411’s Buy or Sell 11.06.09: SHIMMER’s 4th Anniversary, Chris Hero Not In The 2009 BOLA, Prince Nana Unleashes A Monster, And More!
Posted by Michael Bauer on 11.06.2009
This week, the 411 Wrestling Staff looks back at a busy weekend of Japanese Wrestling and prepares for Ring of Honor as Michael Bauer battles Alex Mattis in Buy or Sell!
Welcome everyone to Week 132 of BUY or SELL. For those of you who haven't been with us since the beginning, here's the Reader's Digest version of what this column is all about. BUY or SELL is very much like 411's long-running Fact or Fiction column. The main difference is that BUY or SELL focuses on topics like the U.S. Independent scene, Lucha Libre, Japanese Wrestling and pretty much anything else that isn't mainstream wrestling, WWE and or TNA. This allows for these areas to get a bit more press and for you, our loyal readers, to learn even more about the sport of professional wrestling.
Questions are sent out on Monday Night.
BANNER!
(Special thanks to Jasper Gerretsen)
Either MsChif or the Canadian Ninjas will drop their respective SHIMMER Championships during the 4th Anniversary Celebration.
Michael Bauer : BUY. Yes, MsChif has had a nice run with the SHIMMER title, considering it'e been defended less times than a WWE title changes hands nowadays. But let's face it, I'm kinda ready to see a new champion step up in the world of womens' wrestling. And while the Canadian Ninjas could drop the belts, I don't see it happening so fast, so I'd have to put the money on MsChif losing,
Alex Mattis : SELL. I sell this only on the basis that in my opinion SHIMMER has followed most of the formula that has been laid out by Ring Of Honor, and ROH has never used Anniversary shows to jumble up the title mix. MsChif has already shown that her title reign may be the best SHIMMER has witnessed yet and I don't expect her to lose her strap for quite some time. I suppose if a title were to change hands it would be the tag titles. Much like the rest of the indy scene, the tag titles bounce around the most. We won't know for sure until the event is over, but I'm not expecting SHIMMER's title scene to be any different.
0 for 1.
With KENTA injured, you would have expected Jushin Liger to win the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title.
Michael Bauer : BUY. Yeah, believe it or not, I would have thought that Liger as achampio in the short term would have been the best conclusion. I mean, as long as it was not Delirious winning, then the right decision would have been made. But Liger winning the belt, even in the twlight of his career, would have been a nice treat for everyone and could have made for a nice defense or two until the person you would holding the title was either ready for it or just got his shot and won. Besides, Japan isn't known for long title reigns, so it's not like the belt would have lost any value.
Alex Mattis : SELL. One could make the argument that it makes as much sense as any other option at the time but that doesn't mean I "expected" it. For starters, Liger last held the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title nearly six years ago and while still an icon in Puro, his status isn't as big as it once was. Kanemaru, on the other hand, been one of the top Jr. Heavyweight's of Japan since he won the inaugural title back in 2001. He has remained one of the top names in the division for the past decade and in the given situation I feel he was the better option.
0 for 2.
Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson will finally bring the IWGP Tag Team Titles back to Japan by beating Team 3D.
Michael Bauer : BUY. Huge Buy here and mainly because they need to get the IWGP Titles out of TNA fast. They are starting to become defended like a freaking TNA Title, which can only hurt the legacy of the titles. And yes, IWGP Titles have more legacy and history than anything TNA could ever shake a stick at. Bernard and Anderson have worked their butts off in Japan and are more than worthy of holding the titles.
Alex Mattis : BUY. These babies have been away from home for too long. TNA has been bouncing around for much longer than I expected them to, they've had their fun but not it's time to give them back. The duo of Bernard & Anderson may not be my personal favorite pairing but they have been working pretty well together and could make a run of things as champs.
As the last PWG World Champion, Chris Hero should have been booked in the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles.
Alex Mattis : SELL. The formula has already been laid out; Hero didn't want to use his rematch clause because entering to tournament would have required him to win four matches to get his title back. Hero will lay low and scout out the tournament and its participants, waiting to see who he will challenge. In the end this will work out much better as it will give PWG the chance to hype a big title match between Hero and the winner of BOLA.
Michael Bauer : BUY. Ok Alex, are you serious? I get the concept, but what if Hero never made it to the finals? Then he can easily say he never got his rematch, because he never actually competed in the actual match for the PWG World Title. To me, it adds onto what should be a Chris Hero heel turn in PWG, still builds up to him vs the BoLA winner, and doesn't take one of your best wrestlers out of the tournament.
1 for 4.
Prince Nana's "Monster," representing the Embassy, will not be Bison Smith.
Alex Mattis : BUY. I just don't see things going down that way. Maybe I've just got too much of a singular image of Smith; whatever the case I just don't see it happening. As much as I wish we could flashback to the days of Abyss being The Embassy's "monster," (serious how awesome would Necro-Abyss be!?!?) I must realize that that isn't going to happen. With all this being said, your guess is as good as mine as to who this "monster" is going to be.
Michael Bauer : BUY. This one was kinda telegrpahed from a mile away. Prince Nana says he gonna bring a beat and Necro's response is that he is ready for Bison. That right there tells me that in no way, shape, or form we will see Bison Smith. End of story.
2 for 5.
Katsuhiko Nakajima is a more than suitable replacement for KENTA with Ring of Honor this month.
Alex Mattis : BUY. Buy, buy, and buy again. Ok, I know KENTA has became an ROH regular, someone the fans love, and someone that many pay to see but some situations can't be changed and his injury is one of them. Nakajima had an incredible reception in his prior stint in ROH and endeared himself to the fans who weren't familiar with him yet. Being that Nakajima is nearly as important to NOAH as KENTA, it really shows their commitment to Ring Of Honor and their willingness to help them. This is the best case scenario coming from this bad situation and I expect it to deliver and leave all satisfied.
Michael Bauer : BUY. Yeah, I have to agree with Alex here. While, it would have been cool to have the new GHC Jr. Heavyweight Champion of even Liger before he shows up in California, Nakajima is someone that recent fans of Ring of Honor know of and actually remember. Furthermore, you need to think of the opponent here. You have Kenny Omega and El Generico facing Nakajima and both of them can fit very well into his style, so it's a huge win all around.
3 for 6!!
The 132nd edition of BUY or SELL finishes at 3 for 6 as Alex matches half the time with the master of Buy or Sell Ceremonies! Stay tuned for next week as two new people step up to the plate on Buy or Sell!
