Kevin Kelly Reveals He Will be Leaving NJPW Soon

– In a series of posts on Twitter, AEW Collision broadcaster and longtime NJPW English play-by-play commentator Kevin Kelly announced that he is going to be leaving his post at NJPW soon. However, he noted that he will still be calling NJPW’s Destruction at Ryogoku next month, along with next year’s Wrestle Kingdom 18 at the Tokyo Dome and New Year Dash.

With regards to his New Japan exit, Kelly tweeted, “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.” He noted that he’s making the decision to be closer to his wife, due to the travel schedule. Kelly stated, “My wife of 32 years said she doesn’t want to be alone anymore so that’s why I made the decision.”

When a fan asked who could fill his shoes with New Japan, Kelly responded, “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.”

Kevin Kelly started commentating for AEW earlier in June with the debut of Collision. Throughout his broadcasting career, he’s worked in WWE, MLW, and ROH. He’s been working with New Japan for their English broadcasts since 2015. You can view Kelly’s tweets regarding his NJPW status below:

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

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

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