By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE announcer Jim Ross says he suffered his third episode of Bell's Palsy that will keep him off tonight's Smackdown TV taping in Columbia, S.C.

Ross says he was en route from Oklahoma City to Columbia this morning when he had his third attack that affects his face. He will be replaced on the Smackdown broadcast by Michael Cole. Jerry Lawler is already replacing Todd Grisham due to Grisham being on his honeymoon.

"It has been decided that I should not risk further issues by working tonight and I am in the process of arranging a flight back to OKC so I can see a neurologist on Wednesday," Ross said on jrsbarbq.com.

Ross said his status for the Bragging Rights PPV on Sunday in Pittsburgh is uncertain at this time. "I want to be a part of Bragging Rights but only time will tell if that will be physically possible," he said. "My passion and love for the game is in tact but I have to do what's best for my long term health."

Ross suffered his first episode of Bell's Palsy in February 1994. He was fired by WWE two weeks after the attack, then was re-hired when Vince McMahon could not handle TV announcing duties due to the steroid trial hearing.

Ross suffered his second attack in 1998 after his mother died. The condition left part of his face paralyzed. It had been over a decade in-between his second and third attacks, which he reportedly suffered today.

Link: Jim Ross status update on jrsbarbq.com.

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