Wrestling Icon Jim Ross Diagnosed With Colon Cancer

Professional wrestling legend Jim Ross has announced that he has been diagnosed with colon cancer.

The 73-year-old shared the news on Instagram this week, revealing that he is scheduled to undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

Ross currently serves as a part-time commentator and senior advisor for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and is widely recognized for his iconic tenure as a play-by-play announcer with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Ross’ colon cancer diagnosis follows a series of health challenges he’s faced in recent years, including a hospitalization in May last year due to shortness of breath.

He made a quick return to AEW television for sit-down interviews with Bryan Danielson and Swerve Strickland in the lead-up to their world title match at Wembley Stadium, which drew over 50,000 fans.

Ross also called the main event of All In: London, where Danielson clinched the AEW World Championship just two months before retiring from full-time competition.

Support has poured in from around the wrestling world, including messages from Chris Van Vliet and the Major League Wrestling promotion.

A veteran of the industry, Ross has worked with major American wrestling promotions continuously since 1974, shortly after finishing college. His latest diagnosis adds to a list of prior health issues—he underwent eye surgery in 2018 and successful cancer surgery earlier this year. He previously battled skin cancer in 2021 and announced remission by year’s end.

Ross was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 and has been named Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Commentator of the Year 14 times.