Column of Honor 1.07.06
Posted by Ari Berenstein on 01.07.2006
Bryan Danielson and Chris Hero make the feuds of IWC web writers seem like a 14.4Kbps modem in comparison.
AND WE'RE BAAAACK!
Once again, Happy New Year and a tremendous Saturday to you. If it's Saturday and I've got a Ring of Honor T-Shirt on, then you know it must be time for the new edition of Column of Honor.
Now last week, in posting the special Final Column edition, I had no idea it would be so large that I would have to divide it into two parts and in fact I wrote so much that I actually had to cut some content out otherwise it would have been three and most likely Final Column 2005 would have been 411 Mania's First Column 2006. But hey, as a marketing plan, it worked for TNA. My guess is that this week's column will not in any way, shape or form match that length of column, as for some reason my new year's hangover has decided to wait one week to exact its revenge.
Okay, let's kick the year off with what's been a burning storyline developing for the January 14th show, but there is a huge question remaining:
Dragon vs. Hero: Does Dragon Speak For the Whole Promotion?
After a huge sparring of words and threats of action, it has been confirmed that ROH World Champion "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson will take on Chris Hero on January 14th. The often asked about and much requested appearance of Hero in an ROH wrestling event is actually going to happen, to delight of those who wanted to see this happen. For others, including the champ and Ring of Honor itself, perhaps this may become an example of the truth to the saying "be careful what you wish for". Chris Hero is not coming in to the company as a welcome hero to the wrestling world, but as a man embittered by the lack of opportunity in one of the top independent promotions of the world, on a mission to prove that he should have been the champion all along.
Hero will represent CZW in two matches on the 14th, Combat Zone Wrestling, the Philadelphia based promotion mostly known for its hardcore style and outrageous, death defying action. It is this company Hero represents with pride, given it is in that company he has the history of competing. Hero and Danielson fight on the CZW evening show and it WILL be a fight for sure. The anger and disrespect between the two has been obvious through video and online messages and there is no mistaking that there is some bad blood spreading between the two men. Then the two men will wrestle in a ROH ring, where the ROH World title is at risk of changing hands into another promotion.
This is the second event in a row that the ROH Title has been put in a vulnerable position by Bryan Danielson, whose open contract challenges have been spread to other promotions. Danielson has defended the belt against Steve Corino, representing HUSTLE and Chris Sabin, representing TNA. Danielson also successfully defended the ROH Title against Noamichi Marifuji at Final Battle 2005. If Marifuji would have won the title, the belt would have gone to Japan and defended in the Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion. Marifuji did state that he would come back to ROH to defend the belt in that situation, but Hero has made no such guarantees.
It seems that management doesn't have much of a problem with this sequence of events, but maybe they should. Danielson has been proving very erratic in behavior and temperament lately. No one questions his ability, which is top notch. He is ROH's elite technical wrestler and in no way is he one dimensional. He can brawl and he can out-think the best of them. However, Danielson's display of bravado in recent weeks could come back to haunt him. He has said repeatedly that the ROH title is "wrestling freedom" and he will defend the title and the honor of the company, but the cost of this all could be the loss of the very belt that Danielson defends—lost to the hands of another wrestler who represents another company.
This was ROH's worst nightmare when CM Punk threatened to take the title with him to WWE in the summer, and back then ROH did everything in its power to prevent that from occurring. Now, with one wrong move, one contract signed by a wrestler they don't know anything about, that very same nightmare scenario could occur and cost the company everything it spent the last four years building. Everything could change just like that, so again, I have to ask again, does ROH management approve of Dragon's decisions in this situation? And if they do, why?
It is clear that ROH Commissioner Jim Cornette has given his stamp of approval to Danielson's words and actions. However, Cornette may have clouded judgment in this situation. He, like Dragon feels a deep sense of commitment and love for ROH and what it represents, and he certainly wasn't happy to hear Hero's disparaging comments about ROH. I'm sure he, like the rest of ROH management and the locker room believe that Dragon can get the job done against Hero. However, the commissioner's responsibility must go deeper than having faith in a wrestler—one must look out for the best interests of the company. Is Cornette's dislike for Hero getting in the way of this?
On January 14th, 2006, Chris Hero could very well become ROH World Champion, take the belt to CZW and never return to defend the title. Then ROH would definitely be calling Hero's number to make appearances, but Hero wouldn't be answering them any time soon.
If Dragon does speak for the whole promotion, the whole promotion must be willing to pay the consequences for Dragon's words and deeds.
A Timeline of Dragon vs. Hero (via rohwrestling.com): Chris Hero will finally make his way into ROH on January 14th to challenge ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson for the title. Tickets are now at sale at ROHwrestling.com, by calling 215-781-2500 and at Ticketmaster outlets. This issue has been the talk of the internet. Here is a quick look at how this unique match was set up:
-ROH books April 8th as its return to Philadelphia
-ECWA Promoter Jim Kettner asks ROH to move its date, since he is running the Super 8 on April 8th just 30 minutes from Philadelphia. The Super 8 is Kettner's biggest show of the year and the only show that he doesn't want competition again.
-ROH management, out of respect for Kettner's 35 plus years in the business and the esteem of the Super 8, moves its event to the only available date of January 14th.
-This now puts ROH and CZW head-to-head. ROH and CZW work out a deal before the December 10th CZW "Cage Of Death" event to run a doubleheader on 1/14. CZW will be at the former ECW Arena with a 3:30pm belltime. The ROH event will be 20 minutes up I-95 at the National Guard Armory with a 8pm belltime. This will be a huge day for the Philadelphia wrestling scene as fans will be able to see two distinctly different cards.
-Chris Hero cuts a promo at CZW's "Cage Of Death" event that even CZW management didn't know about. Hero talks trash on ROH and ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson.
-ROH Commissioner Jim Cornette posts a video message on ROHwrestling.com warning Chris Hero that there will be consequences if he continues to talk trash.
-Hero responds with a scathing commentary in his live journal at ChrisHero.com, once again running down ROH and Danielson. Hero tells Danielson that he "knows where to find him" on 1/14. Hero also hints that he will win the ROH World Title and throw it in the garbage.
-Danielson sends in a video message to ROHwrestling.com saying that he and the ROH World Title are above CZW and he won't lower himself to wrestle in a CZW ring. However, Danielson states that he will go to CZW on 1/14 to fight Hero and that if Hero wants a title shot he can come to ROH and get one.
-Cornette sends CZW an open ROH World Title contract for Chris Hero.
-Hero signs the contract and will challenge Danielson for the World Title. Hero continues to insult ROH and Danielson with his latest live journal entry at ChrisHero.com. Here is Hero's commentary:
"What a difference a few weeks make. Who would ever think that Jim Cornette, someone of such alleged esteem, would even mention CZW by name, let alone send them an entire package? Well, he did, so you can be assured when Chris Hero is involved in something, the unthinkable can, and will happen.
What was in the package? Well, it wasn't ticking, so that was a good sign. The first thing I pulled out was an open contract for a ROH heavyweight title shot on January 14th. Said contract was already signed by, one, Bryan Danielson. Before I say whether or not I signed this open contract, let me point out how IDIOTIC of an idea it was for Bryan to allow Mr. Cornette to send this contract to CZW.
Bryan's signature is at the bottom of the document, right next to a blank slot, titled "Challenger." Hmm, I could have just went though the entire Combat Zone locker room and had anyone sign it. That's how ridiculous this is. How about Bryan Danielson versus the Necro Butcher? How about American Dragon versus Super Dragon? Imagine how many ROH fanboys would rip their hair out if Bryan accidentally got himself into a title defense against the father of CZW, John Zandig? Hell, I could have had Frank Talent sign the damn contract if I was that vindictive. I think Danielson's ego is getting in the way of rational thought. Yes, Chris Hero cast the first stone, but now, in desperation, Bryan Danielson is throwing every rock he can get his hands on without stopping and thinking to aim.
Sure, I could have let Eddie Kingston sign the contract and go on that night to wrestle for the ROH heavyweight title, but two things prevented me from doing so.
1.) I hate Eddie Kingston. Almost as much as I hate Ring of Honor.
2.) Chris Hero is the only wrestler in the Combat Zone that I am 100% sure can and will defeat Bryan Danielson on January 14th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
So, yes, I signed the contract. Somewhere pigs are flying, little internet kids are e-mailing and text messaging their friends and we will all see the debate shift from "Why hasn't Chris Hero wrestled for ROH?" to "Will Chris Hero even come back to ROH to defend his title?" I wonder how many of those threads will have to be deleted. Moving on...
The other article in the package was a video where American Dragon badmouthed CZW and Chris Hero. The video ended with a nice little touch, a montage of Danielson slapping around a variety of opponents: Christopher Daniels, Roderick Strong, Naomichi Marufuji. Well, last time I checked,I was a 6 foot, 5 inch, 230 pound professional wrestling machine. I've been everywhere, I've done everything and there's nothing that I can not do. I've beaten you before, Bryan, and this time will be no different.
You're willing to come to CZW and fight me on January 14th? When you step foot in our building I will make sure you leave a lot worse off than when you came in. Don't let your ego cause you an injury earlier in the day, it would be a shame. No sarcasm, I mean that. When I take your title, I want you at 100% so there will be no excuses. Bryan, your title is mine for the taking and you're too big of an egomaniac to even see it coming.
How poetic it'll be when the wrestler that was never good enough for Ring of Honor walks away from the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory in Philadelphia,the new and undisputed Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Champion.
I haven't always been the best, but now that I am the best, I plan on staying that way. See you on the 14th Danielson. It'll be nice meeting you too, Gabe.
-CH"
January 14th will be one of the most unique days in Philadelphia wrestling history. What will the crowd reaction be like when Bryan Danielson goes to CZW? What kind of atmosphere will there be when Hero finally steps foot in a ROH ring? Will Hero win the ROH World Title and throw it in the trash?
The impossible and unthinkable will happen when Danielson goes to CZW and Hero comes to ROH. This just proves that anything is possible on January 14th and that this will be one day that could change the history of two companies.
ROH Call
ROH Champions—As of 1/07/2005
ROH World Champion—American Dragon Bryan Danielson (champion since 9/17/05, 7 successful defenses)
ROH PURE Champion—Nigel McGuinness (champion since 8/29/05, 7 successful defenses)
ROH Tag Team Champions—Austin Aries and Roderick Strong (NEW CHAMPIONS since 12/17/05, no defenses)
Top 5 Rankings--January 2006 (via rohwrestling.com)
1) Jay Lethal
2) KENTA
3) Alex Shelley
4) Jimmy Rave
5) Christopher Daniels
Just Missed: Austin Aries, Roderick Strong, AJ Styles, Ricky Reyes, BJ Whitmer, Steve Corino
ROH News (via the ROHnewswire… and other sources when attributed)
The Fallout from New Years Word from the Mummers Parade in South Philadelphia is that demoted ROH announcer Jimmy Bower was seen making a complete public spectacle of himself this morning.
What an embarrassing way for ROH to start its new year. Bower's new year's resolution should be to go to AA meetings and get himself straightened out. Otherwise he might be demoted to bathroom attendant at all future ROH shows.
Trios Tournament Cut in Half This year's Trios Tournament 2006 in Dayton, OH on 1/27 will be a four team, single elimination tournament. Basically, there will be two semifinal matches in the first half of the show and the two winning teams will collide in the second half to determine who wins the Trios Tournament. Each member of the winning team will get to book themselves in any match they want on a future ROH show. The trio of Jack Evans, Matt Sydal and Jimmy Yang has already been announced.
This was the best move I think other than to spread the tournament around several shows. Less teams = better concentration of wrestlers per team. With GeNext +1, a contingent of DA EM BAH SEE!, perhaps The Rottweilers (led by Low Ki this time?) and another marquee team, the field is stronger. Addition through subtraction, works for me.
Match and Talent Announcements ROH's Fourth Anniversary Show on 2/25 in Edison, NJ just got bigger!!! AJ Styles and "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels with Allison Danger have been signed for this huge show. Tickets are on sale now and selling fast.
I think it just "feels right" for these two to be at the Anniversary show—like a sign of the things that have changed in the last two years.
Nigel McGuinness has said that he will defend the Pure Wrestling Title against only the best pure wrestlers. McGuinness said he has found someone worthy for a title defense on 1/14 in Philadelphia. It will be McGuinness vs. former ROH Tag Team Champion Tony Mamaluke for the Pure Title when ROH returns to Philly on 1/14!!!
Nigel has just gone overboard—he is not the be all and end all to the PURE division and if I were Jim Cornette I'd tell Nigel to pipe down and defend the belt against whoever he is told. This is clearly a thinly veiled excuse for Nigel to avoid Claudio Castagnoli and I for one am not buying a damn word that comes out of that tea-toiler's mouth.*
*Column of Honor wishes to apologize in advance to any of its readers from England. I love England, I just hate Nigel. I'm sure you understand.
The 1/14 FIP Heavyweight Title Match pitting Homicide vs. either Jack Evans or Roderick Strong will be under the jurisdiction of FIP's ANYTHING GOES style where the inmates run the asylum. The wrestlers call the shots in FIP. We will make sure you get the authentic FIP experience in Philly as FIP is bringing the famous FIP Mobile Studio to the National Guard Armory. The only question that remains is what kind of shape will Homicide's shoulder be in for this important title match?
This is great…I always wanted to meet the FIP Mobile Studio, I'm a big fan. As for Homicide vs. Evans, I expect something short and sweet and insane…and maybe a certain masked man who made his debut at Steel Cage Mayhem will return and exact some more vigilante justice. Just who is that masked man?
All six participants of the Six Man Mayhem for 1/14 in Philly have been announced. Six Man Mayhem provides non-stop, innovative, high-flying action. The first fall wins it and no tags are needed in this one. When someone leaves the ring, someone else can just come in. Oddly, Jim Cornette has added Adam Pearce to this match even though he doesn't fit the profile of the typical Six Man Mayhem competitor. This action-packed match will have Adam Pearce vs. Sal Rinauro vs. Azrieal vs. Jason Blade vs. Kid Mikaze vs. either Roderick Strong or Jack Evans (depending on what happens in FIP this weekend). This will be a great chance for rising talent to steal the show and really display all their skills.
Again, brilliant booking of Adam Pearce here. He is the "stopper" on all the high flying activity that we usually find in these matches. His Memphis Jerry Lawler esque style will essentially make him the heel of the match, especially if he refuses to do any high flying moves, thus pissing off the fans. Well, Pearce usually does a good job of pissing off the fans anyway, but this should be extra fuel to the fire. Otherwise, the talent for this match seems to be a good fit. Hopefully Rinauro will get the chance to shine through with his participation.
A big tag team grudge match has been signed for 1/28 in Cleveland. It will be Ace Steel & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chad Collyer & Nigel McGuinness!!! We'll have much more on this event that already features Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels in an Anything Goes match and Bryan Danielson vs. AJ Styles for the World Title (if Danielson is still champion, but either way this match will happen) in the upcoming weeks.
There has been some very effective but slow building up to this Ace Steel vs. Chad Collyer issue. First competing promos on recent ROH releases, and the added twist that Collyer has refused to go one on one again with Steel. That means that only way Steel can get to Collyer is through tag team (and probably multiple man/four corner survival) matches. Even in those matches, Steel has not had much or any ring time in with Collyer. The more he can't get his hands on him, the more his desire to avenge the chair shot from hell on 8/13 grows. Great, great setup, great execution so far, let's hope the issue gets some more attention as we head into the Chicago shows in late March and early April, right before Wrestlemania 22.
More Corny ROH Commissioner Jim Cornette will be more hands on in 2006 starting in January. Cornette is now set to be at all three of ROH's live events in January. You will see Cornette on 1/14 in Philadelphia, 1/27 in Dayton and 1/28 in Cleveland. Cornette says that he will personally make sure the fans get more than their money's worth at these shows. Cornette will be at these events to play a big role behind the scenes and inside the ring.
You can't but help to smile whenever Jim Cornette is in the house; the man always seems genuinely excited to be a part of the ROH product and his sense of humor and comic timing are always enjoyable. His role as commissioner has been fun, but with a more active role at the shows, Cornett's authority may about to go through its biggest challenges yet.
ROH VIDEOS! We said earlier in the week that videos on ROHwrestling.com were going to be a big part of ROH. Well, now we've taken things one step further. Check out ROHvideos.com to see the latest ROH videos, but please keep in mind the site is a work in progress. There is a new video now featuring the Samoa Joe vs. Christopher Daniels feud as it leads into their last ROH singles matches on 1/27 in Dayton and 1/28 in Cleveland. This feud has been going on since 2002 in ROH and the new video chronicles the entire rivalry.
Well, ROH had been constantly requested by fans to use videos online, and they responded in the summer by doing so. Now a sub site entirely dedicated to promoting the product through interactive videos is another step in the right direction. Now the next step would be to get some more free matches up there and showcase the product to new fans.
The Champ Is Preparing ROH World Champion Bryan Danielson is said to be relentlessly watching tapes of his first two singles matches against AJ Styles in ROH (All Star Extravaganza in 2002 and Main Event Spectacles in 2003) in anticipation of the title match later this month (of course Danielson has to get past Hero first). Both of these were considered among the best matches of that year. However, Danielson lost both matches. This will mark Styles' first ROH World Title match since losing to Samoa Joe at "War Of The Wire" in 2003. Can Styles finally reach the top throne in ROH? Will Danielson figure out a way to beat him? Find out when they collide for the World Title on January 28th in Cleveland.
Well, here is the champions' dilemma…in studying for his showdown with Styles, he may be underestimating his matches with Chris Hero, which could be extremely dangerous considering Hero is coming into this scenario with everything to gain and Dragon has everything to lose. Dragon has to become more prepared for how to deal with the challenges of being a champion; I don't know if becoming a tape-head is the right answer to this equation.
No One Likes A Test AJ Styles sent word that Matt Sydal better be ready for a test on 1/14 in Philadelphia. Styles' requested this match against Sydal, but we aren't sure why except that Styles wanted to "test" the Generation Next member. This will be a battle of two of the most athletic wrestlers going today!!!
Um…AJ…come here, let me talk to you…do you remember the way you "tested" Jimmy Rave? How you wanted to toughen him up and prepare him for ROH action? Do you remember…how Jimmy Rave turned his back on you and stole your move and tried to blind you with bug spray and wrapped a plastic bag around your head? Oh you do. You're still going to go through with the match, aren't you? Well…okay…just don't be so surprised with Sydal crashes a chair over your head.
Seriously…AJ doesn't have a lot of bedside manner when it comes to protégés.
BJ and the Samoan Samoa Joe says that BJ Whitmer better be ready for a fight on 1/14 in Philadelphia. Joe is irate that Whitmer hammered him with a chair on 12/17 in a Four Corner Survival. The chairshot not only cost Joe the chance to pin his rival Christopher Daniels, but it allowed his former protege Jay Lethal to gain the fall on Daniels. Whitmer says he's not afraid of a fight and if Joe wants to come out swinging that he'll be ready to throw fists too.
BJ has been stepping up his game in recent shows, both in the ring and with his character. This is actually an intriguing match up this time around, as the last time these two fought, Joe was a dominant champion and no one really bought that BJ could take the title from him. Now without a title and Joe certainly is vulnerable given that he is going through some tough losses in the last few months (including the loss to Lethal).
It will Blow, Blow, BLOW YOU AWAY!
(Hopefully the readers get the reference to Buddy Rose) The first match for 2/11 in Long Island will be announced in the first ROHwrestling.com Newswire next week and it will blow you away!!! Tickets are on sale now.
It is the long awaited Weapon of Mask Destruction vs. Masked _____ City Superstar war! This will truly be epic, feud of the year candidate.
Your 2006 Mid-Column Olay
source: tnawrestling.com
OLAY OLAY OLAY OLAY….
OLAY, OLAY…
OLAY! OLAY, OLAY, OLAY…
OLAY, OLAY…
This has been your 2006 Mid-Column Olay!
You know…I just don't think the M.C.O., which is now a solid and storied part of column of honor, is enough mid-column wackiness for the mid-column portion of this column…column. Don't think I had said "column" enough times there. So now, joining the Mid-Column Olay every week is the new chant sensation begun by Bryan Danielson when he fought Steve Corino at Buffalo Stampede in October.
Welcome THE WEIRD BUT AWESOME AMERICAN DRAGON CHANT
source: bryandanielson.com / Mary Kate Grosso
YOU'RE GON-NA GET
YOUR FUCK-ING HEAD KICKED IN!
CLAP, CLAP,CLAP CLAP CLAP
CLAP, CLAP CLAP, CLAP CLAP
I am determined to get that chant re-over when I attend ROH shows. People were doing it for the Dragon-Strong match at This Means War, which was the next show after Buffalo Stampede. However there were no such chants at Steel Cage Warfare or Final Battle 2005. THAT must change. That chant should be the next big one for the promotion. I mean, it's said in a very weird cadence, and it takes time to get used to saying it properly, but damned if it isn't fun to shout. In fact, let's do it again!
source: bryandanielson.com / Mary Kate Grosso
YOU'RE GON-NA GET
YOUR FUCK-ING HEAD KICKED IN!
CLAP, CLAP,CLAP CLAP CLAP
CLAP, CLAP CLAP, CLAP CLAP
Shout it at your neighbors. Shout it at cheerleaders. Shout it at your local homeless guy. Watch their reactions, and then run!
**The Independent Buy In**
Support independent pro wrestling, ROH or non ROH, I don't care. But if you out there are spending so much time complaining about how WWE sucks, then dammit, spend some money so you won't have to spend so much time complaining. This list stays in the column and will be added to as the year goes on. Remember: don't bow out, BUY IN!
Recommended for purchase:
**IWC No Excuses (Styles vs. Matt Hardy, John McChesney vs. Claudio Castagnoli, Jason Gory vs. Shima Xion)
**FIP New Years Classic (Strong vs. Joe, Homicide vs. James Gibson)
**Hardcore Homecoming (2 Cold Scorpio vs. Kid Kash, 3 Way Dance Barbwire Match Funk vs. Douglas vs. Sabu)
**TNA Lockdown (AJ Styles vs. Abyss, Daniels vs. Skipper, Lethal Lockdown 6 Man Tag, AMW vs. Team Canada + Bonus Chris Candido tribute)
**ROH Fate of an Angel (James Gibson vs. CM Punk, Christopher Daniels vs. Matt Hardy, Roderick Strong vs. AJ Styles, Samoa Joe vs. Jimmy Rave)
**TNA Anthology: The Epic Set (available only through Walmart and Walmart.com at a ridiculously cheap price) (Victory Road 2004, Turning Point 2004, Lockdown 2005)
**ROH Redemption (4 Way Title Elimination—Punk vs. Gibson vs. Joe vs. Daniels, Matt Hardy vs. Homicide, Gen Next of Aries, Strong and Sydal vs. The Embassy of Rave, Shelley and Abyss)
**ROH Punk: The Final Chapter (CM Punk vs. Colt Cabana plus post match celebration, Matt Hardy vs. Roderick Strong, Samoa Joe and Jay Lethal vs Low Ki and Homicide, Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Rave)
**IWC Summer Sizzler 2 (AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe, Steve Corino vs. Shirley Doe, Glen Spectre vs. Chad Collyer, Shima Xion vs. Nigel McGuinness)
**ROH Glory By Honor IV (Dragon vs. Gibson, Styles vs. Rave, Low Ki vs. Jay Lethal) **ROH Joe vs. Kobashi (Samoa Joe vs. Kenta Kobashi, Christopher Daniels vs. Matt Sydal vs. Azriael, Gibson vs. Yang)
**TNA Best of the X Division MATCHES Volume 1 (Joe vs. Sabin, Ultimate X AJ vs. Williams vs. Sabin, Ironman match: AJ vs. Daniels)
**FIP Bring the Pain (Punk vs. Danielson 2/3 Falls, Aries vs. Strong)
**OVW October 2005 Television Showcase (Ken Doane vs. Brent Albright III, Johnny Jeter vs. Matt Cappotelli, and CM Punk, CM Punk, CM Punk, CM Punk)
**OVW November 2005 Television Showcase (CM Punk vs. Ken Doane (c)—TV Title, CM Punk vs. Brent Albright, Matt Cappotelli vs. Johnny Jeter (c) II-Heavyweight Title)
**ROH Unforgettable (Samoa Joe / Low Ki vs. Homicide / Kenta Kobashi, Dragon vs. Strong, Daniels vs. Yang, Cabana vs. Evans)
Added in 2006 **ROH This Means War (Bryan Danielson / Roderick Strong, AJ Styles / Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli / Alex Shelley) (NEW ADDITION)
Honor Bound Links
You can read my Top 10 Albums of 2005 list at the Music Zone and my picks/comments/predictions for New Years Revolution in the Roundtable.
Expect Boman to be fired from 411 any second for making news up. Oh, it's intentional? Well then expect to be sued by Dusty the Fat Bitter Cat any second now.
Stu's That Was Then looks at January Pay Per Views in WWE history, and since I like reading this sort of feature, I'll link it up even though its about "the enemy". Plus next week, its all about ROH, and you bet your ass I'm looking forward to that one.
and of course, rohwrestling.com for all your ROH and non-ROH wrestling needs, but they can't save you a lot of money on your car insurance. Where I just spent a shit load of money on tons of new ROH and indy DVDs, but damn it, it was well worth it.
Thank you to Gabe for linking up the Final Column edition in one of the latest ROH newswires…quite frankly I haven't ever spoken to the man, only give him a quick smile or wave and a "hello" at the live shows. I also didn't email him or post any plugs on the ROH message board to check out the column. So for Gabe to go out of his way to plug this column…well it definitely makes me feel proud of this whole thing. It actually happened at just the right time too as getting back to work has been hell and the students have been really giving me the run around this week. The mention boosted my spirits and got me going again for a period of time, so thank you once again.
I'll be back next week for the big 1/14 preview and the beginning of my look at some of my favorite Straight Shootin Series products. Until then, Brooklyn!
--Ari--
