ROH sold to broadcast group, coming to syndication
 

ROH issued the following, copied from PWInsider:

RING OF HONOR ANNOUNCES SALE TO SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP

BRISTOL, PA. (MAY 21, 2011)--Ring of Honor Wrestling owner, Cary Silkin, announced today the sale of the promotion to Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc., one of the largest television broadcasters in the country and which owns and operates, programs, or provides sales services to 58 television stations in 35 markets across the United States.

ROH, currently the third largest wrestling promotion in the country, just celebrated its ninth anniversary, and Mr. Silkin is excited about taking the next step towards increasing the company's visibility and expanding its operations.

"We have been waiting for and working for this opportunity for quite some time", he said, "and of our 9 years in business, there has been no better roster of wrestlers than this one to expose the ROH product to the masses. With Sinclair's resources and many avenues of distribution, we believe many new fans around the world will be as captivated as those who have followed Ring of Honor over the years."

The month of September will see the debut of the new Ring of Honor television program which will be syndicated across the Sinclair network of stations, and with it, ROH will become the only wrestling promotion in the United States with a major, multi-market presence on broadcast TV. But if you don't live in a market with a Sinclair station, fear not, says Mr. Silkin. "Through our revamped website we will be able to make the TV show available to anyone in the world with internet access."

Sinclair officials are enthused about the project as well.

"We are very excited about this acquisition," commented Steve Marks, COO of Sinclair's Television Group. "Television and professional wrestling have a long history of successful partnerships and driving viewership. Unfortunately, the broadcast networks have not protected that relationship, allowing professional wrestling to migrate to cable network distribution. We believe that the powerful promotional platform that our TV stations provide, coupled with our 22% share of the U.S. TV households, will allow ROH to achieve name brand recognition and grow its share of the wrestling market. When you consider the makeup of our station mix and the number of CW, MYTV and FOX affiliates we operate, this is a perfect fit for our viewer demographics." Mr. Marks also noted, "Longer-term, we can envision syndicating ROH wrestling to broadcasters in markets where Sinclair does not have a presence, and even internationally."

Mr. Silkin assures the ROH fans worldwide that they will be seeing the same exciting, hard-hitting style of pro wrestling that they have become accustomed to. "We have established the name Ring of Honor as synonymous with the best in-ring action in the sport. The only thing that will change is that it will now be easier for fans around the world to follow. Our visibility will increase greatly--our production will be upgraded--but the work ethic of our incredible talent roster and our athletic style of wrestling will remain the same. This is what our fans have told us they want, and we will continue to give it to them."

The current front office staff, including Cary Silkin, Syd Eick, and Ross Abrams, will remain with ROH going forward. Hunter Johnston, a favorite of ROH fans for years as the masked grappler Delirious, will still handle matchmaking, Jim Cornette will remain as executive producer, and other familiar faces like ring announcer Bobby Cruise and senior referee Todd Sinclair will be in place."

Additionally, longtime wrestling broadcaster Kevin Kelly, already the voice of ROH internet pay-per-views, will assume the TV play-by-play chair this fall. Veteran NWA and WCW promoter Gary Juster will come aboard to be in charge of live event operations, which are planned to continue in current ROH markets as well as expanding into new locations concurrent with the increased TV exposure.

Mr. Cornette, who along with Mr. Johnston, will be in charge of talent and matchmaking, sees this as a new beginning for pro wrestling. "This is not old-school wrestling, and it's not sports entertainment," said Mr. Cornette. "This is wrestling for the 21st century, a new style developed by fresh, young stars that incorporates wrestling, mixed martial arts and high-flying, high-risk action with unique personalities, and it's showcased by a sports-based presentation completely different from any other product out there. In my 30 years in the sport, it's the most exciting live-event wrestling experience I've seen, and I'm thrilled to help bring it to broadcast TV."

A major press conference, open to wrestling press and mainstream media alike, is being planned for Baltimore on Friday, June 24th. This event will feature a number of the ROH staff and wrestlers both announcing news about ROH's future and answering questions. The media event will be presided over by new ROH COO, Joe Koff. Mr. Koff, a longtime Sinclair executive with an extensive background in TV sales and management, also has experience in pro wrestling television production and syndication. Most visible of his projects may have been the first-ever live, prime time syndicated pro wrestling events, the Battle of the Belts, which aired from 1985 to 1987. These Championship Wrestling from Florida-based cards were broadcast live to a syndicated network of stations and may be best-remembered for the classic Ric Flair vs. Barry Windham NWA World Title contest from St. Petersburg.

The press event will kick off a weekend which includes ROH's next internet pay-per-view event, "Best In The World 2011," live from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Sunday, June 26th at 4PM EST. In addition to all the top stars on the ROH roster, this event will feature the return of some favorite stars from Ring of Honor's past, and can be ordered by anyone in the world with internet access through Gofightlive.tv for only $14.95. More information about Ring of Honor can be obtained through their website, www.rohwrestling.com.

From PWInsider:

What was told to wrestlers today:

The company has been purchased by Sinclair Broadcast Group.

The current braintrust will be staying on board.

Gary Juster is coming on board as a promoter for the company and the schedule will be expanded.

There will be a new weekly series syndicated via Sinclair.

Reps from Sinclair are in Chicago

As long as Sinclair allows ROH to function as what it is, A promotion centered on WRESTLING, this is a good thing.

ROH could theoretically become what TNA plays lip service to being.

Might check it out if I get a channel that it will be on.

Also, I say the opposite of Vastardikai. Hopefully this leads to big changes to RoH, with an increase in production value and presentation.

Providing they don't air the same time Raw/SD! airs, they should be good. I will check them out if I get a channel with them on it for sure; been wanting to check them out for some time.

<font color=goldenrod>Praying they wind up on a channel I get.</font>

Pretty excited for this. Think I read something about a 9pm-10pm Saturday time slot. Not the best but it's something. If they didn't intend to keep the wrestling itself running as usual, I don't think they'd have kept everyone in place. Seems they view ROH as "it's fine as it is, let's distribute it better". Also curious to see what this means for production of the shows. Sinclair obviously has more money to throw around than ROH or HDNet did.

Maybe since we have 2 affiliates in town here we'll be one of the new stops?

Shows will apparently be streamed on the website for free, so not too big of a deal if you don't get a SBG affiliate

Sounds like very good news for ROH especially assuming they get a lot more money for shows and production while also getting more exposure on tv.

It could also push them into the #2 promotion as long as they don't pull a TNA and mess up their whole booking and style or could even force TNA to get better since TNA is usually horrible with both the short and long term planning with their current leadership.

We're not necessarily saying the opposite. Increased Production Values and Presentation doesn't mean a decrease in Quality of Wrestling. You can be a Wrestling-Oriented promotion and have good Production Value and good Presentation.

NO. I AM SAYING OPPOSITE. :mad:

They need a midget junior division quickly! That fights on a ring made of trampolines.

woah this is great news, i just googled Sinclair Broadcast Group and those guys are loaded
maybe they will pump and few coins into ROH

This is great news. I was bummed when their run with HDNet was up. I DVR'd every show and there was always quality wrestling to be seen.

neat

also, cue gertner

phenomenal news, but we'll see if anything actually comes of it.

Here's a list of Sinclair Broadcast Group's stations, from Wikipedia:

<table class="toccolours" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"><th style="background: #e3e3e3;">City of license/Market</th> <th style="background: #e3e3e3;">Station</th> <th style="background: #e3e3e3;">RF
Channel</th> <th style="background: #e3e3e3;">Display
Channel</th> <th style="background: #e3e3e3;">Owned Since</th> <th style="background: #e3e3e3;">Affiliation</th> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>St. Petersburg - Tampa</td> <td>WTTA ³</td> <td>38</td> <td>38</td> <td>1999(?)</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Minneapolis - St Paul</td> <td>WUCW</td> <td>22</td> <td>23</td> <td>1998</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>St. Louis</td> <td>KDNL-TV</td> <td>31</td> <td>30</td> <td>1996</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Pittsburgh</td> <td>WPGH-TV</td> <td>43</td> <td>53</td> <td>1991</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WPMY **</td> <td>42</td> <td>22</td> <td>2000
<small>(previously owned by
Sinclair from 1978–91)</small></td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Raleigh - Durham - Fayetteville</td> <td>WLFL</td> <td>27</td> <td>22</td> <td>1994</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WRDC</td> <td>28</td> <td>28</td> <td>1995</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="3">Baltimore</td> <td rowspan="2">WBFF **</td> <td>46</td> <td>45</td> <td rowspan="2">1971</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr> <td>45.2</td> <td>This TV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WNUV ¹</td> <td>40</td> <td>40</td> <td>1994</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="3">Nashville</td> <td>WZTV</td> <td>15</td> <td>17</td> <td>1994</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WUXP</td> <td>21</td> <td>30</td> <td>2000</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WNAB ²</td> <td>23</td> <td>58</td> <td>²</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: center; text-align: left;"> <td>Cincinnati</td> <td>WSTR-TV</td> <td>33</td> <td>64</td> <td>1995</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Columbus, Ohio</td> <td>WSYX</td> <td>48</td> <td>6</td> <td>1996</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WTTE ** ¹</td> <td>36</td> <td>28</td> <td>1984</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Milwaukee</td> <td>WVTV</td> <td>18</td> <td>18</td> <td>2000</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WCGV-TV</td> <td>25</td> <td>24</td> <td>1995</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Asheville - Greenville - Spartanburg</td> <td>WLOS</td> <td>13</td> <td>13</td> <td>1996</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WMYA-TV ¹</td> <td>14</td> <td>40</td> <td>1996</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">San Antonio</td> <td>KABB</td> <td>30</td> <td>29</td> <td>1996</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>KMYS</td> <td>32</td> <td>35</td> <td>2001</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="3">Birmingham - Tuscaloosa, AL</td> <td>WTTO</td> <td>28</td> <td>21</td> <td>1995</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WABM</td> <td>36</td> <td>68</td> <td>2001</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WDBB
<small>(satellite of WTTO)</small></td> <td>18</td> <td>17</td> <td>1995</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left"> <td rowspan="2">Las Vegas</td> <td>KVMY</td> <td>22</td> <td>21</td> <td>1997</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>KVCW</td> <td>29</td> <td>33</td> <td>2000</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Norfolk - Portsmouth - Newport News</td> <td>WTVZ</td> <td>33</td> <td>33</td> <td>1996</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Oklahoma City</td> <td>KOKH-TV</td> <td>24</td> <td>25</td> <td>2003</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>KOCB</td> <td>33</td> <td>34</td> <td>1996</td> <td>The CW</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Winston-Salem - Greensboro - High Point</td> <td>WXLV-TV</td> <td>29</td> <td>45</td> <td>1996</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WMYV</td> <td>33</td> <td>48</td> <td>2001</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Buffalo, New York</td> <td>WUTV</td> <td>14</td> <td>29</td> <td>1996</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WNYO-TV</td> <td>49</td> <td>49</td> <td>2001</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Richmond, Virginia</td> <td>WRLH-TV</td> <td>26</td> <td>35</td> <td>1998</td> <td>Fox This TV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Pensacola, FL - Mobile, AL</td> <td>WEAR-TV</td> <td>17</td> <td>3</td> <td>1997</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WFGX ³</td> <td>50</td> <td>35</td> <td>2001</td> <td>MyNetworkTV This TV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Dayton, Ohio</td> <td>WKEF</td> <td>51</td> <td>22</td> <td>1998</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WRGT-TV ¹</td> <td>30</td> <td>45</td> <td>2001</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Danville - Lexington, KY</td> <td>WDKY-TV</td> <td>31</td> <td>56</td> <td>2001</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Charleston - Huntington, WV</td> <td>WCHS-TV</td> <td>41</td> <td>8</td> <td>1997</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WVAH-TV ¹</td> <td>19</td> <td>11</td> <td>1994</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Flint - Saginaw - Bay City, MI</td> <td>WSMH</td> <td>16</td> <td>66</td> <td>1996</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Des Moines</td> <td>KDSM-TV</td> <td>16</td> <td>17</td> <td>1996</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Portland, Maine</td> <td>WGME-TV</td> <td>38</td> <td>13</td> <td>1998</td> <td>CBS</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Paducah, KY - Cape Girardeau, MO -
Harrisburg, IL</td> <td>KBSI</td> <td>22</td> <td>23</td> <td>1998</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WDKA ³</td> <td>49</td> <td>49</td> <td>2006</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Rochester, New York</td> <td>WUHF ⁴</td> <td>28</td> <td>31</td> <td>1995</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Syracuse, New York</td> <td>WNYS-TV ³</td> <td>44</td> <td>43</td> <td>
</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WSYT</td> <td>19</td> <td>68</td> <td>1998</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Champaign - Urbana -
Decatur - Springfield, IL</td> <td>WICS</td> <td>42</td> <td>20</td> <td>1998</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WICD
<small>(semi-satellite of WICS)</small></td> <td>41</td> <td>15</td> <td>1998</td> <td>ABC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Madison, Wisconsin</td> <td>WMSN-TV</td> <td>49</td> <td>47</td> <td>2002</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Cedar Rapids - Waterloo -
Dubuque - Iowa City, IA</td> <td>KGAN-TV</td> <td>51</td> <td>2</td> <td>1998</td> <td>CBS</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>KFXA ⁵</td> <td>27</td> <td>28</td> <td>⁵</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td rowspan="2">Charleston, South Carolina</td> <td>WTAT-TV ¹</td> <td>24</td> <td>24</td> <td>1995</td> <td>Fox</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>WMMP</td> <td>36</td> <td>36</td> <td>1998</td> <td>MyNetworkTV</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Tallahassee, FL - Thomasville, GA</td> <td>WTWC-TV</td> <td>40</td> <td>40</td> <td>1998</td> <td>NBC</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: top; text-align: left;"> <td>Bloomington - Peoria, IL</td> <td>WYZZ-TV ⁴</td> <td>28</td> <td>43</td> <td>1985</td> <td>Fox</td></tr></tbody></table>

TNA, start pissing your pants... now.

Fuck, no Philly. :(

I think everyone's forgetting here that Sinclair isn't an investor or a TV partner, they OWN ROH now. I'm sure they'll make every effort to get it a permanent home on Fox/MyNetwork/CW/Whoever and get it shown nationwide ASAP. They have no reason not to now

yeah i am sure my network tv liked smackdown on there network, an if they can get roh for cheaper sat night would be good night for roh with dvr and no other wrestling comp that night. that would be best for them.

I dont see how the tv deal side is better than what they had with HDNet

Orlando, too :(

woohoo it's actually gonna be on a channel I get

this should be awesome

lol this boring crap won't last 3 months.

It took you 6 hours before you responded to this news Gertner? I thought you would have been all over this... I'm disappointed.


On a side not Jimmy Jacobs returned to ROH tonight at Supercard of Honor VI.

haha I was busy smoking weed at my friends house

It needs to die tbh, its really dated and corny.

TNA is way better than this crap.

How is it dated and corny?

Lol you said Corny.

Fayetteville NC!! YEAH!

Is it sad that as happy as I am for the potential expansion of ROH, I was way more psyched for the return of Jimmy Jacobs?

Jimmy Jacobs is a part of that expansion, WWKD. There is no shame in it.

This is only good news for ROH. They are now owned by a company with a shit load of money, which obviously means that this Sinclair Broadcasting Group see a way to make money off ROH. They have more money and business sense than Gertner, so fuck what he says.

It won't happen overnight, but ROH has been expanding on its own. They are closer to TNA in terms of PPV buys than TNA are to the WWE. ROH also tour more, which means more potential for merchandise sales and awareness. If the product remains essentially the same, this should only be supported by wrestling fans who want an "alternative," or something to at least light a fire under the ask of other companies claiming to be alternatives.

I'm interested to see who these names with "WWE value" end up being. Low Ki is the first that comes to mind. It's a shame that TNA reportedly has Kurt Angle signed onto a three-year deal. It would have been amazing if Angle, with all his pride, wanted to leave TNA but didn't want to go back to the WWE. The same with Samoa Joe.

Time will tell how great/insignificant this purchase of ROH really is.

Well, hello Captain Obvious.

Anyways, this should work out best for ROH. They needed someone with a lot of cash readily available badly, and hopefully, they've found that in the Sinclair Broadcast Group. I'm expecting to see better production values, new talent, and hopefully, a big ticket draw who will get the attention of people who are not ROH fans already.

This is the first time a TV network owns a wrestling company since WCW right? So this can only be a good thing for ROH. No financial burdons of being run independantly with a financial backer who has access to the one thing they struggled with.

Well, hello, Captain Obvious.

I was just thinking about this, and yeah, I believe it would be. This is a bigger deal than Panda Energy backing TNA, because in SBG, ROH have television behind them. It's in SBG's interest to give ROH the best exposure and marketed approach possible.

Hello! :)

I hope they can snag Antonio Banks or Carlos Colon Jr, in addition to Low Ki and Austin Aries.

i am wondering if tna and roh will still work togather with there talent exchanges. i would love to see them invade each other.

its in syracuse good to hear..ive been waiting for awhile to check out roh

I think one of the most important things is that ROH is going to have their episodes on their website. I remember with the HDNet show someone was uploading them up onto Youtube with ROH's permission, but eventually HDNet shut it down. Hopefully with good quality videos ROH can get some more viewers online.

Because they are stuck with Jim Cornette who thinks the 80's format still works and ppl want to see it.

Except he's already been quoted about this venture, saying that it's not like the 80's. In fact, he's not even the lead creative mind. He's seemingly there because of his experience, and to lend support to Delirious, who has been a part of Ring of Honor for years, through Gabe's booking reign, and Gabe is a protoge of Paul Heyman's.

I hope so, too, actually. Not going to lie, all of those guys have gone through my head. And, for whatever reason, don't MVP and Carlito have the rights to use their WWE names? That's a pretty big deal.

I'd also like to see ROH sign my two favourite wrestling Pauls - Birchall and London - to contracts. If both are in shape and ready for it, that is.

Part of me would like to see Raven hired as a color commentator. I haven't heard Dave Prazak in a while, but I think ROH needs someone - anyone - with some sort of big promotion experience. Steve Corino, even, would be alright, if he could do it. In my dream world, Charlie Haas would give his buddy, JBL a call, and John Layfield would be the color commentator for the new ROH. :drool:

Is there any way to check and see which channels they are airing on? I'm in Columbus Ohio and I get SPIKE for TNA but that's about it. :love:

Here's a link to the list of channels sinclair owns:

http://www.sbgi.net/business/television.shtml

Sorry, but ROH's roster is a list of names that nobody knows or cares about except those who follow the Indy scene. Their biggest name is probably Charlie Haas for christ's sake. At least when TNA hit TV they had names like Jeff Hardy, Jeff Jarrett, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and DDP to back them up. I will be very surprised if this goes anywhere "real."

Sorry to hate on this news - I guess it's good news for the wrestling industry as it means more attention given to performers who aren't working for a company too scared to refer to them as what they are: wrestlers, but still. They have zero drawing power right now.

ROH on tv. A quote from Animal House sums this up. ROH"s ratings= "ZERO POINT ZERO".

Don't forget it said it will be available on the internet for all if you don't get a channel.

Is Austin Aries still on ROH? Because he's cool.

Well first of all, your wrong in that "nobody cares" comment. Because clearly they do as ROH does have a strong fan base which has kept them the largest non national company in America for 9 years.

Also the selling point of ROH has never been a star, it's the name itself Ring of Honor and what that means which is simple, ROH = The Best In The World. If ROH can get rid of what makes them seem like a 90's indie (undercard cheese dicks) and replace them with the hardcore indie workers that are so loved like Homicide, Jay Lethal, Daniels, WGTT, KOW, The Briscoes, El Generico, Edwars and Richards, as well as perhaps add some talented national players like Antonio Banks, Low Ki, or perhaps even Finlay (who could work a reduced schedule as well as behind the scenes) ROH could be on the uprise.

People always wanna compare ROH and make it more than it is. The truth is they don't concern themselves with TNA or WWE, they simply are not competition, the best thing they could be is the alternative. So if ROH markets their name instead of stars then they will have a better shot...

In the past the beauty of ROH is that I would buy a ticket not knowing who was on the card because I knew they would put out a killer show with the best matches I could hope for, just like ECW did. This is how you book the alternative, BRAND BRAND BRAND, build up ROH to new audiences as the place to go to see heart stopping moves and hard hitting action that you don't always find in WWE or TNA.

Problem is that they have to really keep up with WWE because WWE has had some great wrestling on free tv lately.

Interesting point, but I think Fragile X had a pretty good retort - ROH would be wise to market itself on the "Ring of Honor" name and the concept of being the best wrestling on television. "ECW" ended up being a bigger draw than anyone from ECW ever really was, if you know what I mean? No one talent should be put over as being larger than the company. That is where ROH could run into some problems.

You also missed the part where they said that they were going after some names with WWE value. I don't think it would benefit ROH to go after whatever scraps the WWE has dropped off, but I think it would be a good idea if they picked up guys that could work the style. Carlito and MVP have already been mentioned, and while neither is a "mega-star," they have that appeal to casual fans.

Also, ROH has managed to get certain big names to appear for them in the past. Off the top of my head, I believe Mick Foley, Bret Hart, Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat have been involved with ROH in the past. Now that they are on TV, some legends wanting to keep up good ties with the WWE might want to distance themselves from that, but if ROH can get Bret Hart appearing on their show - that'd be a huge deal for them.

There's a marketing team behind this, and it'd make no sense that Sinclair wouldn't put some minds into making this appeal to an audience - or else it'd be a complete waste of money. I'm sure the ideal here is that they buy ROH for cheap, and then make money off it by expanding the brand. You know, business stuff. It won't happen overnight, of course, but I wouldn't label this a failure before it actually launches. As Dave Youell pointed out - this is the first time since WCW that a broadcasting group has owned a wrestling promotion - so this is the first time since WCW that it has been in a broadcasting group's interest to really get behind a wrestling promotion on every level.

Also, I'd definitely say that Shelton Benjamin would be a bigger draw than Charlie Haas...

He's not, but I'm not sure if he's under contract to Gabe and Dragon Gate USA/EVOLVE, either. If not, it would definitely be a good move for ROH to pick up Aries. He's the only multi-time World Champion in the company's history, and he's really one of those guys who can do it all. Not only that, but he doesn't get too bogged down by the "indy style." His matches can go for a long time, sure, but he always manages to keep your interest in them.

Any backyard fed can get a guy like Bret Hart to appear. Christ, he was in Windsor not that long ago.

You can't compare it to what ECW did, because ECW had interesting characters, with personality and could talk. ROH has none of those. They have a rosters of the exact same thing. There's no difference between Davey Richards, or Rodrick Strong, or Eddie Edwards. It's all the same undersized, good worker, bad mic skills crap that won't bring in new fans.

The feud between El Generico and Kevin Steen was really actually quite a good feud between two interesting characters, and still appears to be leading somewhere. Also, ROH has got some damn charismatic guys in Kenny King, Chris Hero, Shelton Benjamin (not the best talker, but damn charismatic) and Jimmy Jacobs, who reminds me so much of CM Punk in the way he has dug a character for himself that it's not funny. Colt Cabana also has personality coming out of places most people don't even have.

It's fair enough that it's not your cup of tea, Gertner, but there are a lot of individuals in ROH who actually stand out. And not just because of their workrate. In fact, I'd argue that Jimmy Jacobs is one of the best characters in wrestling when he's actually doing something.

ROH stays afloat because of a small group of hardcore fans who go to all of their shows and make it a "cult hit", and the internet fans who I already mentioned, who, in all honesty, are probably the same people.

But outside of that core group of fans who have kept this place going, nobody outside of them knows or cares about Ring of Honor. Most people haven't even heard of or watch TNA, and they have been on TV for several years and have huge names like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. Ring of Honor, with it's group of hard working, but uncharismatic and uninteresting wrestlers, doesn't really stand a chance at gaining mainstream attention.

And say what you want about them marketing the company as "Ring of Honor, where the best wrestlers are", but without a main face to pull people in, people simply won't care. 80's/90's WWF had Hogan, Macho and Warrior, later they had Austin, then they had The Rock, now they have John Cena. WCW had Hogan, Flair, Sting, and then the nWo and Goldberg. ECW had the brilliant writing and storyline creation coming from Paul Heyman, who created believable and interesting characters in Sandman, Raven, Taz, Rob Van Dam and Tommy Dreamer. Without CHARACTERS, a ROH show is going to fail in the ratings, and say what you want about "at least it will be the best wrestling on TV", what does that matter if no one is watching it?

What I'm saying is that they can't simply market themselves as "We Are Wrestling" - they NEED storylines, they NEED interesting characters, and they NEED a main event face.

I should reiterate that I do think this is good news for the wrestling industry as a whole - more attention and better wrestling on TV is always a good thing. Competition creates creativity which means maybe we'll see better work come out of WWE and TNA (right). But that doesn't change the fact that they need to bulk up their roster and bring something new, interesting and marketable to the table, and they need a face to brand.

Ring of Honor has storylines in spades. El Generico vs. Kevin Steen was already mentioned. Former tag team partners who became bitter enemies. Generico won a match exiling Steen from ROH, and now that Steen's corner man during the feud, Steve Corino (a brilliant character, although I believe he is long past his prime), has turned face with a "new leaf" character - he claims that Kevin Steen has done the same, and seems to be trying to get Generico himself to petition Steen's re-entry into ROH.

Eddie Edwards recently won the ROH World Title from Roderick Strong after having an incredible build in 2010 - becoming the first ROH World Television Champion after defeating his partner, Davey Richards, in the finals. He also won the Survival of the Fittest tournament, I believe, and also become Ring of Honor's first Triple Crown Champion. Now, I'm not the biggest Edwards fan, but he is only getting better, and he's really worked his way up the ROH ranks like no other. Now he's challenging his tag team partner to a title match, and says that he will leave if Richards doesn't accept. So he's forcing his partner to face him again (with Edwards having justified confidence being 1-0 against Richards). Seems to me like Edwards is setting himself up for a fall, which could eventually lead to a heel turn and a vicious feud between the two over the title.

I'm curious to see where this Jimmy Jacobs stuff goes, too. The man is one of the best characters in wrestling, bar none. Paired with another great character in Steve Corino, this shit is just beginning, and could even wind up involving Kevin Steen.

Christopher Daniels is also a great wrestling character. Now, it's unknown what will happen to him now, but here's pipe-dreaming to him staying with ROH and going down this path of being converted by "The Truth."

I haven't even touched the tag team scene in ROH, which may not have the deepest storylines, but neither did the SmackDown! Six in 2002. It was just a bunch of talented guys having great matches. Now, I'm not saying that ROH should be based entirely around that, but who is to say that they can't deliver a little of that?

Also, I sort of like the idea of ROH going into bat with a bunch of unknowns and maybe a couple of ex-WWE or TNA guys trying to prove they can hang in that environment. ROH, like ECW, can really hit that cult, "Fight Club," "Bloodsport" or "MMA-like" market unlike the WWE or TNA. Much like HBO offered something different to the networks when it came to the idea of television, ROH can offer something more "sporty" and market the entire roster. Market the product itself, and it's new breed of wrestlers. Keep track of wins and losses, and use that to put people's perspectives into order. For example, if Austin Aries went 10-0, people would realise that "Holy shit, this guy is fucking good." Then he can get upset by an Adam Cole, and people get into that guy.

Copying the WWE is going to highlight all the flaws of ROH's smaller scale presentation. Trying to pass off an Eddie Edwards as a John Cena is just going to lead to disaster. Passing off Eddie Edwards as a guy who went to wrestling school, was very fucking good at it, got better, and is now World Champion where he wants to be World Champion is enough.

That this is good for the industry as a whole is something I agree with. At the very least, TNA should probably take notice and maybe they will creatively shake things up. Well, probably not. This won't phase the WWE much, unless ROH somehow gets killer ratings overnight (which they won't).

I agree that the roster could use some bulking up. I'd like to see them bring back Austin Aries, try and secure at least one Japanese talent (a huge signing that gets them some press in Japan, and increases their chances of getting airtime over there). I'm trying to think of free agents that ROH could snatch up, and I keep coming back to Paul London, Paul Birchall, Carlito, MVP and Jay Lethal. MVP & Carlito were at least were labelled as "future stars" in the WWE. Both are talented enough to work the ROH style, and I believe MVP has worked with them before.

As for establishing a face of the brand. I see what you mean, but I think if they do that it's just going to earn watered down comparisons to the WWE and even TNA. Make the World Champion the face of the brand - you know, with them being the best wrestler in the promotion and all.

I think the most interesting time for ROH's roster will come maybe a year or two into this thing, when contracts start coming up in the WWE and TNA - specifically with guys who have a history with ROH. I mean, we've all heard the stories about how morale is low in TNA, and there's always one guy who is apparently unhappy in the WWE. Depending on how much money Sinclair is willing to put into ROH, then that could become the story of just who does and who doesn't end up in ROH.

I think this deal will ultimately affect TNA more than WWE.

Since there is such a huge gulf between #1 and #2 (and TNA has neither the know-how nor the desire to bridge that divide), a #3 could very easily come in an usurp their position, especially when said #3 actually does what the #2 pays lip service to.

I agree with this. Even that won't happen overnight, though. But the gap between TNA and ROH is already smaller than that between TNA and the WWE. If ROH continues to expand, while TNA continues to spin its wheels, it's only a matter of time.

I'm excited to see ROH as I haven't seen anything by them before. I get the channel...looking forward to september to finally have an option...that's not tna.

Fox we can't judge ROH on the same characteristics that makes WWE or TNA successful (or not). ROH markets itself as a sport not a TV show, so there is the difference right there. They are not really going for the same kind of audience as WWE, but a more hardcore fan who is drawn in by wrestling, and this group may not include yourself, big deal, don't watch it. We got plenty of people are are excited and there will be enough people who will learn of the new wrestling show and jump on board. It's gonna be small though, it doesn't have to make a million to succeed. If ROH draws 4000 buys for an iPPV that is a success for them, see what I mean? Smaller?

A syndicated show is not going to beat TNA in ratings. Come on now. ROH will NEVER draw 1 million viewers to their show.

So what? Your right, big deal. If people think otherwise why do you care so much? It's not about overtaking TNA it's just about being there, and this is a huge step forward. Why do you have to go down this road? You don't like it, so why are you wasting your time trying to convince people to feel the same way you do? You watch what you want and so will I. Sometimes you are funny Gertner, but lately you've just become a TPWW troll just as bad as the rest.

So to wrap up, yes your right ROH will not overtake TNA overnight potentially ever. But nobody really cares about that, we just want a top 3 again and it looks like we will have it.

Top 2, plus a single A franchise

That's a mean thing to say about TNA!

If you don't like Ring of Honor or you do it doesn't matter this is good news for wrestling in general. Any type of viable alternative to the main company is a good thing for wrestling fans and wrestlers alike.

Don't waste your energy, Fragile. Gertner is notorious for trolling ROH/indie fans.

Don't waste your breath, telling them not to waste their breath, Juan. I've tried, but they don't listen.

We should have a thread stickied to the top of the forum that just says DON'T ARGUE WITH GERTNER.

It's not trolling when it's the truth. The fat virgins will get bored watching this and go back to playing WoW 20 hours a day and this garbage will be canceled in 3 months.

I'm offended, Gertner. I enjoy ROH and I'm not fat nor am I a virgin. How dare you!

good to see gertner still holding strong on the crusade. nice work, buddy!

No you are a troll because you are actively trying to to be a dick when people are happy about something. You think the ROH fan is the loser, but if you were as smart as you think you are you would see the bigger picture and you would see yourself patrolling any ROH thread on TPWW looking to slam a large amount of people and a product whom you know very little about.

How many ROH shows have you been to? I would venture to say zero because if you did and you are an actual wrestling fan (A PERSON WHO ACTIVELY ENJOYS THE BUSINESS AND IS WILLING TO SPEND MONEY TO ENJOY IT) there is no way you would feel the way you do about Ring of Honor.

I'll tell you this... ROH only fills about 30% of the void ECW left in the US Wrestling scene, but it is the top independent promotion in the United States. The reason that ROH has been thriving for NINE YEARS is because they did not copy anybody and developed a style of wrestling that was initiated to the American audience through ECW and guys like RVD and Jerry Lynn.

I am not a ROH-tard, I've been to a lot of their shows at The Manhattan Center and without a doubt they were the best live wrestling shows I have ever seen, and without a doubt the best matches I have ever seen, and without a doubt the funnest audience to be in. I was never a big fan of ROH on HDNET, I hated that they used so many jobbers to put people over. While I understand the idea and concept of it, it doesn't make me want to go out of my way to watch the programing, so I rarely did. I don't buy their DVD's or watch online compilation music videos or anything like that. But I do know that I can go to a show in March and then go to a show in December and see the culmination of a storyline that I witnessed happen myself in person nearly a year ago. And that is some old school shit you just don't get ANYWHERE else.

My hope with the new ROH is that they get rid of the jobbers like the Bravado Brothers and others like them, up the production and TV experience about 10 fold and keep the rest basically the same.

So Gertner I don't know if you have had the same experience as me of being there live, or if you have ever even watched the show before on TV, either way if you haven't done one of those two things then shut the fuck up. If you did watch the show and didn't like it, that's fine, we all know that now, so just shut the fuck up.

I'm sure all that is gonna change Gertner's mind.

i'm clearly a fat virgin nerd, and there's no two ways about it. gertner's mindgrapes are dead on.

I don't think changing Gert's mind was the point. I think Frag just wanted to vent. Let the man have it, I say.

My point is that he's continuing to feed Gertner's trolling.

I wonder if Gertie has even bothered to watch a ROH show

most likely not...

i just hope they get a deal to get on more stations in more citys so maby i can see them in my town.

By saying this you only make the indy/ROH troll stronger.

I've watched numerous ROH events when I used to be able to get them free on TV

You're definitely an ROH fan because the sand is pouring out of your vagina. This will lead to nothing. The same viewers will watch these vanilla midgets at 2am when this is shown, because as we know, Indy fans are jobless losers who live in their mom's basement, so nothing will change in your life. This will attract no new fans and die a slow death because nobody wants to see wrestlers who look like a guy working at Starbucks with no personality wrestle in front of a bunch of fat virgins who take this crap way too seriously.

I win, you lose.

No butt fuck you don't call the shots, you lose by simply existing.

I don't like those fucking skinny jobber bitches, and it is said there will be roster cuts for the new ROH, and improvements. So out with fat fuck Bobby Dempsey and the burger flippin Bravado Brothers, kick out the homeless population and then you about about 15 really fucking good wrestlers. Yes some need a lot of character work, absolutely. ROH isn't perfect, its going from being and independent promotion to a part of a corporation, and hopefully they pump up the fucking volume.

You :n:

as opposed to WWE Fans???

that is such wrestling fan stereotype

ECW was an indy promotion technically so does that mean their fans whom were quite knowledgable were fat virgin losers too?

you're ANTI ROH troll schtick is getting old

Bravado Bros will be the goods with their new gimmick. Pink Argyle tight wearing Grandma's boys = money.

They have way more personality than Roderick Strong. Then again, so do most rocks.

and bobby dempsey is the fucking man. or at least he used to be. i honestly haven't been paying attention.

Yeah I dunno. Had no prior knowledge of Dempsey before going to the Richmond and Charlotte shows last year, and though the crowd was hot for him, I didn't quite get what the big deal was. Wasn't too impressed

I've been to ECW shows and yeah pretty much, although ECW crowds didn't shower.

There's a HUGE difference between WWE and Indy fans. WWE fans don't care nearly as much about who wins or loses. Most are just casual fans. I used to watch it religiously, but now I really only watch it if there isn't a football or hockey or baseball game on, or if I'm bored.

They don't over analyze it or get whiny if somebody talks shit about it like indy fans do because they don't care. They don't care about workrate or any of that crap or care that Vince calls it entertainment. That's what TNA or ROH fans don't get. It's ALL sports entertainment. Unless ROH or TNA start not having pre-determined winners than that's what it is. WWE fans don't care. Indy fans do.

The wrestling vs. entertainment argument is retarded, I agree. Harping that "we're wrestling" doesn't change the fact that ROH and WWE are in the same business, doing the same thing.

I will argue though that WWE fans tend to care more about the outcome than indy fans. It's been my experience that the indy fans generally just like to see good matches, where the more hardcore WWE fans spaz about who wins (see, e.g., Christian losing.) It's the annoying arm chair bookers that are a pain in the ass (X should be champion, they're dropping the ball), but you get those in both the WWE and indy feds.

Indy fans do care about workrate though, definitely. Some more than others. What it really comes down to though is indy fans like good, entertaining matches, and a lot of them equate work rate with good/entertaining matches.

Also, I'm amazed at how efficient your trolling is as getting people to spaz. "Oh no, you called my beloved indy wrestler X a vanilla midget. I'm going to show you by yelling at you on the internet."

Eventually I'm going to post a thread that's an objective analysis of ROH, it's roster, etc. You'll love it Gertner, plenty of opportunities to troll. Although knowing me, I'll never get around to doing it, as I have a life and better things to do.

Gertie, I really don't care what you watch or don't. If you don't watch wrestling, why are you even wasting your precious time on the forum? Your just fucking annoying. Just because you used to watch and now you don't, do you really think that makes you less of a loser?

I've read your posts on here for a few years and your obviously a total fucking fruit cake who would stick his cock in a tranny or a bearded open mouth as soon as a nice tight pussy. You want to act like your not a loser? Fuck off, you brought that shit up nobody else did. Calling wrestling fans losers isn't the worst you could say but come on, you were once a fan, you went to indy shows, so your a loser by your own definition.

These days I like to tell people I am a wrestling fan and you know what, they fucking respect me for it because I am not ashamed to enjoy what I fucking enjoy.

And the Bravado Brothers gimmick is an indy mess and it won't sell a fucking ticket to anyone. We don't need any fucking Hardy Boy's rip off's, especially ones that can't fucking bring it in the ring. Bobby is a fat fuck who gets pops because he's an underdog, and Roderick Strong needs a break from ROH, never been much of a fan. To tell the truth ROH has fallen over the past year in terms of roster, but I have faith they will pump it back up.

For all the shit like the Bravado's or Dempsey, the vanilla suplex machines like Strong, ROH does have The Kings of Fucking Wrestling, The Worlds Best Fucking Tag Team, Davey Fucking Richards, El Fucking Generico, Fuckin Homicide, and The Fallen Fucking Angel Chris Daniels.

And they just got that gay ass emo Jimmy Jacobs who is a fucking excellent heel and could be a great addition to the new ROH.

I think ROH needs to make the Kings of Wrestling the stars of the promotion if anyone is to be. They are the shit, and will kick your teeth into the fucking aisle.

Jimmy Jacobs is greatness.

Also, Homicide is insanely overrated. He is literally the laziest fucking guy on the indy scene.

And give the Bravado's some time. People used to say Rhett Titus was worthless, and he's money teamed with KK now. They already have way more personality than Cole and Reilly, which granted, doesn't say much.

Also, Edwards and Richards are great wrestlers, but aren't really marketable, and should really stick together in the tag division. Especially Edwards. No one is going to pay to see him.

And they need to bring Austin Aries back.

If ROH wants to succeed, they need to get as many guys who can talk well as they can.

They have Jacobs, Corino, Hero, Claudio, etc, but they need more.

Also, Hero and CLaudio should be in the world title scene, not Richards and Edwards. I know Richards and Edwards can go, but they don't have the mic skill to really build a good feud. There feud could be a great semi-main event feud.