Jim Ross

James William Ross is a prominent American professional wrestling commentator, sports announcer, and podcaster.

He is widely recognized for his long career as a play-by-play commentator. Many fans affectionately call him "Good Ol' JR." Some experts even label him the greatest wrestling commentator of all time. Currently, he is signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). In this role, he serves as a commentator, analyst, and senior advisor.

Ross's career began with many different roles in the wrestling industry. He first entered the business in 1974 with the NWA Tri-State promotion. He initially worked as a referee until 1977. After that, he transitioned to the broadcast team. When Bill Watts acquired the promotion in 1982, it became Mid-South Wrestling. Ross was promoted to lead play-by-play announcer during this time. He also took on administrative duties as the Vice President of Marketing. He even called his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship match between Ric Flair and Ted DiBiase.

In 1987, Ross joined Jim Crockett Promotions. This organization later merged with others to become World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Ross served as a color commentator before becoming the lead play-by-play announcer for the NWA. As WCW grew, he eventually became the head of broadcasting for the company. His time at WCW included a brief expansion into mainstream sports. In 1992, he served as a commentator for the Atlanta Falcons on the radio. However, internal changes and professional disagreements led to his departure from WCW in 1993.

Ross joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in early 1993. He made his official debut at WrestleMania IX in Las Vegas. During his long tenure, he became known as the voice of the company. This was especially true during the Attitude Era in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He often worked alongside Jerry Lawler on the Raw brand.

Beyond announcing, he held an important executive role. He served as the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations. In this position, he helped hire and develop many professional wrestlers.

Throughout his career, Ross has managed serious health challenges. In January 1994, he suffered his first bout of Bell's palsy. Bell's palsy is a condition that affects the muscles in the face. He experienced a second attack in December 1998. This occurred shortly after he learned of his mother's death. In 2005, he had to step away from television for colon surgery. Despite these setbacks, he frequently returned to his broadcasting roles. His resilience allowed him to remain a central figure in the industry.

Ross has received many prestigious honors for his work. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

He is also a member of the NWA Hall of Fame. Additionally, he is in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame has honored him twice. These inductions recognize his significant impact on the history of professional wrestling.

Outside of the wrestling ring, Ross has several other interests. He is an entrepreneur in the food industry. He owns a brand called J.R.'s Family BBQ. This company sells barbecue sauce and beef jerky. He also uses modern media to connect with fans. He hosts a weekly podcast titled "Grilling JR."

His life shows a connection between sports broadcasting, business, and personal history. He is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, tracing his ancestry to the Trail of Tears.