ROH COO Joe Koff was interviewed on Jason Powell’s “Pro Wrestling Boom” podcast to talk about ROH’s “Best in the World” pay-per-view. Koff also talked about having fans in attendance, how the company dealt with the pandemic and more.
Here are some highlights:
Koff was asked where he stands with CMLL and New Japan Pro Wrestling:
“First of all, CMLL, nobody is wrestling. Nobody is traveling in back and forth. They know their wrestlers are, but there’s no real interaction in that. New Japan is fine except they’re a competitor in The United States. It’s not like it was where Ring of Honor was their American portal to wrestling. They now have a functioning promotion. They’re in The United States. They are somewhat of a competitor to us. They don’t have near the distribution. They don’t have near the that size we do. I think these happen organically. We have used New Japan wrestlers. Rocky Romero has been on shows. We have a very cordial relationship, but to be honest, until the big shows start coming around again, we had plans to do a tour with New Japan as we always did in May. Nothing really changed except Covid stopped everything. I know they’re wrestling in Japan, but everytime I look at the papers, there’s more problems in Japan. I don’t know how easy it is for them either. I’ve always been concerned about our promotion, and what’s best for our promotion, and we’re happy to work with other promotions. We always have, and we will continue to do so when it makes sense for both parties, but as far as the formal working relations as it existed with CMLL and New Japan, they haven’t been dissolved. There just has not been any activity for them”
Koff was asked if their was any discussion about joining an alliance with AEW/Impact/New Japan:
“No, we haven’t, because it hasn’t been opportune for us. If you look at the connection between the three, it’s fairly easy to see what it is. It works for all parties. Everyone’s got their own business model. Everyone’s got their own business plan. I don’t have to tell you AEW was born out of Ring of Honor, and they’ve done a great job. Those guys did a great job for me when they were working for us, and they’re doing a great job for them. Nothing but good to say.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit “Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell” with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
