2016 Thoughts and analysis
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:46 pm
So I just finished watching the 2016 season of ROH DVDs, and certainly an interesting time for the company, and some questionable booking around the ROH world title.
Here are a few thoughts and analysis:
ROH world title picture. From a dominant world title reign by Jay Lethal, to dropping it to the bullet clubs new leader Adam Cole. Then Kyle O Reily came up for the Final Battle title match and won. (Only to lose the title back to Cole in NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom a few weeks later) Certainly in retrospect, it wouldn’t have gone down this way. Again this is just from DVD, but I didn’t see of ton of build for Cole vs. O’Reily and felt more like it was because they had history in future shock, and a long standing rivalry. I can’t help but wonder, what others ways this could have went down. Even Briscoes vs. Young Bucks in the main event at Final Battle.
Colt Cabana’s Return – A pretty big moment for ROH for Colt Cabana to return. I just admit, he didn’t feel out of place, and had quite a few good matches. Really liked the Colt/Castle team, and the heal turn. I know the fans weren’t behind Cabana 100% in terms of popularity, but from a storyline perspective, it seemed like he never got a fair shake at the champ. (maybe it was done on TV) I can’t help but wonder if Colt would have gotten a ROH title run.
You also had guys like Silas Young, Dalton Castle, and Christopher Daniels that could have been considering in the title picture in 2016. Daniels/Kaz were at final battle and didn’t even Wrestle. Daniels could have easily been inserted into the match.
2016 also saw the break out years for Lio Rush and Donovan Dijak. I see why WWE scooped them up quickly. Too bad for ROH as these guys had bright futures, and hopefully aren’t too over shadowed in NXT.
No Roddy, no issues? I was concerned with ROH losing Roderick Strong, one of my favorite singles wrestlers for YEARS. Although as 2016 passed (and some 2017) Jay Lethal is basically the Mr. ROH/ Franchise/ Cornerstone wrestler.
Will Ospeay , Marty Scrull, Jay White were critical/impactful additions.
Was Keith Lee’s last ROH match beating War Machine?!? (I Assume there was a TV match after) If not, that’s pretty surprising he turned down the deal. ROH let them out at it, in a big way, and made it seem like they’d stick around.
Reach the Sky Night 3 arguable could have been final Battle. Lethal vs. Cole the Rematch. Briscoes vs. Young Bucks, and Ospeay vs. Marty. Good stuff!
Also loved the Lethal vs. Cody match at Final Battle. Booked perfectly!
What was your thoughts on 2016? How would you have booked the World Title in 2016? Like/dislike??
Side Note; I REALLY wished ROH's DVD filled you in on what went down at TV tapings ( specifically like Undisputed Legacy in 2017, where there was basically no mentioned of Kyle O reily losing the belt back to Adam Cole) The PPV's had nice recaps, but other than that, the story doesn't seem to flow that well.
Here are a few thoughts and analysis:
ROH world title picture. From a dominant world title reign by Jay Lethal, to dropping it to the bullet clubs new leader Adam Cole. Then Kyle O Reily came up for the Final Battle title match and won. (Only to lose the title back to Cole in NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom a few weeks later) Certainly in retrospect, it wouldn’t have gone down this way. Again this is just from DVD, but I didn’t see of ton of build for Cole vs. O’Reily and felt more like it was because they had history in future shock, and a long standing rivalry. I can’t help but wonder, what others ways this could have went down. Even Briscoes vs. Young Bucks in the main event at Final Battle.
Colt Cabana’s Return – A pretty big moment for ROH for Colt Cabana to return. I just admit, he didn’t feel out of place, and had quite a few good matches. Really liked the Colt/Castle team, and the heal turn. I know the fans weren’t behind Cabana 100% in terms of popularity, but from a storyline perspective, it seemed like he never got a fair shake at the champ. (maybe it was done on TV) I can’t help but wonder if Colt would have gotten a ROH title run.
You also had guys like Silas Young, Dalton Castle, and Christopher Daniels that could have been considering in the title picture in 2016. Daniels/Kaz were at final battle and didn’t even Wrestle. Daniels could have easily been inserted into the match.
2016 also saw the break out years for Lio Rush and Donovan Dijak. I see why WWE scooped them up quickly. Too bad for ROH as these guys had bright futures, and hopefully aren’t too over shadowed in NXT.
No Roddy, no issues? I was concerned with ROH losing Roderick Strong, one of my favorite singles wrestlers for YEARS. Although as 2016 passed (and some 2017) Jay Lethal is basically the Mr. ROH/ Franchise/ Cornerstone wrestler.
Will Ospeay , Marty Scrull, Jay White were critical/impactful additions.
Was Keith Lee’s last ROH match beating War Machine?!? (I Assume there was a TV match after) If not, that’s pretty surprising he turned down the deal. ROH let them out at it, in a big way, and made it seem like they’d stick around.
Reach the Sky Night 3 arguable could have been final Battle. Lethal vs. Cole the Rematch. Briscoes vs. Young Bucks, and Ospeay vs. Marty. Good stuff!
Also loved the Lethal vs. Cody match at Final Battle. Booked perfectly!
What was your thoughts on 2016? How would you have booked the World Title in 2016? Like/dislike??
Side Note; I REALLY wished ROH's DVD filled you in on what went down at TV tapings ( specifically like Undisputed Legacy in 2017, where there was basically no mentioned of Kyle O reily losing the belt back to Adam Cole) The PPV's had nice recaps, but other than that, the story doesn't seem to flow that well.