Kevin Kelly gives update on NJPW commentary status
Kevin Kelly has given an update on his status with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
While responding to a fan on social media, Kelly stated that he’ll be gone from NJPW commentary “at some point soon.” Kelly said he’ll still be calling NJPW’s Destruction event in Tokyo on Monday, October 9 and Wrestle Kingdom 18/New Year Dash next January.
“I am at some point soon but I’ll leave it to New Japan to announce it or not,” Kelly wrote. “I plan on calling Destruction at Ryogoku and Wrestle Kingdom/New Year Dash.”
Kelly noted that his wife not wanting to be alone anymore was the reason he decided to step away from the NJPW commentary duties.
“My wife of 32 years said she doesn’t want to be alone anymore so that’s why I made the decision,” Kelly wrote.
Kelly joined AEW when Collision launched this June. He calls the show alongside Nigel McGuinness with “expert analysis” from Jim Ross.
Another fan on social media asked Kelly who could fill his role on NJPW commentary.
“Someone who can be in Japan all the time that has wrestling experience but is not affiliated with another company,” Kelly responded. “Someone that can grow into and with the product.”
Kelly started doing English-language play-by-play for NJPW in 2015. Chris Charlton has been his broadcast partner in recent years.
When Kelly was in Japan for NJPW’s G1 Climax tournament this summer, Ian Riccaboni filled in for him on Collision.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.