Under the Black Hat: My Life in the WWE and Beyond

I enjoyed this book as much as the previous one. JR is one of if not the best all around voices of pro wrestling. At least from my era. I liked the shorter chapters which gave us his point of view on things but didn’t stretch out just to make the book longer. He speaks w/such integrity about so many of the great things as well as the horrific things he’s witnessed and been a part of. I’ve known from many of the books I’ve read prior stories but to be directly on the inside of the WWE and to see just how much of a bully and inconsiderate a-hole Vince McMahon was/is kind of makes me dislike WWE just a little. Overall this was a great read and if I’ve learned anything it’s JR is someone I’d love to have about 12 beers w/and just listen to his stories.

I was an avid wrestling fan for 10 years from 1998 to 2008. I loved listening to good ole JR call the matches. This book is a must read for any and all fans of Jim Ross.

Jim Ross has written another amazing book. This was full of emotion and grit and detailed his life so well. I found myself feeling sorry for some of the treatment he received but to his credit he made the most of it. I could really feel his emotion and the love for his wife Jan. I cried when I read of her passing because you could feel the heaviness he experienced. I totally recommend this book for the inside world of good ole JR.

This was really well done. I haven't read JR's first book yet so went into this a little blind but was hooked immediately. After reading plenty of wrestler autobiographies it's really interesting to get the take of someone like JR, who is not only a great announcer, but was also heavily involved behind the scenes. This book gives a broad overview of his career in the WWE from the late 90's all the way up to his eventual exit from the company after WrestleMania 33.There's plenty of stories here about many incidents I as a wrestling fan always wanted to know more about. The whole Jeff Jarret contract dispute which resulted in him holding the company up for money and potentially no showing his No Mercy match with Chyna. The horrible Austin heel turn at WrestleMania 17. JR's health issues and his true feelings about some of the humiliating angles Vince threw at him. It really is a fun and informative read. The most powerful part of the book is his description of the tragic accident that took the life of his wife Jan. As a married man myself I can't imagine how I would not fall to pieces in his position, and my heart breaks for the guy. I know something like that will never be 'alright' but I hope by now he has found some measure of peace.At the time of writing the Kindle version of this book is on sale for $1.99 and it's a no brainer for any wrestling fan to pick up for a good time. Highly recommended.

I'll remember this book for many reasons, but paramount among them is that this book was a beautiful love letter from Jim Ross to his wife Jan, who passed away a few years ago. Time and again, Ross recalls how Jan's loving presence comforted him through the abuse he endured at the hands of WWE's failed writing team. More than once during this book, I found myself smiling and feeling warm at the connection between this husband and wife.And, more than once during this book, I found myself infuriated at the psychological and mental abuse that Ross was put through during the latter part of his WWE career. Now sure, I'm confident that he will tell you that he made a lot of money with the company and that he is financially free from his work there, but when you read the mental anguish that he suffered through the creative bullying - it's painful. Ross is loved by wrestling fans around the world. To those wrestling fans, I encourage you to read this book because it will give you a tremendous amount of insight into what we saw play out on screen during the awkward and unwanted "feuds" between the announce team. Ross's comments on those feuds were very eye-opening.

Good look into the life of the greatest announcer in pro wrestling.

I never understood why JR put up with all of the negativity in the WWE. How many times was he going to let the Old Man humiliate him? The answer: As many times as it takes.Good book, good story, he is a man who lost everything to an accident and has managed to pull himself up and continue doing what he loves. I have a signed copy of this book at home, that I'm never letting out of my house.

Who doesn't like good ol' JR. Have not read it yet but I am sure I will like it!

Biografia de um dos maiores gênios da história do esporte. Todo fã de wrestling, especialmente da Attitude Era, deve ler.

A very moving book that shows the best and worst of wrestling business. I was a fan of JR for so long but hearing him tell about his life in WWE and showing much about his relations with the wrestlers and owners was truly amazing.This is what I love about biographies and memoirs a chance to learn about behind the scenes items that have happens. It makes for the most amazing reading

While slobbedknocker will remain my favourite JR book, this too was an excellent read. One of my favourite wrestling personalities of all time

A very good book. This book picks up right where Slobberknocker finished. As I said the writing got better towards the end of that book I am glad that continued into and throughout this book.J.R's relationship with the WWF/WWE is like the ultimate toxic relationship no matter how badly one side treats the other one they are too in love with them to leave or they just keep coming back. I think he says it best"Wrestling was my mistress, but she did not always love me back"The first book was Jim's start in the business now he is well established, though many fans know him for his voice and story telling. Many people probobly did not know his work behing the scenes. Also how much and how hard he works. This is something that really resonates and appeals to me about the story. I have always respected hard work over ability. However when you take someone with all the passion and talent of Jim Ross works harder than anyone not named Vince, you can see the effects and results on the industry.The book takes takes place from the Attitude era, the good, bad and some terrible angles/storylines. Many of the terrible angles involved Good Old J.R the character not by choice.This book just has a great nostalgic feel to people like me who were along for the ride of these eras. Even though I switched to altunitives to the WWE after a couple of the terrible angles I still heard or knew everything going on. There are a couple of cross references to story's brought up in Chyna's and Mick Foley and Chris Jericho's book. I would day Jim Ross has seen it all in the business but I had no idea exactly how involved he was. As much as I respect hard work Jim's love and obsession of the business had wrestling at the top everything and everyone else was second onwards. I wish Jim luck in the future. Never the end as he said retirement never lasts in this business.

The book helps “pull back the curtain” on the wrestling business although most stories have been told in some regard on the Grilling JR podcast.0I would have like a bit more steak and less sizzle at times but as a “non-reader” - I finished the book in three days.