This week, we take an admittedly early look on the reported changes in ROH from Gabe Sapolsky being replaced by Adam Pearce, who is heralding in a new era with a new direction.
20 Counts on the Floor – This is the most obvious and visible of ROH’s new ideas and honestly, it feels unnecessary. I understand that ROH wanted to curtail the hardcore and fighting outside the ring, but leaving the option open wasn’t hurting anything and they could merely have had their guys spend less time on the floor without the countout. All this does is add a traditional element to ROH, which isn’t necessarily bad, but takes out something readily identifiable and unique to ROH (in American wrestling) for an idea that certainly won’t put any butts in seats.
New Talent – ROH has been booking a lot of new talent for upcoming shows and doing so regularly. Currently making appearances are (and there is some overlap with Gabe here)- Kenny Omega, Kenny King, Brodie Lee, Sami Callahan, and Sal Rinuaro. This is a great development. Rotating the cast, giving fans more wrestlers to enjoy is an excellent idea. This should also help prevent wrestlers and specific matches from getting stale.
Gimmicks – Gimmicks seem to be more prominent in ROH now. Need proof? Check out “Dirty†Ernie Osiris who wants fans money so he can get decent wrestling gear. Titus and King, both gimmicky pretty boys being pushed, are further proof. These gimmicks lower in the card help the crowd get involved when done well, and while they can be hokey, a hyped crowd that isn’t going to be burned out on great wrestling is likely a good thing.
Feud Speed is Increasing – Kenny King walked out on Kenny Omega in one show. The AOTF breakup of Tyler Black and Jacobs isn’t on slow build as they’re openly fighting and Jacobs is using Delirious as his partner over Black. The SnS vs. Albright and Strong feud is already blowing off, along with Danielson vs. Nigel and Aries vs. Jacobs, both of which have fully played out. Overall, this is going to leave Pearce with a huge blank slate to play with. That can be good, or it could be too much, too quickly and end up disastrous. Time will tell.
Weak Finishes – Over the past weekend of ROH shows, there were 5 matches that had screwjobs booked into them. The first four are: King walking out on Omega, Necro Butcher and Brodie Lee going to a no contest, Tyler and Jacobs vs. King and Titus doing the same, and interference in the finish of Davey vs. Strong. These four are bad, but what really bothers me is that for seven years there was never a schmozz ending for a World Title match… until two weeks into Pearce’s control. Nigel McGuinness lost to Necro Butcher via disqualification. I don’t pay for screwjob finishes and since ROH wants me to pay for every show, all this will do is hurt their business. Straight finishes is one of the ways ROH has always been unique. Changing that is a huge mistake and reeks of lazy booking.
These last two are merely rumored at this point.
Punches over other Strikes – I really hope this isn’t true. Everyone in WWE and TNA uses the same style punches. It’s become so cliché that it rarely draws any response unless particularly well timed. Forearms, kicks, and other strikes are still different enough to draw a reaction and also add a difference for those looking for an alternative to WWE and TNA that’s visual and easy to latch on to. It wasn’t broke, so I really hope this isn’t being fixed.
Increase in Rest Holds – Rest holds are fine so long as they’re worked in. Danielson, easily the best in ROH, spends a great deal of time digging in for simple maneuvers and getting huge pops because he nails all the little things to make them look painful. This is fine. Sitting through a chinlock with no effort is not. That’s just boring. Rest holds can draw great heat, but really must be used carefully, worked hard and kept spaced out otherwise crowds will refuse to wake from their rest.
There you have it, a quick look at the new direction of ROH, at least after the first two shows. Hope you enjoy and check back later for ROH’s Driven coverage, with a potential five star match between Age of the Fall and Steen and Generico.
