Jim Ross Health Update: What Happened to Jim Ross?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Jul 21, 2023
Who is Jim Ross?
Jim Ross is an iconic figure in the world of professional wrestling. His legendary career as a play-by-play commentator for WWE has left an indelible mark on the industry. Now, he brings his expertise and passion to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator, analyst, and senior advisor, thrilling fans with his unique insights and electrifying commentary.
JR's journey in the wrestling world has been a rollercoaster of excitement and dedication. From humble beginnings in various roles within the wrestling industry, he rose to prominence as the primary play-by-play announcer for Mid-South Wrestling in the early 1980s. His captivating voice and deep knowledge of the sport made him a sought-after commentator for the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling.
However, it was his leap to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) that truly cemented his status as a living legend. Making his memorable debut at WrestleMania IX in 1993, JR's unmistakable voice became synonymous with the WWE, especially during the groundbreaking Attitude Era of the late 1990s and early 2000s. He became the voice of the company, a charismatic narrator who brought every match to life with unparalleled enthusiasm.
Beyond WWE, JR's talents extended to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he enthralled audiences as the lead announcer on AXS TV from 2015 to 2018. His expertise also transcends wrestling, as he occasionally graces the world of boxing and mixed martial arts with his electrifying play-by-play commentary.
But JR's contributions don't stop at the commentary table. He's a multifaceted personality with a taste for the culinary arts. His delectable barbecue sauce and mouthwatering beef jerky brand, J.R.'s Family BBQ, have earned him admiration both in and out of the wrestling ring.
As if that wasn't enough, JR shares his wealth of experience and stories through his captivating weekly podcast, Grilling JR. Fans and fellow wrestling enthusiasts hang onto every word as he offers an inside look into the world of professional wrestling.
For his immense contributions to the sport he loves, JR has received numerous accolades. He has been inducted into the WWE, NWA, and Wrestling Observer Newsletter halls of fame, as well as being honored twice by the esteemed George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.
James William Ross embodies the heart and soul of professional wrestling. With his incomparable passion, unwavering dedication, and magnetic presence, he continues to captivate audiences and inspire the next generation of wrestling enthusiasts. Whether he's behind the microphone, crafting mouthwatering barbecue, or sharing his wisdom through his podcast, JR's legacy in the wrestling world remains unparalleled, earning him the rightful title as the greatest wrestling commentator of all time.
Jim Ross Health Update
As of the latest update, Jim Ross has provided insight into his health condition following a recent trip to the emergency room. The incident occurred on June 17th, the day of the debut episode of AEW Collision, where he was set to serve as part of the commentary team alongside Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness. However, on the morning of the event, Jim Ross experienced a serious fall at home, resulting in a severe black eye.
Despite the injury, he managed to make it to Chicago for AEW Collision but later announced his decision to step away from the commentary desk. He disclosed that he had suffered a concussion from the fall and admitted that traveling on that day was not in his best interest. Recently, Jim Ross had to visit the emergency room again to address concerns about redness in a wounded leg.
He explained that such visits are a regular part of his ongoing recovery and maintenance process. Although he sought medical attention for the issue, the doctors concluded that no immediate action was necessary, but he was advised to return if the redness continued to spread northward on his leg.
Jim Ross expressed his desire to return to AEW commentary as soon as possible, but he emphasized the importance of prioritizing his health. Apart from the wound on his leg, he is also grappling with severe lower back pain, which has been particularly challenging, with references to potential sciatica issues.
The legendary commentator acknowledged that being alone in his condo has not been beneficial for his mental health, but he is making progress in his recovery. He is seeking professional assistance to aid in his improvement and is hopeful that he will find relief for his back pain. Jim Ross mentioned that he misses being around the AEW wrestlers, as he enjoys helping and supporting the young talent.
Jim Ross is diligently taking care of his health and is seeking medical attention as required to facilitate his recovery process. While he expressed eagerness to return to work, he understands the need to prioritize his well-being. Fans and colleagues in AEW are undoubtedly supportive and understanding of his situation, wishing him a speedy and complete recovery.
What Happened to Jim Ross?
Jim Ross suffered from several health issues that led to his absence from the commentary desk and his recent visit to the emergency room. On June 17th, the day of the debut episode of AEW Collision, Jim Ross experienced a bad fall at his home, resulting in a severe black eye. Despite the injury, he managed to travel to Chicago for the AEW event but later revealed that he had suffered a concussion from the fall and acknowledged that traveling on that day wasn't the best decision for his well-being.
In addition to the concussion, Jim Ross has been dealing with a wounded leg that required regular monitoring. He recently visited the emergency room due to concerns about the redness in his leg, which is part of the ongoing maintenance of his condition during the healing process. Fortunately, the doctors determined that no immediate action was necessary, but he was advised to return if the redness continued to spread in a certain direction.
Apart from the wounded leg, Jim Ross has been battling severe lower back pain, potentially related to sciatica. This condition has been particularly challenging for him and is a major factor in his recovery timeline. While he expressed a desire to return to work, he emphasized the need to take care of his health first. He mentioned using medicines, solvents, and covers to protect his wound from infection.
Jim Ross admitted that being alone in his condo has not been conducive to his mental health, as he prefers being around other people and helping others. He acknowledged that being alone could lead to making poor decisions, but he confirmed that he's making progress in his recovery and seeking professional assistance to improve his condition.
Jim Ross suffered a bad fall that caused a severe black eye and concussion, leading to his decision to take time off from the commentary desk. He has been dealing with a wounded leg that requires regular monitoring and has been experiencing significant lower back pain, affecting his daily activities. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about his recovery and is determined to return to work as soon as he can safely do so.
Jim Ross Early Life
James William Ross, hailing from Fort Bragg, California, was destined for greatness from a young age. During his time at Westville High School, he showcased his athletic prowess as the first baseman on the baseball team and became a two-time all-conference football player for the Westville Yellowjackets in 1968-69.
But it wasn't just sports that defined JR's high school days. He excelled academically, earning a spot in the National Honor Society during his sophomore year. His dedication to his studies earned him an award for maintaining an impressive 3.6-grade point average in his junior year. Beyond sports and academics, Ross was an active and accomplished leader. He served as the President of the Student Body, a testament to his natural leadership abilities.
Additionally, he was deeply involved in the Future Farmers of America (FFA), where he was named the FFA Oklahoma Speech Champion in both 1968 and 1969. His exceptional oratory skills also earned him the runner-up position in the FFA National Speech Championship in 1969. As if that weren't enough, Ross further distinguished himself by being awarded the prestigious FFA State Degree in 1970, the second highest honor bestowed by the organization.
His commitment to FFA extended to holding the position of Vice President of the FFA Northeast District in 1970. Politics was no stranger to Ross, as he was nominated by Representative Wiley Sparkman to serve as a page for the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 1969. The same year, he took on the role of treasurer for Oklahoma Boys State, showcasing his dedication to civic engagement and public service.
After high school, Ross pursued a successful career as an official, officiating high school and college baseball, football, and basketball games in Oklahoma for a remarkable 18 years. James William Ross's early life was marked by determination, excellence, and leadership. These formative years would go on to shape the man who became a wrestling icon and the beloved commentator known and adored by fans worldwide.
Jim Ross Marital Life
Jim Ross has had a varied and impactful marital life. His journey to finding love and companionship was shaped by significant encounters, one of which involved the wrestling legend, Ric Flair. In his autobiography, JR revealed that it was Ric Flair who played a pivotal role in introducing him to his late wife, Jan. The fateful meeting took place on an airplane, where Jan was working as a flight attendant.
Their initial encounter laid the foundation for a deep and meaningful connection that would eventually blossom into a loving relationship. Prior to meeting Jan, JR had experienced two previous marriages, which contributed to the tapestry of his life. His experiences in love and family had already shaped him as a person, and each chapter of his marital journey played a role in defining who he was.
The love and bond between JR and Jan were evident to all who knew them. Unfortunately, tragedy struck on March 21, 2017, when Jan was involved in a devastating vehicle accident that resulted in serious head injuries. She was immediately put on life support, and despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Jan tragically passed away two days later. The loss of his beloved wife was a deeply emotional and difficult experience for JR, leaving an indelible mark on his heart.
Throughout his life, JR has also been blessed with the joys of family. He is the father of two daughters from his previous marriages, and his role as a father has been a source of pride and happiness. Welcoming two granddaughters into his life further enriched his familial connections and brought him joy beyond measure.
JR's marital journey has been one filled with love, loss, and cherished memories. The introduction by Ric Flair that led to his union with Jan became a significant chapter in his life story. While he has faced heartache with the passing of his beloved wife, JR's resilience and the love he shares with his family continue to be a source of strength and inspiration.
Jim Ross Health Update - FAQs
Jim Ross suffered a serious fall at his home on June 17th, which resulted in a severe black eye and a concussion. Despite the injuries, he still made it to the debut episode of AEW Collision but later decided to step away from the commentary desk to focus on his recovery.
Recently, Jim Ross visited the emergency room to address concerns about redness in his wounded leg. Such visits are part of his ongoing recovery and maintenance process as he heals from his injuries.
During his recent emergency room visit, the doctors determined that no immediate action was necessary for his wounded leg. However, they advised him to return if the redness continues to spread in a certain direction.
Apart from the wounded leg, Jim Ross is dealing with severe lower back pain, possibly related to sciatica. This condition has been particularly challenging for him and is affecting his daily activities.
Jim Ross expressed his desire to return to AEW commentary as soon as possible. However, he also understands the importance of prioritizing his health and recovery. While he is eager to get back to work, there is no specific timeline for his return as it depends on how well he heals and manages his health issues.