When talking about the best announcers of all-time, the conversation begins and ends with Jim Ross. Only JR could fill the spot vacated by Gorilla Monsoon. His energetic style, informative play-by-play, over-the-top reactions, and trademark black cowboy hat all factored in to make JR not just an announcer, but a WWE character himself. Throughout his tenure with WWE, he was involved in more than just announcing. He mentored and coached upcoming announcers, such as Michael Cole, and for a while he even took on the task of finding and developing in-ring talent. JR actually started his career as a referee in NWA before it was WCW. Later in the company he would team up with Tony Schiavone as a color commentator. Just let that sink in for a moment. The guy made his WWE debut at Wrestlemania 9, and worked alongside Bobby Heenan. Again, that was his debut. Yeah, there were some bumps in the road, namely when Vince fired him in 94 after his first attack of Bells palsy (a disease many of us didnt know existed before JR), but he was back in the company later that year. JR worked through other attacks of Bells palsy, sometimes as the lead commentator, sometimes behind the scenes coaching a young Michael Cole. JR's visceral reactions to matches are priceless. He was never one to hold back. He knew the right time to let emotion out, and he did so in perfect synchronicity to our own reactions, making it something of a perfect balance. In September of 2013, JR announced his retirement, but many suspect the WWE simply would not offer him a contract extension following the aftermath of the WWE 2K14 panel prior to SummerSlam. But it doesnt matter. The WWE forgives, and I believe well see JR back as a guest commentator one of these days.
