Further Information Regarding Jim Ross’ Involvement with Global Force Wrestling

PWInsider.com has provided further information regarding Jim Ross’ involvement with Global Force Wrestling. As previously reported, it was announced on Nov. 11 that Ross will be providing color commentary for GFW’s “Wrestle Kingdom 9” PPV event on Jan. 4, live from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.

Ross hasn’t called a wrestling match since Jan. 14, 2013, when he appeared on the 20 anniversary edition of “Monday Night Raw.” However, Good Ol’ JR has called boxing and MMA bouts since being forced out of WWE in the Summer of 2013.

Following the now infamous “WWE 2K14” SummerSlam Panel, in which two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair participated in while under the influence, Ross was asked to retire by head WWE officials. He announced his retirement from the company he had worked at for 20 years, and began focusing on his podcast, “The Ross Report.”

Ross also became a contributor to FoxSports.com, on top of continuing to produce different “JR’s BBQ” sauces and spices. PWInsider claims that Ross negotiated his contract with GFW to call “Wrestle Kingdom 9” live from Tokyo. Ross, who has always been down on color commentary done in post-production and not live, reportedly would have passed on the opportunity had the company not agreed to fly him out live and comp his stay.

GFW officials have not decided on who will sit alongside of Ross at the announce table, but there are a number of names being considered. Ross teased doing something like commentary with former WWE Champion CM Punk at one time, and we’ve been told Punk is one of the names that’s been discussed in talks among GFW employees, although his inclusion in the event is highly unlikely.

Editor’s Note:
Would be really cool to see Ross and Punk doing commentary for “Wrestle Kingdom 9.”