Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
UPDATE x 2: According to reports, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was in talks with AXS TV since November to provide commentary for New Japan Pro Wrestling on the network. Ross and AXS TV just finalized their deal this past Tuesday and the announcement/presser was made. Ross’ deal is strictly with AXS TV and New Japan was not part of the negotiations.
According to sources, Ross was the leading candidate to replace Mauro Ranallo, who left the company to become the lead announcer for WWE SmackDown. The talks began before New Japan had any idea that AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson gave their notice, dispelling the theory that this was a way for New Japan to “get something back” from WWE for signing away their talent.
This is JR’s first full-time commentary job since he last worked for WWE.
UPDATE: Jim Ross becoming the lead announcer for New Japan on AXS TV has no effect on the announcing team for New Japan events for NJPWWorld.com. Kevin Kelly will still be the lead announcer for the English language NJPW events on NJPWWorld.com, The next event with English commentary will be the 2016 Wrestling Dontaku, where he’ll likely be joined by Matt Striker.
Ross’ deal is with AXS TV, not New Japan. He and Josh Barnett will voice the tapes that AXS gets the rights to broadcast, but that’s as far as his involvement goes.
ORIGINAL: ASX TV sent out the following press release, announcing Jim Ross’ addition to the show…
LEGENDARY WRESTLING COMMENTATOR JIM ROSS JOINS AXS TV’S ‘NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING’ ALONGSIDE JOSH BARNETT STARTING MARCH 4
‘NJPW’ Airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on AXS TV
LOS ANGELES – January 19, 2016 – AXS TV today confirmed legendary pro wrestling commentator Jim Ross will join AXS TV’s hit series ‘New Japan Pro Wrestling’ (NJPW) to call play-by-play commentary alongside NJPW veteran and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett beginning Friday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. In Ross’ first episode, he and Barnett will call the action for matches from Wrestling Dontaku 2015.
NJPW, which premiered its 52-episode second season on AXS TV Jan. 15, airs Friday nights at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. This season features episodes highlighting matches from the 2015 New Japan Cup, Invasion Attack, HINOKUNI, Best of the Super Juniors 22, Dominion 7.5, G1 Climax 25 and more throughout the year.
A WWE Hall of Famer, Ross was known as the voice of WWE for nearly two decades, bringing his incomparable broadcasting talent to hundreds of TV and pay-per-view broadcasts for the organization. No stranger to New Japan Pro Wrestling, Oklahoma native Ross also called the first-ever, live English-language broadcast of NJPW with Wrestle Kingdom 9 in 2015.
“I’m excited to join the AXS TV team in presenting the amazing athletes of the New Japan Pro Wrestling brand,” said Ross. “I’m a major fan of NJPW and look forward to joining Josh Barnett to form the best broadcast team in the genre. Business just picked up!”
“It’s a dream to be able to sit next to the legendary Jim Ross and call the incredible wrestling action of New Japan Pro Wrestling,” said Barnett. “I’ve listened to his commentary throughout the years and I’m glad to have someone as distinguished as him to work with in the booth.”
“Jim Ross is unquestionably one of the best announcers in the history of professional wrestling. He is a true legend and we look forward to leveraging his unparalleled experience to continue to make NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING on AXS TV the best wrestling show on television,” said AXS TV FIGHTS CEO Andrew Simon
