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Tales From The Pulpit: ROH HDNet tapings could offer a window into the future of the company Mar 3, 2009 - 2:07:50 PM
One thing I've been told by everyone I've spoken to from wrestlers to management in ROH is they were blown away by the production values brought to the table from HDNet and the hot crowd for both nights of action in Philadelphia. One of the most glaring holes in ROH has been their lack of production values, which should change once the company debuts on HDNet later this month.
Although they aren't using the HDNet cameras for DVD tapings, the production values for the HDNet shows should be incredible according to everyone that saw the footage in building last weekend. One of the new production features that got the wrestlers and management talking this past weekend was the impressive production truck used by HDNet.
In addition to the production truck, there were three cameras used at ringside, two hard cameras, and a crane camera to capture the action. The live audience was said to have been impressed with the footage playing on the screens brought by HDNet to the tapings.
In addition to the production values, all of the wrestlers on the tapings cut promos that will be inserted into the HDNet broadcasts. It certainly sounds like the company will get off on the right foot when it comes to introducing their product to a new audience through straightforward matches, short promos, and what was said to have been a fantastic crowd on both nights.
Could the tapings offer window into the future of ROH? At this point, it's tough to say, but the future certainly looks bright for the company at this point as they continue to take the steps necessary to grow as a company and perhaps one day compete with the WWE and TNA.
I'm certainly happy to hear positive things from the people in the company I have talked to so far. It was certainly a difficult transition for everyone involved when ROH booker Gabe Sapolsky was removed from his position back in October.
At that time, everyone I spoke to said the fans need to be patient and give the company a chance to go forward in a new direction. The reports from the HDNet tapings seem to be a major positive step for the company in the aftermath of Sapolsky's departure.
Sure, HDNet only reaches a small number of homes, but perhaps they can find a larger audience and generate more positive buzz for the company once wrestling fans get their eyes on the product for the first time on HDNet.
There are other issues to consider as well, which include a new announcer with no experience in wrestling being inserted in place of longtime ROH announcer Lenny Leonard and new theme music having to be created for nearly every member of the roster due to copyright issues.
I can't help but be excited about what I'm hearing about the tapings. I certainly hope they push the ROH product to new levels in the near future and hopefully the company can grow and eventually take the steps to running live television and PPV tapings.
Sean and co-host Derek Burgan discuss ROH nearly every week on the Radican Audio Showcase, which is available exclusively to Torch VIP members. Contact Sean at PWTorchSean@gmail.com.
Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.
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