A Modest Response

What Can ROH Do to Improve Business? Let’s find out. Plus Ollie’s Spoiler Free “Man Up” Preview.

News of Honor

The third ROH Pay Per View, Man Up, will premiere on all cable systems Friday, November 30 with replays throughout the month

There’s one four star match here and one that’s either at or near *****. Be sure to check it out. Of all the shows, this one is best for a casual fan with the Briscoes vs. Steen and Generico in an epic Ladder War. Do not miss this for between $10 and $15. This is the first and last Ladder War in ROH and Meltzer says “I’d go out of my way to see the ROH PPV on Friday. I got a tape of it and it’s a strong candidate for best major show of the year.”

The ROH Board has voted the Top 10 of the Year so far (voting ongoing), and so far

1. Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness (Driven) [144-9]
2. Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson (Manhattan Mayhem II) [138-11]
3. Briscoes vs. Shelley/Sabin(Good Times, Great Memories) [135-8]
4. KENTA vs. Bryan Danielson (Driven) [107-9]
5. BJ Whitmer vs. Jimmy Jacobs (Supercard of Honor II) [106-2]
6. Briscoes vs. Steenerico (Death Before Dishonor V Night 1) [78-3]
7. Briscoes vs. Steenerico (Man Up) [59-6]
8. Samoa Joe vs. Takeshi Morishima (Fifth Year Festival:NYC) [45-0]
9. Jay Briscoe vs. Mark Briscoe (Fifth Year Festival:Finale) [39-1]
10. Takeshi Morishima vs. Bryan Danielson (Glory By Honor VI Night 2) [38-5]

A bit surprising that the Man Up match made it so high before wide release, as did Dragon vs. Morishima 3 from GBH. The rest makes a good bit of sense and while I disagree with some, it’s overall a very good list. I’m surprised that KENTA vs. Danielson from Driven is that high when Go vs. Dragon from Live in Tokyo (number 11) is one I consider a better match. Be sure to check back after Final Battle for my Top 50 of ROH with comments.

MMA Star and former Tough Enough Champion Daniel Puder will appear in ROH at Dec. 29 and 30 in NYC

Supposedly Puder is impressed with the product and will be around for much of 2008, but that’s unconfirmed at this point. What is known is that Puder made his name in Tough Enough by shooting on Kurt Angle and was a huge favorite of Paul Heyman. He has a lot of potential as a major heel and I can’t wait to see what Gabe does with him.

A Modest Response: What ROH can do to Improve Business (besides TV)

1. Run Podcasts

The Video Wires are a good start, but they are infrequent and lack the continuity of a good podcast, like what Chikara does. It’s always amazing how many ‘net savy fans won’t give ROH a chance. A free weekly or even bi-weekly podcast with original information, matches, and interviews would go a long way to opening people’s eyes to ROH.

2. Accept PayPal

This is more for regular buyers than anything else. Paypal, is, for those who don’t know, the online purchasing site associated with ebay. Since it’s associated with ebay, it’s the preferred means of impulse buying on the internet. I know of several times I would have immediately purchased something on ROHwrestling.com, but by the time my lazy self went to get a credit card I had lost the urge. Also, since so much of the internet community uses PayPal, it’d be a fast and easy way to improve customer service at no, or next to no cost to the company. Oops, this was a bone-up on my part, sorry, ROH does now accept PayPal!

3. Do Live Commentary

ROH DVDs feel like they take forever to come out often. Shows almost always have a good amount of hype coming right off of them, but for all but the very best shows that hype dies down by the time DVDs are released a month to two months later. Shows are released so slowly due to a lack of commentary at events. Prazak appears to be at most major events anyway, so why not simply do commentary there? I like Lenny Leonard a good bit, but using wrestlers for commentary, particularly since they have several guys like Hero, Quackenbush and Sweeney who are well versed at this, wouldn’t hurt the product, would save cost, and get DVDs out more quickly.

4. Open the Message Board

How frustrating must it be for a new ROH fan to attempt to join the message board and talk about their new fascination, but find it closed to them? I, personally, didn’t get into ROH as soon as I might have because I found it difficult to immerse myself without a forum provided for questions and discussion. The message board being constantly closed only rewards diehards and drives away any interested casual fan who would be put off by ROH seemingly shunning their business.

5. Focus on getting into Retail Outlets

This is probably the biggest one here. Retail outlets serve the entirety of the nation and, as importantly, will interest casual fans who have heard of ROH yet don’t care enough, or aren’t ‘net savvy enough to order DVDs on the internet. I still have friends and wrestling columnists I know who refuse to order anything off the internet for fear of security, regardless of how safe I assure them it is. This phenomenon is present in the young and those already on the internet, imagine how prevalent it is elsewhere. ROH being in stores would provide a way for these fans to try out ROH in a way they feel safe, as well as offering the casual buyer a chance to pick up a DVD or two conveniently.

6. Box Sets of DVDs

ROH runs shows in continuity with chapters. While commentary is present to explain the backstory and matches, this is not the same as being able to pick up a set of DVDs with all the prevalent information and matches. The Joe vs. Punk Trilogy, for example, would likely sell extremely well to new fans who have heard the hype about these matches. Also, many of ROH’s fans are collector types or people filling out their back catalogue of DVDs. Sticking these in box sets for a slightly reduced price is a great way to get them to splurge on DVDs they would otherwise wait for. This would go particularly well with #5 on the list because being able to get a complete experience at once would appeal to many fans, old and new alike.

7. Use Alternate Commentary

Like #6 goes with #5, this goes with #6. A way to get fans that already have the DVDs, collectors and completers, to try out these new DVDs, Alternate Commentary by wrestlers on historic matches and other special features would help sell DVDs. Also, new fans might be more impressed with the quality and effort put into the DVDs were an extra such as Alternate Commentary offered. Think Aries at Final Battle 2004 as a good example of this.

8. Use Local Talent when in the area

ROH is regularly expanding into new areas. They have a set roster, which on the indies is rare, but to be taken seriously, a clear necessity. This is fine for the set locales ROH usually runs, but when new areas are opened up, running established ROH talent against local workers would be a good way to draw that area’s fans even if they might not otherwise be interested. These minor dream matches would help establish new locals and give ROH the inside track into finding any great new talents hidden in the rough.

9. Do Live Chats with Wrestlers and staff

ROH is seen by many as the real fan’s alternative to WWE and TNA. They provide a far greater look at their inner working than WWE or TNA would dream of and treat their fans usually very well. They are always gracious in giving out interviews and keeping a connection with what the fans want. One way to further that and increase the connections ROH has with the fans, while intriguing new fans, is to do live chats a-la ESPN.com with wrestlers and booking staff. This would be intriguing and new, while offering fans a way to truly feel part of the ROH community, thus making them more likely to spend their hard earned money on the product.

10. Occasional free afternoon cards

This, particularly at big venues, would be a great way to introduce new fans to ROH. Many are simply not willing to shell out money for an unknown experience, but the ROH live experience is so impressive that once there they are easily hooked. Setting up these shows as a gateway into ROH proper, and I mean real shows, not just student matches, would impress anyone remotely on the fence about the company. People, even casual passers by, would have a chance to try something new out and get a flier with where to check for more live events and DVDs.