Business Is About to Pick Up!

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher BenBella Books for an advance copy by the commentator who made the matches seem bigger, better, broader and with stakes far above what they seemed with just his voice and his passion for the sport.

I started watching wrestling as a child probably about the time of the first Wrestlemania, when a lot of other kids did. I had watched some before but, like most sports it had never really caught me. I liked the promos the wrestlers did they way they put them selves over to the crowd. It was riveting television. I don't really remember who was commenting on the matches, I am sure it was Vince McMahon owner of the WWF at the time. But the commentary did nothing for me. Somehow my illegal cable box received wrestling from other towns and territories, and it was the opposite. And that is where I began to hear Jim Ross, or later when he came north, "Good Ol JR". Ross had an ability to take what seemed like two angry drunks in a bar, and make it not only the sport of kings, but a battle unmatched since the days of myth. There was a passion, an intensity, a need to make one understand yes this might be a wrestling match, but by good this meant more than that. This was Good VS. Evil, right vs. the unjust. Open your eyes and ears and let me tell you their battle song. Jim Ross was, and still is that good. Business Is About to Pick Up!: 50 Years of Wrestling in 50 Unforgettable Calls, written with Paul O'Brien, is a memoir, and a timeline history of Ross, the industry he loved, told in matches called, with background information and the reflection that comes from growing older and seeing things with new eyes.

The book begins with a little bit about Ross, and moves on to how he moved into wrestling, a job that promised him more money than he was making, but a job that had it's own history, and its own idiosyncrasies. Jim began as a driver for a blind promoter, slowly working his way up doing whatever he could. A radio background made him the perfect fill in for a commentator on vacation, and a career, with a few starts, stops, firings, and more began. The book covers 50 matches spread over 50 years, from famous, infamous, not well known, or important for personal reasons. Some of the matches, Mankind's Hell in A Cell, which broke a man in half. Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat three matches that still stun today. Halloween Havoc a mistake that still stuns today, but not for the same reasons. Stone Cold Steve Austin's "last" match. Embarrassing attitude era matches that explain a lot about current Vince McMahon and a few from Ross' current home in AEW. There are background notes, behind the scenes stories, a telling of what it was like to see controlled chaos, and sometimes complete chaos, and reflections about 50 years in the industry, that Ross still loves.

A very good companion piece to Ross' previous books about wrestling, but giving a better feeling to why Ross loves wrestling, and some nice stories about the people he has met along the way. There is no settling of grudges which many wrestling books are full of, though there are mentions about the slings and arrows that WWE put Ross through. I like the inclusions of the match calls themselves, these really show capture these moments in time and put the person back on the sofa and watching these live again if lucky. Ross explains his health issues, which might explain the heaviness of the co-writer writing, there are quite a few sections that don't seem like Ross, but then suddenly when the wrestling starts being discussed, Ross is there. This is my only quibble, as I really enjoyed this book.

Wrestling fans will enjoy this book a lot, the classic matches, behind the scenes stuff, and Jim Ross being Jim Ross. Wrestling historians will learn much, as will those who still dream about getting into the industry. Ross is pretty honest about a lot of things, from enhancement talent, to time away from families, and the health issues. I can't wait to hear more from JR, and look forward to whatever projects he is working on, though I do hope his biggest project is working on taking care of himself. There are not many good people in wrestling, and Jim Ross seems like one of the best.

I have been a fan of WWE since I was a child so I was so excited to learn more about Jim Ross and his career.

We remember those voices from our favorite sport as they describe the action. Football, baseball, and basketball have those iconic voices, and so does professional wrestling. It is hard to remember a moment from professional wrestling without thinking of the G.O.A.T. Jim Ross. Peak behind the curtains of professional wrestling and take a journey as Jim Ross remembers some of his most historic calls. From his early days, to his runs in WWE, and his current time in AEW. If you love professional wrestling, you will love Business is About to Pick Up! by Jim Ross.

Being a wrestling fan and growing up listening to Jim Ross call all of my favorite memorable wrestling matches, this book was a home run!

The book goes back through the entirety of Jim’s career from his early matches in the territory wrestling, into his vast career the WWF/WWE, all the way into his most recent AEW calls. I really enjoyed how he went into details on why he considered the matches described as calls that will always stick with him. Waves of nostalgia hit me as he talked about his huge calls during the 90’s and 2000’s with the WWE. Jim does an awesome job touching on each of the matches and small details he remembered, but not going into too much detail either. This has even inspired me to go back and watch about couple of them again, this time listening closer to his broadcasting, picking up the small details he described in the book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and BenBella books for the this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and fair opinion. This is a must read for current wrestling fans as well as fans in the past that want just a few refreshing hits of nostalgia to remember what it was like when he was at the announcers table. I loved this book and think Jim Ross did an awesome job, which has inspired to go back through some of his other books as well

Anyway, I didn't know what to expect from this since Good Old JR already has two wrestling books out that cover 99% of his career but it wound up being my favorite of the three.

This book celebrates Jim Ross's 50 years of wrestling by revisiting 50 points during his life, from working for Bill Watts and Leroy McGuirk in NWA Tri-State to Mid-South to the Flair vs. Steamboat trilogy to the WWF/WWE and beyond. The deeper focus on those various points make this a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoyed JR's previous books. It doesn't feel like he's treading the same ground, even though it easy could.

My one minor quibble is that by the time it comes out, the AEW chapters will already be a year out of date since the Brawl-Out just happened and CM Punk is still with the company but with the enormous lead time in publishing, that's actually pretty current.

4 out of 5 stars. JR probably has another book in him yet with all the juicy road stories he hasn't shared yet.

I can still remember Mankind’s Hell In A Cell match like was yesterday. Jim Ross’s commentating stuck with me for years. The man can talk. That’s why this book is so good.

I liked the first few chapters where he talked about all the territories and how he got into the business. Then came the matches, and I fell in love with the book.

I read a lot of wrestling books, and this is one of the best by far. A blend of memoir, matches, and backstage stories, that mixes together way better than it should. I got chills reading the Hell In A Cell match.

I will read anything,and that means I need to go back and read Ross’s other books, that Jim Ross writes.

My only problem with this book is that occasionally you can tell when the co author is writing. It throws the tempo off a bit.

I couldn’t recommend this more!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

If you look at my reading history, you would think that this would be the last book I would actively hunt for. That's where you are wrong. I've attended many WWF/WWE live events BECAUSE of Jim Ross.

But, let's back up. I have know of Jim Ross my entire life. Being an Oklahoman, it's kind of like a small town. You know all the bigger names, the talkers, the 'stars'. There's always a connection. Mine is that Jim Ross and the rest of the WWF/WWE would stay at the hotel where my sister managed VIPs when they would stay in Orlando. Jim found out that she was from Oklahoma and instantly because her friend. Year after year, anytime the show was in town, we had tickets because Jim wanted to see a kind and familiar face.

BUT I DIGRESS. Business Is About to Pick Up is Jim Ross's third book. He has taken 50 of the most memorable matches, over 50 years, he takes readers behind the scenes and expands on moments that we only saw on screen.

Jim writes like he talks so I can only imagine that the audiobook is a treasure.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and my fellow Okie, Jim Ross, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Good ol' JR delivers another incredible book about him and the wrestling business. I personally was glad to read about how AEW has been treating him. I remember from back in the day in WWE. Highly recommend for fellow wrestling fans!

As a long-time wrestling fan, I couldn't wait to dive into "Business Is About to Pick Up! 50 Years of Wrestling in 50 Unforgettable Calls" by Jim Ross. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

This book is a nostalgic journey through 50 years of wrestling history, as seen through the eyes of one of the greatest announcers of all time. Jim Ross, known affectionately as JR, takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with his trademark wit, insight, and passion for the sport.

What sets this book apart is its unique format. Instead of a traditional chronological narrative, JR presents 50 unforgettable moments from wrestling history, each accompanied by his iconic commentary call. From Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III to Stone Cold Steve Austin's beer-swilling antics, JR's voice brings these legendary moments to life once again.

But this book is more than just a trip down memory lane. It's a celebration of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to entertaining millions of fans around the world. JR's deep respect and admiration for the wrestlers shine through in every page, making it clear that this isn't just a job for him—it's a labor of love.

As a fan, I appreciated the behind-the-scenes insights and anecdotes that JR shares throughout the book. From his early days in the wrestling business to his time as the voice of WWE, JR offers a candid look at the highs and lows of life in the squared circle.

What's truly remarkable about "Business Is About to Pick Up!" is its ability to capture the essence of each moment in wrestling history. Whether it's the excitement of a championship match or the drama of a heated rivalry, JR's commentary brings out the emotion and intensity of each encounter.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of the book is JR's personal journey. From his humble beginnings as a young wrestling fan to his rise to superstardom as the voice of WWE, JR's story is one of perseverance, passion, and dedication. His love for the sport shines through on every page, reminding us why we fell in love with wrestling in the first place.

In conclusion, "Business Is About to Pick Up!" is a must-read for any wrestling fan. Whether you're a die-hard follower of the sport or just a casual observer, JR's passion and enthusiasm are infectious. So grab a copy, sit back, and get ready for a wild ride through 50 years of wrestling history. As JR would say, "Business is about to pick up!"

If anyone knows how to write a book about wrestling it is JR.

The format was the first thing that drew me in, how the chapters were titled by his tag lines on commentary.. By making the chapters shorter it made it much easier to read than some of the wrestling memoirs that I have read and it kept you engaged.

Another thing that kept me engaged was that he was very broad with his choices of matches. they weren't all from just one era in his career which was great for a long time fan like myself that wants to read about more than current day wrestling.

I thought the format on this was very cool, using important matches to highlight different elements of the industry. Ross is (rightfully so) pretty critical of Vince McMahon and I'd be interested in seeing either another book or what this book would have looked like written even a year later with everything that's come out.

An emotional ride!

Jim Ross has become known as The Voice of Wrestling. Along with Jerry "The King" Lawler, Good 'Ol JR has filled my youth with many great memories. It was a pleasure to not only relive those iconic moments but to appreciate them even more. There were moments while reading that were very emotional. From a long time fan, thank you very much for being one of the best memories of my childhood.

Retelling historical matches in ways that only JR can, this is a must read for all wrestling fans. This was a great trip down memory lane reliving some of my favorite matches that I have ever seen as a wrestling fan, while also learning about ones I either haven't seen or weren't alive for. JR is a master story teller and this was a great insight on what he was thinking during these matches, the back story and how he has stayed at the top of his gamer for the past 50 years.