Jim Ross, the defining pro wrestling voice of our lifetimes, is facing another health challenge as he begins a battle with colon cancer.
The 73-year-old Ross sent out a social media post on Thursday informing fans that he was diagnosed with colon cancer this week and will be undergoing surgery soon.
“Diagnosed this week with colon cancer. Surgery being scheduled in the next week or two,” Ross tweeted. “I appreciate your concern and support.”
The past few years have been difficult health-wise for Ross, including a battle with skin cancer and recovering from a broken hip. But he said in December 2024 that his health had improved immensely.
“I’m not going to bitch and moan about ‘poor me.’ That don’t heal nothing,” Ross said at the time. “And nobody wants to hear that sh*t. I don’t. In any event, things are good. Things are good here.”
The legendary Ross is employed by AEW and also hosts his Grilling JR podcast with Conrad Thompson. In his current AEW role, Ross provides commentary for pay-per-view events.
As we prepare to enter 2025, Jim Ross is feeling better health-wise.
The legendary announcer gave a brief health update on his Grilling JR podcast this week, reflecting on how fast 2024 flew by. After battling a myriad of health issues including skin cancer in 2021 and a broken hip this year, Ross says his health has improved greatly as of late.
“My health has improved immensely. You know, I got my nurse who comes by twice a week, checks my vitals, dresses my wound. Can you believe that that wound — which was a result of 22 radiation treatments for skin cancer — is still being nursed?,” he said. “And it’s healing, the good news is that it’s healing. It’s shrinking. And that’s important for me. I’d like to get the bandages off and just move on, but I’ve adjusted well. It’s just the way it is. I’m not going to bitch and moan about ‘poor me.’ That don’t heal nothing. And nobody wants to hear that sh*t. I don’t. In any event, things are good. Things are good here.”
Ross was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2021 but was declared cancer-free after undergoing radiation treatment. He also underwent successful cancer surgery earlier this year on his right hip.
In AEW, Ross’ role is to provide commentary for pay-per-view events. He said on Grilling JR that he believes his next assignment will be AEW Worlds End on Saturday, December 28. With the PPV being held in Orlando, Ross noted that it will be an easy car trip for him from Jacksonville.
The 72-year-old Ross said he’s got some good projects in the works, like being an executive producer for the upcoming film “Queen of the Ring.” He recently voiced a pre-game video for a Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers NFL game as well.
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During WWE and Netflix’s media event at Netflix headquarters yesterday, Paul “Triple H” Levesque discussed how WWE can keep things fresh by giving talent some time off television. Levesque pointed to Drew McIntyre – who returned on Raw this Monday after not appearing since Bad Blood – as an example of that:
As we create more and more stars, it sort of creates this opportunity for stars to be able to come in and out, because you’re not reliant on the same people every week to get you to where you need to get to, right?
[McIntyre] was dying to come back. He wasn’t hurt, he wasn’t injured. ‘Let’s just give you a little breather here for a second.’ And whether that’s spending some time at home enjoying your family, whatever that is, or whether that’s, ‘Hey, I have this other project I want to work on. I have this project that Netflix has come up with, I’m going to work on that.’ Whatever. Us having that ability to morph and shift things around and keep things fresh, I think is a tremendous opportunity for us. So, I’d look for more of that too.
I just saw Jelly Roll the other day and he’s still raving about wrestling. Every time I see him he says the same thing, ‘I got another 100 pounds [of weight loss] to go, baby, and I’m doing a match with you guys.’
Jim Ross is voicing the opening video for this Thursday’s Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers NFL game on Amazon Prime Video. Ross tweeted: “If you’re watching @PrimeVideo [tomorrow] for the @Lions vs @packers showdown check out the cold open that I voiced over this morning.”
Jim Ross is making the trip to New York for AEW Grand Slam 2024.
Ross announced on his Grilling JR podcast that he’ll be doing commentary at AEW Grand Slam next Wednesday (September 25). Though Ross isn’t sure how much or the show he’ll be calling, he’s excited that his AEW commentary schedule is getting more aggressive.
“I was told yesterday that I’m doing the Arthur Ashe event, which is going to always be fun. It’s a unique setting, unique surroundings. So I’m looking forward to that. Should be good — loaded card,” Ross said. “A lot of talent on this card.”
Grand Slam is a special episode of Dynamite that’s taken place from Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens every September since 2021. In addition to the live Dynamite episode, this year’s event will include a taping for AEW Collision.
“I’m not sure how much of it I’m doing, but I think I’m doing more than normal,” the 72-year-old Ross said. “And then I’m going to go to Seattle and call the pay-per-view. And so I think my schedule is getting more aggressive and I’m going to be used more it seems like. And I’m ready for it, I’m excited about it. So — all good buddy. I love doing the live calls and still it’s in my blood. I still enjoy it. I still get fired up for doing it. It means something to me. At this stage of my game, you know, you never know when you’re going to do your last one. So I’m pumped up about that.”
Since signing a contract extension with AEW earlier this year, Ross’ role has been providing commentary at AEW PPV events. Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin at Dynamite Grand Slam will determine Bryan Danielson’s AEW World Championship challenger for WrestleDream. The PPV is being held in Tacoma, Washington on Saturday, October 12.
Tony Khan has fired back at Stephen P. New, the lawyer representing Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins (The Boys).
Shortly after news broke that Kelly and the Tates had filed suit against AEW, in part to challenge the classification of wrestlers as independent contractors, Jim Ross noted on his podcast that he finds such lawsuits to be “frivolous.”
“JR, Jim Ross, called this a frivolous lawsuit. Well, let me tell you something, this is not a frivolous lawsuit. You’re part of the problem. You, Jim Ross, are part of the problem because you fed the guys in WWE – as Talent Relations – these crap contracts for a quarter of a century. You told these guys that it was a take it or leave it deal and they needed to sign these crap contracts, that were contracts of adhesion that they should have never signed.”
“I’m not shocked in the least that you go on Conrad Thompson’s podcast and say this is a frivolous lawsuit. I might lose but by god, it’s not frivolous.”
“Tony Khan has paid Jim Ross a lot of money to do nothing for about five years now,” New continued. “So, if I were Jim Ross and I were living at Jacksonville Beach and making a bunch of money to not do much at all, I’d probably come out and call Stephen P. New’s lawsuit frivolous also. Everybody’s got a price.”
Khan responded to New’s comments on Saturday, writing:
“I’ve just read Stephen P. New’s comments about @JRsBBQ. I’m shocked + appalled by these comments on legend Jim Ross, part of AEW’s foundation, someone so important from the beginning of AEW and still right now today. AEW, JR & I reserve all rights. See you tonight at #AEWAllOut.”
I've just read Stephen P. New's comments about @JRsBBQ.
I'm shocked + appalled by these comments on legend Jim Ross, part of AEW's foundation, someone so important from the beginning of AEW and still right now today. AEW, JR & I reserve all rights.
Jim Ross doesn’t believe the Plaintiffs in a recently filed lawsuit against AEW will have much success.
JR and Conrad Thompson posted a video on Wednesday featuring the legendary broadcaster giving his thoughts on the news that Kevin Kelly and The Tate Twins have filed suit against the company.
In particular, JR was asked about the aspect of the lawsuit that asks the court to certify a class-action suit against AEW for classifying its talent as independent contractors rather than employees.
“When you sign your contract, you agree to the terms,” JR said. “And that would include being an independent contractor.”
“The Plaintiffs (Kelly & the Tates) will run out of money before Tony Khan does,” he continued. “I don’t hold out much hope they’re going to get any kind of settlement whatsoever but maybe I’m wrong. I’m not a judge or a lawyer or anything along those lines.”
“I don’t like those kinds of lawsuits. I think they are frivolous. You would think that guys could get together and could work out something before going to spending their money on a lawyer who’s probably doing it on a ‘if you win, you get this, if you don’t win, no harm, no foul.’ Well, there is harm, there is foul but you knew what you were doing when you signed your deal.”
“I’m not familiar with those two wrestlers you’re talking about (Brendan and Brandon Tate). I know who they are. Kevin Kelly’s been an old friend of mine for years. I was sad to see him leave. He just wasn’t happy, I think, he wanted a bigger role that wasn’t available to him and then all of a sudden he’s gone and it’s unfortunate and sad because he has a lot to offer.”
In addition to requesting a court-certified class action lawsuit, Kelly and Tate’s attorneys also allege that ROH commentator Ian Riccaboni defamed Kelly when he linked him to QAnon conspiracy theories during a discussion on Discord. The Tate twins allege they were defamed by Tony Khan after the AEW president stated publicly he released the brothers due to their no-showing events, something they say was a result of a miscommunication between them and management after they were booked to fly out of a different airport than they normally use.
It appears that Jim Ross will be providing commentary for the AEW All In main event.
While taking part in a Virtual Gimmick Table session for Highspots yesterday, Ross said he’s getting ready to head to the United Kingdom for All In. The pay-per-view is being held at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday, August 25. Ross said he believes he’ll be calling the AEW World Championship match between Swerve Strickland and Bryan Danielson.
“I’m getting ready to go to London for AEW. I think I’m scheduled to call the Bryan Danielson-Swerve match,” Ross said. “And that’s gonna be a barnburner — a slobberknocker, if you will. Both of them are hungry, both of them are great.”
This could be the final match of Danielson’s career. It has a stipulation where, if Danielson does not defeat Strickland, he will retire from in-ring competition. Strickland has been AEW World Champion since April.
The 72-year-old Ross announced this March that he signed a new one-year AEW contract where his role is to contribute on commentary for PPV events. Ross told Highspots that, through all of the health issues he’s battled over the last year, he’s “without question” feeling better at the moment. He underwent surgery for a broken wrist last month after tripping over a charging cord at his condo.
Jim Ross thinks Shane McMahon would be a positive addition to AEW.
Earlier this week, news broke that Tony Khan and Shane had met together in Arlington, Texas. It was reported that the meeting was to discuss possibilities moving forward. Shane later issued a statement confirming the “great” meeting. In his statement, Shane said he and Khan spoke about many things, but mostly about their “shared love for the [pro wrestling] business and the rewards and challenges of working with family.”
A photo of the meeting was published by WrestleTalk. On his Grilling JR podcast, Ross reacted to seeing the picture for the first time and discussed what he thinks Shane could bring to AEW if he were to join the promotion.
“That’s pretty cool, actually,” Ross said. “Shane, he could add a lot. He could do some physical things, within reason. He has great name identity. People know who he is. You don’t have to stop and explain, ‘Well now, this is Vince McMahon’s son. This is Stephanie McMahon’s brother. This is Linda McMahon’s son.’ All that stuff goes without saying. But if Tony [Khan’s] an entrepreneur, and if he thought that Shane could help us in AEW, and if Shane thought he could have some fun, make a couple of paydays — I’m sure Shane is not in need of a significant cash influx — but [if] he wants to have fun and contribute. Look, the wrestling business is in Shane’s blood. Where else does he go if he wants to stay in that vocation? Where else does he go?”
The 72-year-old Ross said he’s a fan of Shane’s. They’ve known each other since Shane was in high school. Ross doesn’t have any inside info that Shane is AEW-bound, but he believes Shane would be an entertaining television character.
“I think he could help us in a lot of ways, strategically,” Ross noted. “As a TV character, obviously the main thing. So we’ll just have to wait and see how that works out. I don’t have any outstanding hope or any inside info that he’s the guy, but he might be a new addition at some point in time. And if so, between both their creative abilities, it would be entertaining.”
Shane potentially joining AEW has been a talking point online since Ross and Conrad Thompson first discussed the hypothetical idea on Grilling JR several weeks ago.
Ross, the “Hall of Fame Voice of Wrestling,” has been with AEW since 2019. This March, Ross announced that he had signed a new one-year contract with AEW. His role is contributing on commentary at AEW pay-per-view events.
The 72-year-old has had several health-related concerns this year. In May, he missed AEW Double or Nothing after being admitted to the hospital with shortness of breath. He was later diagnosed with a class A flu and elevated heart enzymes. Last month, Ross was hospitalized due to shortness of breath again but would travel to Long Island just days later and worked the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
Ross also had two procedures done in February this year. On February 1, he posted on social media that he’d had cancer surgery on his right hip that morning. Then on February 5, he posted that he’d just had “another successful surgery, hopefully.”
Ross also released “Business Is About To Pick Up: 50 Years of Wrestling, 50 Unforgettable Calls” earlier this year. It features 50 chapters, each one covering an iconic moment in wrestling that he called.
Jim Ross is making the trip to New York for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
Earlier this week, Ross’ status for the pay-per-view was put into question when he needed to visit the emergency room after having difficulty breathing. The announcing legend has been battling health issues on-and-off and had to miss AEW Double or Nothing this May because of the flu, raised heart enzymes, and breathing issues.
“Flying to NYC Saturday for #ForbiddenDoor,” Ross tweeted. “Wouldn’t miss it @AEW.”
Forbidden Door is being held at UBS Arena in Long Island this Sunday (June 30). It’s the third straight year AEW & NJPW have joined forces for the event.
In March of this year, Ross revealed that he had signed a new contract with AEW. It’s a one-year deal where Ross’ role is to provide commentary at AEW PPV events. Ross is happy with the role and is hoping that there will be some more commentary assignments for him along the way.
The legendary “Voice of Wrestling” and AEW announcer Jim Ross has once again been hospitalized due to difficulty breathing.
Ross posted an update on X on Tuesday noting that he has made another trip to the emergency room, just over a month after being hospitalized due to difficulty breathing.
Ross wrote:
“Another trip to the ER. Difficulty breathing. Likely an overnight stay. I’ll be ok. Let’s fight!“
Ross was hospitalized on May 23 due to shortness of breath. He later revealed on an episode of his Grilling JR podcast that he had been diagnosed with a virus, but was on the road to recovery.
2024 has been full of health challenges for Ross, a WWE Hall of Famer. The 72-year-old AEW commentator has undergone multiple surgeries this year, including one to address skin cancer on his right hip.
Ross had planned on taking part in the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view this Sunday, but his status for the show is now in question following his hospitalization. Ross was last featured on commentary at AEW’s Dynasty PPV this past April.
On the latest episode of his podcast, Ross said that he was traveling home when he suddenly began to feel sick. After a stay in the hospital, he is currently recovering and plans on being at Forbidden Door later this month in New York.
“I was diagnosed as having, I think they call it Virus A or something along those lines,” Ross said. “So I struggled a little bit for a couple, three days, but I got over the hump, as I always do. Seems like I always kick out. Can’t do any jobs, you know, not in Oklahoma.”
Ross stated that with the help of his daughters, he was able to get over the virus.
“Anyway, I’m battling. I feel good, actually. I’ve got some appearances coming up,” he said, noting an appearance with Highspots. “The next time I’m going on the road will be for the AEW pay-per-view, so I’m gonna resume my schedule of that activity. So I’ll be at [Forbidden Door], as far as I know. If Tony Khan doesn’t want me there, then he’ll tell me, but that’s not been the case. He’s been very supportive, which I appreciate.”
Ross has spent most of 2024 battling various health issues, including undergoing cancer surgery and dealing with a broken hip. He was originally set to take part in AEW Double or Nothing, but had to miss the show after being hospitalized for shortness of breath.
Though he’s hoping for a quick recovery from his health issues, Jim Ross won’t be in Las Vegas for AEW’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view this weekend.
Ross announced on Thursday morning that he needed to make an unexpected trip to the emergency room due to shortness of breath. Later in the day, Ross shared a photo of his two daughters visiting him in the hospital.
Dave Meltzer reports that Ross is dealing with the flu, raised heart enzymes, and breathing issues. Ross isn’t able to be in Las Vegas for Double or Nothing, but he expects to be fine within a few days:
Jim Ross, 72, was hospitalized on 5/23 at his other home in Norman, OK, due to shortness of breath. He said that he won’t be able to go to Las Vegas this weekend for Double or Nothing, which was his next announcing gig as right now he’s only doing PPV shows. He said that he has a Class A flu and raised heart enzymes to go along with breathing issues but was getting excellent care and expects to be fine in a few days.
Ross revealed this March that he had signed a new one-year contract with AEW. His role is to provide commentary at AEW PPV events.
Double or Nothing is taking place from the MGM Grand Garden Arena this Sunday (May 26).
Earlier this month, Ross said he was feeling good and his health was better than it’s been in a while:
My health is better than it’s been in over a year, I’m happy to say. My right hip, that’s healing and getting better. My radiation wound from skin cancer–and I’m cancer-free–is still healing. Vaping has helped. It’s allowed me to stop taking pain medication and get me through the night. I’m feeling good. And I’m still doing what I love.
“Business is About to Pick Up,” a new book by Ross on his 50 years in pro wrestling, was released on May 7.
Ross has suffered from multiple health problems in recent years, including surviving skin cancer. He revealed in an interview with Sports Illustrated earlier this month that he recently underwent surgery to replace his right hip, but noted that overall his health has been better of late than at any point in the last year:
My health is better than it’s been in over a year, I’m happy to say. My right hip, that’s healing and getting better. My radiation wound from skin cancer–and I’m cancer-free–is still healing. Vaping has helped. It’s allowed me to stop taking pain medication and get me through the night. I’m feeling good. And I’m still doing what I love.
Ross was last at the AEW commentary desk for April’s Dynasty pay-per-view.
Jim Ross believes AEW’s challenge right now is creating new stars.
Ross appeared on Busted Open Radio on Wednesday and was asked to give a letter grade to the company he’s worked for since it launched five years ago.
“Probably a solid B,” Ross responded. “A lot of things that can be improved upon, like anybody else’s company. AEW’s challenge right now, to me, is creating new stars. Somebody on that brand has got to get hot. That’s got to be, I think, what they need now. Somebody’s gotta get hot.”
However, Ross says he believes AEW’s talent will step up at Double or Nothing this weekend in Las Vegas. Ross said that’s what always happens on AEW pay-per-views.
“These pay-per-views like we’re having Sunday night in Vegas, these kids rise to the occasion on these pay-per-views, they really do,” he said.
Ross was asked by co-host Bully Ray if it’s more on creative or the talent to get someone in the company hot. He responded that it’s more on the wrestlers.
“I think the latter,” Ross responded.
“Creative can get you in the ring but once you get in the ring, it’s up to the talent at that point, in my estimation. I think it’s a talent-based thing, Bully, I really do,” he continued.
Ross is currently promoting his new book, “Business Is About To Pick Up: 50 Years of Wrestling, 50 Unforgettable Calls,” which was released on May 7, 2024.
