10 Wrestling Matches You Wish Jim Ross Called
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi Vs. Minoru Suzuki - October 8, 2012
In 2014, Jim Ross got back into wrestling when it was announced that he'd be calling the English-language PPV broadcast of Wrestling Kingdom 9. That show featured classic matches pitting Hiroshi Tanahashi against Kazuchika Okada and Shinsuke Nakamura against Kota Ibushi, giving Ross a whole new palate with which to paint.
In early 2016, it was announced that Ross was taking over as the host of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS, meaning that he'd be lending his voice to some of the best wrestling in the world on a regular basis once again. Many fans have since praised his work, and the U.S. airing of the Tanahashi-Okada Wrestle Kingdom 10 main event can't come soon enough.
Unfortunately, J.R. came to New Japan a few years too late, missing one of the most-praised bouts of the 20th century. At King of Pro Wrestling 2012, IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tanahashi defended the title against Minoru Suzuki, a former MMA fighter sometimes known as "The Man with the Worst Personality in the World".
The bout was an undeniable classic, and was lauded by Dave Meltzer as being better than Flair versus Steamboat. While the Japanese commentary was great, if New japan ever decides to dub old matches in English, let's hope they call J.R. for this gem.