Ring of Honor’s new studio home in Jacksonville is already getting a ton of backlash — and now an NWA talent is flat-out accusing AEW of stealing the idea. After ROH taped at WJCT Studios in Jacksonville, Florida, Bryan Idol didn’t hesitate to take a shot at AEW.
Speaking to Ringside News, the NWA star made it clear he thinks this is déjà vu all over again: “What a shock, AEW copies NWA as usual shifting to studio tapings.”
That accusation isn’t random. NWA famously revived the studio wrestling vibe with NWA Powerrr, leaning into a stripped-down, retro presentation inside a controlled TV studio setting. ROH’s new home base — small crowd, tight production— naturally leads to comparisons. And this isn’t the first time AEW has faced that kind of accusation.
Back at Full Gear 2025, when AEW crowned its first-ever National Champion, Ringside News was told the company had blatantly ripped off the NWA World Television Championship design. We were specifically informed the color scheme, insignia, and overall layout looked like a near copy of the classic NWA belt. One source summed it up bluntly at the time: “It’s bull**** they ripped the design off.” Now that ROH is shifting to a studio format, critics are connecting the dots.
As previously reported, the WJCT tapings are free to attend but extremely limited in size. One source claimed fire code caps the audience at 43 people, while another estimate suggested it may be closer to 100. Either way, that’s a far cry from arena shows — and even smaller than the roughly 400-seat WWE Performance Center. The rental cost is reportedly around $3,200 for a full Sunday taping block, pointing to a leaner, lower-overhead operation for ROH going forward.
But for Idol, the issue isn’t about budget. It’s about originality. With ROH set to return to WJCT Studios on March 22, the studio direction is being pitched as a reset for the brand. Critics, however, see something else entirely.
So what’s the verdict — is AEW borrowing again, or is this just how wrestling evolves? Let us know where you stand.