Listen, before anyone freaks out, I think that Bryan Danielson is one of the top wrestlers in the business and a joy to watch in the ring, but that isn’t what this blog is about. Danielson recently wrestled a dark match for the WWE at last Monday’s Raw tapings and was apparently fairly impressive. The reason that the rumor mills are going crazy is that Dragon submitted Lance Cade in about 12 minutes of a competitive match that impressed many that were at the show.
Now, to the question at hand. If Danielson were to leave ROH, would it be as big of a deal as some are making it seem? My answer is no. Here’s why:
ROH, with the exception of Samoa Joe and maybe CM Punk, has always had a problem making money-drawing stars who fans have invested in and come to the shows or buy the DVD’s to see them in action. ROH has always been the draw based on the reputation of their brand and Danielson is just an input to that brand, not someone who transcends it. There are few instances where Dragon has been the sole reason as to why I ordered an ROH DVD or bought a live event ticket. Again, he may be an input, but not the sole reason.
Since ROH has had a problem creating stars, they really need to start examining their roster on a periodic basis and getting rid of the dead weight. As in the territory days, you were based on how much money you drew for the company, not how great your match was. ROH has this model flip-flopped to a degree in that they are putting out great matches from top to bottom, but no one is standing out as a result. ROH needs to explore the territory model, especially since they are re since DVD sales reportedly have hit a plateau and live event attendance has remained stagnant or dropped in some towns. They need to rotate wrestlers in and out and study attendance patterns and see who really effects the bottom line, whether it’s positively or negatively.
Feelings may have to be hurt in the process, but ROH really needs to take a hard look at their roster and make some cuts and try and bring in some new guys and see if anyone can catch on and become a star that will appeal to a larger amount of the wrestling fan base. After four plus years of guys like Jack Evans, Delirious, and others who have not been effective in their job of making the company money, chances have to be taken. Honestly, is losing some of the guys going to change the viewing habits of guys like the Green Lantern Fan and his buddies who go to every show and probably buy the DVD’s and the PPV”s, the answer is no. ROH, the brand, is the draw right now and no matter if they lose Danielson or anyone else, I feel that the effect on the current fan base will be minimal.
ROH can capitalize on this core audience by taking some chances because I think they have peaked in their current business model and with their current talent roster, and they have a captive audience which most likely will not abandon the product. New eyes are what is needed and trying to create new stars and take chances with the roster is a good first attempt to get that new star that can transcend ROH, the brand, to become someone that fans are paying to see regardless of what else is on the show.
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