Unlike HDNet, the weekly broadcasts will air at different times and for those of us abroad, we'll be seeing it at all different times online too, so I guess we can discuss events/happenings here.
Here's the preview for this week.
SBG have brought some great technical leaps since HDNet. The Haas/Benjamin segment with them holding the belts looks real clear, for instance.
Idk where the fuck all these people came from in this thread. Many of you don't post it in here on a regular basis but ROH has been in a far worse position than it is right now. They're making money. They're touring all over the world. They're back in the Hammerstein and selling it out after a few year absence. Could they improve on a lot of things? Hell yes. Their video quality could be a LOT better on the VODs, they could run more iPPVs to generate even more revenue, they could utilize their talent much better and not waste them and then see them do great in another company, etc. BUT the company is not drowning. This was literally one night and I see nothing wrong with anything that went down. Hardys coming in and winning the titles was a great swerve and excellent for business. No clue where the Bully thing goes from here, but I wish it had been saved for later unless he's helping Daniels win the title or something. Fallen Angel feels like an afterthought now, as does Castle. That's my two problems. Too many challengers and title matches lined up right now.
I completely understand if you don't like the product or the booking, but they're not dying or anything. They're touring in more places throughout the U.S. than ever before and making money. That's the biggest thing that matters.
Well that shows you the power of the Hardys these days and how DUMB TNA was in letting them go. People follow them. They move numbers.
I don't see a problem at all with them or Bully coming over to RoH at all. From what I've heard Bully Rays heel run in TNA was great and one of the few bright spots in the last few years of TNA (I know there was some dumb shit with Hogan) and the Hardys were the only reason to watch TNA the last year. It's not like RoH brought in Crazzy Steve or Gunner.
Tell you what, if the ladder match does not live up to the potential and seems tame I will do a run in and just superkick everybody, climb the ladder and claim the titles in the name of WF
I just got done watching the first episode. I am going to give my first impressions. I've watch a few matches on Youtube, and never been to a live show. So this post is coming from someone who know little of ROH.
First the show was rated TV-PG. That's right THE PG ERA has come to ROH!! HA HA HA!! Seriously this had little effect on the action. In fact some of the stuff the show teased, seem too intense for the rating.
The show opens with Kevin Kelly in the middle of the Ring. He introduced the color commentator and the main event. Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team vs The Kings of Wresting.
Not long after that was the first match which was a tag team match. They did a small video on each team that tells me a little about each team. The action was great. IT was back and forth. The crowd called one guy Justin Beiber. The match had me on the edge of my seat and was not bored. The commentary action talked about moves during the match and NOT wasting most of the time telling other stories.
Next they went over the Code of Honor for new fans introduced by Jim Cornette. Also there was a segment about the current ROH Champ winning an event in NY city. There was a segment about the Wrestling's Greatest Tag team getting jump by the Bristo Bros with chairs. Another guy came in with sticks and other weapons. (forgive me if I screw up the names)
They also promoted Jay Lethal taking on the TV champ for next weeks show. He seamed more serious here and not silly like he was in TNA. Looking forward to that.
Finally there was the main event. It lasted about 15 min with two SHORT commerical breaks. The match again was back and forth, had you on the edge of your seat. The Kings of Wrestling had Sara Del Ray at ringside. I was watching for her to do interference but it never happened. The commentators did hint she was known to do that BTW. (In TNA & WWE interference is always a guarantee.) Sara was dressed normal which is rare to see a woman on TV wrestling these days. By normal I mean T-shirt & jeans. No dress or skimpy outfit. This was REFRESHING to see actually.
Overall, I thought the show was great for the the one hour time. HAd a good balance of action and just enough other material to introduce to you ROH, what to look forward too in the near future on the show, and the promos were just the right amount of time. I will watch again next week.
Bryan Danielson vs AJ Styles - Main Event Spectacular, November 1st 2003
I don't know anything about ROH, but Danielson is introduced as making his return so I'm guessing he was out for a while. Some of the fans are chanting "Welcome Back" which is nice.
The initial lock-up is well done as it instantly feels like a struggle. Both men are trying to establish the immediate advantage but neither can quite get there. They both keep trying to gain control as they spill to the outside and go all the way around the ring and then back into the ring before breaking it up, both men frustrated at not being able to gain control. It straight away made things feel intense and real and genuinely competitive.
Bryan shows focus early on, going to work on AJ's left arm. Is Bryan a heel in the match? Bryan seems cocky and arrogant here and he does it so well. Then it's LOL moment as he singles out an audience member who must've been heckling something at him. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WRESTLING? SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" and everyone laughs. This match is already great and we're in the early stages still.
I liked how the match flowed by Bryan's arm control segment to AJ's control segment targeting Bryan's left knee. The match goes to the outside where Styles uses the steel barrier to damage Bryan's knee and bust it open. Back in the ring, Bryan tries to reverse the figure four but then can't capitalize on it and AJ wastes no time in getting right back on Bryan. It's hilarious again as Bryan taunts AJ to kick him harder, so AJ responds by kicking him in the head over and over, much to the delight of the fans. I love the intensity of both men. There's a little bit of showboating from Bryan at various stages but no showing off from Style who seems to be all business.
Other things that jumped out at me were Bryan's ridiculously good flying forearm from the second rope which looked and sounded nasty as hell. There's also a moment where Styles attempts a move from the top rope but Bryan catches him and reverses it into a wonderful throw/suplex. Bryan's moves look and sound painful but he exectes them so well.
Styles is no slouch during the match so I should throw some praise his way. Towards the end, he hits an unbelievable backwards somersault kick to Bryan's head which looks amazing. The impressive thing, however is that right up to the end it still looks like either men could get the win here because they've traded control numerous times and looked to be on the brink of victory but it's never turned into a spotfest. Both men remain smart throughout, often going back to the injured body part from earlier in the match. Ultimately, AJ Styles picks up the win but both men leave this one looking pretty great.
Any reservations I had about ROH being like so many other INDY promotions in that it's full of spot wrestling were put to bed here. Great psychology, great pacing, entertaining control segments by both guys and some impressive reversals too. ****1/4
That makes sense. I missed Jay's Title reign last year b/c I wasn't watching ROH at the time. Stopped watching years ago , but only started watching again @ War of the Worlds. And considering how they've been in ROH 'since day one', it certainly makes sense that they don't have much left to accomplish in ROH. As a tag team, them moving to the WWE could be pretty neat, but I'm somewhat wary of what Jay would be like in the WWE, as a singles competitor. In any case, I'm sure moving to the WWE would in fact benefit their careers. Btw, didn't they already try out and get rejected b/c they supposedly weren't "cosmetically pleasing enough"?
Excellent episode of ROHTV. The Alberto/Lethal segment was particularly awesome. Liked Alberto's promo as well as Lethal's retort.
Main event was alright and I will continue to contend that Jay Briscoe is my favorite worker in all of professional wrestling. Amazing brawler that is also very agile and does lots of other cool shit. Fun to see him beating guys senseless.
Cedric Alexander vs Kazarian
***3/4
Good opener, but pretty basic match. However, it did start to pick up towards the end. It just felt like a roller coaster with all those wicked bumps. Alexander's selling was grade A stuff. Just a little shy of 4 stars. I marked out at this spot.
Donovan Dijak vs Jake Dirdin
TOP PROSPECT TOURNAMENT
***
These guys seemed like a bunch of jobbers at first, but as the match went on, I began to see them telling their own stories. Interestingly enough, their characters were being showcased in a flawless way. The match itself was pretty average, but I see potential in both Dijak and Dirdin here. The Decade coming out was a nice touch. Perhaps they like what they see in Dijak.
Alberto El Patron debuts SI SI SI SI and Jay Lethal interrupts. El Patron was alright, but Lethal was on fire. Lethal is on his way to stardom aka the world title scene. Some notable quotes from the segment:
"I'm not a fuckin' sports entertainer. I'm a wrestler!" -Alberto El Patron
"First of all, do your homework before you come to class!" -Jay Lethal
Matt Taven vs Jay Briscoe (c)
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
***1/2
Pretty good match. Not really feeling Taven. He seems bland. No substance. Maybe I just need to see more of his matches. Briscoe was on point, like always, with those hard strikes and kicks. The end sequence was cool and the Jay Driller was awesome. And bonus points for Maria.
:trips5
Keep it going Leon. I like seeing other's opinions and comparing them to my own.
ROH in Las Vegas is shaping up to be a nice show. First time ever seeing them live. When I bought the ticket, I was hoping for an Alberto vs AJ Styles match. I saw Alberto vs Lethal announced via spoilers and hated it. After watching the tv though, they are building it up great. I am hyped for it.
Speaking of the show, don't they do a meet and greet with some of the wrestlers before the show? Anybody have any info on that by chance?
ROH in Las Vegas is shaping up to be a nice show. First time ever seeing them live. When I bought the ticket, I was hoping for an Alberto vs AJ Styles match. I saw Alberto vs Lethal announced via spoilers and hated it. After watching the tv though, they are building it up great. I am hyped for it.
Sort of the same deal here. ADR vs Styles sounds better on paper but the build for this has been pretty sick. Lethal's been a great heel, no doubt (really grown on me recently - this guy's the real deal). Their match should be super fun.
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