[image src=’https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BtG1KefCAAAauEW.jpg’ width=’300′ height=’200′ title=’The Greatest voice of Wrestling’ align=’left’] I can only think of Jim Ross being shuffled out of the WWE as a great loss for the WWE but also for a whole generation of fans who will never get the insight this true student of the business could pass on.
As you can probably already tell I really respect good ol JR for the work he has done week after week, month after month, year after year.
The WWE circuit is tiring and taxing to any of those who work it, travelling non stop, early rise and late nights, living out of a suitcase. While for many it’s a dream, the reality isn’t a fairytale but a job just like any other.
JR worked this circuit for years and even more amazing is that he was battling crippling Bells Palsy at the same, I’ve read stories before that JR had to manipulate his drooping face with his hand just to make it through a broadcast. That is the sort of dedication, passion and drive that has won the respect of so many fans and put Jim Ross into a league which peers him alongside Gordon Solie, JR’s own personal pick for best of all time announcer.
Imagine being able to live up to the level of performance and respect of your idol, that’s the success that JR has achieved in his career with the WWE.
His match calling combined insight of technical analysis of the match on a level without peer and passion which sent the adrenaline pumping through the veins of the millions of fans watching on TV worldwide.
[testimonials user=” style=’callout’ name=’Jim Ross’ position=’Former WWE ring announcer’ photo=’https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/523801408/profileross_400x400.jpg’]It was by far the best professional move that I ever made going to work for WWE in 1993 and I am grateful for the quality of life that they helped facilitate for my family and me.[/testimonials]
Not only was JR a popular figure for his high performance in his announcing role, he was also well respected from his days as working in talent relations, JR has an uncanny ability to see potential greatness in wrestlers and pick the ones who can lead the business into the new era. His straightforward attitude and his tact when telling it like it is really helped him to do well in this role for many years, managing to sign some of the top stars in the WWE such as The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Edge, Jack Swagger, Trish Stratus, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Albert, Batista, Brock Lesnar, Charlie Haas, Christian, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin, Test, Umaga and Val Venis.
JR has really given us half of the last generation of top stars along with signing a few who flourished into the top stars of today.
He also has other projects outside of wrestling (albeit that they seem to always have some minor attachment to wrestling in a way) such as JR’s BBQ Franchise and his famous blog hosted on the same site. [image src=’https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bsg9D9cIAAE1DKp.jpg’ width=’300′ height=’200′ title=’Farewell to a Legend’ align=’right’]
Personally I am a huge JR fan. I even went to Norman OK as part of a holiday once specifically to visit his BBQ restaurant. The food was friggen delicious and it was a damn shame he closed up shop. I read his blogs pretty regularly and I was hoping that WWE would wake up eventually and realise what they were throwing away and good old JR would return to WWE in some role (no matter how minor that was)
I guess in closing I would like to thank JR for his hard work, I will miss him greatly and can only hope he gets a few once off appearances for WWE and perhaps that can swing the opinion that he is past it.


Perhaps we will see him elsewhere? Maybe Japan? Commentating on CM Punk matches? Wait did i say that out loud?
21 years in the company comes to a close.
Bah Gawd, Boomer Sooner.