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HOW TO MAINSTREAM ROH

Hey everyone and welcome back to Zach’s How-To Guide. In chapter one last week, I spoke of how the WWE should bring back Christian. Thanks to those who sent feedback, and I got some interesting points about his re-debut. One person wanted him to return with Gail Kim in tow and another wanted him to debut with Tomko and Albert.

This week I present Chapter 2: How to mainstream Ring of Honor

Before I get started, let me explain something. I have a serious problem with wrestling on TV. I watch it no matter what. Seriously, ECW is on in the background right now. I watch every type of wrestling on television, WWE, TNA, even Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling. Hell last year I was addicted to AWA on ESPN Classic. Instead of paying attention in class, I would Wikipedia people like Greg Gagne and Col. DeBeers. You tell me that there is a new Trampoline Wrestling Federation on TV, and I’ll be watching.

That being said, I need more. WWE is obviously the flag bearer when it comes to wrestling programming, and TNA is fun sometimes, but I need more wrestling. This brings me of course, to Ring of Honor wrestling.

The only reason I know of ROH is because of the internet. I’m sure many others are similar in this situation. By being such a wrestling nut, it drives me crazy that I am unable to watch these superstars on an everyday basis. For too long now, I have heard the names of Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuiness, the Briscoes, Austin Aires, Roderick Strong, Age of the Fall, etc., and I can’t tell you who they are, what they look like, or what moves they use. The only way I actually know who is who is when PWInsider run ROH ads and I can see kinda who some of these wrestlers are.

I believe I am not alone in this situation. ROH needs to be mainlined and given at least a shot to appear for a national audience. I know that they have PPV shows once a month, but a weekly TV slot is mandatory for optimal exposure. And it’s not like the promotion hasn’t been mentioned on national TV before. Matt Hardy screamed ROH during his re-debut in WWE, and Mike Tenay praised them consistently when Samoa Joe debuted in TNA.

So how do you mainstream Ring of Honor?

1. Put a weekly show on a channel that every US wrestling fan receives. If Sci-Fi can show wrestling, why not give ROH a shot on the G4 network or even that VS. Channel.
2. Before debut, put out maybe an hour/hour and a half long doc about the promotions history, highlighting past stars like Punk, Joe, Sydal, and Daniels.
3. Star studded debut which includes appearances by past stars, wrestling legends, and the return of Paul London.

The fact is, with ROH receiving national attention due to it’s involvement in “The Wrestler,” the time to strike is now. There is absolutely an audience for ROH, and if a national TV slot is possible, the ratings will come.

Thanks for reading. Any feedback can be sent to zachlevine86@gmail.com

Stay tuned for Chapter 3…How to Refresh a Wrestler’s Gimmick