Jim Ross shares health update: ‘I don’t plan on retiring, I plan on getting healthy’

  • Ian Carey
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Jim Ross provided an update on his health during a live episode of Grillin Jr on Monday.

Ross revealed earlier this month that he has been diagnosed with colon cancer and would be having surgery in a week or two. On today’s podcast, Ross noted that the cancer is located in two places and that he’ll be going in for surgery tomorrow morning.

“Getting ready for surgery, and that’s always stressful but I’ve prepared myself mentally and physically to endure the situation,” Ross said on the show.

Ross said doctors have told him he’ll be in the hospital for six days. He noted that he’s not in any pain and that doctors will perform a less invasive surgery, although he wasn’t entirely sure what that would entail. While Ross said he plans to slow down following the surgery, he feels he can still work the same schedule he previously had in AEW.

“I’m thinking I’ll really slow down after the surgery. I’ll talk to the doctor, and see what he says. I’ll try to really slow down when this is over. Make a few autograph appearances, which I love to do, and see what Tony Khan’s got ready for me in AEW.”

“I could still do my schedule I had, but I don’t know if anybody else believes that. I believe it. I still would love to do the pay-per-views in AEW, but I don’t know if Tony will want me on, I don’t know.”

He also noted that he’s received calls from Tony Khan, Steve Austin, and others.

“I was at home and I got a call from Steve Austin. And when we got off the phone, I looked at my phone and we talked for 43 minutes. 43 minutes. And here’s what your friends do. They call you, they talk to you, and at the end of the conversation, they tell you they love you. That’s what Steve did. So that’s what I got. And that cheered me up. And it made me feel strong and vibrant.”

“Tony Khan called me, which was nice. You know, the Khan family has done an amazing job of taking care of JR since I signed with their company. He’s very talent friendly. Maybe too friendly at times.”

Asked if he had the chance to check out any of the wrestling shows this weekend, Ross responded, “I did not. I was sleeping.”

“I don’t plan on retiring, I plan on getting healthy and getting well and doing something for somebody and we’ll see how that works out,” he continued.

When asked about the possibility of attending AEW All In: Texas later this summer, Ross was optimistic he’ll be there.

“Hell ya, I think so. Why not?” JR responded.

The full episode of Grillin JR is available below: