ROH National Convention

[Montana]

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(15 mins)

I came across this video and the title interested me, although the content, doesnt really justify the name. Basically Truthslayer says ROH needs to take another step this year, in terms of growth, for its loyal fans. My thoughts on the video, at first i disagree'd with with reasoning, but the overall concept perhaps i agree.

My thoughts on what was said

- ROH's production and Audio is fine in my books. I've never seen a problem, except when the guys are brawling through the crowd. Other than that, no big deal, IMO

- i Don't think ROH should try and be more like Chikara's Podcast a Go-Go. Personally i think Chikara verison doesn't help their product very much, and its basically the same thing week in week out. I do think becoming consisent, and more like a show, would be better, although again, i think the videocast is fine as is.

- Giving the ROH fans something to talk about, or to get other new fans into the product. I do think ROH has done pretty well this year with there shows, but at the same time i have to agree with TruthSlayer a bit here. Not a whole lot of great buzz going on right now. Most of it involves ROH guys in WWE dark matches. Or CM Punk being WWE champ. I think the FYE dvds are a very good tool, but i think more is needed. Also Truthslayer has failed to mention the upgrade to the Hammerstein this year, drawing its largest attentendence of around 2000. I would like to see ROH try and get some MORE "special" appearances. Get RVD in for one match. I think that could get the internet buzzing about the product. There are a few other big names like that, that dont need to be regular, but more of a one time thing. Thats where i think ROH could improve a bit, this year. They have only really brought into MCMG, Go Shiozaki and Kota Ibushi Thus far this year.

Thoughts on the video??

 

[chessarmy]

Truthslayer's the man, I am subscribed to him and I think he knows his stuff when it comes to wrestling. I have to agree with him here, ROH's production values need to improve, lots of people will get turned off by the poor audio/video that ROH has, especially on PPV. He's right about the Videowire too, they should make it at least once a week so that its easier for people to follow the feuds.

This was a great video, Truthslayer made some great points and I hope ROH does continue to grow and take that "next step" sometime soon.

 

[Headfirst For Hardcore]

ROH has already done the best that they could do at their level, and most of it is by word of mouth. I agree with some points on what he said, and ROH really does need to do some of this.

Production - There's a couple of other indies that have better production than ROH when it comes to camera and audio. ROH's best looking shows were the shows that were in Japan, probably because they used the cameras that the Japanese companies use for TV. Even having the arena look better doesn't seem so bad like bringing back the Entrance Ramp from Double Feature or making it look aggressive and raw like WSX. I'd even go as far to say the announcers need to be more "excited" about the product, and make it seem like they don't know what's going to happen.

Video Wire - The Video Wires are good for the fans that can't follow all of the shows, but not for new fans. Having a couple of recent matches would be better, unlike having the Vaulted Classics or the Matches they have on ROHVideos.

Website - Get a roster and alumni page. Most of the time, the first thing I do when I go to a new promotion's website is look at their roster. Without one, it makes the wrestlers just look plain.

Hype - I think one of the reasons why ROH is so popular is because they're masters of hype, and they can make any match or any star look like the greatest thing on paper. If we see that continue, that will help ROH way more.

Appearances - As much as I like Japanese Wrestling or seeing guys like MCMG come back, it's not really helping bring in new fans. I don't think that you could come up to any TNA/WWE4Lyfe fan and have them know who Misawa, Kobashi, KENTA, or Marufuji is. I think the hardcore fans would be just as happy seeing Ric Flair, RVD or other "legends" than some International Star.

 

[Montana]

I was thinking about proposing an idea of a ROH Fan Club. To me, this makes a lot of sense and it could be the answer that they are missing at the moment. The goal would be to get ROH in the hands of the WWE/TNA fans. The basic concept of the Fan Club, would be that EVERYONE that signs up (With e-mail) , automatically gets a free DVD. Im not talking about a straight shooting video, I'm talking something like SOH III. Something that new fans will see, and WANT to see more. Now i know finanically this won't be cheap, although it won't be all that expensive either. If need be, just send a copy of the official DVD. Now for the first year, ROH would take their fans, and group them by state, and create regions of sorts. This creating a regional Newsletter Every Month or So. Also Every 3 months, since they sent you a free DVD, a short survey would be sent, asking your thoughts on the current product, storylines, shows, basically what they already ask, but make it mandatory. Basically the surveys are more geared towards WWE/TNA fans, as to why they don't get into ROH, or how can ROH cater to them better. If you don't fill out the surveys, Well, ROH has lost their $$ on that DVD. After 12 months, the Fan must MUST purchase at least 4 DVD's in order to get another free DVD the second year and fill out the surveys. For the fans, who already follow ROH Heavy, when signing up they can choose a option of 50% off their next order, rather than a free dvd, as a added bonus.

BY Doing this :

ROH Gets

- New Contacts
(Get the email addresses of WWE/TNA fans)

- More accurate Feedback
(Again non ROH fans)

- Increased Exposure

- BUZZ

- Better Marketing


ROH Gives Up

- A Free DVD for every fan they have

- Time & Effort into more regional Promoting


The FANS Get

- Free DVD

- Regional Newsletter (Every Month )
Upcoming shows, basically really promote when the shows are coming to each area via email. Maybe local wrestlers interviews, and whatnot.

- Specials + Sales

- A Better way to connect with Local fans. Perhaps a street team of sorts. A ROH gathering, where local wrestlers might meet and greet fans.



THOUGHTS on all this?? Crazy? Good Idea? Stupid?? Things that should be added, subtracted?

Thanks

 

[Headfirst For Hardcore]

http://www.chikarmy.com/

kinda sounds like the Chikarmy, but I actually like the idea. It's way more fan friendly than what ROH has done in the past, and if this is done, I'm sure that tons of people would sign up. I don't think it should be free, but it should be a small price. even having exclusives like OOS DVD's would be nice too.

I think the last thing ROH did that was fan oriented was the toolbar, and that is pretty gay IMO.

 

[Montana]

Yeah, the toolbar isn't going to gain any new viewers, and although the newswires are pretty cool, imo, again, not bringing in new fans. I guess the idea behind it was for those who have seen 1 match or a show from 2004, to get them to see the new product, and a full show. Its really hard to judge the full product, only watching one match here and there.

I didnt know chikara had a army, perhaps they should mention that on podcast a go go, either that or i dont pay attention that well.

 

[Cynic Clinic]

I hate how everyone bitches about how ROH NEEDS another step. Let Gabe and Cary worry about that. Just enjoy the product. Honestly.

Just because you want to see it for free, doesn't mean it has to be on TV. The internet is a great place. And if I may repeat myself, so what if THAT way doesn't get any new fans? Let Gabe and Cary worry about that.

 

[Montana]

I agree, I dont think ROH should be on TV, but im talking more about expanding the fan base. I dont think the Fan Club would be a next step, however i think it would help get some new viewers.

As far as me wanting to see it for free, i could care less. I got more money than you need to know about. I just think someone who's never seen the product shouldn't have to pay.

 

[Cynic Clinic]

BY Doing this :
ROH Gets

- New Contacts
(Get the email addresses of WWE/TNA fans)
- More accurate Feedback
(Again non ROH fans)
- Increased Exposure
- BUZZ
- Better Marketing

ROH Gives Up
- A Free DVD for every fan they have
- Time & Effort into more regional Promoting

The FANS Get
- Free DVD
- Regional Newsletter (Every Month )
Upcoming shows, basically really promote when the shows are coming to each area via email. Maybe local wrestlers interviews, and whatnot.
- Specials + Sales
- A Better way to connect with Local fans. Perhaps a street team of sorts. A ROH gathering, where local wrestlers might meet and greet fans.

THOUGHTS on all this?? Crazy? Good Idea? Stupid?? Things that should be added, subtracted?

Thanks

That's not a good business strategy because the things ROH gives up are DEFINITE, while the things they gain only MAY or may not work. ROH has only said a million times that they're a mom and pop wrestling company. They're not that big, and it gives the whole show a better feel that they aren't. I know that if I were to bitch about something, it would be that the fans themselves don't have the balls to go watch something else when they KNOW they don't like the stuff on TV.

And lastly, if you've only seen ROH via internet and DVD, you've missed out completely. Go to a show. It's an experience, and it's a great memory.