Jim Ross says his health is ‘better than it’s been in over a year’

Jim Ross recently spoke to Sports Illustrated about his health, calling Sting’s final match, and his new book.

Ross, who underwent hip surgery earlier this year, says his health is the best it’s been in a year.

He said:

My health is better than it’s been in over a year, I’m happy to say. My right hip, that’s healing and getting better. My radiation wound from skin cancer–and I’m cancer-free–is still healing. Vaping has helped. It’s allowed me to stop taking pain medication and get me through the night.

I’m feeling good. And I’m still doing what I love.

Despite having had hip surgery the month prior, Ross was at the commentary booth for Sting’s final match at AEW Revolution on March 3 in Greensboro. The 72-year-old told Sports Illustrated that he wasn’t going to miss the show no matter what.

Ross said:

I had my right hip replaced, and it’s healing nicely, but my surgeon and I failed to schedule a follow-up, so I didn’t realize I had 28 staples in my hip.

It was my first trip after the hip surgery. I kept thinking to myself, ‘This is painful.’ I thought it was me. Really, it was the staples causing all the pain.

It was a very emotional night, and that pulse from the people at the Greensboro Coliseum was a great treatment for making my pain subside. Even if I knew I the adversity I was going to be in, I still would have gone. Sting means the world to me. I wasn’t going to miss it.

Everybody talks about Sting in WCW, but I met Sting when he was tagging with Rick Steiner–and before that, Jim Hellwig–in Mid-South. When Cowboy [Bill Watts] fired Hellwig, he made sure to tell Sting he was wanted. He’s such a natural babyface. It’s hard to boo the guy. So I dealt with the pain. There are people out there in this world who have it a lot worse than me.

“Business Is About to Pick Up!: 50 Years of Wrestling in 50 Unforgettable Calls” is available now. In the book, Ross chronicles 50 of his greatest calls in wrestling.

Ross says of the book:

The book needed short chapters, and that’s what it’s got. It’s essentially a quick read. It’s a book you can leave in the bathroom and finish a chapter at a time.

His full interview with Sports Illustrated is available here.