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Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
Jan Ross
Today’s edition of ‘Grappling With Tragedy’ doesn’t deal with a wrestler, promoter or anyone directly involved in the wrestling business. This particular one deals with the wife of one of the most legendary play by play announcers in wrestling history….Good Ol’ Jim Ross. Janet Marie “Jan” Grillette was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1961. She grew up a huge NFL Pittsburgh Steelers fan and worked as a flight attendant.
During a flight with WCW talent in 1990, Jan was introduced to Jim Ross by Ric Flair. The WCW play by play man and the flight attendant hit it off began dating each other. The two would marry three years later in 1993. Around that time, Jim Ross secured a job with the World Wrestling Federation and moved to Connecticut. Jan eventually quit her job and became a stay at home wife. Jan Ross become beloved by many of the WWF talent including the likes of Steve Austin, Chris Jericho, Jerry Lawler and Trish Stratus. She often opend up her home to allow JR have meeting with WWE talent.
What made her so special to the wrestlers was the fact that she remembered what every wrestler’s favorite food was and would cook that meal when they came by their house. Jan would also do laundry for wrestlers that were constantly on the road and didn’t have enough time for such chores. Jan stood by JR during his bouts of Bell’s Palsy and battles with depression taking care of him with great patience. JR often referred to Jan as his “sweet little angel.”
Not only was she a very supportive wife, Jan would be heavily involved in her husband’s other business ventures including his restaurant and his barbecue sauce businesses. While the couple had no children of their own, Jan was a doting, loving stepmother to JR’s two daughters from a previous marriage.
In March of 2017, Jan was coming home from working out at a local gym in Norman, Oklahoma. She was riding her Vespa scooter, but wasn’t wearing a helmet. A 17 year old driving a Mercury Grand Marquis crashed into her. The crash resulted in Jan suffering multiple skull fractures. She died as a result of a traumatic brain injury. Jan Ros was created and her ashes were placed in a Pittsburgh Steeler decorated urn. The charges against the driver were dismissed and was able to keep his driver’s license. Jan Ross was just 55 years old at the time of her death.
