WHAT JIM ROSS' AXS TV DEAL MEANS FOR NJPWWORLD STREAMING EVENTS

[Big Red Machine]

Source: PWInsider

By Mike Johnson on 2016-01-20 09:00:00
For those who have asked what Jim Ross signing on to be the lead announcer for New Japan on AXS TV means for English-language commentary of New Japan Pro Wrestling events on NJPWWorld.com, we are told Ross working with AXS TV has no bearing on the announcing team for New Japan events.

We are told by several sources that Kevin Kelly will continue on as the lead announcer for the English language New Japan events when they are streamed on NJPWWorld.com. As of now, the next planned event to feature English commentary will be the 2016 Wrestling Dontaku event. I believe Kelly will continue to be joined by Matt Striker.

Ross' deal is with AXS TV directly, not New Japan. While he and Josh Barnett will be voicing over the New Japan tapes AXS acquires the rights to broadcast, that is the extent of his involvement, as of this writing.

[Big Red Machine]

Dontaku as the next choice for the English commentary event is... interesting. With the New Beginning shows so close to the ROH in Japan shows, and with there having been English commentary for New Year Dash 2016 which had the big angle with Bullet Club on it that they are following up on with Omega going for the IC Title, it seems to me that it would definitely be worth it to fly Kevin Kelly in a few days early and have him do commentary (if you don't want to pay for Striker, just Kelly and Yoshi Tatsu would be fine).
I'm also a little surprised they're not doing Invasion Attack in English. I know Ross is busy with his shows and Kevin Kelly is busy with ROH that weekend, but if I were them, I'd try to see if I could find someone to do the shows, whether it's Mike Tenay or someone from the UK or Bruce Tharpe or whoever you can find. Actually... Mike Tenay and Bruce Tharpe could be a little hilarious together.