There will soon be some big shoes to fill in NJPW.
Veteran announcer Kevin Kelly has revealed that he is leaving the company after a very influential and successful run.
I am at some point soon but I'll leave it to New Japan to announce it or not. I plan on calling Destruction at Ryogoku and Wrestle Kingdom/ New Year Dash https://t.co/NEvTokDVuP
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) September 5, 2023
He gave fans the main reason why he has decided to sign with AEW and call matches on his new home, AEW Collision, instead:
My wife of 32 years said she doesn't want to be alone anymore so that's why I made the decision. https://t.co/NIIbr1wZjr
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) September 5, 2023
Naturally, fans wondered who might be able to take Kelly’s place behind the announce desk. His thoughts:
Someone who can be in Japan all the time that has wrestling experience but is not affiliated with another company. Someone that can grow into and with the product. https://t.co/pbbVU2ACsJ
— Kevin Kelly (@realkevinkelly) September 5, 2023
Kelly has been the lead on NJPW’s English commentary since 2015.
Top Photo: Kevin Kelly at the Contest of Champions: Where Heroes Gather fan fest, on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at RWJBarnabas Health Arena, in Toms River, NJ. Photo by George Tahinos, https://georgetahinos.smugmug.com.
RELATED LINKS
- Mar. 8, 2024: AEW fires Kevin Kelly
- Mar. 7, 2024: Kevin Kelly fired from AEW?
- Apr. 1, 2011: Kevin Kelly recounts his Wrestlemania moments
- Jun. 18, 2003: Kevin Kelly on his WWE years
