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Jim Ross brings "Ringside" to Starland Ballroom

Posted: Jan 22nd 2015 By: Alex Biese

Jim Ross knows what to expect from a New Jersey crowd.

The World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame inductee and legendary ringside announcer has had plenty of time to learn the temperament of Garden State crowds during his 40-plus years in the professional wrestling business.

"Jersey fans aren't reserved. They have a lot of passion for what they're following, their sports teams, their music," Ross said. "I mean, how do you think of Bruce Springsteen and not think of New Jersey? It's impossible to me. I even, when I think of New Jersey, I think of 'The Sopranos' because it's my all-time favorite television show.

"So, the crowds have always been passionate and enthusiastic. I love the rivalry between New Jersey and New York. For us outsiders ? I live out here in Oklahoma, for example ? it's fun to watch from afar. One never has to wonder too long to determine what someone feels like in Jersey. And I'm not saying this with any disrespect, it's just that they're honest and they give you their opinion. And I like that. I think that's great."
Jim Ross has spent more than 40 years working in the

Jim Ross has spent more than 40 years working in the professional business as an announcer and talent relations executive.(Photo: Steve Wright Jr.)

Ross, who served as both a famed commentator and talent relations executive, parted ways with the WWE in 2013 after 20 years with the company. Now he's taking his one-man show, "Ringside: An Evening with Jim Ross," on the road, and he'll be making his New Jersey debut Friday night at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville.

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"I want to give back to the most loyal fans because they're the ones who are going to be at our shows, like in Sayreville at the Starland," Ross said. "Those are loyal, die-hard wrestling fans. And, what they're going to hear is they're going to hear humor, they're going to hear poignancy, they're going to hear some motivation. They're going to hear 100 percent truth.

"And, when we get to the Q&A aspect of the show, which is the biggest aspect of the show, I basically turn it over to them and it's an open forum. They can ask any question they choose. No off-limit questions, nothing of that nature whatsoever."

Ross also will appear Sunday afternoon at Underground Arts on Callowhill Street in Philadelphia. That night, the WWE will host its annual Royal Rumble event in Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center.

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"I don't have an act. I don't have a teleprompter," Ross said of his one-man show. "I go from the gut, and from the heart. I'll have some stories, and I'll try to be the GPS to take everybody from how I got in the wrestling business and my journey through it. ... Some of the characters that I worked with over the last 40 years reads like a who's-who.

"I was just at the right place and the right time to live all these changes and evolutions in the business. So we talk about all of that."

From broadcaster to podcaster

For nearly a year, Ross has hosted his own highly regarded wrestling-centric podcast, "The Ross Report." Presented by PodcastOne, the same company behind podcasts by wrestling legends "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Chris Jericho, "The Ross Report" is one of the top sports podcasts on the iTunes charts.

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With nearly 50 episodes on record already, the podcast features Ross' professional opinions on the current state of the wrestling business, insightful commentary and candid conversations with wrestling legends including Austin, Mick Foley and Trish Stratus.

"I've been really, really lucky that the fans didn't forget who the heck I was and were interested enough to download it," Ross said of his series' success. "We're coming up on a year, and it's been great. I've had fun doing it. It's been a way of connecting with the fans because they send me Twitter questions.

"I use social media in that respect, to get their feedback on what they liked, what they didn't like, what guests they'd like to hear and this, that and the other.

"It gives me the opportunity to reconnect with some old friends, old acquaintances and so forth. So it's been a winner from day one and now I'm getting into the routine of it, so I'm having a great time."

RINGSIDE: AN EVENING WITH JIM ROSS

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, with a VIP meet-and-greet starting at 6

WHERE: Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville

TICKETS: $20 to $65

INFORMATION: 732-238-550, http://www.starlandballroom.com/

ALSO: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25 at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., Philadelphia. Tickets $20 to $65. For more information, visit undergroundarts.org.
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Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1968 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
2020 Thorne the Hunter def. Dexter Hardaway for the ASP 5-Star Title
2024 Will Chambers def. Colton Kinnamon for the UWO Dojo Division Title
2025 Clover Botello def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2026 Bang Bang Bennett def. Vincent Cross for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title

Week of Sun 07-26 to Sat: 08-01

07-26 1968 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
07-26 2020 Thorne the Hunter def. Dexter Hardaway for the ASP 5-Star Title
07-26 2024 Will Chambers def. Colton Kinnamon for the UWO Dojo Division Title
07-26 2025 Clover Botello def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
07-26 2026 Bang Bang Bennett def. Vincent Cross for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
07-26 2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
07-27 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Title
07-27 2003 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
07-27 2008 Kevin Morgan became the OECW Heavyweight Champion
07-27 2014 Spike became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
07-27 2019 C. M. Burnham def. Antonio Vega for the ASP Inter-County Title
07-27 2019 Murder Squirrel became the BPW 365 Champion
07-27 2019 Karnage def. Murder Squirrel for the BPW 365 Title
07-27 2024 Brandon Groom became the BPW Lion Heart Champion
07-27 2025 Drake Gallows def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP Heavyweight Title
07-27 2025 C. M. Burnham def. Brixon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
07-27 2025 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title
07-28 2002 Terry Montana def. Shadow of Death for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
07-28 2007 Shane Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
07-28 2007 Montego Seeka def. Eric Rose for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
07-28 2007 D Money def. Al Farat for the UWF06 Heavyweight Title
07-28 2017 Dean Lambert def. Father Padge for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
07-28 2017 Gemini [2nd] def. Korvin Sage for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
07-28 2017 Phoebe def. Killista for the MSWA Ladies Title
07-28 2017 C. J. Ward def. Prince Mahalli for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
07-28 2024 Brandon Barricade def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
07-28 2024 Brixton Barricade def. Brandon Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
07-28 2024 C. M. Burnham def. Brixton Barricade for the ASP All Time Title
07-28 2024 Brixton Barricade def. C. M. Burnham for the ASP All Time Title
07-29 1974 Arman Hussein def. Bull Ramos for the TSW North American Title
07-29 1978 Ernie Ladd became the TSW North American Champion
07-29 1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-29 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
07-29 2000 Northern Threat (Luc Lapointe & Jean Paul) became the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
07-29 2003 Payton Scott & Ty Magnus became the ACW Tag Team Champions
07-29 2003 Angel Williams & Brandon Bishop def. Payton Scott & Ty Magnus for the ACW Tag Team Titles
07-29 2005 Chiquita Suzuki def. Leather for the SRPW Womens Title
07-29 2005 Anthony Jackson became the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
07-29 2005 Romero Contreras became the TPW Heavyweight Champion
07-29 2017 Erica def. Robyn Reid for the IZW Womens Title
07-29 2017 Legion (Rob Cabella & Shawn Shields) def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
07-29 2017 Brandon Groom became the BPPW Oklahoma Champion
07-30 2016 The Initiative (Clint Cassidy & Abel) def. Jon Cross for the UWE Tag Team Titles
07-30 2022 N'Zane def. Tego for the EPW Internet Television Title
07-31 1959 Mickey Sharpe & The Black Panther def. Frankie Kovacs & Jerry Miller for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
07-31 1964 Karl Kox def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-31 1987 Tony Atlas def. Abdullah the Butcher for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
07-31 1999 The Millenium Warriors (Red Eagle & Thunderwolf) def. The Casualties of War (AWOL & Shrapnel) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
07-31 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the 3DW Dual Kombat Champion
07-31 2011 3rd Rail became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
07-31 2015 Brock Landers became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
07-31 2021 Rob Cabella became the WAH Spotlight Champion
07-31 2021 Brawler Morrison became the WAH Living Hope Champion
07-31 2021 Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) def. Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
07-31 2021 Sam Stackhouse def. Cody Burns for the WAH Heavyweight Title
08-01 1979 Angelo Mosca def. Bob Sweetan for the TSW Brass Knucks Title
08-01 1980 Kerry Von Erich & Sweet Brown Sugar def. Stan Stasiak & Tim Brooks for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
08-01 1980 El Halcon def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
08-01 2009 Running Wolf became the 412PE Heavyweight Champion
08-01 2009 Blue Thunder & The Unknown became the 412PE Tag Team Champions
08-01 2009 Drake Gallows def. Chris Chaos for the BYEW Heavyweight Title

07-26

Lee Cook Jul 26th Today!
Mike Bytheway Jul 26th Today!
Tom Simon Jul 27th
Nova Phoenix Jul 27th
Johnny Idol Jul 27th
Matt Borne Jul 27th
Jack Van Bebber Jul 27th
Eric Rose Jul 27th
T. J. Muniz Jul 27th
Butch Malone Jul 28th
Tim Woods Jul 28th
Sammy Guevara Jul 28th
Herb Calvert Jul 28th
Luke Brown Jul 28th
Brixton Barricade Jul 28th
Brian Lakewood Jul 28th
Ace Archuleta Jul 29th
Scott Steiner Jul 29th
Betty Boucher Jul 29th
Bobby Whitlock Jul 29th
Dan Webber Jul 29th
Boss Campbell Jul 29th
Antonio Vega Jul 29th
Oliver John Jul 29th
Billy Starr Jul 29th
Derek James Jul 30th
Kid Kash Jul 31st
Trey Bearhill Jul 31st
Floyd Maystorm Jul 31st
Wayne Black Jul 31st
Dale Robinson Aug 1st
Everett Rattan Aug 1st
Eric the Red Aug 1st
Joel Deaton Aug 1st
Jimmy Golden Aug 1st
Capt. Rowdy Aug 2nd
Jack Vaughn Aug 2nd
Gorgeous George, Jr. Aug 2nd
Amanda Barricade Aug 2nd
Tim Rockwell Aug 2nd
Ronnie Morton Aug 3rd
Karl Gotch Aug 3rd
Bull Ramos Aug 3rd
Haystacks Calhoun Aug 3rd
Altar Boy Sanchez Aug 3rd
Stormi Renee Aug 4th
Alaskan Aug 4th
Ellis Bashara Aug 4th
Tyson Jaymes Aug 4th
Roy Dunn Aug 4th
Glen Steel Aug 5th
Stan Lane Aug 5th
Samedi Aug 6th
Grizzly Smith Aug 6th
Timothy Johnston Aug 6th
Jimmy Valiant Aug 6th
Latrell Upton Aug 7th
Joshua Smith Aug 7th
Marti Belle Aug 7th
Taro Myaki Aug 7th
Cade Fite Aug 8th
D. J. Fivestar Aug 8th
Josh La Rue Aug 8th
Taras Bulba Aug 8th
Marion McGee Aug 8th
Zakk Sinizter Aug 8th
Rage Logan Aug 8th
Steve O Aug 8th
Malice Aug 8th
Johnny Z Aug 8th
Scotty Charisma Aug 8th

1968 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
2020 Thorne the Hunter def. Dexter Hardaway for the ASP 5-Star Title
2024 Will Chambers def. Colton Kinnamon for the UWO Dojo Division Title
2025 Clover Botello def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2026 Bang Bang Bennett def. Vincent Cross for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title
2026 Vincent Cross def. Bang Bang Bennett for the RDW Na'Cho Momma's Hardcore Title

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