Jim Ross, the WWE Hall of Famer widely regarded as “the voice of professional wrestling,” has suffered another untimely injury at his home.
As has often been the case throughout his public life, Ross struck a positive tone while addressing the setback. Now 74, JR continues to project the old-school fighting spirit that has defined him for decades.
Ross had recently returned to AEW television and was scheduled to be at the commentary desk for AEW Dynamite this Wednesday. However, he shared an update on X early Tuesday morning, indicating he would not be able to appear as planned.
What Happened With Jim Ross and D-Von Dudley?
Ross has also been in the news in recent weeks following accusations made by fellow Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley, who alleged that Ross discriminated against him during the late 1990s.
During that period, Ross was not only a lead announcer but also WWE’s Head of Talent Relations. In that role, he managed the locker room during the height of the Attitude Era and oversaw contracts, payroll, and talent relations. In terms of authority among wrestlers, Ross ranked second only to Vince McMahon.
Ross was instrumental in signing major stars such as Edge, Chris Jericho, The Big Show, and Eddie Guerrero—a responsibility that made his influence significant and, at times, controversial.
The accusation surfaced during a conversation on Dudley’s YouTube channel with longtime tag partner Bubba (Bully Ray) and former WWE wrestler Maven. Ross later responded publicly, denying the allegation and stating he would be willing to meet with Dudley privately—without cameras—because, as Ross put it, “he likes him.”
D-Von has since publicly responded to JR with his "truth."
Whether such a meeting will happen remains unclear. For now, the discussion has largely unfolded in public through podcasts and online platforms. If Dudley honors Ross’ request for privacy, fans may never know how—or if—the conversation is resolved.
Will Jim Ross Go Back to WWE?
Ross became a household name in WWE, calling some of the most iconic moments in company history. Wrestling Flashback put together this compilation of some of his greatest one-liners a few years ago.
However, his relationship with the promotion has long been complicated, largely due to his turbulent history with Vince McMahon.
That treatment has resurfaced as a topic of discussion recently. Ross has spoken openly about McMahon’s dislike for him, while former announcer Todd Grisham shared an uncomfortable story on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast about McMahon instructing him to embarrass Ross in his hometown.
That said, Ross has never worked under WWE’s current TKO regime. A potential return would mean working under Paul "Triple H" Levesque in an entirely new dynamic.
Ross’ AEW contract expired in August 2025, though he signed a one-year extension. If he does not re-sign with AEW this year, he would become a free agent in late summer 2026.
A WWE return would almost certainly be welcomed by fans and framed as a homecoming. While it’s unrealistic to expect JR to resume weekly play-by-play duties, a legends deal—featuring occasional special matches, Premium Live Event appearances, or ambassador roles—would make sense.
As a child of the Attitude Era, I’d love to see it happen—before it’s too late.