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, currently with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He's best known for his extensive and celebrated career as a play-by-play commentator for WWE. Considered by many as the greatest wrestling commentator ever, Ross's enthusiastic and iconic commentary style has made him a beloved figure among wrestling fans. Beyond commentary, Ross occasionally participated in storylines and wrestling matches during his time with WWE.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1974: Career Start as Referee

In 1974, Jim Ross began his career with the promotion as a referee.

1977: Transition to Broadcast Team

In 1977, Jim Ross transitioned from being a referee to joining the broadcast team.

1982: Promotion to Lead Announcer and Vice President

In 1982, following the acquisition and rebranding of NWA Tri-State, Jim Ross was promoted to lead play-by-play announcer and assumed administrative responsibilities as the promotion’s Vice President of Marketing.

1987: Joins Jim Crockett Promotions

In 1987, Jim Ross joined Jim Crockett Promotions as a color commentator.

1991: WCW Departure from NWA

Following WCW’s departure from the NWA in 1991, Jim Ross was paired with longtime NWA commentator Bob Caudle.

1992: Atlanta Falcons Radio Coverage

In 1992, Jim Ross served as a commentator for one season of Atlanta Falcons radio coverage, briefly expanding into mainstream sports broadcasting.

1993: WWF Debut at WrestleMania IX

In 1993, Jim Ross made his first appearance for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) at WrestleMania IX.

1993: Radio WWF Idea and Broadcasts

In 1993, Jim Ross pitched the idea for Radio WWF, a short-lived radio program.

1993: Departure from WCW

In 1993, after Eric Bischoff was promoted to executive producer, Jim Ross requested and was granted a release from his contract with WCW.

January 1994: First Bout of Bell's Palsy and Release

In January 1994, Jim Ross suffered his first bout of Bell’s palsy and was released by the company two weeks later on February 11.

December 1994: Third WWF Rejoining

In December 1994, Jim Ross rejoined WWF for a third time.

1994: Radio WWF Broadcasts

In 1994, Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon called select events such as the Royal Rumble for Radio WWF.

1994: Rehired and Released Again

In mid-1994, Jim Ross was briefly rehired during Vince McMahon’s federal trial, then released again, reportedly due to leaking company information.

1996: Heel Turn and Razor Ramon/Diesel Angle

In 1996, Jim Ross turned heel in an on-screen storyline claiming to bring back Razor Ramon and Diesel, which was widely panned.

March 8, 1999: Return to Raw and Reinstatement

On March 8, 1999, Jim Ross returned to Raw in a storyline confronting Michael Cole and reclaiming his commentary role, leading to his permanent reinstatement.

1999: Involved in wrestling matches

In 1999, Jim Ross participated in wrestling matches as part of storylines.

2001: XFL Commentary Assignment

In 2001, Jim Ross was assigned to the commentary team for WWF’s XFL football league.

2002: Voice of Raw

In 2002, after WWE introduced a brand split, Jim Ross worked exclusively on Raw and its pay-per-views, becoming recognized as the voice of Raw.

October 2005: Television Write-Off and Colon Surgery

In October 2005, Jim Ross was written off television and “fired” for a storyline, needing time off for colon surgery.

2005: Stepping Away from Executive Roles

In 2005, Jim Ross stepped away from his executive roles as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations.

October 2006: Contract Expiration

In October 2006, Jim Ross's contract expired, but he continued on a week-to-week basis.

2006: Return to Commentary

In 2006, Jim Ross returned to commentary, calling Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXII, WrestleMania 22, and Backlash, and resumed his position on Raw in May.

March 31, 2007: WWE Hall of Fame Induction

On March 31, 2007, Jim Ross was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

September 2008: Appearance on ECW

In September 2008, Jim Ross made a one-night appearance on ECW.

2008: Move to SmackDown

In the 2008 WWE Draft, Jim Ross was unexpectedly moved from Raw to SmackDown, ending his 12-year run on Raw.

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.

2010: Old School Raw Appearance

In 2010, Jim Ross appeared on the Old School Raw special.

2011: Last Wrestling Match

In 2011, Jim Ross participated in his last wrestling match.

2011: Sporadic Appearances and 'Firing'

In 2011, Jim Ross resumed commentary and made sporadic appearances including WrestleMania XXVII, but was again 'fired' in a storyline.

2012: WrestleMania XXVIII and NXT Commentary

In 2012, Jim Ross called the "End of an Era" Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania XXVIII and began commentating on NXT.

August 16, 2013: WWE 2K14 Panel Controversy

On August 16, 2013, Jim Ross hosted a WWE 2K14 panel where he made unscripted comments and appeared fatigued, leading to controversy.

2013: Mentoring and 20th Anniversary of Raw

In 2013, Jim Ross began mentoring new commentators at the WWE Performance Center and returned for the 20th Anniversary of Raw.

January 4, 2015: Wrestle Kingdom 9 Commentary

On January 4, 2015, Jim Ross and Matt Striker served as the English language commentators for Global Force Wrestling's presentation of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Wrestle Kingdom 9 at Tokyo Dome.