Ring of Honor Wrestling explained

Genre:Professional wrestling
Starring:ROH roster
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:14
Num Episodes:653
Camera:Multicamera setup
Runtime:120 minutes
Network:HDNet
Network3:Honor Club

Ring of Honor Wrestling (also known as ROH Honor Club TV,[1] and often shortened as ROH Wrestling TV, ROH TV,[2] ROH TV on HonorClub,[3] or ROH on HonorClub[4]) is an American professional wrestling television series produced by Ring of Honor (ROH). The series features professional wrestlers competing in matches and conducting interviews.[5] Combined, these elements create and further the storylines of the promotion.

The pilot episode was taped on February 28, 2009, and the series premiered on March 21, 2009,[6] airing weekly on HDNet in the United States. The series' 100th and final HDNet episode aired on April 4, 2011.

The series would return under the same title, airing on television stations owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group on September 24, 2011; such stations being affiliates of The CW and MyNetworkTV.[7]

Following the acquisition of Ring of Honor from Sinclair by All Elite Wrestling president and co-founder Tony Khan in March 2022,[8] the show eventually ceased broadcasting on Sinclair's stations; the final episode aired on April 15, 2022.[9] [10] Khan later announced in December 2022 that weekly programming will be aired on the relaunched Honor Club streaming platform. The series returned on March 2, 2023.[11]

History

Original run (2009–2011)

Ring of Honor (ROH) first announced its partnership with HDNet in an article posted to its website on January 26, 2009. The article stated that HDNet would air a weekly ROH television series titled Ring of Honor Wrestling.[12] They subsequently announced their first television tapings would take place at The Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[5] Ring of Honor Wrestling began airing weekly on March 21, 2009, on HDNet.[6]

On July 1, 2009, it was reported that Ring of Honor had cancelled television tapings scheduled for July 17 and 18; it was reported to be a decision made by HDNet, and not Ring of Honor.[5] On July 27, 2009, ROH announced that the show would be moving to Monday nights beginning on August 17, with a repeat airing later that night. On February 11, 2010, it was announced that Ring of Honor Wrestling would be airing in Italy on Dahlia TV.[5]

On January 11, 2011, Ring of Honor announced the end of its television series, after the completion of the promotion's two–year contract with HDNet. The show's final tapings took place on January 21 and 22, with the final episode airing on April 4, 2011.[5] [13] [14]

Sinclair series (2011–2022)

On May 21, 2011, the Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that they had purchased ROH, with Cary Silkin remaining with the company in an executive role. Ring of Honor Wrestling began airing in September 2011 over Sinclair stations, mainly in weekend primetime on their CW and MyNetworkTV stations.[15]

On September 9, 2014, ROH announced that Ring of Honor Wrestling would begin being syndicated to stations in non-Sinclair markets, with Gannett Company-owned WATL in Atlanta becoming the first non-Sinclair station to air Ring of Honor Wrestling on September 13, 2014.[16]

On May 27, 2015, ROH announced a 26-week television deal with Destination America, beginning on June 3.[17] The program originally aired twice on Wednesdays; first at 8pm and then a replay at 11pm. However, after struggling to gain viewers, Ring of Honor Wrestling lost their primetime slot in late July and was reduced to a single airing at 11pm. The final episode on Destination America aired on November 25, 2015.[18]

On December 2, 2015, Ring of Honor Wrestling debuted on the Sinclair-owned Comet.[19]

On July 9, 2017, Ring of Honor Wrestling was moved to Charge!.[20] It was also announced that the show would also be streamed through FITE TV, a mobile app that allows streaming through Wi-Fi to a smart TV or a set-top box such as Roku or Chromecast.[21] [22]

Following Sinclair's purchase of the Fox Sports Networks (which were divested by The Walt Disney Company following its acquisition of key assets from 21st Century Fox), Ring of Honor Wrestling began airing on the newly acquired RSN's in November 2019. This brought ROH TV availability in several large markets where Sinclair lacked an over-the-air station.[23]

The show's final episode on Sinclair stations aired on the weekend of April 15, 2022.[24] [25]

Honor Club series (2023–present)

In an interview with Busted Open following his purchase of the company, Tony Khan announced plans to relaunch the weekly series.[26] On December 10, 2022, after Final Battle, Khan announced that the program would relaunch on Honor Club, beginning in 2023.[27]

During the December 16, 2023 TV tapings, Tony Khan debuted a new ROH Women's World Television Championship.[28]

Production

Episode format

An episode typically features matches as well as interviews from the wrestlers regarding their upcoming matches or current storylines. The show typically ends after the main event (the final match on an episode) and goes to a closing graphic.

Beginning in August 2019, the show's format was changed to feature highlights of recent events, with Ian Riccaboni and Quinn McKay hosting from backstage. The show featured one full-length main event match, with the color commentary during the matches themselves varying as Riccaboni is paired with a variety of partners. It was speculated that this revamp was done in order to drive growth for Honor Club, where the promotion had begun to stream its television tapings live.[29] [30]

Upon Ring of Honor's return to promoting events following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic hiatus, the series format was revamped beginning on the September 12, 2020 episode.[31] [32]

During the promotion's hiatus after Final Battle in December 2021, the show was revamped to focus on archival footage, "Best of" specials, and highlights from recent events.[33]

Filming locations

All but six episodes of the HDNet run were taped at The Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[6] The Arena is frequently used as a professional wrestling venue, and is known prominently for formerly hosting many Extreme Championship Wrestling events.

ROH held television tapings at the Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky on December 9 and 10 in 2010.[5]

Beginning in August 2020, after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ROH resumed television tapings from the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena (formerly known as the UMBC Event Center) in Maryland.

On February 25 and 26, 2023, the first tapings of the relaunched program were held at Universal Studios Soundstage 21 in Orlando, Florida, the same venue where AEW Dark episodes were taped.[34] [35]

Starting June 17, tapings were held regularly after live broadcasts of AEW Collision within the same arenas.[36]

Special episodes

Episode titleDateViewersNote
HDNet (2009–2011)
Best of 2009December 28, 2009
Best of 2010December 27, 2010
Broadcast syndication (2011–2022)
Best of 2011December 24, 2011 & December 31, 2011
Best of 2012December 22, 2012 & December 29, 2012
Life & Times of the Briscoe BrothersJune 22, 2013
Best of ROH Wrestling TVAugust 17, 2013
Best of Adam ColeDecember 21, 2013
Best of 2013December 28, 2013
ROH Best in the World 2014 PreviewJune 21, 2014
Best of Michael ElginJune 28, 2014
ROH Final Battle 2014 PreviewDecember 6, 2014
Best of 2014January 3, 2015
ROH 13th Anniversary Show PreviewFebruary 28, 2015
ROH on Destination AmericaJune 3, 2015273,000[37]
Best of 2015December 30, 2015
ROH Global Wars 2016 PreviewApril 30, 2016
Best of Jay LethalMay 14, 2016
Best of Bullet ClubMay 21, 2016
Women of Honor SpecialJune 25, 2016
Best of ROH Wrestling TVJuly 2, 2016
Best of 2016December 31, 2016
Best of 2017December 30, 2017
Best of 2018December 22, 2018 & December 29, 2018
Best of 2019December 21, 2019 & December 28, 2019
Best of The Briscoe Bros.March 28, 2020
Best of Jay LethalApril 4, 2020
Best of PCOApril 11, 2020
Best of Matt TavenApril 18, 2020
Best of Flip GordonApril 25, 2020
Best of Mark HaskinsMay 2, 2020
Best of Marty ScurllMay 9, 2020
Best of Dalton CastleMay 16, 2020
Best of Dragon LeeMay 23, 2020
Best of RushMay 30, 2020
Best of Brody KingJune 6, 2020
Best of Silas YoungJune 13, 2020
Best of BandidoJune 20, 2020
Best of Kenny KingJune 27, 2020
Best of PJ BlackJuly 4, 2020
Best of VincentJuly 11, 2020
Best of Hana KimuraJuly 18, 2020
Best of Jonathan GreshamJuly 25, 2020
Best of Joe HendryAugust 1, 2020
Best of Shane TaylorAugust 8, 2020
Best of Rhett TitusAugust 15, 2020
Best of The AllüreAugust 22, 2020
Best of Tracy WilliamsAugust 29, 2020
Best of The BouncersSeptember 5, 2020
The start of the Pure Championship Tournament[38] September 12, 2020
Best of 2021December 31, 2021
Special AwardsJanuary 7, 2022
Women's World Championship DocumentaryJanuary 14, 2022
Final Battle: End of an Era highlightsJanuary 21, 2022 & January 28, 2022
Hall of Fame SpecialMarch 4, 2022

Championships and accomplishments

As of,

Current champions

See main article: List of current champions in Ring of Honor.

Roster

See main article: List of Ring of Honor personnel. The wrestlers featured on Ring of Honor Wrestling take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as either villains or heroes in the scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.

Commentators

Commentators Dates
Mike Hogewood and Dave Prazak[39]
Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness












Kevin Kelly and Caleb Seltzer
Kevin Kelly and Various Guest Commentators
Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino


Jay Lethal and Roderick Strong
Larry Mercer

Larry Mercer and Mandy Leon

Kevin Kelly, Steve Corino, and Prince Nana
Kevin Kelly and Caprice Coleman
Kevin Kelly, Nigel McGuinness, and Caprice Coleman
Kevin Kelly and Truth Martini
Kevin Kelly and Adam Cole
Kevin Kelly, Steve Corino, and Nigel McGuinness
Kevin Kelly, Nigel McGuinness, and Mark Briscoe
Kevin Kelly and Prince Nana
Mandy Leon
Kevin Kelly and Mandy Leon
Kevin Kelly

Kevin Kelly and Mr. Wrestling 3
Ian Riccaboni and Nigel McGuinness
Kevin Kelly and Matt Taven
Ian Riccaboni and Various Guest Commentators
Ian Riccaboni and Kevin Kelly
Ian Riccaboni and Colt Cabana
Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero
Ian Riccaboni and Rico DeLaVega
Ian Riccaboni and Joe Koff
Ian Riccaboni and B. J. Whitmer



Ian Riccaboni and Marty Scurll
Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman




– April 15, 2022

– present
Ian Riccaboni, B. J. Whitmer, and Caprice Coleman
Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, and Marty Scurll
Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, and Caprice Coleman


Ian Riccaboni
Ian Riccaboni and Quinn McKay
Quinn McKay
Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, and Nigel McGuinness

Broadcast history

!Channel ET ! Years
2009 series
2009
2009
2009–2011
2011 series
2011–2022
2015
2015
2015–2022
2015–2017
2017–2018
2018–2019
2018–2019
2019–2021
2020–2022
2020–2021
2021–2022
2022
2023 series
2023–present

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: This Thursday, March 2, the New Era of Honor will begin! ROH World Champion @ClaudioCSRO defends the title vs. the man who cost him $100,000 at Christmas: @ARealFoxx! Don't miss the first episode of ROH Honor Club TV: subscribe today. Feb 26, 2023. Feb 26, 2023. Ring of Honor on Twitter.
  2. Web site: Latest TV Episode. January 7, 2018.
  3. Web site: HOME . Ring Of Honor . en . ROH TV ON HONORCLUB.
  4. Web site: HOME . Ring Of Honor . en . WATCH EPISODE ?? OF ROH ON HONORCLUB ANYTIME ON DEMAND.
  5. Web site: Ring of Honor National TV Tapings December 9th & 10th in Louisville . August 30, 2010 . . dead . 2012-07-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160812131512/http://www.thewrestlingtimes.com/search/label/ROH%20News . August 12, 2016 . mdy-all .
  6. Web site: ROH News: ROH TV episode listing for entire history of ROH TV on HDNet. December 28, 2009. 2010-01-05. Pro Wrestling Torch.
  7. Web site: Caldwell's ROH TV report 9/24: ROH Tag Title match headlines debut episode on Sinclair Broadcasting. Caldwell. James. September 24, 2011. 2011-09-25. Pro Wrestling Torch.
  8. News: March 3, 2022. March 2, 2022. Robert. Gunier. Wrestling Inc. AEW And Tony Khan Release Official Statement On ROH Purchase.
  9. Web site: ROH Wrestling 2022 | ROH Wrestling Results List | Ring of Honor Shows History .
  10. Web site: ROH TV Airs Final Episode on Sinclair. Wrestling Inc. April 15, 2022.
  11. Web site: Tyler. Conway. AEW's Tony Khan Announces Ring of Honor Weekly TV Shows Will Stream on HonorClub. Bleacher Report. December 11, 2022. January 19, 2022.
  12. Web site: HDNet Fights Announces Partnership with Ring of Honor. January 26, 2009. 2010-01-05. Ring of Honor. https://web.archive.org/web/20100113064421/http://rohwrestling.com/news/Article.aspx?id=2524. January 13, 2010 .
  13. Web site: Caldwell's ROH TV report 4/4: Final ROH TV episode on HDNet featuring excellent 30-minute six-man tag All-Star match. April 5, 2011. Caldwell. James. 2011-04-06. Pro Wrestling Torch.
  14. Web site: ROH News: ROH losing weekly TV show on HDNet, ROH producer blogs on the news & ROH's TV future . January 12, 2011 . Caldwell . James . 2011-01-12 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  15. Web site: ROH News: Full ROH press conference Friday – start date for new TV show, Internet PPV news & notes (w/Video). Pro Wrestling Torch. June 14, 2011. 2011-06-25. James. Caldwell.
  16. http://www.rohwrestling.com/news/sinclair-broadcast-group-announces-syndication-deal-ring-honor-wrestling SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP ANNOUNCES SYNDICATION DEAL FOR RING OF HONOR WRESTLING
  17. Web site: Caldwell . James . May 27, 2015 . ROH news: ROH announces length of Dest. America TV deal . May 27, 2015 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  18. Web site: Caldwell . James . July 25, 2015 . ROH news: ROH TV bumped from Dest. America's prime time line-up . July 27, 2015 . Pro Wrestling Torch.
  19. Web site: Ring of Honor to air nationally on Comet Starting December 2nd. April 22, 2023.
  20. Web site: This week ROH is moving from Comet to CHARGE! Back-to-back episodes air Sundays at 10 pm! Find CHARGE! in your area. April 22, 2023.
  21. Web site: ROHTV Listings. 22 April 2023. rohwrestling.com.
  22. Web site: ROH Wrestling. 22 April 2023. fite.tv.
  23. Web site: ROH TV to Begin Airing on Sinclair's FOX Sports Regional Channels. October 25, 2019.
  24. Web site: ROH TV airs final episode on Sinclair Broadcast Group stations. April 18, 2022 . April 22, 2023.
  25. Web site: END OF AN ERA THIS WEEKEND - FINAL ROH ON SINCLAIR EPISODE | PWInsider.com. www.pwinsider.com. April 22, 2023.
  26. News: Tony Khan relaunching ROH weekly TV show following Supercard of Honor. Ian. Carey. Figure Four Online. March 18, 2022. April 23, 2022.
  27. News: ROH Planning Second Jay Briscoe Tribute Show, WBD Reportedly Didn't Allow Tributes On Dynamite. Joseph. Lee. 411 Mania. January 19, 2023. January 19, 2023.
  28. Web site: Wilkinson . Nick . Tony Khan Unveils New ROH Women's TV Title . live . http://web.archive.org/web/20231217051536/https://www.diva-dirt.com/tony-khan-unveils-new-roh-womens-tv-title/ . December 17, 2023 . December 18, 2023 . Www.diva-dirt.com. December 17, 2023 .
  29. Web site: ROH Episode #411: ROH Championship Triple Threat. August 9, 2019.
  30. Web site: Ring of Honor to Stream Television Tapings Live. July 18, 2019.
  31. Web site: ROH returning to television production this month. Figure Four Online. 11 August 2020. 23 July 2021.
  32. Web site: ROH Best In The World to be held in front of fans. Figure Four Online. 17 May 2021. 23 July 2021.
  33. Web site: RING OF HONOR TV UPDATE | PWInsider.com. www.pwinsider.com. April 22, 2023.
  34. Web site: Andrew. Ravens. Plans for Upcoming ROH TV Tapings. SEScoops. February 3, 2023. February 27, 2023.
  35. Web site: Connel. Rumsey. First Look at ROH Television Set Ahead of Tapings. WrestleTalk. February 26, 2023. February 26, 2023.
  36. Web site: ROH television reportedly set to be taped after new AEW show. May 16, 2023. Heydorn. Zack. PWTorch. May 18, 2023.
  37. Web site: Ring of Honor Draws 163 thousand viewers in Destination America debut. June 4, 2015.
  38. Web site: 9/11 ROH TV REPORT_ Back with first new content since pandemic hiatus, Pure Title Tournament begins with Lethal vs. Castle, Gresham vs. Yuta. Pro Wrestling Torch. 18 September 2020. 23 July 2021.
  39. Web site: Caldwell's ROH TV Report 3/21: ROH debuts on HDNet with Jimmy Jacobs vs. Tyler Black . 2010-01-07. PWTorch.