The trilogy of Joe-Punk matches were bundled with a recent show called 'Allied Forces', as a bonus disc. Apparently that disc has some of the promos etc. on it too. Yes, the matches are more than worth having a look at. They'll be a test of your wrestling stamina though, as far as a first real taste of ROH goes.Thank you both for your help. I read that there was 2 matches between Samoa Joe & CM Punk that went to Time Limit Draws. Are they worth having a look at?
This. I'm a newer fan of ROH and I just recently saw Joe/Punk II and some older stuff from other indys with wrestlers before they were as famous on the indys such as Punk and Hero in their TLC match in IWA Mid South.If I wee you OP I wouldn't go too far back at the beginning, instead I'd probably start at Final Battle '09 and work forward from there. I say this because you ideally want to get to know the current stars and their positions on the roster. Once you've done that, by all means go further back. There's a huge amount of stuff worth watching, I just feel that checking out matches from people who've long since moved on to other promotions is a bad idea if you're starting out.
This is a good list. It depends if you want to really get into the current product...or do you want to start further back in the CM Punk/Samoa Joe days.Yes, the two time limit draws are worth looking at, as is the third match between the two that year. My ratings for the trilogy:
Joe vs. Punk I - World Title Classic - June 2004 - ****1/2
Joe vs. Punk II - Joe vs. Punk II - Oct. 2004 - *****
Joe vs. Punk III - All-Star Extravaganza II - Dec. 2004 - *****
I also made this list of good starting points a while back. Editing and adding now.
Feb. 02: The Era of Honor Begins (first show, obviously)
Jun. 02: Road to the Title (birth of ROH title, obviously)
Mar. 03: One-Year Anniversary (because 2002 ROH mostly sucked and 2003 had some really good shows)
Apr. 04: Reborn: Stage 1 (start of the Cary Silkin era, ROH goes to the midwest, Homicide heel turn)
Feb. 05: Third Anniversary Celebration: Part 1 (Aries' first title reign, Summer of Punk, James Gibson aka Jamie Noble in ROH)
Jan. 06: Hell Freezes Over (ROH vs. CZW, Danielson being the fucking man)
Feb. 07: Fifth Year Festival: NYC (Steenerico/Briscoes feud, Morishima title reign, most of Nigel's as well)
Nov. 08: Bound By Hate (start of the Pearce era)
Dec. 09: Final Battle 2009 (first iPPV, start of Steen/Generico feud)
If you let me know what you're most interested in in ROH I can suggest which of these you might be most interested in.