Here on Pulse Wrestling we have a 10 Thoughts feature about every wrestling show on television. Thomas Daniels takes on Raw, Bones Barkley gets ECW, Brad Curran covers Smackdown, while I, team player that I am, take one for the team with TNA Impact. Know who never gets a 10 thoughts? ROH. ROH deserves and will get not only 10 Thoughts for this week, but just as many as the other four television shows… plus one.
41 Thoughts on Ring of Honor
1. Bryan Danielson is an underrated promo, but really, he only has one basic format for them. He starts off calmly talking about recent events, then screams a bit about the Ring of Honor title before focusing quickly on the champion (currently Nigel) and his opponent for the night. Time to switch it up!
2. Nigel McGuinness has lately been doing a lot of commentary. While it’s great to have a heel commentator again, Nigel isn’t funny or analytical enough yet, though he is impressive at getting angles over, particularly those involving challengers to his belt.
3. Byran Danielson vs. Erick Stevens from Battle for Supremacy needs more of a buzz. It’s every bit the match that Roderick vs. Strong is, but that and the ROH vs. NWA World Title disappointment get all the publicity. Mat wrestling is never appreciated anymore.
4. Speaking of Stevens, its amazing ROH fans still don’t appreciate him. He seems nearly incapable of having a bad match and he’s improving all the time. The Mohawk must return though, as it really helped him stand out.
5. Wiswell says comedy is dead in ROH currently. I say Larry Sweeney and Rhett Titus would argue, but it should really be more focused.
6. If ROH wants to really improve sales for a B Show, they should find a way to include Bryan Danielson’s GHC Jr. Title defense against KENTA as a bonus on a show. It wasn’t televised so if it does hit the net, it will be rare and highly sought after. Why not capitalize and increase sales? Briscoes vs. Marufuji and Suguira was a great addition to Take No Prisoners so we know it can be done.
7. What happened to all the legend guest spots in ROH? We used to get appearnces from the likes of Cornette, Funk, Sammartino, and the Midnight Express. This year we’ve gotten Lance Storm and … Bushwacker Luke. How about some more special appearances by the stars of old? A Stan Hansen one shot would be awesome.
8. As great at what he does as Necro Butcher is, both Kevin Steen and Jay Briscoe might be just as special at hardcore brawls. Jimmy Jacobs has a say in this discussion, as well.
9. Jacobs and Aries needs to hurry up. Given the intensity of their hate they need to try and kill each other and move on already. The Necro mind games were fun for a bit, but now that they’re done, we need to get back to the uber-violence and hate to finish things up. This feud seems like it’s gotten less heat as it has gone on, just like Strong vs. Aries, but without the Aries to TNA excuse.
10. Most indy fans have seen Jigsaw do a great in ring Quackenbush impersonation, working just like his trainer for entire matches. Considering the apathy currently surrounding Jigsaw and that Quack will likely never be a ROH regular, Jigsaw should wrestle more like Quack to get over.
11. So, it looks like Eddie Kingston’s personal problems really came at the wrong time and he won’t be back in ROH. It’s a damn shame considering how great and unique his style and promos are.
12. I still believe that Tyler Black will take the title from Nigel McGuinness, but with the NWA Title in absentia from ROH, Brent Albright has to move to the top of the ROH World Title contenders list no matter who the champion may be. His improvement has been astounding and he’s the anti-Sydal. Sydal had to get to WWE to really begin to shine, while Albright needed to escape WWE and their style to really shine.
13. Go Shiozaki got here in February, so his time in America must almost be up. He’s still got the FIP World Title and has beaten Strong and Stevens, his main contenders, already. He has to lose the belt soon. His next defense is against Tyler Black. Could Tyler have fallen out of the ROH World Title running and been given the FIP belt as a carrot?
14. This isn’t exactly ROH, but can you believe that Lance Cade was released before Paul London? Can ROH get Cade vs. Danielson for Final Battle? Please?
15. Nigel McGuinness has only elevated one wrestler to real main event status, that being Tyler Black, but he also helped Kevin Steen, El Generico, and Claudio Castagnoli to the cusp. Hero, Strong, Jacobs and Albright got themselves there.
16. “Won’t Back Down” as Necro’s song remains the coolest music this side of “The Final Countdown.”
17. ROH keeps getting its former wrestlers back from TNA, but still no Jay Lethal. I’d love to see how good his match could be since he’s improved immensely from the near rookie he was in ROH.
18. If Ophidian and Amasis make the ROH roster, the ROH school looks rather poor, with none of their trainees but Rhett Titus really earning full roster spots.
19. Joey Matthews will really be missed in ROH. He was excellent at having the perfect match for his spot on the card. Always entertaining, but never stealing the show, his example is one many in the undercard should strive to. His match with Jacobs vs. Steen and Generico from Battle for Supremacy shows exactly what I mean.
20. Davey Richards was getting great before he left for NOAH and supposedly is even better now. He’s returning now and really needs a big push.
21. Apparently, for the recent WWE shows, they’re advertising on K-Rock, a NY Rock station that does heavy promotion with the WWE. Great news! Way to step your game up, ROH!
22. If you’re a ROH fan and getting burned out, consider going spoiler free for awhile. It really freshens up the product and excitement of the matches, especially if you’re in a place that doesn’t get live ROH.
23. Alternately, if you want a pro-wrestling fix besides ROH, you must try Germany’s WXW. The in ring quality is great and their 16 Carat Gold Tournament, available at www.rohwrestling.com, features: Danielson vs. Hero, Danielson vs. Marufuji, Danielson vs. Quackenbush, Marufuji vs. Quackenbush, Quackenbush vs. Johnny Saint, El Generico vs. Taiji Ishimori and much more. The followed that up with a show for NOAH’s European Navagation that had Nigel McGuinness vs. Danielson, KENTA vs. Castagnoli, and featured Kenta Kobashi teaming with Go Shiozaki.
24. Every British friend I have has been raving about Eddie Edwards lately. I say, “What took you so long?” I’ve been hyping this guy since Manhattan Mayhem 2 when he stole his short match with Ruckus. The potential is there; this guy is an in ring stud.
25. With Sweet and Sour supposedly serious now, Dempsey really should break off to be a solo comedy face. He’d be greatly over and, more importantly, it’d really make Wiswell happy.
26. The Hammerstein Ballroom makes every show held there seem really special. If at all possible, you really must attend a show there. If you don’t believe me, buy Death Before Dishonor VI one of the best ROH shows ever with the best venue ever. It’s amazing.
27. There’s usually an abundance of FIP guys waiting for the ROH call up. Currently, though, there’s really only one: Sal Rinuaro. He’s become an awesome heel and really deserves a shot.
28. Cheech and Cloudy have been ready for a ROH return for years! It’s really annoying me that now that they finally get their big return, the hype is all spent with wondering who Delirious’s Age of the Fall partner will be to face them.
29. ROH really needs something for the short attention span fan. In late 2007, spotfests were too abundant. Now, they’re rarely spotlighted. There is a balance here.
30. After Jacobs is done with Aries, he really should move on to someone managed by Raven.
31. Although Curran seemingly is loathe to publicly admit it, he absolutely loved the Briscoes vs. Motor City Machine Guns from Return Engagement. This blew away their first encounter, many people’s Match of the Year last year, and is Top 5 at worst in ROH this year.
32. I never liked Colt Cabana, but hate the way he’s being used in WWE, and though I can hardly believe I’m saying this, am ready for him to come home to ROH.
33. I still didn’t see New Horizons. I really wanted to, but I get every DVD and spending $15 on a PPV to then spend $20 on a DVD is just a waste of money.
34. ECW still has a lot of faithful fans out there and Paul Heyman could still make a big difference in ROH helping to appeal to them. He really should come in, even if just as talent.
35. Morishima, having lost the GHC title, should be available to come to ROH to finally blow off his feud with Danielson, right?
36. I may be alone in this, but I love Delirious as the masked maniac, with occasional glimpses of his old self, tortured underneath. It can get hokey and must be handled carefully, but so far it’s a hell of a way to build the character. Far, far better than Redlirious.
37. I really love Chris Hero as a serious wrestler in PWG and WXW, but this knockout kid bull is just as silly as the flippy Hero, but about a quarter as entertaining.
38. Mike Quackenbush. I was promised Mike Quackenbush.
39. I’ve seen Homicide and a partner vs. the Briscoe Brothers at least four times. Adding Hernandez as the partner doesn’t suddenly make it must see for me.
40. The tag division needs rebuilding. Steen and Generico are a clear top team, as are the Briscoes and Jacobs and Black, but Jacobs and Black have enough singles stuff to keep them mostly occupied, meaning Steen and Generico are lacking top level opponents outside of the Briscoe Brothers. ROH will hopefully not resort to random, meaningless tag teams.
41. Do you like and miss Samoa Joe, CM Punk, Homicide, AJ Styles, Chris Daniels, Alex Shelley, Jay Lethal, The Brian Kendrick, Evan Bourne, and Jaime Noble? Get old or rewatch ROH DVDs to watch them grow and develop. And while you’re at it, be sure to enjoy Nigel McGuinness, Bryan Danielson, Austin Aries, Tyler Black, Claudio Castagnoli, Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens, Kevin Steen, El Generico and Brent Albright now. The core of current ROH has really developed, but the nature of the beast is that they won’t be around forever.
And with that, Glazer week concludes. Check out the content:
Monday’s Special on Puro: A Modest Response.
Tuesday’s WWE Column: The Wrestling Analyst
Wednesday’s ROH Feature: 2008 Ring of Honor Show Compendium.
Thursday’s TNA torture: The TNA 10 Thoughts.
You’re on Friday’s Ring of Honor Weekly. Hope you enjoyed and have a great weekend. Be back Tuesday for The Wrestling Analyst.
10 Thoughts on TNA iMPACT! – 7.3.09
LIVE Coverage of WWE Smackdown 07.03.09 - Jeff Hardy/CM Punk vs. Edge/Jericho
Weekend Wrestling Wrap Up Podcast - ECW, Smackdown, Jeff Hardy to TNA?
Cult of ROH: The Best of Jimmy Jacobs
ECW Real-Time Coverage for 6/30/2009
Full Details On 15 WWE Wrestlers Involved In Trump Tri-Branded Trade
I have never been fond of Danielson’s promos and I agree a change would be nice.
McGuinness is being just annoying enough but maybe I just like the accent.
Erick Stevens is a great talent but I can live without that mohawk.
I liked Delirious…just like he was…that THAT, Vinny!
Mike Quackenbush would be spectacular and I did enjoy seeing Lance Storm during the last ppv.
I can see Kevin Steen in a hardcore role, however, he is so much more than a brawler. Necro Butcher has not grown on me as I thought he might but I do see the Briscoes as absolutely crazy enough to continue working hardcore matches.
I am still unhappy about the loss of Pearce. I was looking forward to his feud with Albright. I can’t argue that Albright could use a title shot. Since I like Albright and Black, I’ll just sit back and see what happens.
I thought Jacobs was spending too much backstage on the camera time and not enough time actually feuding. I’m all for Aries killing Jacobs. Sorry Jacobs.
Great column, Ace!
Big Andy Mac’s 41 thoughts on RoH.
1. Overall show continuity may be a bit lacking this year, but match quality wise 2008 has to be at or near the top of the best years in RoH.
2. Still, 2008 lacks any real defining story arc to set it apart as its own chapter. Nigel is in the midst of a great title reign, Aries vs. Jacobs has been great, but there is nothing like the CZW War, the Summer of Punk, or Joe’s dominance to tie the whole year/chapter together.
3. If RoH was in a place where everything could be easily watched by casual and diehard fans alike as continuity, the Nigel vs. Dragon match forthcoming on PPV would be one of the highest drawing PPV matches of the decade. That, my friends, is how you build a title match.
4. I really hope that Cheech and Cloudy make an impression against the Age of the Fall. The Osirian Portal, sadly, may be a touch to quirky for RoH.
5. The RoH school seriously lacks, granted they have an enormously harder roster to break into than pretty much every other indy fed that runs a school. RoH should really run student shows as afternoon convention cards on Saturday shows with their own stories and continuity kind of like an RoH developmental.
6. Dragon has found a formula for a successful promo, even though it is getting repetitive. While he wrestles a different style I see a lot of superficial similarity between Dragon and Bret Hart (or maybe I just finished reading Hitman’s book and re-watching his 3 disc set).
7. Erick Stevens really needs the mohawk back. Now he just looks like the guy at the gym looking for a spot to show you how much stronger he is.
8. Nigel rules.
10. What happened to 9? Seven ate nine….hilarious.
11. There is a huge “where do we go from here” hanging over the Aries vs. Jacobs feud. They almost have to match or top the epic Jacobs vs. Whitmer cage match blowoff, but then what happens?
12. The Super 8 tournament is right around the corner, and if history dictates the star of that show will be making his Ring of Honor debut shortly thereafter.
13. I would like to see more interaction between RoH and Chikara.
14. Adam Pearce was just hitting his stride, but hopefully the NWA reboot is a huge success.
15. If it weren’t for Mexico Jack Evans and Rocky Romero would still be RoH regulars. C’mon what has Mexico given us that is worthwhile? Ok the Crunchwrap Supreme, but that’s it.
16. How far is Ring of Honor away from TV? I really hope two years or 70 billion dollars.
17. Sweet and Sour Inc. is fast becoming one of the most successful huge stables ever…ever.
18. Larry Sweeney rules…yeah, he does.
19. I was really hoping Mick Foley would make an RoH appearance before he debuted in TNA…TNA sucks.
20. I really don’t want the Briscoes winning the tag titles again any time soon.
21. TNA should really just let the Machine Guns go. Wrestling competition is nowhere near so fierce now that it is worth holding on and wasting good talent to spite the competition.
22. See 21 and replace TNA with WWE and Machine Guns with Paul London.
23. Cade vs. Danielson 2? Book it…NWA booker.
24. RoH should book a wrestling bear, just to go real old school.
25. Its nice to see RoH advertising in New York where they draw fine. Its like telling the parishioners in attendance to show up next week, but…baby steps.
26. I want to see Briscoes vs. Joe redux with Nigel vs. Steenerico.
27. I don’t want Tyler Black to be the next world champ. I especially don’t want him to win at Final Battle.
28. Despite its predilection for long title reigns, no one who has been champion in RoH on January 1st was still champ the following January 1st. Could Nigel be the first?
29. I am very curious to see how RoH does in former wrestling hotbeds like St. Louis and Memphis. You have to assume that they will bring some legends in for those shows.
30. I think RoH stopped bringing in legends because they stopped being a draw.
32. RoH should speed up the Sweet and Sour angle a smidge.
33. I like Chris Hero’s “That Young Knockout Kid” gimmick, but it still needs some tweeking.
34. Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards are money as a tag team.
35. I really hope Survival of the Fittest happens this year. I always dig that show.
36. Brent Albright vs. Chris Hero could be Albright’s last feud before RoH gold.
37. Go Shiozaki is very formulaic and not a heel, but I still like him.
38. I am surprised RoH did not make a big deal about their 200th show.
39. Despite Jimmy Jacobs vs. Tyler Black being the only logical option for the type of ultra-personal feuds that Jimmy Jacobs is expected to have, is it worth splitting up one of the best teams in the company?
40. I, for one, would love to see McGuinness’ reign ended by a total surprise just to keep people guessing.
41. Why the hell was it 41 thoughts?
I’ll see you next time.
You know, I don’t normally like lists, but it’s darned tempting to write one of these next week. But mine would have to be 42 items long, out of tribute to Douglas Adams.
Props to both you and Andy Mac! Those were fun to read. Too many points to comment on, but the most salient demands reply:
I was promised Mike Quackenbush too.
Because WWE and TNA get 40 and ROH is better.
Wow! 82-ish thoughts for the price of 41! Pulse Wrestling’s ROH coverage reigns supreme…
Great stuff, Ace. AND Big Andy Mac!
“2. Still, 2008 lacks any real defining story arc to set it apart as its own chapter. Nigel is in the midst of a great title reign, Aries vs. Jacobs has been great, but there is nothing like the CZW War, the Summer of Punk, or Joe’s dominance to tie the whole year/chapter together.”
When did AOTF start? Wouldn’t that whole angle/stable/story be considered the overarching story?
“5. The RoH school seriously lacks, granted they have an enormously harder roster to break into than pretty much every other indy fed that runs a school. RoH should really run student shows as afternoon convention cards on Saturday shows with their own stories and continuity kind of like an RoH developmental.”
Yes…absolutely
“20. I really don’t want the Briscoes winning the tag titles again any time soon.”
Agreed…
“21. TNA should really just let the Machine Guns go. Wrestling competition is nowhere near so fierce now that it is worth holding on and wasting good talent to spite the competition.
22. See 21 and replace TNA with WWE and Machine Guns with Paul London.”
Agreed and agreed…
“23. Cade vs. Danielson 2? Book it…NWA booker.”
Nice with the NWA line there. Wouldn’t Cade be the biggest guy in ROH if he showed up?
“24. RoH should book a wrestling bear, just to go real old school.”
That’s money right there…
I was promised Mike Quackenbush too.
You better pay what you owe, Gabe!
1. yeah. what about those legends we always see? what a crock.
2.(agreed to andy mac) no thank you to tyler WHack. he has the voice of a teen boy going through puberty.
3. yes, necros music does rock so hard.
4. please for final battle: albright vs nigel.