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Legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross eager to meet fans at book signing

Legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross eager to meet fans at book signing

Posted: Nov 28th 2017 By: Gene Guillot

When Jim Ross' wife, Jan, died in March from a brain injury suffered from being hit by a vehicle when she was riding her Vespa motorcycle, he thought about not finishing his latest
book endeavor.

Jan was vital in helping Ross plan out the book, as she encouraged him to discuss problems that he hadn't gone into detail about before - namely sleep apnea and his addiction to prescription medication.

Then, he remembered a lesson he learned from his father when he wanted to quit the ninth grade football team: That quitting is the easiest thing you can do.

So he got back to it, and the result is "Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling," which was released this fall, and is a must read for any wrestling fan. Ross will be signing his book this Wednesday (Nov. 29) at the Barnes & Nobles at 3721 Veterans Boulevard from 7 p.m. until hopefully, he's signed for everybody in line.

"She always believed that I was a survivor," Ross said of his wife. "She said I want you to be very honest, and maybe some of the things that you've overcome can help others. I wanted to finish for her sake. It helped me with my grieving."

The book is about overcoming obstacles and reaching your goals, as it winds through his career from promoting his first show while in college in 1974 to calling WrestleManias featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Ross, who was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2007 and is considered by many to be the greatest wrestling announcer of all-time, dedicates 85 pages to his time in Mid-South wrestling, which used the Superdome in New Orleans for its biggest shows.

"There's a lot of great Mid-South stories in there because that's where my career was launched, and New Orleans was our city, the biggest city in the territory," Ross said. "Mid- South is where my career all came together. And you can't tell my story without the Crescent City.

"You knew you were going to make more money in New Orleans than you probably were in any other city in the territory. My first trip there was a big deal, and it's still a big deal. I still get goosebumps (when I'm there). It's a special city, and that's why my signing is going to be fun."

He said meeting fans at the book signings is really helping him cope with the loss of his wife.

"I really need these," said Ross, who hopes some fans bring old Mid-South programs for him to sign. "I love the interaction. The best stories I here are from fans who were there for the big moments. I love hearing those stories. They're just like me, a fan. It's good to get that verbal hug, so to speak. It's good. I'm able to meet people who care about me."

Slobberknocker is an old-school football term used when players didn't wear a facemask, Ross said. When a player got struck real hard in the face, saliva sometimes propelled from his mouth, hence slobber. And since the player got knocked real hard, you had a slobberknocker, which Ross said
he began using in his wrestling commentary in the 1970s.

Ross gave one of his favorite stories from his days in Mid-South wrestling when he was traveling with Andre the Giant in the 1970s.

"The lady at the front desk of the hotel said she would give me $100 for a polaroid of Andre the Giant in full frontal nudity. I asked why. 'I got to know if he's really Andre the Giant,' she said. That was two days of work for me at the time. I told her I couldn't do that. But when I told Andre about the crazy request, he said, 'Why didn't you say yes? We could have split the money.'"

 

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Spotlight in History

  • 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 2007 Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion

Week of Sun 05-05 to Sat: 05-11

  • 05-05 1941 Maurice Shapiro became the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock became the TSW United States Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1958 Jim LaRock def. Sandor Kovacs for the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1978 Jerry Brown & Bobby Jaggers def. Ray Candy & Steven Little Bear for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1982 King Kong Bundy def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-05 1982 Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia def. The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-05 1986 Rick Rude def. Lance Von Erich for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Red Eagle def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2002 Terry Montana def. Red Eagle for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2007 Compound Varsity (Romero Contreras & Justin Lee) became the FCW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-05 2012 Kareem Sadat def. David Kyzer for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-05 2017 El Greengo Loco & Karnage def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1959 Pretty Boy Collins & Duke Scarbo became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1969 Ramon Torres & Alberto Torres def. Karl Von Stroheim & Treacherous Phillips for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1974 Rip Tyler def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) def. The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer 1 & Super Destroyer 2) for the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) def. The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, & Buddy Roberts) for the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1984 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich & Mike Von Erich) became the WCCW World 6-Man Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 1985 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) became the WCCW American Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2005 Shane Morbid def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Champion
  • 05-06 2005 The 918 Boyz (Timmy J & Cade Sydal) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2011 Jeff Starchild became the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-06 2017 Lone Star, Inc. (Cody Burns & Trey Cole & The Longhorn Outlaw) def. Simply the Future (J. D. & Alex) for the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 05-06 2017 Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) def. El Greengo Loco & Karnage for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Thrash def. Jason Jones for the WFC Prime Champion
  • 05-06 2023 MLP def. Red James for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-06 2023 Red James def. MLP for the RDW Brass Knucks Champion
  • 05-07 1984 Killer Khan became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Cody Jones became the NWA-OK Texoma Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Jack Legacy def. Jeff Starchild for the MWA Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2010 Dustin Heritage def. Shane Morbid for the MWA MAX-Division Champion
  • 05-07 2010 A. T. F. (Al Farat & Gurkha Singh) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 05-07 2010 La Reina de Corazones became the NWA-OK Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Rudy Edwards def. Ryan Styles for the SWCW All-American Champion
  • 05-07 2011 Bernie D & Max McGuirk def. Nemesis (Rage Logan & Damien Morte) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2016 Tyson Jaymes def. Brandon Groom for the BCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 Jack Swagger became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2018 The Von Erichs (Marshall Von Erich & Ross Von Erich) became the WCR Tag Team Champions
  • 05-07 2018 Damon Windsor became the WCR Revolutionary Champion
  • 05-07 2021 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Tino Valentino for the ASP Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Drake Gallows def. Oxley for the RDW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Derek James became the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Luna Nightshade became the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Brandon Groom def. Derek James for the AWE Lion Heart Champion
  • 05-07 2022 Becky def. Luna Nightshade for the RDW Women's Champion
  • 05-08 1970 The Hollywood Blondes (Jerry Brown & Buddy Roberts) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-08 1985 The Snowman became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-08 1988 Kerry Von Erich def. King Parsons for the WCCW World Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Brandon Groom def. Michael Barry for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 John O'Malley became the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2004 Luc Lapointe & Se7en became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Excellence Personified (Dustin Heritage & Se7en & Michael Barry & Jack Legacy) became the TAP Tag Team Champions
  • 05-08 2010 Wage def. Eric Rose for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-08 2010 John O'Malley def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 Michael H def. Tex for the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-08 2010 J. R. Orullian & The Unknown def. The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Dennis Williams) for the 412PE Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 1967 Gorgeous George, Jr. & Jack Brisco def. The Assassins (Assassin #1 & Assassin #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-09 2004 John O'Malley def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Se7en became the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2004 Bernie Donderwitz def. Se7en for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 05-09 2009 Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) def. Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2009 Dane Griffin def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 05-09 2009 BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) def. Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Bernie D) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2015 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Hurricane Ross & J. R. Orullian for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-09 2021 Erica def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Champion
  • 05-10 1966 The Assassins (Assassin 1 & Assassin 2) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-10 2008 Jerry Bostic became the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 05-10 2014 Billy Ray [1st] def. Running Wolf for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-10 2014 American Made def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE United States Champion
  • 05-10 2019 Kody Lane def. Latrell Upton for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 05-10 2023 Leo Fox def. The Wolf of War for the RDW Iron Man Champion
  • 05-11 1976 Karl Kox & Bob Sweetan def. Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch for the TSW United States Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 1981 Ernie Ladd def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2008 The Midnite Rider def. Outlaw for the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
  • 05-11 2008 Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) def. The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 05-11 2013 Billy Ray [1st] became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 05-11 2013 The Trenchcoat Mafia (Ryan Reed & Billy Ray [1st]) def. Pretty In Pink (Mike Rose & Michael Duplanti) for the NAW Tag Team Champions
  • 05-11 2019 Drake Gallows became the KCW National Champion
05-05
  • Bill Watts May 5th Today!
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th Today!
  • El Matador Dos May 5th Today!
  • Princess Victoria May 5th Today!
  • Shane Rawls May 5th Today!
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th Today!
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th Today!
  • El Gallardo May 5th Today!
  • Zane Morris May 5th Today!
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th Today!
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th
  • Sol Yang May 12th
  • Brock Baker May 12th
  • Sensei Jamo May 12th
  • Bill Howard May 12th
  • Prince Mahalli May 13th
  • Dave Ryda May 13th
  • Maggie Rae May 13th
  • Lars Manderson May 13th
  • Pete Maguire May 13th
  • Stan Kowalski May 13th
  • Danny Hodge May 13th
  • Payton Scott May 13th
  • Karl Krupp May 13th
  • Little Boy Blue May 13th
  • Steve Williams May 14th
  • Big Van Vader May 14th
  • C. M. Burnham May 14th
  • Scott Irwin May 14th
  • Tommy Rogers May 14th
  • Robert Fuller May 14th
  • Shawn Bragan May 14th
  • Oscar Amazing May 15th
  • Erwin IV May 15th
  • Koko May 15th
  • Andrew Bridge May 15th
  • Joe Cuedo May 15th
  • Kevin Von Erich May 15th
  • Ryker James May 16th
  • Ryan Martin May 16th
  • Alan Jefferson May 16th
  • Buddy Knox May 16th
  • Buddy Roberts May 16th
  • J. B. Pain May 17th
  • Mike Pappas May 17th
  • Wage May 17th
  • Dan Maestro May 17th
  • Billy Red Lyons May 17th
  • Kyle Hawk May 17th
  • Luna Nightshade May 18th
  • Matt Riviera May 18th
  • Kristopher Haiden May 18th
  • Akuma Jones May 18th
  • Jimmy Snuka May 18th
  • J. R. Wind May 18th
  • Gajo May 18th

More Look Back In History

Current Champions

Wrestling For a Cause

Tim Rockwell

Heavyweight Champion
Tim Rockwell

 
  • Tag Team Champions: Eddie LeVaughn & Mr. Nasty
  • Hometown Heroes Champion: Wesley Crane
  • Prime Champion: Alex Royal