AEW commentator Jim Ross has shared a concerning update on the health issues he continues to manage following brain surgery two months ago.
Speaking on Grilling JR, the longtime wrestling broadcaster said the shunt placed in his brain during the successful procedure has been causing significant problems. Ross also disclosed that a recent scan identified a spot on his kidney, leading to additional testing and a referral from his oncologist to a specialist in Oklahoma City.
Ross made clear that there are still unanswered questions surrounding both situations. While he said the kidney spot is being examined, there has not been a determination that it is cancerous. Likewise, he believes the problems related to his shunt could potentially be resolved through an adjustment, though he is awaiting further medical evaluation.
“I saw a little spot of something on my kidney,” Ross said on Grilling JR. “So we’re running a lot of tests. I’m getting... my shunts are bothering me in my brain. So I’m going to get a scan tomorrow and get that back to my neurosurgeon so he can tell me what the hell’s wrong. It may just need to be adjusted, that’s my take on it.”
For more background on this topic, read Lady Frost Wraps Up Her Run With MLW After Fightland Appearance.
Shunt Issues Have Affected Ross’ Sleep
The immediate issue Ross described is the discomfort he has been experiencing from the shunt. He said the condition has brought on what he called “blistering headaches,” with the pain severe enough to interfere with his ability to sleep. Ross compared the headaches to migraines, underscoring the intensity of the symptoms he is presently dealing with.
Sleep has become a major concern in its own right. Ross said the lack of rest has left him feeling fatigued, adding another challenge during a period already filled with appointments, scans and uncertainty. His planned scan is intended to provide his neurosurgeon with more information about what may be causing the current issues.
Although Ross expressed hope that the shunt may simply require an adjustment, he also noted that this would not be a new process. He said he has previously had the shunt adjusted three times. That history means he is familiar with the possibility of needing further intervention, but it does not lessen the strain of confronting the symptoms again.
“I’ve had mine adjusted three times,” Ross said. “So it’s not a recent situation. But at some point, I’ve got to deal with sleep. And I feel fatigued a lot.”
Ross’ comments reflect the difficult balance he is currently navigating: seeking answers from specialists while trying to manage the day-to-day effects of recurring pain and exhaustion. There was no indication that he has received a final diagnosis regarding the shunt problems, and the next scan will be important in determining what his medical team recommends.
Further Testing Planned for Kidney Finding
In addition to the neurological concerns, Ross said his oncologist is sending him to a specialist in Oklahoma City to examine the spot found on his kidney. He stressed that medical professionals have not yet established whether the finding is cancerous.
The distinction is important. Ross is undergoing further testing because doctors saw something that requires closer attention, not because a cancer diagnosis has been announced. With several biopsies having taken place after his brain surgery, the latest development has understandably added stress to an already demanding recovery period.
“My oncologist is... sending me to a specialist in Oklahoma City for a little place on my kidney, but they’re not sure if it’s cancerous or not,” Ross said. “So it’s been a stressful week. It really has.”
Ross did not offer a timetable for when he expects to have definitive answers on the kidney issue. The available information is limited to the planned specialist visit and the ongoing tests. Until those evaluations are complete, the status of the kidney finding remains uncertain.
That uncertainty has been central to Ross’ update. He did not present the situation as settled or speculate beyond what he has been told. Instead, he detailed the practical next steps: a scan related to the shunt, consultation with his neurosurgeon, and an assessment by a kidney specialist at the direction of his oncologist.
A Difficult Recovery Continues
Ross has been candid about the fact that his recovery has not ended simply because the brain surgery itself was successful. Two months after the operation, he is still dealing with medical follow-up and symptoms serious enough to disrupt his sleep and leave him fatigued.
For a voice synonymous with professional wrestling across multiple generations, Ross’ straightforward update will be troubling news for many fans. His work in AEW has maintained his connection to the industry after a historic career behind the microphone, and his willingness to speak plainly about his health has kept listeners informed while he faces an intensely personal challenge.
At this stage, however, the focus is not on a return date, broadcasting schedule or any professional commitment. Ross’ own remarks centered on receiving proper medical answers and finding relief from the headaches and fatigue that have affected him. The immediate priority is determining whether the shunt needs another adjustment and learning more about the kidney spot.
His previous experience with shunt adjustments may offer a reason for cautious optimism that the current issue can be addressed, but Ross has not claimed to know the cause of his symptoms. The scan and the neurosurgeon’s assessment will determine whether an adjustment is sufficient or whether another course of treatment is necessary.
Similarly, the kidney finding should be viewed with care rather than assumption. Ross said specialists are still unsure whether it is cancerous. Further tests are meant to provide clarity, and no conclusion should be drawn before those results are known.
What Comes Next for the AEW Broadcaster
Ross now faces a series of medical steps rather than a single, immediate resolution. He is scheduled for imaging connected to the trouble with his brain shunt, after which his neurosurgeon will review the results. Separately, his oncologist’s referral will put him in front of a specialist in Oklahoma City for the kidney concern.
The combination of persistent headaches, poor sleep, fatigue, repeated shunt-related treatment and a new medical question involving his kidney has made the past week especially taxing. Ross did not minimize that reality, describing it as stressful while still conveying a desire to get clear answers and move toward a solution.
There is, for now, no confirmed update beyond the testing and consultations Ross described. The brain surgery was successful, but the shunt’s current impact on his comfort and sleep requires further medical attention. The kidney spot has been found, but its nature is undetermined. Those are the facts Ross has shared, and they leave important questions to be answered by his doctors in the days ahead.
Ross’ update is a reminder that recovery can be uneven even after a successful procedure. As he continues to work with his neurosurgeon, oncologist and specialists, the hope is that the testing provides clarity, the headaches can be brought under control, and he can get the restorative sleep he says he urgently needs.
In pictures
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.