As previously reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Jim Ross‘ New Japan Pro-Wrestling contract will expire in March, 2019. Meltzer also notes that Ross’ existing contract allows him to continue to call NJPW on AXS.
Ross took to Twitter today in an effort to ‘clarify the speculation’ and confirm that his AXS TV departure had nothing to do with NJPW or Mark Cuban’s Network :
To clarify the speculation, my departure from @AXSTV had zero to do with @njpwglobal or @mcuban’s network.
My contract ends at years end and I was unable to legally negotiate a new arrangement. #ItsJustBusiness #NeverSayNever pic.twitter.com/7lANOhsPzv
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) November 16, 2018
WrestleZone’s Tyler Treese notes:
WWE is keeping Ross from re-signing with AXS TV to call New Japan Pro-Wrestling immediately, which means he’ll be off the broadcasts from the beginning of next year through the end of March. That means he won’t be able to call the Wrestle Kingdom 13 event. While he was used by WWE in 2017, Ross has largely been kept off television this year.
RELATED: Jim Ross’ WWE Contract Up In March 2019, Will Be Temporarily Off NJPW Broadcasts Next Year
Jim Ross
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Jim Ross
MIAMI BEACH, FL - MARCH 29: WWE announcer Jim Ross (R) and guest attend WrestleMania Premiere Party A Celebration of Miami Art and Fashion on March 29, 2012 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/WWE/Getty Images for WWE)
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Jim Ross
MIAMI BEACH, FL - MARCH 29: WWE announcer Jim Ross (L) and WWE legend Mick Foley attend WrestleMania Premiere Party A Celebration of Miami Art and Fashion on March 29, 2012 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/WWE/Getty Images for WWE)
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Jim Ross
EL PASO, TX - SEPTEMBER 1: World Wrestling Entertainment announcer and Oklahoma Sooners fan Jim Ross walks the field before the Sooners' game against the UTEP Miners on September 1, 2012 at The Sunbowl in El Paso, Texas. (Photo by Jackson Laizure/Getty Images)
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Jim Ross
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 10: WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross attends "What Now" Los Angeles Film Premiere at Laemmle Music Hall on March 10, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Redmond/WireImage)
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Jim Ross
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 10: WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross attends "What Now" Los Angeles Film Premiere at Laemmle Music Hall on March 10, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Redmond/WireImage)
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Jim Ross
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MARCH 10: WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross attends "What Now" Los Angeles Film Premiere at Laemmle Music Hall on March 10, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Paul Redmond/WireImage)
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Jim Ross
HOUSTON - APRIL 04: WWE announcer Jim Ross, center, along with Mean Gene Okerland and Ric Flair attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Center on April 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)
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Jim Ross
HOUSTON - APRIL 04: WWE television commentator Jim Ross attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Center on April 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)
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Jim Ross
HOUSTON - APRIL 04: WWE television commentator Jim Ross attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Center on April 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)
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Jim Ross
HOUSTON - APRIL 04: WWE television commentator Jim Ross attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Center on April 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/WireImage)
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Jim Ross
Jim Ross (Photo by J. Shearer/WireImage) *** Local Caption ***
