New to ROH

[Kevin]

I just started watching ROH. I was hoping you guys could break me in proper. Not looking for opinions or whos the best etc. Just tell me whos who, how The Code works. Just educate me. Im that annoying guy that sits down midway through a movie and says "So whats going on here?" Go.

[jspjacobhenderson]

Well, one thing you should probably know is that ROH is not the same cutting edge product you might have heard about. It's largely a hybrid between indie and old school since Jim Cornette started booking. And unfortunately, ROH's best years of DVD's have been out of print for a long time. So what you're seeing now is probably the most polarizing product of ROH, just a warning. 

So now that we've got that out of the way, ROH is still a really good alternative to WWE. The Code of Honor isn't as huge a deal as it was in the first year, but it basically means that the two (or however many) wrestlers will shake hands before and after a match. A Fight Without Honor (which is usually an end-all-be-all blowoff street fight to a blood feud, which Cornette bastardized at Border Wars) basically voids this. Faces usually shake hands and heels more often than not don't. Back in 2002, Christopher Daniels got over as a top heel by not following the Code. It isn't that important anymore, but it is still a part of ROH. You will see an exception to this rule with guys like Roderick Strong (who's a heel) and various others. 

If you're looking to see what the future of ROH may be, Adam Cole and Michael Elgin are your guys. They will more than likely be at the top in a couple years. I know you aren't asking for the best, but they seem to be in a bee-line for a future push and they are good enough to deserve it, so watch them.  Elgin had a MOTY with Davey Richards while Adam Cole is the current Television Champ. 

Davey Richards used to be the ROH posterboy until Border Wars, where a nearly universally loved Kevin Steen beat him for the title. Steen is the most charasmatic guy in ROH by far and that's probably why everyone likes him so much. He is a pretty heavyset guy and not the most athletic, but he's not an asshole in real life like Davey is. Davey's a piece of shit. 

Steen is in a three man stable called S.C.U.M. with Jimmy Jacobs and Steve Corino. Jacobs is more or less a lackey and Steve Corino commentates for Steen's matches, putting him over. Davey is taking a break from wrestling, thank Jebus. S.C.U.M. are supposed to be heels, but it's impossible to boo them because they're the best thing going in the promotion. As of right now, they're feuding with Rhett Titus during house shows as they feud with Jim Cornette on all parts of ROH, whether iPPV's, TV, or house shows. Cornette made Steen defend his title every time he wrestles as well, so if he's wrestling a single's match it's a title match. 

The ROH Match of the Year is almost universally known as Elgin vs. Richards from Showdown in the Sun Day 2. So if you're looking for a great example of what ROH's wrestling looks like in its top form, that's the match. The O'Reilly/Cole match from Best in the World is fantastic as well. Those are probably the two matches people will think about in 2012 for ROH.

In my opinion, Show of the Year for ROH is Best in the World or Border Wars. Take your pick. 

ROH also has a pretty decent tag division, headed by the fantastic Briscoe Brothers. If you haven't heard of them or heard them cut their promos, look them up. They are one of the most unique teams of all time and their promos are usually hilarious. Mark Briscoe is fucking great. World's Greatest Tag Team from WWE are wrestling in ROH as Wrestling's Greatest Tag Team. A lot of fans hate them but they're still awesome at getting heel heat and Charlie Haas is a good mouthpiece. The All Night Express were holding the tag titles, but Kenny King broke his verbal contract with ROH and jumped ship to TNA, leaving partner Rhett Titus alone, thus getting Titus stripped of the belts. ROH is holding Tag Title tournament to replace the void. 

So that's pretty much the basics for 2012 Ring of Honor.  Hope it's what you were looking for. 

[Kevin]

That gives me a start. I enjoy the matches but so far the promos Ive heard havent impressed me, but a good promo is one in a million. Im still enjoying the product. Steen is so not the typical champ but thats cool I guess. Thanks for catching me up.

[jspjacobhenderson]

No problem, man. Not a lot of ROH's top guys are good promos. The best promos ROH has are all in one stable, so it's kind of odd because one side just kills the other when it comes to being able to cut a decent promo.

[Kevin]

I wish Id been watching when they were still on the way up. Seems theyre stuck in a holding pattern. And I dont know how I feel about Cornette, he seems to be trying to be a poor mans Mr Mcmahon. It seemed to have potential as being different, and Cornette makes it more old skool, I dont feel thats what they were going for at the start.

[tatty]

Not into ROH as much I used to be. Austin Aries got it right when he called it Smoky Mountain Honor or something to that effect. It seems very stuck in the early 80's, but with a modern figure-head champ in Steen.

I'd say start picking up some of the best of DVD's they're releasing from the glory years. Austin Aries, Summer of Punk, Danielson, Homicide, KENTA and Joe vs Punk and the Jay Lethal one is really good too.

[Kevin]

Will do. I wish Id been watching then.

[Kevin]

Roderick Strong impressed me. Michael Elgin is a Ryback/Rhyno hybrid, not impressive.

[jspjacobhenderson]

Michael Elgin is AWESOME. I promise you he's better than both Rhino and Ryback.

[Kevin]

Ill keep watching. Thats just my initial impression, Im sure itll change.

[mnowax]

trust me Elgin is great. I'm a huge supporter of Steen though. He is the one reason why that company is still even on the map IMO

This isn't a slam to the other wrestlers, by the way, there is a lot of talent in ROH, just Steen has brought them to a level where hey need to be to survive.

[Kevin]

I think I actually enjoy the in-ring action more. They seem to know its their strength. The promos arent great, but theyre usually short. Just enough to progress the angle. I really like that.