Under the Black Hat cover art

Under the Black Hat

My Life in the WWE and Beyond

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Under the Black Hat

By: Jim Ross, Paul O'Brien
Narrated by: Jim Ross
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About this listen

 From legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross, this candid, colorful memoir about the inner workings of the WWE and the personal crises he weathered at the height of his career is “a must-read for wrestling fans” (Charleston Post Courier).

If you’ve caught a televised wrestling match anytime in the past thirty years, you’ve probably heard Jim Ross’s throaty Oklahoma twang. The beloved longtime announcer of the WWE “has been a driving force behind a generation of wrestling fans” (Mark Cuban), and he’s not slowing down, having signed on as the announcer of the starry new wrestling venture All Elite Wrestling. In this follow-up to his bestselling memoir Slobberknocker, he dishes out about not only his long career, which includes nurturing global stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena, but also about his challenges of aging and disability, his split from collaborator Vince McMahon, and the sudden death of his beloved wife, Jan. The result is a gruff, endearing, and remarkably human-scale portrait, set against the larger than life backdrop of professional wrestling.

Ross’s ascent in WWE mirrors the rise of professional wrestling itself from a DIY sideshow to a billion-dollar business. Under the Black Hat traces all the highs and lows of that wild ride, in which Jim served not only as on-air commentator, but talent manager, payroll master, and even occasional in-ring foil to threats like Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Undertaker. While his role brought him riches and exposure he had never dreamed of, he chafed against the strictures of a fickle corporate culture and what he saw as a narrow vision of what makes great wrestlers—and great story lines. When suddenly stricken with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis that makes it impossible to smile, he started down his greatest fear—being cast out of the announcing booth for good.

Picking up where Slobberknocker left off and ending on the cusp of a new career in a reimagined industry, Under the Black Hat is the triumphant tale of a country boy who made it to the top, took a few knocks, and stuck around—just where his fans like him. Not only being one of the greatest wrestlers of the WWE, Ross is also “a master storyteller, and this book is the perfect forum for his forty years’ worth of tales” (Chris Jericho, former WWE champion). Combat Sports & Self-Defense Entertainment & Celebrities Sports Wrestling Celebrity Combat Sports Professional Wrestling
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Mr Ross narrates a love letter to his late wife.

For those that listen and have listened to his broadcasts and podcasts, this is familiar content and in some cases ground well trodden.

However, his portrayal of Vince McMahon backstage and his view of the inner workings of his former boss and the organisation were revealing to day the least.

When he quoted McMahon as saying, "We're the same," he maybe didn't realise the accuracy. Both men constantly trying to prove themselves to their doubters and detractors, both seeking the approval of their late fathers but more importantly both trying to outrun shadows from their past.

You become emotionally tied to Mr Ross and you feel with each word the all consuming love for his wife. It was a privilege to be allowed in.

A Reason to Get Up and Never Give Up

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I never leave reviews but I always read the reviews before purchasing books.

This was truly amazing, I always wondered about the other side of the wrestling world, and following JR's story and life was brilliant. He goes through so many positives and negatives yet he always seeks to improve himself. I loved every chapter of this book and have since bought his other book. I didn't realise what had happened to his wife, he was very open about it and it was truely heartbreaking.

JR is simply a legend. I have a newfound respect for him and I will never take the criticisms of people the same again who complain about him.

100% worth the read. I hope he does similar with AEW.

Truely Amazing and Inspiring

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This book was so informative, interesting and at time, absolutely heart wrenching. The backstage stories are fun to listen to and the story of Jan’s passing is absolutely heartbreaking. Thank you Jim for this book, kept me entertained on quite a few drives and nights where I couldn’t sleep

Amazing listen!

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What a ride good ol JR’s life has been. The highs and lows all coming out in this book. I was glued for the whole book. We all know the impact he had on our childhoods, would definitely recommend !!

What a ride for JR and all of us growing up

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I really Never leave reviews ever. But JR kills it on this. But Excellent book

A First

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