It was recently reported on an episode of MLWRadio.com’s MSL & Sullivan show that Jim Ross would be returning to announcing full time for NJPW. Ross shot the report down saying that it wasn’t a done deal. He did however confirm in his latest blog that the two sides are trying to work out a deal and he’s optimistic that they’ll come to an agreement. He wrote the following:
“Twitter was abuzz Friday with the rumors that I had signed a contract to become the new play by play voice of AXSTV’s New Japan Pro Wrestling broadcast that airs every Friday night on AXSTV. Mauro Ranallo has filled that seat along side of Josh Barnett quite well since the network began airing NJPW events. Mauro has since moved on to become the Smackdown play by play voice and, by the way, has done doing a stellar job the first two weeks of his tenure on the USA Network for WWE. Mauro has recorded NJPW commentary along with Josh Barnett through February.
The bottom line is my camp and AXSTV have had talks over the last couple of months and there is a mutual interest to do business together but we have yet to finalize our agreement. As of Saturday morning, I was told that the “lawyers are reviewing the revised points on the contract.” If we can all get on the same page, of which I am optimistic that we can, then we can get every thing signed and move forward to another exciting chapter of my broadcasting career. To be able to get back in the game is something that excites me and to be able to call such a fundamentally sound, athletic presentation like NJPW motivates me.”
