Major Update On Ring Of Honor's Future
The latest on ROH following news of its impending hiatus and mass wrestler releases.
Ring Of Honor looks set to return to its roots as an independent promotion when it returns to operation.
This is according to Dave Meltzer, who reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that ROH will operate with uncontracted wrestlers going forward, effectively progressing as an indie. The company will use whatever freelance talents are available to them whenever they run shows and produce television.
Meltzer reiterated that despite the impending shutdown, which starts after Final Battle 2021 on 11 December, ROH's weekly television show will continue using archival footage. Parent company Sinclair Broadcast Group have not cancelled the promotion's television.
ROH released a statement on Wednesday announcing that the hiatus would commence after Final Battle, with the company looking to return to shows in April 2022. Soon after, it was reported that the company had effectively released every wrestler on the roster, effective at the end of the year.
With regards to why this is happening, Meltzer stated that ROH was not turning a profit and had several big-money talent contracts to cover. Sinclair's budget for the promotion wasn't comparable to the promotions ROH is in competition with, so ROH's expenses effectively made it untenable.
Sinclair purchased ROH in 2011, ending its run as a true independent promotion.