Jim Ross Clarifies NJPW Departure At Year’s End: ‘It’s Just Business’

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