WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross Schedules Brain Surgery After Lengthy Hospitalization for Fluid Pressure

Ross's hospitalization began after he passed out at home, leading doctors to discover fluid pressing on his brain and resulting in a nearly 40-day stay in the hospital.
He cannot drive yet and is reducing public appearances as he continues to recover from the lengthy hospitalization.
The planned brain surgery will involve implanting a shunt to drain the excess fluid, and Ross said the operation would require about a two-day hospital stay with cardiologist approval required before proceeding.
Ross described the upcoming procedure as an adventure and acknowledged it is daunting but necessary to improve memory and overall health.
Public updates placed the hospitalization start on June 20, 2026, with reports noting he was about 22 days into the stay when he announced the news.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has revealed he is preparing for brain surgery after doctors found fluid pressing on his brain, leaving him with severe memory loss. Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Ross said the procedure could come within the next week or so, according to WrestleView and Ringside News.
The announcement comes after Ross spent nearly 40 days in the hospital following a medical emergency at his home. He described the upcoming surgery as daunting but necessary, saying it is the critical next step to get his life back.
Ross's health crisis began on June 20, 2026, when he passed out at home. Doctors then discovered fluid pressing on his brain. That discovery triggered a hospitalization that has lasted nearly 40 days, according to Ringside News.
Ross said his memory has been "horrible" during this stretch. He is still unable to drive and has been cutting back on public appearances. ClutchPoints reported that Ross described the experience as emotionally heavy, though he has kept his trademark humor throughout.
The planned procedure is called a shunt. It involves placing a small tube inside the brain to drain the excess fluid and move it somewhere the body can safely absorb it, according to WrestleTalk. Doctors believe the buildup of fluid is what is causing Ross's memory problems.
Ross said the surgery will require about a two-day hospital stay. His cardiologist has already cleared him for the operation. SEscoops reported that Ross feels good overall but knows he still has a long road ahead.
Despite the serious nature of brain surgery, Ross has stayed upbeat. He called the procedure "an adventure" while also admitting it is scary. ClutchPoints noted that Ross framed the surgery as a necessary risk worth taking to restore his memory and daily function.
Ross has been open about how much the long hospital stay has worn on him emotionally. Still, he told listeners on Grilling JR that getting the surgery done is the right move. WrestleView reported he expects the procedure to happen within roughly a week of his announcement.
Ross, 73, has battled multiple health issues over the years, including a bout with Bell's palsy and a broken arm. This brain surgery adds to that list. Doctors believe draining the fluid could meaningfully restore his memory and quality of life, according to Ringside News.
WrestleTalk reported that if the shunt works as expected, Ross could see significant improvement in his daily function. He has not announced a timeline for returning to broadcasting, but the surgery is seen as the key hurdle he must clear first.
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