According to the Wrestling Observer, last Saturday's Ring of Honor show at the Hammerstein Ballroom drew 1,600. A good number for ROH but significant in that it was the first Hammerstein show not to sell out the venue's 1,800 seat capacity since 2013 (keeping in mind that there was a two-year break from the venue). 2013 was when Kevin Owens/Steen was in the midst of an awkward anti-authority kick.
The difference of 200 seats is nothing financially significant in and of itself. Those seats were in the cheapest section of the venue, back of the second level balcony. I believe seats in that area were $35, so a lost opportunity for about $7,000 in ticket sales (and some merchandise money). More meaningful is that the demand was not there. The last couple of ROH shows in the venue each sold out at a quick velocity (weeks in advance) and there was a demand for more tickets than the venue can hold.
Why didn't this show sell out and what can we learn?
1. The ticket snafu. For the first several days of public on-sale, all tickets in the building were listed as $103. This was not corrected until several days later. ROH management never got ahead of the issue and announced on the website or social media that there was an error.
2. The card wasn't released until late. This is a challenge for most TV tapings but there was nothing for fans to sink their teeth into.
3. CMLL stars as the outside attractions. To the right audience, stars from Mexico can be a real draw but ROH just threw the names out there. In fact, the main event didn't even take place as scheduled (how long did ROH know in advance that Dalton Castle wasn't cleared again?)
4. TV Taping. TV tapings have the reputation of being overly long and having lower profile matches. It's hard to come into a marquee event city like New York without your best efforts.
5. Earlier return date than usual. ROH returned to the Hammerstein after 3 months. Personally, I feel this is the least likely reason for less demand as quarterly is a worthwhile schedule to attempt in New York.
Lavie Margolin is the author of TrumpMania: Vince McMahon, WWE and the making of America’s 45th President. Tweet the author: @Laviemarg
The difference of 200 seats is nothing financially significant in and of itself. Those seats were in the cheapest section of the venue, back of the second level balcony. I believe seats in that area were $35, so a lost opportunity for about $7,000 in ticket sales (and some merchandise money). More meaningful is that the demand was not there. The last couple of ROH shows in the venue each sold out at a quick velocity (weeks in advance) and there was a demand for more tickets than the venue can hold.
Why didn't this show sell out and what can we learn?
1. The ticket snafu. For the first several days of public on-sale, all tickets in the building were listed as $103. This was not corrected until several days later. ROH management never got ahead of the issue and announced on the website or social media that there was an error.
2. The card wasn't released until late. This is a challenge for most TV tapings but there was nothing for fans to sink their teeth into.
3. CMLL stars as the outside attractions. To the right audience, stars from Mexico can be a real draw but ROH just threw the names out there. In fact, the main event didn't even take place as scheduled (how long did ROH know in advance that Dalton Castle wasn't cleared again?)
| Me with Joe Koff at the Hammerstein |
4. TV Taping. TV tapings have the reputation of being overly long and having lower profile matches. It's hard to come into a marquee event city like New York without your best efforts.
5. Earlier return date than usual. ROH returned to the Hammerstein after 3 months. Personally, I feel this is the least likely reason for less demand as quarterly is a worthwhile schedule to attempt in New York.
Lavie Margolin is the author of TrumpMania: Vince McMahon, WWE and the making of America’s 45th President. Tweet the author: @Laviemarg
