Jim Ross was for a long time synonymous with the Voice of the WWE. Having worked in the company
for a long time from 1993 to present day as a commentator, it is still difficult to imagine a time when
"Good Ol' JR" will no longer be at the commentary table.
Born in California and schooled in Westville High, Jim Ross was the President of the Student Body and
also a 4-year letterman in basketball. Later in college, he spent some time commentating matches on
the college radio, which led to him filling a broadcast position in the local NWA Tri-State territory. After
that, he started out as a referee in the promotion from 1974 to 1977, when he switched over to
broadcasting again.
When Bill Watts purchased NWA Tri-State in 1982, Jim Ross was promoted to lead play-by-play position.
Around this time, he also did his first NWA Heavyweight Championship featuring Ric Flair and Ted
DiBiase.
He would go on to commentate for WCW but his contentious relationship with Eric Bischoff made sure
he was not successful there. He left the company after 6 years and he came to WWE where the rest is
history.
Ross shouting "Stone Cold, Stone Cold, Stone Cold"; when Austin came down taking out every one in his
way, or him saying "Good God almighty, Good god almighty, they killed him";… when Mick Foley was
thrown from the top of Hell in a Cell by Undertaker remain iconic and goosebumps-worthy moments
never to be replicated again.
Jim Ross suffers from Bells Palsy – a condition where his facial muscles are temporarily paralysed.
He lost his wife and the love of his life Jan in a car crash in 2017 but went on to commentate in
WrestleMania only 2 weeks later.
JR has also commentated in NJPW and ROH since 2011, among other independent promotions. Jim Ross is also rumored to be part of an upcoming promotion called All Elite Wrestling.
