NJPW has announced English-language commentator Kevin Kelly has left the promotion, effective immediately.
NJPW also notes that Kelly will not call Wrestle Kingdom 18 and New Year Dash in January, originally planned, due to family commitments.
Kelly joined AEW as part of the Collision commentary team when the show launched back in June. Soon after, Kelly said that he would be eventually being leaving NJPW, stating that his wife of 32 years doesn’t want to be alone anymore, which is why he made the decision for leaving NJPW.
Walker Stewart has officially taken over as the new English-language commentator for NJPW.
You can read the full announcement from NJPW below:
Kevin Kelly departs NJPW
Thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Kevin Kelly, who has been the English voice of New Japan broadcasts since King of Pro-Wrestling 2015, has departed NJPW to pursue outside opportunities.
Kevin was originally planning to join the English broadcast of Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4, but will be unable to attend due to family commitments.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling joins fans in their gratitude for the work Kevin has done to grow the English-speaking audience for NJPW, and for countless memorable calls over the years. We wish Kevin the very best in his future.