Jim Ross has directly addressed speculation about a potential WWE return, confirming on his podcast that no discussions have taken place. “I haven’t talked to them. No plans to go back,” Ross stated, clarifying the decision is based on his contentment with his current schedule at AEW, not any animosity.
“I saw somewhere online, somebody sent me something where I was negotiating with WWE to go back. I hadn’t heard that one. I haven’t talked to them. No plans to go back. I’m not saying that out of animosity or anger. It’s just not the right time for me to get more involved in the business. If they come to me with an idea that we haven’t discussed, I might reconsider, but I like being where I am. I like the schedule I have, the freedoms I have. I enjoy working with these young talents. I’ve developed a good relationship with a lot of those kids at AEW. I’m happy where I am, I really am. Not a lot of stress and pressure. I signed a new contract for a year. Got that done before I left. One year, next summer. Next August, I think it is. I have few dates. I like that. I have a deal that is very desirable.” h/t Fightful.
Ross’s comments come shortly after he announced a new one-year contract extension with All Elite Wrestling. The deal, finalized during the company’s recent events in London, secures his position with the promotion until the summer of 2026.
On his “Grilling JR” podcast, the Hall of Famer explained his new schedule will primarily involve commentary for all pay-per-view events, supplemented by other television appearances. He noted that extensive discussions with AEW President Tony Khan about his future left him feeling he is still “figured in very strongly” within the company’s plans.
This confirmation puts a definitive end to a period of speculation that grew as his previous AEW contract neared its late August 2025 expiration. While some reports suggested a final run in WWE was a possibility, a report from Fightful Select on August 27 indicated the internal belief within AEW was that Ross would remain with the promotion.
The discussion around his future followed a challenging period for the 73-year-old commentator, who has successfully battled cancer on multiple occasions. After undergoing surgery for a cancer diagnosis on his right hip in February 2024 and another successful surgery for colon cancer in May 2025, Ross announced he was cancer-free this past June.