Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jim Ross
Discover the career path of Jim Ross, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Jim Ross, also known as "Good Ol' JR", is a highly acclaimed American professional wrestling commentator and podcaster, currently with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is best known for his extensive career as a play-by-play commentator for WWE, where he's been regarded as the greatest wrestling commentator of all time. Ross's tenure in WWE also involved occasional on-screen storylines and participation in wrestling matches.
1974: Career as a Referee
In 1974, Jim Ross started his career in professional wrestling as a referee, marking the beginning of his involvement in the industry.
1977: Transition to Broadcast Team
In 1977, Jim Ross transitioned from being a referee to joining the broadcast team, marking a shift in his career within professional wrestling.
1982: Lead Play-by-Play Announcer and Vice President of Marketing
In 1982, Jim Ross was promoted to lead play-by-play announcer for Mid-South Wrestling after Bill Watts' acquisition. He also became the promotion's Vice President of Marketing, expanding his responsibilities.
1987: Joined Jim Crockett Promotions
In 1987, Jim Ross joined the newly combined organization of Jim Crockett Promotions as a color commentator after Jim Crockett Jr.’s acquisition of the Universal Wrestling Federation and its merger with JCP.
1991: Partnership with Bob Caudle
In 1991, following WCW’s departure from the NWA, Jim Ross was paired with longtime NWA commentator Bob Caudle, forming a new commentary team.
1992: Commentator for Atlanta Falcons Radio Coverage
In 1992, Jim Ross briefly expanded into mainstream sports broadcasting, serving as a commentator for one season of Atlanta Falcons radio coverage. This marked a departure from wrestling commentary.
1992: Joins Atlanta Falcons Radio Broadcast Team
In 1992, Jim Ross joined the Atlanta Falcons radio broadcast team.
1993: First Appearance for WWF
In 1993, Jim Ross made his first appearance for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) at WrestleMania IX. This marked the beginning of his tenure with the company.
1993: Radio WWF Idea
In 1993, Jim Ross pitched the idea for Radio WWF, a short-lived radio program. He and Gorilla Monsoon discussed wrestling news and interviewed talent.
1993: Release from WCW Contract
In 1993, after Eric Bischoff was promoted to executive producer, Jim Ross requested and was granted a release from his WCW contract due to a strained professional relationship.
1993: On-Screen Debut at WrestleMania IX
In early 1993, Jim Ross joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) and made his on-screen debut at WrestleMania IX, held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
December 1994: Rejoined WWF
In December 1994, Jim Ross rejoined WWF for a third time, initially working on syndicated programming.
1994: Radio WWF Commentary
In 1994, Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon called select events such as SummerSlam, Survivor Series 1993, and the 1994 Royal Rumble for Radio WWF broadcast.
1994: Second Stint with the Atlanta Falcons
In 1994, Jim Ross had a second stint with the Atlanta Falcons radio broadcast team.
1994: Brief Rehire During Vince McMahon’s Trial
In mid-1994, Jim Ross was briefly rehired by WWF during Vince McMahon’s federal trial, providing commentary on Monday Night Raw. However, he was released again after McMahon's acquittal.
1996: Heel Turn Storyline
In September 1996, Jim Ross turned heel in an on-screen storyline where he claimed to be bringing back Razor Ramon and Diesel, characters previously portrayed by Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. This storyline was short-lived and poorly received.
March 8, 1999: Return to Raw
On March 8, 1999, Jim Ross returned to Raw in a storyline where he confronted Michael Cole, his on-air replacement, claiming he had been fired and trying to reclaim his commentary role. He was permanently reinstated, starting with WrestleMania XV.
October 11, 1999: Main Evented Raw is War from the Georgia Dome
On October 11, 1999, Jim Ross main-evented the WWF's first-ever show from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, an episode of Raw is War, teaming with Steve Austin against Triple H and Chyna.
1999: Participated in Wrestling Matches
In 1999, Jim Ross, while working in WWE, began to participate in wrestling matches. This marked a transition from his commentary role to being involved in storylines and physical confrontations.
2000: Featured in WWF WrestleMania 2000
Jim Ross has provided his voice for many WWE video games, and is also an unlockable character in WWF WrestleMania 2000.
2001: Commentary for XFL Football League
In 2001, Jim Ross was assigned to the commentary team for WWF’s XFL football league. He initially did regional broadcasts with Jerry Lawler before moving to the national telecast.
2001: Original Lead Announcer of XFL
In 2001, Jim Ross was one of the original lead announcers of the original XFL.
2002: Exclusive Work on Raw
In 2002, after WWE introduced a brand split, Jim Ross worked exclusively on Raw and its pay-per-views, solidifying his role as the voice of the brand.
2003: Tag Team Match at Unforgiven
In 2003, Jim Ross teamed with Jerry "The King" Lawler against Al Snow and Jonathan Coachman at the Unforgiven pay-per-view, with their Raw broadcast jobs on the line, they lost due to interference by Chris Jericho.
2005: Victory over Triple H in No-Disqualification Match
In 2005, Jim Ross achieved a notable in-ring victory over Triple H in a no-disqualification match, with assistance from Batista.
2005: Stepped Away from Executive Roles
In 2005, Jim Ross stepped away from his executive roles as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, citing health, family, and personal business goals.
October 2006: Contract Expiration
In October 2006, Jim Ross’s contract with WWE expired, but he continued working on a week-to-week basis.
2006: Return to Commentary
In 2006, Jim Ross returned to call Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXII, WrestleMania 22, and Backlash, resuming his position on Raw in May after Styles exited in a storyline.
September 2008: Appearance on ECW
In September 2008, Jim Ross made a one-night appearance on ECW, expanding his commentary work across different WWE brands.
2008: Moved to SmackDown
In the 2008 WWE Draft, Jim Ross was unexpectedly moved from Raw to SmackDown, ending his 12-year run on the red brand. Initially unhappy, he later pledged to help make SmackDown the best show possible.
October 4, 2009: Final Full-Time Commentary Appearance
On October 4, 2009, Jim Ross made his final full-time commentary appearance at Hell in a Cell before taking a leave from broadcasting due to health issues.
2010: Appearance on Old School Raw
In 2010, Jim Ross appeared on the Old School Raw special, making a brief return to WWE programming.
2011: Match Against Michael Cole on Raw
In 2011, Jim Ross competed against Michael Cole on the April 25 episode of Raw, winning by disqualification after Jack Swagger attacked him.
2011: Final Wrestling Match
In 2011, Jim Ross participated in his ninth and final wrestling match during his time with WWE. This marked the end of his in-ring career.
2011: Returns to Team with John Cena
In 2011, after being fired as an announcer by John Laurinaitis, Jim Ross returned to team with John Cena against Michael Cole and Alberto Del Rio in a tag team match on Raw, achieving a winning effort.
2011: Sporadic Appearances and Firing Storyline
In early 2011, Jim Ross resumed commentary during Jerry Lawler’s feud with Michael Cole. He appeared at WrestleMania XXVII and other episodes of Raw but was "fired" in a storyline by John Laurinaitis. He had brief matches and comedy segments throughout 2011.
2012: "End of an Era" Hell in a Cell Match Commentary & NXT Commentating
In 2012, Jim Ross called the "End of an Era" Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Triple H at WrestleMania XXVIII. He contributed to Raw 1000 and began commentating on the revamped NXT, joining Byron Saxton and William Regal. Paul Levesque (Triple H) appointed him as an adviser and scout for Talent Relations. He also filled in during Jerry Lawler’s recovery from a heart attack and was honored in his hometown during Raw on October 1, dubbed “JR Appreciation Night”.
August 16, 2013: WWE 2K14 Panel
On August 16, 2013, Jim Ross hosted a WWE 2K14 panel where he appeared visibly fatigued and made unscripted comments, including criticism of a sponsor. Ric Flair also made controversial remarks on the panel.
2013: Mentoring and 20th Anniversary of Raw
In 2013, Jim Ross began mentoring new commentators at the WWE Performance Center. He returned for the 20th Anniversary of Raw, contributing to the celebration.
May 26, 2014: Debut Calling Boxing for Golden Boy Promotions
On May 26, 2014, Jim Ross made his debut calling boxing for Golden Boy Promotions on Fox Sports 1.
October 3, 2014: Commentates Battlegrounds MMA with Chael Sonnen
On October 3, 2014, Jim Ross teamed up with MMA fighter and UFC veteran Chael Sonnen to commentate the Battlegrounds MMA one night tournament PPV.
2014: Starts The Ross Report Podcast
In 2014 Jim Ross began hosting his own podcast The Ross Report for PodcastOne.
January 19, 2016: Ross Becomes Lead Announcer for NJPW on AXS TV
On January 19, 2016, Jim Ross signed on to become the new lead announcer for New Japan Pro Wrestling's weekly program on AXS TV, working alongside Josh Barnett. Ross's contract was directly with AXS TV, not NJPW.
October 8, 2016: Commentary for WCPW's Refuse to Lose
On October 8, 2016, Jim Ross, along with Jim Cornette, provided commentary for What Culture Pro Wrestling's (WCPW) first iPPV, Refuse to Lose.
February 12, 2017: Returns to WCPW for Commentary
On February 12, 2017, Jim Ross returned to WCPW for commentary at the iPPV, True Destiny, and for WCPW's Loaded tapings that same month.
April 2, 2017: Return to WWE at WrestleMania 33
On April 2, 2017, at WrestleMania 33, Jim Ross returned to WWE, providing commentary for the main event No Holds Barred match between The Undertaker and Roman Reigns.
January 22, 2018: Reunion with Jerry Lawler on Raw 25 Years
On January 22, 2018, Jim Ross reunited with Jerry Lawler as part of the commentary team at the Manhattan Center for the Raw 25 Years episode.
April 8, 2018: Calls Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
On April 8, 2018, at WrestleMania 34, Jim Ross called the fifth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the WrestleMania 34 pre-show, alongside Jerry Lawler and Byron Saxton.
April 27, 2018: Televised Appearance at Greatest Royal Rumble
On April 27, 2018, Jim Ross's last televised appearance for WWE was part of the pre-show panel for the Greatest Royal Rumble.
2018: Relaunches Podcast as The Jim Ross Report
In 2018 The Ross Report podcast was relaunched as part of the Westwood One podcast network as The Jim Ross Report.
2018: Departure from New Japan Pro-Wrestling
In 2018, Jim Ross concluded his role as the lead English-language announcer for New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV, ending his three-year stint with the promotion.
March 27, 2019: Leaves WWE
On March 27, 2019, Jim Ross left WWE after choosing not to renew his contract due to limited bookings and a desire to continue play-by-play commentary.
April 3, 2019: Signs with All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
On April 3, 2019, Jim Ross signed a three-year deal with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator and senior advisor.
April 2019: Revamps Podcast as Grilling JR
In April 2019, Jim Ross partnered with Conrad Thompson to revamp his podcast as Grilling JR, focusing on Ross's wrestling history.
August 2019: Ross Reveals Conversation with Vince McMahon
In August 2019, Jim Ross revealed what he said to Vince McMahon before he left WWE, stating that he still believed he could perform play-by-play, unlike McMahon.
January 5, 2022: Returns to TBS on Dynamite
On the January 5, 2022, episode of Dynamite, Jim Ross returned to TBS for the first time since 1993.
June 2022: Switches to Commentary on Rampage
In June 2022, Jim Ross switched from full-time commentary on Dynamite to full-time commentary on Rampage in a commentary team rotation swap with Taz.
August 5, 2023: Returns to AEW Collision Commentary Team
On August 5, 2023, Jim Ross returned to the AEW Collision commentary team, and has since only provided commentary as an analyst for the main events in the second hour of AEW Collision.
March 3, 2024: Commentates Sting's Retirement Match at Revolution
Following his further surgery in February 2024, Jim Ross returned on March 3, 2024, for Revolution to commentate Sting's retirement match.
August 25, 2024: Commentates at All In
On August 25, 2024, Jim Ross commentated during the main event between Bryan Danielson and Swerve Strickland at All In.
September 7, 2024: Returns for All Out Main Event
On September 7, 2024, Jim Ross returned for the All Out main event and unsanctioned matches.
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