We get frequent health updates from 74-year-old WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross these days. They seem to fall into one of two main categories: something that sounds fairly dire, and vows to continue calling as much action for his current employer AEW as he physically can, for as long as he can and his boss Tony Khan wants him to.
The iconic pro wrestling voice told us earlier this month that he’d be having surgery to drain fluid from his brain within a few weeks. The full version of his latest Grilling
JR podcast with Conrad Thompson isn’t out until tomorrow (July 23), but Ross hadn’t had the procedure when the episode was recorded. He recounted his stay in the hospital earlier this summer, and said his daughter was with him as he prepares to return.
Still, the quotes making the rounds from the new Grilling JR are a vow to return to AEW. While Ross won’t try for AEW’s Redemption PPV this weekend in Montreal, he’s not aiming to be out that long for someone soon to have his brain operated on. He’s targeting London and Aug. 30’s All In:
“I have my sights set on the UK and Wembley. You know, that’s a big event and it’s a good trip. It’s a non-stop flight. I enjoy that opportunity, so that’s kind of where I’m setting my sights. I got that big two-day appearance coming in Minneapolis soon. That’s going to be fun.”
That big Minny appearance is just next week, when he and former Raw announce partner Jerry “The King” Lawler will be at the WrestleCon running there in conjunction with SummerSlam.
Wrestling fans, including the one writing the article you’re reading, have expressed concern about JR traveling given his health issues. While talking about WrestleCon, Ross tried to reassure us:
“I’m very respectful of my health and my time. And I’m excited to be part of all these type of events. I’m no spring chicken, Conrad. I don’t know how many more of these I got in me, but as long as I can do it and represent, I’m going to do it. Because it’s fun to do. These appearances are fun to do. They make me feel better, and psychologically it’s a win-win.”
Ross, his family, and medical team would certainly know better than I do, and frankly I have plenty to worry about in my own life. So I’m just going to wish the Oklahoman well and keep it moving.
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