A new report details why Tony Khan turned down the opportunity to air ROH TV on the CW Network.
In mid-October, Billy Corgan revealed that he’d signed two major NWA television deals, and it was later reported that the deals were for NWA programming to appear on the CW Network. However, a controversial spot at NWA Samhain placed the promotion’s future on CW in doubt as content may now be aired on the app instead of on television.
Complicating matters, it was announced on November 7th that WWE NXT would be moving to the CW in October of 2024, just as SmackDown arrives on USA. One NWA talent was said to be “blindsided” by NXT’s move to CW.
Now, Haus of Wrestling reports that CW was in talks with another big name in wrestling: AEW and ROH President Tony Khan. The report from Nick Hausman reads:
“Haus of Wrestling has learned that a high-level CW executive approached Khan at the LA Forum in June 2022 about bringing Ring of Honor content to the network. We are unsure if this was before talks between The CW and the NWA or WWE NXT were underway. From what we understand, Khan did not pursue talks with The CW as he refuses to seriously entertain new deals for ROH until AEW TV rights are in play, which will be in 2024. Khan feels that by waiting, he will have more options and leverage in the marketplace.
“It was noted to Haus of Wrestling that Khan found the CW executive to be very pleasant and someone he enjoyed visiting with, but it was just not the right time to make a deal.”
Former ROH Owner Cary Silkin Criticized Tony Khan’s Booking
Tony Khan announced his purchase of Ring of Honor back in March of 2022, and since that time, former owner Cary Silkin has been critical of his handling of the promotion. Khan serves as lead booker of Ring of Honor in addition to All Elite Wrestling.
In a new appearance on The Insiders, Cary Silkin reaffirmed his belief that Ring of Honor isn’t what it once was, saying:
“It’s still alive today, but it’s …it doesn’t have … even in the worst times of my Ring of Honor, even in the worst times of the Sinclair Ring of Honor, there was like ‘We’re all in this together’ kind of. It was a family; the fans are family. And I like Tony Khan, and he’s a good guy, and he’s got so much on his plate that I just think the current Ring of Honor is … I can’t come up with the right words,” he continued. “And maybe I’m sour grapes a little. But it’s not gelled together properly.” (h/t WrestlingInc)