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  • Under the Black Hat

  • My Life in the WWE and Beyond
  • Written by: Jim Ross, Paul O'Brien
  • Narrated by: Jim Ross
  • Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (158 ratings)

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Under the Black Hat

Written by: Jim Ross,Paul O'Brien
Narrated by: Jim Ross
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Publisher's Summary

From legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross, this candid, colorful memoir about the inner workings of the WWE and the personal crises he weathered at the height of his career is “a must-read for wrestling fans” (Charleston Post Courier).

If you've caught a televised wrestling match anytime in the past 30 years, you've probably heard Jim Ross' throaty Oklahoma twang. The beloved longtime announcer of the WWE “has been a driving force behind a generation of wrestling fans” (Mark Cuban), and he's not slowing down, having signed on as the announcer of the starry new wrestling venture All Elite Wrestling. In this follow-up to his best-selling memoir Slobberknocker, he dishes out about not only his long career, which includes nurturing global stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena, but also about his challenges of aging and disability, his split from collaborator Vince McMahon, and the sudden death of his beloved wife, Jan. The result is a gruff, endearing, and remarkably human-scale portrait, set against the larger-than-life backdrop of professional wrestling.

Ross' ascent in WWE mirrors the rise of professional wrestling itself from a DIY sideshow to a billion-dollar business. Under the Black Hat traces all the highs and lows of that wild ride, in which Jim served not only as on-air commentator, but talent manager, payroll master, and even occasional in-ring foil to threats like Paul "Triple H" Levesque and Undertaker. While his role brought him riches and exposure he had never dreamed of, he chafed against the strictures of a fickle corporate culture and what he saw as a narrow vision of what makes great wrestlers - and great story lines. When suddenly stricken with Bell's palsy, a form of facial paralysis that makes it impossible to smile, he stared down his greatest fear - being cast out of the announcing booth for good.

Picking up where Slobberknocker left off and ending on the cusp of a new career in a reimagined industry, Under the Black Hat is the triumphant tale of a country boy who made it to the top, took a few knocks, and stuck around - just where his fans like him.

Not only being one of the greatest wrestlers of the WWE, Ross is also “a master storyteller, and this book is the perfect forum for his forty years’ worth of tales” (Chris Jericho, former WWE champion). 

©2020 Jim Ross (P)2020 Simon & Schuster

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What listeners say about Under the Black Hat

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Stopped at chapter 30

Was going great until at the end of chapter 30 it stopped playing. Listening to JR was great.

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Story Teller Extraordinaire

This book is great. JR and his partner in writing do a very good job telling stories from his life. I learned many things from this book and thoroughly enjoyed it!

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Fantasic!

Good Ol' J.R. knows how to tell a story. Love hearing his voice again on AEW.

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amazing

jr is amazing at telling a story must listen for those who love professional wrestling and the backstage tales we had about.

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Engaging, Entertaining and Heartbreaking

it was engaging, entertaining and heartbreaking I couldn't stop listening to it! JR was fantastic and the narration was top notch.

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A sloberknocker of a book!!

I loved this book it picks up right where his first book left off. A must listen for any wrestling fan, and the end had me crying like a baby but i loved every minute of it. Thanks for the stories JR!!

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My childhood announcer

I love this story and heartbroken at the end. My favourite part of driving to work and back. Thank you JR.

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Another great book

What a great book, read to us by good old Jim Ross. if you haven't heard of this legendary man where have you been?

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Fantastic!

Well narrated, fantastic set of stories of JRs time from 2000 to today. Highly recommend if you're a wrestling fan.

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best audiobook ive ever listened to

If you love the years of the attitude era you will like this behind the scenes look at good ol JRs time in the wwe

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2020-12-01

An emotional rollercoaster

I love me some JR. I must listen to any wrestling fan. Glad I purchased this audio book. A huge plus that this book was narrated by the legend himself.

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  • Harper Micko
  • 2020-11-05

Love JR, personal accounts.

it's a solid wrestling personality biography. JR pulls back the curtain without revealing too much and burying anyone. I really felt for JR when he explains the torment he was subject to in WWE.

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  • Lewis Crew 7
  • 2020-04-01

JR Delivers Again!

Good Ole JR gives insight into a legendary career! Never a dull moment. Was very excited that JIm Ross was the voice for this Audio book. I did not want the book to end!!
Thank you for sharing. We love you!!!

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  • Tonyamy123
  • 2020-12-29

A must read for any pro wrestling fan

I really enjoyed this one. Probably the best wrestling book I’ve read in years. A must read for any hardcore or casual wrestling fan.

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  • Danny H.
  • 2020-12-15

The best wrestling book ever

this book is amazing it will make you laugh make you angry and even make you cry JR is in my opinion the best there ever has been and this book cemented that for me

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  • Brian depalmo
  • 2020-11-28

Great

I loved this audio book. It was my first one and I hope any I listen to in the future are as good as this one .

1 person found this helpful

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  • Jarrett D Qualls
  • 2020-11-18

Great story, Greater Man

This is an amazing book and a great follow up to his first book. There is no one better to tell stories about the wrestling business than the voice of wrestling himself, Good Ol' JR! Thank you JR, I cant wait for the next one! Boomer Sooner!

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  • Sebastion C. Lury
  • 2023-04-08

five stars

This book is touching and heartfelt while also a peek inside the life of a wrestling and broadcast legend.

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  • Sparky955
  • 2023-02-25

God Bless You, JR

Mr Ross’s story was funny and heartbreaking and honest. I found the tone of his voice soothing & his enunciation clear. I’ve enjoyed his on-air work for decades and hope for all the best for him, now and in the future.

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  • Jenny Fitch
  • 2023-01-26

Fantastic love you good old jr

I want to eventually meet some that loves me as much as Jr and jane loves each other