Ian Riccaboni Will Be Calling The New Japan STRONG Event In Seattle

Ian Riccaboni has found a new landing spot while ROH is on hiatus.

Ian Riccaboni is the voice of Ring of Honor and has made no mistake about the fact that he will be loyal to Ring of Honor through and through. Originally, when the brand announced that they would be going on hiatus, Ian had said that he wasn’t sure if he would continue announcing if Ring of Honor did not return.

Following Final Battle 2021, Ring of Honor officially aired a vignette stating that they would be back in April of 2022 and now, Ian has officially revealed that he will be doing some work for New Japan STRONG, the American branch of New Japan Pro-Wrestling starting in January in Seattle, Washington.

Speaking on the Lehigh Valley With Love podcast, Riccaboni revealed that he is looking at this as a tryout opportunity even though he will be calling the matches that will air on New Japan STRONG.

“I will be starting with New Japan Pro-Wrestling on January the 15th. I will be headed to Seattle, Washington. I’ve interpreted this as a tryout. I’m calling the main card. I’m calling the what will air on New Japan STRONG. But to me, it’s kind of a unique experience I’ve worked with New Japan, they’ve been Ring of Honor’s partners for years and years and years, the whole time I was there at Ring of Honor. But this isn’t ROH, this is the lion mark. I’m going to somebody else’s house and doing something new.

“So even though I’ve been invited, even though I’ve been told that there may be more, I’m going to do my best. I’m taking this as a tryout. I’ve watched 41 out of the 69 currently existing New Japan STRONG episodes. Once I found out, I intend to get to 69th through January 14, before I get on the plane to Seattle. By then, they’ll be I think they’ll be 74 total. So I intend to be through all 74. I’m super excited.”

Ian RiccabonI recently spoke to Sean Ross Sapp for an exclusive interview on Fightful Select. Subscribe today for access to that interview as well as access to other interviews and immediate access to breaking news and more.

You can catch up with our live coverage of Ring of Honor Final Battle 2021 here. Also, check out our review podcast here.