Column of Honor: 05.23.09: Flair Game

Posted by Ari Berenstein on 05.23.2009

What Ric Flair’s inevitable return to the ring means for ROH and then five important questions regarding ROH’s summer season: Who will be the first two-time champion? What will happen to Tyler Black and Jimmy Jacobs after they feud? All that, a bone to pick with the way Colt Cabana debuted on HDNet and more...



Ring Toss
- Flair Game
-Questions about ROH in Summer 2009
-ROH News
-ROH Call
-Honorarium
-My Fave 5
-Get with the pROHgram
-Ringtones
-ROH @ 411
-Honor Bound Links


Ric's Return is Flair Game

Last week, Ric Flair stated in an interview that he had the "itch" to come back to wrestling...no, not as a general manager or an "ambassador" to a wrestling company, but as an active competitor. Lo and behold, the next week Flair made a surprise run-in appearance for WWE's Judgement Day Pay Per View, making the save for Dave Batista, one of his in-storyline and real life protégés. His participation at this PPV and on the following night's Monday Night Raw program all but indicates that he will at some point is making an official in-ring return.

It has been fifteen months since Flair's last match, who was supposed to be his last match. What has kept Flair from wrestling since then was the massive amount of respect he has for Shawn Michaels and for their hard-work in performing with each other back at Wrestlemania XXIV. Flair gave Michaels that last match and has not wanted to take it away from him. Meanwhile, WWE gave Flair one of the classiest send-offs in wrestling history on the Monday Night Raw the night after 'Mania XXIV. It was an emotional farewell to Flair, one that was so moving that many have thought it would be forever ruined if Flair were to come back for another match.

Yet Flair has the urge again...and that compulsion, that addiction to wrestling, is worth it enough to him to put in jeopardy the timelessness and extraordinary moments of one year ago.

Flair did not leave the world of professional wrestling after retirement. He made his way around the independent circuit, doing autograph signings, special in-ring promos and confrontations with wrestlers and so on. He has even been physically involved in programs for WWE, most recently six weeks ago in the build up to Wrestlemania XXV. Flair took a massive beat down courtesy of Chris Jericho as a way to build heat for the Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka three-on-one match on that show. However, he has never "officially" returned to competition, although he has received many offers previously from countless independent and international wrestling companies. This time he says, the offers that are coming in, especially from overseas, are so lucrative that it would be insane to turn them down. So Flair went to WWE and said he was ready to come back, whenever they needed him...and WWE so happened to need him right now. Triple H was on the verge (or maybe already past the point) of becoming overexposed and the audience needed a breather from the HHH vs. Randy Orton feud. Enter Batista in order to bridge the gap between Triple H's exit and return...and following him, Ric Flair. Next week Ric Flair will have a special "confrontation" with Randy Orton, because as he puts it "just because I'm retired doesn't mean I can't fight."

Flair is now in a very unique position in the wrestling world. He is maybe the only wrestler to make television appearances for two different wrestling companies. Flair is not only on WWE television but currently is making multiple appearances for Ring of Honor on the HDNet television show as its ambassador. This is a pretty mind-blowing situation, and I don't think WWE would let it happen with anyone else besides Ric Flair and certainly not for one of its regularly-contracted talent. The only situation I can think of that is similar to this involving ROH would be when Matt Hardy re-signed with WWE and was still allowed to make his previously scheduled bookings with ROH during the summer of 2005. Still, everyone knew at that point that Hardy's long term future was back with the WWE, and Flair's long-term future with WWE is still yet-to-be-determined. Flair still has a deal with Ring of Honor for multiple appearances past those shows and beyond what will likely be his appearances for WWE.

ROH on HDNet actually teased Ric Flair's return to the ring on its Facebook page by asking its members who they would like to see Flair wrestle if he were to come out of retirement. I would suggest though that any ROH fans banking on Ric Flair perhaps making a competitive in ring return for Ring of Honor should think again. First of all, the bid prices for Flair to return to the ring being made by the international wrestling companies are reported to be incredibly high. It is a huge reach to think that ROH would be able to match a high-money offer or asking price to do a match. Plus, even if they do have those kinds of resources, they shouldn't necessarily spend it on a one-off return for Flair. As I've stated in previous columns, they should be reinvesting any money back into the company or making better offers to the talent in order to make sure they can keep their headline names. Even though guys like Danielson and McGuinness are not renewing their contract, it should be a priority for ROH to offer enough to these guys to make it worthwhile for them to stay on the independent scene and not sign with either WWE or TNA.

Secondly, Flair is extremely loyal to WWE...and he is likely not to wrestle for anyone else on the North American wrestling scene besides them. He wouldn't want to permanently burn any bridges back to WWE, especially when his son Reid could still have a future in wrestling in the years to come.

Speaking of his son Reid, Flair has admitted in interviews that one of the major reasons he signed the deal with ROH was to help Reid break into the business. Reid was scheduled to make a debut for ROH this June. However, his recent arrest for alleged heroin possession and use has blown those plans for now. ROH did not want to use Reid given his current situation and his obvious need to deal with his problems. That was the right decision for them (and likely for the best--Reid's inexperience in the business and the critical nature of the ROH fanbase wouldn't have made for a healthy combination). However, one must now ask how long Flair will choose to stick around ROH given that his son won't be given those sought-after opportunities it seemed like he would have received?

ROH fans have deliberated back and forth about the use of Flair in the company, whether or not he had his heart into it or if it was just for the money and for his son. ROH wanted to sign Flair to a longer-term deal because of his name value and star power. In the short-term that worked, boosting attendance to several shows in newer markets. Then ROH signed Flair to a series of television appearances, where he would put over the wrestlers in his promos and interactions. It has seemingly helped Austin Aries, who has played off of Flair's role on the show very well (in that you look in the mirror and see a reflection of a younger, punk-ass Ric Flair in Aries' current style and attitude) and less so for the ROH World Champion Jerry Lynn, who is coming off as not even in Flair's league. At times Lynn almost seems to be pandering for Flair's approval on the show. Meanwhile, Lynn has racked up a series of very good to great title defenses as of late, and that's where the attention should be paid for his title run.

Ric Flair in ROH hasn't lit the world on fire…but given he wasn't going to be wrestling for them it shouldn't have been expected to be this life-changing moment in the history of ROH. His appearances are noteworthy, but not "game-changers". Neither then, should the first appearance of Bret Hart in Toronto later in the summer. He won't be wrestling and he certainly won't play the ambassador / GM role for the company. However, Hart and Flair's appearances that weekend will sell some extra tickets for the company and it will be pretty cool if he and Bryan Danielson end up in the same ring in the same time, chanting along to "The Final Countdown". Other than that though, ultimately fans shouldn't get their hopes up too much to see any kind of physical interaction between Bret Hart and say, one of the heels on the roster. Likewise, Flair may give or take a punch or a chop, but there isn't much of a chance ROH will play host to one of his return bouts.

Meanwhile Lance Storm will be coming out of retirement that same weekend. It's been almost two years since his last match, but he is training hard to make his return count. His return seems to be pumping even more excitement and buzz back into ROH, especially since he looks to be set to continue the angle from last year involving Chris Hero and members of the former Sweet & Sour Incorporated. I think Storm will be very successful in his return to the ring. He is twenty years younger than Flair, less road-weary and has lived an incredibly clean life. He fits in quite well with the in-ring style of ROH and I think his return will end up being a success. I have no problems with him returning to the ring after a longer absence than Flair.

Conversely, as a long-time Flair fan, I am of two minds when it comes to his in-ring return. On the one hand, it's a bit much for me to say that anyone shouldn't do what they love for their profession. I wouldn't want anyone telling me that I "can't" do something. Even at sixty years old, Flair would be in-line with some of his contemporaries who are still wrestling. Wrestling isn't like baseball or basketball in that there is a definitive age range where a ballplayer knows his time on the field is up. Terry Funk, Jimmy Snuka and Jerry Lawler continue to perform in the ring, to varying levels of success, well into their later fifties and sixties. Who's to say that Flair shouldn't be doing the same?

However, I do worry about Flair's health and physical condition as he prepares for his return to the ring. Flair has stated in interviews that he is only one pound less than he weighed last year and that he is still in great condition for a man of his age and has been blessed with great health. I just can't help but think that maybe he should count his blessings and quit while he's ahead. At sixty years old and given his partying lifestyle of years gone by that Flair is still alive and kicking and has all of his physical and mental faculties is a marvel. I know that sounds morbid, but when so many wrestlers die young due to drugs or heart conditions and the like, that Flair had none of those problems was a major victory. Yet it shouldn't be taken for granted that his health and quality of life will continue…who knows what happens once Flair starts taking bumps again, over a long period of time? One wrong move or mishap and it could a very bad injury or long nights of pain in store for Flair. Why would he risk all of that, when he could just continue raking in the dough through his various signings and appearances?

Shawn Michaels once remarked on Raw, in character, that old line about "just when I thought I got out, they pulled me back in." The addiction of being a wrestler, of being in that spotlight and getting the masses to cheer your name is very hard to shake off. Flair did not detox from the world of professional wrestling, and so that desire to come back to the ring never went away. In a manner of thinking, this moment in wrestling history was inevitable. Fans already know that almost everyone in wrestling comes out of retirement if they are physically capable. Flair will not be the exception, no matter how much fans like me want to hold onto the purity of his retirement celebration from last year.



Questions About Ring of Honor for Summer 2009

1. What will happen to Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black after they finish their war?

Black was a former member of The Age of the Fall and a believer in the cause, until Jimmy Jacobs turned on him and kicked him out of the group for going soft and trying to give the fans what they want. Jimmy kicked Tyler in the balls as a going away present and the two have been feuding ever since. It hasn't been the intense feud that might have been expected at the beginning of this all, certainly not on the level of mind games that we saw in the Aries vs. Jacobs feud in 2008. Black has dominated most of the singles and tag matches throughout the last four months, while Jacobs was able to strike back by spiking Tyler Black and bloodying him up badly last month in Chicago. Now there are two "end-all, be-all" matches to put this feud to rest: a First Blood match in New York and a Steel Cage match in Chicago. The question then, what becomes of both men after the feud?

If Tyler Black is the winner of these matches, then the victories and the likely high-quality performances that he would have given should be enough momentum to lift him back up to clear ROH World Title contention. At any rate he still has the "money in the bank" (SHHHHH don't call it that!) title shot to cash in if he should feel the need. As far as who he might feud with next, well despite finishing up his issue with Jacobs, Black still has to deal with Austin Aries, who slammed him with a chair back at Final Battle 2008 and who has vowed to antagonize Black as much as possible ever since then. Black also has a newfound alliance with Bryan Danielson based out of respect (even though one year ago their issues were based off of Black's disrespect for Danielson). If Danielson and Black are successful in unseating The American Wolves for the ROH World Tag Team Titles, then that takes both of them on a whole new track, defending those belts against the tag division which includes The Wolves, Steen & Generico, The Briscoes (once Mark comes back from injury) and the combination of Kenny King & Rhett Titus.

The more intriguing aspect of this feud lies within what happens to Jacobs, win or loss. If Jacobs wins via some nefarious plot or even just by outlasting his former friend, then that could send him all the way back up to the top of the contention rankings, not to mention his ego would begin to spiral out of control. There is already speculation that there could be a new member of The Age of the Fall that might help Jacobs worm his way to victory. If that happens, it could re-energize "the movement". Now if he loses the feud, then that just brings Jacobs' downward spiral of the last two years even lower, perhaps to the bottom. Jacobs' character has been constantly evolving and this loss could push him to the next stage of the character's "life".

Another, perhaps even more interesting option would be if Jacobs turned babyface out of this feud—turning Jacobs into a complete redemption story. After all, last year I theorized that the cycle of this character was of a boy going through the stages of development in human life. Jacobs has portrayed a naïve boy, a love struck teenager, a rebellious youth…why not a fully-matured and composed man?

2. Who will be the first two-time ROH World Champion: Austin Aries, Bryan Danielson or Nigel McGuinness?

It has been the subject of debate for years—there has never been a two-time ROH World champion in the history of the company. It's difficult enough to win the title in the first place and holding onto it is another matter entirely, but once someone loses it, no one has ever gotten it back.

That being said, it seems incredibly obvious that sometime in 2009 will see the first ever two-time champion. Three of the top four contenders (Tyler Black being the other) have all been World champion before. Austin Aries is the leader of the pack right now, with his new attitude giving him a renewed charisma and placement within the upper echelon of the singles division. The title match against Jerry Lynn on June 13th is perhaps the best opportunity to pull off the title switch and create the maximum effect possible to stir buzz and interest in the ROH product.

Bryan Danielson always has a shot at winning the ROH World Title, although these days he is more focused on winning the tag titles with Tyler Black. Regardless, a Danielson vs. Lynn series for the title wouldn't be out of the question since they have tangled before. These matches would likely be based out of respect and competition than anything else. Meanwhile Nigel McGuinness is just around the corner from returning from his injury and should immediately request a rematch against Jerry Lynn for the ROH World Title. McGuinness has already stated in promos on HDNet that he is going to be hunting for his title again, and if he defeats Lynn he will become a two-time champion.

So who will actually be the first one to make it to two? My money is on Austin Aries. He has the hot hand right now and could believably defeat Lynn through cheating and be booed for it. Aries as champion doesn't present as many opportunities for fresh title matches as Lynn retaining the title and defending it throughout much of the summer. Still, I'd say Aries has a great shot at winning the title in New York City.

3. Will Death Before Dishonor VII: Legends Edition be more memorable for the legends or for the wrestling?

Ric Flair, Bret Hart and Lance Storm will all be a part of what has been labeled the "legends edition" of the seventh annual Death Before Dishonor show. More names could be signed but even for now, those are all large "gets". Hart's booking is the one that begot the Storm appearances and matches. Canada fans are going to love to see those two Canadian wrestlers, but the key here is will the matches on the card be better than the special appearances of these legends? I guess it all depends on what the matches will be…and while it's too soon to tell title matches and the like, ROH should want to put their best foot forward on this weekend. It's ROH's return to Toronto city limits proper in a year and they definitely deserve a great show. My guess is that Storm's matches, like either teaming with or wrestling with Lynn on one show and fighting Chris Hero on another, could go a long way towards making these shows a "must-see".

4. Will Ric Flair last the summer as ROH ambassador?

Given that Flair is looking to go on his coming-out-of-retirement tour, I expect Flair will not be long for the ROH world after this Summer's scheduled appearances. If he does go through with the international tour, then he will be spending a lot of time elsewhere. How then, do you write him out of storylines? I think the easiest way would be a vicious attack by a dastardly heel, putting him out of action and out of ROH. That man would be Austin Aries, who is already building up a connection to Flair through recent interactions on the television show. It would be very fitting of Aries' new character if he were to be the one to run Flair out of the company. He is that level of asshole heel right now that would do that and benefit greatly from the heat. It would also add onto whatever feud is building between he and Lynn or lead to an easy program with Aries involving any other face who comes in to save "The Nature Boy".

5. Which wrestlers will work their way into full-time spots for the company?

ROH's roster is swelling with talent. What they've done is split the wrestler into two main groups—the dedicated "core" talent that appears on most of the shows, and the local talent that appears for ROH within certain regions of their touring circuit. ROH has also begun to book some of the bigger names currently available on the independent scene and formerly within WWE and TNA. D-Lo Brown will be back during the summer for multiple appearances, likely continuing his heel turn that began back at Seventh Anniversary Show. ROH has signed Petey Williams to at least one show and Sonjay Dutt to several after his run was met with positive (but not overwhelming) response in early May. Shawn Spears is coming in after being misused on WWE's ECW show and if he can impress then he may end up with more bookings as well. Meanwhile, independent favorites like Eddie Kingston, Joey Ryan and the team of Cheech and Cloudy are also slowly but surely making themselves noticed in ROH. So who will be making the best of impressions and work their way to a full-time gig?

I think Joey Ryan is well on his way there. He has been programmed in with Prince Nana and The Embassy, thus ensuring that as a part of a larger gang he could be used in multiple tags and factional warfare. His "sleazy" gimmick is also a perfect contrast to the idea of "honor" that has been the foundation of the face vs. heel interactions since the beginning of the company in 2002.

Otherwise, no one else really seems to be in the lead for the full-timer's club. Kingston should be used full-time, as his character, promo-work and the flexibility in being programmed as a face or heel all make him a really good value pick. As far as Dutt, Williams, and Brown go, they all have their uses and can provide some nice matches against the established ROH talent, but my guess is that unless they get long-term agreements or contracts from ROH (which doesn't seem to be happening anymore), that they will stick to special appearances and if WWE or TNA happens to come calling, they will gladly answer.

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Honored News

Jerry Lynn vs. Austin Aries for the ROH World Title signed for June 13th in NYC; D-Lo Brown signed to June 19th & 20th HDNet tapings; Jon Davis's surgery successful but intensive; Shawn Spears will debut for ROH on June 12th in Manassas; Jay Briscoe vs. Guido Maritato signed for June 13th

Tyler Black vs. Jimmy Jacobs in a Steel Cage match June 26th in Detroit, MI; El Generico has meniscus tear, but will not have surgery, will return to ROH action on the next set of HDNet tapings May 29th & 30th; Steen & Generico vs. Youngbucks in Manassas; Danielson vs. Black III signed for HDNet tapings; Black vs. Lynn in a non-title match in Manassas; Nigel McGuinness will appear (but not wrestle June 12th and 13th); Necro Butcher vs. Jimmy Rave in NYC

Four Corner Survivals signed: Austin Aries vs. Roderick Strong vs. D-Lo Brown vs.Eddie Edwards for Manassas; Colt Cabana vs. Bryan Danielson vs. D-Lo Brown vs. Claudio Castagnoli in New York City; Jacobs and Black will appear in Chicago but won't have matches signed until after their finale; Colt Cabana featured in Chicago Jewish News

The Big News: Time Warner Cancels HDNet, For Real This Time

Time Warner Cable announced that it would cease running the HDNet and HDNet Movies channels starting on May 31st, 2009. TWC and HDNet had been negotiating over the last few months over the status of the cable channels. At one point about six weeks it had threatened to remove the channel, but that was pushed back for more discussions. Now it seems that HDNet will be gone for real this time, eliminating a large chunk of its subscriber base. In addition to ROH programming, HDNet is also a hub for independent and international MMA events as well as live concert specials.

The loss of the reach of Time Warner systems will hurt ROH's attempts to expand to a larger audience, losing a subscriber base of 8.7 million homes. However, the channel will continue in its availability on the satellite DISH networks and Mark Cuban is trying to rally the troops.

ROH initially had a six-month agreement with HDNet but actually re-upped their deal (according to the Wrestling Observer). In the meantime, tapings and angles are continuing on as planned.


ROH Call

ROH Champions—As of 05/23/2009

ROH World Champion—Jerry Lynn (champion since 04/03/09, 6 successful defenses)


-defeated Nigel McGuinness in Houston, Texas via pinfall to win the championship.

Next Defense: vs. Austin Aries (06/13/09, New York, NY)

V.1 Four Corner Survival: defeated Bryan Danielson, D-Lo Brown and Erick Stevens (04/04/09, Houston, TX)
V.2 Four Corner Survival: defeated Bryan Danielson, Austin Aries and Jimmy Jacobs (04/10/09, Philadelphia, PA, airs June 6th, 2009)
V.3 defeated Roderick Strong (04/24/09, Dayton, OH)
V.4 defeated Colt Cabana (04/25/09, Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.5 defeated Chris Hero (05/08/09, Boston, MA)
V.6 defeated Jay Briscoe (05/09/09, Edison, NJ)

**

ROH World Tag Team Champions—American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) (champions since 04/10/09, 3 successful defenses)


-defeated Kevin Steen & El Generico on April 10th, 2009 in a Tables are Legal match in Philadelphia, PA to win the championship. The match will air on May 30th, 2009.

Next Defense: vs. Kevin Steen & El Generico (06/13/09, New York, NY)

V.1 fought to a 45-minute draw against Bryan Danielson & Tyler Black (04/18/09, Markham, ONT, Canada) *champions retain on a draw.
V.2 defeated Kevin Steen & Jay Briscoe (04/25/09, Chicago Ridge, IL)
V.3 defeated Bryan Danielson & Kevin Steen (05/09/09, Edison, NJ)

**

Top Feuds & Pairings:

-Jerry Lynn as the new ROH World Champion
-Tyler Black vs. Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Jacobs
-Tyler Black has a title shot "in his back pocket"
-Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright
-Necro Butcher vs. The Embassy
-Prince Nana & The Embassy vs. Bryan Danielson & Colt Cabana
-Claudio Castagnol is now an "associate" of The Embassy


ROH Home Theatre Station
ROH Videowire: May 19th, 2009



Kingston calling out for Chris Hero is a perfect character touch. Also…Richards and Edwards are TRAPPED IN A BOX! Of tremendous size!

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Honorarium

-I'm wondering what the deal is with the future of ROH on pay per view. No announcements have been made about any future tapings and ROH's PPV deal is in fact up after the next show, Take No Prisoners 2009 airs in June. Could this be the end of ROH on Pay Per View for right now?

If it is, then while it would be an obvious blow to ROH in that it is the loss of a revenue stream, there would be some clear benefits of no longer taping for PPV. First and foremost would be the easing of continuity issues that have plagued ROH over the last few years. Scheduling and working around taping and then airing the PPV has at times limited the company's ability to properly promote and hype the shows, as well as leading to confusion and questioning about plot points.

Mike Campbell wrote to me a while ago asking me how I sorted out the continuity issues in ROH. I likened it to reading the Spider-Man comic book series, of which there were many titles that are all interconnected in an overall continuity but tell different stories generally based around the same timeframe. Events were mentioned from other books while each title still told its own story. I believe that may be the best way to look at ROH on TV, DVD and PPV, even though I believe it doesn't have to be that way. With the seeming elimination of PPV broadcasts, the line between the TV shows and the DVD product will be clearer and stronger, and the time delay between what is taped for TV can be more easily managed.

-Time to take ROH to task—Colt Cabana's debut on the HDNet show was a joke, and I don't mean in that funny Colt Cabana way. I mean it was frustratingly disastrous to watch. OF ALL PEOPLE, they show Colt's debut in clipped format, with Dave Prazak and Mike Hogewood talking over his promo. WHAT—THE—HELL? You mean one of the better talkers on the roster, who is making his debut on television—is being dubbed over? This is a mistake TNA would make and get this, a mistake that even WWE DIDN'T make. Cabana may not have been long for that world, but hey at least he was able to cut a promo without being interrupted during his debut as Scotty Goldman on Smackdown. This is an inexcusable mistake on the part of whoever produced that segment and one you don't get to take back. Even worse, the next time we get to see Colt is him running in to help make the save for Brent Albright. Colt is wearing street clothes and the camera doesn't even get a good shot of his face! No doubt about it, ROH and HDNet got this one wrong, way wrong.

-UFC 2009 Undisputed is no doubt one of the best fighting games around--I have become addicted quite quickly to this one--its gonna stay inside the X-Box 360 console for sometime to come. The best thing about the career mode is how motivated you become when you play it--you want to win as much as possible, and when you don't it makes you want to work that much more to rebound and get your career going again. I've amassed an 11-4 record with my Create-A-Fighter, lightweight kickboxing specialist Gibbs "The Doctor" Halladay and while I've had some bad losses (included to Houston Alexander and Wanderlei Silva) I've also had some fantastic wins and knock-outs thus far, including W's against Tito Ortiz. Although for the life of me, I cannot finish a submission attempt. Any suggestions from those who have played?

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Going Home



1 . Jeff Hardy: If he is leaving WWE at the end of the summer, at least he is going out with a bang. Hardy has elevated his game so much these past few months and has so much momentum with the fans that it is almost a shame he could be gone soon. If he does stay, then his great efforts against Edge and others on the Smackdown roster should not go overlooked.
2 .Chris Jericho: He continues to push himself and his opponents in the ring, creating some good quality wrestling matches for television. This week it was back-to-back efforts against CM Punk that made for great professional wrestling viewing.
3. Chavo Guerrero and Vicki Guerrero: The visual of Chavo trying to get his aunt to frog splash him OFF A COUCH and later on Vicki's AWESOME celebration of winning the Miss Wrestlemania crown may have been the greatest one-two combination of "Sports Entertainment" this week. Yes, even better than Hornswoggle and Goldust.
4. Ric Flair: He had so much enthusiasm and energy this past Monday. He was both "Series Flair" in his encounter with Randy Orton and then later it was the "Crazy Old Man Flair" act of old that has proven to be exceedingly entertaining. All that was missing was him elbow dropping the canvas. He is certainly trying to convince everyone through his efforts that his comeback is going to work out.
5. The Great Khali: Oh man, I'm sure this one is going to blow some minds, hell maybe even my own. Hey, I actually dig Great Khali as a babyface… and angry Khali marching down to the ring in order to try to lay a whupping on Dolph Ziggler is very entertaining. It's just fun trying to see if he can actually catch up to Dolph! As an aside, if you listen very carefully to Dolph's music, you can actually imagine the phaser sound effects are saying "Dolph Dolph Dolph Dolph"! Or maybe I'm on whatever Paul London is on…


Get With the pROHgram:

Available Now: The Seventh Anniversary Show on pre-order.

Tonight: ROH on HDNet main events with Necro Butcher & Delirious vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Brodie Lee as well as the first televised match between longtime-rivals Eddie Kingston and Chris Hero.

May 30th, 2009: ROH on HDNet main events with Steen & Generico vs. The American Wolves for the ROH World Tag Team Titles

June 12th, 2009: ROH returns to Manassas, Virginia with Jerry Lynn vs. Tyler Black and special appearance from Ric Flair.

June 26th, 2009: ROH returns to Detroit, Michigan for the Tyler Black vs. Jimmy Jacobs blow-off in a cage match.


Ringtones

Is Necro Butcher some sort of deranged red neck?

Posted By: son of pillman (Guest) on May 17, 2009 at 03:06 PM

YES.


I'd love to see an Aries vs Ryan vs Hero match were the loser must shave. That would really pop the gate.

Of your match predictions, I think the 6 man tag and Kingston/Necro are the most likely.

I see what you mean with Black/Ryan, but part of whats diminishing Blacks original hot streak is he just always seems to be in matches were he comes out on the losing end after numerous nearfalls. A feud with a guy like Ryan who would almost have to always cheat to win to continue would almost certainly retain that same problem for Black.

I was thinking some kind of story where Ryan really does "bring sleazy back" and runs roughshot over ROH. It would some how lead to Lynn dropping the belt to Ryan's "friend" Austin Aries (would it be that hard to establish a friendship?), starting a feud between Ryan and Lynn playing off the veteran versus man with no respect (which is what they tried to do with Nigel, but it could work much better here).

Meanwhile you have Black chase the title, setting up at Final Battle:

Black vs Aries for the title.
Lynn vs Ryan in a fight without honor

Posted By: Denton56 (Guest) on May 17, 2009 at 05:03 PM

NO hair vs. hair vs. hair matches! Keep the Order of the Beard going…we must protect this house!

I definitely agree with your points on Black vs. Ryan and to be honest, I'm not sure what it's going to take to get Black's momentum and buzz back where it was last year. Maybe the moment is gone for now, or maybe if he starts building up clear and decisive wins he can get back into believable contention for the title.

I am hoping that there is the beginning of some new, overarching storyline that places ROH in jeopardy. This could have been done so many times already with other heel stables, but Aries and Ryan running the place and bringing dishonor and sleaze to the fore would be a fantastic angle. It might even bring some huge passion out of the crowds.


ROH@411

J.D. Dunn unleashed an ONSLAUGHT of new ROH reviews for the 2009 shows. Here's what we got: Full Circle (Black vs. McGuinness), Injustice II (Black vs. McGuinness for the ROH World Title), Motor City Madness 2009 (American Wolves vs. Steen & Generico for the ROH World Tag Team Titles), Caged Collision (Steel Cage Warfare), Proving Ground 2009 Night One (Richards vs. Black), and Proving Ground 2009 Night Two (Generico vs. Danielson, D-Lo Brown vs. McGuinness for the ROH World Title).

Larry Csonka has the play-by-play for last week's ep of ROH on HDNet as well as the 4R's about the show.

Jake Chambers takes a recent Black vs. Danielson match to task in his Match A Day column.


Honor Bound Links

No Buy or Sell quickies this week as there were no real important direct or indirect connections to ROH, but you can catch Jason Smeall and Alex Mattis discussing PWG, CHIKARA and more right here.

DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK…or a Ric Flair unretirement tour, but Bayani Domingo still knows how to bring the goods.

Michael Weyer examines the glut of PPVs and why like ice cream and hookers, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Wait.

Kevin Ford continues to contemplate CHIKARA, including their Anniversario weekend.

Also be sure to check out Jerome Cusson's Pro Wrestling Pondering's blog, where he and Kevin also are beginning a podcast. I will be a guest sometime this week, so be sure to check that out.


Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone--don't forget the BBQ!

BROOKLYN! NANA!

--Ari--