ROH to stop running Hammerstein

[Stopspot]

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Ring of Honor will no longer be running the Hammerstein Ballroom in the historic Manhattan Center, after Manhattan Center officials once again raised the cost of renting the arena to the point where even if ROH were to sell out the Hammerstein Ballroom, which fits 2,600 people, It’d be very unlikely they’d make a profit and even if they did it would be very minimal. Since they began running the Hammerstein Ballroom in 2006, the cost of rent has been an issue between representatives of ROH and Manhattan Center higher-ups, which is why ROH were regularly using the Grand Ballroom between 2008 and 2010, rarely running the larger arena.

The decision has been made despite ROH selling out their last two events at the Hammerstein. In May, ROH and New Japan Pro-Wrestling ran their War of the Worlds supershow, selling out the Hammerstein Ballroom in record time, over a month in advance, without any matchesannounced.

It’s unknown at this time where ROH may begin holding their New York based shows, which is worrying as New York is ROH’s biggest market and they are recognized as the number two wrestling promotion in the city due to their attendance levels and exposure across the city, something TNA has been challenging with their TV tapings at the Grand Ballroom last month and another next month. It’s now unknown where ROH will run Final Battle, their next scheduled pay-per-view and biggest show of the year from, as it has been held in the Manhattan Center annually for the past seven years.

As for TNA, it’s unknown whether they will continue their relationship with the Manhattan Center as the same issue is effecting them as well as ROH. TNA is running the Grand Ballroom because they have rarely ran New York City in their existence, only now feeling the need to run it in-order to impress Spike TV officials, and there was a risk that by running the bigger arena they wouldn’t sell out any of their tapings last month. The rise in rent is said to be so steep that even running the Grand Ballroom and selling it out is unlikely to see a return in profit.



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Well that sucks. But New York is a big place. ROH will find another place to run in the city.

 

[Leo C]

So they raised the price to both the Hammerstein and the Grand one? Well, that's too bad. But hopefully they'll find somewhere else.

 

[Red Rain]

My understanding is that, despite Hammerstein being legendary, it is a piece of sh**. I personally don't know. because I haven't been there. If it's true, it isn't worth the rent.

 

[Roadster]

Hammerstein is known for being a great a wrestling venue but many wrestlers claim it's low maintenance, and disgusting. If I remember correctly in a 2010 Paul Heyman interview he said WWE had planned on keeping ECW exclusive to Hammerstein but the roster complained and it went on the road.

Hammerstein IMO is only booked because it's an easy draw in for fans along with being a trip down never ending 90's nostalgia.

Same from Mean Gene.

 

[Red Rain]

The stories I heard ranged from having to run across the street to use the john.