Official ROH on HDNet Discussion Thread

[Marketh.]

"SLAP THE PORPOISE~!"

Thought this might be worth making and if it isn't, meh, merged with the Random Indy thread it goes. There's not a particular place to talk about the HDNet shows, it's just sort of scattered around with a few comments here and there, so I figured I might as well start something.

Here, you can just give any random thoughts and feelings about the shows after you've seen online or if you're lucky enough to watch it on a telly. Talk about your favourite matches so far, whether or not you think they're improving after a slow start etc.

I guess I'll get the ball rolling with what I think are the best matches so far:

Bryan Danielson vs Austin Aries
Bryan Danielson vs Tyler Black
Bryan Danielson vs Tyler Black II
Kevin Steen & El Generico vs Kenny King & Rhett Titus
Kenny King vs Jay Briscoe vs Kenny Omega

Also, any of the DCFC squash matches and the total destruction and murder of two jobbers by the American Wolves. Just for sheer entertainment.

[The Dragon]

Didnt enjoy Dragon/Black, I find it hard to enjoy any Black match.

[horrorfan_1986]

This show has been such a disappointment. For as excited as I was when it was announced, I've grown to not even caring to watch the shows as soon as they come out. I'm missing a few 720p downloads of the shows. I'll eventually get around to seeing the episodes. But as far as ROH on TV goes, I expected so much more.

[God]

TV Shows are very different than PPV or DVD shows as they have to apeal to the majority rather than the minority like the DVD's etc do.

[Slim]

yea i was excited when i heard about it, i set my dvr to record the series so i wouldnt miss it, but after 3 shows, i dont watch it anymore at all. It was pretty bad imo.

[Marketh.]

I don't think appealing to more people is as much the problem as it is putting on ROH standard matches and introducing the characters to the casual audience. I would think that if I were someone who's never seen ROH before, I would find it difficult to remember the personalities if I didn't see them on the show again for another 2-5 episodes. They've managed to establish some of the top guys well enough like Dragon and Tyler, but they didn't even introduce the champion, Nigel on the first show, which to me is a big problem.

I would also be dissapointed in the match quality, given their reputation.

I'm finding that the shows are improving and some more emphasis on characters and promos is working out. It's not DVD quality of matches either yet, but it's improving.

[horrorfan_1986]

Originally Posted by God

TV Shows are very different than PPV or DVD shows as they have to apeal to the majority rather than the minority like the DVD's etc do.

Is it really appealing the majority? Long time ROH fans are rejecting the show and HD Net isn't avaible to too many people to draw in new fans. I've seen a lot of comments at various places from fans that had never seen ROH. By watching the HD Net show, they don't understand the appeal of ROH. Basically, ROH is hurting any chance of drawing in new fans.

If they want to appeal to the most fans possible, throw on a strong main event that ROH is known for, have a fun segment with someone of comedic value (Sweeney before he left or Good Times, Great Memories today with Cabana) and with the remaining time, show a short (6-8 minutes) match that shows that ROH cares about every match, whether it's an opener or main event.

They're not doing that.

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[King Steventon]

Yeah this has been a huge bomb, ROH's appeal in UNQUESTIONABLY the fact they offered and superior and alternative product and TV show offers nothing superior nor alternative.

I watch it here and there but yeah this is pretty standard. Above, say RAW now and Impact, and probably on par with Smackdown. They have really done a poor job with this as far as I'm concerned.


Moving on... there are some guys on the roster who come off REALLY well on the Tv show who look like, if say the WWE signed them, could be a big hit. Jay Briscoes is perhaps the biggest shock, he comes off looking like a total star usually, and Aries is also undoubtably the best translated. Claudio also comes off pretty good outside the generic foreigner schtick.

Some guys have been quite exposed when forced to promo like Black and even Nigel too.

[God]

Nigel's promos have been one of the highpoints for me.

Two draws in three weeks however is one of the lowpoints.

[King Steventon]

I saw one Nigel promo that was really good then another a week or so later and he just came off as Tommy Dreamer circa-1996 with all he mumbling and pausing.

Also, Cabana is great on the stick.