Sinclair Broadcast Group, which owns Ring of Honor Wrestling, announced that it will produce the Final Battle pay-per-view on December 11 in Baltimore, then will take a break from regular operations. There is a TV taping in November to set up Final Battle.
The note posted to the Ring of Honor socials 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.
Dave Meltzer was the first to report that all Ring of Honor talent has been released from their contracts, though they will be honored until the end of 2021. Talent can take bookings immediately.
The evidence was everywhere:
- Caleb Dewall, who wrestles as Silas Young, posted “Now available for wrestling bookings.” In a separate post, he took a philosophical approach: “Sometimes life is hard. But you gotta keep on persevering. Sometimes one door has to close before another one can open.”
- Beer City Bruiser posted a nearly identical tweet, “Available to take wrestling bookings. DM or email me!”
- Quinn McKay wrote “Now taking bookings”
- Joe The Answer wrote: “I have a lot to be thankful for. Because of ROH, I got to live my dream, travelling the states working with some of the best. Its just the start for me and my custom entrances are back. Taking indy bookings worldwide (US dates after march). Tag a promotion”
- Bandido: “Forever #THEMOSTWANTEDCHAMPION”
- Mike Bennett wrote, “There will be a silver lining in all of this. I’ll let you know when I find it. Till then, back to work.”
My heart breaks 💔😔
❤️🤍🖤
— World Famous CB/ da’Coldest Brotha (@CheeseburgerROH) October 27, 2021
Ring of Honor began in 2002, partly out of the ashes of WCW and ECW leaving so much talent out there. In 2011, Sinclair Broadcast Group bought control.
RELATED LINK
Maria Kanellis celebrates ROH’s Women’s division in goodbye message