ROH & HDNet

[Mr. Long]

todays observer


--HDNet sent ROH a proposal for a one hour weekly show yesterday which would be the first bona fide TV offer the promotion has received. We'll have more if or when the deal is accepted.


Yay ROH on TV!

[D2Kvirus]

There's been a presumption about a ROH TV show on the boards for a while now (since the Rising Above taping in late November, to be accurate), so as a result the board isn't drowning in threads like this.

Or because ROH fans are still arguing about the Aries heel turn at FB...

[Mr. Long]

The thing I get a kick out of is that Lenny Leonard has to read about it on The Observer.

[D2Kvirus]

The thing is that it's a one-hour show, or to put it another way a 45-minute show. That'll be either three decent-length matches, five shorter ones (similar to the PPV undercard matches), or they put on a lot of enhancment matches and nothing else (otherwise known as Impact on FSN). As ROH doesn't have as deep a roster, this might cause issues - or there'll be a lot of FIP guys called up to be crash dummies (I'm looking at you, Chasyn Rance, Jason Blade, and Sal Rinauro). It could be showing a couple of matches fro mprevious weeks' shows, and maybe some of the PPV dark matches as well (have some use for 'em).

On the plus side, HDNet advertise their shows a hell of a lot, so it may find an audience. There's talk of it going to ComCast, too.

On the minus, when and where are they going to tape the shows? Or will half the Friday show be used for TV to hype the main Saturday show? The scheduling could get bizarre very quickly. Or if they raid the vaults for past stuff (i.e. Punk, Joe, Homicide, Daniels) it could show them in a ROH context, yet that could backfire horribly.

One version put forward breaks the show down like this:
Segment one (18 Minutes): Intro, announcer standup, 15 Minute Midcard Match or Tape Library Match/Promo/Whatever
Commercial (4 Minutes)
Segment two (10 Minutes): 5-6 minutes of promos, followed by important highlights from recent shows
Commercial (4 Minutes)
Segment three (12 minutes): Shill future shows, tickets on sale, maybe a quickie promo, then go to main event, which should usually be a semi-recent match. Commercial interruption either before intros, or early in match during heavy resthold period, maybe clip some of the match if running a longer match.
Commercial (4 Minutes)
Segment four (8 minutes): Conclusion, and last-minute hype.

Last word goes to adsesk: "And so ROH starts down the same path as the original ECW. First PPV, then a crappy TV deal. I give it a year before another WWE invasion."

[AFalseSinn]

Random note: Im not that big of a fan of Chasyn Rance personally wise (as in I know him in ways, such as where his house is and how he shakes a hand, as well as the people that live with him) and even though thats a fact I havent really seen him wrestle alot either.

On that, it would be pretty damn awesome to see someone I know on HDNet. Though I have seen wrestlers ive personally met/had food with/hung out with/work with, on tv or dvds (my boss was a ref for a tag match on an ROH PPV that Jesse and I both attended).

If Sal gets tv time I will call Chasyn myself and have him tell Sal he has to wear his half pants.

[Mr. Long]

If HDNet muscles Bas Rutten into the booth with Lenny & Prazak, I'll be happier than a pig in shit.

[D2Kvirus]

It's been noted that in the most recent batch of DVD releases, Prazak has started to play a more heelish commentary role - as well as sound like he can be bothered for the first time in ages.

[Mr. Long]

Perfect! So they can have Double L be the face PBP guy, DP can be the heel color man, and Bas can just randomly sing The Final Countdown and make sound effects.

[The Kid]

Bas Rutten instantly makes everything better. I would enjoy seeing him rush the ring and liver kick and palm strike everyone in it. But yeah, does anyone who's not an MMA fan watch HDNet? The carryover isn't as large as some may think.

[Mr. Long]

Um...hello? HDNet has Torchwood reruns and....uh.....Get Out?

Yeah, HDNet is basically good for the MMA.

Oooh oooh, don't forget about Nothing But Trailers, The Ultimate Trailer Show, Trailerama, TRAILERS TRAILERS TRAILERS!, Trailer Hitch, and The Trailer Park.

First person to figure out which ones of those are actually on HDNet gets a cookie.

[Mr. Long]

Stolen from the FIP account on floridaindies.com


HDNET FIGHTS ANNOUNCES LONG TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH “RING OF HONOR” WRESTLING

New partnership brings unique brand of professional wrestling to HDNet.

DALLAS (January 26, 2009) HDNet Fights today announced a long term partnership with “Ring of Honor Wrestling.”


Coming soon, HDNet will debut a new weekly television series, which will bring “Ring of Honor Wrestling” to a national television audience for the very first time. “Ring of Honor Wrestling” and its stars are prominently featured in the recent, critically acclaimed movie “The Wrestler” starring Mickey Rourke.


“’Ring of Honor’ is an exciting addition to our programming lineup at HDNet,” said Mark Cuban, chairman and co-founder of HDNet. “ROH has developed a cult following thanks to its special brand of professional wrestling and we are pleased to present it for the first time to a mass television audience.”


“’Ring of Honor’ is proud and excited to enter a partnership with HDNet,” said Cary Silkin, president of Ring of Honor. “Our in-ring action is the perfect compliment to HDNet's respected programming and growing stature in the broadcast industry. It's a match most definitely made for a Main Event."


Founded in 2002, “Ring of Honor” has become one of the most successful and recognized promotions in the world thanks to its focus on authentic professional wrestling. Over the last seven years it has produced some of the biggest stars in the industry, including Samoa Joe and CM Punk, while featuring the best in-ring competition in the world.


The stars of “Ring of Honor” include ROH World Champion Nigel McGuiness, the 3-time reigning Wrestling Observer Newsletter Most Outstanding Wrestler Bryan Danielson, Necro Butcher, Austin Aries, Tyler Black, Jerry Lynn, and Mark and Jay Briscoe.


Air dates and times will be announced at a later date.


About HDNet
HDNet (www.hd.net) provides viewers with the best in original comedy, drama, news, sports and music programming.


HDNet is your exclusive, high definition home for popular, critically acclaimed original programming, including television’s only HD news feature programs “HDNet World Report,” the Emmy Award winning “Dan Rather Reports,” featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather and “NASA on HDNet” (presenting live shuttle launches through 2010). HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring Major League Soccer, the NASCAR Camping World Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup re-broadcasts, and premiere Mixed Martial Arts from “HDNet Fights;” behind-the-scenes sports news with “Inside MMA;” groundbreaking music programming with the HDNet Concert Series featuring leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more; and entertaining and irreverent lifestyle programming including “Deadline!,” “Art Mann Presents,” and “Get Out!” HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning programs such as the Emmy Award winning “Arrested Development,” “The Black Donnellys,” “Dead Like Me,” “Smallville” and the hit series “Torchwood.”


HDNet Movies features a wide selection of major studio theatrical releases – all uncut, unedited, and appearing in their original aspect ratio so that HDNet Movies viewers get the best possible home theater experience.


Only HDNet Movies’ exclusive Sneak Previews bring feature films to viewers before they premiere in theaters! Some of the HDNet Movies Sneak Previews have included the Academy Award nominated “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” Toronto Film Festival nominee “The War Within,” and “Bubble,” the first of six movies by acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh and produced exclusively for HDNet Films. Other featured films include “Cashback,” written and produced by Sean Ellis, “Broken English,” from Zoe Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, Parker Posey, Drea de Matteo and Griffin Dunne, the critically acclaimed “Redacted” directed by Brian De Palma, “Flawless,” starring Michael Caine and Demi Moore, “Quid Pro Quo,” starring Nick Stahl and Vera Farmiga, “Finding Amanda,” starring Matthew Broderick and Brittany Snow, “Red,” starring Brian Cox and most recently “Humboldt County,” starring Fairuza Balk, Peter Bogdanovich and Frances Conroy and “Special,” starring Michael Rapaport. Upcoming Sneak Previews include “Great Buck Howard,” starring Colin Hanks, John Malkovich and Tom Hanks, and “Harlem Aria,” starring Damon Wayans.


Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Bright House Networks, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. For more information visit www.hd.net.



About Ring of Honor

Ring of Honor Wrestling (www.rohwrestling.com) was created as a response to wrestling fans that appreciated the athleticism and entertainment that the sport can bring. Founded in 2002, Ring of Honor's hard hitting, action packed style has been its hallmark with wrestling fans throughout the world. In its 7 year history, ROH has promoted over 200 live events between 15 states in addition to international events held in Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. Since 2007, Ring of Honor Wrestling has been available on PPV though Direct TV, iN DEMAND, DISH Network and TVN cable systems in the U.S. as well as Viewer’s Choice and Bell ExpressVu in Canada.

Yay!

I'm calling it now. One Night Stand opening match: ECW Champion Jack Swagger vs. ROH Champion Nigel McGuiness. Maybe if we're lucky we'll get The Colons vs. Steenerico on Superstars.

Here's to hoping for some real competition for the WWE in the not too distant future. Will it happen with ROH on HDNet? No, but it's a step in the right direction. I could see ROH moving to a bigger network in a few years, maybe a premium channel like HBO or Showtime. Or maybe they'll get TNA's time slot once they fuck off and die around 2011 like we all know they will.

[D2Kvirus]

There's a question that needs to be answered: when will they film the show?

Now that double shots are every other week, will they use the Friday show as a TV taping and to elevate them above the B-show status they currently have, and keep the Saturday show for DVD sales which, after all, is the bread and butter of ROH's income? Or will they use the dark matches from PPV tapings?

One idea put forward on the boards is to include occasional "From the Vault" matches like the Youtube channel does, featuring older matches: this could be ones with the current roster from the past year or so, or even some stuff from 2004-6 (aka ROH's Creative Peak) - although this may land them with a legal bill, or even paint them in a negative light forattempting to trade off the likes of Punk or Joe (if London does return, it could be a viable notion though).

[Mr. Long]

They could always switch to a slightly more traditional model. Use the TV show to build towards the PPV, which with HDNet's money and help, would hopefully be either live (doubtful), or maybe a week behind at least. One thing I think ROH needs to get away from is their booking every show like it's a be all end all pay per view.

[D2Kvirus]

That's what Friday shows are for - some of them are almost dark matches for the Saturday show under current management.

The continuity could be weird, as the PPV taping would be before a chunk of the TV tapings: whilst the PPVc ontinuity has mainly been accepted by the live crowds (barring the dual continuity of some feuds or angles, where the non-PPV shows aren't counted - one of the many large fish Gabe was hit with).

I can't see them dropping the live shows, nor can I see 7YA onward, SCOH, DBD, GBH or FB becoming PPVs. It's likely they'll try and balance TV, PPV and live shows, but that sounds like a balancing act that could become overcomplicated in a hurry.

[Mr. Long]

I wasn't really aware of the alternate universes. I thought it was all one big happy family of Honor.

Mayhaps have the PPV continuity be the same as the TV?

One problem they might run into is that no one is gonna watch ROH for Jigsaw vs. Rhett Titus. People are gonna tune in to see Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuiness, Jerry Lynn, Claudio Castagnoli, The Briscoes, Steenerico, and Delirious. And when they see the main event of the TV show is Bobby Dempsey vs. Kenny Omega, chances are they'll change the channel.

They are going to have to change their setup at least a little to make a marketable TV show. Since they'll probably only have one hour in the beginning, what I would do is have this week's TV show feature maybe two or three big matches from the previous week's live event.

[Superman33]

Man, I gotta get HDnet now. This is very exciting news, I love me some ROH.

[Mr. Long]

Lenny Leonard must've had a permagrin yesterday, not only did HDNet partner with ROH, but they also signed XFC, the Tampa based MMA promotion he does the ring announcing for.

[D2Kvirus]

Nobody'd watch ROH for Jigsaw vs Rhett Titus for another reason - Jigsaw (as well as Ruckus and - YES!!! - Julius Smokes) were cut late last year.

Another criticism of the Pearce era (there are quite a few already...) is that Steenerico have been de-emphasised: they haven't been on something like four of the last six shows, whilst they've been building up the American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards - there's two criticisms in there: Davey as a tag wrestler, and Eddie Edwards is the new BJ Whitmer when it comes to wrestlers everyone habitually slags off).

Hopefully they tell Chris Hero to go back to the ring gear he wore in 2006-7, because his current ring gear (which he was wearing in CZW circa 2002-3!) looks totally jobberish.

[Mr. Long]

I was really just pulling names out of a hat. Someone oughta update the ROH Roster Wiki page.

[D2Kvirus]

It was updated a few weeks ago, with the likes of the Vulture Squad and Brodie Lee dropped, but they've been put back up (they also need to cut Go Shiozaki, who's finished his tour, and put Bison Smith on there).

Also, they have D'Lo Brown listed, but at present he's a one-time deal for one of the Florida shows, and certainly not a roster regular.

[D2Kvirus]

The first TV tapings for Ring of Honor on HDNet will take place on Saturday, February 28th at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 1st at 3:00pm. History will be made when ROH holds its first two television tapings. Both events will take place at The Arena (formerly the New Alhambra Arena or ECW Arena) on 7 Ritner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148. Tickets for both events are now on sale at www.rohwrestling.com.

So - unless they plan on holding it in Danbury, CT on the 27th - there's no Anniversary Show this year (which is the first big show of a year, as well as a guaranteed sell-out in their biggest markets, i.e. NYC or Philly), but a couple of TV tapings instead.

Should I cut out the middleman and just attach the desk to my forehead now, or shall I wait for Death Before Dishonor, Glory By Honor and Final Battle to be unceremoniously dropped from the schedule as well?

[Rocketbusta]

A quick question for all the ROH fans here. I've been wanting to start watching ROH for a while now but haven't been able to due lack of money for DVDs and such. So now with the TV deal set and having HDNet at home does anyone know the date when the show will begin airing or has that not been announced yet?

[Mr. Long]

Nothing has been announced yet. However, to take a shot in the dark, I'd say sometime in April maybe?

Here's to hoping that the show airs on Wednesday nights, wrestling Monday through Friday would be quite awesome in my book.

I read on the other wrestling board I go to that a recent grand finale type show for this local fed Fighting Spirit Pro Wresting was filmed for some sort of documentary for HDNet.

I also hope that (providing ROH does well on TV) this opens the door for more, maybe international, wrestling on HDNet. I think it would be awesome if a company like say Dragon Gate was on American TV. And if you'll allow me to further delve into my bag of unlikely wishes, it would be really cool if there was some sort of weekly recap show highlighting indy wrestling across the country. Something like kinda what Inside MMA does when they show clips from recent MMA shows around the country. Have like one match at the top of the show, some clips and an interview or two in the middle, and then another match to close out the show. As highly unlikely as that may be, I think it would be cool if HDNet tapped into indy wrestling and finally gave wrestling fans the real alternative they've been looking for.

[D2Kvirus]

Coming soon, HDNet will debut a new weekly television series, which will bring “Ring of Honor Wrestling” to a national television audience for the very first time. “Ring of Honor Wrestling” and its stars are prominently featured in the recent, critically acclaimed movie “The Wrestler” starring Mickey Rourke.

The first TV tapings for Ring of Honor on HDNet will take place on Saturday, February 28th at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 1st at 3:00pm. History will be made when ROH holds its first two television tapings. Both events will take place at The Arena (formerly the New Alhambra Arena or ECW Arena) on 7 Ritner Street, Philadelphia, PA 19148.

Get ready Philadelphia! We’re a few short weeks away from the very first Ring of Honor National Television Tapings, coming to the Arena in South Philly on February 28 and March 1. HDNet and ROH aim to bring the newest and best wrestling program to US airwaves, and everyone at HDNet and ROH are excited to be working together to present this to the fans. Already signed for the tapings are Tyler Black, Kevin Steen, Chris Hero, Austin Aries, Jerry Lynn, and Jimmy Jacobs, with many more Stars of Ring of Honor to be announced as we move forward. One of the more unique aspects of presenting these tapings is wonderful opportunity to expose the great competitors of ROH to a brand new audience – one that we concede may not be familiar with the personality and style that ROH is known for. With that in mind, ROH Officials are looking at the initial tapings as a way to bring our new audience “up to speed”. On February 28 and March 1, fans will see a sort of a “Ring of Honor 101” up close and personal as we introduce our wrestlers, their personalities, and their skill in competitive matches that may not otherwise be seen on “normal” Ring of Honor live events. There is no telling what matchups we could see during the weekend, but rest assured, whoever locks up with each other will be doing so with an entirely new agenda – to say to the television world – Welcome to what professional wrestling is supposed to be. WELCOME to RING OF HONOR. We hope to see you all on 2/28 and 3/1 in South Philly!

No airdates as yet, but namedropping The Wrestler implies a push for Necro Butcher and they'll take advantage of Nigel's high visibility in the film, and as Claudio Castagnoli, Erick Stevens and newly-pushed Bobby Dempsey were visible, they'll get a bump up.

And, dammit, if they didn't manage to pull off a show that looks quite good last night in Coral Springs. That was well timed, considering the last doubleshot weekend had the pendulum swinging back towards "Who needs Russo?" chants directed towards Adam Pearce. Even if they should've taken a gamble and put Chris Jones on the show

The names announced cause me to think two things:
1.) Hero'll be back from Japan in time? Could've done with him last weekend, frankly.
2.) No Davey Richards? He ME'd against Tyler last night, FFS!

:::EDIT:::

Hold on, another tradition is being pissed on from a great height - there will be no Dragon Gate six-man at this years' WM weekend shows, by the looks for things. And, to further add to the misery, there's no liklihood of a AAA six-man filling in.

I expect a frenzy of refunds...

[Mr. Long]

Even if they should've taken a gamble and put Chris Jones on the show

Oh how I love me some Chris Jones. It has been far too long since I've seen him wrestle.

[D2Kvirus]

This weekend is supposed to be running the rule over some FIP guys - although last night that translated to Sal Rinauro getting battered by Bison Smith, Kenny King & Chasyn Rance teaming with Rhett Titus to lose to Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens & Bobby Dempsey, although the Dark City Fight Club had a good showing against Steenerico.

Considering Jones is getting some good word of mouth, and is tipped to be the next Sydal in regards to his flying ability, it's odd he didn't even make a pre-show. Maybe tonight, eh?

[Mr. Long]

I certainly hope he shows up tonight. It would be awesome to see Chris Jones vs. virtually anybody on the ROH roster.

I'm definitely looking forward to El Generico vs. Bryan Danielson tonight.

[D2Kvirus]

Nope - and it's unclear if they'll run Florida again. It turns out that the large crowds for last year's WM double shot were largely made up of fly-ins, rather than local crowds.

It appears they may have listened to the boards and dropped the pornographic amounts of non-finishes (there were over half a dozen on the previous double shot - which is pissing a lot of fans off). As long as this continues, fine.

Dark City Fight Club have earned themselves another shot, from all accounts - both their matches had the crowd on their feet, so they're likely to get future bookings. Shawn Osbourne, meanwhile, most likely won't.

D'Lo Brown also had the line of the weekend: he slaps the mic out of Nigel's hand when he's being trashed talked, breaks it, then says "I heard I got fired for a lack of mic skills" (or something similar).

[Mr. Long]

It was actually "I guess I got fired because I can't work a mic."

Last night was a great show. AmDrag vs. Generico was easily match of the night. With The Chop Shop vs. Dark City Fight Club & Frankie Capone coming in at a close second, no thanks to Frankie Capone I might add.

The Nigel vs. D-Lo match wasn't bad per se, it was just very hard to get behind it, knowing it was a forgone conclusion that D-Lo wouldn't be walking out with the belt. Though I will say, Nigel calling D-Lo Savio Vega was pretty damn funny.

Shawn Osbourne was just bad, go away. Brad Attitude was pretty good, though.

I'd have to say the best moment outside of Danielson and Generico's awesomeness was the fans turning Kenny King face throughout the course of his tag match with Rhett Titus vs. The British Lions. Kenny was just so damn good last night, it was just impossible to not cheer for him.

[D2Kvirus]

Somebody on the ROH board has noted the Proving Ground weekend managed to drop the ball by being good: they run a couple of good shows in a market they might not be returning to, yet they've run some pretty bad ones in key markets like Dayton, Edison and Chicago of late.

If the weekend is a demonstration of how the future product will look, things aren't as bad as some feared: especially if we're getting clean finishes instead of numerous non-finishes that have irked plenty of fans in a remarkably short space of time.

I think the main complaint is quite minor: Davey Richards could've done with a win against Steen to keep the Steenerico/American Wolves feud going, as well as boosting his credibility as a potential threat in the upper tier.

True, it wasn't a surprise that Nigel won, but he's at the stage where nobody expects him to lose - at the most recent PPV taping, his match with Generico was seen as academic, for example. The problem there is that Nigel's turned back AmDrag, Aries and Claudio have turned heel (ruling them out), Steen and Generico have three losses each, Strong needs to be built back up because of a lopsided Win/Loss record vs SnS, Albright has lost the momentum he had when he split from SnS/won the NWA Title, and Stevens still seems a bit too midcard - but, realistically, it does look academic that Tyler Black will beat him for the title...and with no Anniversary Show, that means either at the next PPV or, at a stretch, either WM weekend or DBD.

[D2Kvirus]

According to Mike Johnson at PWInsider...


According to several sources, Ring of Honor announcer Lenny Leonard will be replaced for the HDNet series, by ACC Football and Baseketball announcer Mike Hogewood. Hogewood has no background in professional wrestling, but has done NASCAR and Monster Truck announcing as well. I saw a photo of him and he looks something like a younger Bill Watts.

I am told this was a HDNet decision, so it's possibly Leonard will stay on to do ROH DVD releases. I'm not too thrilled with the idea but when you work with a partner that is investing money into a project, this is the reality you live with.

If Pearce wants to get the fans onside, it might be a good idea to reinstate Leonard for the HDNet tapings. Not least because Hogewood has "Mike Adamle" written all over him.

[Mr. Long]

I stole from one of my friends from the Florida indy scene.



SPREAD THE WORD!

[D2Kvirus]

ROH's debut on HDNet has been announced...

March 21st, 8pm.

That's a good timeslot on any channel, and as it's three weeks after the initial tapings, a pretty decent turnaround (better than the PPVs, that's for sure). One worry is that tickets for the tapings are currently 50% off - there's a 25% off everything sale, plus a 25% off tickets sale that means they're half price. That causes me to worry, quite frankly.

Conformed for the tapings are...
-Nigel McGuinness
-Bryan Danielson
-Tyler Black
-Kevin Steen
-Austin Aries
-Jerry Lynn
-Jay Briscoe
-Chris Hero & Eddie Edwards with Larry Sweeney
-Kenny Omega (3/1 only)
-Jimmy Jacobs
-Kenny King
-Rhett Titus
-Brent Albright
-Brodie Lee
-Sara del Rey
-Claudio Castagnoli
-The Necro Butcher
-Dark City Fight Club
-Cheech & Cloudy

Obvious omissions: El Generico, Davey Richards, Roderick Strong, Erick Stevens.

It's weird WWE seem to be releasing guys who'd fit in well with ROH from their past, who also have some form of TV recognition: Paul London is the obvious one (odds he appears at the tapings next weekend, given his no-compete expired a week ago?), as well as Cabana.

It has to be a coincidence, but I half expect some news site to say it's an attempt by WWE to build up ROH so they draw viewers away from TNA.