGaRa8&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref> The angle was soon dropped by WCW, but not before "Oklahoma", Ferrara's parody of Ross, won the [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WCW Cruiserweight Championship]]. Though Ross was offended over the gimmick, he doesn't fault Ferrara himself over the gimmick and Ross and Ferrara have since patched things up over the angle.<ref name="OK" />
During this time, Ross was commissioned to announce regional telecasts of the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]], a professional football league co-owned by WWF. Ross, who had experience announcing for the Atlanta Falcons, was initially placed on the regional broadcasts, with his WWF partner Jerry Lawler as color commentator, even though Lawler admitted knowing and caring little about the sport, for the first regional telecast. After an incident in which the head play-by-play man on the national broadcast team, [[Matt Vasgersian]], openly criticized the production on-air, Ross was hastily promoted to lead play-by-play, with [[Jesse Ventura]] as color commentator, for the next four weeks of broadcasts. Ross returned to the regional telecasts halfway through the XFL's Longhorns lone season, with [[Dick Butkus]] as his color commentator after Lawler left the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/05/16/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/XFL-main.aspx|title=X years after|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com|date=16 May 2011 |access-date=2016-09-08|archive-date=2016-09-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921124745/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2011/05/16/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/XFL-main.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ross was the "voice of ''Raw Is War''" throughout the [[Monday Night War]] alongside [[Jerry Lawler]] and cemented his legacy as one of the great wrestling commentators as WWE became the sole major wrestling promotion in [[North America]]. After the [[WWE brand extension]], Ross worked exclusively for the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw brand]], cutting down to doing play-by-play on ''Raw''-only pay-per-views, while [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]]-only pay-per-views were announced by SmackDown!'s announce team.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
[[File:JR and The King No Mercy 07.jpg|thumb|[[Jerry Lawler]] (left) and Jim Ross (right) at the ''Raw'' commentators table.]]
Ross was involved in a lengthy feud with Eric Bischoff over Bischoff's mistreatment of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Also during this time, Ross served as an Executive Vice President of Talent Relations for the WWF/WWE, a codified extension of his long-time backstage role as a key individual in charge of hiring new talent. By 2005, Ross had stepped down from his executive and management roles. According to repeated statements on his official blog, the move away from management proved beneficial in terms of decreased work-load, giving him more time to focus on his health, his family, and his entrepreneurial endeavors.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Still working as the voice of ''Raw'', Ross was again "fired" ([[kayfabe]]) from his play-by-play job by Vince and [[Linda McMahon]] on October 10, 2005. Doctors had discovered a serious issue with Ross's colon, and his storyline termination provided an explanation for his absence. While recovering from his colon surgery, [[Joey Styles]] (best known for his commentary work for [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]]) called the weekly ''Raw''. After recovering, Ross helped produce the ''Raw'' announcers from backstage, and was brought back for ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event XXXII]]'' in 2006, then the Raw-brand matches at [[WrestleMania 22]] and [[Backlash (2006)|Backlash]] before taking back his play-by-play job on ''Raw'' on May 8, 2006, after Styles quit ''Raw'' in the storyline, declaring his hatred for "[[sports entertainment]]".{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Ross's contract with WWE expired in October 2006. At that point, neither side had signed a new contract and instead worked week to week under the terms of the expired contract. In November 2006, Ross stated on his official blog that he had signed a new one-year contract with WWE and would continue to work year-to-year.<ref name="2006-contract">{{cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/2006/11/23/jr-responds-to-contract-signing-feedback/|title=J.R. responds to Contract Signing Feedback|access-date=2007-03-25|last=Ross|first=Jim|date=2006-11-23|archive-date=2007-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224002739/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/2006/11/23/jr-responds-to-contract-signing-feedback/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On March 31, 2007, Ross was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] [[WWE Hall of Fame (2007)|class of 2007]] by [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
On June 23, 2008, during the [[2008 WWE draft]], Ross was drafted from Raw to the SmackDown brand while [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] was drafted from SmackDown to Raw, trading positions as commentators on each brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06232008/|title=A Draft Disaster|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|date=2008-06-23|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=2008-06-25|archive-date=2013-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726180217/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06232008/|url-status=live}}</ref>  This ended Ross's position as ''Monday Night Raw''{{'}}s play-by-play commentator after a nearly 12-year run. The following day Ross posted a blog on his official website saying initially he was not happy with the move and considered quitting the company since he was not told beforehand about the move, but that he would work "to make SmackDown the best program the WWE produces".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/06/24/jr%E2%80%99s-post-draft-thoughts/|access-date=2008-06-24|last=Ross|first=Jim|title=Draft Thoughts|publisher=JR's Blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627025133/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/06/24/jr%E2%80%99s-post-draft-thoughts/|archive-date=2008-06-27|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/06/24/upon-further-review/|access-date=2008-06-24|last=Ross|first=Jim|title=Upon Further Review|publisher=JR's Blog|archive-date=2011-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717204251/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/06/24/upon-further-review/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On September 23, 2008, episode of ''[[WWE ECW|ECW on Syfy]]'', Ross made an appearance on the [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW brand]] filling in for a sick [[Todd Grisham]] alongside [[Matt Striker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fans.wwe.com/jimross/blog/2008/09/25/smackdown_this_sept_25_2008
|access-date=2008-09-25|last=Ross|first=Jim|title=Smackdown this September 25, 2008|publisher=JR's Blog|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929033311/http://fans.wwe.com/jimross/blog/2008/09/25/smackdown_this_sept_25_2008|archive-date=September 29, 2008}}</ref>
[[File:WWE Announcers.jpg|thumb|left|Ross (right) during his run on ''SmackDown'' with fellow commentator [[Todd Grisham]].]]
On April 8, 2009, Ross announced on his [[WWE#WWE Universe|WWE Universe]] blog that with the departure of [[Taz (wrestler)|Tazz]] from [[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]], he would assume the role of ''SmackDown'''s color analyst, with ECW announcer [[Todd Grisham]] moving over to the brand as the play-by-play announcer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fans.wwe.com/jimross/blog/2009/04/08/jrs_home_from_wrestlemania_with_random_thoughts|title=JR's Homes from WrestleMania with random thoughts|date=April 8, 2009|publisher=WWE Universe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411111041/http://fans.wwe.com/jimross/blog/2009/04/08/jrs_home_from_wrestlemania_with_random_thoughts |archive-date=April 11, 2009}}</ref> The [[Hell in a Cell (2009)|Hell in a Cell]] PPV event on October 4, 2009, was his last PPV broadcast as a full-time announcer for WWE and the ''SmackDown'' tapings on October 6, 2009 was the final televised broadcast as the full-time announcer.
Ross missed the ''SmackDown'' tapings on October 13, 2009, as he asked for a day off due to an anniversary. Seven days later, on October 20, Ross suffered his third [[Bell's palsy]] episode en route to [[Columbia, South Carolina]], for a ''SmackDown'' taping. After initially planning on working the tapings and reuniting with Lawler, Ross instead flew back to [[Oklahoma]], missing the show—Lawler and Cole commentated ''SmackDown''—and leaving his plans for [[Bragging Rights (2009)|Bragging Rights]] in the air. On October 21, 2009, Jim Ross announced that he would not be commentating the Bragging Rights pay-per-view, but Grisham mentioned that SmackDown would give Ross the Bragging Rights trophy as a "get well" gift.
On the November 15, 2010 ''Old School Raw'' special, Ross made a guest appearance on commentary with [[Jerry Lawler]] and [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]], calling a match between [[Bryan Danielson|Daniel Bryan]] and [[Jake Hager|Jack Swagger]]. Cole insulted Ross throughout the match, which resulted in Ross hitting Cole over the head with his hat after the match had finished. Ross returned on March 14, 2011, to confront Cole, who had entered into a feud with Lawler. After being insulted by Cole, he challenged him to a match but was attacked by Swagger. Ross called the final four matches at [[WrestleMania XXVII]], including the Cole vs Lawler match. On the post-WrestleMania ''Raw'', Ross joined commentary, only to walk out later in the night after Cole squirted him with [[barbecue sauce]]. Ross and Lawler defeated Cole and Swagger on the April 11 and 25 episodes of ''Raw'' but were defeated by Cole and Swagger in a Country Whipping match at [[Extreme Rules (2011)|Extreme Rules]]. As Lawler's feud with Cole ended at [[Over the Limit (2011)|Over the Limit]], Ross showed up to gain revenge on Cole by squirting him with barbecue sauce.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/members/artman/publish/TV_Reports_7/article_51376.shtml|title=Please login|website=www.pwtorch.com|access-date=2011-04-27|archive-date=2024-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202143521/https://www.pwtorch.com/amember/protect/new-rewrite?f=5&url=/artman/publish/TV_Reports_7/article_51376.shtml&host=members.pwtorch.com&ssl=on|url-status=live}}</ref>
On July 25, 2011, the new [[Chief operating officer|COO]] of WWE, [[Triple H]] re-hired Ross to a full-time commentating position on ''Raw''. The new Raw Interim General Manager, [[John Laurinaitis]], fired Ross on October 10 for walking out on Triple H a week earlier. Ross later revealed that he was given no prior notice that he was to be publicly fired. Ross returned on October 17, joining [[John Cena]] to defeat Michael Cole and [[Alberto Del Rio]] in a tag match.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE RAW 10/17/11|url=http://expertscolumn.com/content/wwe-raw-101711|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525112842/http://expertscolumn.com/content/wwe-raw-101711|archive-date=2013-05-25}}</ref> A week later, Cole challenged Ross to a "Michael Cole Challenge", with Ross's job on the line.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE RAW 10/24/11|url=http://expertscolumn.com/content/wwe-raw-102411|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525112151/http://expertscolumn.com/content/wwe-raw-102411|archive-date=2013-05-25}}</ref> The challenge took place on November 14; Ross won two of the three challenges, the first being an arm wrestling contest, and the second being a dance off, but lost the final challenge, which was who weighed less. Even though he lost the contest, he called the opening match of the night after Michael Cole was attacked by [[CM Punk]].<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE RAW 11/14/11|url=http://expertscolumn.com/content/wwe-raw-111411|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623071425/http://expertscolumn.com/content/wwe-raw-111411|archive-date=2012-06-23}}</ref>
At [[WrestleMania XXVIII]], he returned to call the 'End of an Era' [[Hell in a Cell]] match between [[Triple H]] and [[The Undertaker]]. Prior to the start of the match, Ross shook hands with Michael Cole, effectively healing any old wounds they had between them. Ross also made an appearance at ''[[Raw 1000]]'', commentating the opening match. On June 20, 2012, Ross took over as a commentator on the revamped ''[[WWE NXT|NXT]]'' alongside [[Byron Saxton]] and [[William Regal]]. Also during 2012, after Paul Levesque (Triple H) took control of Talent Relations he hired Jim Ross to work as an Adviser and Scout within the department. Following [[Jerry Lawler]]'s heart attack on September 10, 2012, Ross returned to ''Raw'' to work as an interim commentator while Lawler recovered. Ross was honored on the October 1 edition of ''Raw'' as it was dedicated ''JR Appreciation Night'' and was held in his hometown of [[Oklahoma City]].  While [[CM Punk]] interrupted the segment as it aired, Ross was acknowledged by [[Vince McMahon]] and [[Triple H]] as well as local wrestling legends [[Bill Watts]] and [[Danny Hodge]] after ''Raw'' went off the air.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1349147921|title=Raw Results - 10/1/12|last=Stephens|first=David|date=October 1, 2012|publisher=WrestleView.com|access-date=October 1, 2012|archive-date=October 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002233534/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1349147921|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1349160911|title=WWE posts video of Jim Ross Appreciation Night|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=October 1, 2012|publisher=WrestleView.com|access-date=October 1, 2012|archive-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010203906/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1349160911|url-status=live}}</ref>  Ross also served as presenter for the Match of the Year award at the 2012 Slammy Awards.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
In 2013, Ross began to coach and produce new announcers at the [[WWE Performance Center]] in Florida. He returned to television on the 20th Anniversary edition of ''Raw'' on January 14, 2013, where he called the steel cage main event between [[John Cena]] and [[Dolph Ziggler]].  On March 1, 2013, he appeared on ''WWE Smackdown'' to interview his long-time friend [[Jack Swagger]], and Swagger's new advocate, [[Dutch Mantel|Zeb Colter]]. During the segment, Swagger turned against Ross, ending their friendship.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
On August 16, 2013, while hosting a ''[[WWE 2K14]]'' roster announcement panel with guests, Ross was suspected of being intoxicated. He used profanity during several points and appeared to have little to no interest in the topics that were scheduled to be covered. He also put down one of the sponsors of the event and allowed [[Ric Flair]], who was a member of the guest panel and was also suspected of being intoxicated, to share a slew of off-color remarks and stories, among them being a description of John Cena as a "hardcore drinker". On September 11, 2013, Ross officially announced his "retirement" from WWE as his contract had expired and was not to be renewed,<ref>{{cite web|last=Staff|first=WWE.com|title=Jim Ross to retire|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/jim-ross-to-retire|access-date=September 1, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=September 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912173413/http://www.wwe.com/inside/jim-ross-to-retire|url-status=live}}</ref> however it was suspected that he was fired due to his actions at the roster announcement. In an interview in 2014, Ross claimed that an insult to the sponsor of the event was what led to his release.<ref>{{YouTube|3E3xhJpQrqw}}</ref> In the same interview he confirmed that he was not drunk, but rather fatigued due to Bell's palsy which was likely the reason he may have been perceived as being intoxicated. McMahon addressed the situation in a December 2014 interview, claiming that while he disapproved of Ross's behavior at the event, it was ultimately Ross's decision to leave WWE as he wanted to spend more time at home than working for WWE. McMahon stated that there is no heat between the two parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/51937-vince-mcmahon-addresses-cm-punk-on-stone-cold-podcast|title=Vince McMahon addresses CM Punk on Stone Cold Podcast|date=December 2, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2014|publisher=WrestleView|archive-date=December 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219081855/http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-news/51937-vince-mcmahon-addresses-cm-punk-on-stone-cold-podcast|url-status=live}}</ref>
====New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2015–2018)====
On January 4, 2015, Ross and [[Matt Striker]] served as the English language commentators for [[Global Force Wrestling (2014–2017)|Global Force Wrestling]]'s presentation of [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]]'s [[Wrestle Kingdom 9 in Tokyo Dome]] pay-per-view.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/89507/jim-ross-returns-to-announcing-pro-wrestling.html?p=1|title=JIM ROSS RETURNS TO ANNOUNCING PRO WRESTLING - PWInsider.com|website=pwinsider.com|access-date=2014-11-11|archive-date=2014-11-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117003828/http://www.pwinsider.com/article/89507/jim-ross-returns-to-announcing-pro-wrestling.html?p=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
On January 19, 2016, it was announced that Ross had signed to become the new lead announcer for NJPW's weekly program on [[AXS TV]] along with [[Josh Barnett]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/99119/its-official-jim-ross-returning-to-broadcast-booth.html?p=1|title=It's official: Jim Ross returning to broadcast booth|access-date=January 19, 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|archive-date=February 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207222924/http://pwinsider.com/article/99119/its-official-jim-ross-returning-to-broadcast-booth.html?p=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross's contract was directly with AXS TV and not NJPW.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/99149/what-jim-ross-axs-tv-deal-means-for-njpwworld-streaming-events.html?p=1|title=What Jim Ross' AXS TV deal means for NJPWWorld streaming events|access-date=January 20, 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|archive-date=January 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124001405/http://pwinsider.com/article/99149/what-jim-ross-axs-tv-deal-means-for-njpwworld-streaming-events.html?p=1|url-status=live}}</ref> It was revealed in November 2018 that Barnett and Ross would no longer be doing NJPW commentary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/jim-ross-josh-barnett-njpw-axs-tv/|title=411Mania|access-date=2019-03-07|archive-date=2019-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307173809/https://411mania.com/wrestling/jim-ross-josh-barnett-njpw-axs-tv/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019 the New Japan World commentary team took over broadcasting the AXS shows until the contract ended in December of that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/new-japan-news/njpw-no-longer-airing-axs-tv-300386|title=NJPW no longer airing on AXS TV|access-date=March 9, 2021|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|date=27 December 2019|archive-date=28 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228163340/https://www.f4wonline.com/new-japan-news/njpw-no-longer-airing-axs-tv-300386|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Independent circuit (2016–2019)====
On October 8, 2016, Ross, along with [[Jim Cornette]], provided commentary for What Culture Pro Wrestling's (WCPW) first iPPV, Refuse to Lose. On December 31, Ross was on commentary for the pilot episode of ''[[World of Sport Wrestling]]'' on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/other-sports/world-of-sport-wrestling-returns-to-itv-with-wwe-s-jim-ross-as-commentator-a3374486.html|title=World of Sport Wrestling to return to ITV|date=2016-10-20|newspaper=Evening Standard|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-01-17|archive-date=2016-12-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225151230/http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/other-sports/world-of-sport-wrestling-returns-to-itv-with-wwe-s-jim-ross-as-commentator-a3374486.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 12, 2017, Ross returned to WCPW for commentary at the iPPV, True Destiny and for WCPW's ''Loaded'' tapings that same month.<ref>{{cite AV media| url-status = live| archive-url = https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/3hFNBVcpcVE| archive-date = 2021-12-11| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hFNBVcpcVE| title = Kurt Angle vs Alberto El Patron (True Destiny 2017) |website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
====Return to WWE (2017–2019)====
On April 2, 2017, at [[WrestleMania 33]], Ross returned to WWE, providing commentary for the main event No Holds Barred match between [[The Undertaker]] and [[Roman Reigns]]. Shortly after the event, it was announced that Ross had signed a two-year deal with the company.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/19059068/wwe-jim-ross-homecoming-wrestlemania-33|title=Jim Ross reflects on coming home to WWE at WrestleMania 33|first=Arash|last=Markazi|work=[[ESPN.com]]|publisher=[[ESPN|ESPN, Inc.]]|location=United States|date=April 2, 2017|access-date=April 3, 2017|archive-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403023036/http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/19059068/wwe-jim-ross-homecoming-wrestlemania-33|url-status=live}}</ref> During the summer, Ross would provide commentary, alongside [[Lita (wrestler)|Lita]], for the [[Mae Young Classic (2017)|Mae Young Classic]]. On the January 22, 2018, episode of ''[[Raw 25 Years]]'', Ross would reunite with Jerry Lawler as part of the commentary team that was at the [[Manhattan Center]] in which Ross was caught by several cameras sleeping. On April 8, 2018, at [[WrestleMania 34]], Ross called the fifth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the WrestleMania 34 pre-show, alongside Jerry Lawler and [[Byron Saxton]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/04/08/andre-giant-memorial-battle-royal-wrestlemana-jim-ross-jerry-lawler/|title=Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler Return to WrestleMania to Call WWE's Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=April 8, 2018|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|access-date=February 19, 2021|archive-date=October 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024155331/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/04/08/andre-giant-memorial-battle-royal-wrestlemana-jim-ross-jerry-lawler|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross's last televised appearance for WWE was part of the pre-show panel for the [[Greatest Royal Rumble]] on April 27, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prowrestling.com/jerry-lawler-and-jim-ross-at-greatest-royal-rumble/|title=Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross At Greatest Royal Rumble (Photo), Carmella Fires Back At Fan, Sasha Banks Training (Video)|publisher=prowrestling.com|date=April 27, 2018|last=Wilkinson|first=Matthew|access-date=February 19, 2021|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311043754/https://www.prowrestling.com/jerry-lawler-and-jim-ross-at-greatest-royal-rumble/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ross left WWE on March 27, 2019, after electing not to renew his contract.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/07/jim-ross-leaving-wwe/|title=Jim Ross Leaving WWE, 'I Need to Move On'|website=TMZ|date=7 March 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-13|archive-date=2019-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312183036/https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/07/jim-ross-leaving-wwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross stated that the reason for his WWE departure was because, "I had two bookings in 2018 and they weren't using me very much".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/03/jim-ross-on-the-main-reason-why-he-leaving-wwe-652269/|title=Jim Ross On The Main Reason Why He's Leaving WWE|date=March 22, 2019|access-date=August 11, 2021|archive-date=August 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811064620/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/03/jim-ross-on-the-main-reason-why-he-leaving-wwe-652269/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/jim-ross-why-is-he-leaving-wwe/|title=Jim Ross Explains Why He Is Leaving WWE, Negotiating With AEW|date=March 23, 2019|access-date=August 11, 2021|archive-date=August 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811064758/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/jim-ross-why-is-he-leaving-wwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross also attributed that another factor in his departure was Ross stating himself that, "I still think I can do play-by-play even though others that may surround Vince think I can't ".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2019/03/08/jim-ross-leaving-wwe/3101639002/|title=Jim Ross leaving WWE at end of month: 'I need to move on'|website=[[USA Today]]|date=March 8, 2019|access-date=August 11, 2021|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812001928/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2019/03/08/jim-ross-leaving-wwe/3101639002/|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2019, Ross later revealed what he said to [[Vince McMahon]] before he left, stating "Vince, unlike you I still believe I can do it and there are other people who believe I can do it including some of your audience".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2019/08/30/jim-ross-on-what-he-told-vince-mcmahon-before-leaving-wwe/|title=JIM ROSS ON WHAT HE TOLD VINCE MCMAHON BEFORE LEAVING WWE|date=August 30, 2019|access-date=August 11, 2021|archive-date=August 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811065245/https://www.ringsidenews.com/2019/08/30/jim-ross-on-what-he-told-vince-mcmahon-before-leaving-wwe/|url-status=live}}</ref>
====All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)====
[[File:Forbidden Door (AEW x NJPW) (52292654123).jpg|thumb|right|Ross at [[Forbidden Door (2022)|Forbidden Door]] in 2022]]
On April 3, 2019, it was announced that Ross had signed a three-year deal with [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) as a commentator and senior advisor.<ref name="AEW"/> Ross initially provided full-time commentary on the broadcast team on ''[[AEW Dynamite]]'' and occasionally part-time commentary on ''[[AEW Rampage]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2019/05/22/aew-is-giving-jim-ross-the-chance-that-wwe-wouldnt-i-started-disappearing/|title=AEW is giving Jim Ross the chance that WWE wouldn't: 'I started disappearing'|date=May 22, 2019|access-date=August 18, 2021|archive-date=August 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222616/https://nypost.com/2019/05/22/aew-is-giving-jim-ross-the-chance-that-wwe-wouldnt-i-started-disappearing/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the January 5, 2022, episode of ''Dynamite'', Ross returned to [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] for the first time since 1993. In June 2022, Ross switched from full-time commentary on ''Dynamite'' to full-time commentary on ''Rampage'' in a commentary team rotation swap with [[Taz (wrestler)|Taz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2022/06/30/jim-ross-being-moved-to-rampage-in-aew-commentary-shakeup/|title=JIM ROSS BEING MOVED TO RAMPAGE IN AEW COMMENTARY SHAKEUP|date=30 June 2022|access-date=9 October 2022|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009104721/https://www.ringsidenews.com/2022/06/30/jim-ross-being-moved-to-rampage-in-aew-commentary-shakeup/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/aew-experimenting-with-commentary-team-rotation-jim-ross-calling-fridays-rampage/|title=AEW Experimenting With Commentary Team Rotation, Jim Ross Calling Friday's Rampage|date=30 June 2022|access-date=9 October 2022|archive-date=9 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009105829/https://wrestlingheadlines.com/aew-experimenting-with-commentary-team-rotation-jim-ross-calling-fridays-rampage/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On June 17, 2023, Ross tweeted an image showing a black eye he had suffered due to a fall, he worked at the debut episode of ''[[AEW Collision]]'' but later announced that he would be stepping away to heal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pizzazz |first=Manolo Has |date=2023-06-18 |title=Jim Ross to step away from AEW to heal |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2023/6/18/23765425/jim-ross-aew-hiatus |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Cageside Seats |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619065659/https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2023/6/18/23765425/jim-ross-aew-hiatus |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Currier |first=Joseph |date=2023-06-17 |title=Jim Ross suffers black eye in fall, still set for AEW Collision |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/jim-ross-suffers-black-eye-in-fall-still-set-for-aew-collision |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619114802/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/jim-ross-suffers-black-eye-in-fall-still-set-for-aew-collision |url-status=live }}</ref>
On August 5, 2023, Ross returned to the ''[[AEW Collision]]'' commentary team, and has since only provided commentary as an analyst for the main events in the second hour of AEW Collision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/jim-ross-returns-to-commentary-booth-on-aew-collision|title=Ross had been recovering from a fall since June.|date=August 5, 2023|access-date=August 23, 2023|archive-date=August 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230824020333/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/jim-ross-returns-to-commentary-booth-on-aew-collision|url-status=live}}</ref>
Following his further surgery in February 2024, Ross returned on March 3, 2024, for [[Revolution (2024)|Revolution]] to commentate [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]]'s retirement match.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Opening Match For AEW Revolution 2024 Revealed, Jim Ross Returning Tonight {{!}} Rajah.com |url=https://rajah.com/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=rajah.com |language=en}}</ref> In August 2024 he recorded separate sit-down interviews with [[Bryan Danielson]] and [[Swerve Strickland]] ahead of their match at [[All In (2024)|All in]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jay |first=Ella |date=2024-08-09 |title=Video: Jim Ross Interviews Swerve Strickland On AEW Dynamite Ahead Of All In |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1639508/ideo-jim-ross-interviews-swerve-strickland-aew-dynamite-ahead/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> Later that month he revealed he had broken his wrist although he expected to call the match at All In.<ref>{{Cite web |last=G |first=Joey |date=2024-08-17 |title=Jim Ross Says He Will Be Calling Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson at AEW All In |url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/jim-ross-says-he-will-be-calling-swerve-strickland-vs-bryan-danielson-at-aew-all-in/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=Wrestling Headlines |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-16 |title=Jim Ross Confirms Status For AEW All In |url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/jim-ross-confirms-status-for-aew-all-in/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=itrwrestling.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> On August 25, 2024, Ross commentated during the main event between Danielson and Strickland at All In.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jim Ross On AEW All In 2024: This Is A Bucket List Weekend For Me {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jim-ross-aew-all-2024-bucket-list-weekend-me |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}</ref> He also returned on September 7, 2024, for the [[All Out (2024)|All Out]] main event and [[Professional wrestling match types|unsanctioned matches.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jim Ross On Swerve Strickland vs. Adam Page IV At AEW All Out: It's Gonna Be A Bloodbath {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jim-ross-swerve-strickland-vs-adam-page-iv-aew-all-out-it-s-gonna-be-bloodbath |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=www.fightful.com |language=en}}</ref>
===National Football League===
In 1992, Ross joined the [[Atlanta Falcons]] radio broadcast team.<ref name=jrcareer /> However, he would leave after one season, but had a second stint with the Falcons in 1994.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/411s-wrestling-hall-of-fame-class-of-2010-jim-ross/|title=411's Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2010: Jim Ross|first=Jeremy|last=Thomas|publisher=411 Mania|date=18 June 2010|access-date=22 March 2022|archive-date=17 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617093227/https://411mania.com/wrestling/411s-wrestling-hall-of-fame-class-of-2010-jim-ross/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Boxing and mixed martial arts===
Ross made his debut calling boxing on May 26, 2014, for [[Golden Boy Promotions]] on [[Fox Sports 1]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.badlefthook.com/2014/5/27/5756242/wwe-hall-of-famer-jim-ross-grades-his-own-boxing-commentary-debut|title=Jim Ross on boxing debut: 'I had a lot of fun'|date=27 May 2014|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-date=18 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518092516/http://www.badlefthook.com/2014/5/27/5756242/wwe-hall-of-famer-jim-ross-grades-his-own-boxing-commentary-debut|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ross teamed up with MMA fighter and [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] veteran [[Chael Sonnen]] to commentate the Battlegrounds MMA one night tournament PPV on October 3, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2220343-jim-ross-chael-sonnen-excel-at-battlegrounds-one|title=Jim Ross, Chael Sonnen Excel at Battlegrounds O.N.E.|first=Jeremy|last=Botter|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=2015-05-14|archive-date=2015-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518224512/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2220343-jim-ross-chael-sonnen-excel-at-battlegrounds-one|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Podcasting===
In 2014 Ross began hosting his own [[podcast]] ''The Ross Report'' for [[PodcastOne]]. It was later relaunched as part of the [[Westwood One]] podcast network in 2018 as ''The Jim Ross Report''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jim Ross is following Chris Jericho to Westwood One |url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2018/3/26/17164018/jim-ross-podcast-moving-westwood-one |website=Cageside Seats |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=5 March 2019 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044842/https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2018/3/26/17164018/jim-ross-podcast-moving-westwood-one |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2019, Ross partnered with wrestling podcaster/mortgage lender [[Conrad Thompson]] to revamp his podcast as ''[[Grilling JR]]'', with a new format of reminiscences about Ross's history in wrestling, much in the same style as Thompson's podcasts with [[Bruce Prichard]], [[Eric Bischoff]], [[Tony Schiavone]],
[[Kurt Angle]], [[Jeff Jarrett]] and [[Arn Anderson]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Grilling JR: Details On Jim Ross' New Podcast With Conrad Thompson |url=https://www.sescoops.com/grilling-jr-podcast-jim-ross-conrad-thompson/ |website=SE Scoops |date=11 April 2019 |access-date=20 May 2019 |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202143613/https://www.sescoops.com/news/grilling-jr-podcast-jim-ross-conrad-thompson |url-status=live }}</ref>
==In-ring career==
Although Ross's career has predominantly been as a commentator, Ross has participated in matches, with some notable success, including a victory over [[Triple H]] in a no-disqualification match in 2005 (albeit with help from [[Dave Bautista|Batista]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/233847-wwe-raw-results-april-18-2005|title=WWE Raw Results (April 18th, 2005)|date=18 April 2005|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=7 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107123917/https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/233847-wwe-raw-results-april-18-2005|url-status=live}}</ref>
Another notable in-ring appearance by Ross was in a tag team match with broadcast partner [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]] against [[Al Snow]] and [[Jonathan Coachman]] at the 2003 [[Unforgiven (2003)|Unforgiven]] pay-per-view, with their Raw broadcast jobs on the line. They lost the contest to Snow and Coachman due to interference by [[Chris Jericho]], however two weeks later Ross and Lawler regained their jobs when Ross defeated Coachman in a [[professional wrestling match types#Strap match|Country Whippin']] match, using a [[stunner (professional wrestling)|stunner]] as a finishing maneuver. Ross has participated in more matches alongside Lawler, including a few with [[Hardcore wrestling|hardcore]] stipulations. In 2011, Ross competed against [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] on the April 25 episode of ''Raw'', where he defeated Cole by disqualification after Cole's manager for the match, [[Jack Swagger]], attacked Ross while he had Cole mounted and was landing punches on him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/23066-raw-results-4-25-11/|title=WWE Raw Results (April 25th, 2011)|date=25 April 2011|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=7 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107123914/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/23066-raw-results-4-25-11/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ross has been involved in numerous other conflicts with other competitors as well such as [[Triple H]], [[Sean Morley|Val Venis]], [[Jack Swagger]], [[Vladimir Kozlov]], [[Mick Foley|Mankind]], and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]], Ross has been bloodied in a match by then-Raw General Manager [[Eric Bischoff]], and was even set on fire by [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]]. Ross even main-evented the WWF's first-ever show from the [[Georgia Dome]] in Atlanta, Georgia, an episode of ''Raw is War'' that took place on October 11, 1999. Ross teamed with Steve Austin to take on [[WWE Championship|WWF Champion]] Triple H and his partner [[Chyna]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE Network |url=https://watch.wwe.com/episode/Raw-5736 |website=watch.wwe.com |publisher=WWE |access-date=10 December 2019 |archive-date=10 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210155042/https://watch.wwe.com/episode/Raw-5736 |url-status=live }}</ref>
As part of storylines, Ross has been regularly targeted by [[Vince McMahon]] in rather harsh circumstances throughout his time with WWE: most notably in 2005 when [[Vince McMahon]]'s character, Mr. McMahon, featured in a series of segments which made fun of Ross's legitimate colon surgery.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/5-things-you-may-not-remember-vince-mcmahon-has-done-on-screen-wwe/2|title=5 things you may not remember Vince McMahon has done on-screen in WWE|work=Sports Keeda|first=Divesh|last=Merani|date=November 30, 2020|access-date=September 5, 2021|archive-date=September 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905232150/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/5-things-you-may-not-remember-vince-mcmahon-has-done-on-screen-wwe/2|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2011, after his firing as an announcer by [[John Laurinaitis]], he returned to team up with [[John Cena]] to face [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] and [[Alberto Del Rio]] in a tag team match on ''Raw'' in a winning effort.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/899220-wwe-raw-review-101711-john-cena-alberto-del-rio-battle-before-vengeance|title=WWE Raw Review (10/17/11): John Cena and Alberto Del Rio Battle Before Vengeance|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|first=Mike|last=Shannon|date=October 18, 2011|access-date=September 5, 2021|archive-date=September 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905232150/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/899220-wwe-raw-review-101711-john-cena-alberto-del-rio-battle-before-vengeance|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Personal life==
[[Ric Flair]] claims he introduced Ross to his late wife, Jan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/a-possibly-drunk-ric-flair-made-this-wwe-2k14-panel-ext-1168525339|title=A Possibly-Drunk Ric Flair Made This WWE 2K14 Panel Extra-Entertaining|first=Stephen|last=Totilo|date=19 August 2013|access-date=26 August 2013|archive-date=22 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822075322/http://kotaku.com/a-possibly-drunk-ric-flair-made-this-wwe-2k14-panel-ext-1168525339?|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross writes in his [[autobiography]] that [[Ric Flair]] was present on an airplane when he first met Jan who was a flight attendant. He has two daughters from two previous marriages and two granddaughters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shareholder.com/wwe/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=111700|title=WWE Corporate<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=2007-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929120500/http://www.shareholder.com/wwe/ReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=111700|archive-date=2007-09-29|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/2007/09/26/life-in-the-bar-b-q-fast-lane-sooner-football-steve-austin-legends-roundtable-autographed-cookbooks-selling-like-%e2%80%9cq%e2%80%9d-jr-to-ou-colorado-game-your-feedback/|title=J.R.'s Blog " Life In The Bar-B-Q Fast Lane.. Sooner Football.. Steve Austin.. Legends Roundtable.. Autographed Cookbooks Selling Like "Q".. J.R. to OU-Colorado Game.. Your Fe...<!-- Bot generated title -->|access-date=2007-09-26|archive-date=2007-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011041359/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/2007/09/26/life-in-the-bar-b-q-fast-lane-sooner-football-steve-austin-legends-roundtable-autographed-cookbooks-selling-like-%E2%80%9Cq%E2%80%9D-jr-to-ou-colorado-game-your-feedback/|url-status=live}}</ref> He cites [[Stone Cold Steve Austin|Steve Austin]] and [[Jerry Lawler]] as his closest friends.
Ross lives with [[Bell's palsy]], which sometimes temporarily paralyzes his facial muscles. The symptoms first occurred on January 30, 1994.{{Sfn|Ross|O'Brien|Williams|2017|p=237-239}} In late 1998, following the death of his mother, Ross took a break from ''WWE Raw'' as the effects of his grief reportedly aggravated his palsy;{{Sfn|Ross|O'Brien|Williams|2017|p=312-313}} [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] filled in for him.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
In 2007, encouraged by sales of his line of barbecue sauces and beef products, Ross opened up J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q in [[Norman, Oklahoma]].<ref name="wwemagoct07">{{cite journal|title=Amazing But True.|journal=WWE Magazine|issue=16|page=13|date=October 2007}}</ref> The restaurant closed in May 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sescoops.com/2010/05/jim-ross-bbq-restaurant-shuts-down/|title=JR's BBQ Restaurant Shuts Down, Big Changes Ahead|work=SEScoops|first=Brad|last=Davis|date=May 17, 2010|access-date=September 5, 2021|archive-date=September 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905232153/https://www.sescoops.com/2010/05/jim-ross-bbq-restaurant-shuts-down/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross is also a fan of [[Skyline Chili]] and has mentioned them in connection to [[Cincinnati]] numerous times on AEW programming.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1435309466866569219|user=JRsBBQ|title=Road Trip…Chicago to Cincy and the great @Skyline_Chili 🤠@AEWonTNT|date=7 September 2021}}</ref>
Ross is an avid [[Oklahoma Sooners]] fan and a regular football season ticket holder. This is reflected in his entrance music, which is "[[Boomer Sooner]]" (the Sooners' fight song). He can be spotted at some Sooners home games, and when the Sooners play top teams around the country.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=RosinskiBill|author=Bill Rosinski|number=11219966334337024|date=5 December 2010|title=With the great JR from WWE fame at the Big 12 title game http://yfrog.com/ei1kij}}</ref> In 2014, he became FoxSports.com's Contributor for NCAA Football and Oklahoma Sooners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd_N_4-QsDQ|title=Jim Ross: 'No prima donnas in Oklahoma Sooners locker room'|last=FOX Sports|date=20 September 2014|via=YouTube|access-date=21 September 2014|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309215359/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd_N_4-QsDQ|url-status=live}}</ref> On the February 23, 2021, episode of his YouTube series ''Grilling J.R.'', Ross stated that ''[[The Sopranos]]'' is his favorite TV show and that he still would occasionally watch it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa5smI68REs|title=Jim Ross shoots on The Sopranos|author=Grilling JR|publisher=YouTube|date=23 February 2021|access-date=6 January 2022|archive-date=6 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106154256/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa5smI68REs&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
On March 21, 2017, Ross's wife Jan was involved in a vehicle accident, suffering serious head injuries. She was put on life support, and she died two days later.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/jim-ross-wife-jan-dies-from-injuries-after-accident-032217%3famp=true|title=WWE News & Rumors|access-date=2020-06-16|archive-date=2019-03-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313024324/https://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/jim-ross-wife-jan-dies-from-injuries-after-accident-032217?amp=true|url-status=live}}</ref>
Ross had an eye operation in 2018 that greatly affected his eyesight in one eye.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/2018/03/09/jim-ross-underwent-eye-surgery/|title=Jim Ross underwent eye surgery - Gerweck.net|website=www.gerweck.net|date=9 March 2018|access-date=2018-06-06|archive-date=2018-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614034754/http://www.gerweck.net/2018/03/09/jim-ross-underwent-eye-surgery/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On October 23, 2021, Ross tweeted that he had skin cancer as he was on his way to ''AEW Dynamite''.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1451940807833964550|user=JRsBBQ|title=On my way to Orlando for tonight's @AEW Dynamite. Skin cancer confirmed. Waiting on radiologist study to determin…|access-date=2021-10-23|language=en|date=23 October 2021}}</ref> On December 29, 2021, Ross tweeted that he was cancer free.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1476233642695598081|user=JRsBBQ|title=I'm CANCER FREE! We did it! See you tonight on #AEWDYNAMITE at 8 ET! 🙏🙏🤠|access-date=2021-12-29|language=en|date=29 December 2021}}</ref> On February 1, 2024, Ross once again tweeted that he had undergone successful cancer surgery on his [[Hyperbola|right hip]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jayaram |first=Nishant |date=2024-02-02 |title=AEW's Jim Ross Announces He's Undergone Successful Cancer Surgery |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1507935/aew-jim-ross-announces-hes-undergone-successful-cancer-surgery/ |access-date=2024-02-04 |website=Wrestling Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref>
==In other media==
In the film ''[[Man on the Moon (film)|Man on the Moon]]'', Ross played [[Lance Russell]] (Memphis weekly wrestling show's lead announcer) announcing the match between [[Andy Kaufman]] (played by [[Jim Carrey]]) and [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
Ross also has a recurring role on the [[Amazon Prime Video]] original ''[[Paradise City (2021 TV series)|Paradise City]]'' as Ned.
Ross was one of the original lead announcers of the original [[XFL (2001)|XFL]] in spring 2001.<ref>[https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/01/vince-mcmahon-xfl-first-game-video Schwartz, Nick. "The first game in XFL history was a disaster," ''USA Today'', Thursday, January 25, 2018.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318205957/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/01/vince-mcmahon-xfl-first-game-video |date=March 18, 2021 }} Retrieved January 27, 2021</ref>
Ross has also provided his voice for many WWE [[video game]]s, and is also a playable character in ''[[WWE '12]]'', ''[[WWF WrestleMania 2000 (video game)|WWF WrestleMania 2000]]'', ''[[WWF No Mercy (video game)|WWF No Mercy]]'' and many more.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
In October 2014, he appeared in "Brian and the Boz", a ''[[30 for 30]]'' documentary on fellow Oklahoman [[Brian Bosworth]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Priyadharshini |first=Oviya |date=2023-11-10 |title=Brian and the Boz: 30 for 30: Where to Watch & Stream Online |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/guides/news/1330913-brian-and-the-boz-30-for-30-where-to-watch-stream-online |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=ComingSoon.net |publisher=Evolve Media |language=en-US}}</ref> Three years later, he appeared in another ''30 for 30'' documentary, this time about [[Ric Flair]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fishman |first=Scott |date=2017-11-08 |title=7 Most Shocking Ric Flair Moments from ESPN's '30 for 30: Nature Boy' |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/648942/ric-flair-nature-boy-30-for-30-espn/ |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=TV Insider |publisher=NTVB Media |language=en-US}}</ref>
Ross has written two WWF/WWE themed cook books ''Can You Take The Heat? The WWF Is Cooking'' and ''J.R's Cookbook'' released in 2000 and 2003 respectively.
His autobiography ''Slobberknocker'' was released on October 3, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/1112/619280/details-on-jim-ross-slobberknocker-autobiography/ |title=Jim Ross releases Slobberknocker biography |last=Middleton |first=Marc |date=12 November 2016 |website=Wrestlinginc |access-date=12 November 2016 |archive-date=13 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161113035601/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/1112/619280/details-on-jim-ross-slobberknocker-autobiography/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The foreword for the new autobiography was written by Vince McMahon. The book includes a letter from McMahon to Ross from when Ross was sick for the second time with Bell's Palsy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/jim-ross-talks-about-asking-vince-favor-calling-some-best-matches-all-time-and-his-future-wwe|title=Jim Ross Talks About Asking Vince For A Favor, Calling Some Of The Best Matches Of All Time, And His Future In WWE {{!}} Fightful Wrestling|website=www.fightful.com|language=en|access-date=2017-09-25|archive-date=2017-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926041951/https://www.fightful.com/jim-ross-talks-about-asking-vince-favor-calling-some-best-matches-all-time-and-his-future-wwe|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn|Ross|O'Brien|Williams|2017|p=314-315}}
Ross's second book and further autobiography ''Under the Black Hat: My Life in the WWE and Beyond'', co-written with Paul O'Brien, was published in March 2020. On May 7, 2024, Ross and O'Brien released a second book, ''Business Is About to Pick Up!.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilkinson |first=Matthew |date=2024-05-08 |title=Best Jim Ross Announcing Calls In His New Book |url=https://www.thesportster.com/best-jim-ross-announcing-calls-new-book/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=TheSportster |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title=Jim Ross on Unforgettable Night at Sting's Last Match–and His New Book |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/jim-ross-sting-last-match |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Wrestling On Fannation |language=en-US}}</ref>
Ross has also created a range of J.R.'s BBQ sauces and mustard which have been inspired by his own culinary knowledge and that of his close family.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.craftyconnoisseur.co.uk/crafty-food| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180916202119/https://www.craftyconnoisseur.co.uk/crafty-food| archive-date = 2018-09-16| title = Boutique Gin In UK {{!}} Edinburgh {{!}} Crafty Connoisseur}}</ref>
==Legacy==
Ross has been labeled as the greatest wrestling commentator of all time.<ref name="WWEProfile"/><ref name="24wrestling.com">{{cite web |date=2 April 2011 |title=Good 'Ol J.R. To Announce At WrestleMania, & More WM News |url=http://www.24wrestling.com/jim-ross-at-wrestlemania-27-more/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503133309/http://www.24wrestling.com/jim-ross-at-wrestlemania-27-more/ |archive-date=3 May 2016 |access-date=25 September 2011}}</ref> Ryan Dilbert from the [[Bleacher Report]] has stated "Ross also brought searing passion and a love of the wrestling business to [[Mid-South Wrestling]], [[WWE]] and [[World Championship Wrestling]].<ref name="bleacherreport.com">{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1770486-examining-jim-ross-legacy-following-retirement-from-wwe/|title=Examining Jim Ross' Legacy Following Retirement from WWE|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=11 September 2013|access-date=11 January 2021|archive-date=12 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112141918/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1770486-examining-jim-ross-legacy-following-retirement-from-wwe/|url-status=live}}</ref> To hear a match with Ross on the call was to watch wrestling morph into poetry, for the scripted action to feel real, meaningful and unforgettable.<ref name="bleacherreport.com"/> Debating the greatest pro wrestling commentator comes down to two men, Ross and [[Gordon Solie]]. As for the greatest in WWE history, there is no debate Ross stands alone".<ref name="bleacherreport.com"/>
Professional wrestling booker and promoter and colleague, [[Eric Bischoff]], has praised and been critical of Ross, stating, "Jim was in upper-management, had a lot of influence, was participating in the booking during WCW's worst days, and he still didn't have management of the company. So I'm not saying he wasn't capable, necessarily. But he certainly didn't have a track record that he could point to and say look, this is what I did over here."<ref name="fightful.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/eric-bischoff-jim-ross-never-had-resume-showing-he-could-run-promotion|title=Eric Bischoff: Jim Ross Never Had A Resume Showing That He Could Run A Promotion|publisher=fightful.com|date=May 17, 2020|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311043256/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/eric-bischoff-jim-ross-never-had-resume-showing-he-could-run-promotion|url-status=live}}</ref> Bischoff also further reiterated that Ross, "worked very closely with Bill Watts, which is one of the biggest train wrecks in the history of professional wrestling. So it's not like Jim came in with a résumé that would make one think he would be the ideal candidate to run a wrestling company. Jim is the best announcer, probably on planet Earth. Jim had a tremendous amount of experience and had seen a lot, but he'd never done it."<ref name="fightful.com"/>
WWE Hall of Famer and Legend [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] has praised Ross stating, "Jim Ross, to me, with his range, with his storytelling, he paid his dues. I mean, he learned from the ground up. And his inflection and his ability to watch a match, tell a story, get the talent over with the credibility that he had, he was the shining diamond on top of everyone, so always a good experience with Jim".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2018/11/steve-austin-reveals-how-jim-ross-affected-his-career-647773/|title=Steve Austin Reveals How Jim Ross Affected His Career|date=November 13, 2018|access-date=May 27, 2021|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413231426/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2018/11/steve-austin-reveals-how-jim-ross-affected-his-career-647773/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Awards and accomplishments==
[[File:Jim Ross HOF.jpg|right|thumb|Ross was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2007]]
*'''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
**Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award (2010)<ref name="cac">{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/04/22/ross-dibiase-lead-parade-of-honorees-at-cac-banquet/|title=Ross, DiBiase lead parade of honorees at CAC banquet|last=Johnson|first=Steven|date=2010-04-22|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=2010-04-22|archive-date=2021-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119111909/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/04/22/ross-dibiase-lead-parade-of-honorees-at-cac-banquet/|url-status=live}}</ref>
**Jim Ross Announcer Award (2024)<ref>{{Cite web |title=JIM ROSS TO BE HONORED BY CAULIFLOWER ALLEY CLUB WITH INAUGURAL...JIM ROSS AWARD! {{!}} PWInsider.com |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/184951/jim-ross-to-be-honored-by-cauliflower-alley-club-with-inauguraljim-ross-award.html?p=1 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.pwinsider.com}}</ref>
*'''[[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**Lou Thesz Award (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/11/15/tragos-thesz-hof-to-honour-funk-jr-monsoon-ross-duggan/|title=Tragos/Thesz HOF to honour Funk Jr., Monsoon, Ross, Duggan|last=Oliver|first=Greg|website=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|date=November 15, 2010|access-date=August 28, 2018|archive-date=March 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311043626/https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2010/11/15/tragos-thesz-hof-to-honour-funk-jr-monsoon-ross-duggan/|url-status=live}}</ref>
**Gordon Solie Award (2022)<ref>{{cite web| url = https://pwinsider.com/article/150407/first-three-honorees-named-for-2022-thesztragos-professional-wrestling-hall-of-fame.html| title = FIRST THREE HONOREES NAMED FOR 2022 THESZ/TRAGOS PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME {{!}} PWInsider.com| access-date = 2021-09-08| archive-date = 2021-09-03| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210903201523/https://pwinsider.com/article/150407/first-three-honorees-named-for-2022-thesztragos-professional-wrestling-hall-of-fame.html| url-status = live}}</ref>
*'''[[National Wrestling Alliance]]'''
**[[NWA Hall of Fame]] (Class of 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/101201/nwa-announces-2016-hall-of-fame-class.html?p=1|title=NWA announces 2016 Hall of Fame class|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=2016-04-08|archive-date=2016-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411122846/http://pwinsider.com/article/101201/nwa-announces-2016-hall-of-fame-class.html?p=1|url-status=live}}</ref>
*'''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
**[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards|Stanley Weston Award]] (2002)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiedit.htm |title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners |access-date=2008-05-31 |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103211804/http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiedit.htm |archive-date=2011-01-03 }}</ref>
*'''[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE]]'''
**[[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2007)|Class of 2007]])<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article2179994.html|title=WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross teaming with former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen for Battleground MMA: 'O.N.E.'|work=[[Miami Herald]]|date=September 20, 2014|access-date=September 5, 2021|archive-date=September 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905232151/https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article2179994.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
**[[Slammy Award]] for "Tell Me I Did Not Just See That" Moment of the Year ([[Slammy Award#2011 Slammy Awards|2011]]) – {{small|Rapping during the "[[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] Challenge"}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-12-12/exclusive-slammy-awards-2011|title=WWE.com Exclusive Slammy Awards 2011|access-date=April 28, 2018|publisher=[[WWE]]|archive-date=2016-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328003324/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2011-12-12/exclusive-slammy-awards-2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
*'''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Television Announcer|Best Television Announcer]] (1988–1993, 1998–2001, 2006–2007, 2009, 2012)<ref name="WON11">{{cite journal| last=Meltzer | first=Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer| date = January 30, 2012| title = Jan 30 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Gigantic year-end awards issue, best and worst in all categories plus UFC on FX 1, death of Savannah Jack, ratings, tons and tons of news| journal = [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]| location = [[Campbell, California]] | issn = 1083-9593}}</ref><ref name="WON12">{{cite journal | last = Meltzer | first = Dave | author-link = Dave Meltzer | date = January 23, 2013 | title = The 2012 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Annual Awards Issue | journal = [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]] | location = [[Campbell, California]] | issn = 1083-9593 | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/29425-the-2012-wrestling-observer-newsletter-annual-awards-issue | access-date = January 24, 2013 | archive-date = April 25, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200425050241/https://www.f4wonline.com/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>
**[[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Worst Feud of the Year|Worst Feud of the Year]] (2005) {{small|vs. [[McMahon family]]}}<ref name="WON11"/>
**[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 1999]]){{citation needed|date=December 2019}}
{{Clear}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
===Sources===
*{{Cite book|last=Foley|first=Mick|author-link=Mick Foley|title=Have A Nice Day: A Tale of Blood and Sweatsocks|publisher=HarperCollins|year=2000|isbn=0-06-103101-1|page=511}}
*{{Cite book|title=Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling|last1=Ross|first1=Jim|last2=O'Brien|first2=Paul|last3=Williams|first3=Scott|publisher=Sports Publishing|year=2017|isbn=978-1-683-58113-0 |location=New York}}
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website|https://www.jrsbbq.com/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20190504203120/https://www.jrsbarbq.com/ J.R's Family Bar-B-Q]
* [http://www.westwoodonepodcasts.com/pods/grilling-jr/ Grilling JR] on [[Westwood One]] Podcast Network
* {{IMDb name|id=0743525|name=Jim Ross}}
* {{WWE superstar}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box|title=[[WWE Raw|Raw lead announcer]]|before=[[Vince McMahon]]|years=1997–2008|after=[[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]]}}
{{succession box|title=[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown lead announcer]]|before=Michael Cole|years=2008–2009|after=[[Todd Grisham]]}}
{{succession box|title=[[AEW Dynamite|Dynamite lead announcer]]|before=Inaugural|years=2019–2022|after=[[Excalibur (wrestler)|Excalibur]]}}
{{succession box|title=[[AEW Rampage|Rampage lead announcer]]|before=Excalibur|years=2022–2023|after=Excalibur}}
{{s-end}}
{{All Elite Wrestling}}
{{NWA Hall of Fame}}
{{WWE Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Jim}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
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