Welcome to the first edition of ROH Honorable Mention, Last Word on Sports’s look at the biggest news coming out of Ring of Honor.
After reaping the results of a talent share with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2015, Ring of Honor, the little indie that could, will be celebrating its 14th year of existence. As the anniversary fast approaches, there are a few stars that ROH must develop and push to the forefront in an effort to grow its fan base, despite being hidden from view to the casual fan. Can ROH become the number two promotion in 2016? Some might say it already holds that distinction.
ROH Honorable Mention: Year of the Peacock Dalton Castle
After the announcement of Summerslam visiting the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY this past summer, ROH booked its Field of Honor event the night before at MCU Park. Summerslam is the 2nd biggest WWE PPV of the year and normally, booking a show in the same city the night before is a smart business move. However, the emergence of NXT as a WWE show with an independent feel provided fans with an alternative that night: a live NXT show at the biggest venue it had yet to perform in to date. When ROH and WWE go head to head,the Ring of Honor gate suffers. It will be interesting to see if ROH runs a show against NXT again this year when Summerslam and NXT return to the Barclays Center for yet another weekend of shows.
Although NXT could be classified as an independant due to it’s roster and production, only network subscribers are privy to the thrills of WWE’s C show. The fanfare and hoopla thrust upon the NXT product allow for parallels to be drawn, but the restrictive nature of show’s availability alongside the ever present threat of a major stars being called up and handcuffing what could be WWE’s best offering.
Lucha Underground has become a viable player in the independent scene, using some familiar faces with an unfamiliar style in a limited seasonal episodic format. While undoubtedly an interesting product that has been gaining steam as well as plaudits, the time off prevents an important part of wrestling: continuity. Absence doesn’t always make the heart grow fonder; it also makes people forget and fall out of routines.
Like it or not, TNA is the defacto number two wrestling federation in the United States. Perhaps not in the hearts of the fans of other promotions like ROH and Pro Wrestling Guerilla, but Impact Wrestling’s cable network presence trumps the quality of TNA’s competitors. A weekly show that runs on many cable networks across the country allows for the fans to make Impact a part of their weekly viewing routine. For better or for worse, a weekly spot gives TNA the advantage over other companies. ROH’s move to Comet, necessitating digital receivers in many homes, could be problematic for the company, limiting the number of “bystander fans” that both TNA and WWE are able to reel in.
Monday Night RAW has a stranglehold on the television in many households; loyal fans tune-in week in and week out with nary the thought of any other possibility. Wrestling fans get married and have kids, inevitably subjecting these loved ones to the product. Against their will at times, these “bystander fans” watch each week, hear about the big news and often attend live events.
Ring of Honor misses out on gaining these secondary fans. The 11pm time slot on Comet does ROH no favors. Online availability allows hardcore fans to continue to follow along, but those viewings are inherently solitary experiences. That is why the company must choose the right stars to shine this year if progress is to be made. The brightest star in the making that ROH has at its disposal right now is Dalton Castle.
Castle rose to prominence this year after debuting with ROH in 2013. A jaunty bedazzled love child of Liberace and James Brown escorted to the ring by two subservient feathered sidekicks, the self-professed Peacock incurred the wrath of Silas Young, the Last Real Man and lost the services of his flamboyant fan boys at All Star Extravaganza VII. The slow build from ridiculous showboat to accomplished in-ring combatant afforded Castle the opportunity to bring his in-ring work on par with his theatrical charismatic schtick. His androgynous persona harkens back to Gorgeous George and Adrian Adonis, captivating even fledgling fans with his theatrical machinations. But it his athleticism that separates him from these superstars of yesteryear.
Final Battle saw Castle and Young square off yet again, with the Party Peacock losing the contest, but winning the allegiance of the his boys back. As the calendar resets, we move into a new year. Now that this feud has presumably run its course, Castle needs to be featured in matches for the T.V. title to show his talents. The end of 2016 needs to see Castle carry a championship or be a serious contender for a championship. His larger than life personality can easily make him one of the top faces in the company. With Adam Cole fully healed and poised for a big year himself, a program between Dalton and and former Kingdom member would showcase two of the most appealing and deserving talents on the roster.
Aside from Castle, ROH must continue to focus on and develop the House of Truth. Truth Martini has reached Heyman like proportions in his managerial efforts. He does all the little things: during Wrestle Kingdom 10 his translated copy of the Book of Truth showed the minutiae that greats like Bobby Heenan displayed during his heyday. Martini can make stars, drawing heat for anyone he escorts to the ring. Jay Lethal was always due to be a star, but his association with Truth has given him a swagger that he may not have attained on his own.
If you think that was shocking, you haven't seen anything yet. There is a method to my madness. #TrustMe https://t.co/w3XhR0u7UB
— Truth Martini (@TruthMartini) January 10, 2016
Using social media to reinforce the product elevates the men under his tutelage. Donovan will undoubtedly thrive if and when he breaks away from the House of Truth, all due to the dedication to his persona that Martini exhibits. Establishing young stars like Dijak and Joey Diego will strengthen not only the wrestlers themselves, but also anyone that they grapple against.
Ring of Honor’s fourteenth year purports to be the most important one yet; how the company chooses to use its best assets will determine just how successful the brand can become.
