Kevin Kelly (announcer)

Kelly was born in New York City, New York, but his family relocated to Stuart, Florida, when he was ten. He graduated from Florida State University in January 1990.{{cite web|url=http://www.theburninghammer.com/forum/topics.html-t-10335 |title=Interview with Kevin Kelly |publisher=TheBurningHammer.com |access-date=July 26, 2007 |date=December 11, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929115801/http://www.theburninghammer.com/forum/topics.html-t-10335 |archive-date=September 29, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

Kelly first became involved in broadcasting when he began working as a disc jockey, playing music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=19178|title=Kevin Kelly interview|author1=Thatcher, L. |author2=Young, D.|publisher=WrestlingObserver.com|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=April 8, 2007}}

Kelly once hosted a segment named "Plan B" on the Voice of Wrestling Internet radio program. In August 2007, Kelly started his own show on the Wrestling Radio Network called The Kevin Kelly Show. Kelly also hosts The Big Picture audio show on ClubWWI.com. In 2014, Kevin Kelly began hosting a wrestling and pop culture podcast, The Kevin Kelly Show, on Place to Be Nation.{{cite web |url=http://placetobe.podbean.com/ |title = Place to Be Wrestling Network}}

Kelly debuted on the professional wrestling independent circuit in 1991. He originally worked as a ring announcer for Eddie Mansfield's Orlando, Florida-based International Wrestling Federation.{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/k/kevin-kelly.html|title=Kevin Kelly|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=July 26, 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/kevinkelly.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041025161622/http://www.bodyslamming.com/other/kevinkelly.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 25, 2004|title=Kevin Kelly |publisher=Bodyslamminging.com|access-date=July 26, 2007}}

In November 1999, Kelly debuted in the Delaware-based East Coast Wrestling Association as a manager, forming several heel stables. On April 7, 2001, in Wilmington, Delaware, Kelly defeated Cheetah Master for the ECWA Heavyweight Championship with the help of Billy Fives and Rick Fuller, members of Kelly's "Alliance of Defiance" stable. He was stripped of the title on May 5, 2001, with Scoot Andrews defeating Billy Fives for the vacant title.{{cite web|url=http://www.gerweck.net/jimkettnerinterview.htm|title=Jim Kettner|author=Gerweck, S.|publisher=Gerweck.net|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=May 30, 2001|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927204851/http://www.gerweck.net/jimkettnerinterview.htm|archive-date=September 27, 2007}}{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/whtecwa.html|title=ECWA - East Coast Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title History|author=Dupree, J.|publisher=Solie.org|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=2005}} On December 3, 2005, Kelly was inducted into the ECWA Hall of Fame.

From 2003 to 2004, he worked for the first incarnation of Major League Wrestling.

From May 28, 2011, to October 22, 2011, Kelly was an announcer for Lucha Libre USA Season 2.{{cite web | url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_50431.shtml | title= 5/28 Lucha Libre USA TV taping: Spoiler results for Season 2 episodes of MTV2 show - Lethal debuts, Petey, new commentators, double-turns | last= Roberts | first= Alex |date= May 30, 2011 | access-date= May 30, 2011 | work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}

On November 13, 2022, Kevin Kelly announced that he would be starting his own wrestling promotion under the name "American eXcellence Wrestling". The promotion's first event was held on January 7, 2023 at the Hamburg Field House in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/kevin-kelly-announces-launch-new-wrestling-promotion/|title=Kevin Kelly Announces Launch Of New Wrestling Promotion|author=Jeremy Thomas|publisher=411mania.com|access-date=March 29, 2024|date=November 13, 2022}}

Kelly received a try-out with the World Wrestling Federation as a ring announcer due to the intervention of fellow IWF alumnus Billy Gunn. He was hired by the WWF in June 1996, and began working as a backstage interviewer.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=16586|title=Stephen Lyon looks at 10 years ago this week in the Wrestling Observer|author=Lyon, S.|publisher=WrestlingObserver.com|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=June 17, 2006}} From August to October 1996, Kelly served as commentator for Raw is War, the flagship television program of the WWF, alongside Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler. From December 1997 to March 1998, Kelly again served as a commentator for Raw is War, alongside Jim Ross and Michael Cole. Afterward, Kelly resumed serving as an interviewer on Raw is War and (upon its premiere) SmackDown!.

As an interviewer, Kelly was involved in numerous angles. The most publicized was the controversial "Pillman's got a gun" angle, which took place on the November 4, 1996 episode of Monday Night Raw, which was filmed in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The angle was set against the backdrop of an ongoing feud between Brian Pillman and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Throughout the broadcast of Monday Night Raw, live footage was shown of Kelly interviewing Pillman in his home in Walton, Kentucky alongside Pillman's wife Melanie. After Dok Hendrix informed Monday Night Raw announcer Vince McMahon that Austin was supposedly traveling to Pillman's home, Pillman, upon being apprised of this development, produced and loaded a 9 mm pistol and stated that he would "blow [Austin's] sorry ass straight to hell!" A frightened Kelly delivered the line "Pillman's got a gun!"{{cite web|url=http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/circa/20041007.shtml |title=1996: Brian Pillman Whips It Out |author=Burkholder, D. |publisher=OnlineOnslaught.com |access-date=July 26, 2007 |date=October 7, 2004 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003190716/http://www.oowrestling.com/columns/circa/20041007.shtml |archive-date=October 3, 2011 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=17809|title=Pillman & Austin Gun Angle...|author=Lyon, S.|publisher=WrestlingObserver.com|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=November 4, 2006}} In the course of the interview, Austin arrived at Pillman's home and, after fighting off several of Pillman's friends who had surrounded the house to protect him, broke into the house and advanced on Pillman. Pillman responded by pointing his pistol at Austin, with the live camera feed subsequently fading to black as Kelly and Melanie Pillman screamed. When the camera feed returned, Pillman was being restrained by his friends, and Kelly informed McMahon that there had been two explosions, but no-one had been injured. At that point, Austin re-entered the house, with Pillman's friends forcing him out again as Pillman pointed his pistol at Austin while screaming obscenities and threats. Kelly shouted for someone to "call the police" as Monday Night Raw color commentator Jerry Lawler instructed him to "get the gun". The broadcast ended with Austin being driven from the house as Melanie Pillman cried. The WWF and Pillman would later apologize for the segment.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Kelly would frequently be mocked by The Rock during interviews, with The Rock labeling him an "ugly hermaphrodite" and nicknaming him "Hermie". At Unforgiven on September 24, 2000, Kelly was attacked by the returning Stone Cold Steve Austin while attempting to interview him.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingPPV/sep25_unforgiven-can.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519161524/http://slam.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingPPV/sep25_unforgiven-can.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 19, 2015|title=Austin culprit unrevealed at Unforgiven|author=Powell, J.|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=September 25, 2000}}

Kelly would later begin hosting the weekly WWF webcast Byte This!.{{IMDb title|5859428|WWE Byte This!}} In addition to his on-screen roles, Kelly served as a WWF talent scout, monitoring wrestlers in the Heartland Wrestling Association, Memphis Championship Wrestling, Ohio Valley Wrestling, and Urban Wrestling Alliance developmental territories. Kelly was responsible for watching and evaluating tapes of matches sent to the WWF by prospective employees.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive2001/jun1_prospects-can.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115104417/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingArchive2001/jun1_prospects-can.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=The Alberta WWF tryout experience|author=Oliver, G.|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=June 1, 2001}}{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2006/09/30/1924748.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725024218/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2006/09/30/1924748.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2017|title=The WWE tryout experience|author=LaCroix, C.|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=September 30, 2006}} Kelly also had a minor degree of influence on the creative direction of the WWF, and was the creator of the storyline that saw Stephanie McMahon marry Triple H, creating the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. In addition, Kelly produced WWE Confidential.

On March 21, 2003, Kelly was released by World Wrestling Entertainment as part of a series of budget cuts.{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=8488|title=Kevin Kelly interview about backstage in WWE|publisher=WrestlingObserver.com|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=September 22, 2003}}{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/03/30/54487.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115062947/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/03/30/54487.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=WWE to welcome Goldberg tonight?|author=Baines, T.|publisher=Ottawa Sun|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=March 30, 2003}} Since his release, Kelly has criticized the corporate policies and creative direction of his former employer.{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/06/18/114101.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115083915/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/06/18/114101.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 15, 2013|title=Kevin Kelly on his WWE years|author=Fritz, B.|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=June 18, 2003}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/wo/news/headlines/default.asp?aID=8805|title=Jimmy Valiant, Bill Eadie and Kevin Kelly interviews on state of wrestling business|author=Stein, T.|publisher=WrestlingObserver.com|access-date=July 26, 2007|date=October 28, 2003|display-authors=etal}}

In 2004, Kevin Kelly would replace Joey Styles as the announcer for Major League Wrestling, but the promotion would cease operations shortly thereafter.

On March 2, 2010, Jim Cornette announced that Kelly had signed an agreement to be the voice of Ring of Honor (ROH) on Internet pay-per-view{{cite web|url=http://whosslammingwho.podomatic.com|title=Who's Slamming Who|author=Who's Slamming Who|access-date=March 2, 2010|date=March 2, 2010}} Between 2011 and 2017, Kelly served as main play-by-play announcer for ROH television tapings and pay-per-views.

On February 2, 2017, it was reported that Kelly had given his notice to ROH and left his position as the company's head play-by-play announcer.{{cite web | url=http://pwinsider.com/article/107495/voice-of-ring-of-honor-kevin-kelly-leaves-promotion.html?p=1 | title= Voice of Ring of Honor Kevin Kelly leaves promotion | last=Johnson | first=Mike |date=February 2, 2017 | access-date=February 2, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}{{cite web | url=http://www.f4wonline.com/ring-honor/kevin-kelly-leaving-full-time-position-ring-honor-229486 | title= Kevin Kelly leaving full-time position with Ring of Honor | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | author-link=Dave Meltzer |date=February 2, 2017 | access-date=July 12, 2017 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} Kelly remained with ROH in a part-time role until July 11, when he announced he was no longer working for the company, although he will still call ROH matches held as part of New Japan Pro-Wrestling events as he is associated with the Japanese promotion as their English language play-by-play announcer.{{cite web | url=http://pwinsider.com/article/110888/kevin-kelly-leaves-ring-of-honor.html?p=1 | title= Kevin Kelly leaves Ring of Honor | last=Scherer | first=Dave |date=July 11, 2017 | access-date=July 12, 2017 | work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}

On October 12, Kelly and Matt Striker served as the English language commentators for New Japan Pro-Wrestling's King of Pro-Wrestling on NJPW World.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/fri-update-john-cena-taking-time-johnny-hendricks-hospitalized-198921 | title = Fri update: John Cena taking time off, Johnny Hendricks hospitalized | last=Meltzer | first=Dave | author-link=Dave Meltzer |date=October 2, 2015 | access-date=October 2, 2015 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}

Kelly returned to NJPW English commentary at Wrestle Kingdom 10 in Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2016, again working alongside Matt Striker as well as NJPW wrestler Yoshitatsu.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/other-wrestling/late-news-updates-friday-1218-taven-injury-weight-issues-tokyo-dome-nxt-204026 | title = Late news updates from Friday 12/18: Taven injury, weight issues, Tokyo-Dome, NXT | last=Velten | first=Dan | date=December 18, 2015 | access-date=January 6, 2016 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}} He returned as part of NJPW English commentary at Invasion Attack 2016 alongside Steve Corino, who filled in Matt Striker's position. In January 2017, Corino was replaced by Don Callis.{{cite web | url = http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-world-finds-its-new-lead-english-color-commentary-voice-228506 | title = NJPW World finds its new lead English color commentary voice | last=Currier | first=Joseph | date=January 17, 2017 | access-date=January 18, 2017 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}

On September 5, 2023, Kelly announced that he would be leaving NJPW in 2024.{{cite web | url = https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kevin-kelly-says-he-leaving-njpw-some-point-soon | title = Kevin Kelly Says He Is Leaving NJPW 'At Some Point Soon' | last=Lambert | first=Jeremy | date=September 5, 2023 | access-date=October 5, 2023 | work=Fightful}} Kelly would leave the company on November 14 instead, he was replaced by American indendepent wrestling commentator Walker Stewart on English commentary.{{cite web | url = https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-announces-kevin-kellys-departure | title = NJPW announces Kevin Kelly's departure | last=Renner | first=Ethan | date=November 13, 2023 | access-date=November 14, 2023 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}{{cite web | url = https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/walker-stewart-confirmed-as-new-njpw-english-language-commentator | title = Walker Stewart confirmed as new NJPW English-language commentator | last=Carey | first=Ian | date=October 4, 2023 | access-date=November 14, 2023 | work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}

Kelly officially joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on June 17, 2023, where he debuted as part of the commentary team for the inaugural episode of AEW Collision alongside Nigel McGuinness and Jim Ross.{{cite web|url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/report-update-on-kevin-kelly-s-status-with-aew-and-njpw-following-collision-debut|title=Latest On Kevin Kelly's Status With AEW & NJPW Following Collision Debut|last=Atkins|first=Jack|date=June 19, 2023|accessdate=October 18, 2023|work=Cultaholic}} He was fired on March 8, 2024, after taking to social media the week before and accusing ROH and fellow AEW announcer Ian Riccaboni of libel and attempted career sabotage.{{cite news |last= |first= |date=8 March 2024 |title=Kevin Kelly, announcer since the launch of Collision last summer, fired by AEW |url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2024/03/08/kevin-kelly-announcer-since-the-launch-of-collision-last-summer-fired-by-aew/ |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |location= |access-date=8 March 2024}} Kelly later appeared on Eric Bischoff's podcast show on June 15, discussing his termination, and plans to sue AEW.{{cite news|last=Mukherjee|first=Subhojeet| title= KEVIN KELLY REVEALS WHY HE IS TAKING AEW TO COURT AFTER DEPARTURE|url= https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/06/19/kevin-kelly-reveals-why-he-is-taking-aew-to-court-after-departure/|work=Ringsidenews.com|access-date=August 1, 2024}} On September 5, it was reported that Kelly (and The Tate Twins) have filed a lawsuit against AEW and AEW's owner and CEO Tony Khan to void the arbitration clause of their AEW talent contracts and to certify a class-action lawsuit that AEW misclassifying wrestlers as independent contractors instead of employees. Kelly has also filed a lawsuit for monetary damages from AEW and Riccaboni for breach of contract, defamation and causing him to being unable to find work.{{Cite magazine |last=Muelhausen |first=Steven |date=September 4, 2024 |title=Twitter Reacts To Intense Cody Rhodes And Kevin Owens Promo Ahead Of WWE Bash In Berlin |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/twitter-reacts-to-intense-cody-rhodes-and-kevin-owens-promo-ahead-of-wwe-bash-in-berlin |access-date=September 5, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=}}

• East Coast Wrestling Association
• ECWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2005){{cite web|url=http://www.ecwaprowrestling.com/main/halloffame/index.html|access-date=2008-07-02|title=ECW A Hall of Fame|publisher=ECWA|archive-date=2013-06-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620142750/http://www.ecwaprowrestling.com/main/halloffame/index.html|url-status=dead}}
• ECWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
• Best Television Announcer (2018, 2019, 2022){{cite web|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2019/03/17/bonus-show-wrestling-observer-newsletter-awards/|title=BONUS SHOW: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards|date=March 17, 2019|access-date=March 23, 2019|work=Post Wrestling}}{{cite web|url=https://wrestlepurists.com/2022-wrestling-observer-awards-results/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228204042/https://wrestlepurists.com/2022-wrestling-observer-awards-results/ |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |title=2022 Wrestling Observer Awards Results |work=WrestlePurists |author=Jaymond P |date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=March 4, 2023}}{{Cite journal|title=February 2023 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Results of the 2022 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|date=February 2023|journal=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}
• Best Announcer of the Decade (2010s){{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/daily-update-coronavirus-notes-noah-wrestlemania-307636|title = Daily Update: Coronavirus notes, NOAH, WrestleMania|date = 29 March 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.wrestlingradionetwork.com/content/section/4/69/ Kevin Kelly Show]
• {{IMDb name|id=0446574|name=Kevin Kelly}}
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110928053849/http://www.rohwrestling.com/wrestlers/roster/kevin-kelly Ring of Honor profile]}}
• {{professional wrestling profiles}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Kevin}}

Category:1967 births

Category:American color commentators

Category:American male professional wrestlers

Category:American radio personalities

Category:American sports announcers

Category:Florida State University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:American professional wrestling announcers

Category:American professional wrestling executives

Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets

Category:Sportspeople from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Category:Television personalities from Florida

Category:Television personalities from New York City