By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE announcer Jim Ross announced today on jrsbarbq.com that he will be signing a short-term contract extension this week, which will allow for more negotiating time after WrestleMania 26 to determine his long-term future in WWE.

"I will be signing another contract extension this week with WWE to allow us to get past WrestleMania and to give us more time to finalize our newest agreement which will hopefully see me remaining with WWE for the long term future," Ross said. "At least, that's the goal for all involved."

Ross also commented on Steve Austin guest-hosting tonight's WWE Raw and the announcement today that Gorgeous George will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year.

-- Ross on Austin: "I talked with Steve this weekend and he was really excited about being back on Raw and feeling that live audience, adrenaline rush that one experiences. I am anxious to hear and see the reaction Austin gets when the glass breaks on Raw which one can assume will be early in the evening. Steve will be moderating the contract signing for the McMahon-Hitman WrestleMania 24 bout which will arguably be the highlight of the evening for many fans."

-- Ross on Gorgeous George: "WWE announcing Gorgeous George as a new inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame is a cool thing for the business...George, like many of his peers yesterday and today, wasn't prepared for his fame or the fortune that he amassed and died at 48 with little money and with a severe drinking problem. Nonetheless I am of the opinion that Gorgeous George had a most profound impact on the world of professional wrestling and that no other performer has remotely approached George's contributions and influences as it relates to making a lasting impact on an entire genre."

Ross talked a great deal more about George's career as one of the all-time top stars in the history of pro wrestling on TV.

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