The Joey Mercury-Greg Gilleland-Ring of Honor situation has people within ROH talking, and some going public.
Joey Mercury went off on ROH GM Greg Gilleland on Friday afternoon, leveling several accusations of negligence. When Fightful contacted ROH and Gilleland, they respectfully declined to comment. However, Fightful has spoken to people on both sides of the argument about some of the concerns raised. In addition, we also spoke to Joey Mercury himself to address some claims.
Word dropped that Mercury departed the company during the UK tour, which he clarified, and confirmed.
"Friday night. Oct 25th. York Hall," said Mercury. "I told the boy “you are a stupid motherfucker, fuck you, & fuck this shit, I’m done”. Stayed in parking lot for show and completed my (but unassigned to anyone) duty of head counting and being last one on the bus. Back to hotel. Cunt told me to take the tour off and didn’t change my travel."
Fightful Select reached out to current and former talent and employees, who backed up some of Mercury's frustration. In regards to the claims of medical negligence, ROH talent informed Fightful that there is no staff trainer, unless otherwise mandated by a particular athletic commission. The roster, however, isn't informed ahead of each event if there is a staff, who it would be, or where it would be located.
Another source of frustration is the company's insistence on not scouting and scaling venues, leaving them looking small and empty. One former name said that Gilleland likes for the LED boards to be shot instead of the crowds, as they're a significant part of the production budget. This is in line with what other former names in the company have told Fightful about ROH's unwillingness to change the way they produce or operate.
Another talent that aired their grievances to us said that they don't want people to stop watching ROH or the talent, but wanted them to call for better treatment of the talent. They also weren't sure how to make Sinclair or ROH do that.
There were conflicting statements within ROH about the status of Shane Taylor. One ROH source claimed that Taylor was negotiating a three-year deal, but Taylor himself responded to Fightful and said
"I haven't negotiated anything as of yet. But all options are on the table."
It was said that in the past, Gilleland had been in favor of producing content and DVDs for current talent as opposed to monetizing former names in that manner, with the recent Kenny Omega DVD being an example given.
Gilleland wasn't without supporters, and Mercury wasn't without detractors near the company, with one source saying it was a "self destruct method" after Mercury was given a "last chance" in ROH by Gilleland personally. Another source claimed that Mercury was not a "good match at this point."
"Go through the tweets Stooges try to frame it as “me off the wagon and removed” then “mutual”. If anything I typed was inaccurate- would it be contested by now? Would there be a talent meeting (Saturday) for peace of mind and morale? Everything is seemingly fine, and it looks like I was the problem. Why would there be a pull to get rid of me? We need a push to be kept? I wish the amazing talent better. More exposure ahead," said Mercury.
In regards to the injury claims. For Flip Gordon, one talent backed up the claim that Mercury actually popped his elbow back in, and Jonathan Gresham and another office employee accompanied Jay Lethal to the hospital for his injury.
"I typed that I set Flip’s elbow. I have not, nor will I falsely type. No medical. No concussion protocol. No security. Unethical “circus animal treatment” of talent. No empowerment of women. No women on creative. No talent relations. No fair market value pay. Advantageous predatory behavior from upper management. I provide evidence. I quit and then put in for my release. I am not under contract. If I am- they’ve breached," Mercury said.
There were additional claims that Mercury would offer to serve as an agent for talent who opted out of their ROH deals and could help them get into WWE.
"Did I tell talent that they are allowed to know what other places would pay for their services, and ask for more money as an independent contractor? Did I ask if they hate talking to the office? Do they like talking to me better? If they think I could get more money for them? FUCK YES." Mercury stated.
Finally, in addressing the anonymous nature in which some of the people that contacted Fightful required, Joey said"“source” “some talent” I’m Joey. And if anyone don’t like it- I’ll give you my address too. Pussies."
ROH did not respond to requests for information regarding to their concussion protocol. We also haven't heard from anyone who worked with Mercury directly at the ROH Dojo, but we welcome those who have to reach out.
