By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE announcer Jim Ross was at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Conn. on Thursday having conversations about his future with the company. Ross's short-term contract extension is coming due next month.

The key is whether a new contract with WWE entails full-time, weekly travel broadcasting Raw or Smackdown or being involved in other WWE-related projects.

"Nothing finalized but a potential plan is in the works," Ross said on jrsbarbq.com early this morning. "The question I have to ask myself is how much time I'm physically able to invest. Can I still handle traveling 51 weeks a year and giving all I need to to contribute to the level that I expect of myself."

Ross said "many, major decisions" will have to be made within the next few weeks.

Ross re-stated that his goal is to be involved in WrestleMania 26 calling the show. He said a portion of the discussion was also related to "some fun and important projects."

Caldwell's Analysis: WWE has certainly laid the groundwork for Ross to walk back to the Raw announce table before or after WrestleMania. Michael Cole is on NXT, Bret Hart wants Ross calling his action, and Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker II wouldn't be the same without Ross on the call. Plus, there's a WWE TV Network possibly launching next summer. Depending on the programming model, WWE needs a credible voice being part of that project to help get it off the ground.

Possibly most important is the hypothetical TNA factor. Even if WWE doesn't think Ross has the "youthful look" they want, they have to realize how much he would add to TNA's broadcast on Monday nights. TNA would improve tenfold the second they add Ross. Mike Tenay has only gotten TNA "so far" as an announcer and his voice is associated, unfortunately for him, with a history of really bad TNA TV episodes. It's not Tenay's fault; he just happened to be the voice of bad TV. Ross calling TNA on Monday nights would have an immediate impact with wrestling fans coming back to wrestling on Monday nights.

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