Kevin Kelly Set To Depart NJPW
Kevin Kelly set to exit NJPW in 2024
Sep 6, 2023
After eight years at the commentary table, Kevin Kelly is set to depart New Japan Pro-Wrestling at some point in the near future. Kelly noted on Twitter that he plans to do commentary through to Wrestle Kingdom 18 and New Year Dash in January. If NJPW will make an official announcement about Kelly's departure is unknown.
Following speculation on social media, Kelly confirmed his departure, tweeting: "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."
Kelly noted that he is leaving NJPW because he no longer wants to spend weeks at a time in Japan and his wife told him "she doesn't want to be alone anymore."
Kelly has been a part of pro wrestling stretching back to the 1990s, including a run in WWE from 1996 until 2003. He served as the play-by-play announcer for Ring of Honor from 2010 until 2017.
Alongside his NJPW commitments, Kevin Kelly is the play-by-play commentator on AEW Collision alongside Nigel McGuinness.