ROH COO talks Destination America deal, if Samoa Joe can appear on ROH TV
Just hours after their deal to Destination America was announced, Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff appeared with 411Mania's Greg DeMarco on the Greg DeMarco Show to discuss their new television partner. They sent us these highlights:
How the Destination America deal came about:
"Unlike other wrestling promotions we're a broadcasting company and we have a different kind of rolodex. We were able to make a contact at Destination America. They're great people and they're wrestling fans... One of the things we talked about is what a tremendous two-three punch we could give that network if they had both Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling."
If Samoa Joe will still be able to appear on ROH television with the new deal:
"We have not heard otherwise, so I don't have the answer for you. We have contracts?they have contracts. I'm hoping that since he was able to take our booking when we had a TV program with significant coverage. I don't know at this point, I am counting on him to be on TV with us as long as he appears with us, but I guess we'll find out."
If fans can still watch the weekly television show on the ROH website:
"Absolutely. It's really well thought out by both parties. Our programs are weekend programs that primarily air on our Sinclair stations plus our syndicated partners on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The Destination America program will be available at 8 o'clock... with the same program. We've expanded our footprint significantly with the Destination America clearance... it's a win-win for everybody."
How Ring of Honor kept the deal from leaking out:
"I'm proud of it, quite frankly. It's something I've always done throughout my whole career. There are certain things that are best kept out of the press and I have a terrific inner circle?the people I work with and the people I trust?understand the importance of that from my perspective. I think specifically for this deal a well it was really important due to the fact that another wrestling promotion was on Destination America. I'm all about Ring of Honor?doing the best thing for our company is our main focus. It was an important deal for both parties and I am really proud of the fact that we were able to get through the announcements without it getting leaked out."
Koff also discussed how long ROH has wanted a cable television deal, being with Ring of Honor talent when the deal came out, if they will partner with TNA Impact Wrestling in the future and more. The episode also features WWE Tough Enough hopeful and top vote getter Ashley Tramonte, RunningEnzuigiri.com editor Heather Jeannine and a WWE Elimination Chamber Preview. You can check out the full interview below: