NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed Commentary Team and Broadcasting Notes

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s next event in the US, Fighting Spirit Unleashed, will take place on September 30 in Long Beach, California.

Though NJPW was considering airing the event live on AXS TV in the US, AXS TV announced that they instead will air the show a few days later on Friday, October 5th at 8:00PM ET. The event will air live on New Japan World on September 30th starting at 8:00PM ET.

AXS TV also announced that Jim Ross and Kevin Kelly will be the commentary team with Josh Barnett’s absence due to a scheduling conflict with his MMA commitments.

Barnett commented on the issue, stating “I had a conflicting event with one of my fighters in Japan, otherwise I’d be there to call this event and have my partner Jim Ross’ back, as always. I’ll be back next time!”

Ross also commented on the issue and praised Kelly’s work as a commentator.

“While I will miss working with my normal broadcast partner Josh Barnett, I am excited for the opportunity to work again with Kevin Kelly, whom I broadcast with for the first time 20 years ago. Kevin has great knowledge from working on NJPW World, so he’ll bring another perspective to the broadcast and, as we all know, anything can and usually does happen. It should be a heck of a night.”

Current card of NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed:
* IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship match – Cody versus Juice Robinson (c).
* IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Tournament Semifinal match – Will Ospreay versus Marty Scurll.
* IWGP Tag Team Championship match – Guerrillas of Destiny (Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa) versus The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) (c).