Former WWE announcer Jim Ross revealed details on his Global Force Wrestling association and why he decided to call GFW's presentation of New Japan's Tokyo Dome Show during an exclusive interview on Friday's PWTorch Livecast.

Ross told PWTorch editor Wade Keller on the Livecast that he signed a one-off deal with Global Force to call the New Japan show for U.S. PPV. Ross said he's only committed to one show since Global has only announced one event thus far. So, he is not ruling out calling another show if the Tokyo Dome PPV experience is positive, but he does not see himself being part of weekly/regular television for a promotion again.

Ross noted that his manager, Barry Bloom, negotiated the deal with Jeff Jarrett/Global Force. The negotiations went on for a few days until they reached a "magic number" that would pull Ross away from Las Vegas birthday plans with his wife and get him to call wrestling again. In the meantime, Ross said he started studying New Japan's product in anticipation of a deal being finalized.

"I saw a product I liked," Ross said. "Once the bell rang, I got very comfortable watching it." Ross said New Japan's current product reminds him of a mix of Mid-South, UWF, Crockett and NWA wrestling in the 1980s, and some elements of Attitude Era physicality.

Ross added that he is approaching the broadcast live from Tokyo as if he is calling a WrestleMania, Super Bowl, or any other major sporting event. Ross said he's not going into the broadcast to talk insider wrestling or talk down WWE or be the "ugly Americans making wise-ass remarks" at New Japan's respected event.

"Jeff and I were very clear on that before I signed my deal," Ross said. Ross also said he had final say on his broadcast partner, and he provided a short list of potential candidates that he was comfortable working with.

Ross said Jarrett kept his word on the arrangement and he was pleased with the selection of Matt Striker as color commentator.

Ross said he's had conversations with Striker about the gameplan of calling a serious PPV event, but he said they do not need to practice in advance, especially since they worked together in WWE.

Outside of the WWE environment, Ross anticipates a different Striker on the air. Ross said he believes Striker will "find out how easy it can be to just call what's on the screen" when he's not reading a script or having someone yelling at him in the headsets.

Ross said he will set the pace of the broadcast like the leader of a dance. He said it's not an ego thing, but the structure of a good broadcast with Striker following Ross's lead knowing "when to tag in at the right time with the right material."

As for what he expects from New Japan's show, he joked about Tanahashi and Okada wanting to have a "six-star match" in the main event. He said it will be interesting to see whether New Japan continues to ride Tanahashi as their top star for 2015, or if New Japan will "get younger" by putting the IWGP World Title back on Okada.

Ross described the match-up of New Japan's top stars as a little bit of Jack Brisco vs. Dory Funk, Jr. because of the physicality in the ring mixed with Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat because of their seamless chemistry mixed with The Rock vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin because of the electricity when they're together in the ring.

[ FYI: The entire free portion of Ross's Livecast Interview can be heard HERE at PWTorchLivecast.com. VIP Members can listen to the free show and VIP Aftershow with Ross answering VIP emails HERE. Not a VIP member? Find out how to sign up HERE! Ross's podcast, "The Ross Report," can be heard HERE at PodcastOne.com ]

[Torch photos credit Wade Keller, Mike Lano (c) PWTorch.com]

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