Review of “Under the Black Hat”

 While I have not watched professional wrestling shows for many years now, I do recall hearing the legendary ring announcer Jim Ross and his unique style he brought to each episode of the Monday night show he would be working. That made me want to read his memoir and it was just as good as his work with the microphone. Here is my review of “Under The Black Hat.” 

RATING: 5 of 5 stars (excellent)

REVIEW: Jim Ross is in the WWE Hall of Fame due to his knowledge of the wrestling business, his adoration by the fans, his announcing of some of the most famous matches with his Oklahoma drawl and his love-hate relationship with Vince McMahon. Given all this, his memoir would have to be about many of his adventures in the business of professional wrestling. 

It certainly is that, but in the end, this book is truly a love letter to his late wife Jan. Repeatedly crediting her for helping him make through yet another humiliation by McMahon, whether in the office or on the air, Jan was his rock. Ross was fired by McMahon more times than Billy Martin was fired by George Steinbrenner and yet “J.R.” kept coming back. Just one of the many reasons he was adored by fans and wrestlers alike. The best story in the book about his interaction with wrestlers was one in which Ross had one of his lower moments.

In what was billed as the last match for both Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker at Wrestlemania XXVI, the both pushed hard for Ross, not calling matches on the air at this time, to call this one. They seemed to succeed as J.R. and Jan headed off to join them. At the last minute, WWE decided to ‘go in another direction’ (a phrase used often in the book by Ross to explain McMahon’s decisions) and Ross would not call,it. Micheals and the Undertaker still went on with the show but were very angry. Afterward, they invited Ross to their trailer ant the three of them just shared their emotions and stories over adult beverages. Reading this account made it clear that no matter what WWE threw at Ross, he loved the business, loved the shows but mostly loved the people behind it.

This is just one of the many stories that Ross shares to make this book such an enjoyable read. Throw in he clearly shown love for his wife and you have a memoir that is truly a reflection of the feelings of the author. Wrestling fans who fondly remember the voice of J.R. will want to add this to their library.