Ring of Honor released a statement today announcing that they are planning to take a hiatus after this December’s Final Battle event, and will use the first quarter of 2022 to “work internally to reimagine ROH”.
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) October 27, 2021
The tweet reads:
Throughout the pandemic, our top priority was to keep everyone healthy and safe, and despite not producing any live events over 18 months, we were able to keep everyone fully contracted. We now find ourselves at a time where we need to make changes to our business operations and are planning a pivot for Ring of Honor, with a new mission and strategy.
The year will culminate with a Final Battle in December, and we will be taking the first quarter of 2022 to work internally to reimagine ROH. ROH has the most dedicated fans in the industry, and we appreciate their loyalty and patience as we reconceptualize ROH.
We anticipate returning to live events in April for the Super Card of Honor with a new fan-focused product and provide a unique experience for wrestling fans.
What that “pivot” will entail remains to the seen, but Wrestling Observer Newsletter‘s Dave Meltzer is reporting that every wrestler employed by Ring of Honor has been released from their contract.
ROH released everyone from contracts, more to come.
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) October 27, 2021
Bryan Alvarez has reported that while technically, wrestlers can remain under contract until the end of the year, they are “able to work anywhere they want immediately.”
ROH will do tapings in November and then run Final Battle on PPV. Nobody's contract will be renewed, but everyone under contract will finish out the year. They are, however, able to work anywhere they want immediately. We are told rumors Sinclair canceled the show are not true.
— Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) October 27, 2021
ROH has come upon hard times, and they were hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, unable to run weekly live shows in the way WWE and AEW were. They have also clearly lost traction thanks in no small part to the rise of AEW — some time off and introspection about what the promotion can offer to the wrestling industry that nobody else can seems to be a good call.
More on this story as it develops. We wish all the wrestlers the best of luck in finding new promotions to call home until Ring of Honor is ready to run shows again this April.
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