Will ROH be the next ECW?

[MasonK565]

There have been many comparisons that TNA will be the next WCW, and that WWE is still the WWE (or WWF). But the question I have is, will ROH be the ECW of the three.?Will ROH be used for their talents by the TNA and WWE just like how WCW and WWE used ECW in the 90's?

ROH has already been swept of talents like Punk, Joe, Danielson, and McGuinness. There is probably more but those are the first ones that come to my mind.

[biafra]

Well...it pretty much always has been in my opinion.

It rose out of the ashes of ECW, and captured the same independent, innovative spirit that ECW did.

And yeah...the talent drains and financial uncertainties also.

[KevFalcön07]

I also see it as the present day match to what ECW was when compared to the other big two promotions.

[indymadman]

To be honest, my friend and I have been grabbing as much ROH as we can because we fear it will have the same ending as ECW, as well.

For those who are used to buying roh merchandise... 2009 has seen more 40% off sales (or higher) in the past 6 months than the ENTIRE EXISTANCE of the site... that and the fact that titles are just not restocked anymore.... make me scared.

[derrtaysouth95]

I can see this happening.

Original MNW vs Well Now:
WWF = WWE
WCW = TNA (they sure as hell act it!...just look at the roster)
ECW = ROH (small promotion. loyal fanbase. can make you give a damn.)

So my question is, how long until WWE & TNA full on raid ROH and then we later find out WWE was funding them all along. And then Gabe can come back from the shadows and bitch about it lol

[deeks]

I don't even know if ROH is in that position anymore. ECW was the clear #3 promotion with goals of passing WCW. It seemed much more mainstream despite its counterculture roots. ECW had that it factor and was clearly influencing the wrestling landscape. I don't see that with ROH. ROH still feels like an indy that knows its place and is just trying to survive now. They might have missed their chance a few years ago in 2006 or 2007.

ROH also now has DGUSA, PWG, and maybe now Gabe's new EVOLVE breathing down their necks for the shrinking smark dollar. A year from now they could be behind the others if they don't turn things around. Or maybe even out of business.

Jan 1, 2010 3:00:03 GMT -5 @derrtaysouth95 said:

WCW = TNA (they sure as hell act it!...just look at the roster)

Abyss · A.J. Styles · Alex Shelley · Amazing Red · Bobby Lashley · Brother Devon · Brother Ray · Brutus Magnus · Chris Sabin · Consequences Creed · D'Angelo Dinero · Daniels · Desmond Wolfe · Doug Williams · Dr. Stevie · Eric Young · Hernandez · Homicide · James Storm · Jay Lethal · Jesse Neal · Kevin Nash · Kiyoshi · Kurt Angle · Matt Jackson · Matt Morgan · Mick Foley · Nick Jackson · Raven · Rhino · Robert Roode · Rob Terry · Samoa Joe · Scott Steiner · Shark Boy · Sting · Suicide (Frankie Kazarian) · Tomko

Outside of Hogan, Nash, Steiner, and Sting, nothing about this roster screams WCW. More a strange mix of ROH, ECW, WWE, and Memphis.

You know what's also strange? The fact that TNA will probably be the only promotion to stay TV14 means a little of ECW lives on in it. If anything, TNA is a WCW/ECW hybrid because it can be more adult and edgy thanks to the rating. You couldn't do 1/16 of what ECW or the Attitude Era WWE got away with in the PG rated WWE.

[Big L]

Dec 31, 2009 19:48:28 GMT -5 KevFalcön07 said:

I also see it as the present day match to what ECW was when compared to the other big two promotions.

This

[The Line]

Dec 31, 2009 20:55:29 GMT -5 indymadman said:

To be honest, my friend and I have been grabbing as much ROH as we can because we fear it will have the same ending as ECW, as well.

For those who are used to buying roh merchandise... 2009 has seen more 40% off sales (or higher) in the past 6 months than the ENTIRE EXISTANCE of the site... that and the fact that titles are just not restocked anymore.... make me scared.

big sales like that aren't just for ROH, but across all mediums. That's what happens in recessions.

[Bobby Womack]

Jan 1, 2010 5:56:01 GMT -5 deeks said:

I don't even know if ROH is in that position anymore. ECW was the clear #3 promotion with goals of passing WCW. It seemed much more mainstream despite its counterculture roots. ECW had that it factor and was clearly influencing the wrestling landscape. I don't see that with ROH. ROH still feels like an indy that knows its place and is just trying to survive now. They might have missed their chance a few years ago in 2006 or 2007.

lol, goals of passing wcw? i have goals of being a billionaire but that doesnt make it a likelyhood or even close, at ecws peak it was the number three promotion by many many miles, there was never a time when it nearly surpassed wcw in terms of popularity, ratings, buyrates, or anything else and id even argue quality too but id rather not start that debate again

[kennerado]

History is weird, during 2006 ROH was at its peak pretty much. Just like ECW ten years earlier.

Cornette was talking about ROH having a try-out in March so they are looking for some fresh talent, sounds like a good thing.

[Dave at the Movies]

I think ROH has pretty much gone beyond ECW financially. ECW was very innovative but you could argue that ROH was as well. Hell ROH only has a year or two before they past ECW's entire life span.

[The OP]

Dec 31, 2009 19:20:00 GMT -5 MasonK565 said:

There have been many comparisons that TNA will be the next WCW, and that WWE is still the WWE (or WWF). But the question I have is, will ROH be the ECW of the three.?Will ROH be used for their talents by the TNA and WWE just like how WCW and WWE used ECW in the 90's?

ROH has already been swept of talents like Punk, Joe, Danielson, and McGuinness. There is probably more but those are the first ones that come to my mind.

I think you basically answered your own question. If you look at it that way, then yes, you could argue that ROH is in a similar position as ECW was in terms of being a place where guys develop their talents before going on to work for the mainstream companies.

And now that you mention it, the fact that three of the four guys you mentioned are main event level wrestlers in their respective companies says a lot for ROH now being the promotion to cut your teeth in if you want to go on to be a TNA or WWE star.

[hollywood]

Jan 2, 2010 8:59:39 GMT -5 Bobby Womack said:

Jan 1, 2010 5:56:01 GMT -5 deeks said:

I don't even know if ROH is in that position anymore. ECW was the clear #3 promotion with goals of passing WCW. It seemed much more mainstream despite its counterculture roots. ECW had that it factor and was clearly influencing the wrestling landscape. I don't see that with ROH. ROH still feels like an indy that knows its place and is just trying to survive now. They might have missed their chance a few years ago in 2006 or 2007.

lol, goals of passing wcw? i have goals of being a billionaire but that doesnt make it a likelyhood or even close, at ecws peak it was the number three promotion by many many miles, there was never a time when it nearly surpassed wcw in terms of popularity, ratings, buyrates, or anything else and id even argue quality too but id rather not start that debate again

That's......exactly what he said??

[AriadosMan]

Jan 2, 2010 4:49:36 GMT -5 The Line said:

Dec 31, 2009 20:55:29 GMT -5 indymadman said:

To be honest, my friend and I have been grabbing as much ROH as we can because we fear it will have the same ending as ECW, as well.

For those who are used to buying roh merchandise... 2009 has seen more 40% off sales (or higher) in the past 6 months than the ENTIRE EXISTANCE of the site... that and the fact that titles are just not restocked anymore.... make me scared.

big sales like that aren't just for ROH, but across all mediums. That's what happens in recessions.

Or it could just mean that ROH sucks at maintaining its fanbase with both Nigel and Danielson gone.
Seriously, this company is NOT ECW from the 90s. 90s ECW was considered "cool" even by people who had no access to its programming. ROH has absolutely no appeal outside of an inner circle of hardcore "pure wrestling" marks, and its actual storylines have had no impact on TNA and WWE, even if some of its former talent has.

[johnnyk9]

no because their wrestling is worse

[mcmahonfan85]

Jan 4, 2010 17:36:27 GMT -5 AriadosMan said:

Jan 2, 2010 4:49:36 GMT -5 The Line said:

big sales like that aren't just for ROH, but across all mediums. That's what happens in recessions.

Or it could just mean that ROH sucks at maintaining its fanbase with both Nigel and Danielson gone.

ok, 1) they were holding the sales before Danielson and McGuinness even announced they were leaving, 2) Highspots, SMV and RF have all been having huge sales the same time ROH has, and 3) do you even know the state the American economy is in? if a person has lost their job, do you think they're going to spend their money on food, paying bills, etc, or do you think they're going to spend it on wrestling dvds?

Seriously, this company is NOT ECW from the 90s. 90s ECW was considered "cool" even by people who had no access to its programming. ROH has absolutely no appeal outside of an inner circle of hardcore "pure wrestling" marks, and its actual storylines have had no impact on TNA and WWE, even if some of its former talent has.

uh, most people who didn't have access to ECW's programming (which was the majority of wrestling fans) didn't know it existed, and their content most certainly did not appeal to the vast majority of wrestling fans. also, were it not for WWE trying to compete with WCW, they wouldn't have brought in ECW and none of ECW's storylines would have had any impact on either top promotion.

[mcmahonfan85]

Jan 4, 2010 18:10:36 GMT -5 johnnyk9 said:

no because their wrestling is worse

no, you're thinking of wrestling in New Jersey