Jay Lethal Talks The Elite, Being Ring of Honor World Champion

Ring of Honor World champion Jay Lethal recently sat down with Sam Roberts and discussed a wide variety of pro wrestling topics. One of those topics is the recent departure of key ROH talent. That list includes Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks, who have moved on to begin their new company, All Elite Wrestling.

Lethal talked about whether or not Ring of Honor will be negatively affected by those departures.

“Ring of Honor, although some people may have a different opinion, I don’t think we’re in trouble cuz some people are leaving. It’s business as usual. Ring of Honor has always picked up and carried on. If you need proof, just look back and see all the people that they’ve lost and look at the things they’ve been able to do after those people were gone. We appreciate everything every wrestler has ever done for this company while the’ve been here and if they’re no longer here, we thank you. But moving forward, I don’t think that Ring of Honor is gonna be in any trouble. I think the future is bright. We’re going to Madison Square Garden, I think everything is going to be okay.”

Jay had a take on The Bullet Club as well. The Bullet Club is arguably the most popular faction in the industry today and Ring of Honor was once a major showcase for the group. But now that Rhodes and The Bucks have left, that means The Bullet Club is likely gone as well. So what happens now that ROH no longer has the group to build its programs around?

“I don’t Ring of Honor purposely made some of the shows into The Bullet Club’s show, you know what I mean? Although it did kind of seem like that on the surface for some of the shows. I just think that those guys had so much star power and they were so over, that no matter where you put them on the show, they were gonna become the focal point of the show anyway cuz of how over they were.”

Lethal also talked about being the top guy in ROH. This is the second world title run for him of course and the importance of both runs is indeed not lost on him.

“I’m the face of a company known around the world for its wrestling, not only once, but twice. This is my second time. Winning the belt is like getting a promotion. It’s getting that corner office that you always wanted. The company that you work for says this guy has what it takes, it’s time to reward him, and they reward you. And then you’ve gotta think about this now, you did such a good job we’re going to reward you again. I’s like getting another promotion. Ric Flair had 16, 17 promotions.”

Jay’s next Ring of Honor World title defense is booked for Honor Reigns Supreme on January 13. Lethal will face former champion and fellow fan favorite Dalton Castle.