By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

WWE announcer Jim Ross says WWE decided not to use his services on the WrestleMania 26 broadcast because they thought a four-hour PPV broadcast without breaks would be too much for his first night back on WWE TV after recovering from his Bell's Palsy attack in October 2009.

Asked on Sporting News Radio on Wednesday night/Thursday morning if he would be calling matches at WrestleMania, Ross answered, "I'll be honest with you - no, I'm not."

Ross, who says he's dropped 30 pounds and is in good physical condition, wanted to call Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker, which he believes will be the actual main event this year.

"The decision was made by WWE not to utilize me this time. I think their feeling was me doing a four-hour broadcast would be a little bit rough on me," Ross said. "Instead of being in the game, I'm kinda going to be carrying a clipboard. Am I a little disappointed? Sure I am. I was hoping to do the Shawn Michaels-Undertaker match, which I assume will be going on last, but it won't be in the cards."

Regarding the match-up of Taker's Undefeated WrestleMania Streak vs. Michaels, Sporting News Radio host Todd Wright made an interesting parallel to the famous Super Bowl 42 NFL title game. The New England Patriots were undefeated before playing the New York Giants in the same University of Phoenix Stadium that WrestleMania will be held. The Super Bowl result was the Giants winning and the Patriots's undefeated streak over. Ross then talked about his expectations for the match.

"Ironically, today, I got a text from The Undertaker with today being his birthday. I think their thought is if you ask them today how you're going to top this year, they're not going to be able to tell you specifically yet," Ross said. "Emotionally, there's so much at stake that the fans will be emotionally invested and there are two guys both north of 40 and know they will never have this opportunity in this environment with this opponent again."

"I don't know how they're going to top it, but without being hyperbole, they will top it," Ross said. "I think they will be successful and how they do that, I'm as curious as any other fan."

Ross also talked up the Edge vs. Chris Jericho match for Jericho's World Hvt. Title, predicting it will steal the show and both men will be mentally prepared after serious tape study.

"They have so much in common - the same skill set, both in their prime, and both goal-oriented guys. I'm not surprised that Edge is back (from injury), but I think that match will be phenomenal," Ross said. "I think they'll have a great match and it's another reason to watch the event. Both of them are real students of the game. There will be a lot more thought put into the matches that is more than the general public will perceive."

The interview wrapped up with Ross talking about Sheamus being fast-tracked to the WWE main event scene and working with Triple H at WrestleMania. Ross also inserted a reference to Bret Hart's potential final match, which has been overshadowed by Shawn Michaels's potential final match.

"I think he's a throwback to an old-school villain," Ross said about Sheamus. "They'll have a good, basic solid match. I also think it will be the last time to see Bret 'the Hitman' Hart in the ring again. And I think that fact is being over-looked because of the retirement aspect with Shawn Michaels."

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