Back in 2002 there was a small Philly promotion that was capturing the attention of the wrestling world. It combined well known veterans with young up and coming talent and gave us match ups that can only be described as dream matches as far as indy wrestling fans were concerned. Honor was established, dream and well executed matches were the rewards, a rebirth in 2004, and a clamoring of pride and heartfelt loyalty swept across a fanbase that was eager to see the next move. In later months of 2008 we had another changing of the guard but it was not the wrestlers, it was one with whom we had grown close to. We had a new beginning to look forward to, but there have been smatterings of some disenchantment. Some discourse amongst those who used to be as loyal as wolves to the pack.
Then word got out that he who we used to follow was starting a new chapter in life. A new outlook with a new group and the buzz began again. Arguably Ring of Honor is not what it once was. Even as a fan since the inception and loyal throughout everything that ROH has gone through I never felt that Ring of Honor needed anything but its fans and semi-Puroesque style to forge along. This was something that was obviously influenced by then ROH booker Gabe Sapolsky. But as time moves on, so does everything else. Gabe Sapolsky then announced in April that he would promote what could be a life long dream come true as he would be helping book Dragon Gate USA, a side promotion of a growingly popular Japanese wrestling promotion. Announced almost as quickly was that it would only promote six shows a year and that most if not all would be filmed for pay per view and DVD release. As ROH had also had a foray into the PPV world, many speculated that this could cause a split amongst the fanbase. But as we would learn ROH ended its PPV project to focus more on their television product.
Both promotions though would still be largely contested on the east coast and mid west. Obviously this would mean a blending of fans due to curiosity and/or loyalty. With a reported large amount of former ROH fans being led towards the DGUSA promotion, could this push the former employer of Gabe Sapolsky to challenge the product they are putting forth, or at least give some new life to their product to sway those smatterings of discontent.
Dragon Gate USA brings back multiple things that many of the older ROH fans have missed from the product. Mystique, a blending of pro wrestling styles, an obvious influence of Puroesque style wrestling and bookings, and finally some of the best talent from domestic and international influences.
With the passing of the legendary Mitsuhara Misawa, Pro Wrestling NOAH should focus on their domestic product, but at the same time their open relationship with ROH could bring much more attention and bring back some of those old fans. KENTA and others already are having great splashes on ROH television and are getting a larger presence in the American mainstream than ever before. But could ROH possibly ask for more, possibly bring in more from Kensuke Office and DDT. With DGUSA running shows on Sunday, could ROH who are known for doing double shots bring in talent on Friday and Saturday and present shows and matches that do more than just create interest but beg actually seeing live? Of course they could.
I believe that the inception of the DGUSA brand could bring about change for Ring of Honor and many more. We already know of the working relationship between DGUSA, CHIKARA, AAW, and Hybrid Pro. Could PWG, who already share multiple talents, and ROH form a larger working relationship and help bring other smaller promotions to the forefront? The simplest things are often that which makes the largest impact.
Ring of Honors product has always intrigued me, but could it be that much more with a product that directly challenges it? Competition breeds not only creation but innovation. ROH: We don’t imitate, we innovate used to be the moto. Now is the time for innovation, especially in the wake of this new product that already has the wrestling world buzzing with just one show and two more announced. Ring of Honor has the talent and the ability to be at the top of it’s game again and with a promotion directly affecting its fanbase, I believe it will rise to the occasion.