411 ROH Roundtable Preview: Long Island & Edison, 4/13 & 4/14

Hello and welcome to another 411 Ring of Honor Roundtable Preview. This week, we’re taking a look at ROH’s big weekend shows in Long Island and Edison, headlined by the return to United States competition of the ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima. Also on tap are “Classic” Colt Cabana’s final East Coast dates for the company before he leaves for World Wrestling Entertainment at the end of the month. Before we get started, let’s take a look at this week’s contributing 411 writers:

J.D. Dunn, reviewer of all things on DVD and VHS,

Magnus D, who’s joining us for his very first ROH Roundtable,

Ari Berenstein, who may or may not still write the Column of Honor,

Matt Adamson, resident Puro expert,

Michael Bauer, who probably has a thought or two on the CM Punk heel turn,

Stuart Carapola, who just writes a whole boat load of stuff,

Bayani Domingo, who’ll be happy to know I just ordered some PWG shows,

Brad Garoon, one-half of our ROH reviewing team,

And me, Samuel Berman, who wishes ROH would stop changing its cards at the last minute.

Now that you’ve met the staff, here is our preview for this weekend’s shows. Cards are complete as of Tuesday, 4/10.

Note: Due to late changes in the cards, comments from some writers are unavailable for certain matches.

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2007 – LONG ISLAND, NY

Kevin Steen vs. Pelle Primeau
Ari Berenstein: I like Pelle, but there is NO WAY Steen should lose here. This should be Mr. Wrestling’s showcase and a coming out party for one of the more underrated characters on the wrestling scene.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Matt Adamson: I don’t really know what to think about this match so I’m going to play rock paper scissors with myself… Damn, that was hard.

Winner: Pelle Primeau

Michael Bauer: Let me start off by saying that I will at this RoH show, live and in person. So, if you want to see exactly how nuts I am, just look for the guy in a RoH jersey and hat signed by half the RoH roster from the last Long Island show that stays and does ring crew for fun. Anyway, this match gets added on because of the injury to Mark Briscoe and it should be an interesting one. Pelle has done some good lately, but let’s be real. Steen is much better than Pelle and I can’t wait to see the hype for myself.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Stuart Carapola: I have to admit, I’m a lot more impressed with Kevin Steen recently than I was a couple of years ago last time he was in ROH. He came off as a real badass in Philly during the Fifth Year Festival, and if he and Generico are going toe to toe with the Briscoes, I don’t think Pelle Primeau’s going to stop him.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Bayani Domingo: “Mr. Wrestling” better not lose here, even against the Unstoppable Monster of Mayhem known as Pelle Primeau. Wait…Pelle Primeau? Wasn’t that guy drafted by the Red Wings back in ’91 as a defensemen? Anyways, Kevin Steen needs a win here to be relevant and I think it’ll happen. I’m not 100% confidant but something tells me there is a chance he’ll be joining one of the ex-Next Gen stables at some point, not sure which yet.

Winner: Kevin Steen via showing off his Package… Piledriver

Brad Garoon: It’s kind of a shame that this nothing match had to come out of Mark not being able to make the show. I’d have just teamed Claudio and Jay to take on Steen and Generico the way that Delirious teamed with Jay to beat Sydal and Daniels. This will probably be little more than a squash, with the now more fleshed out Primeau getting in a few hope spots before Steen drops him on his head.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Samuel Berman: For the record, I’m going to try to do all my previews in five words this time. Consider it a mental exercise in brevity. For this match: Pelle’s glory comes tomorrow night.

Winner: Kevin Steen

411 Staff Picks: Kevin Steen (6-1)

El Generico vs. Jason Blade vs. Eddie Edwards vs. Erick Stevens
Ari Berenstein: Last time Austin Aries found his partner was after being impressed with Matt Cross in a four corner survival. I believe history repeats here as Stevens proves he can be a big brusier and dominates this match up. Then Aries will invite him to be a part of his group for later in the night. Generico will have to provide the “personality” to the match, because Blade and Edwards certainly won’t.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Matt Adamson: Jason Blade, you need a new name. I’m looking forward to seeing you wrestle, something I haven’t previously had the privilege of doing. However, just because you have a name I could do without doesn’t mean you will win the match. Look for the PWG master to win this one.

Winner: El Generico

Michael Bauer: Now, I honestly don’t know too much about anyone in this match, other than Generico was to be in the tag match that got cancelled. Now, as a Survival match, I guess that means everyone needs to be eliminated, which should make the match longer than it possibly needs to be. Since I’m not sure who will win this, I took a roll of the dice…

Winner: El Generico

Stuart Carapola: We’ll eliminate Jason Blade and Eddie Edwards right now because they both BLOW ASS. Seriously, every time I hear Jason Blade’s crappy music and see him walk to the ring, I want him to die a horrible death in an acid bath. But moving right along, it’s going to be either Generico or Erick Stevens. I think Stevens is more in line for a push at the moment than Generico, so I’ll go with him.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Bayani Domingo: Oh man, I’d love for El Generico to win here. He’s the PWG champ and having him as a rookie jobber in RoH seems a bit of a step down. But he’ll do what he does best, get the crowd behind him, show some great charisma and bump like crazy. Then again Erick Stevens is the FIP Heritage Champion and right now FIP is RoH’s adopted little brother organization so let’s go with EricK here. The extra “K” in Erick stands for “Kunning”.

Winner: Erick Stevens via the Even Stevens. (just made that up)

Brad Garoon: If Stevens doesn’t destroy everyone in this on his way to joining Aries’s group then something is seriously wrong with ROH’s perception of who has the biggest future.

Winner: Erick Stevens

Samuel Berman: Stevens will top Edwards here.

Winner: Erick Stevens

411 Staff Picks: Erick Stevens (5-2-0-0)

Daizee Haze vs. Sara Del Rey
J.D. Dunn: Sara Del Rey seems to be a lot of people’s pick for first Shimmer champ. She looked dominant at the 5th Year Festival, and I don’t see her momentum flagging here.

Winner: Sara Del Rey

Magnus D: These two have a feud going on as part of the whole Colt Cabana/Jimmy Jacobs/BJ Whitmer/Lacey angle, which has produced some good action so far. I expect a fine little woman’s match, which Daizee Haze will manage to come out the winner of.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Ari Berenstein: I’ve seen this match up several times, in Ring of Honor, Chikara and in SHIMMER. I like what I see each time out—hard work and hustle from both women. The usual caveat I have for women’s matches in ROH applies here. If they are given enough time and the crowd is kind (good luck with that in Long Island), this will be a fine undercard attraction match. If it is a short, three minute WWE style affair with the overweight and / or never getting laid men and boys catcalling every second of it, well, look out worst match of the year contender. As far as a winner, Haze is looking the worse for wear after coming out of the losing end of her feud with Lacey, so a pick me up win is called for here.

Winner: Daizee Haze

Matt Adamson: Del Rey comes into this match with the rumour of her being the first ever SHIMMER champ. ROH is in tune with other promotions enough to consider that into the equation of this match. Coming off two wins at the SHIMMER show last week doesn’t hurt that argument either. Sara will win this one and it should be good.

Winner: Sara Del Rey

Michael Bauer: Sara Del Rey is coming off a great weekend at SHIMMER, where she won in not just one, but two main events. Daziee Haze has been a mainstay for a while now, but I have to agree with what has been said before and the rumors. If Sara Del Rey is to be the first ever SHIMMER champion, then you gotta to expect Sara to pull off the win in RoH.

Winner: Sara Del Rey

Stuart Carapola: These two have gone at it a few times in ROH over the last year, and Del Rey’s always totally trashed her. I don’t think that’s changing on Long Island.

Winner: Sara Del Rey

Bayani Domingo: Doesn’t Sara usually kill Daizee? Eh, There is something so unfair about poor 85 lbs. Daizee getting killed by a woman whose left butt cheek outweighs her. Still, miracle could happen and right now Daizee is still an important part of RoH.

Winner: Daizee Haze via the Purple Nurple Haze (it’s a twist of fate using the nipple)

Brad Garoon: Lacey doesn’t appear to be booked on the show but I still wouldn’t be shocked if she got involved here. Sara seems to be coming in on a more consistent basis as well. Put those two elements together and you have Haze taking the fall. Hopefully it’ll be a good match, SHIMMER could use a good showing on a ROH card.

Winner: Sara Del Rey

Samuel Berman: I think Daizee is awesome.

Winner: Daizee Haze

411 Staff Picks: Sara Del Rey (5-4)

Colt Cabana vs. Delirious
J.D. Dunn: These two have had some fun matches in the past. Colt is on his way out, and Delirious is somewhere around the main even, depending on what day it is. I think Delirious will get the win here.

Winner: Delirious

Magnus D: It’s plain and obvious what sort of match this is going to be: pure comedy. Delirious and Cabana have produced some great comedy in the limited times they’ve wrestled together, and this may be the last time we get to see it in an ROH ring. This is a tough prediction, but I feel that Cabana needs some momentum on his way out, and ROH don’t tend to job out wrestlers and make them look weak before they go, so Cabana should win this one

Winner: Colt Cabana

Ari Berenstein: This is a curtain call match for Cabana as he wraps up his bookings in ROH, so don’t expect all too many bumps per minute. The true factor is the lpm ratio—laughs per minute. I’m extremely happy we are going to get an updated version of this pairing, as their 2005 match up was good enough but lacked a certain flair that could have made it legendary. I would want Delirious and Cabana to go to that extra mile here to make this a comedy special on the same level as the Joe/Dragon vs. Aries/Evans and Joe/Evans/Delirious/Kikutaro matches (some of the funniest matches in ROH history).

Winner: Delirious

Matt Adamson: I’m thinking Cabana is going to get the “tribute” treatment here and leave a winner. It should be a fun match for what it will be, serious comedy, but I’m not expecting Cabana to go all out as he has a long road ahead of him.

Winner: Colt Cabana

Michael Bauer: First and foremost, even if this was not part of Colt Cabana farewell tour, I would be most looking forward to this match on the entire card. I missed a chance to see Joe on his farewell tour, but there is no way I’ll miss Colt’s. Some of my fondest memories since I started tracking RoH has been watching Colt have fun in that ring and being that guy whose hat Delirious grabs the throws to the crowd. To say that these two are my favorite performers in the RoH might be very, very accurate to say the least. So, as for the match itself, where do I begin? When you get two guys like this in a match, you are bound to get something that will keep you entertained for the duration of the match. Delirious has had his chances to rise, but for this one, I can’t see him getting the duke over Colt.

Winner: Colt Cabana

Stuart Carapola: This match has happened a couple of times already, and it makes for great comedy, but I think the focus this time around will be Cabana putting over the guy they’re trying to build as a top-level star on the way out. Delirious has picked up some pretty big wins in the last year, so I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility.

Winner: Delirious

Bayani Domingo: I will miss Colt as much as anyone, but knowing him he’ll probably want to put over a guy who still needs the push. I hope Long Island has plenty of streamers at the ready.

Winner: Delirious

Brad Garoon: This is part one of four in the Cabana farewell tour and I don’t see this one going the same way that Samoa Joe’s did. This is the third singles match between the two and Delirious could really use the win. Expect this to be Cabana’s final full out comedy match in ROH. Sides will be split.

Winner: Delirious

Samuel Berman: I always go with Colt.

Winner: “Classic” Colt Cabana

411 Staff Picks: Delirious (5-4)

Jay Briscoe vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Ari Berenstein: This is the situation I was hoping for, that Jay either finds a partner or the tag match would be scratched and we would see singles action featuring these wrestlers. Claudio is a great replacement wrestler AND it provides another fresh match up in the mix. Claudio is on a bit of a losing streak and I’ll expect that to continue here, especially with Jay having Mark as back up and Claudio having no one.

Winner: Jay Briscoe

Matt Adamson: I’m very happy with the schedule change because I like this matchup. If only it weren’t an injury that caused the change. I think the Briscoe’s were going to come out of the tag match that was originally booked looking strong and I think that nothing changes here.

Winner: Jay Briscoe

Michael Bauer: Good match to but in place of the tag match, which keeps the Briscoes in force at Long Island, where they are normally well received. For me, Claudio has always been that guy that I love to hate, but I guess that is because I started being a RoH fan in the middle of the RoH vs. CZW war. Meanwhile, the Briscoe Brothers were just the opposite. You can’t hate on them, no matter how much you want to. Despite this being a one on one match, you can’t expect the tag champions to take a fall here, especially not with a date in two weeks against Sabin and Shelley.

Winner: Jay Briscoe

Stuart Carapola: When Larry Sweeney said he had made plans for 2007 and they didn’t include Claudio, I think he might have been referring to ROH as a whole because nothing has been done with him after his brief employment with WWE came to an end. They must not have had any plans at all for Claudio once they found out he was staying, because he’s been floundering in the lower to mid card all year. Jay, on the other hand, is on a hell of a hot streak and is one half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions. While it’s possible that Claudio can pick up a win to make a claim for another run at the title, I don’t think it’s likely.

Winner: Jay Briscoe

Bayani Domingo: Man, Claudio needs a win here. I’m still not sure it’ll come at the hands of one of the Tag Champs however so my guess is Sweet n’ Sour-ference costing CC his win. Boy it sure would be nice if he had some…back up.

Winner: Jay Briscoe via the Man Up-percut.

Brad Garoon: These two really should have been teaming to take on the Canadians rather than facing each other, and I’m not crazy about this match up. Castagnoli’s only great singles match in ROH has been against Alex Shelley, someone with a very different style than Jay. I’m guessing Claudio gets the obvious win to set up a tag title match later on, although I have no clue who he’ll team with to go after the belts. Maybe Nigel.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Samuel Berman: Jay’s underrated as a single.

Winner: Jay Briscoe

411 Staff Picks: Jay Briscoe (6-1)

Jack Evans vs. Shingo
J.D. Dunn: Well, it’s not exactly Arn vs. Flair, but it’ll do. Jack and Shingo are/were/are/were partners in Dragon Gate. Shingo has a definite size advantage, but Jack is always SUPER over and willing to kill himself for our pleasure. He’s just not always successful with it.

Winner: Shingo

Magnus D: A interesting clash of styles here, as Evans will put his high flying skills to use against the powerful style of Shingo. With both of these men Dragon Gate stars, I expect a Dragon Gate sort of singles match, that will see Shingo hit hard, throw Jack around the ring and tie him up in submissions. Jack will also bring the goods, and I feel he is more likely to come out with a win here to help build some momentum ahead of the revealing of his new stable mates. But this will be a sleeper match on the card for sure.

Winner: Jack Evans

Ari Berenstein: Well, Evans got the win in the Four Way Fray in New York back in February. This match might be the receipt for that win. I’d hope these two stick together as a team after this one, as these two have good tag chemistry along the same lines as the Evans-Strong pairing.

Winner: SHINGO

Matt Adamson: Should be quite the fun little match. I’m looking for Shingo to go over here. Not much else I can say about this one.

Winner: Shingo

Michael Bauer: Now this should be interesting as you have your typical power vs. speed match. Again, I’m a huge Jack Evans mark ever since I saw him face Bryan Danielson as an opening match. Now, Jack Evans has gained a little more mainstream popularity thanks to the WSX series. Shingo and Evans have been partners before, so don’t be surprised to see some new stuff to throw each other off. Again, I don’t pick against Evans, but it wouldn’t shock me if Shingo won.

Winner: Jack Evans

Stuart Carapola: This is going to be fun. I saw this when the Four Way Fray came down to the two of them in New York, and it was a really good big man vs little man dynamic. I expect this to lead to Shingo joining Jack’s new group.

Winner: Jack Evans

Bayani Domingo: SHINGO, that’s how you need to spell it, caps, all caps. Jack Evans needs a win and a stable mate so my guess is he gets both after the 3 count comes down.

Winner: Jack Evans…and you know this maaaaaaaaaan.

Brad Garoon: The size vs. flight dynamic in this match has me excited. ROH has stated that Evans crew will probably start taking shape soon, and I fully expect that Shingo will be a part of it. Along with Matt Sydal they should form a fun Dragon Gate group. As for the match I expect Evans to get his first really big singles win in ROH and then ask Shingo to be a part of the crew. I suppose Shingo winning would also make sense but if Evans is going to be the leader he has to win at some point.

Winner: Jack Evans

Samuel Berman: Evans needs wins big time.

Winner: Jack Evans

411 Staff Picks: Jack Evans (6-3)

Homicide vs. Brent Albright
J.D. Dunn: This is turning into quite the little feud. Albright was Danielson’s paid assassin to take out Homicide before their big match. Didn’t work out like that. If it’s not some kind of a draw, I say Homicide takes this one.

Winner: Homicide

Magnus D: A rivalry is building between these two men, and it is only going to get more heated thanks to Brent aligning himself with former ROH Commissioner Jim Cornette. This one should be a heated brawl, although personally, based on their first outing a few months back, it won’t be a top drawer match. I don’t see Brent winning, but I also don’t see Homicide winning cleanly. Expect Homicide to win under some sort of screwy DQ situation, probably due to Cornette’s henchmen interfering.

Winner: Homicide by DQ

Ari Berenstein: Guaranteed interference by Adam Pearce somewhere along the way here—either, before, during or after the match. Albright made a great impression in Long Island back in November and Homicide is well liked there, so this may be a match with some heat on it. IF both men go all out we’ll get a winner of a match. IF both men take it easy, it could be very boring.

Winner: Homicide (DQ)

Matt Adamson: Albright has a huge future if he continues to work for Ring of Honor for a while. Everybody else seems think they see the writing on the wall for a Pearce run-in and DQ finish with Homicide getting the win, but I’m going to agree with the Pearce run-in but not the Homicide win and say the run-in is going to help Albright get the pinfall win.

Winner: Albright

Michael Bauer: So Brent Albright is the latest guy who has been paid off to take out Homicide in a feud which will seemingly not end between Homicide and Jim Cornette. I thought potential TNA storylines don’t flow into Ring of Honor. Eh. Anyway, Homicide is so incredibly over and I can not see Albright doing anything to stop that on Long Island, outside of some crazy interference that doesn’t end in a DQ.

Winner: Homicide

Stuart Carapola: It’s nice to see that they found something for Homicide to do after dropping the ROH World Title because I was worried that that would be it for him. Unfortunately for him, they found a match for him against Brent Albright. I see big things out of Albright (assuming WWE doesn’t snap him back up), but then again I feel like Adam Pearce is going to be the main opponent for Homicide in this feud.

Winner: Homicide

Bayani Domingo: I’m just waiting for the day that Albright gets the call from Vince and packs his bags for ‘greener’ pastures. Till then, I’m hearing nothing but good about “the shooter”. Homicide needs to win to not look like a chump and get back in the title hunt. Too bad it won’t happen here.

Winner: Brent Albright via the ripping Homicides arm off and beating him with it

Brad Garoon: I really haven’t liked the way Homicide has been booked since dropping the title. Albright went over Nigel super clean in Detroit and he deserves to get the same treatment against Homicide here. That’s all I have to say about it.

Winner: Brent Albright

Samuel Berman: Not another DQ here please!

Winner: Homicide

411 Staff Picks: Homicide (6-3)

Elimination Match: Austin Aries, Matt Cross & ????? vs. Roderick Strong, Davey Richards & Rocky Romero
J.D. Dunn: Since Blade, Stevens & Edwards aren’t on the card, they are the smart bets on the mystery partner. I’ll go with Blade on this one, since he’s Romero’s opponent the following night. I think No Remorse will continue to remain strong.

Winners: Strong, Richards & Romero

Magnus D: Having read up on Aries new stable a little, it seems the new stable member is someone already in ROH. Based on who is left without a match, Claudio Castagnoli is the big name that stands out and makes sense, especially since he teamed with Aries during the Wrestlemania weekend, and his addition to the match would mean great results in terms of match quality. It’s more likely to be Jason Blade due to his match against No Remorse Corps member Rocky Romero the next night. A fantastic match will have a difficult to determine outcome, but I will go with Aries’s new stable since they need a win to get off on the right foot, with Davey taking the fall to continue his losing streak.

Winner: Austin Aries, Matt Cross and new member Claudio Castagnoli (hopefully) or Jason Blade (hopefully not)

Ari Berenstein: This is a match with a ton of potential and a possible show stealer were it not for the strength of the main event. I’ve gone with Erick Stevens as the third man for Aries’s group and I’m not about to change that pick now. Stevens gets the call here and in elimination style, he will prove very useful in pounding on the heels and evening the odds with hot tags. I expect Cross to take the heat and Aries to be eliminated relatively early, allowing the heels to pick up a critical win as a unit (adding heat for eventual rematches down the stretch). A big and fun shmozz of a fight between all six men afterwards isn’t out of the question either.

Winner: No Remorse Corps

Matt Adamson: As always, when I see “?????” I automatically go “YES! That’s the guy that’s going to win!” There really is no logic behind it, but it’s just the ol’ mark in me. So, without further ado…

Winner: ????? and friends.

Michael Bauer: Oh boy, it is the dreaded TBA on the card. So who is the man to join Aries and Cross? Originally, I was thinking Claudio as well, but with the latest changes, that doesn’t seem to work now. While it makes sense that it should be someone already in the Ring of Honor, my gut tells me it will be someone who has not been announced to be appearing on Friday Night. That leaves only a handful of people who aren’t in Japan for the weekend and the pick may have “fallen” into my lap. Assuming I’m right, that’s your winner right there. If not, then all bets are off and it comes down to Aries vs. Strong and Davey, leaving the winner…

Winners: Austin Aries squad

Stuart Carapola: It’s a little tough to call not knowing who the third partner for Aries is going to be, but as it stands right now, the No Remorse Corps has a much stronger lineup than Aries’ team.

Winner: Strong/Richards/Romero

Bayani Domingo: Man, the NRC needs a win and bad, so far it seems like Erick Stevens is the odds on favorite here but you never know. I think we may be surprised here and at the risk of being wrong I’ll go with a long shot instead of jumping on the Erick Stevens band wagon. I wonder what the odds are of the Fat Sammy Hagar looking student being the 3rd member? Probably 1 in (whatever his weight is).

Winner: AA and MD20 with the newest member….Claudio Castagnoli

Brad Garoon: I can’t remember if we’ve seen a six man elimination match in ROH before, but if the eight man elimination match from Chicago last year was any indication this should be fun. I expect Richards to take the Jimmy Rave roll here as he’s been on an embarrassing losing streak, putting his worth in the No Remorse Corp in question. I also expect Erick Stevens to be the third member of Aries’s group, setting up wonderful Strong vs. Stevens matches. I can’t wait.

Winners: The No Remorse Corp

Samuel Berman: Corps return the favor here.

Winners: Roderick Strong, Davey Richards & Rocky Romero

411 Staff Picks: The No Remorse Corps (5-4)
411 Staff Consensus Prediction for Aries & Cross’ Partner: Erick Stevens or Claudio Castagnoli

Takeshi Morishima & Chris Hero vs. Nigel McGuinness & Doug Williams
J.D. Dunn: Well, how nice of you to grace us with your presence, Morishima. Nigel and Doug work the Eurostyle to a tee while Hero and Morishima couldn’t be more different. With Nigel on his way to a title match, he’ll want to ride a wave of momentum and, like Del Rey, I think he’ll do it.

Winners: Nigel McGuinness & Doug Williams

Magnus D: This one has a lot of potential. First of all you get a preview of the big ROH Title match the next night, but you all get Hero trying to match chain wrestling skills with two of Britain’s best. While I don’t see this being a classic MOTY candidate, I expect a great main event match, with Nigel and Doug coming out on top after Nigel pins Hero. This would one up Morishima before the match tomorrow without making him look weak, and would help give Nigel the momentum ahead of the title match in Edison.

Winners: Nigel McGuinness and Doug Williams

Ari Berenstein: NOW WE GO TO SCHOOL! I have a feeling this one is just going to be GREAT. Chris Hero, past differences aside, is a natural fit for Nigel and Doug and I will be looking forward to seeing how he interacts with Morishima. Do they get along? Will there be tension and miscommunication? Either way I’m sure it will be good stuff. Nigel and Doug have great chemistry and are a regular tag overseas, so they will play their role brilliantly. If the stars are aligned right, this will be a big capper on a great show.

Winner: Morishima and Hero

Matt Adamson: Something is going to have to give the fans some belief that Nigel is going over on the following night. A win by Nigel and Williams here will make that illusion.

Winners: McGuinness & Williams

Michael Bauer: The question remains; Is Nigel set to the next RoH Champion in Edison on Saturday? While I’m not 100% sure about that yet, I’ll discuss more on that for the Edison card. But you have to believe that in this match, you will get Nigel pinning Chris Hero, to keep us guessing heading into Edison. By the way, I’ve never seen the champ live, but I have seen the local commercials for this show and Morishima looks like a freaking house.

Winners: Nigel and Williams

Stuart Carapola: As happy as I am seeing Williams back in ROH at least for the weekend, I don’t think he’ll be a big factor in the outcome of this match. I see Hero beating Nigel for two purposes: First, it will further their own feud, and also so that there won’t be a fall between he and Morishima before their title match the next night.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima & Chris Hero

Bayani Domingo: So my guess is McGuinness manages to pin Hero but not Morishima. If I thought Nigel was going to win the title I’d have him losing here but something tells me it won’t happen. OR they have him lose here to make people think he’ll win the next night only to have him lose again. OR…

Winner: McGuinness and Williams via the EuroTrash Compactor

Brad Garoon: Nigel has been and will continue to be flip flopping sides in his feud with Morishima. First he teams with him to take on Joe and Homicide, then this, then he’ll team with him again to take on the Briscoes just after he fights him for the title. At any rate its good to have the champion and Doug Williams back. I’m also glad they found a logical storyline way to make Hero’s presence sensible. I’m going to guess that Nigel pins Hero here, giving his claim to a title shot more credibility.

Winners: Nigel McGuinness & Doug Williams

Samuel Berman: Heels win this one dirty.

Winners: Takeshi Morishima & Chris Hero

411 Staff Picks: Nigel McGuinness & Doug Williams (6-3)

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2007 – EDISON, NJ

Chris Hero & Tank Tolland vs. Jason Blade & Eddie Edwards
Ari Berenstein: I’ll flat out say this—Eddie Edwards is more stiff, wooden and bland than a piece of cardboard. He has shown me nothing of a personality or spark or anything in the NOAH matches I’ve watched and even less in the two ROH matches he’s had so far. I would rather not watch any of his matches, but being there live at least I can say that it will be fun to watch these two yabos get squashed by a better team. For once I will be cheering for Chris Hero not just to win, but to kill these guys.

Winners: Hero and Toland.

Matt Adamson: Jason Blade, it’s time for a name change. I know, I know, I sound redundant, but Jason Blade? Well, regardless once I see Jason Blade wrestle, I might have to change my ways and support his one of a kind awful name. Oh yeah, my pick is Hero and Toland, because it’d be a bummer to lose to a guy named Jason Blade.

Winners: Hero and Toland

Michael Bauer: Wow, the main event Friday to the middle of nowhere the next. What a fun little ride for Chris Hero. I can’t see Hero taking any sort of loss here, because that might just kill his credibility, assuming I go with the notion that he has some to begin with. Still, it won’t be a total squash.

Winners: Chris Hero and Tank Tolland

Stuart Carapola: Oh boy, MORE JASON BLADE! And this time he’s brought a loser friend with him! Hero and Tolland all the way.

Winner: Chris Hero & Tank Tolland

Bayani Domingo: Are you kidding me?

Winner: Hero pins them both via the “Both these guys suck” Driver.

Brad Garoon: When I see Blade & Edwards booked on a show I feel like its the booking equivalent of banging your head against a wall. Neither of these guys is really good enough to be in ROH. Blade has some talent but no personality at all, and unlike guys like John Walters and 2002’s Bryan Danielson he can’t make it work for himself. Eddie Edwards has an awful look and mediocre skills. I maintain that he never would have been noticed at all had he not been booked in a match with Danielson in NOAH. Hero and Toland are a fun new comedy team that could threaten for the tag titles given the right booking, so I’m expecting a squash with the help of the brilliant Larry Sweeney.

Winners: Hero and Toland

Samuel Berman: “Faces” have just no chance.

Winners: Chris Hero & Tank Toland

411 Staff Picks: Chris Hero & Tank Toland (7-0)

Top of the Class Trophy: Shane Hagadorn © vs. Pelle Primeau
Michael Bauer: Wow, it really is hard to believe that Shane is the longest reigning “title” holder in the Ring of Honor. If you guys want a good laugh, start calling him “chubby” to get a rise out of the Randy Orton wanna-be. It worked for me when they told me to do it a few months ago.

Winner: Shane Hagadorn

Stuart Carapola: Pelle Primeau’s been gaining popularity all year, and Hagadorn has had that trophy for quite a while. Could this be Pelle’s breakthrough to the next level?

Winner: Pelle Primeau

Bayani Domingo: So why is the TofCT now the longest held championship in RoH?

Winner: Pelle Primeau via the “I need a freakin’ win”-canrana

Brad Garoon: This match is a long time coming. Sure it has happened before but not since Primeau’s change in status to interesting wrestler. Here’s hoping he puts Hagadorn down with his own brass knuckles, a stunner and a roll up and then surfs the crowd with his new trophy.

Winner: Pelle Primeau

Samuel Berman: Pelle gets his big win!

Winner and NEW Top of the Class Trophy Holder: Pelle Primeau

411 Staff Picks: Pelle Primeau (4-1)

Rocky Romero vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Ari Berenstein: Here’s what I wrote when this match was orginally Romero vs. Claudio: I’m not completely sorry I chose to go to this show over Long Island, but this match is just one of the reasons I’m having buyer’s remorse. Romero is just nowhere near as good as when he wrestles for PWG (he is just so much more natural and relaxed there) and if this is going to be tantamount to a glorified squash match (as is usual for Blade matches) then why even book this? I’m sorry, but Blade has yet to impress me in the ring and he needs something more than a bland babyface act and an overbearing entrance theme.

And NOW that the match has changed to Romero vs. Claudio? COMPLETE 180 REVERSAL! This reworked card is eons better as far as match ups and pairings and potential for quality. These two will match up so well together and quite frankly THIS match now becomes a potential show stealer.

Winner: Rocky Romero

Matt Adamson: This change makes for a more interesting match that was previously booked, and thank goodness for that. Sadly, I think the result will stay the same and Romero will walk away the winner. Too bad too, I want Claudio to win every time.

Winner: Rocky Romero

Michael Bauer: This one should be pretty interesting and I’m glad to see it got added to the card at the near last moment. That said, I have got to think that while every match RoH is calling a possible show stealer for Edison, this match could be the dark horse sleeper match. Again, I see Claudio getting beat on Friday night, so I can’t imagine two losses in a row for Double C.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Stuart Carapola: I had a feeling that Claudio was going to join up with Austin Aries and his new group, but I’m not 100% certain of that, but either way I think Romero’s going to have his number.

Winner: Rocky Romero

Bayani Domingo: Claudio needs a win. I repeat, Claudio needs a win. If I predicted this right for the night before then his new buddies should help him pick up the win here.

Winner: Double C. via the “Hey!!”

Brad Garoon: Both of these guys have really only had one great singles match each. Romero’s was against Chad Collyer who has a very similar style to Castagnoli. Castagnoli’s was against Alex Shelley, and Romero can work the mat in Shelley’s style. That being said this has some potential. I see Romero picking up the win after some shady doings.

Winner: Rocky Romero

Samuel Berman: Claudio avenges last night’s loss

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

411 Staff Picks: Rocky Romero (4-3)

Kevin Steen & El Generico vs. Erick Stevens & Jay Briscoe
Ari Berenstein: BUSINESS just picked up. Stevens is a fair trade for Mark Briscoe, especially when he goes into bruiser mode and just starts trashing his opponents. This match up sounds awesome and will be great quality and probably a lot of fun.

Winners: Stevens and Briscoe

Matt Adamson: This is kind of a mish mash and I don’t really like it, but I think with Steen in there it kind of gives itself away. Briscoe is supposed to look hella strong, especially after that incredible title win. Stevens and Briscoe are taking this one without a sweat.

Winners: Stevens and Briscoe

Michael Bauer: This is a very interesting switch. Instead of the tag match on Friday Night, they put it on Saturday and add Erick Stevens to team with Jay Briscoe. Again, it’s a good call and this may be the match that puts Steen and Generico in the Tag Team Title picture in Ring of Honor. This match should be pretty good and in the end, Briscoe’s team will take the fall, but it will not be Briscoe being pinned. I hate to say it, but that’s just too predictable and it will happen.

Winners: Steen and Generico

Stuart Carapola: The Canadians had an awesome match with the Briscoes back in Philly, so it remains to be seen how Erick Stevens is going to figure into this. Funny thing is that I was watching Stevens on an FIP show the other night and thought to myself how much he looked like a heavyset, third Briscoe. I think Steen & Generico are going to catch the fall on Jay, setting up a title shot against Jay & Mark.

Winner: Kevin Steen & El Generico

Bayani Domingo: This match doesn’t make any sense if Stevens is part of the “Aries 20” Stable. So hence my pick with someone else joining them. I don’t think Steen and Generico are far enough up the card to beat these guys though so…

Winner: Jay and Erick via the “Greetings from FIP”

Brad Garoon: I have my doubts that this match will happen due to my prediction that Stevens will be joining Aries’s stable. However, it is booked as a replacement match so I could just be wrong all over. Considering it happens I see Steen & Generico winning to set up a tag title match later on. Who they will pin is a mystery as I think Stevens should be protected a bit for now and Jay should also be kept strong in Mark’s absense. Jay would probably get pinned though.

Winners: Steen & Generico

Samuel Berman: Canada earns future title shot.

Winners: Kevin Steen & El Generico

411 Staff Picks: Kevin Steen & El Generico (4-3)

Shingo vs. Matt Cross
J.D. Dunn: Shingo has personality to burn. Cross…doesn’t, but he’s got that high-flying thing going, which Shingo, which means Shingo will probably be exhausted by the end of the weekend after chasing around Evans and Cross. He’ll come out on top, though.

Winner: Shingo

Magnus D: I expect this to be quite similar to the Evans/Shingo match from the previous night, but Cross has a little more chance to take it to Shingo due to him being slightly bigger than Evans. Cross will look to use all his daredevil moves while Shingo will look to throw Cross around the ring with his power. While Cross has a few wins under his belt, I expect Shingo to get his win back here.

Winner: Shingo

Ari Berenstein: A good first time combination of wrestlers although it plays off of the standard (but proven) formula of big, powerful guy vs. small and quick guy. Cross will get over thanks to his high flying stunts and SHINGO has the mullet, a crowd favorite. This will be a good little undercard match.

Winner: SHINGO

Matt Adamson: More Shingo goodness here. Cross is one of those fancy guys who makes me not care because of his lack of charisma. Shingo is the current golden newbie to ROH. I think he’s going to have a good weekend.

Winner: Shingo

Michael Bauer: I’ll humor some people with this one. SHINGO shouldn’t lose this match, but in a way, you have to expect something kinda weird to happen based on the whole new gang war that is going on in RoH. There will be interference one way or another. I just can’t decide when it will happen or if it will affect the match at all. I’ll go with the antics when the ref isn’t looking.

Winner: SHINGO

Stuart Carapola: Like I said, I think this is going to develop into Team Evans vs Team Aries. That said though, I think Shingo’s going to kill him.

Winner: Shingo

Bayani Domingo: I’m seriously thinking SHINGO has to join Jack this weekend so that makes me think he’ll have the advantage here.

Winner: SHINGO because Asians are known to eat Dogg’s

Brad Garoon: If my predictions are right they should call this show Faction Warfare, or something equally ridiculous as they tend to do. Like Shingo vs. Evans this should be a fun power vs. flight match. Cross is still kind of a newbie in ROH and Shingo is going to want to rebound after his loss the night before.

Winner: Shingo

Samuel Berman: Cross is my favorite flyer.

Winner: Matt Cross

411 Staff Picks: Shingo (8-1)

Jack Evans & Delirious vs. Roderick Strong & Davey Richards
J.D. Dunn: While the No Remorse Corps have gotten over, it hasn’t necessarily translated to big success in the ring. Evans & Delirious should be a good, wacky how-will-the-coexist team, while Strong and Richards should bring the pain.

Winners: Strong & Richards

Magnus D: A match that sounds excellent on paper, especially since you get Strong and Evans in the ring together again, Delirious with all of his antics and Richards with his new cocky heel persona. This can tear the house down with enough time, and I expect it will. After defeat on Night 1 of the double shot, I see the No Remorse Corps putting Evans and Delirious down here with a win, with Roderick making Delirious tap to the Strong Hold

Winners: Roderick Strong and Davey Richards

Ari Berenstein: It will be worth it to see Evans and Delirious interact and communicate with each other. What a quirky couple they make—get some sitcom writers here STAT! Strong and Richards will provide the heat and take the match in a more serious direction. I expect NRC to win here, but then again I’ve picked them each and every time out and it never pans out. Maybe I should stop picking them.

Winner: Strong and Richards

Matt Adamson: Ooooooh fun match. Any tag match with Delirious is fun because you never know how it’s going to work out between him and his partner. Jack Evans should be able to play off this well, but don’t expect their “chemistry” or lack thereof to translate into a win.

Winners: Strong and Richards

Michael Bauer: Jack Evans and Delirious on a team, wow, just wow. If I had to pick a dream team or dream match based on the current roster, those two would be it. I honestly have no problems watching these two guys fight as a team or against each other every night. Strong and Davey will make for a good match and it could go either way, probably coming right off the heels of the SHINGO/Matt Cross match. This time though, no crazy antics until after the match after the No Remorse Corps get one victory this weekend.

Winners: Strong and Richards

Stuart Carapola: Speaking of Team Warfare, I definitely see Delirious joining up with Jack’s group as well, making a sort of group of misfits. But once again, I think Strong and Richards are going to kill them.

Winner: Roderick Strong & Davey Richards

Bayani Domingo: Jack-lirious, what a pairing. NRC need another win and I think they get it here. I’m not sure what they are going to do with Delirious now because he’s starting to get a little lost in the shuffle.

Winner: NRC via the “Morning After”

Brad Garoon: Delirious’s place in this feud is sort of directionless. He isn’t a real threat to Strong or Richards (even though Richards has been quite the loser lately) and he’s probably not joining either Aries or Evans in this feud. He’s also probably not going to start his own stable so they need to give him some purpose soon aside from the old “I got beat up so now I’m mad,” angle. I’d have guessed that Aries would have been in this match instead if there wasn’t going to be a TNA PPV the following night. At any rate the No Remorse Corp need a win over Evans after their tag loss to him in Detroit to assert their heel dominance in this three-way feud.

Winners: Strong and Richards

Samuel Berman: Big weekend for the NRC.

Winners: Roderick Strong & Davey Richards

411 Staff Picks: Roderick Strong & Davey Richards (9-0)

Colt Cabana vs. Doug Williams
J.D. Dunn: With Colt on his way out, expect a fair amount of comedy stuff to get the crowd involved. Plus, with these guys’ styles so well-matched, this should be a great little wrestling match as well.

Winner: Colt Cabana

Magnus D: Having seen these two square off before, this will be an extremely fun European style match full of chain wrestling, counter hold after counter hold and submissions, as well as a bit of comedy. A potential showstealer, which I feel Doug will win in order to keep him looking strong in his ROH return, while Cabana should also look really good so him momentum should be hurt too much with only a few matches left in ROH

Winner: Doug Williams

Ari Berenstein: This is the “wrestling match” of Cabana’s goodbye tour. Cabana has been well known for his European wrestling style and in 2005 he impressed with his series against Nigel McGuinness. I expect a bit of a reprise of those style matches. Mix in a bit of comedy and a bit of fan interaction and this will be a fine dream match style of encounter.

Winner: Colt Cabana

Matt Adamson: Cabana has been with ROH for so long that he deserves one hell of a going away party. Personally I like the guy and hope that he gets the win here. If ROH wanted to show him how much they appreciate him, they will, unless Cabana changes their mind.

Winner: Cabana

Michael Bauer: Colt Cabana has been a major part of the Atlantic Coast Indy wrestling scene for years and it ends here against Doug Williams. Williams does not need the win here, so Colt should go over here in his second to last match ever in the Ring of Honor. Man, I tell you, this will be an emotional match and an emotional moment for Colt. Edison should send him off the right way.

Winner: Colt Cabana

Stuart Carapola: This is going to be a good technical exhibition between two people well versed in the European style, but since Cabama still has a couple of shows before he says goodbye, I see the guest starring Williams going over.

Winner: Doug Williams

Bayani Domingo: Colt has to win here, I think Doug would be okay with it.

Winner: Colt Cabana..*please don’t debut as Eugene’s brother*

Brad Garoon: Whereas Cabana’s match against Delirious is going to be his final comedy match I expect this match against Williams to be his final European mat based match in ROH. Actually, considering where he’s going it could be his final European mat based ever. Williams is phenomenal and though he sometimes phones it in he still has all kinds of skill up his sleeve. If he’s on his game this could be better than the best Nigel/Cabana matches. I’ve got my fingers crossed. This is a tough one to call since Cabana is on his way out but Williams doesn’t have any scheduled appearances after this. I’m going to guess that Williams gets the win here since he’ll likely be back at some point before Cabana.

Winner: Doug Williams

Samuel Berman: I miss Colt Cabana already

Winner: “Classic” Colt Cabana

411 Staff Picks: Matt Sydal (6-3)

ROH World Title: Takeshi Morishima © vs. Nigel McGuinness
J.D. Dunn: This is interesting in that all signs point to Nigel finally overcoming and beating the odds. Except that he won’t. And if he doesn’t, I think they need to be careful lest they give him the Lex Luger Blueball Syndrome that ensures he’s never taken seriously as a contender.

Winner: Morishima

Magnus D: With Nigel on a hot streak and Morishima’s title reign only just beginning, this one has potential to be a classic heavyweight battle, a rare sight in an ROH ring where lightweight dominate. Morishima obviously has the weight advantage in this case, meaning he can put his power to use on Nigel, while Nigel must look to go back to his roots by trying to out-wrestle Morishima with his European skills. I highly anticipate the Lariat exchanges, whoever gets the advantage in those will surely win the match. I expect Morishima to have enough to get the win on this night.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima.

Ari Berenstein: Until Morishima’s booking appearances in May were confirmed I fully expected this to be a title switch situation. Instead, this will be the tried and true (but not as exciting) “Challenger takes champion to limit but fails in the end” storyline. It will be up to Nigel to convince the crowd that he has a chance to win this one, otherwise it will be a very lukewarm crowd response. It is imperative that Nigel is successful in this role given the impact of the Attack of the Grannies incident last time out during the main event in Edison, NJ. As funny as it was, I do not want to see any kind of replay of that incident.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Matt Adamson: I really hope Morishima holds on here. It actually matters to me as I really like the guy. He’s got IT and I think the longer his reign the more the ROH title is elevated by it’s association to NOAH and that it’s important enough to main event one of that promotions big shows. I hope they have further plans for Morishima as ROH champ, so I’m going to pick him for the win.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Michael Bauer: I’m kinda torn here. In one sense, Nigel has seemed poised to be the Ring of Honor World Champion ever since he lost the Pure Title in the unification match. On the other hand, you just had a quick hot shot of the Tag Team Titles two weeks ago back onto the Briscoe Brothers and Takeshi losing here would give two very short reigns. Not to mention that Morishima’s next defense is set against Austin Aries in two weeks. Throw on top of that that Nigel has put out a challenge for the Tag Team Titles for May 11th and a title switch here might not be the smartest move here. Nigel will be the champion, no question about it, but I think the world will need to wait a little longer.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Stuart Carapola: I can’t decide if I believe the theory that Nigel’s going to be the guy to eventually take the title from Morishima or not, but if that’s the direction they’re going, then this would be a good start because then they can have Nigel get a couple of other shots through the year before finally putting together the pieces of the Morishima puzzle. But in any event, Nigel’s definitely not getting the title here.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Bayani Domingo: I could over analyze this all day long, but at the end of the day I think this will become a good long feud before Nigel takes it off Morishima.

Winner: That Japanese Dude.

Brad Garoon: Nigel is taking the fall here and winning the title from Morishima night 2 in Japan. There’s no other logical way for this title reign to end and its too early for Nigel to take it now. The match should rock on all cylinders though as Nigel has a habit of bringing out the really big guns in the main event. Morishima is no slough either.

Winner: Takeshi Morishima

Samuel Berman: Nigel wins, but not tonight.

Winner and STILL ROH World Champion: Takeshi Morishima

411 Staff Picks: Takeshi Morishima (9-0)