ROH On HonorClub Tapings Signal a Shift in AEW’s Mid-Card Strategy
The wrestling world moves at breakneck speed, and keeping up with spoiler reveals is almost a sport in itself. But beyond the immediate gratification of knowing match outcomes, the recent AEW tapings for ROH On HonorClub – featuring Blake Christian’s win over Jimmy Jacobs, Holoram & Tomohiro Ishii defeating MXM Collection, Trish Adora overcoming Aleya James, and The Outrunners besting JD Drake & Anthony Henry – offer a crucial glimpse into how AEW is strategically utilizing its ROH acquisition to cultivate talent and reshape its mid-card landscape.
Beyond the Spoilers: A Focus on Rising Stars
While spoilers often focus on who won, the more compelling story here is who is getting the opportunity. These aren’t main event caliber clashes (yet), but they’re precisely the kind of matches that build momentum. The prominence given to Blake Christian, for example, is noteworthy. He’s a consistently impressive performer who’s been steadily gaining traction, and a win over a veteran like Jimmy Jacobs on an ROH platform is a significant vote of confidence. This isn’t just about a single match; it’s about a pattern of investment in wrestlers poised for a breakout.
The Importance of Tag Team Diversity
The tag team division is often the backbone of any wrestling promotion, and the Holoram & Tomohiro Ishii victory over MXM Collection highlights AEW’s commitment to diversifying its tag team offerings. Bringing in talent like Ishii, a respected veteran from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, instantly elevates the competition and provides a different stylistic dynamic. MXM Collection, while losing here, remains a strong team, and the match itself likely served to showcase both groups’ abilities. Expect to see more cross-promotional pairings and a deliberate effort to avoid tag team stagnation.
Women’s Division Momentum: Adora’s Ascendancy
Trish Adora’s win over Aleya James is a positive sign for the ROH women’s division. Adora has a unique presence and a compelling in-ring style, and consistent victories are essential for building her credibility. The ROH platform allows AEW to showcase women’s talent in a slightly different context, potentially attracting a new audience and providing more opportunities for development. This match isn’t just a win for Adora; it’s a statement about AEW’s intention to invest in the future of its women’s division across all brands.
The Outrunners: A Rising Force in the Lower Card?
The Outrunners’ victory over the formidable JD Drake & Anthony Henry is perhaps the most surprising result of the tapings. Drake and Henry are established, hard-hitting competitors, making this win a significant upset for the younger team. This suggests AEW is willing to take risks and elevate newer acts quickly. It’s a classic example of using established names to build the reputation of up-and-coming talent. Don’t be surprised to see The Outrunners featured more prominently in the weeks to come.
ROH as a Development League – and a Competitive Advantage
The key takeaway from these tapings isn’t the individual results, but the overarching strategy. AEW is effectively using ROH On HonorClub as a developmental platform, a proving ground for talent looking to make a bigger impact on the AEW roster. This allows AEW to experiment with storylines, refine characters, and build momentum without the pressure of Wednesday night Dynamite. This is a smart move, particularly given the depth of talent currently on the AEW roster. It also provides a competitive advantage, allowing AEW to cultivate stars that other promotions simply don’t have access to.
Furthermore, the ROH brand itself benefits from this symbiotic relationship. By leveraging AEW’s resources and reach, ROH is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, attracting both longtime fans and new viewers. This is a win-win scenario for both promotions, and it’s likely we’ll see even more integration between the two brands in the future. The question now is how AEW will balance the need to develop talent with the desire to maintain the integrity and unique identity of both ROH and AEW.
What are your predictions for the future of ROH under the AEW umbrella? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
