Jim Ross fought like hell to make it back for AEW All In, but his doctors just slammed the door on his Wembley Stadium return.
The WWE Hall of Famer was ready to fly to London and call the biggest matches on AEW’s calendar, only to be warned that one bad fall could force an emergency landing—or leave him stuck in a London hospital. During Grilling JR, Ross admitted that calling All In had become his next major goal following brain surgery. He had Wembley circled before he even left medical care and fully believed he could fight his way back in time.
“I really wanted to go to London this week. I really did, man. You’ve got to have goals and you’ve got to have destinations, and that was my next one.”
Ross wasn’t looking at All In as some quick cameo either. He wanted his headset back and was ready to call a card packed with matches he believes could deliver something special.
“I thought, man, if I can get to do Wembley Stadium, because the show’s going to be amazing. I know the term ‘dream match’ is used a lot in wrestling, but literally, there are some dream matches, in my view, that are going to be on this Sunday’s show on pay-per-view.”
“I’m not going to just hype the hell out of everything, but if you’re a fan and love wrestling, this Sunday’s show is one that you might want to check out because there are some matches on there that I thought, as a broadcaster, ‘I can’t wait to call.’”
His doctors wanted no part of that plan. Ross is still recovering from surgery to install a shunt that drains excess fluid from his brain into his stomach, and he continues to deal with headaches, memory trouble and equilibrium problems. He also recently suffered another fall at home and crashed hard enough into a bench to break it. With all of that on the table, Ross said his brain surgeon and another doctor gave him a blunt warning about getting anywhere near an airplane.
“Both my brain surgeon and another doctor said, ‘You need to keep your ass off the airplane because if you fall or get hurt, they’ve got to make an emergency landing, or you fall in London and you’ve got to go to a London hospital. It’s not worth the risk.’”
That warning ended the comeback attempt. Ross accepted the call, but there was no hiding how badly it stung. The decision is a crushing reversal from the update Ross gave fans on August 18. At that point, he was still going through rehab and physical therapy while openly targeting All In as his return date.
“I understand it. I’m disappointed—very disappointed—and I’ll be watching for sure. But that’s the way it goes sometimes. I’m 74 years old, I think, but I am feeling better. I’ve just got to get back to myself—thinking about things, remembering things.”
“Full day of rehab and physical therapy as I’m one step closer to going home. Appreciate all your well wishes. Goal is to work Wembley Stadium at the end of August.”
Ross underwent brain surgery earlier this month after doctors discovered excess fluid on his brain. The operation was successful, but the road back has been rougher than he wanted. His family and friends are now helping him handle medication, treatment and doctor appointments while he works through the setbacks.
“With my daughter helping me out and Steven, the Missing Link, on the case, taking me to all my doctor’s appointments and so forth, I’ve got good care and good friends.”
Ross still has every intention of returning to work. Wembley simply came too soon, and his doctors were not willing to gamble with his life just to get him behind the commentary desk.
“I’m healing, just not as fast as I’d like, but I am healing. We’re moving right along, and I’m anxious to get this stuff behind me and get back to doing some work. I miss calling matches.”
Jim Ross wanted AEW All In to be the finish line for his recovery, but his doctors turned it into another show he’ll have to watch from home. JR may be furious about missing Wembley, but this comeback can wait until one flight no longer carries the risk of becoming a medical emergency.
What do you think about Jim Ross being forced to miss AEW All In, and when would you like to hear him back at the commentary desk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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