Matt Taven believes in Ring of Honor's roster.
Ahead of ROH's 19th Anniversary Show, Taven sat down with the Wrestling Perspective Podcast to discuss his career, the event, and all the cross-promotional synergy that's been on display in recent months between AEW, NJPW, and IMPACT. Asked if he thinks ROH should sit back and do their own thing, which could potentially drive more eyes to their product as anticipation for them to join the fray grows, Taven said the following:
"Well, I guess it's twofold, my answer is. I think we were the first one to do this because you saw New Japan, CMLL, NWA, you saw everyone come to Ring of Honor and we really opened that door for those promotions to kind of come into the United States in the first place. So, to me, that started with us. As far as right now, I would say that, like I said earlier, I feel like there's such a good product and once people, no matter what, if they jump in right now, they're going to get caught in that snowball. For my mindset, this roster up and down, I would grab them any day of the week and put them out there and be absolutely proud of the product because I think as much as it's interesting to bring people in here to have cross-promotional stuff, we have so much talent right here in these doors that we could put on the best product there is out there with just the guys we have in Ring of Honor, and I will die on that hill any day."
Taven is scheduled to face Vincent in an Unsanctioned Match at Ring of Honor's Anniversary Show on Friday, March 26. The blood feud between the two began nearly a year and a half ago when Vincent attacked Taven with an axe and sliced his head open. Vincent proceeded to lick the blood off his fingers. Matters have only escalated in the time since.
Here is a look at the updated card:
ROH World Championship
RUSH (c) vs. Jay LethalROH Pure Championship
Jonathan Gresham (c) vs. Dak DraperROH Tag Team Championships
La Faccion Ingobernable (Kenny King & La Bestia del Ring) (c) vs. The Foundation (Tracy Williams & Rhett Titus)EC3 vs. Jay Briscoe
ROH Television Championship - Dragon Lee Remains Champion If King Wins
Kenny King vs. Tracy WilliamsROH Six-Man Tag Team Championships
Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor, Moses & Kaun) (c) vs. MexiSquad (Bandido, Flamita & Rey Horus)Unsanctioned Match
Matt Taven vs. VincentMark Briscoe vs. Flip Gordon
Dalton Castle vs. Josh Woods
Four-Corner Survival Match
Danhausen vs. Eli Isom vs. Leon St. Giovanni vs. Brian Johnson
Fightful will have coverage of ROH 19th Anniversary beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Friday.
If you use any of the quotes above, please credit Wrestling Perspective Podcast with a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
