In 2022, Tony Khan acquired Ring of Honor, a wrestling promotion renowned for its top-tier matches and competitive in-ring action since its founding in 2002. The current ROH World Champion is Bandido, while Athena holds the Women’s World Championship with a historic reign. Khan’s latest announcement involving Paul Walter Hauser has generated significant excitement among wrestling fans anticipating Khan’s Ring of Honor debut plans.
Paul Walter Hauser, an Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor, has been a known wrestling enthusiast and has appeared several times on AEW programming. At 38 years old, Hauser also participates as a part-time wrestler and was recently seen sporting a Ring of Honor cap, fueling speculation about his future with the promotion. During an interview on the podcast My Mom‘s Basement with Robbie Fox, Tony Khan confirmed that Hauser would soon make his debut in ROH.
“My great friend Paul Walter Hauser, who has commented in AEW, and is going to be wrestling for us in Ring of Honor. [Fox mentions Hauser also wearing a ROH cap] He’s going to be wrestling in Ring of Honor, and he’s also… he’s a great commentator for us in AEW, and has won multiple awards… a Golden Globe Award winner, an Emmy winner, and he’s going to win a lot more awards in his great career,” Tony Khan said.
Besides his connections with AEW and ROH, Hauser is currently signed to Major League Wrestling and is the reigning Progress Wrestling Proteus Champion. His transition to Ring of Honor marks a new chapter in his wrestling career under Khan’s leadership.
Concerns Over Jake Hager’s Treatment in AEW and WWE
Jake Hager, a former World Heavyweight Champion, was signed to AEW from 2019 until 2024, but his tenure failed to meet expectations. His previous manager, Dutch Mantel, expressed dissatisfaction regarding how Hager was booked both in <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE and AEW, citing a lack of meaningful opportunities during his time with both companies.
“I have no idea why, they just like clipped the umbilical cord, and we were out floating in space. And even when he left and went to AEW, it was more of the same. They didn’t do anything with him there.” said Mantel.
Earlier in 2024, Hager announced his retirement from professional wrestling, leaving fans uncertain about his future in the industry. Mantel’s comments highlight ongoing concerns about the creative direction and utilization of talent in major wrestling organizations.
Tony Khan’s decision to bring Paul Walter Hauser into Ring of Honor reflects his strategy of combining established wrestling talent with crossover stars. This approach aims to boost ROH’s profile while maintaining its commitment to competitive matches. Hauser’s entry also underscores the promotion’s expanding reach under Khan’s ownership, which could influence the wrestling landscape in the coming years.
