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RADICAN'S TAKE
RADICAN: TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/8: Setting the record straight on ROH coverage, ROH as a breeding ground Jul 8, 2008 - 12:41:21 PM
-I’ve gotten some feedback from my Tales From The Pulpit debut BLOG yesterday. As you can tell, I’m rolling out the new Radican-centric features here at PWTorch.com and PWTorch.com/members. Most of the feedback I got from my BLOG on Punk’s title win was related to me fighting for ROH coverage in the pages of the Torch Newsletter and concern about my claim that ROH was in essence a developmental territory.
Let me get the questions about ROH coverage in the Torch out of the way first. Like I said, I’ve battled for more ROH coverage each and every year since I started covering the promotion and I’m glad to say I’ve reached a happy medium so to speak with Torch editor Wade Keller. ROH gets a page of news each week and PWTorch will be reviewing the bigger ROH shows with full page reviews in the Torch proper on most non-PPV weeks or when there is space. I’m very pleased with the coverage the company receives online and in the newsletter now.
The VIP site features a ton of reviews and roundtables for ROH DVD releases from 2007 and 2008 and I’m happy to report to non-VIP members that they are now all in one place with their own sub-section at PWTorch.com/members. I think the VIP site is the place to go on the internet for in-depth audio and written analysis of most ROH events.
I hope this sets things straight with my feelings of ROH coverage here at PWTorch.
The other complaint I received from some readers is that they think ROH shouldn’t be labeled as a feeder system for the WWE. I think in some ways, ROH will always be a proving ground of sorts where wrestlers get their starts and then move on. The nature of the business dictates that the wrestlers will go to the company where they can make the most money.
I don’t think ROH is in any position to hold anyone back on their roster from going to WWE or TNA if it’s the right career move for one of the wrestlers on the ROH roster. If the company were generating a lot more money than they are right now, I’d have a different take on things, but as it is, ROH is the best place for wrestlers to prove their worth to the big 2 companies in the US.
I would like for nothing more than to see ROH grow, but it is going to be a slow process and the company is simply not in the position to stand in the way of wrestlers on the roster who can move on to the bigger stage.
The positive thing about ROH having their wrestlers under contract is it allows booker Gabe Sapolsky to have control over when storylines begin and end without having to worry about another company simply coming along and taking a wrestler on the ROH roster away from the company.
I feel if WWE offered Bryan Danielson a contract to wrestle on one of the three major brands, ROH wouldn’t stand in his way. If you noticed how the company handled Danielson’s recent dark match with the WWE, you can’t help but see how the company will deal with talent going to the WWE or TNA in the future.
Be sure to check out the Radican Audio Showcase Starring Sean Radican with Derek Burgan each and every week. The podcast is available exclusively to PWTorch.com VIP members, so what are you waiting for? Sign up now!
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