Oro Steps into the Ring of Honor Spotlight After WWE Exit
A familiar face from WWE NXT has taken his first bold step into a new wrestling chapter. During the Ring of Honor television tapings on July 30 in Chicago, Illinois, the wrestler formerly known as Oro Mensah debuted under the name “Oro” and immediately found himself in a high-stakes challenge.
This debut marks Oro’s return to the ring after his release from WWE in May 2025. He was among several performers let go during that wave of cuts, a decision that surprised many fans due to his consistent presence on NXT programming. With little warning, Oro has now emerged as one of the fresh faces on the modern Ring of Honor roster.
In his first ROH appearance, Oro faced none other than Tomohiro Ishii, a legendary figure in the world of New Japan Pro-Wrestling known for his brutal striking and unrelenting pace. Although Oro did not secure a win, the decision to match him with such a respected and battle-hardened opponent sends a strong message. ROH leadership clearly sees potential in Oro and appears ready to showcase him as a meaningful part of its future programming.
Fans of WWE’s NXT brand will remember Oro Mensah as a member of the flamboyant and confident faction Meta-Four. Alongside Noam Dar, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson, he brought flair and charisma to NXT storylines. Prior to joining NXT in the United States, he wrestled under the name Oliver Carter in NXT UK, where he held the NXT UK Tag Team Championship. His versatility, athleticism and international experience made him a valuable performer across both brands.
His release earlier this year raised eyebrows. Oro had become a regular fixture on NXT shows and had built a solid reputation for delivering strong performances. Now, just a few months later, he has landed in Ring of Honor and finds himself aligned with another former Meta-Four member. Jakara Jackson, now performing as Mara Sadè, recently signed with TNA Wrestling and has also begun a new chapter following her WWE departure.
Ring of Honor, which is owned by AEW President Tony Khan, has been steadily rebuilding its identity as both a distinct brand and a complementary platform to AEW. The promotion offers its matches through the HonorClub streaming service, providing a stage for wrestlers to showcase unique styles, rebuild careers or debut with fresh momentum. Oro fits that mold perfectly. His debut suggests he is not just passing through, but rather setting the foundation for a serious run within the company.
The same set of ROH tapings in Chicago also featured other high-profile matches, including Jay Lethal earning a victory over Alex Zayne and Willie Mack defeating Gringo Loco. These matchups reflect the diverse range of talent currently being spotlighted across Ring of Honor events.
For Oro, the opportunity to reinvent himself and take on world-renowned talent like Ishii is more than just a debut. It is a statement. With experience in WWE’s developmental system, a championship run in the UK and a fresh platform to display his potential, Oro’s next steps will be watched closely by wrestling fans around the world.