ROH commentator Ian Riccaboni reveals the inspiring advice Jim Ross gave him.
Riccaboni spoke with LehighValleyNews while promoting AEW/ROH’s upcoming event in his hometown of Allentown, PA. Riccaboni revealed some advice Jim Ross gave him during one of his hardest broadcasts.
After Jay Briscoes‘ passing, Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman came to Dynamite to call a match between Jay Lethal and Mark Briscoe. He spoke with Jim Ross before the match. J.R. likened it to calling WWE’s Over The Edge 1999 event where Owen Hart died in the ring.
Ian Riccaboni said it was “inspiring” to hear the support from Jim Ross prior to the event.
“Working with him, I realize there’s so much that I do that I’ve either kind of pulled from Jim Ross or pulled from Tony Schiavone, who I work with on a more regular basis now. That it’s like, ‘Wow, that’s where I got it from.’ It’s just unbelievable and the time and graciousness both of them have given and shown.”
“We had a really tragic situation where Jay Briscoe passed away in January 2023.” Ian Riccaboni said, “And they brought myself and Caprice Coleman in to call a match with Mark Briscoe, Jay’s brother, against Jay Lethal, one of Jay Briscoe’s most notable opponents. Jim pulled us aside and he said, “I was there the night Owen Hart passed, and the show had to go on. And the folks are dependent on you to give Jay life tonight and to remember Jay.’”
“And he goes, ‘That’s a heavy responsibility. But I trust you guys to be out there and clearly everybody here trusts you guys.’ And that was really inspiring. That’s what we needed to hear, but also, we never expected in a million years to hear it.”
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