Some fans are asking if ROH has been playing fast and loose with it’s cross-pond friendships yesterday when it was reported that a deal between Ring of Honor and Preston City Wrestling fell apart after merely 22 months of partnership.

An accusatory statement posted on PCW’s website previewing the highly anticipated Wrestling World Championships explained that ROH will not be joining PCW, WXW, CZW and Beyond Wrestling for it’s tournament in Liverpool November 25th-26th.

Representatives from Preston City Wrestling took issue with the Ring of Honor booking a show the same weekend also in Liverpool without first consulting the fledgling British promotion on their website:

“As always I believe in being honest with the fans. With Ring Of Honor booking a show in Liverpool on November 18th, the exact same day as PCW are running in Liverpool we do not feel this is something that should happen between promotions in partnership with each other. My frustrations have been documented in multiple emails to ROH management but they seem dismissive of my concerns and little options given to resolve. I do not feel I can justify and contribute what would be around $15,000 of PCW money towards flights and visas when the very talent I am helping bring over are running against me in the same town on the same night.”

The statement goes on in an attempt to smooth things out a bit with PCW claiming “I am very thankful to ROH for the past two years of events and it is just a shame a partnership that could be so much more never did reach its true potential.”

Other gripes included ROH apparently refusing to let Adam Cole wear his PCW Cruiserweight belt on air, and a lack of communication between the two organizations. Preston City Wrestling apparently reached out as far back as August but was given the cold-shoulder.

ROH for their part hasn’t released a statement but in a press release said they are “…proud to announce the company’s return to England for three live events on November 18th, 19th and 20th, 2016” in it’s Reach for the Sky tour and makes no mention of the breakup.

It is sad situation. British wrestling is huge right now and hasn’t seen a level of talent like this in decades. In situations like this everyone suffers from talent to fans, but if everything else goes according to plan the World Wrestling Championship should be a huge draw and a fantastic show.

Doesn’t sound much like a screwjob to me, maybe just a communication breakdown. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

-Nick Zecks

@ZecksontheBeach