Ring Of Honor continue to dig themselves an even deeper hole following when Joey Mercury exposed their issues to the public, as Kelly Klein, who is in her third reign as Women Of Honor champion has been fired via email. Joey Mercury was the whistle blower of numerous unsafe practices backstage at ROH, such as not having a proper concussion policy and having wrestlers work while injured with concussions. One of those people was current Women Of Honor Kelly Klein, who was sent to work a show while still in an unsafe position to compete.
She spoke out alongside Joey Mercury, saying “I didn’t bring issues up publicly before. I was afraid for my job and the jobs of my colleagues. I don’t want to take away their place of work. I want to make their place of work better and safer. Maybe someone will finally listen and let me and others help make things better.”
Worsening Ring Of Honors’s Already Bad Reputation
I have no doubts ROH will find another reason to claim for her firing, like how they pinned Mercurys departure as having to do with his previous substance abuse issues, but the timing is much too suspect. Klein is still suffering from Post Concussion Syndrome, as reported by her husband BJ Whitmer.
This move will only worsen the reputation that Ring Of Honor holds in 2019, as the once fan favorite promotion continues to lose talent, attendance, and recognition. This is unbelievably petty, a talent shouldn’t be fired for speaking out on the unsafe working conditions that ROH is providing.
Kelly Kleins Reaction
“I was right to be afraid. But there is no courage without fear. It was worth it for the chance to finally force some positive change.” is what Kelly Klein had to say on Twitter following her firing.
After this cowardly firing, I doubt once healthy Klein will have much issue finding work. Given the situation at Ring Of Honor, she will be going to greener pastures no matter where she ends up.
It is a shame to see a company that was once so respected as Ring Of Honor stoop so low. Stories like this are why I don’t think they’re long for the wrestling industry, they’ve had a terrible 2019, and will really need to make some changes to improve their reputation.
