Big ROH Contracts Expiring, Flair's ROH Payrate?, Danielson
Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (F4WOnline.com)
? Ric Flair is scheduled to return to Ring of Honor at the next set of TV tapings for HDNet on May 29 in Philadelphia, PA at The Arena (former New Alhambra Arena/ECW Arena). The company will also be holding a TV taping the following night on May 30 at The Arena as well. While it was reported earlier that Flair was being brought in at an estimated $15,000 per appearance, sources in ROH are stating that Flair is actually coming in at less than that. There remains lots of talk about the last set of TV tapings two weeks ago when Flair was first brought in and how it only drew several hundred people. To make matters worse, there were reports that fans were "leaving in droves" before the show had even finished. One positive is that production was said to be improved with much better lighting.
? The word on the latest set of Ring of Honor TV tapings for HDNet was that they were much different in comparison to the first set of tapings. The first set of TV tapings were described as introducing the product and wrestlers to a new audience, while the most recent tapings (which featured Ric Flair) were more storyline and character driven with more in-ring promos. The quality was also much better.
? To follow up on our report regarding Bryan Danielson and his contract status with Ring of Honor, many ROH talent contracts are expiring next month along with Danielson and the company is currently in the process of signing people to new deals. As for Danielson, he expressed to ROH owner Cary Silken last month that he intends to continue wrestling for the company, but was not planning to sign a new deal. Danielson reportedly is interested in having the freedom to be able to work (or train) other places either domestically or overseas whenever he wants and not be subject to working specific dates unless he agrees to them. While there hasn't been any talk of him leaving for another wrestling organization, he did raise some eyebrows by attending the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Houston, TX as a guest of William Regal's. Danielson did have a tryout with WWE at one point last year in California (which was okayed by ROH) and had WWE extended an offer at that point ROH sources said they wouldn't have blocked it.