Q&A: Jim Ross On His New Book, Paul Heyman’s Friendship and Working With Vince McMahon

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross releases his new book, Slobberknocker: My Life in Wrestling, next Oct. 3. The book covers Ross’ career in wrestling, as well as reveals some private moments behind the curtain with Vince McMahon in WWE, Paul Heyman in WCW, and ends with his return home to WWE at WrestleMania XV in 1999. Ross connected with Sports Illustrated to discuss his new book, particularly the sections on Vince McMahon and Paul Heyman, as well as touched on whether he was in the running to replace JBL on SmackDown.

SI.com: The beginning of the book includes a foreword from WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. Although you have known him for decades, is it difficult to ask McMahon for a favor?

JR: Vince was very accommodating, and I appreciated it. I never looked at that as an issue. I wanted him to write the foreword, and I never had any trepidation that he wouldn’t.

There is a letter in the book from Vince that he wrote to me when I was sick with Bell’s Palsy for a second time. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was battling depression. I didn’t want to come out of the house. Vince told me how badly he wanted me to come back to work, and he wrote, “Get the f— back up!” That might seem abrasive to some, but I knew he was being real and coming straight from the heart. Vince’s letter was a handwritten one that he had somebody from the office deliver to my door, and he let me know exactly how much I meant to him.

Vince was so great at the “Mr. McMahon” character that some people think he wouldn’t want to help people in real life, and that’s just not true.

SI.com: The book weaves together your personal and professional careers in a compelling fashion. One of the stories you shared was about an airplane ride with the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, who unsuccessfully flirted with the stewardess on the flight. Ric said to you, “Do you really think she’ll go for you after she wouldn’t go for me?” That woman turned out to be Jan, your future wife, who you just lost in a terrible accident this past spring. Was it difficult to look back and share these personal memories?

When Ric and I were sitting together on that flight, there were four first class seats on that small airplane. Jan worked first class, and she was very engaging and outgoing. She had Flair and I laughing. When I read the audio version of my book, I felt like I was back in that seat. I felt all those emotions; I remember what I drank, the conversation, and Ric being Ric. He wasn’t being unruly, he was being fun. My relationship with Jan started off with fun and laughter, and Ric was a part of that.

Continue reading here: https://www.si.com/wrestling/2017/09/25/jim-ross-book-slobberknocker-WWE-wrestling