Following multiple reports from Wrestling Observer Newsletter over the past few weeks stating that Ring of Honor was not offering any new contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the most recent report in Friday’s edition that claims Bully Ray is now a free agent due to this company stance, ROH lead announcer Ian Riccaboni has taken to Twitter to dispute these reports in a lengthy tirade because he’s “tired of this rumor being out there.”
People out here saying ROH isn't offering contracts.
How do you think the most frugal man in wrestling, me, could afford a MOC LJN Macho Man?
I'm not saying bang down the door for a contract because ROH can't sign *everyone* but I'm tired of this rumor being out there.
— Ian Riccaboni (@IanRiccaboni) July 3, 2020
Ian Riccaboni’s full thread reads as follows:
People out here saying ROH isn’t offering contracts. How do you think the most frugal man in wrestling, me, could afford a MOC LJN Macho Man? I’m not saying bang down the door for a contract because ROH can’t sign *everyone* but I’m tired of this rumor being out there.
I’ll make this public: ROH pays me extraordinarily well, for which I am extremely grateful. I’m aware of multiple extensions, most of which are public, that occurred during the pandemic.
I’m about to take over a ROH Week by Week, burn a newsletter, and tell people that the internet’s got the scoops.
If you’re a good wrestler, make a name for yourself and hit up ROH if you have an international reputation or come to a camp if you don’t. ROH pays as well if not better than everyone else. /end rant
You know what my least favorite video on the whole internet was? That Quack video saying not to ask what others make. It is anti-worker. Floating out that companies aren’t doing new contracts is also anti-worker to suppress wages to sign someone for less money.
There is a reason Glassdoor exists. You should know a fair range of what to be paid is. It is ok to have an idea of what a colleague makes so you don’t get ripped off. It is not ok to tell a trade paper companies aren’t signing talent to surpress (sic) wages to pay talent less.
July 18 is right around the corner. I wonder why anyone would float out there that a company with a steady television show isn’t doing new contracts. Hm.
The first case of COVID-19 to appear in the United States was on January 20, 2020, and since that time, at least five known contract extensions have occurred from Ring of Honor, with the last one being announced on June 22. PJ Black (formerly WWE Superstar Justin Gabriel) re-signed January 23, Rey Horus signed a new deal on March 27, while Angelina Love re-signed on April 8. Flip Gordon announced his re-signing on May 25. and longtime ring announcer Bobby Cruise re-signed June 22. Marty Scurll and Bandido both re-signed around January 11, before the first case in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic on March 11, 2020.
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