Under the Black Hat: My Life in the WWE and Beyond

Written by Jim Ross and Paul O'Brien

Narrated by Jim Ross

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).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Mar 31, 2020
• ISBN: 9781797109428

Jim Ross

Jim Ross is managing editor of the Ocala Star-Banner and an adjunct instructor in the Department of Journalism at the University of Florida.

[Daniel Gonçalves · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A womderful narration of some of the major events in wwe history with heartwarming color by the greatest of all time. A must for every wrestling fan.

[Riley · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic book - great insight to the wrestling business and JR as always great at describing the and telling a great story! Thanks JR

[misterwoe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book by JR. I immediately dove into this one after finishing Slobberknocker. Well worth the time for anyone interested in professional wrestling.

[Alex Houchens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A brilliant sequel to Slobberknocker. While Slobberknocker covers JR’s birth, through Mid-South Wrestling, WCW, all the way to WWF, Slobberknocker covers his time in WWE. Which can make it a sad read at times cause any wrestling fan knows how badly JR was treated in the WWE era. Don’t worry, the story does leave off on a happy ending with Jim Ross eventually going to work for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Now if you’re expecting some good AEW stories, you will be disappointed as AEW only really makes up the last chapter. With that said, this is definitely worth a read for any wrestling fan.

[mike french · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Definitely recommend if your a big fan of professional wrestling.

[Ricky Cromwell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very charismatic comical listen , great to get a insight on ole J.R

[noiseonport · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It’s still real to me. An inspiring story from one of the best storytellers of all time. Digs deep in the feels and worth every cent of attention one can muster. Thanks JR.

[Rocky Kerekes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Trip down memory lane with the best to ever do it. Loved it.

[Modern-Day Debate · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't stop listening to this audiobook. JR is so authentic, relatable and loveable. Truly the greatest voice of wrestling, of all time.

[brian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very good book even if not wrestling fan. Good life story