Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling

Slobberknocker is WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross's memoir chronicling his rise from a small-town Oklahoma farm to becoming professional wrestling's most recognizable voice. The narrative follows Ross's early career working for various wrestling territories in the 1970s and 80s, through his time with major organizations like WCW and WWE. Ross details his experiences both in front of and behind the camera, including his roles as an announcer, talent relations executive, and backstage producer. The book covers his relationships with wrestling legends and executives, offering an insider perspective on the professional wrestling business during its most transformative decades. The autobiography takes readers through Ross's personal challenges and professional setbacks, continuing up to a pivotal moment in his WWE career. His wife Jan provides additional commentary throughout the book, adding context to key moments in the narrative. This memoir serves as both a historical record of professional wrestling's evolution and a testament to perseverance in the face of industry and personal obstacles. The story demonstrates how dedication to craft and authenticity can resonate in an entertainment field often criticized for its artifice.

Readers appreciate Ross's candid storytelling about his career in wrestling, particularly his accounts of working with WWE and his relationship with Vince McMahon. Many note the book focuses heavily on his early career and WCW days rather than his more famous WWE period. Likes: - Detailed stories about regional wrestling territories - Behind-the-scenes insights into the business - Coverage of his Bell's palsy struggles - Personal anecdotes about wrestling personalities Dislikes: - Abrupt ending at 1999, leaving out 15+ years of WWE career - Limited coverage of famous Attitude Era moments - Some repetition in storytelling Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (450+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "Great for learning about JR's journey through regional wrestling, but feels incomplete by ending before his most memorable WWE years." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mention wanting a follow-up book to cover Ross's later career years.

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🎤 Jim Ross called more than 50,000 wrestling matches during his career, earning him the nickname "The Voice of Wrestling" 🤼 The book's title "Slobberknocker" comes from Ross's signature phrase describing intense matches, which he first heard from his grandmother in Oklahoma 🏥 The memoir was completed while Ross was recovering from Bell's palsy attacks that temporarily paralyzed half his face - a condition that nearly ended his broadcasting career 👑 Ross was instrumental in signing and developing some of WWE's biggest stars, including The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena during his time as Head of Talent Relations 📝 Co-author Paul O'Brien conducted over 85 hours of interviews with Jim Ross to capture the authentic voice and stories that appear in the book