12 Ups & 5 Downs From NJPW The New Beginning In Osaka 2019

Ups...

12. Welcome Back

Don Callis Chris Jericho
Instagram/@chrisjerichofozzy

It was great to have Don Callis back in the New Japan announce booth last night, taking his rightful place as the promotion's chief English-language colour guy after a string of failed experiments with Andy Boy Simmonz, Mavs GIllis, and others.

The former Cyrus is always missed when he's away. An outstanding announcer who adapted to the product very quickly upon appointment, he brings personality to proceedings, but never at the expense of the story the wrestlers are supposed to be telling. In short, he knows when he needs to call the action and when to heel it up. This understanding of his role makes him the best colour guy in the business today, and he has outstanding chemistry with Kevin Kelly, too.

Callis' busy Impact Wrestling schedule has kept him away from New Japan more than many fans would like over the past year. That's understandable, though we hope to hear more from him in 2019.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.