WWE ‘in discussions to buy US indy rival promotion Ring of Honor’

WWE has made moves to buy out US wrestling promotion Ring of Honor, according to reports.

Insider website claims discussions over a purchase of the Baltimore-based outfit with parent company Sinclair Broadcast Group have been ongoing since January.

It is thought any potential deal might include ROH’s weekly TV programming airing on the WWE Network, the company’s streaming service.

However it is not clear to what extent talent contracts would be part of any completed agreement - or even whether discussions are likely to end with a sale. 

ROH’s former owner Cary Silkin was backstage at a WWE show in Pennsylvania last week. He was pictured on social media with various WWE performers who previously thrived in Ring of Honor such as Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and producer Adam Pearce.

Current stars performing for ROH include Adam Cole, Christopher Daniels, Cody Rhodes, the Young Bucks, Matt and Jeff Hardy, the Briscoe Brothers, Bully Ray, and Brits Marty Scurll and Will Ospreay.

Tag champs the Hardys, who recently left Impact Wrestling after a six year-plus stint, are rumoured to be in the running to make a surprise WWE return against SmackDown titleholders the Usos at Wrestlemania.

Glasgow’s ICW and London-based PROGRESS Wrestling are also tipped to be in the frame to provide content for the WWE Network in upcoming months.

Performers for both promotions such as WWE UK champ Tyler Bate, Wolfgang, Pete Dunne, Mark Haskins, Jimmy Havoc, Trent Seven, TK Cooper, Travis Banks, Dahlia Black, Toni Storm and Jinny are all lined up to appear at WWE’s fan convention events in Florida during the days leading up to Wrestlemania.