Backstage News On Jonathan Gresham Requesting ROH/AEW Release

The former Ring of Honor World Champion Jonathan Gresham is seeking to be immediately released from his AEW/ROH contract, according to a new report from "Fightful." It's explained that Gresham asked for his release Saturday ahead of the ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view and his ROH World Title defense against Claudio Castagnoli — a bout he ultimately lost.

The report cites "a lack of communication between the company and Gresham leading up to the weekend," inspiring the technical wrestling specialist to feel "disrespected." The lack of time given to the World Title match during last night's show was also a noted "tipping point."

Gresham reportedly met with Tony before the show began and got heated enough to the point that he was "cussing out" the AEW/ROH President. "Fightful" notes that several people backstage have corroborated this story after what occurred between the two. Gresham has since responded to inquiries about the ordeal and claimed he is "done with wrestling for the foreseeable future after this month." Part of the reason Gresham came out in his regular entrance attire last night was that he was unsure if that would be his final match before hanging up the boots. Tony Khan has yet to comment, and it remains unclear if Gresham has been granted his requested release from ROH and AEW.

After a successful career in the former ROH, Gresham made his AEW in-ring debut when he competed at their Battle of the Belts II against the flamboyant Dalton Castle. Gresham managed to hold on to his ROH World Title on that occasion when he defeated Castle by submission. His first time working with Tony Khan was at the ROH SuperCard of Honor XV this past April, the first ROH show following Tony Khan's acquisition of the company.

Stay tuned for more updates.