Share This Article
- Slobberknocker is a book that tells the life of Jim Ross – the fabled and much-loved wrestling commentator
- The book details Ross’ (often) turbulent but highly successful career in wrestling
- It’s an enjoyable, non-taxing reading coming in at 352 pages
In Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling Jim Ross charts his slow rise to the apex of power in professional wrestling.
The one theme that really comes across is just how tough the wrestling business is. And the marks it leaves on people. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t have a good time while in the industry – as shown by Jim Ross’s Slobberknocker autopbiography.
Ross, from rural Oklahoma, caught the wrestling “bug” early and never let go.
The book details his rise through the wrestling ranks – the NWA, WCW, and most notably the WWF/WWE.
Slobberknocker is an enjoyable read but tinged with sadness throughout – the loss of his parents, the impact wrestling had on two failed marriages and also strained relationships with his daughters.
Slobberknocker
- Released in 2017, Slobberknocker tells the story of “The Voice Of Wrestling” James William Ross – otherwise known as Jim “JR” Ross
- The book is written by Irish author Paul O’Brien, author of the Blood Red Turns Dollar Green novels—a crime trilogy set in wrestling’s territory days
- JR’s life has ranged from being the voice of the WWF during its red-hot Attitude era to launching his own BBQ range of sauces
The thing that comes across most vividly throughout Slobberknocker is how far professional wrestling, or as WWE’s Vince McMahon has coined it Sports Entertainment. The life is simply unrelenting on everyone, including commentators.
For Jim Ross, who admits in the book to being an outsider, to break into the wrestling business, he had to pretty much devote his entire life to the sport. In the 1970s and 80s wrestling was very much a closed shop to “outsiders”.
Yet through sheer determination he made it and it really does come across how much devotion was required. As well as how he dealt with such pressures – an avid drinker and smoker (not just of cigarettes either).
The sections of Slobberknocker I found most interesting was Ross’ description of how he learned from peers – commentators, wrestlers and promoters – to perfect his craft. Once he got his chance to commentate he called it “live” like a fan and that simple recipe led to his unparalled success.
There are some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments in Slobberknocker – including a memorable scene with Vince McMahon speeding down a highway. Even how McMahon basically forced Ross to become his now-iconic character of Good ol’ JR and wear a stetson hat. The funny thing is, you can’t imagine JR without it now.
Ross does go into on some of his most memorable commentary moments, like the Hell In The Cell match in 1998. JR really did a “live” reaction to the match between Mankind Mick Foley and The Undertaker, cementing his legacy as The Voice Of Wrestling, especially during the incredible Attitude Era. That era, investigated by the Business Wars podcast is well worth listening to – read the review here.
The Latest Business Of Sport Posts
- Why you should visit the College Football Hall Of Fame In Atlanta
- Home run! What it’s really like at a Boston Red Sox baseball game
- How the American Cornhole League is turning the sport pro
Each chapter is writing in a short, sharp way. Some readers might feel shortchanged by this style and that Ross doesn’t always delve into the details that heavily on some characters. However, given the length of his career such latitude to mention every wrestling character he ran into just wouldn’t be possible.
Rating:
Given that there is now a second book detailing further JR’s life – Under the Black Hat: My Life in the WWE and Beyond – this should factor in your expectations when reading Slobberknocker.
As said, the reader doesn’t get the full scoop from this book. There are some glaring ommissions, but in light of a second book, this is highly understandable.
Ross’ impact, for a whole generation of not just wrestling fans but also anyone who took any interest in sports can’t be denied. The very fact that an obscure, American word like slobberknocker has come into everyday parlance is just evidence of Ross’ impact. That’s testament enough for Ross I would think as it really proves JR did have a way with words.
