What is so good about ROH?

[Gillberg: 0-175]

Can someone please tell me? I tried watching Joe/Punk II but I couldn't get into it because it was literally 15 minutes of them stalling in the beginning. I hear the wrestling is great, but I don't want a long match for the sake of a long match, which is what 15 minutes of stalling is. It's not good psychology, it's laziness. I'm not a big fan of restlocks either, which I hear is a big part of "puro". I like action, you can have good psychology without 10 minutes of restlocks.

Secondly, I'm not really into guys who are "just wrestlers". That means no matter how good AmDrag is, he just looks like a fruit in his underwear to me. While yeah, I enjoy good wrestling, I also like wrestlers that distinguish themselves from the others. Which is why I'm in love with Delirious without even watching one of his matches. He seperates himself from the other 30 guys who just wear plain trunks. I can't really get into them if they are just plain jane with a couple of headlocks and arm drags. Ya dig?

Thirdly, Morishima Takeashitti does not appeal to me in any kind of way. A fat, pudgy Japanese boy who looks like a girl and would cry at the sight of taking away his cookies doesn't compel me into seeing the shows. Yeah, apparently he's badass, but he looks like he couldn't hurt a fly. And he's the champ? C.M. Punk looks tough, Homicide looks tough, f***, even American Dragon in all his fruityness looks tougher than the current ROH champ.

ROH runs some shows by my house, but since all the unique guys got signed by TNA/WWE, it doesn't seem worth seeing. I don't wanna see ROH for the guys like Roderick Strong, the generic wrestler number #400. I wanted to see ROH for Joe, Homicide and the guys who can actually make a name for themselves by being unique.

[MGH]

Well, doesn't seem like anyone will say something in this thread that will change your mind on anything. So it's just a matter of differing opinion.

I like ROH more than I do WWE these days, you ...fairly obviously don't.

[HMARK Center]

Secondly, I'm not really into guys who are "just wrestlers".

And right there, you show you don't really know what ROH is all about.

There's a big misconception out there that ROH just presents "straight up" wrestling, with no gimmicks, characters, or developed storylines.

In reality, ROH has a big multitude of gimmicks (Delirious being chief among them, along with guys like El Generico), characters, and some of the best, most logical/least confusing storylines in wrestling.

Plus, for advancing their stories, they put a big emphasis on in-ring actions, and how they pertain to the stories different characters are in. A lot of fans, myself included, LOVE that attention to detail.

[MGH]

One thing though I do have to say about Joe/Punk. It isn't for everyone obviously, but to fully get it you'd have had to see many of Joe's title defenses before this. I'll explain just for the sake of clearing it up.

People had gone right after Joe head on during his title reign, and lost in 12-15 minutes. No one had developed a strategy to stop him. So when CM Punk got his shot, he tried something different and tried to take Joe deep. Joe had been in all those short title matches, and never tested in a lengthy match. So Punk went to the headlock strategy to wear him down. Punk said in an interview (kayfabe of course) that he wanted to try and win the first match with a sleeper instead of the Pepsi Plundg because he thought he'd have Joe worn down enough. They went to the 60 minute draw.

Then in Joe vs Punk II, he went for the same strategy again. Only this time slightly modified. He wanted to stall and take Joe deep, but become more aggressive in the latter stages of the match. Again, worked fine, but only took him 60 again with no winner.

The stalling actually serves a huge purpose in the matches, but like I said, the more methodical chess match kind of deal isn't for everyone.

[Andrew is Good]

I'll defend ROH a bit with how I feel about it, lol.

I'm not a big fan of the term "restlocks" or restholds" or whatever. When a guy is REALLY lazy and out of shape, yeah, he's probably sitting in it. But he shouldn't be doing that anyway. Randy Orton for example (in my opinion) is one of the best workers in professional wrestling today, because I feel he gets pretty good mileage out of his chinlocks and rest holds. But also, Orton never sits in them, and he's always cranking, cheating or messing with the crowd when he does it.

Stall fests at times can be entertaining. I was watching this IWA: MS show and it was Chuck Taylor vs Tracy Smothers. They went like, 20-25 minutes f***ing with the crowd, and I thought it was the greatest thing ever.

Some of the critiques you're saying I feel are legit, but for me I guess, they're not too outstanding. As said by Hmark, they aren't trying to go out with over the top flashy gimmicks. They get over by having real people. It's important for some of those real people to have personalities, and some don't, but for the most part, I feel that helps with their overall persona. I think Danielson for example uses his wrestling ability and his personality to make up for his look. I know many people probably don't know who he is, but Danielson reminds me of Jay Bradley, the current OVW Heavyweight Champion. Basically, they don't have much style and flash, but the way they present themselves, it seems like you're watching something important when you watch their matches. They have this big match feel to them.

[Gillberg: 0-175]

Well, I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to buy the PPV.

Are all matches slow like that? Now that I understand it, it makes a lot of sense, but also seems boring at the same time. I can appreciate it, but I don't think I'd wanna watch it.

I think I'd be more into Lucha Libre to be honest. I love quick paced high flying matches. Any of those in ROH?

I want to learn to love it, I really do because it seems so great, but I haven't been directed to that "one match" that will hook me.

[HMARK Center]

And Danielson, since 2005, has really developed a TON of personality.

Also, I just re-read the first post: never saw a Morishima match, have you?

[MGH]

doinksdoodoo said:

Well, I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to buy the PPV.

Are all matches slow like that? Now that I understand it, it makes a lot of sense, but also seems boring at the same time. I can appreciate it, but I don't think I'd wanna watch it.

I think I'd be more into Lucha Libre to be honest. I love quick paced high flying matches. Any of those in ROH?

I want to learn to love it, I really do because it seems so great, but I haven't been directed to that "one match" that will hook me.

It's only $10, so I would highly suggest giving it a go because two of the confirmed matches on the PPV should be right up your alley.

Rocky Romero vs Naomichi Marufuji and The Briscoes vs Matt Sydal & Claudio Castagnoli were both matches that from all live reports tore the house down. These two would be right up the alley you are looking for.

[HMARK Center]

doinksdoodoo said:

Well, I'm trying to decide if it's worth it to buy the PPV.

Are all matches slow like that? Now that I understand it, it makes a lot of sense, but also seems boring at the same time. I can appreciate it, but I don't think I'd wanna watch it.

I think I'd be more into Lucha Libre to be honest. I love quick paced high flying matches. Any of those in ROH?

I want to learn to love it, I really do because it seems so great, but I haven't been directed to that "one match" that will hook me.

Why wouldn't there be more "types" of matches?

ROH thrives on variety. Hard hitting style, submissions/psychological style, fast/high flying style.

Trust me on this: order the PPV, and enjoy Marufuji vs. Romero and Briscoes vs. Claudio/Sydal. Sound like they'd be up your alley.

[KevFalcön07]

It's wrestling.

I thoroughly enjoy wrestling....but yeah, opinions differ

[MGH]

Here, try giving this a look. It isn't a match, but a recap video from one of their best shows last year. I don't know that it would wow you, but there is a good sampling in here.

www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/Ring%2BOf%20Honor/video/x1tpdz_roh-glory-by-honor-v-night-2

[hollywood]

Not all ROH matches are an hour long. Most of them are probably around 15-20 minutes. I've always thought their biggest selling point is their tag matches, because they're so different from any other promotion out there (namely WWE and TNA).

I don't see how you can lose with with their PPV. It's a third of the cost of a regular WWE or TNA show. Even if you hate it, you're not out much.

[leemir]

Danielson's blandness is what makes him unique.

[Gillberg: 0-175]

mygreatesthour said:

Here, try giving this a look. It isn't a match, but a recap video from one of their best shows last year. I don't know that it would wow you, but there is a good sampling in here.

www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/Ring%2BOf%20Honor/video/x1tpdz_roh-glory-by-honor-v-night-2

That was good. But how consistant was that? There were a lot of spots, but are entire matches like that or is there still like 10 minutes of waiting around between action?

I think I'll order the PPV, since it's On Demand cause I'm working when they play it. Either way, it does seem good.

CM Punk really did emulate Kenta though when he came to ECW I noticed. Other than that, I like the ghetto flippy guy and the Briscoes stand out to me.

Also, how are their tag matches different than WWE/TNA? Besides the massive use of double team moves?

[Lenny: Smooth like Keith Stone]

I was raised on WWE which is primarily what I watch, but I went to an ROH show a few months ago and I really liked it. I didn't know who a lot of the guys were, but that didn't matter. The matches were really exciting I thought, and they didn't rely on high spots. Sure there definitely were high spots (one of the Briscoes almost broke his neck on a springboard SSP to the outside of the ring right in front of me).

The main thing about it was that I noticed a very big variety from the beginning of the show to the end. There were some technical matches, some high flying stuff, some very stiff martial arts, a comedy match, a hardcore match, and even a 25 second Big Man squash of a jobber.

[lildude8218]

andrewisgood said:

I'll defend ROH a bit with how I feel about it, lol.

I'm not a big fan of the term "restlocks" or restholds" or whatever. When a guy is REALLY lazy and out of shape, yeah, he's probably sitting in it. But he shouldn't be doing that anyway. Randy Orton for example (in my opinion) is one of the best workers in professional wrestling today, because I feel he gets pretty good mileage out of his chinlocks and rest holds. But also, Orton never sits in them, and he's always cranking, cheating or messing with the crowd when he does it.

Randy Orton praise in a ROH thread? *goes to my fallout shelter*


P.S.

I've been pushing the whole Orton headlocks = good philosophy for a while and being ignored for the mostpart. His finisher is a neckbreaker, working the head and neck early on would soften his opponent for that finisher. But since everyone hates him well they just see it as a resthold.

[Overly large testicles]

I never understood the philosophy of liking wrestling that is just big spot after big spot after big spot after big spot after big spot. To me, the buildup makes a spot into a big spot, not just having one after another.

But hey, to each their own.

[MGH]

doinksdoodoo said:

mygreatesthour said:

Here, try giving this a look. It isn't a match, but a recap video from one of their best shows last year. I don't know that it would wow you, but there is a good sampling in here.

www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/Ring%2BOf%20Honor/video/x1tpdz_roh-glory-by-honor-v-night-2

That was good. But how consistant was that? There were a lot of spots, but are entire matches like that or is there still like 10 minutes of waiting around between action?

I think I'll order the PPV, since it's On Demand cause I'm working when they play it. Either way, it does seem good.

CM Punk really did emulate Kenta though when he came to ECW I noticed. Other than that, I like the ghetto flippy guy and the Briscoes stand out to me.

Also, how are their tag matches different than WWE/TNA? Besides the massive use of double team moves?

For the most part, what you saw was what you get. There is a reputation that ROH has for being all technical wrestling, long drawn out mat work, and a lack of action which really isn't the case.

To be fair, do they do long matches sometimes for the sake of doing long matches? Yeah I think so. When Christopher Daniels came back in 05 after being away 18 months, he got his title shot against Punk. They went to a hour draw. That match did not need to go 60. To be honest, I thought the match totally blew. I fell asleep during it.

But from that highlight piece, what you were previewed is really what the show was. The only match that I would caution you on would be the Nigel McGuinness vs Naomichi Marufuji match that was on next to last. They spent the first half of the match working over a body part on one another before the action kicked in.

But the Danielson/KENTA match at the end? Honest to god, best match I've ever seen in my life.

[WhiteFu]

It sounds like you'd like Chikara better. Not that they'll ever have a PPV, just sayin'.

[Spankymac is sick of the swiss]

whitey said:

It sounds like you'd like Chikara better. Not that they'll ever have a PPV, just sayin'.

Well, they have had a PPV. It just stood for Pod-Per View. And honestly, Chikara's a niche organization anyway, so if they ever get to the point where they have PPV's, I'd be legit shocked. And yeah, it does sound like you'd prefer Chikara to ROH, which I do myself, personally, no slight to ROH.

EDIT: For some good recent Chikara action to see if it's what you're looking for, here's Chuck Taylor vs. The INCREDIBLY Well Mannered Billy Roc.

www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/Chikara/video/x21rh6_billy-roc-vs-chuck-taylor