ROH sold to broadcast group, coming to syndication

[Jordan]

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

[erickman]

Originally Posted by Noid 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.

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

[Cuse8]

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

[What Would Kevin Do?]

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.

[MoFo]

Originally Posted by Fignuts How is it dated and corny?

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

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by MoFo 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.

[Mr. Nerfect]

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

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.

[MouseyZbyszko]

Originally Posted by Big Vito 22 Praying they wind up on a channel I get.

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.

[mhirn3]

Originally Posted by Big Vito 22 Praying they wind up on a channel I get.

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

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

[Fox]

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".

[D Mac]

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

[D Mac]

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

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by Fox Sorry, but ROH's roster is a list of names that nobody knows or cares about except those who follow the Indy scene.

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.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by Fox 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.

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...

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by D Mac Is Austin Aries still on ROH? Because he's cool.

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.

[Mr. Nerfect]

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.

[Fox]

Originally Posted by Fragile X 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.

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.

[Fox]

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.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by Fox 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.

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.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by Fox 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.

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.

[Mr. Nerfect]

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.

[Vastardikai]

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.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by Vastardikai 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.

[Schlomey]

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.

[Jordan]

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.

[Jordan]

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

[Vastardikai]

That's a mean thing to say about TNA!

[Jordan]

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.

[Juan]

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

[Fignuts]

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

[Fignuts]

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.

[Malfeitor]

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

[ron the dial]

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

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[Juan]

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