12 Things We Learned From Jim Ross: Under The Black Hat
We take a closer look at what is undeniably one of the greatest wrestling books of all time.
Few people in the history of the professional wrestling business have as unique a viewpoint as the legendary Jim Ross.
In a career that began in 1974, that has taken in all of the biggest companies of the day, that has involved some of the very best in-ring and executive talent in the history of the business, and that continues on to this very day, J.R. has been there and seen it all.
Not only does Jim have a unique vantage point across the history of the business, but he's a master storyteller, too. And so, upon him sitting down to pen the first part of his tale with 2017's Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling, fans were chomping at the bit to read about the life and times of this iconic figure.
Fast forward to the here and now, and J.R.'s follow-up book, Under the Black Hat: My Life in the WWE and Beyond, has now arrived.
If Slobberknocker was fantastic, Under the Black Hat is up there as one of the truly all-time best 'wrestling books' that we've seen.
Brimming with emotion, truths, humour, and poignancy, here are just 12 takeaways from what really is a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in the world of professional wrestling.
12. He Was The Shoulder To Lean On After The Loss Of Owen Hart
The loss of Owen Hart at 1999's Over the Edge PPV is one of the saddest, most tragic days in the history of professional wrestling.
While Jim Ross was handed the thankless, heartbreaking responsibility of having to break the news of Owen's death to the millions of people watching at home - including Owen's family - many wrestling fans won't be aware of Jim's role behind the scenes on that tragic night.
As J.R. explains in Under the Hat, he effectively had to serve as a counsellor to the WWE locker room once his announcing duties concluded. Some were crying, some were angry, some were in disbelief - but Jim Ross was there for them all, as he provided a shoulder to cry on and a presence to vent at.
Rather than allowing his own emotions to overcome him on that tragic night, Jim first and foremost put others before himself.
Under the Black Hat reads, "After the show ended, I sat on my own for a couple of minutes. Backstage veered from quiet confusion to anger, from sadness to tears. I cried for my friend. I cried for his family. And then I felt like I had to wipe my eyes and offer counsel to anyone who needed it. Just an ear, someone to listen.
This was a tough, tough night for the family, friends, and fans of Owen Hart, and Jim Ross was a rock that so many others turned to in their moments of shock and grief.