411 ROH Roundtable Preview: ROH All Star Extravaganza III & Supercard of Honor II, 3/30 & 3/31
Posted by Samuel Berman on 03.29.2007
After a few weeks off, our staff comes together to preview ROHMania Weekend, featuring Jimmy Jacobs & BJ Whitmer in a Steel Cage Showdown, the debut of the newest member of the No Remorse Corps, and a number of visiting stars from Japan's Dragon Gate promotion!
Welcome to the 411 Staff Roundtable for this weekend's HUGE Ring of Honor events in Detroit, MI. For the second straight year, ROH will hold events in the same city as World Wrestling Entertainment's Wrestlemania. Last year's shows in Chicago are widely regarded as two of the best in the company's history, and the company seems intent on surpassing already lofty expectations by putting on two nights of incredible wrestling. This week's contributing 411 staffers are:
And me, Samuel Berman, newly-minted concert reviewer in addition to all my wrestling stuff.
With the introductions taken care of, here are our predictions for this weekend's ROH events. Cards are complete as of Tuesday, 3/28.
ROH ALL STAR EXTRAVAGANZA III
FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2007 - DETROIT, MI
Four Corner Survival: Matt Sydal vs. Colt Cabana vs. Chris Hero vs. Adam Pearce
Andy Clark: Sydal is the only one of this group that seems to have any upward mobility to he'll get the win here, although I'll be pulling for Hero all the way.
Winner: Matt Sydal
J.D. Dunn: These are always hard to pick because they're usually so meaningless in the long run. Pearce has really come into his own as a heel in the last six months. When Colt isn't doing major damage to his own testicles, he doesn't have much direction, and Hero...well, I think he might just walk away with this one.
Winner - Chris Hero
Theo Fraser: A good mix of styles should keep this interesting. I can't see any obvious choices for a winner, but I'm gonna go with Chris Hero, who returns to ROH from his NOAH tour.
Winner: Chris Hero
Ari Berenstein: As much as I hate to say it, the man to watch out for in this match is Chris Hero. He is coming back from his extended stay and should look to make a huge impact as a heel. Sydal's attitude could be interesting and crucial as to whether or not he is a face in this match. Cabana could use a major win to get into the thick of a contender's run, but I don't think that is in the cards for right now. My guess is that Sydal outsmarts everyone, even the heelest of heels here in this match as he steals a win, giving him a motive to break away from Daniels after tomorrow's match (he is a winner more without him than with him).
Winner: Matt Sydal
Michael Bauer: Can't see Pearce winning. I don't think Hero will win. Sydal vs Colt, I'll go with the one has had more mainstream viewage lately.
Winner: Matt Sydal
Stuart Carapola: Chris Hero makes his return to ROH at All Star Extravaganza III, and I think it would make more sense to give him the win than anyone else in this match.
Winner: Chris Hero
Matt Adamson: The only one who's really got any kind of momentum going in is Sydal, so I'm going to go with him. Though I must mention I'd love to see Hero pick up the win.
Winner: Matt Sydal
Bayani Domingo: All of these guys seem in line for a "push"…except Pearce. The only push that guy deserves is off a cliff. Kidding, kidding…mostly. Okay, let's go with the guy who seems to be the hottest right now.
Winner: "Cocky Coverboy" Matt Sydal
Jacob Ziegler: I'm not always a fan of the "throw four guys who don't have a match into a four-way with nothing on the line" strategy, but I just watched a few that were better than they had been, so maybe they're on a good streak with these matches. I see Matt Sydal getting the win here, as I think his heel character is going to get a big push.
Winner: Matt Sydal
Brad Garoon: Nothing is really on the line here and with the exception of Hero's new stable all of these guys are a little directionless. I wouldn't be surprised if Pearce hooked up with Hero's crew as a result of this match, but odds are it will just be another Four Corner Survival that's solid but leads to nothing. Cabana really needs to get into something new, as beating Jimmy Jacobs has done nothing for his momentum. I was thinking would Sydal pick up the win here as when he was still a title holder, but as it is I'll go with Pearce.
Winner: Adam Pearce
Samuel Berman: I like two of these guys more than the others (Cabana & Hero) and so with all of these guys essentially between programs, I'll go with one of them for kicks. I'm going with the heel because of how I see the rest of the card shaking out.
Winner: Chris Hero
411 Staff Picks: Matt Sydal (7-4-1-0)
Anything Goes: BJ Whitmer & Daizee Haze vs. Jimmy Jacobs & Lacey
Andy Clark: Wow, this feud has been going on for over a year and it's still pretty darn entertaining. I say give Jacobs the win here so BJ can go over the next night.
Winners: Jimmy Jacobs & Lacey
J.D. Dunn: Hard to believe this whole thing with Lacey, Whitmer, and Jacobs has been going on for nearly 18 months. With a big Magnum/Tully-style cage match set up for the next night, it makes sense for Jacobs to get some sort of cheap win here to piss off BJ that much more.
Winners - Jacobs & Lacey
Theo Fraser: Whitmer and Jacobs will be building towards the blow-off the following evening, so I expect the fall to take place between the two ladies involved. Lacey and Daizee have both been very physically involved in this wide-spanning feud, so it's most definitely going to be a heated affair. Haze should pick up the win, leaving Lacey to put all her concentration into her man, Jacobs, in the Steel Cage Showdown on Saturday.
Winners: BJ Whitmer & Daizee Haze
Ari Berenstein: As these long standing feuds gets ready to be wrapped up, the women should be the major focus of this one. Daizee needs her conclusive face win over Lacey and should get it here. Meanwhile, Whitmer and Jacobs will give a small sample / preview of what will happen in their match tomorrow.
Winner: BJ Whitmer and Daizee Haze
Michael Bauer: Well, no offense to the guys, but this is all about the ladies. Lacey is hotter, I give it to her.
Winners: Lacey and what's his name
Stuart Carapola: Whitmer and Jacobs have what I assume is going to be the big blowoff the following night, so I think it would make the most sense to have Jacobs and Lacey win here.
Winner: Jimmy Jacobs & Lacey
Matt Adamson: Whitmer is going to win the following night, so, if they want to be smart about things, Jacobs and Lacey will go over here.
Winners: Jimmy Jacobs and Lacey
Bayani Domingo: I'm going with the hottest chick on the roster. Daizee Haze is so damn skinny that even her breast milk would be 2%. Plus, BJ deserves something already, the guy hasn't really gotten jack sh*t since he took all those brutal bumps in the CZW war. Dang…maybe a double turn?
Winner: BJ and….Lacey?!?!
Jacob Ziegler: Whitmer and Jacobs will end their feud the next night in a steel cage, and quite simply I'm going to predict the winner here based on who I think will win that cage match. As in, who I'm picking to win the cage match is who I'm picking to lose here.
Winners: BJ Whitmer & Daizee Haze
Brad Garoon: This feud has had a lot of intergender matches with varying degrees of match quality. This is the first and likely only time this particular match up will happen and I see it being a middle of the road match. Jacobs and Whitmer will likely main event the following night with their cage match and shouldn't risk any kind of injury here. I'm thinking the focus will be on there ladies as Haze will get her ultimate revenge on Lacey leading to an assumption that Whitmer will do the same to Jacobs the next night.
Winner: Whitmer & Haze
Samuel Berman: This is where Daizee gets her big, decisive win on Lacey. I think having the decision occur between the ladies leaves the next night's result more up in the air, so that's what I'm picking.
Winners: BJ Whitmer & Daizee Haze
411 Staff Picks: Tied (5-5-1)
Christopher Daniels vs. Homicide
Andy Clark: A match between two guys that should be out of the company within months. Homicide has the most short term potential as Daniels is more of a TNA act, especially with the new look.
Winner: Homicide
J.D. Dunn: Two of the ROH originals. Daniels last tag title reign was lackluster to say the least, but then the same could also be said of Homicide's World Title reign. Both guys may disappear if TNA winds up tightening the reigns, but with Daniels newfound push in TNA, his high profile may actually help him in ROH. I'll pick him in a bit of an upset.
Winner - Christopher Daniels
Theo Fraser: Homicide is still desperately trying to get back on track after losing the World title last month, so a win over Daniels is crucial for him. This is Daniels' first ROH match since losing the tag titles to the Briscoes last month, so you have to wonder what kind of mindset he will be in. Distraught that his tag title run was not as successful as he had hoped? Even more determined than before to prove the critics wrong? It's a tough call. As such, both men have a hell of a lot to gain from a victory here, so I'd expect a competitive match. We can see from the following night's line-up that Daniels is still involved in the tag ranks, so I'd bet Homicide is going over to help build him back up after the Morishima squash.
Winner: Homicide
Ari Berenstein: "The TNA Special" as I've come to refer to it. Okay, maybe I'm being too harsh. I'm probably being too harsh. Yeah, I'm being too harsh. However, I am allowed a bit of vindictiveness towards TNA once in a while. Anyway, back on the match. These two can go. They have always gone. I expect no different here. They had good chemistry in the indies, against each other in tag matches in TNA and they should give a nice showing here. Winner doesn't really matter, but given Homicide is the one most likely to play a role in the main event scene in ROH, I give the duke to him.
Winner: Homicide
Michael Bauer: This match should be something else. Both of these guys can put on a hell of a match and I see this being no different. I think with Homicide having a bigger match the next night, I'll go with him to get the duke.
Winner: Homicide
Stuart Carapola: Have these two ever met in a singles match in ROH? I don't think they have, but regardless, this is going to be a great match between two guys who have been there since the beginning. They're also both seriously directionless coming off their respective title reigns last month, so whoever wins or loses here may give us an idea of what's going to be happening for both men going forward.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Matt Adamson: I'm looking forward to this match. It's one of those matches in ROH I'd consider a dream match. Two guys who have somewhat slowed down and have uncertain futures in ROH. I've always considered Homicide to be an ROH guy while I've considered Daniels a TNA guy. I think ROH will stick by their guy.
Winner: Homicide
Bayani Domingo: Let's go with the guy who will be in RoH longer, even if only a few months.
Winner: Homicide
Jacob Ziegler: Homicide agreed to a short title reign, so I'm sure he'll be winning a bulk of his singles matches for a while. Plus there's really no reason for Daniels to win.
Winner: Homicide
Brad Garoon: I don't know about the rest of you but I thought these two completely phoned in their first match against each other back in 2003. Homicide has been on and off his game in 2007 so far but Daniels has been really bringing the effort lately. These are two guys who really don't entertain me unless their against the right opponent and I don't think putting them up against each other is going to produce a masterpiece. There's really not much for either of them left to do in the company so here's hoping they prove me wrong, put on a great match and then fade away to TNA.
Winner: Homicide
Samuel Berman: I'm thinking about this match a lot like I did the Daniels-Aries match from Chicago last fall. Both guys are established enough that whoever loses actually loses no ground, but whoever wins gets a big enough boost to become dangerous in the title scene. I see Homicide having a bigger issue with Morishima (what with the whole ‘having lost the title to him' thing), so that's the direction I'm going here.
Winner: Homicide
411 Staff Picks: Homicide (9-2)
Davey Richards vs. Masaaki Mochizuki
Andy Clark: I don't really know anything about Mochizuki, but if they want to get the No Remorse Corps over then I say give Davey the win here.
Winner: Davey Richards
J.D. Dunn: Mochizuki returns! Davey has taken a big step up to a player, and I don't see him falling to Masaaki here.
Winner - Davey Richards
Theo Fraser: Wow, these two will be very sore come April 1st! I've personally never seen Mochizuki, but I know he kicks hard! Davey doesn't mess around with his kicks either, so we're in for a treat in that respect, as each man tries to "out-kick" the other. The NRC have been booked strongly as of late, but guys like Mochizuki (relative unknowns to fans who don't watch the Japanese product) need to look like credible threats, especially with the DG/NOAH shows coming up shortly.
Winner: Masaaki Mochizuki
Ari Berenstein: Mochizuki specializes in kicks and strikes and has a dick heel-like persona. He don't take no crap. Now go back to that sentence and fill in Richards' name for Mochizuki. Each is equally true. This is going to be a very stiff match—stiffer perhaps that Richards vs. KENTA from last summer. As far as a winner, as it stands Davey can't buy a win against regular competition in ROH. He stands no chance here against a foreign power.
Winner: Mochizuki
Winner: ROH has tended to let over federations get the edge of late, but with the tag title match later, ROH should go over here.
Winner: Davey Richards
Stuart Carapola: I don't know Mochizuki, but Richards is a good hand, so I'll go with the known quantity.
Winner: Davey Richards
Matt Adamson: Richards is gonna be sore after this one. He hasn't been looking terrible strong as of late either, so I'm going to have to pick Mochizuki by default.
Winner: Masaaki Mochizuki
Bayani Domingo: Look, I love Davey as much as anyone, the guy got his big break in PWG and he's a fellow Washingtonian, but Mochi is just brutal when it comes down to foot-to-foot combat. No way does Davey deserve a win t his big yet. Then again… can't stunt his push can you?
Winner: "Dynamite" Davey Richards
Jacob Ziegler: I know nothing about Mochizuki, and I think that Richards' association with FIP Champion Roderick Strong will help him out here.
Winner: Davey Richards
Brad Garoon: I haven't seen anything out of Mochizuki but to me this is reminiscent of the Jimmy Yang vs. Ryo Saito match from last year. Like last year I expect Dragon Gate's Mochizuki to get the win over Ring of Honor's Davey Richards, but I also expect this to be a better match. Yang mostly dropped the ball during his ROH run but Richards has pulled out some very good matches. From what I hear both of these guys like to kick, so this will probably resemble Richards's match with KENTA a lot. This is lower on the card, a better spot for a match like this. The real question is when is Richards going to get a win out of his No Remorse Corp alliance?
Winner: Masaaki Mochizuki
Samuel Berman: I haven't seen much of Mochizuki, but have been impressed by what little has been available. Richards is DYING for a big win after losing to Samoa Joe in Dayton, so I actually see him pulling this one off. Call it NRC-erference to keep Mochizuki strong.
Winner: Davey Richards
411 Staff Picks: Davey Richards (7-4)
Roderick Strong vs. Jack Evans
Andy Clark: This should be a really good match, but why isn't the FIP Title on the line? Although I'm not much of a fan of Strong as a singles wrestler he and Evans proved to have great chemistry together. I know I gave the win to Davey Richards to get over the NRC but if Evans is going to be an important part of this gang warfare then he needs to start getting some high profile wins.
Winner: Jack Evans
J.D. Dunn: Dammit! It shouldn't have to come to this. Evans has been adamant about staying out of the GenNext implosion, but like Al Pacino, they've sucked him back in. Roderick is just too powerful with his "freaky retard strength." I think it'll be a big night for the No Remorse Corps.
Winner - Roderick Strong
Theo Fraser: I absolutely loved these two as a tag team, so part of me is upset that we won't see any more tag matches with these guys as partners. However, if it means we get a series of matches against each other, I think I can console myself with that! Strong vs Evans is still one of the most talked about matches in FIP history, so I can't wait to see what they pull out of the bag in front of a larger, hotter crowd.
Winner: Jack Evans
Ari Berenstein: How many ways can Roderick Strong bend Jack Evans? Let's ask Mr. Owl. One…two…three… three.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Michael Bauer: Jack Evans is my boy, I won't pick against him.
Winner: Jack Evans
Stuart Carapola: GENERATION NEXT EXPLODES!! I've never seen their FIP match, but I've been told it was very good, so hopefully they'll kick it up another notch here for ROH. However, with the recent heel turn, I see bigger things in store for Roderick Strong this year.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Matt Adamson: Roderick Strong has something to look forward to in ROH this year. Even though I think his push to the top has already started, what better way to keep it going than by getting a clean win over Jack Evans.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Bayani Domingo: Man, this is just sad to see these two fight. It's like seeing Burt and Ernie have a falling out and Burt breaking Ernie's back. Except, not as gay as the B&E fight would probably be. "Friends" and "Roommates" my ass. I'm going with an upset as Jack finally shows up with his ‘back up'.
Winner: Jack Evans…..and you know this….maaaaaaaaaan.
Jacob Ziegler: I love the three-way feud developing between Roderick Strong, Austin Aries, and Jack Evans. Maybe we'll find out someone that's going to be in Evans' stable here, as we still haven't heard the first member yet. Their match in FIP was excellent and I think this one will be even better. There's no way Evans is winning though.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Brad Garoon: I absolutely loved the match these two had at the FIP show named for them. Everyone should check out my review of that DVD. Strong has a big match against Aries the following night and could use the momentum going in. On the other hand there's no question that Strong will go over Aries so Aries could conceivably cost Strong the match on this show. That actually makes more sense to me. Evans will need some credibility before putting together his stable and a win over the FIP champ in a non-title match seems like a great way to do it. I expect this to be the first knock out match of the show.
Winner: Jack Evans
Samuel Berman: Jack should get a big singles win to establish him as a player in the GenNext Warz. Strong's going to get the duke on Saturday (SPOILERS~!), so he can afford to lose to Evans here when his title isn't on the line. The eventual money match here, by the way, is clearly Strong vs. Aries vs. Evans, in case you couldn't tell.
Winners and STILL ROH World Tag Team Champions: Naruki Doi & SHINGO
J.D. Dunn: The Briscoes have a shot at revenge and to bring home the titles they lost a few weeks ago. After a match that many are calling a MOTYC between the two, I think they have it out of their systems and are ready to reclaim the tag gold.
Winners - The Briscoes
Theo Fraser: It was a total shocker being there live for the title change in Liverpool, but unfortunately the attention the title change received seemed to overshadow the fact that the two teams had a tremendous match. I cannot stress that enough. As such, the rematch here should be something special, if they are all as focused as they were on 3/3. Doi and SHINGO should retain, as I see the Japanese contingent walking into the Japanese ROH shows as champions, thus making the product that little bit more accessible to the crowd who may be unfamiliar with some of the usual US talent.
Winners: Naruki Doi & SHINGO
Ari Berenstein: It was a fun little diversion, but I fully expect it to end right here and right now. ROH needs at least one of its belts back and I think the tag belts will be elected, thus teasing the thought but not giving into ending Morishima's hold on the World title. The Briscoes deserve their run at the top.
Winner: and NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions, The Briscoes
Michael Bauer: Here is the problem. There have been too many title changes recently in the Ring of Honor. They can't have the tag titles switch again and then have the RoH Title switch hands in two weeks. At least not again.
Winners: Naruki Doi & Shingo
Stuart Carapola: I feel like the Doi/Shingo title reign was done both as a courtesy and also so ROH could point at their champions and say "Look, they're all Japanese!" Briscoes apparently had an awesome match in England, hopefully they'll be rewarded by getting the title back here.
Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe
Matt Adamson: ROH has a money match in the tag division the night after this if the Briscoe's win the titles here. The Briscoes vs. Sydal and Daniels match just has to be for the titles, it just has to, so I'm going with the Briscoe's.
Winners and new champs: Jay and Mark Briscoe
Bayani Domingo: If Doi and SHINGO drop the belt this soon it will officially put the Tag Titles in WWF Hardcore 24/7 rules territory. I don't think the Briscoes are ready to "man up" yet.
Winner: Doi-Go
Jacob Ziegler: I think it's awesome that Naruki Doi & Shingo won the titles in England and that it resulted in a singles match between the best tag team in the world. There have been a lot of title switches in the last few months in ROH, but since I don't see Doi being in ROH on a regular basis, they'll drop the belts right back to the rightful holders, who will become four-time champions.
Winners: Jay & Mark Briscoe
Brad Garoon: I feel like an idiot for so strongly stating that there was no way the Briscoes would lose to Shingo & Doi last month. I predicted that that match would steal that show and now I'm exstatic that I get to see the rematch live. I now hopefully predict that this steals this show and that the Briscoes bring the tag belts home. ROH needs at least one of it's titles to be held by a guy without other commitments, especially now that Sydal has dropped the Open the Brave Gate title to Horiguchi. I have a feeling this will be the main event.
Winners: The Briscoes
Samuel Berman: I like the title hotshot, actually, but that means that they're coming back home in this one. With this win, the Briscoes become 4-time tag champs, unprecedented for a single duo (Note: BJ Whitmer is a 4-time champ, but with two different partners).
Winners and NEW ROH World Tag Team Champions: Jay & Mark Briscoe
411 Staff Picks: Jay & Mark Briscoe (7-4)
Dragon Gate Rules: Austin Aries, Delirious, Rocky Romero & Claudio Castagnoli vs. CIMA, Susumu Yokosuka, Dragon Kid & Ryo Saito
Andy Clark: This is a really interesting match. Quite frankly I'm not sure how Claudio ended up in such a high profile match but I guess somebody needed to be here. With it being Dragon Gate Rules this will be fast and furious and quite possibly a MOTYC. I may have to acquire this match somehow.
Winners: Team Dragon Gate
J.D. Dunn: This is another potential MOTYC, considering all the talent involved. The rules should make for a fast-paced matchup with a lot of wild action. Dragon Gate will make a statement here and pick up the win.
Theo Fraser: An extremely interesting line-up there. The Dragon Gate side makes sense, but Aries teaming with Claudio? I imagine everyone will stick to the match at hand, but it's possible that the ROH side could break down after a few untimely miscommunications. It's certainly a star-studded match, and I'm hoping it gets a good 20-30mins. Again, I'm siding with the Dragon Gate team.
Ari Berenstein: ROH is looking to make the Dragon Gate multi man matches the main even showstealers of this card. It's an interesting strategy but maybe the right one considering that the ROH World Title is not on the line on either of these shows. I commented in my last column that it seems like the ROH side was picked at random out of a paper bag or a hat, but each has enough in their arsenal to give the Dragon Gate wrestlers a run for their money. This being ROH, the land of we put other company's wrestlers over, don't count on it.
Winner: CIMA, Yokosuka, Dragon Kid and Ryo Saito
Michael Bauer: I'm not as familiar with Dragon Gate rules, but from what I've heard, they are pretty cool. The Ring of Honor team looks like nothing more than a hodge podge, and I can't see them winning.
Stuart Carapola: This is going to be a really, really good match. All eight guys can deliver, and this will probably get early Match Of The Year consideration.
Matt Adamson: This match is why I'll be buying the DVD. Talk about a talented bunch. CIMA is the man, and I think this will even the score with the Briscoe's going over in the tag title match.
Bayani Domingo: I can't see "Team RoH" remaining as unified as "Team DG", especially with ‘Typhoon' being one unit and the other side being a mess. Look for either Delirious, Rocky, or Claudio to join one of the old Gen Next stables during either this show or the next. My guess, Rocky. Still another one might jump to a rival stable the same night.
Winner: Typhoon
Jacob Ziegler: This should be all kinds of kickass, and apparently the main event of night one. I'm not familiar with Susumu Yokosuka, but I'm familiar with CIMA, Kid, and Saito, so I have no doubt this will be a tremendous match. I see the Dragon Gate team winning when one of Rocky Romero or Claudio Castagnoli turn on Aries to join Roderick Strong's No Remorse Corps.
Brad Garoon: Call me pessimistic but this grouping of wrestlers doesn't make me feel that this match will surpass the Blood Generation vs. Generation Next match from last year. I'm not saying that this won't be good but I am saying that topping the match from Dragon Gate Challenge doesn't seem like something that's going to happen. I also have a problem with how much Delirious has flip flopped in these Dragon Gate matches. Shingo's flopping has at least been explained a bit on commentary but why does Delirious go from the ROH teams to the DG teams and back? Quibble aside this will probably main event the first half of the show and send the fans into intermission happy.
Winners: CIMA, Yokosuka, Dragon Kid & Saito
Samuel Berman: Team Dragon Gate's going to take this one, just like they took the GenNext-BloodGen matchup last year, but if it was me, I'd book Claudio or Delirious to get the winning fall over CIMA (the most known player for the DG side) to really establish them as a player for the coming year.
ROH SUPERCARD OF HONOR II
SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2007 - DETROIT, MI
Homicide vs. Brent Albright
Andy Clark: Homicide's future is with TNA. Albright's future is in ROH. Give Albright a nice victory on his way up the ladder.
Winner: Brent Albright
Theo Fraser: This one stems back to the Chicago Spectacular: Night One event, where Bryan Danielson paid off Brent Albright to soften up Homicide's shoulder before the Homicide-Danielson showdown at Final Battle 06. Albright successfully injured the Notorious 187, but that didn't stop Homicide from entering 2007 as champion. Now that Homicide doesn't have to worry about title defences, he can concentrate on exacting revenge against Albright. Despite this passion from Homicide to win, Albright knows Homicide's weak spot and will be looking to take advantage of it once again. Albright needs a win of this calibre if he ever wants to move up the card.
Winner: Brent Albright
Ari Berenstein: This is a "revenge" storyline match, but if you ask me, it could be so much more. This combination could be the next great upper card feud. Albright has his schedule cleared now that the Whitmer-Jacobs issue is ending and Homicide needs something to do now that he is no longer the champion. We might as well let this one grow into a blood feud. If it does…
Winner: Albright by submission
Michael Bauer: Homicide gets Daniels and Albright in back to back nights. Yesh. As he gets the win over Daniels, I question whether Homicide needs to beat Albright as well. I don't think he does, so he can lose one.
Winner: Brent Albright
Stuart Carapola: Time to get the young guys over. Albright's a damn tank, but he did lose to Daniels some months ago. Still, now that he's past the World Title thing, Homicide's gonna be putting the kids over, and this is as good a start as any.
Winner: Brent Albright
Matt Adamson: Albright needs to rub from a former ROH champ to really gain the credit he needs to move further. He is a really talented guy and I'm looking forward to this match.
Winner: Brent Albright
Bayani Domingo: I hate to say this, but Albright is going to be a future RoH champ one day, maybe not a singles champ, but he'll be wearing gold far sooner than Homicide will again.
Winner: The Shooter
Jacob Ziegler: Homicide only got to beat Albright by DQ last time they wrestled, so I'm sure he'll have to hit the lariat on the much bigger Albright to get a clean pin.
Winner: Homicide
Brad Garoon: While Albright physically came out on top the last time these two met it was Homicide who got the win in the record books. Homicide has already been to the top and Albright is quickly making his way there. I very much hope that Homicide puts Albright over in a big way here and catapults him into a more prominent roll in the company.
Winner: Albright
Samuel Berman: Homicide doesn't need to win both nights, and he's already beating Daniels, so Albright coming out of this one on top helps him establish himself. This could be that big ‘defining' win over an ROH veteran that finally ends the notion of Albright being a newcomer.
Winner: Brent Albright
411 Staff Picks: Brent Albright (9-1)
Jack Evans & Naruki Doi vs. Davey Richards & ?????
Andy Clark: I hate when they split up tag team champs like this, but last year the match was good, so who am I to complain? Could Roderick Strong pull double duty to be Richards partner? Will there be a new member of the No Remorse Corps? I'm going to go with Claudio Castagnoli as Davey's partner, with Jack & Doi winning, prompting a NRC beatdown on Claudio.
Winners: Jack Evans & Naruki Doi
Theo Fraser: The No Remorse Corps gain a new member this evening, who will make his NRC debut in this match. Will it be a current roster member, or a new guy? The smart money is on Rocky Romero, but then again, ROH has rarely gone for the obvious choices, preferring to surprise us with major swerves (see: Morishima, Title win). Evans once again teams up with a Dragon Gate affiliate, and one half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions, Naruki Doi. Evans was not so successful teaming up with SHINGO on 2/17, but we'll see if he finds more success with Doi. Let's just hope he doesn't take a page out of former Gen Next partner's playbook, Mr Tag-Team-Whore, Matt Sydal. With Richards debuting his new partner, there's no way I see them losing this one.
Winners: Davey Richards & ?????
Ari Berenstein: A new member of the No Remorse Corps makes his (or her) debut here in this match. It can be someone already on the roster OR someone new who hasn't made their debut yet. This is something I think is great about this factional warfare—unlike most other stable wars in past history, the stables are far from set. The ROH audience has the unique opportunity to watch these stables formulated and shaped and then fight it out in an ever increasing war. Now, I made the call in my column for Rocky Romero to join the NRC and so far he hasn't been booked anywhere on this card as yet. Might as well pull the trigger and bring him on over here.
Winner: Davey Richards and mystery partner.
Michael Bauer: For me, TBD in ROH just plain sucks. Again I won't go against my boy.
Winners: Jack Evans and Naruki Doi
Stuart Carapola: I guess Davey's partner is going to be the new member of the No Remorse Corps, huh? Yeah, they're going over.
Winner: No Remorse Corps
Matt Adamson: It doesn't matter who Richard's partner is, they are gonna win this one. Why else would it be a mystery? Has history told us nothing?
Winners: Richards and partner.
Bayani Domingo: You gotta think that if Jack and Doi win that Davey will make sure that ????? is well prepared. I mean, he is the son of ???? and the grand son of ???. Yes, ????? is sure to help Davey do away with the MO'z
Winner: Davey and El Hijo de ????
Jacob Ziegler: I expect Richards' partner to be either Rocky Romero or Claudio Castagnoli, but I think Evans will get revenge on Roderick Strong's stable the night after losing to their leader the night before. Plus, Doi is just kickass.
Winners: Jack Evans & Naruki Doi
Brad Garoon: Looking over the card it seems pretty logical that Rocky Romero will be the new No Remorse Corp member. I'm not saying that it's a sure thing (mostly because when I do I'm usually wrong) but it does make the most sense. I'd really dig it if Evans just recruited Dragon Gate Wrestlers to back him up on a revolving basis with Shingo and Sydal as permanent members of his group. This should be a really fun midcard tag match and I expect the No Remorse Corp to make their first big mark since forming here.
Winners: Richards and Romero
Samuel Berman: The No Remorse Corps need a big tag win, and the debut of a new member is just the time to do it. This is like when Alex Shelley joined the Embassy and then he and Fast Eddie went on to win their tag team match. That particular allegory will continue with the Strong-Aries match, by the way. As for the partner, Romero seems to be the betting favorite, but they could go for a big swerve and have Cabana or Nigel join the team. Gabe's probably also not above having someone debut during the match and then having a FOURTH member debut towards the end. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal vs. Jay & Mark Briscoe
(Note: if the Briscoes win the titles, they will be on the line)
Andy Clark: I'm not too confident in my pick of the Briscoes losing on Friday, so this could be a title match. Either way the Briscoes win, causing Sydal to turn further heel by turning on Daniels, setting up a couple matches between them before Daniels is gone from the company.
Winners: The Briscoes
Theo Fraser: Their title match back in Chicago is being called an early tag team MOTYC, and if I know these four guys at all, they'll desperately try to surpass their previous effort. Despite losing the tag titles, Daniels & Sydal continue to team up, so either we're building up to a split, or we'll see them as mainstays on the tag scene. As for their opponents, this is pretty much do or die time for the Briscoes, as if they don't win the titles on the previous night AND lose here, they will be sent straight back to the bottom of the totem pole. With new guys like El Generico and Kevin Steen vying for a shot at the tag titles, now more than ever the Briscoes need to man up if they want to stay in the title hunt.
Winners: Jay & Mark Briscoe
Ari Berenstein: I expect The Briscoes to win the titles and go on to defend the titles in the reciprocal version of the tag title match from Fifth Year Festival: Chicago. If I had my booking druthers on, The Briscoes regain the belts and have an extended reign, which means a rather convincing win against Daniels and Sydal is in order. This will lead to the final straw for Sydal to part ways from The Fallen Angel.
Winner: The Briscoes
Michael Bauer: So I say the titles are not on the line. But I also have all four people losing on Friday. Briscoes need to be kept strong as they will be champs again.
Winners: Briscoes
Stuart Carapola: I expect that the title will be on the line here, so this is going to be a title rematch of the match where the Briscoes won them last month. This will be the next step of the Matt Sydal heel turn, and I think the frustration of not regaining the title will be the next step to breaking up Sydal and Daniels and them eventually feuding again.
Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe
Matt Adamson: At this point I can't see Daniels getting a role as champion in ROH. The Briscoes will be 24 hours into their reign and I doubt it's going to end here.
Winners: Jay and Mark Briscoe
Bayani Domingo: Someone turns here, my thinking is Sydal goes heel either during or after the match. BTW, this will NOT be for the belts.
Winner: Man-Up Bros.
Jacob Ziegler: When the Briscoes win the titles on the 30th, I think they will hold them for quite a while, so I certainly don't see them dropping them right after winning them again. Plus Sydal is clearly going the heel route, so there should be some kind of friction with him and Daniels.
Winners: Jay & Mark Briscoe
Brad Garoon: I have a feeling that this match will be for the titles and I have a feeling that it will be great as well. I expect Sydal will turn on Daniels after their inevitable loss and either hook up with Evans or go full blown heel on his own. After this I hope the Briscoes get the dominant reign everyone thought they'd have last time around, which seems more certain now that they've manned up against each other.
Winners: The Briscoes
Samuel Berman: I was live in Chicago for version 1.0 of this match, and I'll tell you now: believe the hype. If this is half as good as that match, it'll still blow away half the stuff at Wrestlemania. Oh, and Daniels won't win because they're not putting the belts on him again before he leaves. Plus, another loss leads to the full-on Matt Sydal heel turn, setting him up to "put Daniels out of ROH" in Daniels' swansong.
Winners (and STILL ROH World Tag Team Champions): Jay & Mark Briscoe
411 Staff Picks: Jay & Mark Briscoe (10-0)
Steel Cage Showdown: BJ Whitmer vs. Jimmy Jacobs
Andy Clark: This should be all kinds of crazy. One or both of these men with damn near be killed, and I'm willing to bet it's Jacobs. Both of these men have done a phenomenal job of improving their worth over the last year and this is the stage they should be on. I know ROH promised the Dragon Gate Match would main event, but this is the real main event in my opinion.
Winner: BJ Whitmer
Theo Fraser: So here we finally are, one year after their death-defying fall at Dragon Gate Challenge, Whitmer and Jacobs collide for the final time in a Steel Cage Showdown. Weapons will be available in the ring, so I see a setup like a Clockwork Orange House of Fun match, like the Punker had with Raven back at Beating the Odds. I get the feeling the "Please Don't Die" chant will be used promiscuously in this match, as a high spot has been teased in the lead-up to this event, with both men being forced to sign waivers that state that ROH are not responsible for what happens in the ring when these two meet. That is a brilliant tease right there, and the match should culminate with some sickening move off the top of the cage. Whitmer got the win in Liverpool, but I think it's time Jimmy Jacobs puts this feud behind him once and for all.
Winner: Jimmy Jacobs
Ari Berenstein: It will be bloody. It will be brutal. It will be violent. It will be insane. In short, this is going to everything a climatic, feud ending match can possibly be in Ring of Honor. It began with the two as a new tag team, finding their way to becoming dominant tag partners. Then the love of a woman broke them apart. They have fought for a year now and every time, these two have brought something special out of each other. Jacobs' ROH character is at an all time peak and I expect him to bring not only his physical game to this match, but also a dramatic touch. With Lacey out around ringside, there will be no end to the lengths Jacobs will go to in order to prove his love for the girl. This will not be pretty for either man. For sure, this will not be a happy ending for Jimmy Jacobs.
Winner: BJ Whitmer
Michael Bauer: These two have got one heated feud and this match should be intense. Since Jacobs wins Friday, he loses Saturday.
Winner: BJ Whitmer
Stuart Carapola: I'm guessing that this will be the end of the feud because, being that they've fought in every kind of match imaginable, where can they possibly go from here? The big question though is whether this will be the match where Jimmy finally breaks free of Lacey's control?
Winner: BJ Whitmer
Matt Adamson: Oh yeah, this one! I really like Jimmy Jacobs, I just need to get that out in the open. However, assuming that this is the logical end to the feud, Whitmer is gonna have his hand raised at the end. This should be fun.
Winner: BJ Whitmer
Bayani Domingo: Okay, so let's say Lacey doesn't turn on Jimmy. Then clearly Jimmy wins the match the previous night to set up the kind of brutal match up that BJ lives for. Yep, a brutal BJ is hard to beat.
Winner: Beeeej
Jacob Ziegler: This feud has been raging for the last year, when the two took a horrifying fall at Dragon Gate Challenge that resulted in the only picture of Brad and I together. It's been a consistently hot feud, and definitely the best thing either guy has been a part of and it's raised both of their stocks. Jacobs hasn't really gotten any significant wins in the feud, and I see a big heel push for him coming, so this would be the perfect time for him to get a huge win.
Winner: Jimmy Jacobs
Brad Garoon: Hopefully this will be the main event of the show and hopefully neither wrestler will die. Jacobs got pretty soundly owned against Cabana so I'm thinking he'll pull out the big win here. Maybe afterwards Lacey will show him some respect and he can move up the card. Whitmer gets over pretty much based on his gutsy performances alone. Wins have never really mattered where he is concerned.
Winner: Jimmy Jacobs
Samuel Berman: This should be the main event. I'm not budging on that stance. The Jacobs-Whitmer feud has been one of ROH's best ever, raging reasonably and convincingly for a full year. If Jacobs' blowoff match with Cabana from Chicago was any indication, this one will be beyond violent. Both guys have already shown a willingness to lay it all on the line over the past year, and this should be no different. I hope they have the balls to give a heel the big final win (ala Punk in the Raven feud), because Jacobs could be the next great ROH player if given the opportunity. Hopefully he gets the win and then finally dumps Lacey.
Winner: Jimmy Jacobs
411 Staff Picks: BJ Whitmer (6-4)
FIP World Heavyweight Title: Roderick Strong (c) vs. Austin Aries
Andy Clark: This is another main event caliber match. I'm not a big fan of picking TNA guys to beat ROH mainstays, so I'll go with Roddy to retain here but I very well could be wrong. Should be a kickass match.
Winner and STILL FIP Champion: Roderick Strong
Theo Fraser: It would be pretty cool to see Aries win the title from Strong, as that would add an extra dimension to the feud, with Strong pissed off with Aries for prematurely ending his run as champion whilst he was trying to build up the title's reputation. It was said a little while back that Austin Aries was looking to get more involved in FIP; I don't know if that's still the case, but it would certainly make a title change viable. However, at this stage, I think the No Remorse Corps member will get the upper hand with some dastardly heel tactics, leading to another rematch down the line.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Ari Berenstein: How many limbs can Roderick Strong break on his way to defending the FIP title? Let's ask Mr. Owl. One…two…three…four… four. Thanks Mr. Owl…
Winner: and STILL FIP Heavyweight Champion, Roderick Strong
Michael Bauer: Oh, this should be interesting. I've always wanted to see these two face each other, since teaming up makes them very familiar with each other. Again, I don't see another fed's championship changing hands at an ROH show.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Stuart Carapola: Two years ago, I would have easily picked Aries, but the fact is that Strong's just as big a star as Aries now. Furthermore, his title is on the line here, and he's the king of FIP. I don't see him dropping that anytime soon.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Matt Adamson: Roderick Strong needs to look... strong... coming out of this weekend. We know he's gonna be important to the near future of ROH, him losing the FIP title will only lessen the image he has right now.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Bayani Domingo: No way does an FIP title change hands in RoH…at least not yet.
Winner: Strong gets by with a little help from ?????
Jacob Ziegler: I like that Strong is defending the FIP World Title in ROH a lot, and I like that this match is happening. I don't see Strong losing the title, but I'm a big fan of this feud so far and I'm really looking forward to this match.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Brad Garoon: As 411's resident FIP reviewer I'd say it's about time I got to see the FIP title live. These two put on a solid showing against each other at the end of 2005's Survival of the Fittest tournament, but I have a feeling this will blow that out of the water. Strong will pick up the win here and this show will be known as the night the NRC really started to show its dominance. I don't know where Aries goes from here aside from bringing up new guys like Matt Cross and whoever else he recruits. All around the scene looks pretty good.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Samuel Berman: Strong won't lose the title, so this one is pretty academic. Also, with the rules that the title changes hands on DQ and countout, he's got to either pin or submit Aries. This is where the Alex Shelley-to-The Embassy storyline continues, as whoever joins the NRC will help Strong pick up the win. If you need a reference for this storyline, go watch The Homecoming. Or just read JD's or Brad & JZ's reviews and refresh your memory.
Winner and STILL FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Roderick Strong
411 Staff Picks: Roderick Strong (10-0)
Dragon Gate Rules: CIMA, Shingo & Susumu Yokosuka vs. Dragon Kid, Ryo Saito & Masaaki Mochizuki
Andy Clark: They will try and top last year's Dragon Gate classic here. While I think they will come close, ultimately I believe they will fall short. Still, this could, scratch that, will be pretty awesome. Gotta love Dragon Gate. I'll pick the team with an ROH regular on it for the win.
Winners: CIMA, SHINGO, & Susumu Yokosuka
Theo Fraser: At the inaugural Supercard of Honor last year, 6 Dragon Gate athletes put on one of the finest displays of state-of-the-art wrestling you will ever see. This time, Dragon Kid and Ryo Saito return with Masaaki Mochizuki at their side, as CIMA brings SHINGO and Susumu Yokosuka into the fray. Due to last year's inexpressibly incredible exhibition, expectations will be high. But I have a feeling that these guys will be able to do it. They are phenomenally good, no question, and in no time they will have the Detroit crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. The Dragon Gate representatives have come to impress, and I'll be damned if they leave anyone disappointed.
Ari Berenstein: Will this top last year's much vaunted Dragon Gate six man? Maybe, maybe not, but I think these guys are certainly going to go out of their way to try to do exactly that.
Winner: CIMA, SHINGO and Yokosuka
Michael Bauer: Now this should be fun. Dragon Gate rules and Dragon Gate wrestlers. I'll choose the team that I am more familiar with.
Winners: CIMA, Shingo & Susumu Yokosuka
Stuart Carapola: Again, I don't know some of the guys here, but I do know CIMA, Shingo, and Yokosuka, so again I'm going to go with the known quantity.
Winner: CIMA, Shingo & Susumu Yokozuka
Matt Adamson: Interesting match to finish off the weekend. I went over a few times who I think will win this one and I couldn't decide, so I'm going with my boy CIMA.
Winners: CIMA, Shingo, and Yokosuka
Bayani Domingo: This will be a hell of a match. I think what will turn the tides here is that SHINGO is a regular and the rest are a "Featured Attraction". My guess is that SHINGO goes over strong here and takes the pin after eating Dragon Kid, shitting him out and then pinning him. Or…Last Falcony. Either/or.
Winner: Blood Typhoon
Jacob Ziegler: I honestly have no idea who will win this match, but I do think they are all going to be trying to top last year's unbelievable match, and that should make this one highly entertaining. I'm not sure if it can be as good as the original, but we can only hope, right?
Winners: CIMA, Shingo & Susumu Yokosuka
Brad Garoon: If I were booking I'd switch Shingo and Doi's spots on this card, but I'm not and apparently that would bugger up Dragon Gate's booking. Considering how much Shingo and Delirious have flipped in these Dragon Gate Rules matches in ROH I really don't see why it suddenly matters now that Doi happens to be a heel in DG. At any rate this match will no doubt be an insane spot-filled extravaganza, just like last year. After this I can't imagine there being much of a novelty in these matches, so I'm going to try to enjoy it as much as I can before the format burns me out. I'll give the win to the team with one less winning spot on the previous night's show.
Winners: CIMA, Shingo & Yokosuka
Samuel Berman: I'll go against the grain here, if only because I think the Dragonrana is how this one will end. Just like last year.
