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RADICAN'S TAKE
Tales From The Pulpit: Should ROH be bringing in expensive talent from Japan in 2009? Feb 27, 2009 - 3:23:53 PM
With KENTA returning for 4 straight shows, including the WrestleMania weekend events on April 3 and April 4 in Houston, it's clear ROH is looking for a boost in DVD sales. Also signed for WrestleMania weekend is Katsujiko Nakajima, who currently holds the GHC Jr. Hvt. Title.
A lot of readers and Radican Audio Showcase listeners have expressed that they feel the company should bring in more talent from the US and use the money that has been put into bringing in Japanese talent in recent years.
I certainly feel bringing in Japanese wrestlers for special appearances is a good thing, but after awhile, once I saw the same wrestlers from NOAH on multiple shows, their appearances weren't so special anymore.
So why didn't ROH curtail appearances from names like Takeshi Morishima, Go Shiozaki, Naomichi Marufuji, and KENTA in the past, despite their high cost to the company? It's simply because they move the DVDs they appear on.
I'm certainly in favor of quarterly appearances on big shows from the Japanese contingent, but I am certain I won't miss having a talent from NOAH on every show this year. I thought Takeshi Morishima was outstanding in ROH in 2007, but because of the language barrier, I never felt he connected with the ROH fans.
Go Shiozaki was brought in 2008 and certainly didn't have as big of a role in the company as Morishima did in 2007, but given his high cost, I couldn't figure out why the company committed to doing so many dates with him.
The news of KENTA coming back for 4 show is big. His novelty factor had worn off because he had become overexposed to the ROH audience, but his return next month after being away for over a year should be a good thing for the company.
Although ROH management had put the word out earlier this year that they would be cutting back on the use of NOAH talent, if they really do pay for themselves and move DVDs, I don't see any reason for the company to stop what has been a common practice for many years.
It's too bad ROH's relationship with Dragon Gate fell apart and they couldn't bring in those talents for the WrestleMania weekend shows this year, but KENTA and Nakajima are suitable replacements.
With the possibility of more big names being added to the WrestleMania weekend shows, ROH could have their next set of big sellers on their hands once the DVD tapings are completed in Houston.
Contact Sean at PWTorchSean@gmail.com
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