Jim Ross signs two-year contract with WWE
By Adam Stocker
Longtime announcer Jim Ross returns to the WWE after signing a two-year contract.
A day after calling the main event of WrestleMania, play-by-play commentator Jim Ross announced that he has signed a new two-year contract with the WWE.
Ross left the WWE after a WWE 2K panel he was running in 2013 went off the tracks. Since leaving the WWE, Ross has started the popular podcast The Ross Report and called play-by-play commentary for boxing, mixed-martial arts, and professional wrestling. Ross currently serves as the voice of New Japan on AXS. Ross also provided commentary for ITV’s World of Sport reboot in the United Kingdom.
The WWE Hall of Famer joined the WWE in 1993. The following year he debuted on Monday Night Raw, becoming the full-time commentator in 1996. In 2005 and 2006, Ross was replaced by Joey Styles but soon returned in the second half of 2006. Ross remained the lead commentator on Raw until 2008 when he was drafted to SmackDown. After a year on SmackDown Ross’ role was reduced.
After being removed from full-time commentary in 2009, Ross has made sporadic appearances on Raw and pay-per-views. Beginning in 2013 Ross called play-by-play action for WWE’s developmental brand NXT and worked as a coach in the performance center.
Next: WWE WrestleMania 33 Full results
On his podcast and interviews, Ross mentioned that he had been in talks with the WWE in advance of his return at WrestleMania 33. The decision to bring JR back will certainly buy the WWE a lot of good publicity with fans. Ross is generally considered the greatest play-by-play commentator in the history of professional wrestling.
How will WWE use Jim Ross?
Ross does not have a set role in his return, but it would make sense for WWE to have Ross call one big match on every pay-per-view. Another option is to have Ross return to call NXT action. The addition of Ross is a big gain for the WWE network who can use him for its talk show programming.