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 prominent American professional wrestling commentator, sports announcer, and podcaster. Currently with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator, analyst, and senior advisor, he is most recognized for his extensive and celebrated career as a play-by-play commentator for WWE. Considered by many as the greatest wrestling commentator of all time, Ross was an integral part of WWE's success. During his time with WWE, he was occasionally involved in storylines and participated in wrestling matches.
1974: Started as a Referee
In 1974, Jim Ross began his career 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 Play-by-Play Announcer
In 1982, Jim Ross was promoted to lead play-by-play announcer for Mid-South Wrestling.
1987: Joined Jim Crockett Promotions
In 1987, Jim Ross joined Jim Crockett Promotions as a color commentator after the acquisition of the Universal Wrestling Federation.
1991: Paired with Bob Caudle and Paul E. Dangerously
In 1991, following WCW's departure from the NWA, Jim Ross was paired with longtime NWA commentator Bob Caudle, and also Paul E. Dangerously.
1992: Atlanta Falcons Radio Coverage
In 1992, Jim Ross expanded into mainstream sports broadcasting, serving as a commentator for one season of Atlanta Falcons radio coverage.
1992: Joins Atlanta Falcons Radio Broadcast Team
In 1992, Jim Ross joined the Atlanta Falcons radio broadcast team, marking his entry into professional football commentary.
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
In 1993, Jim Ross pitched the idea for Radio WWF, a short-lived radio program.
1993: Departure from WCW
In 1993, Jim Ross requested and was granted a release from his WCW contract after Eric Bischoff was promoted to executive producer.
1993: WWF On-Screen Debut
In early 1993, Jim Ross joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) and made his on-screen debut at WrestleMania IX, replacing Gorilla Monsoon on Wrestling Challenge.
December 1994: Rejoined WWF for a Third Time
In December 1994, Jim Ross rejoined WWF for a third time, initially being relegated to syndicated programming.
1994: Radio WWF Broadcast
In 1994, Jim Ross called select events such as the Royal Rumble for the 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, continuing his career in football commentary.
1994: Rehired and Released by WWF
In mid-1994, Jim Ross was briefly rehired by WWF during Vince McMahon's federal trial, then released again after McMahon's acquittal, reportedly due to leaking company information.
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.
March 8, 1999: Return to Raw
On March 8, 1999, Jim Ross returned to Raw in a storyline where he confronted Michael Cole and reclaimed his commentary role.
October 11, 1999: Main Event at Georgia Dome
On October 11, 1999, Jim Ross main-evented the WWF's first show from the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, teaming with Steve Austin against Triple H and Chyna.
1999: Wrestling Matches
In 1999, Jim Ross participated in wrestling matches while working for WWE.
2000: Release of Can You Take The Heat? The WWF Is Cooking
In 2000, Jim Ross released "Can You Take The Heat? The WWF Is Cooking", a WWF/WWE themed cook book.
2000: Character in WWF WrestleMania 2000
In 2000, Jim Ross was an unlockable character in WWF WrestleMania 2000.
2001: Commentary for XFL
In 2001, Jim Ross was assigned to the commentary team for WWF's XFL football league.
2001: Lead Announcer for XFL
In 2001, Jim Ross was one of the original lead announcers of the original XFL in spring.
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.
2003: Release of J.R's Cookbook
In 2003, Jim Ross released J.R's Cookbook, a WWF/WWE themed cook book.
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, resulting in a loss due to interference by Chris Jericho.
October 2005: Written off Television for Colon Surgery
In October 2005, Jim Ross was written off television after being "fired" by Vince and Linda McMahon, as he needed time off for colon surgery.
2005: Victory Over Triple H
In 2005, Jim Ross secured a victory over Triple H in a no-disqualification match, aided by Batista.
2005: Stepped Down from Executive Role
In 2005, Jim Ross stepped away from his executive role 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 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, 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.
2007: Opening of J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q
In 2007, Jim Ross opened J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q in Norman, Oklahoma, encouraged by sales of his barbecue sauces and beef products.
September 2008: ECW Appearance
In September 2008, Jim Ross made a one-night appearance on ECW.
2008: Move to SmackDown
In the 2008 WWE Draft, Jim Ross was 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's final full-time commentary appearance was at Hell in a Cell.
2010: Old School Raw Special
In 2010, Jim Ross appeared on the Old School Raw special.
2011: Wrestling Matches
In 2011, Jim Ross participated in wrestling matches while working for WWE.
2011: Teaming with John Cena
In 2011, after his firing as an announcer, Jim Ross returned to team up with John Cena against Michael Cole and Alberto Del Rio in a tag team match, securing a victory.
2011: Match Against Michael Cole
In 2011, on the April 25 episode of Raw, Jim Ross competed against Michael Cole, winning by disqualification after an attack by Jack Swagger.
2011: Sporadic Appearances and Firing
In early 2011, Jim Ross resumed commentary during Jerry Lawler's feud with Michael Cole, appeared at WrestleMania XXVII and other episodes of Raw, but was "fired" in a storyline by John Laurinaitis.
2012: WrestleMania XXVIII and NXT Commentary
In 2012, Jim Ross called the "End of an Era" Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania XXVIII, contributed to Raw 1000, and began commentating on the revamped NXT.
August 16, 2013: WWE 2K14 Panel
On August 16, 2013, Jim Ross hosted a WWE 2K14 panel where he made unscripted comments and appeared fatigued.
2013: Mentoring and Raw Anniversary
In 2013, Jim Ross began mentoring new commentators at the WWE Performance Center and returned for the 20th Anniversary of Raw.
May 26, 2014: Boxing Commentary Debut
On May 26, 2014, Jim Ross made his debut calling boxing for Golden Boy Promotions on Fox Sports 1.
October 3, 2014: Commentary for Battlegrounds MMA
On October 3, 2014, Jim Ross teamed up with MMA fighter Chael Sonnen to commentate the Battlegrounds MMA one night tournament PPV.
October 2014: Appearance in "Brian and the Boz"
In October 2014, Jim Ross appeared in "Brian and the Boz", a 30 for 30 documentary on Brian Bosworth.
2014: Hosting The Ross Report
In 2014, Jim Ross began hosting his own podcast, The Ross Report, for PodcastOne.
2015: Lead English-language Announcer
From 2015, Jim Ross was the lead English-language announcer for New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV.
January 19, 2016: Signing with AXS TV for NJPW
On January 19, 2016, Jim Ross signed a contract with AXS TV to become the lead announcer for New Japan Pro-Wrestling's weekly program, alongside Josh Barnett. The contract was directly with AXS TV and 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: Return to WCPW commentary
On February 12, 2017, Jim Ross returned to What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW) to provide 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.
October 3, 2017: Release of Slobberknocker
On October 3, 2017, Jim Ross's autobiography Slobberknocker was released, with a foreword written by Vince McMahon.
January 22, 2018: Raw 25 Years Commentary
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: Commentary at WrestleMania 34
On April 8, 2018, 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 WWE Appearance
On April 27, 2018, Jim Ross made his last televised appearance for WWE as part of the pre-show panel for the Greatest Royal Rumble.
November 2018: Departure from NJPW commentary
In November 2018, it was revealed that Jim Ross and Josh Barnett would no longer be providing commentary for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
2018: New Japan Pro-Wrestling
In 2018, Jim Ross finished his tenure as the lead English-language announcer for New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV.
2018: Relaunch of Podcast
In 2018, The Ross Report was relaunched as The Jim Ross Report as part of the Westwood One podcast network.
March 27, 2019: Departure from WWE
On March 27, 2019, Jim Ross left WWE after electing not to renew his contract, citing limited bookings and a belief in his play-by-play abilities as reasons for his departure.
April 3, 2019: Signing with All Elite Wrestling
On April 3, 2019, Jim Ross signed a three-year deal with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a commentator and senior advisor.
April 2019: Partnership for Grilling JR
In April 2019, Jim Ross partnered with Conrad Thompson to revamp his podcast as Grilling JR, focusing on reminiscences about Ross's history in wrestling.
August 2019: Details Revealed about WWE Departure
In August 2019, Jim Ross revealed a conversation with Vince McMahon regarding his departure from WWE, stating that he still believed in his play-by-play abilities.
March 2020: Publication of Under the Black Hat
In March 2020, Jim Ross's second book, Under the Black Hat: My Life in the WWE and Beyond, co-written with Paul O'Brien, was published.
January 5, 2022: Return 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: Commentary Team Rotation in AEW
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: Return to AEW Collision Commentary
On August 5, 2023, Jim Ross returned to the AEW Collision commentary team, providing commentary as an analyst for the main events in the second hour of the show.
March 3, 2024: Commentary at Revolution for Sting's Retirement Match
On March 3, 2024, following surgery, Jim Ross returned to commentate Sting's retirement match at Revolution.
May 7, 2024: Publication of Business Is About to Pick Up!
On May 7, 2024, Jim Ross and Paul O'Brien released a second book, Business Is About to Pick Up!
August 2024: Sit-Down Interviews and Wrist Break
In August 2024, Jim Ross recorded separate sit-down interviews with Bryan Danielson and Swerve Strickland ahead of their match at All In. Later that month, he revealed he had broken his wrist.
August 25, 2024: Commentary 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: Commentary at All Out
On September 7, 2024, Jim Ross returned for the All Out main event and unsanctioned matches.
July 12, 2025: Return to Commentary at All In
On July 12, 2025, after 10 months away due to illness, Jim Ross returned at All In to provide commentary for the last 2 matches of the show.
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