In her latest piece, Kelsi Schreiber talks with some of Ring of Honor’s up-and-coming performers to explain why Ring of Honor is still great.
“Listen up wrestling fans,” it’s a great time to be in Ring of Honor! Despite losing talent to WWE, Ring of Honor continues to thrive and distinguish itself from the competition against all odds.
Although, WWE is more widely watched, Ring of Honor doesn’t mind being a part of the niche market that caters to hardcore wrestling fans who appreciate solid, incredible matches and an overall more organic product.
I was one of the last people to catch up with Ring of Honor’s Hangman Adam Page in Atlanta, Georgia before he went missing (as seen on Being the Elite). Hangman stated:
“…right now is one of the best times to be in wrestling because there are so many places to go, and I really feel like Ring of Honor is THE best. We have something other places don’t have. We have the freedom to do what we want, to speak up and give our ideas and live them out…They don’t get shut down. They don’t get written down on a piece of paper and thrown out the window. We get to do them! We get to be ourselves. We get to do what we want to do. Man, I think that shows in our product so much…everything that we do…Here at Ring of Honor anything goes.”
The full interview with Hangman Page is here:
I was also able to talk with Punishment Martinez. When asked about why it’s a great time to be with the company, he answered:
“…It’s because the talent that’s here now. I think everyone is working at a top-notch level. I don’t think anyone can touch us right now. So now is the perfect time for Ring of Honor to show the world what they can do.” He elaborated further, “Ring of Honor let’s us be ourselves. They don’t force you to be something that you’re not or put you in situations where you’re uncomfortable. I am allowed to really express anything that I want in MY way. And from front office to the crew, everybody’s supportive. And that’s why guys, I feel like, really find their niche when they’re in Ring of Honor as opposed to when they’re in other companies because they can’t really express how they feel or how they want to portray themselves.”
The full interview with Punishment Martinez is here:
Not only is ROH a great place for creative freedom and more physicality, but it also benefits from having a partnership with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Martinez explained why the relationship between NJPW and ROH is so important and special, “…Neither company has a problem with putting their ego to the side…Ring of Honor and New Japan are saying, ‘let’s make the business better and forget about individual priorities.’ Because at the end of the day, it helps you individually anyway. With the partnership where New Japan stars go to Ring of Honor, where Ring of Honor stars go to New Japan, it just creates more interest, a larger fan base, and it helps both companies. It helps the business grow as a whole so that everyone both in Japan and the United States, the boys have places to work.”
WWE may be pursuing and obtaining ROH stars, but I think that only cements the fact that Ring of Honor must doing something right regarding the development of their talent and the presentation of their product. The popularity of the Bullet Club and Being The Elite, the steady increase in attendance at ROH shows, the partnership with New Japan, extreme creative control, a COO (Joe Koff) who understands the product and its audience, and so many other factors help contribute to the unique product that is Ring of Honor as well as its continued success and ability to “Fight Back!” from the talent raid.
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