dpWWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is headed for brain surgery, and that date has now been set.
Ross said on his “Grilling with JR” podcast this week that he is slated to have a shunt put in on Aug. 12 and that he has been told that he should only be in the hospital for a day. But Ross, who is an announcer for AEW, admitted that with his contract with that company coming to an end this month, he might have already called his last match.
He is not giving up on the hope of working again, though, and even said that he hopes to be in attendance at AEW’s “All In” event on Aug. 30 at Wembley Stadium in London, according to SB Nation.
“I hope that my ending, my career ending, is planned,” Ross said. “And so I don’t just show up one Wednesday night on ‘Dynamite’ and say, ‘Well, I got some news for you folks, I’m done.’ That might sound cool and edgy, but I would like to be able to know that I’m leaving. I think that’s important for my psyche. And I don’t know, maybe I’m looking at it wrongly, but in any event, that’s where I’m thinking – just have a good, clean ending.
“I’ve had a blessed career,” he added. “I’ve had a unique life, and I realize that it’s coming to an end. I get it. If you ask me, ‘JR, how much longer you think you’re going to do announcing?’ Well, I think my contract’s up this month. So, I’m done pretty much. I don’t want to be done, but if Tony Khan said, ‘You know, JR, thanks for the efforts and thanks for being here’ and all that stuff, then I’d have no problem with that. Because what else? How could I be such a greedy bastard and want more in my career than I’ve already received.”
As for his upcoming surgery, Ross said he is ready.
“I don’t want to say I’m looking forward to it, but I guess I really am to get to that point and to get it over with,” he said. “I have never had brain surgery before. So they’re going to put a — what do they call it? A shunt? So, I’m getting a shunt put in my brain.”
Ross first revealed that he needed the surgery on his podcast last month.
“I’m getting ready to have another surgery, brain surgery this time, and that’s going to be an adventure, because I don’t think they’re going to find much, oh God, my brain,” Ross said.
“I gotta get it addressed,” he added. “I couldn’t live my life the way it was, you know. I forget (expletive) and just couldn’t remember things. It’s just horrible. I felt horrible, but that all started with me passing out in my house and being discovered there, and we began an almost 40-day hospital stay.
“It’s not optional if I want to get better, and I want to get better for sure,” he added. “This is a whole new ball game, and it’s a little scary to be honest with you.”
Ross also recently made headlines after he revealed that he had a lengthy hospital stay.
“Heading home tomorrow!” he wrote on X. “Over 30 days in the hospital come to a grateful end. Count your blessings daily.”
Fightful.com reported that he also suffered a fall after AEW Double or Nothing. That event took place on May 24.
Ross’ announcement about getting out of the hospital was met with support from the wrestling community.
“Speedy recovery,” Kevin Nash replied.
Ross replied to Nash, “Thanks Big Fella. The fight’s over.”
“Keep Your Chin Up, Your Chest Out JR & That’s An Order,” Sergeant Slaughter replied. “Happy To Hear That Your Heading Back To Your Home Barracks Tomorrow.”
“You’re tougher than a $2 steak!” Josh Barnett replied. “Keep your head up, and keep moving forward. Heal up full partner.”
“Welcome Home,” Dory Funk Jr. replied. “Time for comfort and continued success.”
“So glad to hear that JR!” Hurricane Helms wrote.
There were plenty more comments like that, too.
Ross, 74, has had a rough couple of years, health-wise, but he revealed last year that he had beaten colon cancer after undergoing surgery.
