Ring of Honor is conducting an investigation after Twitter user “Osh Kosh Big Josh” (Josh Ketch) detailed an alleged incident that occurred at Sunday's ROH event in Portland.
Ketch claimed that he was taken backstage by security and confronted by Bully Ray after getting into an exchange with Velvet Sky at ringside. Ketch also claimed that he was spat on by Mandy Leon during the ringside exchange. Ketch claims that he was told by Bully Ray to treat women with respect before being taken back to his seat.
Ring of Honor’s General Manager Greg Gilleland gave the following statement to POST Wrestling:
ROH has always taken fan-first approach, with fan experience being at the forefront of all of our live events. We consider this to be very serious and will be conducting an internal review over the next 48 hours to determine the appropriate actions.
You can read Ketch's entire account of the incident below.
OK story time... I avoided saying anything until the show was over to avoid any further issue but... this honestly soured my to ROH in a big way. Honest to god story that can be backed up by about half a dozen people... https://t.co/8ECk6ewxJ3
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
Show starts. Dark match is some local girls fighting. Allure interferes at the end. Velvet and I exchange words along with the rest of the Allure. Nothing crazy. Mandy Leon spits on me from the side. Not preferable but I honestly don’t care. Segment ends
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
Side note. I love and respect like 99% of all wrestlers. I honest to god never try to make the show ABOUT me, get myself over, etc. My rule of thumb is to boo the bad guys and cheer the good guys. It’s rare that I’ll flip the script but I always decide to go along with the show
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
Some opening match happens. Wildly unimportant. Second match occurs and it’s a local v a local. Allure interferes at the end. I’m mouthing off to all the girls for no reason other than THEY’RE THE BAD GUYS
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
“Boo... you’re trash... get lost... no one wants you here... etc”
At some point Velvet Sky seemingly loses her cool & is challenging me to come in the ring. Tells me to suck it, calls me a pussy, etc
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
No prob. Get your heat
She calls me a virgin. I remind her she has sex with that fat turd Bully Ray. Call them the tramp stamp trio. End segment
She goes to the back. Fast forward about five minutes & I get a tap on the shoulder
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
“Hey, we’re with security and need to talk to you about an incident that occurred”
Immediately I think of the Allure stuff but think that maybe Mandy got in trouble for spitting/face palming me
Then I kinda think this is a joke and look around. No signs of a joke from my buddies or crew. I’m SUPER perplexed and think there’s maybe miscommunication because nothing so far was a big deal at all. I oblige and follow security
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
Security takes me legit backstage. I’m still perplexed by the entire thing and was honestly very hesitant to follow them because they kept saying “we need to talk to you about an incident”.
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
No details behind just leading me into the back. What’s happening? What’s waiting for me?
Get to the back and security is just asking me to be patient
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
“What’s going on”
“Just sit tight”
“Sure but what’s up?”
“Hold tight”
Time was slowing down but this was all happening SO fast
Suddenly BULLY RAY comes out from a back room. Full on gear since he was in the opening segment of the show and he looks PISSED. Much bigger than me so I’m kinda taking a step back on this here. Security backs off and it’s just us two
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
He said “hey. I heard there was incident tonight with you and some of the girls”
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
“Uh... yeah? I guess” *I’m so lost*
“So here’s the deal. You’re done talking down to them. You need to treat them with respect. Don’t be saying anything you wouldn’t say to your mom, you got it?!”
I’m not trying to act tough. I was legit being intimidated with purpose and I wasn’t about to get kicked out during match 3 so I just bit the bullet and said “sure... yes sir... yeah, I understand... yup...”
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
He said “End of convo. Go be a fan”
Security led me back to my seat
That’s the end in regards to a timeline of events.
— Osh Kosh Big Josh (@xIAMHOLLYWOODx) June 3, 2019
The whole thing is still completely unbelievable and surreal, honestly.
I’ve gone to live events for 15 years and been following wrestling for 22 years. Never once heard of something like this happening
Fightful will provide more details to the story as they are known.
