Good news for wrestling fans who would like to see Ring of Honor on TV: Tony Khan hears you, and he does too.
That works out nicely since Khan is the owner of ROH, having acquired the promotion earlier this month. So far, it’s held just a single show under his leadership, Supercard of Honor XV, but has also had some crossover with Khan’s other wrestling company, AEW. Samoa Joe is currently the ROH World Television Champion, FTR holds the ROH World Tag Team Championship, and the ROH Women’s World Championship was recently decided on an episode of AEW Dynamite.
Still, one of the questions from the media during Khan’s pre-Double or Nothing conference call on May 26 was whether there was a timeline for TV or live events for this latest iteration of ROH. And while he didn’t commit to a date, Khan did say he has been talking to AEW’s broadcast partners, Warner Bros. Discovery, about plans that could include regular shows for ROH as well.
“I would love to get Ring of Honor weekly TV series, or streaming series, wherever it ends up, going very soon, and it’s something that I am working on and I think would be awesome for the fans,” Khan said. “And I’m hopeful that we’ll have Ring of Honor TV and also continue the great calendar of Ring of Honor pay-per-view events.”
ROH had a TV presence under its last owners, Sinclair Broadcast Group, but it didn’t have the same reach AEW enjoys under its deal with TNT and TBS. Similarly, the company started up its own HonorClub streaming service, but an agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery would open the door to services with much larger audiences, including, in an ideal world, an expanded HBO Max.
One thing fans shouldn’t expect is for ROH to be completely absorbed into AEW, as Khan confirmed in another part of the conference call that the two promotions would continue to be run separately, though with continued crossovers where it makes sense. He also answered a question about why the purchase was made through a separate acquisition company, noting that “at the time, I thought it would make sense to just jump on it,” as opposed to any contractual obstacles playing a part.
Most of all, what came through during all ROH discussion on the call was Khan’s belief that it can follow up its recent 20-year anniversary by continuing to be a strong, vibrant brand of pro wrestling in its own right. If he has his way, that will include a return to TV sooner rather than later.
“I think the company is in the strongest position it’s been in a long time, or frankly ever, with our love and support and the fact that I really care about Ring of Honor,” Khan said. “So everything we’re doing to grow and nurture that business going forward, but also with my financial resources behind it — and combining that with what I believe is some acumen for this business — I think Ring of Honor will be in its best position possible.”