During a recent edition of his “Grilling JR” podcast, Jim Ross commented on his plans for AEW Double or Nothing 2026, whether he ever desired to wrestler, Aleister Black’s time in AEW, and more.
You possibly can try some highlights from the podcast below:
On his AEW Double or Nothing 2026 status: “I’m gonna be there. Gonna do some work. Don’t know exactly what yet, but whatever Tony Khan says, I’ll run the play. He’s so good to me in that respect. I don’t think he knows, as we speak, that I’m going to be available in Queens. We don’t speak about it. He’s got more on his plate than to fret about JR’s health,” Ross said on Grilling JR.
On if he ever desired to be a wrestler: “S***, no. Are you serious? I don’t even wish to see myself in a swimsuit, much less in tights on television. That’s comedy. I sometimes think in our business, overall, we’ve done an excessive amount of comedy at times. It’s like one company attempting to out comedy the opposite. I’m not an enormous fan of comedy wrestling, obviously. Things that occur within the ring which are organically funny, I really like. I don’t mind laughing, but when that’s our focus and goal, I’ll go watch reruns of SVU.”
On Aleister Black’s time in AEW: “If I were counseling him, I’d say take some day without work. Step away for a number of months. I’d encourage my wife to get back within the ring. She’d be a great hire for AEW. Aleister Black is considered one of my favorite competitors. He’s compelling. Possibly it’s his look or the incontrovertible fact that he uses kicks lots and is proficient at it. I like Aleister Black. I believe he could do himself a favor by simply stepping away for some time. He’s got a 90-day no-compete anyway. How are you going to improve in 90 days? That’s my query to you. What are you able to do to make your game higher? I believe the guy has a great upside and is a important event level talent. He’s a keeper. He seems to run afoul of the establishment every so often. I don’t know why that’s. I don’t work with him in that regard. Whatever it’s, my advice to him could be ‘recover from it.’ Don’t be so critical of things. Just be critical of your personal work and make it higher.”
“I don’t think he wanted [his AEW run] to work. I don’t think he was joyful there. I believe he checked out it as a step down. Prefer it was the minor leagues or some s***. That’s a WWE mentality rubbing off on you. That’ll occur. I like his game lots, and his wife is a hell of a hand. Two keepers. Embrace the incontrovertible fact that he’s wanted, but you may have to recover at what you do and have the precise attitude. He has to have a algorithm he can live with that he can base his work on. He’s had several probabilities. He’s not a young kid. It could be time to make psychological features to his presentation. If I used to be booking, and he was being a great citizen and top pro, he’s a important event guy. It’s as much as him. He has to have the precise attitude. He must be willing to vary a number of things. Things haven’t worked long-term anywhere he’s been.”
“No, I don’t [think Black has burned a bridge in AEW]. I believe that his likelihood is running out. Trust is an enormous thing. Reliability. Are you reliable? I’m sure there are a small faction of some that imagine he’s missing something. I don’t disagree with that. He’s not missing his attire, his look, his work ethic. Whatever his downfalls are, they appear to be stimulated for outdoor of bell-to-bell. I just like the guy. I’d hire him in a heartbeat.”
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