On August 29, Ring of Honor held its Death Before Dishonor event at the historic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. The event, which was available via streaming, faced significant issues when many fans using browsers such as Firefox, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge were unable to access the broadcast due to a service provider malfunction.
The streaming problems were linked to Brightcove, the platform responsible for delivering the event’s feed. Upon discovering the issue during the show, Tony Khan took immediate action by making the event freely accessible on YouTube to ensure no fan was left out.
Tony Khan’s Response and Compensation Offer to Fans
Following the event, Khan addressed the streaming disruption during the post-show media session. He revealed his decision to stream the event live on YouTube was a deliberate effort to compensate viewers who faced technical difficulties, emphasizing his commitment to fans.
Tony Khan also announced that all current HonorClub subscribers affected by the glitch would receive a free one-month subscription as a goodwill gesture, despite the financial cost.
“Tonight, our streaming provider had issues only with browsers, and if anybody’s a fan, and if anybody’s affected by it, I didn’t wanna have anybody that’s not included, so I made a decision in the chair in the back while the show was happening. I put the show up free worldwide on YouTube… And I’m gonna give everybody a one-month credit, all the current subscribers… Really, everybody should be able to get that credit, and I heard it was only on certain browsers. At first, we thought it was only (Google) Chrome and Firefox, but then also, they said Microsoft Edge. So I said, ‘You know, if it’s affecting those people, everybody should be able to just watch it for free on YouTube,’ and we’ll rectify it with the streaming provider, Brightcove, that was responsible… The show we delivered was fantastic, and then I think new fans must have seen it. It was a well-received choice. People thought it was a good thing to do, and you know, that’s a lot of money — a month of subscriptions — I’m not gonna lie to you. We have thousands of subscribers. That’s hundreds of thousands of dollars that I’m gonna eat with a month subscription, but it’s okay, because we made new fans. I’ll rectify it with the people responsible on the other end. The fans got a great show tonight, and it seemed like an almost unanimously positive response on social media.”
Khan’s decision highlights his prioritization of fan experience over immediate profit, acknowledging the significant financial impact caused by the streaming issues. He confidently expressed that his choice to support fans not only preserved goodwill but also brought new viewers to ROH.
Underlying Cause and Distribution Platforms Affected
The streaming failure was isolated to internet browser users, specifically those accessing the event via Firefox, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge, limiting a large portion of the audience. Mobile app viewers or those using other platforms were not reportedly affected.
Khan’s swift move to release the show on YouTube ensured accessibility and was met with widespread appreciation on social media, turning a challenging situation into positive engagement with new fans.
Ongoing Issues in the Wrestling Industry
The streaming glitch adds to an increasingly complex landscape for wrestling promotions as they balance live events and digital distribution. On the same night at the 2300 Arena, AEW and its affiliated stars continued to be in the spotlight amid other significant wrestling news.
Chris Jericho’s Potential WWE Move Sparks Speculation
Prior to the Death Before Dishonor event, speculation surfaced regarding Chris Jericho’s future after reports suggested his AEW contract would expire in December 2025, making him a free agent. Rumors include a possible WWE appearance, notably at the Royal Rumble in early 2026.
Tony Khan acknowledged Jericho’s valuable contribution to AEW but expressed openness to working together again, further igniting discussions about Jericho’s next steps in professional wrestling.
Recent reports indicate Jericho himself has explored contract possibilities with WWE, adding credibility to these rumors.
Additional Developments in Wrestling Circles
A variety of news surrounded the wrestling industry alongside the streaming issues. For instance, a former WWE Women’s Champion, released in February 2025, confirmed stepping away from wrestling at age 37, marking the end of a notable career.
Cody Rhodes shared insights into his emotional connection with Randy Orton’s wrestling legacy, while Stephanie McMahon revealed personal details about changes in her relationship with Triple H after their engagement.
Meanwhile, Roman Reigns reportedly declined certain WWE proposals described as “cheap” pitches by Stephanie McMahon, reflecting ongoing dynamics within the promotion.
Kenny Omega’s health has become a concern, with reports indicating he is experiencing “serious pain,” contributing to AEW’s injury challenges.
Taz also expressed gratitude to Tony Khan and AEW during his Hall of Fame induction at the 2300 Arena, a moment that contrasted with the night’s streaming issues.
Additionally, Tony Khan confirmed plans to retain an injured AEW champion rather than stripping the title, showing flexibility in handling the promotion’s current roster concerns.
Meanwhile, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T reiterated his refusal to watch AEW, maintaining his exclusive focus on WWE programming.
Impact of the Streaming Glitch and Future Considerations
The ROH streaming malfunction and Tony Khan’s handling of it underscore the challenges wrestling promotions face with digital content delivery, where technical failures can seriously affect viewer satisfaction and revenue.
Khan’s response, offering compensation and free access, serves as a notable example of taking responsibility and protecting the fan base, even at significant expense. This approach may influence how similar incidents are managed industry-wide in the future.
Looking ahead, ROH and Khan’s team will likely prioritize tighter controls with streaming partners like Brightcove to prevent recurrence, ensuring that fans and subscribers can reliably access content without disruption.
