My problems with ROH

[chessarmy]

Everyone thinks ROH is the greatest wrestling promotion in the world (well, most of you do) and I just don't get it. A few years ago I was one of those people but now I understand what this company really is. First of all, I'm happy they have the 1 our ROH on HDNet show. As a matter of fact, I think its a big step in the right direction for the promotion. However, they still have a long way to go before they finally go main stream. I am not a fan of indie wrestling, I can watch CHI from time to time but thats pretty much it. ROH, I don't consider it an indie promotion. The problem is, it isn't main stream either. It needs to be one or the other, and right now I feel like they're stuck in the middle for various reasons. Here are my problems with ROH:

No live PPVs: I'm sick of watching ROH PPVs clearly knowing what is going to happen. This company needs to invest in getting live PPVs, or else there just isn't a point. To go main stream they should use the same formula as TNA and WWE, TV shows every week and a live PPV every month. When the PPVs are taped and not promoted very well, you leave your viewers without even knowing that a PPV happened and finding out about a title change without seeing it bothers me. Not only that, but the TV shows were taped before Jerry Lynn won ROH World Title, so that just makes things even more confusing for someone just tuning in. Live PPVs and TV shows that are taped similar to iMPACT! will fix this.

More storylines: ROH on HDNet is a great wrestling show, don't get me wrong. But I want more time invested in developing storylines and feuds. They did a good job of highlighting the Jimmy Jacobs/Tyler Black feud a few weeks ago, but other than a few backstage promos they don't focus on storylines AT ALL. I'd like to see a few angles/segments on the TV show. Let guys come out and cut a promo, without storylines the wrestling matches mean nothing and in turn I end up changing the channel. ROH is doing a great job with storylines for their DVDs and taped PPVs, they need to carry this over to the TV show.

More star power: I look at the ROH roster and I see nobody that I'm particularly interested in. Sure, I like Jerry Lynn, Nigel Mcguinness, Bryan Danielson, The Briscoes, Kevin Steen, Tyler Black, and the rest of ROH's upper mid card/main event. But I still think this company needs one big star to set it apart from the rest. And by big star, I don't mean someone like The Rock or Hulk Hogan. I mean someone like Sonjay Dutt, Petey Williams, Senshi (although I heard he's working for WWE right now), or even Rob Van Dam. There are plenty of free agents available for ROH and all I want is for them to sign at least one.

So, what do you guys think? I hope I don't come off as an ROH hater because I'm not. I want this promotion to succeed and I think it will. They just need to make a few adjustments

Thoughts?

 

[Soulpower]

More storylines: ROH on HDNet is a great wrestling show, don't get me wrong. But I want more time invested in developing storylines and feuds. They did a good job of highlighting the Jimmy Jacobs/Tyler Black feud a few weeks ago, but other than a few backstage promos they don't focus on storylines AT ALL. I'd like to see a few angles/segments on the TV show. Let guys come out and cut a promo, without storylines the wrestling matches mean nothing and in turn I end up changing the channel. ROH is doing a great job with storylines for their DVDs and taped PPVs, they need to carry this over to the TV show.

From what I've seen, it seems that the first batch of shows were used mostly to introduce the audience to Ring of Honor and their wrestlers. The last episodes that were taped seemed to have a lot more storyline progression and promos, so it seems that will change in the coming weeks.

 

[chessarmy]

^ Yea I heard through people that read spoilers that things are going to change. Thats good news, I'm glad they fixed that

 

[Montana]

I see what your saying Chessarmy, and I even think there are probably more problems too that should be listed. I don't think anyone would call ROH flawless by any means, especially now. But most of these problem first became noticable in 2009. One of the things that jumped out to me was that you said it was a step in the right direction for ROH to get a 1 hour tv spot. Well, as it looks now, more than ever they aren't ready for TV. I'd say there is a laundry list of problems with ROH, but what company doesn't. I think despite their problems, they put on good shows almost every time.

TV Show
As Soulpower mentioned these first 6 shows were introductary shows, to feature the ROH roster. I feel like ROH isn't ready for TV for a few reasons. The PPV's and DVD's are out of order. They tape 6 shows in 2 days. Thats probably my biggest beef with the show. They have too big of a roster. And they want to impress fans with the show, but they also want them to go get the DVDs'/PPV's. Also ROH TV doesnt have the same feel as ROH on DVD. On top of that, I think ROH needs more than 5 or 6 PPV's a year now. Fans are forgetting about PPV's and i actually think it would help if they put on more shows. Even if its just a 3 hour DVD they throw on PPV. So certainly ROH needs to figure and sort this all out this year. If they don't their in quicksand.

Storylines
I think the storylines are there. As SP mentioned its not the TV show yet. Certainly is going through a rough phrase transitioning bookers, as Pearce is yet to find his groove, imo. I'll admit i openly perfered Gabe, however Pearce has done some really good stuff. (and bad) The TV is get people the get the DVDs. So far, i dont think its working, and i don't think ROH is putting out quality DVDs at the moment. Well, at least not their best stuff, but they should have a few great shows coming out soon.

Star Power
Did you say Sonjay Dutt????? If so ROH has already brought him in. THey brought in Ric Flair for christ sakes. I think ROH is doing just about all they can, for the money they have. I wouldn't call Sonjay a "starpower" but i few familar faces can't hurt. But when i look at ROH, whomever they bring in, is just NOT on the level of their current stars. ROH made Danielson, Nigel, Briscoes stars. These guys are legit superstars in wrestling. Watching ROH for the first time, you might not know who these guys are, but watch 4-5 shows in a row, and its clear these guys are stars, even if not so much in the eyes of a wwe fan. You have to try ROH to understand that. Even people who don't watch ROH know abotu these guys.

In my opinon you hit the nail on the head with the TV/DVD/PPV confusion. That needs to be fixed. Other than that, i think ROH is doing alright. I dont like the booking lately, but they still put on good shows every night, and Great shows when they want to. I think with the roster in a little bit a transitional phase (contracts up in a few weeks) we could talent a shake up in the talent pool. Danielson may be leaving, which would be a HUGE blow. We will see. I think getting the roster set, and fixing the shows so everything isn't 6-8 weeks behind. A few moves and ROH is right out of this slump.

 

[Axis]

and Great shows when they want to.

Back up. When and why would they NOT want to put on a great show?

Anyway, obviously ROH isn't what it was in 2005-2006, but it's still a fun alternative when I'm in the mood.

 

[Montana]

Back up. When and why would they NOT want to put on a great show?

I can't figure that one out either. Cary Silken has slightly watered down the product as of late, and only really go all out on certain events. I think the way they look at it, like they are building up to "big shows" Even just looking at some of the recent shows, the sometimes you get 3-4 two star matches on a show. Then a few better matches. With the older shows, they could come out and put on great matches top to bottom. Now it seems they want to keep the lower card matches, ok, and build to the main event, as well towards the next big show. There is more DQ's, Countouts, and draws than ever as well. At least i feel that.


Anyway, obviously ROH isn't what it was in 2005-2006, but it's still a fun alternative when I'm in the mood.

There has been a few recent shows, that you could argue is some of the best shows ROH has every put on. Supercard of Honor 3 is a very highly rated show.

The reason why i say ROH can still put on a good show, pick up Rising Above 2008 or Final Battle 08. I have both of those in my top ten all time shows. I haven't see a ton of shows from 2005, but i wasn't into that year so much, from what i've seen. 2006 was great, but even they had their poor shows that year.

Even some of the fueds they had in 2008. Dragon/Nigel and Aries/Jacobs were some of the best fueds of all time in ROH.

 

[Axis]

Ehhh, I think that's pushing it. Nigel/Danielson MAYBE, but the fact that it took place within the confines of Nigel's title reign really put a damper on that feud for me.

Jacobs/Aries was a lot of fun, but the booking was really backwards. If they had just straight up booked Jacobs as a face and Aries as a heel, then it would have been one of the best. Things got really weird in there though. I don't even think it was either man's best feud in ROH. I preferred Aries/Strong and Jacobs/Whitmer both to Aries/Jacobs. That said, Jimmy Jacobs is still one of the best in the world, and really any match with him is guaranteed to be great to watch.