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NewsJoe Koff Speaks On Steve Corino Possibly Leaving ROH For WWE, Final...

Joe Koff Speaks On Steve Corino Possibly Leaving ROH For WWE, Final Battle, More

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Joe Koff, Chief Operating Officer of Ring of Honor, recently spoke withphilly.com to promote Friday’s Final Battle PPV event.

The last time we talked, there wasn’t as much competition out there from promotions like NXT, who run a lot of the same venues you run and at various points around the same time. What do you think about NXT’s growth and has it encroached on Ring of Honor?

“That’s a two-edged question. One, we’re all in a competitive business and I think we help each other, but I do believe that Ring of Honor’s presence and Ring of Honor’s whole way of doing things has created a competitive base for NXT and I think it’s forced them to go out into the bigger markets and to present shows that are Ring of Honor style. I’m complimented by it to tell you the truth. It’s a competitive business. I think wrestling is in a good place and I like to believe that Ring of Honor had a lot to do with that. I say that selfishly and maybe a little bit egotistically, but I think the proof is in the pudding by who you see wrestling in NXT, who you see wrestling in Ring of Honor. These are the stars of the future.”

There are reports out there of Steve Corino potentially departing Ring of Honor to become a coach at the WWE Performance Center. I’m not sure if this has been confirmed on your end or not.

“ I have not heard it from anybody. I’ve heard the same rumors that you have. Steve Corino has never said anything to me to this point. Maybe he’ll tell me this weekend in New York when we do Final Battle and certainly in Philadelphia on Dec. 4, which will be our final TV taping of the year, but listen, I wish him well. Steve’s done a good job for us and I would never stand in the way of any of my people who feel that’s a better career choice for themselves and better for their families. Steve’s done nothing but a great job for us.”

How big of a loss would Corino be if he were to move on to the WWE Performance Center?

“I’ve been in the business for a long time. I used to run radio stations and everyone thought when the morning men left the station was over. I think it’s a loss because he represents a continuity of the product, but someone else will replace him. We don’t know who that is yet if that is indeed the case and Ring of Honor will go on.”

Cody Rhodes said in a recent interview with Colt Cabana that Final Battle is going to be the biggest thing he’s ever done in wrestling. What does that say about Ring of Honor and the hype around Final Battle?

“I didn’t hear the comment, but I’m humbled by it because he’s played in large stages and he’s played in large venues and he’s played in some big, big shows. Final Battle has always been the ultimate match of the year for Ring of Honor because it ties up so many stories. It’s expected to be a big show and it always has delivered as a big show. To be back at the Hammerstein Ballroom, which is just classic Ring of Honor, it just makes the event even larger and bigger.”