AEW announcer and WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross has announced that he will be absent from the commentary desk as he undergoes treatment for skin cancer.
Writing on social media on October 21st, Jim Ross revealed that he was heading for a CT scan for what he described as a “potential skin cancer issue.” At the time, Ross said that he had been dealing with the issue for over a year.
Jim Ross updated fans again ahead of a special Saturday night edition of AEW Dynamite on October 23rd, JR confirmed that he has been diagnosed with skin cancer. Ross wrote that he was waiting on a radiologist study to determine the best treatment, which will likely be radiation therapy. The Hall of Famer added that he was feeling great and ready to attack before thanking fans for their well wishes.
The WWE Hall of Famer gave a further update on his health on a recent episode of his ‘Grilling JR’ podcast, saying that he was due to undergo a procedure on his back as well as prepare for radiation therapy:
“I don’t like dealing with this skin cancer, but that’s the hand I’ve been dealt. The only thing I can do is to get healthy and go through all the procedures to ensure that can happen. On the 22nd of November, the doctor found two more places on my back and he’s going to cut those out in one appointment, then earlier in the day I’ll have gone to my cancer doctor and they have to build a boot for me to do the radiation accurately which I’m all for.”
“It’s two different processes, one is my back which I didn’t even know I had and the other is that big one on my ankle. Ironically the one on my ankle is healing up really well. You can still see that there’s an issue but it doesn’t look as gross and as gruesome as I displayed in that picture which I wish I had not done quite honestly. I do believe in sharing with the fans and maybe to a faulting degree. I’ve got a big month of November, it’s going to be an aggressive month.”
Now JR has given a further update on social media to tell fans that his radiation treatment will see him have to miss several weeks of AEW television, although he adds that he hopes to return before the end of 2021:
“Due to my skin cancer care totaling 22 radiation treatments starting Monday, I will hopefully return to the announce desk on December 29 in Jacksonville. @TonyKhansupports me on this strategy which has been a blessing. My thanks for all your support.”
AEW President Tony Khan responded to Ross’ message saying that everyone at AEW is behind Jim Ross in his recovery:
“JR, everyone here at @AEWwishes you the best. I think it’s a great gameplan you’ve got, we look forward to your return to commentary, hopefully in your new hometown Jacksonville FL @dailysplace at New Year’s Smash at the end of December! We want you to kick the cancer’s ass, JR!”
JR, everyone here at @AEW wishes you the best. I think it’s a great gameplan you’ve got, we look forward to your return to commentary, hopefully in your new hometown Jacksonville FL @dailysplace at New Year’s Smash at the end of December! We want you to kick the cancer’s ass, JR! https://t.co/dqUvpfNgkt
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) November 26, 2021
Everyone at Inside The Ropes continues to wish Jim Ross all the best for a full and speedy recovery.