Ring of Honor’s First TV Taping Under Sinclair Broadcasting Was “Torturous,” Says Ring Announcer Bobby Cruise

Bobby Cruise, the longtime ring announcer for Ring of Honor (ROH), described the promotion’s first TV taping under Sinclair Broadcasting Group as a “painful” and “torturous” experience, according to an interview on the *What Happened When* podcast. The event, held at Chicago Ridge in May 2011, marked the beginning of ROH’s partnership with the media conglomerate, which acquired the promotion in that month. Cruise’s account offers a rare glimpse into the early challenges of the partnership, which later faced criticism for its impact on ROH’s creative direction and production quality.

What Happened During ROH’s First TV Taping Under Sinclair?

Cruise detailed the difficulties of the first taping, which took place shortly after Sinclair’s acquisition. “We would do a match and have 15 to 20 minutes between matches, because we’d have a truck outside…we’d have people out there that weren’t familiar with the truck or weren’t familiar with producing what we were doing,” he said. The logistical issues led to a “painful” experience, according to Cruise, who expressed doubts about the partnership’s viability. “If this is the way we’re going to do this, then we’re in for a lot of problems,” he recalled thinking at the time.

Following the Chicago Ridge taping, ROH shifted production to Baltimore, Sinclair’s headquarters, to address the challenges. The first official ROH TV broadcast under Sinclair aired on September 24, 2011, according to historical records. The episode included matches featuring future stars like Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly, as well as title defenses by established acts such as The Kings of Wrestling.

What Matches Were Featured on the September 24, 2011 Broadcast?

The September 24, 2011, episode of ROH’s television series included the following matches:

• Dark match: Grizzly Redwood defeated Tony Kozina
• Dark match: Mike Sydal defeated Mr. Ernesto Osiris (w/ Prince Nana & RD Evans)
• Future Shock (Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly) defeated The Bravado Brothers (Harlem Bravado & Lancelot Bravado) – 7:23
• Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team (Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin) (c) defeated The Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero & Claudio Castagnoli) (w/ Sara Del Rey & Shane Hagadorn) to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship – 16:27

The broadcast, which aired on Sinclair’s network, marked a pivotal moment for ROH as it sought to expand its reach under new ownership. However, the initial struggles highlighted the challenges of integrating a niche wrestling promotion into a larger corporate structure.

How Did Sinclair’s Ownership Impact Ring of Honor?

Sinclair’s acquisition of ROH in May 2011 was part of a broader strategy to diversify its sports content. However, the partnership faced scrutiny over creative control and production standards. A 2015 report by *Pro Wrestling Sheet* noted that ROH’s programming under Sinclair saw a decline in originality, with some wrestlers expressing concerns about editorial interference. Despite these challenges, ROH maintained a loyal fanbase and continued to develop talent, including future WWE stars.

Cruise’s comments provide context for the early tensions between ROH’s independent roots and Sinclair’s corporate approach. While the partnership eventually led to increased visibility for the promotion, it also sparked debates about the balance between creative freedom and commercialization in professional wrestling.

What Does This Mean for ROH’s Legacy?

The early struggles under Sinclair underscore the complexities of mergers in the wrestling industry. While ROH eventually adapted to the changes, the experience highlights the risks of aligning with larger entities. A 2020 article in *Wrestling Observer Newsletter* noted that ROH’s ability to retain its identity amid corporate oversight has been a key factor in its continued relevance. Today, ROH remains a cornerstone of independent wrestling, with its 2011 taping under Sinclair serving as a cautionary tale about the challenges of growth and ownership transitions.