Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2014 0:30:31 GMT -4
Per PWInsider:
As of this writing, Michael Elgin is still signed to a ROH contract and is not done with the company. Elgin is one of the talents who signed a new, exclusive deal awhile back that gave him a full-time salary while also giving the company the right to approve and deny independent dates that Elgin was offered to work.
*There are stories floating around that the company was not happy that Elgin didn't do more to protect the ROH title while working the independents, specifically a loss to Trevor Lee during the PWG Battle of Los Angeles tournament last week. On the surface, that certainly looks like something that ROH would be logically upset with. Since the company was first formed in 2002, they went well out of their way to protect the credibility of the championship and always asked whoever held that belt to not do jobs on the independent so. So, I do believe this to be correct, although I want to note that no one from ROH has confirmed that to me. But, if you put a gun to my head, I'd tell you that I do believe it factored into the decision.
*Another factor, which probably was a far greater concern is that according to several sources, Elgin's work visa for the United States expired and wasn't renewed early enough. I am told the responsibility for that falls on Elgin's shoulders. Not having the work visa renewed meant that Elgin, who is Canadian, was not going to be able to return to the United States after traveling from the States to Toronto for last night's iPPV. Elgin has already canceled a date with AIW in Cleveland tonight, citing paperwork issues with his visa. The word making the rounds is it might take up to 90 days to get all of Elgin's paperwork back in order. With ROH having 8 live events, including three TV tapings in the next few months, they couldn't be without their champion. So, a title switch was in order if they wanted their champion in the mix building to Final Battle in NYC.
I was told that Jay Briscoe winning the belt was not the original plan for the iPPV, so obviously something changed. However, Elgin's status with the company, as of this writing, has not.
*There are stories floating around that the company was not happy that Elgin didn't do more to protect the ROH title while working the independents, specifically a loss to Trevor Lee during the PWG Battle of Los Angeles tournament last week. On the surface, that certainly looks like something that ROH would be logically upset with. Since the company was first formed in 2002, they went well out of their way to protect the credibility of the championship and always asked whoever held that belt to not do jobs on the independent so. So, I do believe this to be correct, although I want to note that no one from ROH has confirmed that to me. But, if you put a gun to my head, I'd tell you that I do believe it factored into the decision.
*Another factor, which probably was a far greater concern is that according to several sources, Elgin's work visa for the United States expired and wasn't renewed early enough. I am told the responsibility for that falls on Elgin's shoulders. Not having the work visa renewed meant that Elgin, who is Canadian, was not going to be able to return to the United States after traveling from the States to Toronto for last night's iPPV. Elgin has already canceled a date with AIW in Cleveland tonight, citing paperwork issues with his visa. The word making the rounds is it might take up to 90 days to get all of Elgin's paperwork back in order. With ROH having 8 live events, including three TV tapings in the next few months, they couldn't be without their champion. So, a title switch was in order if they wanted their champion in the mix building to Final Battle in NYC.
I was told that Jay Briscoe winning the belt was not the original plan for the iPPV, so obviously something changed. However, Elgin's status with the company, as of this writing, has not.
Jay Briscoe beat Michael Elgin to win the ROH Championship at their All Star Extravaganza VI iPPV on Saturday night from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
There’s an interesting back story to Elgin dropping the title as we heard a couple of weeks ago he was no longer happy with ROH and had reached out to TNA Wrestling to see if they had interest in him. In our original story — published here on WrestlingNewsWorld.com — we noted how TNA tried to sign Elgin when they were trying to bring in new talent to build momentum for their tapings in New York City.
At the time, he had no interest because there were things he wanted to accomplish in Ring of Honor. Now, it was TNA telling Elgin they didn’t have a spot for him.
Prior to Saturday’s ROH iPPV, Elgin told Brian Fritz he planned to tryout next year for Major League Baseball. He confirmed that he’s hired a batting coach and has been doing conditioning, specifically focused on baseball. You can listen to that interview at this link.
Additionally, Elgin has problems with his work visa and is currently having to cancel dates in the United States. At present, he is unable to work outside of Canada.
There’s an interesting back story to Elgin dropping the title as we heard a couple of weeks ago he was no longer happy with ROH and had reached out to TNA Wrestling to see if they had interest in him. In our original story — published here on WrestlingNewsWorld.com — we noted how TNA tried to sign Elgin when they were trying to bring in new talent to build momentum for their tapings in New York City.
At the time, he had no interest because there were things he wanted to accomplish in Ring of Honor. Now, it was TNA telling Elgin they didn’t have a spot for him.
Prior to Saturday’s ROH iPPV, Elgin told Brian Fritz he planned to tryout next year for Major League Baseball. He confirmed that he’s hired a batting coach and has been doing conditioning, specifically focused on baseball. You can listen to that interview at this link.
Additionally, Elgin has problems with his work visa and is currently having to cancel dates in the United States. At present, he is unable to work outside of Canada.
ROH in a weird way lucked out on the last minute decision to take the title off Michael Elgin last night.
Elgin ended up stopped at the border due to working visa issues and will not be allowed in the United States for 90 days.
Had they not done it, they'd have been without a champion or would have had to strip him of the title in an awkward manner.
Elgin ended up stopped at the border due to working visa issues and will not be allowed in the United States for 90 days.
Had they not done it, they'd have been without a champion or would have had to strip him of the title in an awkward manner.
