Wise Choices with special guest Kevin Kelly
Digest
Kevin Kelly, a veteran wrestling announcer, shares a detailed account of his experience with a hostile work environment in AEW, ultimately leading to his departure. He describes a conflict with Ian Riccaboni, another announcer, that escalated to the point where he felt compelled to involve HR. Despite reporting the issue, Kelly received no resolution or apology, leading to a decline in his mental health. He further criticizes Tony Khan's leadership, highlighting a lack of understanding of creative, television production, and show formatting. Kelly contrasts AEW's backstage culture with WWE, where he felt more supported and valued. He expresses concern about the morale among AEW talent, noting a lack of clarity regarding their roles and a tendency for wrestlers to prioritize risky stunts over solid performances. The episode concludes with a discussion on the collaborative nature of announcing in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where Kelly and Don Callis were given creative freedom and trust to develop their own style.
Outlines
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WiseChoices with Kevin Kelly
This Chapter introduces Kevin Kelly, a veteran wrestling announcer, as a guest on WiseChoices. Eric Bischoff welcomes Kelly and expresses his excitement to have him on the show. They acknowledge their brief past interactions and look forward to a more in-depth conversation.
Kevin Kelly's Current Work
This Chapter delves into Kevin Kelly's current endeavors. He shares that he's been actively involved in teaching and mentoring young announcers, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the next generation of wrestling commentators.
The Art of Wrestling Announcing
This Chapter focuses on the art of wrestling announcing. Eric Bischoff and Kevin Kelly discuss their philosophies on play-by-play announcing, emphasizing the importance of keeping the audience engaged while focusing on the talent in the ring. They also touch upon the challenges of maintaining a distinct play-by-play role in a multi-person commentary booth.
The Brian Pillman Gun Incident
This Chapter revisits the infamous Brian Pillman gun incident, a controversial moment in wrestling history. Kevin Kelly shares his perspective on the event, highlighting the shock and confusion surrounding it, as well as the different reactions from American and international audiences.
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The Attitude Era and WWE's Evolution
This Chapter explores the transition of WWE from a family-friendly format to a more mature and edgy approach, known as the Attitude Era. Kevin Kelly shares his experiences as a new announcer during this period, highlighting the internal pressure and the influence of external factors, such as WCW's success, in driving this change.
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Announcer Mount Rushmore and Fan Interaction
This Chapter features a fan question about Kevin Kelly's Mount Rushmore of wrestling announcers. Kelly chooses Michael Cole, Jim Ross, and Tony Schiavone, highlighting their contributions to the industry. He also discusses the importance of developing unique voices and avoiding imitation, while acknowledging the challenges of fan interaction in a fast-paced television environment.
The State of New Japan Pro Wrestling
This Chapter delves into the current state of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Kevin Kelly provides a detailed analysis of the promotion's position in Japan, acknowledging its dominance but also highlighting the challenges of rebuilding its roster and maintaining its global influence. He compares the current state of New Japan to its past glory days, emphasizing the need for a new generation of stars to emerge.
The Importance of Homegrown Talent
This Chapter emphasizes the importance of developing homegrown talent in the wrestling industry. Kevin Kelly and Eric Bischoff discuss the challenges of relying on talent from other promotions and the need for long-term strategies to build a sustainable business. They also touch upon the impact of key departures, such as Kazuchika Okada's exit from New Japan, on the industry.
Logan Paul's Impact on Wrestling
This Chapter focuses on Logan Paul's impact on the wrestling industry. Kevin Kelly expresses his admiration for Paul's athleticism, showmanship, and willingness to take risks in the ring. He compares Paul's rapid progress to that of Kurt Angle, highlighting the unique challenges and successes of transitioning from a non-wrestling background to professional wrestling.
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The Future of TNA and WWE's Business Strategy
This Chapter explores the potential for a collaborative relationship between WWE and TNA. Kevin Kelly and Eric Bischoff discuss the possibility of WWE providing support to TNA, suggesting a shift in WWE's business strategy. They also touch upon the challenges of TNA in retaining talent and developing its own stars.
The End of After 83 Weeks
This Chapter addresses a fan question about the end of the After 83 Weeks podcast. Eric Bischoff explains that the podcast was a fun side project that became time-consuming, leading to its conclusion. He expresses his appreciation for Christie, his co-host, and hints at potential future collaborations.
Cody Rhodes' Reign as AEW Champion
This Chapter discusses Cody Rhodes' reign as AEW Champion. Kevin Kelly and Eric Bischoff analyze the challenges of maintaining a babyface champion's momentum after achieving their goal. They discuss the importance of having strong heels to create compelling storylines and the potential for Cody's character to evolve into a heel.
Kevin Kelly's Departure from WWE
This Chapter addresses a fan question about Kevin Kelly's departure from WWE. Kelly explains that his departure was due to financial reasons, as WWE was experiencing financial difficulties at the time. He expresses gratitude for the severance package he received and acknowledges the impact of the company's financial decisions on its employees.
Kevin Kelly's Time in AEW
This Chapter focuses on Kevin Kelly's time in AEW. He recounts his initial contact with Tony Khan and his decision to join the company as the announcer for the new show, Collision. Kelly shares his experiences with the show and the events that led to his departure, highlighting a personal conflict with Ian Riccaboni, an ROH announcer.
Kevin Kelly's Conflict with Ian Riccaboni
This Chapter details Kevin Kelly's conflict with Ian Riccaboni, another announcer in AEW. Kelly describes a series of incidents where Riccaboni was disrespectful and unprofessional, culminating in Kelly reporting the issue to HR. Despite HR's initial response, Kelly received no resolution or apology, leading to a decline in his mental health and ultimately his departure from AEW.
Tony Khan's Leadership
This Chapter focuses on Kevin Kelly's perspective on Tony Khan's leadership in AEW. Kelly criticizes Khan's lack of understanding of creative, television production, and show formatting, contrasting it with the more experienced leadership of Vince McMahon in WWE. He also expresses concern about the morale among AEW talent, noting a lack of clarity regarding their roles and a tendency for wrestlers to prioritize risky stunts over solid performances.
Announcing Style in New Japan Pro Wrestling
This Chapter discusses the collaborative nature of announcing in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Kevin Kelly describes the freedom and trust he and Don Callis were given to develop their own style, without any specific directives or limitations. He highlights the importance of this trust in fostering a strong chemistry between the announcers.
Keywords
Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly is a veteran wrestling announcer known for his work in WWE, Ring of Honor, AEW, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. He is recognized for his insightful commentary and his ability to connect with audiences. Kelly has also been involved in mentoring young announcers, sharing his expertise and passion for the industry.
AEW
AEW (All Elite Wrestling) is a professional wrestling promotion founded in 2019 by Tony Khan. It is known for its diverse roster, its focus on storytelling, and its commitment to providing a platform for independent wrestlers. AEW has gained significant popularity in recent years, challenging WWE's dominance in the wrestling industry.
Tony Khan
Tony Khan is the owner and CEO of AEW. He is also the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team and Fulham FC in the English Premier League. Khan is known for his passion for wrestling and his commitment to building a successful promotion. He has been praised for his willingness to take risks and his focus on creating a unique product.
Ian Riccaboni
Ian Riccaboni is a professional wrestling announcer known for his work in Ring of Honor and AEW. He is known for his energetic and passionate commentary style. Riccaboni has been a prominent figure in the wrestling industry for several years, gaining recognition for his work in both independent and major promotions.
Don Callis
Don Callis is a veteran wrestling manager, commentator, and writer. He is known for his work in WCW, TNA, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Callis is recognized for his sharp wit, his ability to connect with audiences, and his contributions to the development of wrestling storylines. He has also been involved in mentoring young wrestlers and announcers, sharing his expertise and passion for the industry.
New Japan Pro Wrestling
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion founded in 1972. It is known for its strong style of wrestling, its focus on technical ability, and its passionate fanbase. NJPW has gained international recognition for its high-quality events and its talented roster of wrestlers. The promotion has also been instrumental in the development of several prominent wrestlers, including Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kenny Omega.
Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon is a former professional wrestler, CEO, and chairman of WWE. He is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of professional wrestling. McMahon is known for his business acumen, his ability to create compelling storylines, and his commitment to building a global brand. He has also been a controversial figure, facing criticism for his handling of talent and his business practices.
WWE
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is a global professional wrestling entertainment company. It is the largest and most well-known wrestling promotion in the world. WWE is known for its high-production value, its iconic characters, and its ability to create compelling storylines. The company has also expanded into other areas of entertainment, including film, television, and video games.
Wrestling Announcer
A wrestling announcer is a commentator who provides play-by-play commentary and analysis during wrestling matches. They are responsible for keeping the audience engaged, providing context to the action, and highlighting the key moments of the match. Wrestling announcers play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of a wrestling event and enhancing the overall entertainment experience.
Backstage Culture
Backstage culture refers to the atmosphere and dynamics within a wrestling promotion outside of the ring. It encompasses the relationships between wrestlers, announcers, and other personnel, as well as the overall work environment. Backstage culture can have a significant impact on the morale and performance of talent, as well as the overall success of a promotion.
Q&A
What led to Kevin Kelly's departure from AEW?
Kevin Kelly's departure from AEW was a result of a conflict with Ian Riccaboni, another announcer, that escalated to the point where Kelly felt compelled to involve HR. Despite reporting the issue, Kelly received no resolution or apology, leading to a decline in his mental health and ultimately his decision to leave the company.
What is Kevin Kelly's perspective on Tony Khan's leadership in AEW?
Kevin Kelly criticizes Tony Khan's lack of understanding of creative, television production, and show formatting, contrasting it with the more experienced leadership of Vince McMahon in WWE. He also expresses concern about the morale among AEW talent, noting a lack of clarity regarding their roles and a tendency for wrestlers to prioritize risky stunts over solid performances.
How does Kevin Kelly compare the backstage culture of AEW to WWE?
Kevin Kelly describes a more supportive and valued environment in WWE, where he felt more connected to the talent and had access to experienced personnel who could address concerns. In contrast, he found the backstage culture in AEW to be more chaotic and less structured, with a lack of clarity regarding roles and a tendency for wrestlers to prioritize risky stunts over solid performances.
What is Kevin Kelly's perspective on the collaborative nature of announcing in New Japan Pro Wrestling?
Kevin Kelly highlights the freedom and trust he and Don Callis were given to develop their own style in New Japan Pro Wrestling, without any specific directives or limitations. He emphasizes the importance of this trust in fostering a strong chemistry between the announcers.
What are some of the challenges that Kevin Kelly faced during his time in AEW?
Kevin Kelly faced several challenges during his time in AEW, including a hostile work environment, a lack of support from leadership, and a decline in his mental health. He also expressed concern about the morale among AEW talent and the overall direction of the company.
Show Notes
On this edition of Wise Choices with Eric Bischoff, Eric welcomes legendary wrestling commentator/ring announcer Kevin Kelly to the show. The guys discuss the state of ring announcing/commentary, what's good and what needs to change. Kevin also shares stories of his time in the WWE, NJPW, ROH and AEW. Eric and Kevin also answer questions from our LIVE YouTube audience.
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