Jim Ross, 74, Has Third Brain Shunt Surgery as Fans Send Well Wishes

Jim Ross, the 74 year old wrestling commentator and WWE Hall of Famer, went into surgery again on Tuesday morning, November 10, for another procedure on the shunt in his brain. His Grilling JR co-host Conrad Thompson announced the surgery in a post on X on Tuesday morning and asked fans to send Ross messages he could read in recovery.

"Good ole JR is having shunt surgery this morning," Thompson wrote. "Let's all pray for his speedy recovery! Jim deserves a break."

No outcome from Tuesday's procedure had been announced by Tuesday afternoon. Thompson's post did not say what the surgery involves, and neither Ross nor AEW had published a medical update by the time the first reports appeared.

A third procedure since August

Ross had a shunt fitted on August 12, 2026. The device drains excess fluid from the brain to another part of the body and helps relieve pressure. Ross said the shunt improved his balance and his ability to walk, two problems that had built up before the first operation.

Severe headaches followed. A CT scan showed bleeding, and his surgeon turned the shunt off, Ross said on Grilling JR. He had a second brain procedure in October to address the issue with the shunt, and Thompson said at the time that it went well.

Days after that second procedure, Ross was back in hospital with low oxygen. Thompson later told listeners Ross had been treated for a chest infection and sent home, and that doctors had not yet reconnected the shunt. Ross has also said doctors were testing a spot on his kidney.

On November 5, Thompson said the shunt would be repaired within two weeks and told fans Ross would be better soon. Tuesday's surgery came five days after that update.

The voice fans want back at the desk

Ross was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007 after decades as a commentator and a spell as a WWE executive in talent relations, where he shaped the roster in the years when the company drew some of its largest audiences.

He now works with AEW, calling matches at pay per view events. He last called an AEW show at Double or Nothing in May 2026, where he handled the Continental Championship match between Jon Moxley and Kyle O'Reilly, according to SEScoops.

F4WOnline reported that Ross's goal through this run of treatment has been to get back to the AEW commentary desk once he is recovered, and that he has praised AEW president Tony Khan for how he has been treated during his health problems.

For now the only confirmed fact is the surgery itself. Any word on how it went, and on when Ross might work again, has to wait for an announcement from Ross, Thompson or AEW. This article will be updated in place when that announcement comes.