Pro Wrestling News: Jim Ross leaving AXS TV NJPW Broadcast team

Good 'Ol JR is done broadcasting for NJPW at year's end.
Good 'Ol JR is done broadcasting for NJPW at year's end.

What's the story?

Jim Ross is leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling. He broke the news on twitter and PWInsider.com reported on the matter.

What's the next move for Jim Ross, one of the most beloved commentators in the history of pro wrestling?

In case you missed it . . .

Jim Ross has been a fixture in professional wrestling as an announcer since his time in NWA in the mid '70s to his mainstream run with WCW that started in 1987. It was there where he became nationally known as one of the best wrestling announcers in the world.

The WWE came calling and Ross joined the WWE in 1993 and was a mainstay in the promotion from 1994-2013.

Ross provided some of the most memorable announcing in WWE history during Mankind's fall through the Hell in a Cell structure against the Undertaker. His back-and-forth with long-time partner Jerry 'the King' Lawler was synonymous with WWE for much of the late 90s and early 2000s.

He also was known for his calls of Stone Cold Steve Austin matches and his well-known phrases 'slobberknocker', 'scalded dog' and 'tougher than a two dollar steak'. He's also been a play-by-play announcer for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and has been the voice of NJPW's broadcasts on AXS TV along with MMA fighter Josh Barnett since 2015.

Ross has had an on-off relationship with the WWE since his departure in 2013, but has been welcomed back to call certain events.

He was on commentary for the main event of Wrestlemania 33 between Roman Reigns and the Undertaker. He also provided commentary for the first-ever Mae Young Classic and he was also a part of the commentary team in New York with long-time partner Jerry Lawler for Raw 25 Years.

He also gained some notoriety for JR's BBQ Sauce and his love his home-state Oklahoma Sooners.

The heart of the matter

Ross announced on twitter, as fans were speculating the reason why he was leaving NJPW:

Ross hasn't commented on his next move as of yet, but will likely land somewhere once 2019 begins.

What's next?

To many fans who watched pro wrestling in the 1990s, Jim Ross is the greatest commentator of all time.

He saw WWE through the Attitude Era, the Ruthless Aggression Era and the beginning of the PG Era.

He's seen it all and is highly respected in the industry.

Because of that fact, it would be surprising if he doesn't land a big-time announcing gig with either ROH, Impact or WWE. He might be finished announcing, but has not made any comments regarding what he plans on doing next.

If he does return to WWE, it might not be in a full-time capacity, but could be for special events like he previously did. Whatever he decides, he'd be welcomed back by fans and wrestlers alike with open arms.