Literary Squared Circle #34 – SLOBBERKNOCKER
This past Monday (January 3rd), Jim Ross celebrated his 70th Birthday. To celebrate the occasion, this week the Literary Squared Circle takes a look back at his 2017 memoir Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling by Jim Ross with Paul O’Brien (Sports Publishing, 2017). Slobberknocker was J.R.’s first memoir, but his third book overall. He previously authored two cookbooks (see LSC #4 for my review of JR’s Cookbook) while working for World Wrestling Entertainment. In 2020, Ross wrote a second memoir Under the Black Hat: My Life in the WWE and Beyond. All of Ross’s books have been excellent, however, Slobberknocker is my favorite of the bunch.
Slobberknocker covers the years 1952 to 1999 in the life of Jim Ross. It begins with his birth and ends with Ross returning to the announce table at WrestleMania XV after a bout with Bell’s palsy. The book is divided into six sections: Before Wrestling (1952-1974), Mid-South (1974-1985), UWF (1986-1987), Crockett (1987-1988), WCW (1988-1993), and WWF (1993-1999). J.R.’s journey mirrors the evolution of the wrestling business itself, beginning with the territorial days up to the Monday Night Wars of the mid to late 1990s.
As is evident by his years at the announce table bringing the matches to life, Ross is a gifted storyteller. When reading Slobberknocker (or any or Ross’s books for that matter) the reader will hear Ross’s voice in their heads narrating his story. However, there is more to Ross than just his commentating. He began his life in wrestling as a referee. From there, he became not just an announcer, but one of, if not the greatest announcers of all-time.
In addition to his on screen role, Ross has worked behind-the-scenes in the front offices of both WCW and the WWF. He has served on the booking committee and worked in the talent relations department. Jim Ross addresses every aspect of his career in Slobberknocker, as well as his personal life. He discusses his childhood, his family life, and his health issues. Nothing is off limits. Along the way, Ross entertains readers with a number of road stories.
For me, the most compelling part of Slobberknocker is Ross describing some of the most historic moments in pro wrestling history, moments which he literally had a ringside seat for. Ross describes his experiences calling the action at Starrcades andWrestleManias. The Flair vs. Steamboat trilogy. The Montreal Screwjob. Mankind being thrown off of the Hell in a Cell. All of these moments are described from Ross’s unique perspective.
You can’t go wrong reading a book written by Jim Ross, however, Slobberknocker is my personal favorite. Not only is my favorite Jim Ross book, but it is among my favorite professional wrestling books overall. Once you finish reading it, you will be compelled to go out and get the follow-up memoir Under the Black Hat, which picks up right where Slobberknocker leaves off taking readers right up to Ross’s current position in AEW.
Whether you are a longtime wrestling fan, or some just getting into wrestling, there are few who know the business better than Jim Ross. If you want to read a fantastic wrestling book, check out Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling. You won’t regret it.
5 Stars out of 5
Slobberknocker covers the years 1952 to 1999 in the life of Jim Ross. It begins with his birth and ends with Ross returning to the announce table at WrestleMania XV after a bout with Bell’s palsy. The book is divided into six sections: Before Wrestling (1952-1974), Mid-South (1974-1985), UWF (1986-1987), Crockett (1987-1988), WCW (1988-1993), and WWF (1993-1999). J.R.’s journey mirrors the evolution of the wrestling business itself, beginning with the territorial days up to the Monday Night Wars of the mid to late 1990s.
As is evident by his years at the announce table bringing the matches to life, Ross is a gifted storyteller. When reading Slobberknocker (or any or Ross’s books for that matter) the reader will hear Ross’s voice in their heads narrating his story. However, there is more to Ross than just his commentating. He began his life in wrestling as a referee. From there, he became not just an announcer, but one of, if not the greatest announcers of all-time.
In addition to his on screen role, Ross has worked behind-the-scenes in the front offices of both WCW and the WWF. He has served on the booking committee and worked in the talent relations department. Jim Ross addresses every aspect of his career in Slobberknocker, as well as his personal life. He discusses his childhood, his family life, and his health issues. Nothing is off limits. Along the way, Ross entertains readers with a number of road stories.
For me, the most compelling part of Slobberknocker is Ross describing some of the most historic moments in pro wrestling history, moments which he literally had a ringside seat for. Ross describes his experiences calling the action at Starrcades andWrestleManias. The Flair vs. Steamboat trilogy. The Montreal Screwjob. Mankind being thrown off of the Hell in a Cell. All of these moments are described from Ross’s unique perspective.
You can’t go wrong reading a book written by Jim Ross, however, Slobberknocker is my personal favorite. Not only is my favorite Jim Ross book, but it is among my favorite professional wrestling books overall. Once you finish reading it, you will be compelled to go out and get the follow-up memoir Under the Black Hat, which picks up right where Slobberknocker leaves off taking readers right up to Ross’s current position in AEW.
Whether you are a longtime wrestling fan, or some just getting into wrestling, there are few who know the business better than Jim Ross. If you want to read a fantastic wrestling book, check out Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling. You won’t regret it.
5 Stars out of 5
No comments have been added yet.
