Wrestling icon Jim Ross recently opened up about his health and contract status with AEW on his podcast, “Grilling JR.” While he expressed optimism about his future with the company, he also detailed the ongoing struggles with his hip replacement recovery.
“My contract expires in August,” Ross revealed. “I don’t have any sense or feeling that I’m not going to be kept because of the schedule I do. I could maintain that for years to come. I’m not saying that in a braggadocious fashion. This is what I do. This is what I was born to do. As long as my heart is beating and I’m healthy, and I’m right now, quite frankly, healthier than I’ve ever been. Once this wound heals, and it’s getting closer and closer, I’ll be 100%.”
Despite facing a number of health challenges in recent years, his determination to continue providing his legendary commentary remains unwavering.
In 2018, Ross underwent surgery for skin cancer, a battle he thankfully won. However, he continues to manage complications from a hip replacement surgery. “I’m waiting for my hip to heal from hip surgery,” he explained. “I’m not so sure I’d do that again, even though it’s broken into pieces, because I don’t know what’s worse, the healing process or breaking it initially. I don’t know, but I think I’d have thought that through a little bit better, or I’d have got a better orthopedic surgeon. I should not be in this much pain this long after the hip replacement.”
The surgery has not only caused him significant pain but also impacted his travel. “Now I gotta stop and at every airport security I gotta go through a special line, because I have metal in my body, so I can’t go through the regular way. I gotta be patted down and all that stuff. It’s a pain in the ass. It slows things down. I gotta explain things to people so it’s a pain in the ass.”
Despite these frustrations, JR remains a vital part of AEW’s broadcasting team. He primarily serves as a commentator for AEW pay-per-view events. His contributions to AEW extend beyond commentary, as he also provides valuable insights as a senior advisor when he’s backstage at shows.
As he navigates his ongoing health challenges, fans eagerly anticipate his continued presence in AEW. Best wishes to JR on a full recovery.
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