An update on Dean Malenko and Jim Ross chats his return to Dynamite.
AEW Dynamite on December 20th emanated from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Jim Ross was in town with his family and it was ultimately decided to bring him back to commentary to call the main event Continental Classic match between Jon Moxley and Jay White.
J.R. recapped his return on the newest episode of his Grilling JR podcast. As he was doing so, he mentioned that he ran into Dean Malenko backstage and revealed that Malenko successfully underwent brain surgery. Ross added that the surgery was to stop Malenko’s tremors that are caused by Parkinson’s disease.
I saw Dean Malenko. Malenko’s had some health issues, and I saw him there, and he had brain surgery, and it stops his shakes from the Parkinson’s… He’s had the surgery. He’s such a sweetheart of a guy.
Circling back to his return to the commentary desk, Ross was asked if he knew he’d be calling the action ahead of time. He knew he would be at the show if he was healthy. Initially, he was planning on showing up to the venue in the afternoon just to say hello to everyone.
He shared that his tweet about AEW being in Oklahoma was received well and gained some traction. J.R. said those type of responses influences those in power. He closed by saying if he had the choice of picking any match on that episode of Dynamite to call, he would’ve chosen Moxley versus White.
I knew that when Oklahoma City was booked (for AEW Dynamite), that I would go to the show if I was able, healthy enough and felt well enough, because I would be here for the holidays for my grandkids and my daughters. So, I just sent out a tweet, casually saying, you know, ‘Look forward to seeing all the guys,’ because I was gonna do a little drive-by in the afternoon and say hello to everybody. So I was perfectly fine doing (that). But then it kind of grew into a booking idea apparently, and the response on social media, on Twitter especially was overwhelming and that influences a lot of people in the decision-making sometimes. So, all of a sudden it became a thing and then Tony (Schiavone) promoted it on his piece of business and Tony Khan obviously liked the idea. I didn’t know until we started to walk out, before my music played, that he was gonna introduce me. He just came up, he wanted to do it so, cool, and so that’s how that started and then I got to go call a really good match. Those two guys (Jon Moxley & Jay White) are really good talents.
It takes you back, it’s nostalgic in a way, it’s emotional in a way, in a lot of ways. It was fun, it was fun. Tony put me in a position to call the main event which, if I had to pick one match on the show to call — it’s not just because it was the main event, but because it was Moxley and that kid’s name. What’s his name again? Jay White. It’s early morning folks. I haven’t fully consumed my gallon of coffee yet. So I’m working on it. So, anyway, it was a good night.
Coming up for AEW is their Worlds End pay-per-view on December 30th in Uniondale, New York. J.R. is doubtful he’ll be there and says it’s Tony Khan’s decision. They have not discussed it, but Jim does not relish the idea of traveling to Long Island in December when he has not made a trip like that in a while. He went on to say that if he’s called upon, he will be there and is going to deliver to the best of his ability.
I think it’s doubtful, but I don’t know (if I’ll be at AEW Worlds End). That’s entirely up to Tony, Tony Khan. It might be all up to Tony Schiavone. No, I’m kidding (he laughed). That’s Tony’s call. We haven’t discussed it and going to Long Island in December when I haven’t had a trip that long in a while, it’s not something I would relish. However, if called upon, I will come play, and I’ll play well, as best I can anyway. So, I don’t know. I’m not being evasive. I’d like to say, yeah, I’m gonna be there, buy the pay-per-view, enjoy it. But I don’t know. You still should buy the pay-per-view. Baby needs new shoes as they say in gambling. Baby needs new shoes.
The winners of the Gold and Blue Leagues in the Continental Classic will meet at Worlds End to determine who will become AEW Continental, ROH World and NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion.
Jay White, Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland are set to meet in a three-way on 12/27 to determine the Gold League winner.
If the quotes in this article are used, please credit Grilling JR with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
