Ring of Honor (ROH) is one of the most popular wrestling promotions in the world. It has a dedicated fanbase and an impressive roster of athletes. ROH was founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky, who had both previously worked for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
The idea behind ROH was to create a wrestling promotion that focused on the in-ring action, rather than the storylines. It was also meant to be a place where young wrestlers could hone their craft and become the stars of tomorrow.
ROH’s first event was called “The Era of Honor Begins” and it took place on February 23, 2002, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The show featured a mix of established wrestlers such as Eddie Guerrero, Super Crazy, and Christopher Daniels, as well as up-and-coming stars like Samoa Joe, Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan), and AJ Styles.
One of the reasons why ROH immediately stood out from other wrestling promotions is its unique scoring system. At the time, matches were scored based on a 20-point system, with the winner receiving three points and the loser receiving none. In the event of a draw, both wrestlers received one point.
ROH also had a strong focus on its tag team division, with teams like The Briscoe Brothers, Jay Lethal and Jushin Liger, and Kevin Steen and El Generico becoming fan favorites.
In October 2004, ROH made its first foray into pay-per-view with the “All-Star Extravaganza II” event, which featured matches between Samoa Joe and CM Punk, as well as AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels.
Over the years, ROH has also developed rivalries with other promotions, most notably New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). The two companies have worked together on multiple occasions, with ROH wrestlers competing in NJPW and vice versa.
ROH has also produced a number of stars who have gone on to become legends in the wrestling industry. These include Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and many more.
In conclusion, Ring of Honor has become one of the most respected wrestling promotions in the world. Its focus on in-ring action, tag team wrestling, and young talent has helped it stand out from the crowd. With a loyal fan base and a roster of world-class athletes, ROH is set to continue its success for years to come.