Jim Ross has revealed that he will undergo brain surgery next week, with doctors expecting him to be able to leave the hospital after just one day.
The 74-year-old AEW commentator provided the update at the beginning of the latest episode of Grilling JR, which was recorded in front of a live audience. “I’m good, man. I got a big week coming up. My surgery is Wednesday in Norman, so I don’t want to say I’m looking forward to it, but I guess I really am, to get to that point and get it over with.”
Ross explained that doctors will be inserting a shunt during the procedure. “So I have never had brain surgery before. So they’re going to put in what they call a shunt.”
Despite the seriousness of undergoing brain surgery, Ross said he was pleasantly surprised by how little time doctors expect him to spend in the hospital. “So I’m getting a shunt put in my brain, and they said I’m only going to be in the hospital a day. So that surprised me and made me happy, but still, I would have guessed longer.”
Ross did not disclose the medical reason for the procedure.
He has dealt with a number of health issues in recent years while continuing to work when possible and regularly keeping listeners updated on his condition. Despite having surgery approaching, Ross recorded the full Grilling JR episode and spent approximately 90 minutes answering questions from the audience.
One consequence of the procedure is that Ross does not expect to be able to travel immediately afterward.
Much of the episode was devoted to remembering Dory Funk Jr., who died on Tuesday at the age of 85. Ross said he would like to attend Funk’s funeral but acknowledged that the timing of his surgery will probably make that impossible. “I don’t know when the funeral services are going to be. I don’t know if I’ll be able to go. My surgery is, as I said, it’s going to be next Wednesday.”
Ross said his priority following the procedure will simply be getting through it successfully. “So me travelling is probably not going to be very likely, so I just hope I walk out of the hospital healthy.”
Ross remains AEW’s senior commentator, although his appearances have become more sporadic in recent years. He was most recently in Minneapolis during SummerSlam weekend for a signing.
