Could There Be A Ring Of Honor Television Channel One Day?

When looking at areas of growth for Ring of Honor, one has to look at its parent company, Sinclair Broadcasting Group (SBG). Just as an example, this week came the announcement of Sinclair partnering with the Chicago Cubs on a new station, Marquee Sports Network.

One area that Sinclair has been especially aggressive in creating or partnering in developing are digital-tier stations. While some digital-tier stations are creating original programming, like Bounce TV, most are programmed cheaply with re-run programming, with a focus on one particular genre or target market such as “action” or “horror”.

As a wrestling fan, you’d be familiar with many of these stations such as Comet TV, Charge!, TBD and Stadium, as some of those networks have aired Ring of Honor. The primary method of finding these stations is through a television antenna. Most are in a low profile position right now, as one would literally need to seek out the station in order to find it.

Currently, the number of digital stations that each network could carry is limited. At the moment, many networks have 3 or 4 digital sub-channels per network. Sinclair has been investing in a technology called ATSC 3.0 and is now planning to launch in 26 markets. Sinclair executives hope this will be a new broadcast standard. If ATSC 3.0 does becomes widely used, a network can increase digital-sub channels from the current 3 or 4 to 20.

With most of its sub-channels, Sinclair has to split the revenue with the content providers (such as MGM). All of that leads us to Ring of Honor.

With the ability to create and program new digital-tier networks, ROH would fit nicely as a stand-alone network. With SBG already owning the rights to about 17 years of pro wrestling content, it could fill up a 24 hour pro wrestling network schedule with limited time spent to prepare the programming for broadcast. One could speculate that most content created after SBG acquired ROH would be ready to be programmed into the station. Pre-SBG ROH would need editing of music rights and possible programming that wouldn’t be appropriate for broadcast.

Utilizing a signal that Sinclair owns with content that Sinclair owns is a low risk free endeavor for Sinclair. The channel would likely be turn-key: no live specials and no fancy editing. In programming the channel, SBG could get off to a good start with themed nights for the first week. Imagine a launch week of nights featuring Tommaso Ciampa, Daniel Bryan, Tyler Black, Kevin Steen and AJ Styles?

Source: Wrestling Inc

WWE Announces Release Of TJP

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Add 205 Live Superstar TJP to the list of talents released by WWE today.

Below is the announcement issued by WWE today:

TJP releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Theodore Perkins (TJP).

WWE did not wish the best to TJP in his future endeavors. The same went with the earlier announcement on the release of Hideo Itami, and the release of Tye Dillinger.

TJP was actually released by the company, according to PWInsider and their multiple sources. TJP’s departure was not a situation where he asked for his release and then was granted one, similar to Itami and Dillinger.

The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion has made two social media posts since his release was announced. We noted before how he thanked WWE for giving him the chance and letting him play for “the team I grew up watching” on Twitter. He also took to Instagram this evening and posted a quote from WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki.

The quote from Inoki, seen below, reads like this: “The Road: What awaits ahead if I choose this road? Don’t be afraid, or there will be no road. Take one step, for it will start a road and it will become the road. Go on without hesitation. And you will find your destination.”

TJP actually began training at the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo in Los Angeles back in 2003, under Inoki.

https://twitter.com/MegaTJP/status/1099034347460390912

Source: Wrestling Inc

WWE Announces Release Of Hideo Itami

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WWE has announced that 205 Live Superstar Hideo Itami is no longer with the company.

Below is the full announcement issued this afternoon:

Hideo Itami releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Kenta Kobayashi (Hideo Itami).

WWE did not wish Itami the best in his future endeavors. As noted, WWE announced the release of Tye Dillinger today and he was not wished the best either.

We noted back in late January that Itami had requested his release following the loss to Akira Tozawa on the January 29 edition of 205 Live. It was reported then that Itami was not happy with how he was being used in WWE.

Source: Wrestling Inc

WWE Announces Release Of Tye Dillinger

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WWE has announced that Tye Dillinger is no longer with the company.

Below is the full announcement issued this afternoon:

Tye Dillinger releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of Ron Arneill (Tye Dillinger).

As we noted on Tuesday, Dillinger took to Twitter after the SmackDown tapings in New Orleans and revealed that he had requested his release from the company. You can see his statement to fans from Tuesday below:

“Before rumors begin to spread, let me set things straight ahead of time: This evening, I requested my release from WWE. In the past 5 and a half years with them, I have seen and done some wonderful things. Things that I am very proud of and will never forget. I have met and worked with unquestionably, some of the greatest talent on this earth and the pleasure has been all mine. I feel at this time this decision, as extremely difficult as it was, is what is best for myself and WWE. I wish to continue to grow as a performer and offer those paying hard earned money to watch a show I’m performing on, a little more of myself. To the male and female locker rooms, coaches and producers, to the production/ring crew, all the way up to the very top of WWE and most of all the fans…I wish you all the very best and thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.”

Source: Wrestling Inc

MLW Fusion Preview 2/23/19

Watch Major League Wrestling nationwide and in Canada on beIN SPORTS Saturdays 9pm ET / 7pm PT and on YouTube Sundays 12pm ET / 9am PT.

World Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor has a message for Low Ki as the two prepare for next week’s steel cage championship bout at Intimidation Games.

While Low Ki trains away from the cameras in Puerto Rico, Salina de la Renta provides exclusive comments on the ex-champ and next week’s steel cage title fight in Chicago.

In the midst of appealing his suspension, Rich Swann is in action as he takes on the 4th generation athlete Lance Anoa’i.  After for 2 physical altercations, where’s Swann’s head at? The league will be carefully watching Swann’s conduct during this bout on Fusion.

Aerostar makes his debut as he squares off with Rey Horus in a clash of two superb luchadores.  Will Horus, the cousin of Rey Mysterio Jr., make a big splash in his MLW return or will Aerostar triumph in his debut? Tune in to find out!

Mance Warner makes his debut. See what Ol Mance is all about as the lariating brawler battles Mance Warner.

H2tv is back and Teddy Hart has some words for MJF and Holliday… and everyone in the sport.  Speaking of MJF and Holliday, the dynastic duo comment on last week’s shocking attack on Hart.

Matches: 

  • Aerostar vs. Rey Horus
  • Rich Swann vs. Lance Anoa’i
  • Mance Warner vs. Jimmy Yuta

Join Rich Bocchini and Matt Striker ringside in Philadelphia as Major League Wrestling presents the fastest and most dangerous hour of combat sports you’ll experience anywhere in the world.

Watch MLW FUSION Saturday nights on beIN SPORTS at 9pm ET/6pm PT.  Don’t get beIN? Subscribe to MLW’s YouTube channel for free and stream binge on MLW FUSION anytime anywhere!

Impact Wrestling Preview 2/22/19

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Scheduled for tonight’s Impact on the Pursuit Channel and Twitch at 10/9c.

* Impact World Champion Johnny Impact to kickoff Impact

* Alisha Edwards vs. Delilah Doom

* Eli Drake vs. Eddie Edwards

* The Desi Hit Squad vs. The Rascalz

https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1098990808043261953

WOW Women Of Wrestling Preview 2/22/19

Tonight on WOW Women of Wrestling on AXS TV at 9/8c.

* Tessa Blanchard flaunts her championship win over Jungle Grrrl last week.

* The Norwegian Nightmare, Nikki Krampus debuts against Stephy Slays

https://twitter.com/AXSTVFights/status/1098598217720070144

https://twitter.com/wowsuperheroes/status/1098991197106917376

Rumored Names For 2019 WWE Hall Of Fame

The Wrestle Votes Twitter account, which has broken news stories in the past, reports that The Hart Foundation (Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Jimmy Hart, Bret Hart), Tazz and The Honky Tonk Man are being considered for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. They would join D-Generation X if the rumor is true.

Tazz would also be one of the first big names from ECW to get inducted, as WWE has relied mostly on their own history and WCW in the past.

https://twitter.com/WrestleVotes/status/1098962673436409856

Source: 411 Mania 

Lucha Underground Executive Producer Believes The Show Is “Dead”

Earlier this week, Co-Executive Producer, Chris DeJoseph, gave his thoughts on the status of Lucha Underground Season 5 in a conversation on Twitter. DeJoseph was asked about the future of the show and he responded, “Personally I think it’s dead. But I hope not.”

A fan commented on how amazing the shows were to attend and DeJoseph responded, “Well, at this point it’s on the producers. If you want it, demand it!”

Season four of the show wrapped up last November and news on the next season has been non-existent. While the official decision remains to be made, some wrestlers are still being held to their contract with the promotion.

Earlier this month, King Cuerno filed documents in Los Angeles against the El Rey Network and Lucha Underground’s production Baba-G Productions, claiming the contract “illegally restricts” wrestlers from finding work in wrestling and is in violation of California law.

Meanwhile, in a now deleted tweet, Ivelisse said last month she was being “held hostage” by her contract with Lucha Underground.

“For a bit over 1 1/2 [years] now I’ve been battling LU to grant me my release,” Ivelisse wrote. “They convinced me to do S4 under the promise that I’d be released after the season concluded and was still unhappy. They currently are still refusing to do so despite having been told numerous times that they would.”

Shortly after her comments, Joey Ryan supported Ivelisse’s claims.

“I back Ivelisse 100% on this,” Ryan wrote. “Prior to S4, we were told anybody who requested a release would be granted one. Some did and left after the tapings. Others showed faith in the product and now seems are being punished for it. With no S5 in sight, it’s petty to keep anyone locked up.”

Source: Wrestling Inc

Report: WWE Releases Arn Anderson

Arn Anderson Parts Ways With WWE

Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting that WWE Hall Of Famer Arn Anderson of the Four Horsemen faction, and longtime behing-the-scenes producer / agent for has been released from the company.

According to the report, Anderson “exited the company on Thursday.”

It is unclear at this point why Anderson, who has worked for WWE since 2001, has departed from the company.

Anderson retired from in-ring competition in 1997 due to neck and back injuries, but still got in the ring for the occasional tag match or bump. Anderson has been a road agent with WWE since WCW folded in 2001. He occasionally appeared in backstage segments over the years, whether that was to offer advice to young superstars or participate in small comedic segments.

One of the original members of the Four Horsemen, “The Enforcer” is a multi-time tag team champion, winning titles with the then-WWF, WCW and NWA.

Although not confirmed, the influx of new road agents like Abyss, Gregory Helms and Daivari may have been a factor in WWE and him parting ways. This news comes just a few days before Ric Flair’s birthday celebration on RAW.