PWI’s Mike Johnson has the following notes on ROH, including thoughts on backstage issues leading in to their first TV tapings:
Due to ROH’s TV deal, it’s likely that WWE’s 90 day no compete clause will apply to them as well as TNA. That means that Colt Cabana won’t be able to return to the company until May.
The following matches have been announced for Friday’s show in Danbury, Conneticut:
ROH champion Nigel McGuinness vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Tyler Black vs. Jimmy Jacobs
Kevin Steen & Jay Briscoe vs. Chris Hero & Eddie Edwards,
Bryan Danielson vs. Delirious
Brent Albright vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Necro Butcher vs. Brodie Lee in a Street Fight
Rhett Titus & Kenny King vs. Erick Stevens & Bobby Dempsey
Austin Aries vs. Sami Callahan
ROH is denying rumors that they’re in talks to bring in Val Venis. On the other hand, Johnson thinks it’s likely that Jimmy Rave will appear “down the line.”
Johnson also talks about the state of ROH’s locker room. Apparently, it has a lot to do with contract negotiations (as the old deals are expiring soon). Slight or non-existant raises on the old deals and the talk of medical insurance being eliminated, while names like Flair and D’Lo Brown are being brought in and the TV deal was made, are causing problems. Gabe Sapolsky’s departure didn’t help matters, as he was a bridge between talent and management who was “good at motivating and manipulating talents”.
Johnson looks at it as the talent not seeing the long term benefits the TV Tapings, the fans Flair can draw, and Carey Silken’s desire to freshen up the product, while understanding talent’s perspective. He likens it to the unrest in ECW around time of their first PPV before urging both sides of the argument to think long term.
