Former Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff Passes Away at seventy two
The wrestling global is mourning the lack of Joe Koff, former Chief Operating Officer of Ring of Honor (ROH), who exceeded away on October 15, 2024, following a battle with cancer. Koff’s demise become showed in a heartfelt announcement from Major League Wrestling (MLW). After his prognosis, Koff’s choice in August to discontinue remedy become made to allow him to spend quality time with his loved ones during his final months.
Koff changed into born in 1951, and from an early age, his passion for wrestling was obtrusive. His journey inside the enterprise started out when he worked at a TV station that produced Championship Wrestling from Florida, an early stepping stone into the sector of expert wrestling. It was clean that wrestling turned into more than just a activity for him; it turned into a lifelong ardour.
Koff’s most big contribution to the wrestling industry got here in 2011, whilst he played an instrumental position in brokering the deal for Sinclair Broadcast Group to gather Ring of Honor from Cary Silkin. Koff, who turned into an government with Sinclair at the time, transitioned into his position as ROH COO, where he served as the face of the advertising for over a decade. Under his steering, ROH thrived, becoming a reputable call in expert wrestling and a platform that helped to launch the careers of some of these days’s biggest stars.
Even after Tony Khan, President of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), bought ROH in 2022, Koff’s have an impact on on the sport continued to be felt. His dedication to wrestling by no means wavered, as he remained a loved parent in the enterprise, popular for his integrity, leadership, and the support he supplied to wrestlers and colleagues alike.
Tributes Pour In from Wrestling Icons
The news of Koff’s passing has left an indelible mark on the wrestling community, with many paying tribute to the man who played such a pivotal role in ROH’s success. MLW, in their official statement, praised Koff for his lifelong dedication to the sport:
“MLW is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff. On behalf of MLW, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Joe always led with honor, integrity, and a passion for the sport we all cherish. His legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone he inspired. Thank you, Joe, for your contributions and unwavering dedication to wrestling. Rest in peace.”
Respected wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer echoed the sentiments, highlighting Koff’s monumental role in preserving the legacy of Ring of Honor:
“Very saddened to hear about the death of Joe Koff, who passed away this morning due to cancer. Koff was one of the key people in keeping ROH alive both brokering the deal with Sinclair and as COO of the company under that ownership group. He was an absolute pleasure to deal with, honestly among my favorite main administrators ever.”
Cody Rhodes, one of the most recognizable names in professional wrestling today, also took to social media to express his admiration and gratitude for Koff:
“Joe Koff was a great man that I learned a lot from and was always happy/lucky to be in his presence. All love to his family.”
A Lasting Legacy in Wrestling
Throughout his career, Koff remained a steadfast supporter of wrestling’s increase, whether thru preserving ROH’s legacy or supporting huge activities just like the “All In” pay-according to-view, which laid the basis for AEW. His contributions were no longer just operational; they had been deeply private, as wrestlers and enterprise specialists alike reputable him for his warmth, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to wrestling.
As the wrestling world continues to pay tribute to Joe Koff, it’s clear that his legacy will stay on within the hearts of those he touched. He turned into now not only a businessman however a true fan who helped shape the destiny of expert wrestling. His loss is an extremely good one for the industry, but his affect will maintain to echo in the course of the world of wrestling for future years.
