by James Caldwell, Assistant editor

WWE announcer Jim Ross is touring Houston today promoting tickets going on-sale tomorrow for the 2009 Hall of Fame to be held at the Toyota Center the night before WrestleMania 25. Following are notes from his appearances.

-- KRIV FOX 26. Ross made a brief in-studio appearance at the local FOX affiliate during their local morning show to promote Steve Austin as the first inductee in this year's class. "Can't think of a night that's more fun," Ross said about the Hall of Fame each year. "Celebrates the heritage of wrestling."

Ross said WWE live is good family entertainment. "It's a father/son deal, but a lot of little girls enjoy the pyro, the music, the pomp and circumstance," he said. "Last year in Orlando we generated $50 million in new money to the community."

Ross also joked about wearing a toga on the first WrestleMania broadcast. Fortunately, he didn't direct viewers to the awful Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez match from that WrestleMania 9 broadcast in Las Vegas.

-- 790 AM radio. Appearing a little over an hour later on the "Men's Room" show to promote the Hall of Fame ticket on-sale date, Ross "let his hair down" to talk about his pro sports career of umpiring and broadcasting for the Atlanta Falcons back in the day. Discussion came up about Andre the Giant and Ox Baker. Ross said about Baker that he would "walk in a room and everyone would leave."

Ross said he's still enjoying his current WWE broadcasting career and doesn't plan on retiring anytime soon. "Still have fun doing it," he said. "The travel is not fun." He said that's not the glamorous aspect of the business.

Radio host Craig Roberts thanked Ross for coming on to talk to a few goofballs this morning and said he wants his pay. "Talk to goofballs all week," Ross said. "My pay is already allocated for '09."

-- 94.5 The Buzz radio. This interview merited a separate article to capture all of the information from Ross on extended radio appearance. Noteworthy: Not sure who is inducting Steve Austin into the Hall of Fame. Heard Ric Flair. Wouldn't mind if someone else did besides himself. ... Called Vince McMahon's return to TV a "real trainwreck." Detailed news from radio appearance.

-- Sports Radio 610. Ross was to be joined by Jerry Lawler, but Ross said he had a family emergency. "Found out his girlfriend was over 25 years old," Ross quipped. He plugged the Hall of Fame headlined by Steve Austin, but said he would be "neutered" for revealing the roster before it goes on TV.

Ross commented on Steve Austin wrapping up his career at the Hall of Fame, as he's not returning to the ring because the risk of paralysis is too much. "Officially the closure of his career," Ross said. "He's not going to wrestle again."

Asked about his most fond memories in WWE, Ross told a story about WrestleMania 9 where Bobby Heenan told him to go commando under the toga. Ross refused and said, "I wore my Hanes." Also, WrestleMania 17 at the Houston Astrodome was a significant event because he was a big Houston Oilers fan (and not a Dalas Cowboys fan) growing up in Oklahoma.

Ross commented on moving to Smackdown, reiterating the comment in his recent blog about not responding professionally to the move. He said he vented about it, then told himself to play ball on Smackdown. "Let's go make this the best show on the brand," he recalled.

After a commercial break, they played the Hall of Fame 2007 video package recapping Jim Ross's best calls and moments as a broadcaster. Ross said he's suffered through Bells Palsy, been taken off the air, and put back on the air during his crazy career, but he's living a quality life doing what he loves to do.

Ross was asked to predict the atmosphere at the Hall of Fame when Austin is inducted. He said it will probably be the longest standing ovation ever for Austin because he meant so much to a lot of people. Ross said he's advocated for the Von Erichs, Funks, and several other Texans for the Hall of Fame.

Ross recalled Cowboy Bob Watts working with Paul Boesch in Houston and Boesch didn't want anyone else doing commentary when they entered a business agreement. Ross said Boesch would lend him the one microphone when he was ready to share, which meant they missed a lot of action in the ring.

Another question from a caller was about Umaga of all people. Ross said Umaga has re-located to Houston because his ninth grade son is "freaky athletic" and could be recruited for football. He said Umaga had a knee injury, but is back on the road doing house shows, and he should be back on TV pretty soon.

Back from break, Ross repeated the rumor of Ric Flair inducting Steve Austin into the Hall of Fame. He said that even though Flair isn't in WWE, he hopes WWE will "help facilitate" if Austin really wants Flair to induct him.

The radio hosts asked Ross to describe Vince McMahon. Ross's soundbyte: "Part Jerry Jones, part George Steinbrenner." He said it depends on which side of Vince you get during the day. Could be Vince or Mr. McMahon, which makes for an interesting day.

-- In-person at Nick's Place for 1560 The Game. Jim Ross joined Houston Chronicle columnist Ken Hoffman at Nick's Place for a lengthy interview that lasted just about an hour. The restaurant is an old-school sports bar frequented by many Houston TV sports personalities on Fridays during Hoffman's show.

Among the highlights from Ross's discussion with Hoffman was a chat about former Houston promoter Paul Boesch, who Ross said he recommended for the Hall of Fame, but doesn't think he will make the list. Boesch is very well-known to old school Houston fans for many reasons, but he wasn't well-known to fans outside of the area.

Ross reiterated many of the points he made on earlier broadcasts and shared stories about Bobby Heenan and Ric Flair related to how they became so successful simply turning up the volume on their actual personalities. He said something younger talent needs to understand is "Who am I?" and then basing a character of reality.

"I would like to see a more reality-based program (on WWE)," Ross said. "Turn up the volume on real people." With such an informal setting sitting around a table top in the corner of the sports bar, Ross was approached by a mildly inebriated patron who simply walked over next to Ross during the interview and then walked away moments later.

He was asked about WWE marketing to such a young demographic, and Ross said they market to the 12-17 age group because today's youthful generation "live in a defiant world and you want to be defiant."

Ross has several appearances scheduled for today, which we'll update here.

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