Joe Koff, Chief Operating Officer of Ring of Honor, recently spoke with The Baltimore Sun about various topics. Here are the highlights.
In the midst of all this, rumors cropped up about the relationship between ROH and WWE, and if there would possibly be a buyout. Was there any truth at all to it?
“It was not a story. It was not a story when it came out. I think people want to make a story out of nothing. I’m very open in conversations with very many different wrestling promotions. And I think sometimes because I don’t share a lot of stuff, we’re very private about what we do. I think it raises speculation. I think this thing with the WWE really started because we were in conversations about content for Kevin Owens’ DVD. There was a lot of back and forth between the two companies. I think that was the seed that drove that story.”
What did the Hardys coming to the company, even if it was just for a short time, mean for you and the company?
“It was flattering and humbling that they wanted to be part of the promotion, especially in the way that they were. I have a ton of respect, not only for the Hardys, but also the Young Bucks, and everyone else who wrestles on our roster. They understand that we wrestle for the fans and it’s still about bringing an experience to the fans they can’t get elsewhere, and doing it in a surprising nature. One of the things that Ring of Honor does really well, and I hope to always get better at it, is the element of surprise when it comes to our shows. In this internet world, everyone is second-guessing, everyone thinks they know the answer. To be able to still surprise the way we do is really something, and it says a lot about the organization and our ability to keep our business inside the organization. That’s something to be proud of.”
You can read the entire interview here.
