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Ring Of Honor May Want To Work With WWE
Over the last year several WWE stars have asked for their release, for a multitude of reasons, including creative issues.
WWE has not been keen on granting releases, with the fear talent may want to join another promotion, more specifically AEW.
Dave Meltzer reports an interesting idea from Ring Of Honor in the latest issue of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The report indicates Ring Of Honor would attempt to work with WWE to book stars such as Mike Kanellis and Oney Lorcan.
ROH and WWE have worked out deals in the past, such as ROH providing footage for WWE documentaries. WWE only books contracted talent to approved independent partners such as Progress and ICW. Some talent have had approval to make appearances at independent events.
The report cites politics between Ring Of Honor being affiliated with New Japan Pro Wrestling as an issue past licensing video footage. NJPW and ROH’s relationship has began to wane due to New Japan beginning to promote shows themselves in the United States.
“There was talk that ROH would attempt to work with WWE and book Bennett and/or Oney Lorcan. The sides have talked in the past, and reached business deals such as ROH giving them footage for documentaries and other things over the years have been discussed but the usual politics of ROH being affiliated with New Japan have seemingly kept anything past licensing some video as the extent of working together.” – Wrestling Observer Newsletter
Mike Kannelis recently did an interview with The Smarks and Stripes Podcast, indicating he is willing to work with WWE if they have something creative for him to contribute to the company.
Kanellis has offered his consulting services free of charge to independent promotions who are willing to cover transportation expenses. He cannot actually wrestle for any promotion due to his contract with WWE.
Oney Lorcan has worked a match for Progress Wrestling in the U.K. since asking for his release.
It’s unknown if WWE is willing to allow talent, even if they are unhappy to flourish outside the company. WWE wasn’t too pleased with ROH booking Madison Square Garden in 2018 in a joint-show with New Japan Pro Wrestling.