Marketh.

It's sink or swim time for them. This is their most crucial time since Daniels, Joe and Homicide were taken away. What do you think ROH will do to stay alive at this point?

I think what they need to do most right now is give some guys a real good push into the main event spot, which they've gotten a head start on with Hero and Davey. At the end of the month when Dragon and Nigel are gone, there's a good chance those two, Roderick and Kenny Omega will be put over massively. I think if they're able to book Claudio/Nigel for the TV tapings, that's another great opportunity. Maybe these guys don't have the star quality and popularity of Dragon or Nigel, but ROH has a good enough roster to repair the damage done if they go about it right. It's a question Pearce's booking, which I can't say I have my upmost confidence in. I mean...look at Tyler now.

If for whatever reason they didn't want Brian Kendrick or Paul London, NOW is the time to book at least one of the two. They've got good name value and are over with the indy fans, preferably Kendrick since I've heard London hasn't been doing too well since leaving the 'E.

Or is ROH basically screwed?

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Y 2 Jake

It won't just be their stars leaving that's the downfall of ROH, It's that coupled with them trying to progress as a company. Not that there's anything wrong with trying to grow and expand, but now they're in a place where expectations are higher and fans aren't going to accept less.

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Marketh.

I think they would have to put any growth on hold for now, but I don't see it as being too big of a problem. Tyler, Aries and Lynn were being put over as the top guys on the HDNet shows moreso than Dragon and Nigel, so I don't think much will be changed there.

Their main problem now will be drawing fans and DVD sales without their two top guys.

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KenTheKiller

That'll definitely be rough. I know ROH are trying to pace their live shows more but perhaps for awhile they should go all out again. I mean before, you had Dragon/Nigel where if you saw them on the DVD you were near sure to get a great match, even if the undercard isn't spectacular. Now they don't have that benefit.

I'm hoping for Claudio/Hero pushes. Roderick too I guess. A Roderick/Aries feud (I haven't been following too closely in recent months so if it's started, whoops) considering their history could be ftw.

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Crest Fall

Right now their top priority should be to produce a shows that are guaranteed to sell DVDs and gain attraction. I know barely anyone watches the HDNet show anyway, but the move to Monday is not the brightest move. They need to try and get a different time slot.

Of course, they have to reinvent themselves and build new stars. Make Hero, Aries, Cabana, Black and the Briscoes the top draws, even if there will be some people (me) who aren't ecstatic about Briscoes and Tyler being at the top again. Kenny Omega is ready to get his push as a regular. Give him the Tyler Black treatment by having him look great against the champion so he can become another contender. Get the Dark City Fight Club on more shows as well and get them into an angle. We know they're super badasses, we don't need to be reminded of that with them beating up a couple punching bags every show.

If they're going to bring in Japanese talent, only bring in KENTA or Marufuji---that's it. Everyone else on ROH's shows should either be regulars or locals. The only real talent out there they could scoop up would be a Brian Kendrick. I don't think Umaga would be much of a draw and his asking price is probably too high. Kennedy could be a big draw, but as with Umaga, I'd imagine his asking price is probably quite high.

Even though I prefer a little substance to my wrestling, I don't think Pearce is capable of putting together angles that appeal to Indy fans. I'd rather we get some great angles that could draw in the crowd instead of having the wrestlers go all out and beat the fucking shit out of each other, but I see no other option with the booking team being so incompetent.

Also: No to Sonjay Dutt and Petey Williams. They're not draws and no one really gives a shit about them. Put Petey on the Canada shows and that's all I would care to see from him. They need to figure out who is going to be their core roster. I don't mind if they have one-off attractions, but Petey and Dutt are not one of them. I'd imagine they're not exactly cheap either. They just have to reinvent themselves and build new stars. Make friends with promotions ala DGUSA and try to share talent. I can't really think of any other way.

Edit: That said, I don't know if they're going to be able to do it. I mean this is some pretty big stuff they have to make up for---they just lost their two biggest draws. It'd be alright if the product was fresh and exciting, but it's dull and on a big decline. As I said in the Nigel to WWE thread, I'd rather them go out with a big bang instead of slowly fizzle out, but I'm expecting the latter. I could see them make it into late-2010, but unless they are able to pull off something and reinvent themselves, I can't see them making it to 2011.

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Marketh.

They really have shot themselves in the foot with the Monday night thing and HDNet in general. If I were Cary, I'd try to get them off Monday nights as soon as possible. No idea why WWE are even taking talent now, when ROH is nowhere near competition for them. It can't just be because Dragon and Nigel are two of the best going.

It's sad, but I'd prefer an ROH that stayed as the #1 indy promotion drawing decently in the Hammerstein than one whose TV deal and growth are ruining them.

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God

Apparently, when ROH moved to Monday's WWE took note and decided to make sure they didnt get anywhere near being a challenge to them by taking their two best. I've read that WWE have people to watch HDNet and report back with their suggestions on talent.

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Marketh.

I read about it and I think it's bullshit. They've never shown ROH any interest as a company, and now they think they're in competition because they're shown on the same night?

The only person I know ROH aren't in any danger of being snatched up is Tyler Black, supposedly he has a contract until near the end of 2010. At this point, I'd rather it was Hero, Roderick and Claudio in that position.

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