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LOTS OF RING OF HONOR UPDATES HEADING INTO THE ROH TV TAPING: CORNETTE, STEEN, CABANA, KINGS AND MORE

Jim Cornette wrote a long blog on his official website, www.JimCornette.com noting that he's been a LITTLE busy to write and update the site lately due to the Sinclair takeover of Ring of Honor. Cornette wrote a great piece noting that for years wrestling fans have been complaining to him that there isn't a wrestling product they want to watch and support anymore but come September, they will have their chance to have a product that doesn't insult their intelligence on their TV screens (well, in the magical 35 markets, I guess) and this is their chance to put their time and their money where their mouths are. He's certainly right. ROH will never have as big of a chance as they do this September unless a TV slot on something like TNT or FX falls in their lap (and pays them for the programming).

Now, as Ring of Honor moves forward to its first TV Tapings under Sinclair Broadcasting, one of the most discussed topics among fans are the talents that are and aren't booked for the tapings on 8/13 in Chicago, IL.

One of the first announced main events for the tapings will see ROH Tag Team champions Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas defend against the Kings of Wrestling, Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli. While some fans thought that may have been a sign of the Kings signing new ROH deals, that is not the case at the moment. Obviously, there's been discussion between WWE and the Kings of late, so in a worse case scenario, ROH will have two talent that potentially sign with WWE putting over their tag team champions and have a great match to kick off their series, to boot.

The other name that hasn't been announced yet is Colt Cabana. As of right now, I am told he is not booked for the TV Taping, even though it's in his hometown of Chicago where he's been a main event player. ROH and Cabana have discussed Cabana signing a contract with the company, but nothing was ever signed, so the company is opting not to use him (as of this writing) at the taping. I wouldn't see this as a sign Cabana is talking with WWE or signing there, as I have been told there's actually been no movement on WWE's part to bring him back in yet.

The third name that has been coming up of late is Kevin Steen, since he is announced for the 7/26 EVOLVE event in NYC. Since EVOLVE is a Gabe Sapolsky promotion, that's led people to think ROH and Sapolsky have had communication and are working together. That is not the case in the least. Steen cut a deal with Sapolsky to appear on the event and ROH is not involved in that at all. Steen's appearance obviously benefits ROH from a storyline perspective (think Brian Pillman in ECW) but it's not a situation where the sides all worked something out. There's been no discussion between ROH and Sapolsky.

The promotion plans to be light on the live events going into the Fall and then begin running more events come January. There's actually talk of running 2-3 show loops on a regular basis come 2012.

Add Prince Nana to the list of those who have signed deals with ROH.

Scheduled for the 8/13 TV Taping are ROH champion Davey Richards, ROH Television Champion El Generico, Eddie Edwards, Jay and Mark Briscoe, The All Night Express, Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Tommaso Ciampa.

ROH champ Davey Richards is booked to appear for NWA Smoky Mountain on 8/4 in Kingsport, TN against NWA Mountain Empire Champion Chase Owen.

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