Column of Honor: 2.11.06
Posted by Ari Berenstein on 02.11.2006
ROH has a surprise…in its pants! Also, a shipment of Japanese wrestlers is delivered via UPS to the ROH home office…and the ugliest brothers in wrestling (and I mean that in the nicest way possible) are back!
Before we begin, I'd like to send my thoughts and well wishes to Matt Cappotelli. He definitely comes across as an inspiration and a great guy and this week has once again shown how much a wrestler can make you care just because they are a real flesh and blood person. I hope he fights this cancer and bashes it to hell with his crutch. You'll get that one if you've seen the OVW programming.
ROH: It All Changes Tonight?
In what continues to be one of the most wild and chaotic months in Ring of Honor history, wherein many major announcements both positive and negative were released, word came last week that most of the 2/11 card has been scrapped. Low KI seems to be definitely out of the company, thus eliminating the main event match of he versus Roderick Strong. Instead of simply replacing Low Ki in the match, ROH booker Gabe Sapolsky sent a message out to the fans via the ROH website (reprinted in full below) that besides the title matches, the rest of the card has been cleared in lieu of something HUGE is going to happen at that show. Now, most of the time, when wrestling companies promise a huge surprise or something that will "change the wrestling business forever", the hype doesn't come nearly as close to fulfilling the reality. However, in this case and given ROH history of dealing with problems and set backs, I think we may be dealing with something different. This may indeed really turn out to be a pivotal turning point in the history of the company.
Amazingly, even though the internet has been really good at uncovering scoops (in fact Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported ahead of time that Dragon Gate wrestlers would be appearing at the upcoming ROH tripleshot, see below), there is absolutely NOTHING in the way of news or rumors from the major sites about what could happen tonight. If the Internet is shut out of possible news that means that only a few select people know about what is going to happen tonight, maybe only Gabe and / or Cary in this instance.
Whether or not something company-shattering truly occurs tonight, there can be no denying ROH has been changing. Over the past several weeks, ROH has seen stables that were rock solid in 2005 such as The Embassy and Generation Next become weakened due to infighting and bickering. The Rottweilers stable has been decimated due to injuries and politics. Colt Cabana is no longer the comedian, but finally a more serious grappler. And this ain't your daddy's "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson. ROH's landscape is shifting with more roster shake ups, younger competitors such as Matt Sydal and Jay Lethal stepping up their efforts and stepping up the card and ROH's encounters with CZW and Japanese talent.
And change isn't a bad thing with this company…we have seen several period where change and transitions have occurred that have given us some amazing eras in ROH…the Generation Next era, the Austin Aries title reign, etc. These segments in ROH have become memorable for their history making moments and for signaling a change or evolution in the company.
To mix my metaphors here, tonight in Long Island could be the straw that creates the big bang that changes ROH forever. Or it could be that I too am making more of this than I should. It may simply be the return of some previous talent, or some WWE talent coming in to help out, or a new style of match or a new stable being formed. This may be a total disappointment for all I know…but something tells me ROH is hard at work to make sure that doesn't happen.
Give them BACK their bullets!
One of the ugliest and yet simultaneously most talented tag teams on the indie scene has been announced to make their return to ROH on February 25th, just in time for the Fourth Anniversary Show. That is right, Jay and Mark, The Briscoe Brothers… ARE BACK! The two time ROH tag team champions, who have set the record for longest tag team title reign in ROH history, make their return to active competition in an ROH ring for the first time since August 2004.
Starting as singles competitors in early 2002 with Jay being egged on by his younger, more jealous brother, the two had a hell of a match at the Honor Invades Boston show. After a friend of theirs passed on, the two decided to team up instead of feud and became a very impressive team. Many fans attribute the strength and stability of the tag team division in 2003-2004 due to them. They had a great amount of cohesiveness and exciting double team maneuvers. Their knowledge of putting together a great tag match was further strengthened when they aligned themselves with James E. Cornette. While the alliance was only temporary, it was an immediate impact, as they captured the tag belts on November 1st 2003 (Main Event Spectacles).
The two had their greatest exposure in their matches against Samoa Joe and The Second City Saints during the course of 2004. The sick image of a profusely bleeding Jay Briscoe in a steel cage match against Samoa Joe (At Our Best) became iconic and symbolic of the passion of this team and the brutality of Joe. The Briscoes actually were last seen in ROH teaming with their former rival Joe against Homicide, Low Ki and the rest of The Rottweilers. Jay actually scored a rare pinfall on Low Ki during a tag team match at Testing the Limit. Then a motorcycle accident put Mark on the shelf and Jay alongside with him, waiting for his brother to recuperate.
The Briscoes have actually been back wrestling in other indie promotions for a few matches, which had me wondering why they weren't returning to ROH if they were both ready to go in the ring. Was it politics? Was it personal? Was it a desire to have the proper preparation to perform for an ROH crowd? Well, whatever the reason, they are coming back and can explain for themselves why they have done so at this time.
Marifuji, KENTA, Dragon Gate Return
Leave it to press time to job me out of the HUGE announcement last Saturday of Noamichi Marifuji and KENTA making their ROH return, to New York City of all places, for a dream tag match against "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson and Samoa Joe on March 25th. The importation of Japan's top talent into the top American indie company continued this week with the announcement that Dragon Gate wrestler CIMA will be returning to ROH action…but that's not all. Let's let Gabe and the newswire fill you in:
In case you missed it on the main page of ROHwrestling.com, six wrestlers from Dragon Gate will be coming to ROH to wrestle on 3/30 in Detroit, 3/31 & 4/1 in Chicago. Two different Dragon Gate factions will be in ROH. Blood Generation will be represented by CIMA, Naruki Doi and Masato Yoshino. Do Fixer will be represented by Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi & Ryo Saito. These six bring state of the art wrestling to ROH. We will announce their matches starting this Monday in the ROHwrestling.com Newswire.
So apparently we will be saying hello to CIMA's little friends in his faction, one of the top heel stables in Dragon Gate, as well as Do Fixer, the top face stable in that company. To say this is huge news is an understatement. I mean, previously there has been one or two Japanese guys appearing on an ROH show. Then there was the All-Japan series at Final Battle 2003. This is the largest amount of guest stars and foreign visitors since then. When Milano Collection AT left the company (allegedly), everyone was concerned that it would be a terrible loss of his talent, and it is. But SIX of the top talents in the company, for three shows is a damn good trade off.
And don't give me the whole sarcastic and snide "oh they're Japanese wrestlers, that MUST MEAN THEY"RE BETTER- NYEHHEHEHEEHE" argument I've been hearing a lot lately. These guys are some of the top talents in that company. They have a lot of buzz and a lot of good word going for them. Apparently, Naruki Doi has some amazing moves going for him. Dragon Kid was Ultimo Dragon's protégé and an aerial artist whose specialty move is the Dragonrana, which still remains one of the most gasp for your breath moves in wrestling. Ryo Saito looks to be a very inspirational and motivational baby face wrestler. Meanwhile from what I've read about Genki Horiguchi, this guy is quite the character and has some amazing charisma going for him. Marifuji and KENTA certainly lived up to the hype and gave some great effort, I fully expect these guys to do the same as well.
I will say this; the Japanese wrestlers come up with some weird ass stable names. Do Fixer? What the hell does that mean?
As far as Marifuji and KENTA go, they're golden. Is there anyone here who doesn't believe we have a Match of the Year Candidate in their dream tag match against Joe and Danielson? Do yourself a favor and go buy Final Battle 2005 now that it's out, and recheck that assessment. These guys are the REAL DEAL. MOTYC, pencil it in.
(And no, I'm not becoming a Puro elitist, Chris, that's your job!)
So…Lance Storm vs. Bryan Danielson, The Briscoe Brothers are coming back, good Japanese wrestlers want to work for the company, 3/11 at the New Alhambra, Joe vs. Daniels is just a few months away…and we've got this big surprise coming tonight. But, yeah, ROH is dead and done. Yeah. Right. Exactly.
Onwards…
ROH Call
ROH Champions—As of 2/04/2006
ROH World Champion—American Dragon Bryan Danielson (champion since 9/17/05, 9 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, 2 successful defenses)
No sight of the Top 5 for February but in light of recent developments I can forgive them… this week anyway. The lack of maintaining the Top 5 is one of the few things that ROH is not handling well at all, and you'd think it would be one of the easiest things to keep on track. But like I said, I'll let it slide for now.
ROH News (via the ROHnewswire… and other sources when attributed)
From the February 6th Newswire: We are only going to have one item in today's ROHwrestling.com Newswire because it is so important. The item pertains to this Saturday's show in Long Island at Sports Plus Entertainment. You can now get tickets for 15-20% at ROHwrestling.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster outlets.
As you know one of the main events was scheduled as Roderick Strong vs. Low Ki. Since Ki has canceled his ROH dates and parted ways with the company we know that we have to deliver something very special this Saturday. We know you were looking forward to this match. We were looking forward to this match just as much as you. We realize that if you have already bought tickets to this event that you have spent your hard earned money to see the best wrestling going today. We also know that many of you planned to buy tickets on the day of the show and you are giving ROH your faith that we will deliver on Saturday. Well, we have pulled some major strings and have something very special set for this Saturday in Long Island.
Over the past four years we feel that we've built up some good faith in our fanbase. We will put all that faith on the line and guarantee you that we have something unique that everyone will be talking about for this Saturday in Long Island. It will be a special night that no one in attendance will ever forget.
Is it a debut of a new star? Is it a returning wrestler? Is it a new kind of match? Is it a new or returning legend? Is it a new kind of format to a show? Will it be a very special dream match added the night of the show? Is it something you can't possibly imagine? We can't say, but all we can say is that everyone will be talking about this Sunday morning. We will tell you that you will regret it if you miss this show. This is so special that we are going to make you a once in a lifetime offer. You can come check out the first three matches on the main show. If you don't like what's going on, you can leave and get a full ticket refund. February 11th in Long Island is going to be a very special night in ROH history. Simply put, you need to be there.
Is this all just a load of hype or is this going to be the real thing?
If this turns out to be the return of Dragon Soldier B I'm going to cry havoc.
It's the "pulling major strings" part of this message that has got people talking the most. Guess high and low from former ROH guys like CM Punk and Paul London making their return, to Chris Jericho coming in have all been predicted. My personal guess is a CZW vs. ROH series all that night. Most of the matches have been pulled and the roster is all there, maybe that means they'll get matched up against the guys from across the Ben Franklin Bridge in the start of an all out battle that culminated on 3/11 at the New Alhambra. But that's just a guess and only a guess, so don't hold me to it.
This Time the Announcements are Good News Dragon Gate was the second of the four major announcements we have talked about recently. Of course the first announcement was KENTA & Naomichi Marufuji teaming in the United States for the first time when they face Bryan Danielson & Samoa Joe on 3/25 in Manhattan. The third announcement is almost finalized and it could come at anytime. The fourth announcement is a long way from happening and might not happen. Stay tuned because you never know what is going to happen next!!!
So it looks like the third announcement may have been The Briscoes, although that's unconfirmed and uncorroborated. The fourth announcement? Free pizza at the show.
Good pizza too.
Yang Time Extended
Jimmy Yang has agreed to be on all upcoming ROH shows for at least the next three months.
Good deal here…Yang has the chops to really make some waves in the company and an extended stay with more matches may lead to an even more extended stay.
Austin Aries Does Breakfast With That Frog(source: myself and the ROH boards)
ROH made their return to being featured on the WB Morning News show here in New York City. Last May, ROH got a good break by being featured on that newscast, with a live ring and all at the Pix Plaza that featured an "invasion" by Low Ki, plus a four hour long Austin Aries vs. Azriael barnburner of a match up. This go around Prince Nana was once again there, this time joined by Jason Blade and Claudio Castagnoli, looking properly pimped out and delightfully hamming it up for the camera. In several segments aired live over the course of the newscast, ROH hyped up the 2/11 main event and Claudio wrestled Blade. What wasn't shown on television was an invasion by Chris Hero! Guess that's gonna be a tradition for these things. Hero reportedly stated that he could show up any time and any where (maybe tonight in LI?). It should be interesting to see if he lives up to that statement.
OLAY OLAY OLAY OLAY….
OLAY, OLAY…
OLAY! OLAY, OLAY, OLAY…
OLAY, OLAY…
This has been your Mid-Column Olay!
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
Chant it at A-LEX SHEL-LEY tonight! He called me a "fattie" at Steel Cage Warfare (and you can hear it on the DVD clear as day too…I guess I was asking for it as I called him a "fucking sellout") and he deserves to get HIS FUCKING HEAD KICKED IN!
Hehehe…
Event Preview ROH 2/11/06 Long Island, NY
Well, with the entire event possibly being changed with the exception of the ROH World Title and PURE Title matches, a detailed preview is pretty much irrelevant and ridiculous. With ROH promising something huge, and a full refund after three matches if the customer isn't satisfied, who the hell knows what the hell is going on? So what I'll do instead of a preview for each match is just give a very special Ring Detail for each title match. Then I will sit on my computer chair for the next ten hours until I find out EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS!
ROH World Title Match
Bryan Danielson defends against Alex Shelley with Prince Nana
(http://bryandanielson.ultimate-productions.net/gallery/) Bryan Danielson
Height and Weight: 5' 10"; 190 lbs.
Date of Birth: May 22, 1981
Hailing From: Aberdeen, WA
Years Pro: 6
Finishing Moves: Cattle Mutilation, Regalplex, now using Crossface Chickenwing
(credit: TNA wrestling) Alex Shelley
Height and Weight: 5' 10"; 199 lbs.
Date of Birth: May 23, 1983
Hailing From: Detroit, MI
Years Pro: 4
Finishing Moves: Sliced Bread No. 2, Border City Stretch, Shellshock
Strategy For Shelley / Danielson: Wow, looking at the stats and the tale of the tape, on paper these two match up so evenly. Both are around the same height and weight, both are considered to be in the upper echelon of technical wrestlers and both are separated by birthday by just one day! However it's when we leave the paper and get down to the reality of the last few months that we can see the divergence between these two men. Shelley has no doubt become an extremely dangerous man under the guidance and direction of Prince Nana and The Embassy. Shelley's arrogance and cruelty have reached new heights, such that while Shelley is beating on an opponent he completely degrades them and taunts them. Actually, Danielson has been guilty of this too, although his taunting of opponents, while cruel and unnecessary, comes out due to his temper and demand for respect. Shelley I'm sure doesn't care about respecting Danielson or showing respect, and that will anger Dragon early and often in this match. However, while that is usually a distraction, this anger will only help to fuel Danielson. Believe it or not, mind games and fake outs may be the best way to get to Danielson in this one and NOT out and out disrespect. Shelley has also picked up the Sliced Bread No. 2 from Spanky, former rival of Danielson from all the way back to the Texas Wrestling Academy days. While Shelley believes the SB2 is the key to victory, discerning fans know that Danielson has kicked out of the move before. Shelley's arrogance and stubborn reliance on that move will cost him dearly. Dragon's game plan is pretty stable-take the opponent down with wrestling, hurt him and tap him out. Shelley, no matter how good he is, cannot outwrestle Dragon at his stage of the game. Dragon is at the top of his game right now and has no qualms about making his opponent suffer. It's a dangerous combination; probably too dangerous for Alex Shelley on this night.
Intangibles: This is Shelley's choice of match stemming from The Embassy's win at Tag Wars (Trios Tournament 2006). It's one and done for Shelley right now, so that will make him even more deadly and dangerous. Dragon is going to have to avoid the dirty tricks AND he's going to have to do his best to make sure Prince Nana is a non-factor.
Prediction: It'll be far tougher than he realizes, but Bryan Danielson will eventually pull out the win, leading the way for his title match against Jimmy Rave on 2/25.
Pure Title Match
Nigel McGuinness vs. Austin Aries
Ring Detail:
(credit: IWCwrestling) Nigel McGuinness
Height and Weight: 6'1"; 220 lbs.
Date of Birth: NA
Hailing From: London, England
Years Pro: 6
Finishing Moves: Tower of London, That Arm Submission
(creit: obsessed with wrestling) Austin Aries
Height and Weight: 5'9"; 202 lbs.
Date of Birth: NA
Hailing From: Milwakee, WI
Years Pro: 5
Finishing Moves: Aries Combination (Kick, Brainbuster, 450 Splash)
Strategy For Nigel: This one is easy enough. Nigel has made his bones in his division and is extremely comfortable working within the rules and bending or even breaking them when he has to do so. The British style of wrestling of smooth movements, roll ups and oh yes, the European uppercut, are all used to confuse and misdirect the opponents. If Aries doesn't know what's coming, then he's easy pickings for "The Best There Is, The Best There Was, The Best…" well maybe we'll skip that part. Experience in the PURE division is also another factor to consider, and Nigel has overwhelming experience compared to Austin. IF Austin isn't prepared or mentally in this style of wrestling, it's easy pickings for Mr. "In It to Win It!"
Strategy For Aries: For Aries, a win here puts him in the rarefied air of being the FIRST grand slam champion and the first double champion in ROH history. Aries has a great mind for mat wrestling, but what he should really do is take to the air and confuse Nigel. So many times a PURE wrestling match is all about technical ability and playing with the rope breaks—an aerial game is so unexpected that it would throw Nigel off-guard. While it is a high risk style it also minimizes Nigel's ability to use ticky tack fouls to take away rope breaks. Anything to get Nigel off his rhythm will work wonders.
Intangibles: The Iron. Always gotta watch for the iron.
Prediction: Nigel retains the PURE Title, but soon, oh soon, that wanker's time is coming.
**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)
2006 List
*ROH This Means War (Bryan Danielson / Roderick Strong, AJ Styles / Austin Aries, Claudio Castagnoli / Alex Shelley)
**ROH Vendetta (Bryan Danielson / Roderick Strong, Eight Man War: Generation Next + AJ Styles / The Embassy, Samoa Joe / Christopher Daniels)
**ROH A Night of Tribute (Bryan Danielson / Christopher Daniels, Aries + Strong / Joe + Lethal, Colt Cabana / Homicide, Claudio Castagnoli / Milano Collection AT)
**OVW December 2005 Television Showcase (CM Punk (c) vs. Ken Doane vs. Brent Albright—3 Way Dance TV Title, CM Punk vs. Brent Albright—TV Title)
What's that Cook?NOW YOU also think Joe vs. Kobashi is match of the year? Ahah…I told you guys, believe the hype bitches. I wasn't wrong on this one.
Honor Bound Links FHM has some SWEET interviews with AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe. Some awesome stories and candid quotes from these guys. How about getting the mainstream (albeit online) pub for these guys? Fucking A, totally well deserved. If you're down with these guys, check these interviews out; they are WELL worth your time.
I am all over the Wrestling Zone this week. First off it was Joe-omination against Positively Meehan in the Fact or Fiction. Then I gave up some extra sleep time for Larry's sake and gave a contribution to the TNA Against All Odds Roundtable. If I name checked KIX and Trix cereal, it must be worth reading.
Stu runs down the WWE PPV's of Februrary. Some of those sownright ducked (sic), but No Way Out 2000 and 2001 were the bomb! For those two shows alone plus the Eddie title win in 2004, having a PPV in between the Rumble and Wrestlemania has been so worth it.
Boman's got your well written, well laid out Saturday News for you to digest.
Bayani almost made me spit up my soda on not one, not two but THREE occasions in his latest column.
Larry Csonka (the C is silent, Bryan Alvarez!) has his 3 ARRRRR's (in honor of Birchill as a pirate) and a special My Take On Matt Cappotelli's situation. Check em out, especially because Larry thinks I rule.
And of course… rohwrestling.com for all your roh and non-roh wrestling needs.
Quick story. Yes. I am one of those teachers who doesn't have much of a dress code… I mean yes I'll be professional when I have to be, but I'd rather just wear jeans and a T-shirt rather than slacks and a button collar. Anyway of course from time to time I'll be pimping the ROH gear. For the first time this week, I got an affirmative response from a student for wearing a Samoa Joe shirt. The student knew who he was from TNA, and when I proceeded to tell him about ROH, there was a very positive and excited response. The revolution is continuing my friends, oh yes, one by one…
Alright, we've come to that time of the column where we all say goodbye. I'll refrain from putting on my shoes and jacket and then singing "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"
Next week, another installment of Straight Shooting Series Shorthand, all the fallout from tonight's ROH show in Long Island and I'll tell you why the ROH Anniversary Shows are a "can't miss." Brooklyn!
--Ari--
