Legendary pro wrestling commentator Jim Ross has revealed he has been diagnosed with colon cancer and will undergo surgery in the next two weeks.
The 73-year-old broke the news on Thursday, thanking fans for their support:
“I appreciate your concern and support,” Ross wrote.
Ross is a household name in the wrestling world, best known for his iconic stint in WWE from 1993 to 2013. His passionate commentary and memorable catchphrases like “By God!”, “He’s broken in half!”, and “That man has a family!” became pop culture staples, often used in sports highlight reels far beyond the ring.
Outside of wrestling, Ross is also known as a devoted Oklahoma Sooners football fan, even entering arenas to the tune of “Boomer Sooner.”
A WWE Hall of Famer (2007), Ross has been with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) since 2019. AEW issued a heartfelt message of support:
“All Elite Wrestling joins fans around the world in sending love and support to Jim Ross as he battles colon cancer. J.R. is a valued member of the AEW family, and we stand beside him during his journey toward recovery.”
Fans, wrestlers, and colleagues from around the globe have begun flooding social media with messages of hope and strength for Ross, a beloved voice who defined an era of wrestling.
Stay strong, J.R.—the whole wrestling world is behind you.
