Jim Ross born in Westville, Ok.
Ross is born in Westville, Oklahoma. Ross begins exploring commentary in college, being allowed to cover sports on college radio. He begins his work with professional wrestling as a referee for NWA Mid-South.
WWE debut
Ross makes his first WWE appearance as commentator at Wrestlemania 9. The Greek theme sees Ross in a toga. Ross is accompanied on commentary by Bobby Heenan and Randy Savage.
First Wrestlemania, yours truly from the state of Oklahoma. First time in a toga!
Grand Slam Sports interview
Ross talks to Grand Slam Sports Undertaker and if John Cena will ever turn heel.
Last night, I was going into the show thinking that Rock won last year, so Cena will automatically win this year to even their big match rivalry at one apiece. But after last night, I’m not so sure that’s going to happen. I was intrigued that Cena’s promo was a little bit edgy. I thought, is that just the character, the persona, being what it’s cast to be, or is it the human being processing what I said earlier? We have to follow everything. We have to close the show. It’s game day for us. So I don’t know. It’s provocative to me because I try to stay away from all the creative stuff. I don’t want to know what’s going to happen.
Wrestling101.com interview
Ross talks about working as an announcer for WCW:
My time in Atlanta was great, I went to Atlanta first for Jim Crockett and I was only doing television so my schedule was very light. Crockett then got into financial problems and that’s when Ted Turner brought the brand and they wanted me to move to Atlanta, which I did, I lived in Atlanta from the late eighties to 1993 so for about five years and Atlanta was one of my favourite place to live and I was doing stuff with the Atlanta Falcon’s Football team.
JR’s Bar-B-Que Q&A
Ross updates the Q&A section of his blog to answer fan questions on CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and championship belts.
Champions are resonsible for the upkeep of their titles but spares are available if one is misplaced. Smart wrestlers never check the titles on planes.
Leaves WWE
Ross is fired from WWE over Ric Flair debacle at WWE 2K14 video game press conference. WWE puts blame of Ross for not handling Flair’s demeanor better.
The decision, which was made by McMahon, was first told to us by a source in the company that it was possible, if not likely on the day of SummerSlam, stemming from the now-infamous 2K Sports symposium where Ric Flair spoke at length about a variety of subjects. … Ross took heat from management for not cutting Flair off and keeping the symposium to what it was scripted to be.
Poughkeepsie Journal interview
Lawler and Ross talk to Poughkeepsie Journal about their separate futures inside the wrestling industry. Lawler comments.
I don’t wrestle on a full-time schedule anymore, but I still enjoy getting back in there. It’s exercise and it’s fun. I’ve enjoyed doing this my entire career. If I can do it once or twice a week, it’s cool for me. It’s just getting back on the horse again. I don’t worry about it. I don’t sit around and wonder if it’s going to be the same thing that‘s going to happen to me again. I don’t think anything different about it.
Ross Report podcast
Ross launches The Ross Report podcast with a sit-down interview with long-time friend “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. The two discuss WWE current events and career highlights.
Jim, I’m proud to be your first guest. Welcome to the world of podcasting.
ESPN Front Row
Ross talks to ESPN Front Row about Football, wrestling, WWE and Wrestlemania.
I would make sure Daniel Bryan left WrestleMania with his “moment.” Every star in WWE wants to have a WrestleMania moment – meaning some bucket list dream as a professional to go to WrestleMania and steal the show.
Calls boxing event
Ross calls Fox Sports One Memorial Day Boxing promoted By Golden Boy promotions.
Steve Austin Show interview
Ross is a guest on the Steve Austin Show to discuss Andre the Giant, his cowboy hat and learning to read.
Being an only child, I spent lots of time with my grandparents. My grandpa was a reader and he taught me how to read the newspaper, the sports page. Even then I was a big sports fan.
Between the Ropes interview
Ross talks to Between the Ropes about the possibility of seeing him in TNA and CM Punk.
It’s not likely at all. I’m not looking at that direction but I don’t think it’s very smart to say I’ll never do that. It would take an extraordinary deal because I don’t know why I would be excited about replacing one of two guys that I like. You don’t get that many friends in the wrestling business that stick with you through thick and thin.
Ross Report
Sting appears on Ross Report in sit-down interview. The pair discuss Sting’s career and aspirations in the final years of his career.
I’m feeling great. I’m glad to be here and glad to be on your podcast, buddy.
Busted Open interview
Ross gives his thoughts about his WWE career:
I’ve said it a bunch of times, coming to WWE in 1993 was the best career move I ever made. I don’t owe them money and they don’t owe me any. We’re done. I have no regrets. The only thing I would have liked differently was the 3 bells palsy attacks and have to constantly explain to people why I don’t smile. I’d like to be more HD friendly. I wouldn’t change a thing and a lot of things are on the horizon.”
Final match comments
Sting appears on The Ross Report to discuss future plans and his WWE relationship. Sting remarks that his next match will most likely be his last.
I’m 99.99% sure and can say that it would definitely be the last one.
MMA appearance announcement
Ross is set to call Battleground MMA event in Oklahoma on October 3rd, 2014 alongside former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen.
I think that, quite frankly this may sound egocentric, but I think the transition from calling a pro wrestling match and calling MMA fights would be easy. I think it would just be getting more familiar with fighters, more familiar with techniques, nuances that I try to study with ample preparation. I’d say the same thing about broadcasting football.
MMAfighting.com interview
Ross talks to MMAfighting.com about his upcoming appearance in MMA alongside Chael Sonnen.
I’m the point guard. I’ll ask questions and call the action. I’m not taking it for granted, but I think that I’m mentally ready to do it. I’m a big fan. I watch hours and hours of MMA. When you come from my background as a broadcaster, I listen intently to everyone, the UFC guys, I’m a big fan of Mauro Ranallo from Strikeforce, I listen to everybody and that will be good.
Lesnar editorial
Ross pens editorial on Lesnar’s career from the first day he signed him to WWE to his current status in the company for Fox Sports.
The South Dakota native is arguably the most naturally gifted athlete to compete in the genre. The former NCAA and UFC heavyweight champion has the physique of a Greek god, moves like a large cat, does what he says and has a legit, animalistic intensity seldom seen in his profession.
Ross Report interview
Watts appears on The Ross Report to discuss the changing landscape of professional wrestling. Ross releases statement.
JR’s mentor is on the podcast – Cowboy Bill Watts, tough promoter of the Mid-South territory, who also spent time at WCW and WWE. They talk booking philosophy, selling, heels & babyfaces, Eric Bischoff, Vince McMahon, and the impact of the erosion of the territories on pro-wrestling. Plus, Watts has some strong opinions about some of today’s talent & matches – The Undertaker, Bray Wyatt, John Cena, and Wrestlmania 30.
MMANews.com interview
Ross talks to MMANews.com about NJPW, Global Force Wrestling and life after leaving WWE.
I’m doing my podcast, I’m in entrepreneurial mode right now. I don’t do a lot of things that conflict with OU football, but I’m doing my podcast, it’s doing really well. We manage about half a million downloads per week and it’s growing. I’m in the process of working on my autobiography, that should be done by spring or summer 2015. I’m doing some writing for FOX, we’re talking to FOX about maybe doing some more boxing play-by-play, which I had fun doing, I’m a big boxing fan. My point is, if I like projects