411 ROH Roundtable Preview: St. Paul & Chicago Ridge, 4/27 & 4/28
Posted by Samuel Berman on 04.26.2007
411 Staffers join forces for a look ahead at this weekend's ROH shows, featuring Colt Cabana's farewell to ROH, Austin Aries' bid for the ROH World Title, the debut of CHIKARA's finest, and the Briscoes taking on MCMG.
Hello and welcome to another 411 Staff Roundtable to preview a weekend of Ring of Honor action. This week, we'll take a look at the upcoming St. Paul and Chicago Ridge events featuring the final ROH appearances of "Classic" Colt Cabana. Also featured this weekend are the debuts of some talent from CHIKARA, ROH World Champion Takeshi Morishima's return to the Midwest, and a dream match between ROH World Tag Team Champions Jay & Mark Briscoe and the Motor City Machine Guns of Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin. Before we jump into the predictions, let's look at this week's contributing staffers:
Matt Adamson, Puro guru (say that three times fast),
Bayani Domingo, Truth B Told author and resident PWG fanboy,
Brad Garoon, who just put out another SHIMMER review,
And me, Samuel Berman, IMC writer and unofficial WOTW ruiner.
With the introductions out of the way, here are our predictions for this weekend's shows. Cards are complete as of Tuesday, 4/24.
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2007 – ST. PAUL, MN
Rain & Lacey vs. Sara Del Rey & Allison Danger
Stuart Carapola: I haven't been keeping up on all the SHIMMER stuff, but from what I understand, these two are pretty good tag team combinations. I haven't seen Rain wrestle, but Lacey's solid and Del Rey and Danger are both seasoned and good workers as well. Assuming Rain can keep up (which I have every reason to believe she can) this will be good, but Del Rey and Danger impress me more.
Winner: Sara Del Rey & Allison Danger
Ari Berenstein: This is a marquee SHIMMER match up and in Rain and Lacey's "home" area. So hopefully both teams are ready to kick up their work to another gear. As an English Major, I gleefully enjoy the word play of the "Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew". "Dangerous Angels" ain't so bad a literary trope either. However, the Corino Family's longstanding tradition of horrible, annoying, overly long and ill fitting entrance music continues in this tandem. Therefore I go with the team who has the better theme music. I don't even know what that music is, but anything has to be better.
Winners: Rain & Lacey
Matt Adamson: Nice match. I think of this whole show this is the one I'm looking forward to the most. I guess you could say I'm in the mood for some SHIMMER these days. I am going to go with the logic I went with last time and say that due to ROH being considerate of other small indies, Sara Del Rey and Allison Danger are going to win this one in order to make Death Rey look good going toward her SHIMMER title. If that logic doesn't work then I think the SHIMMER title deal is far off.
Winners: Sara Del Rey & Allison Danger
Bayani Domingo: Damn, I'm partial to saying that since Danger is the vet and Del Rey has been the SHIMMER heavyweight that they will win, but...to be honest, I usually go with the tag team that actually has a team name.
Winner: Minnesota HOme Wrecking Crew
Brad Garoon: I've never been the biggest fan of the Minnesota Home-Wrecking Crew, mostly because Rain has a tendency to flub things up when she gets nervous. The Dangerous Angels on the other hand have been very impressive in the tag matches I've seen them compete together in. The novelty of this being the first female tag team match consisting of two regular teams in ROH is pretty cool. I'll give the edge to the Crew because I have a feeling that Jimmy Jacobs's presence will come into play.
Winners: Rain & Lacey
Samuel Berman: I'll go with the hometown ladies in this one, but Danger takes the loss, not Del Rey.
Winners: Rain & Lacey
411 Staff Picks: Rain & Lacey (4-2)
BJ Whitmer vs. Shingo
Stuart Carapola: These two are back to being stuck on the treadmill in ROH. It'll be a good, hard hitting match, but I doubt it'll mean anything long term.
Winner: BJ Whitmer
Ari Berenstein: Punch, punch, power move, suplex, lariat, finish.
Winner: SHINGO
Matt Adamson: I hope this doesn't have to follow the ladies, because it'll make 'em look bad. Basic Whitmer match here I imagine with that Shingo charm. Not interested.
Winner: Shingo
Bayani Domingo: Can't pick against the Asian dude, I'd get my membership card revoked. Plus, I think SHINGO is headed for a stable soon, or at least I keep telling myself, so he has to impress.
Winner: SHINGO
Brad Garoon: These two wrestle a similar style and that will probably lead to a good match. I still think Shingo is going to factor into Jack Evans's stable and Whitmer has been largely lost since losing to Jacobs in the cage. With that in mind I give the edge to Shingo, just for having a bit more potential direction.
Winner: Shingo
Samuel Berman: Whitmer's kind of directionless for the moment in the post-Jacobs feud period. Add that to Shingo challenging for the World Title the next night and this one's a no-brainer in my mind.
Winner: Shingo
411 Staff Picks: Shingo (5-1)
Anything Goes: Colt Cabana & Homicide vs. Brent Albright & Adam Pearce
Stuart Carapola: I have to think that Cabana's going over Pearce on the way out, and that leads me to believe that he and Albright (who has HUGE potential) are getting the win. Anyone else feel like Homicide's not just on the treadmill, but actually moving backward?
Winner: Brent Albright & Adam Pearce
Ari Berenstein: I like the team of Cabana and Homicide. It's unorthodox but hell; it could prove to be very interesting. Albright and Pearce continue to the be the muscle and the roadblocks in Homicide's path, and while I don't think he'll win the war, this time I think he can get the win.
Winner: Colt Cabana and Homicide
Matt Adamson: The next to last Colt match for ROH. I'm going to take a stab here and say that Brent Albright and Pearce are gonna walk away winners of this one setting up something awesome for the Colt vs. Pearce match the following night.
Winners: Adam Pearce & Brent Albright
Bayani Domingo: Odd choice of match but you know, something tells me this is going to be about Homicide and Albright so I'm going to say that one of them is getting the pin. In that case I'll go with the guy who is most likely to earn a main event push in the near future. At least the one with the least amount of commitments outside of RoH.
Winner: Albright n' Pearce
Brad Garoon: This was the only match at Supercard of Honor II that couldn't hold my attention. Cabana is quickly losing my interest, so his departure from the company is happening at a good time. Homicide has been dogging it since he lost the title so it's hard to care about what he does. Albright and Pearce actually make a good team but I'd like to see Albright doing more. I'll go with the bad guys winning here to set up drama for Cabana's farewell match.
Winners: Albright & Pearce
Samuel Berman: Cabana's already lost on his farewell tour, so in a perfect world I'd say he wins here, but the heels could use a win here to establish themselves long-term. Albright over Homicide here is how I'm going.
Winners: Brent Albright & Homicide
411 Staff Picks: Brent Albright & Homicide (5-1)
Jack Evans vs. Delirious vs. Rocky Romero vs. Erick Stevens
Stuart Carapola: I'm surprised that Delirious hasn't joined Jack Evans' group yet, they've certainly been getting booked together enough. Maybe they gave up on that idea. Erick Stevens really impressed me a lot at the Long Island and Edison shows a couple of weeks ago, he looks 100% better than he did in the early FIP shows, but I don't think he'll win, and if Delirious and Evans are going to team up, I feel like one of them's got to get screwed here.
Winner: Rocky Romero
Ari Berenstein: Lots of talented and able bodies in this one. Romero is outnumbered by three faces, so that either means he gets the whupping of his life or something has got to give in the other direction. Maybe miscommunication between Evans and Stevens sparks the feud between Evans' faction and The Resilience. Delirious is the wildcard and I can see him picking up a win against Romero to start his personal revenge tour against the NRC.
Winner: Delirious
Matt Adamson: Oooooh, one of these matches. Should be a big ol' ROH style spotfest. Lots of fun to be had no doubt. Delirious wins because he's cooler.
Winner: Delirious
Bayani Domingo: Damn it Jack, pick a damn stable already!! Okay I'll go with, the one guy who needs the win the absolute most.
Winner: Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack
Brad Garoon: Elements from every stable in the Gang Warz are present here. Evans has yet to really start recruiting new members but it could start with Delirious here. I have a feeling everyone will gang up on Romero in this match. This one is really hard to call but I'm going to go with Stevens because the Resilience are really hard up for credibility right now.
Winner: Erick Stevens
Samuel Berman: Each guy could use the win, which is the nice kind of intrigue that FCS matches often lack. I have Jack winning in Chicago, so let's take him out of the running here. Delirious doesn't really have an issue with anyone, so I'll take him losing to Romero to force the masked man to pick a side in the Gang Warz conflict.
Winner: Rocky Romero
411 Staff Picks: Rocky Romero or Delirious (2-2-1-1)
ROH World Tag Team Titles, Ultimate Endurance: Jay & Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Pelle Primeau & Mitch Franklin vs. Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw vs. Hallowicked & Gran Akuma
Stuart Carapola: Oh no, not another Ultimate Endurance. The idea for these matches is a sound one, but they always end up being totally disjointed, everyone gets confused because they can never remember the stipulations, and each fall is way too short.
Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe
Ari Berenstein: I'd agree with the thought that Ultimate Endurance matches don't normally live up to the hype (except for the awesome first match back at World Title Classic). However, I think this one may work out very well. First of all, The CHIKARA guys work well against each other and are comfortable in multi-man, fast paced situations. Primeau and Franklin should be out quick despite Pelle's recent upturn and that should thin out the numbers game. Finally Jay and Mark Briscoe finally have a great character dynamic for themselves as faces. They are both vulnerable after getting beat down after beat down wrought upon them. Mark is particularly fragile given his concussion. All the better for the crowd to get behind them as they "Man Up" their way to victory. Hopefully Quack impresses enough to get return bookings, especially here on the East Coast.
Winner: Jay and Mark Briscoe
Matt Adamson: When you take a look at the Ultimate Endurance matches of the past, it's easy to roll your eyes at this one before it even happens. What I love about this one is that it's fresh. I'm not really into a lot of the guys wrestling here as I haven't seen much CHIKARA, but from what I have seen it looks like it has potential. The fact that there are CHIKARA guys in there and the Briscoes are fresh off winning the titles, it's pretty easy to see who will be winning this one.
Winners: Jay and Mark Briscoe
Bayani Domingo: Man, Primeau and Franklin would be an AWESOME team to hold the belts. In an alternate world...where Retail Dragon beats Morishima and RoHbots mark out for chinlocks.
Winner: Duh, the Briscoes
Brad Garoon: This has the potential to be incredibly fun. I can't decide who I think will get the title shot at the end of this match, because I think all three challengers could logically get that spot. Hallowicked and Akuma have had the greatest success in FIP of the CHIKARA guys, so I guess picking them is safe. However, Quackenbush is debuting with the company here and has a lot of support behind him. Also Primeau is riding a wave of momentum after winning the Top of the Class Trophy and could look to upset another champion. In the end what you're left with is the potential best Ultimate Endurance match to date and the Briscoes retaining their titles.
Winners: The Briscoes
Samuel Berman: It'll be fun to watch the CHIKARA guys do stuff to each other, but this will quickly turn into a drive-thru victory for Jay & Mark.
Winners and STILL ROH World Tag Team Champions: Jay & Mark Briscoe
411 Staff Picks: Jay & Mark Briscoe (6-0)
FIP World Heavyweight Title: Roderick Strong (c) vs. Christopher Daniels
Stuart Carapola: I don;'t know that these two have ever met in a singles match before, but Strong is constantly improving, and is now a balanced enough worker that he doesn't have to rely on only using backbreakers. Meanwhile, I think Daniels is one of the best workers anywhere today, and putting the two together will lead to good things. That said, ROH clearly does not feel comfortable putting any of its titles (or FIP's, since it's the same booker) on TNA guys, and Roderick is the guy as far as FIP is concerned, so I don't think that title is going anywhere.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Ari Berenstein: As usual with FIP defenses, I don't see the switch happening within Ring of Honor. It wouldn't be fair to the loyal fans in Florida or prudent given Daniels and the TNA connections. This one may be good but I'm not so sure given the heel-heel possibilities here. Those are usually lesser received matches.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Matt Adamson: Another FIP title defense on and ROH show. I guess if they wanted to FIP title to look really strong, give it to Daniels, especially since he'll be down in Florida on a regular basis and can defend that title down there. It's actually a fairly good plan, but I doubt it's going to happen on an ROH show. If it doesn't happen here, maybe they move an angle forward and they can work it out at a few FIP shows where Daniels can get the win there. Maybe they'll even make him a face in the process.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Bayani Domingo: I can't imagine any reason for Daniels to hold this title. Is anyone in this round table picking him? Seriously.
Winner: Rowdy Roddy Strong
Brad Garoon: I still don't understand how Christopher Daniels turned heel, and a heel/heel match can often be a hard sell. I'm thinking Daniels will be the defacto babyface here. Strong should have no trouble getting past him though, as he's never competed in FIP and thus has almost no chance of winning the FIP title.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Samuel Berman: Pay attention, because the policy remains unchanged: Strong will NOT drop the FIP belt to a non-FIP regular on an ROH show. Period.
Winner and STILL FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Roderick Strong
411 Staff Picks: Roderick Strong (6-0)
ROH World Title: Takeshi Morishima (c) vs. Austin Aries
Stuart Carapola: I've felt for a while that if there is anyone who would be a good choice to become the first ever two-time ROH World Champion, that man would be Austin Aries. I actually think he'd be a wonderful choice if Morishima doesn't drop the title to Nigel McGuinness as expected. In any event, I don't see that happening here. Morishima's going to be the champion at least until ROH gets to Japan.
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Ari Berenstein: God love Aries but he is so not going to win the title here. ROH will not repeat history because Final Battle 2004 was such a perfect moment in and of itself. You know, I would have given Aries a better shot had this match come later in Morishima's run, but as it is now, it feels way too soon for a switch. That said, Aries vs. a bigger guy will always be a good match up because Aries can act the underdog very well. I do expect history to repeat in a way because I'd expect a direct repeat of the famous series of moves Aries used to beat Samoa Joe for the ROH World Title. This time, it won't be enough.
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Matt Adamson: We're only a little over two months since Morishima won the ROH title. It allows for ROH to keep the relationship with NOAH alive and prep that company for it's next champion. Morishima is a monsterous beast and is being booked that way on both sides of the Pacific. Aries isn't the guy to take him down, at least not yet.
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Bayani Domingo: Something tells me Morishima holds this till Japan. Why bother touting the Gen Next ex-stable wars if they're putting the belt on Aries.
Winner: Morishima
Brad Garoon: Morishima is holding the title at least until ROH goes to Japan. Aries is the go-to guy when it comes to challengers to bulk up a champions hit list. I expect this will be a very stiff match and hopefully Aries's status as the hometown hero will bring a lot of heat to it. Aries has no chance, however, and anyone who thinks different is crazy.
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Samuel Berman: I like Aries a LOT, and would love to see him win the belt here, but conventional wisdom just doesn't have it happening. The only wrinkle is if by some strange chance the whole TNA suspension has something to do with a pre-arranged plan for Aries to win the belt or something. Please bear in mind that this is me fantasy booking and is NOT a rumor I heard anywhere else. Morishima retains and goes on to face Shingo in Chicago Ridge. Oh, and if you wanted any further proof that Aries isn't winning, ROH hasn't included their patented ‘if so-and-so wins the belt, the title will be on the line' caveat for AA's match in Chicago.
Winner and STILL ROH World Champion: Takeshi Morishima
411 Staff Picks: Takeshi Morishima (6-0)
ROH GOOD TIMES, GREAT MEMORIES
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2007 – CHICAGO RIDGE, IL
Six Man Mayhem: Delirious vs. Pelle Primeau vs. Mike Quackenbush vs. Gran Akuma vs. Jigsaw vs. Hallowicked
Stuart Carapola: The main problem with picking a winner in this match is that I'm not familiar with any of them except for Delirious and Pelle Primeau. Well, I used to see Quackenbush's name in the Apter mags all the time like 10-12 years ago, but you get the point.
Winner: Delirious
Ari Berenstein: This is a CHIKARA all star line up right here (plus Pelle as well). I am most looking forward to two things here: one, Delirious and Hallowicked (tag partners in CHIKARA) interacting here in ROH for the first time. It will be wildly amusing. The second thing to look out for here is Gran Akuma kicking the ever loving snot out of Pelle Primeau. Mike Quackenbush's appearances in ROH are thus far only limited to these two shows. I would like to see Quack get his due and a win in this match, perhaps with the Quackendriver 3 as an exclamation point to a particularly batty sequence of moves.
Winner: Mike Quackenbush
Matt Adamson: This looks like it'll be a wild one. I must say that as I read through this list I can only image two of them winning, but ROH has managed to screw up that theory for me. That doesn't mean I'm going to change my stubborn ways however, so I'm picking Mike Quakenbush to win this one, hopefully he'll be back for me.
Winner: Mike Quakenbush
Bayani Domingo: Damn, can I just say anyone but Pelle? Okay, well I will probably have to say that the least likely to win here is Jigsaw or Hallowicked and from what I've seen Gran Akuma is probably the best of the bunch. Also Delirious IS in line for a huge push so it's pretty easy here.
Winner: Quackenbush
Brad Garoon: Kevin Steen's injury makes this one a much easier pick. Primeau is a champion and the CHIKARA guys could all use a win, but I think it's plain to see that Delirious is getting the 'W' here.
Winner: Delirious
Samuel Berman: The CHIKARA guys should be ready to impress what I anticipate will be a very game Chicago crowd, but the big news is Quackenbush, who is by far the top name amongst the newcomers.
Winner: Mike Quackenbush
411 Staff Picks: Mike Quackenbush (4-2-0-0-0-0)
Homicide vs. BJ Whitmer vs. Brent Albright
Stuart Carapola: I'll work under the assumption that this is one fall. Albright has heat with both men, and I think it would make sense to see Whitmer and Homicide getting in each other's way to get the fall on Albright inadvertently leading to an Albright win, maybe even making this into a three way feud.
Winner: Brent Albright
Ari Berenstein: Homicide and Albright have issues. Whitmer and Albright have issues. By the end of the night, Whitmer and Homicide may have issues. Things have gotten interesting. I agree with Stu's call of the match.
Winner: Brent Albright
Matt Adamson: Albright has so much talent and such a bright future. I really hope he gets the chance to shine here. I am a strong supporter of Albright for ROH champ in 08. He needs wins in matches like this one for that to be a possibility.
Winner: Brent Albright
Bayani Domingo: Seems weird here but I'll go with the principal that in a three way you go with the odd man out. I suspect Homicide and BJ are the faces right?
Winner: Albright.
Brad Garoon: I don't see how Whitmer really fits into this feud but I guess they couldn't find anything else for him to do. Whitmer needs the win more than Albright or Homicide at this point but something tells me he's not going to find it here. Homicide and Albright will hopefully get violent enough to earn a match with a stipulation that ends the feud, and I see Homicide getting the victory here.
Winner: Homicide
Samuel Berman: The smart money is Albright, but I'm going the other way for reasons that I can't quite explain.
Winner: BJ Whitmer
411 Staff Picks: Brent Albright (4-1-1)
Christopher Daniels vs. Erick Stevens
Stuart Carapola: In the wake of the Great TNA Scare Of 2004 and the Second Great TNA Scare Of 2007, Christopher Daniels seems to have fallen into the role of "The wrestler the new guy has to work with and job to before going on to better things." Not that there's anything wrong with that, because if I was running a promotion and wanted to gauge somebody, Daniels is the guy I'd throw him in there with.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Ari Berenstein: Daniels seems to be a "gate keeper" for younger talent in the promotion. I think these two will hold up their end of things pretty well, but I wouldn't be surprised to see a No Remorse Corps intervention shake up this match and ending things with a bit of intrigue.
Winner: Christopher Daniels (with interference from the NRC)
Matt Adamson: Further proof in my mind that they are grooming Daniels for FIP champion. A win here would further his move toward that as he can easily work both FIP and TNA down in Florida with relatively little travel expense. Daniels FIP push has begun.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Bayani Domingo: Damn, there is no way Stevens should be able to beat Daniels, makes no sense even if he is one of the new young lions of RoH. So I'm going with sentimentality here.
Winner: Daniels
Brad Garoon: ell this match is seemingly out of nowhere and is something of a clash of styles. Since Stevens is Roderick Strong's protege I think the quality of Daniels's match against Strong will be a good litmus test of the quality of this match. Aside from that I don't really see where this one is going unless Daniels and Sydal decide to join one of the Gang Warz teams.
Winner: Christopher Daniels
Samuel Berman: I've been saying for a while that Daniels' best role in ROH is to put over the new blood, so I'm hoping that's what happens here. Not that I think it's likely, but a man can hope.
Winner: Erick Stevens
411 Staff Picks: Christopher Daniels (5-1)
Austin Aries vs. Rocky Romero
(Note: It has yet to be announced if Aries would theoretically put the title on the line here)
Stuart Carapola: Well, Romero got the fall on Aries in the elimination match in Long Island, so in the sports entertainment world, that would mean that Aries gets the fall back here because anyone outside the main event is stuck trading wins and losses for all eternity. Thankfully, this is not the sports entertainment world, but I think Aries is going to get the win anyway to finally give The Resilience some momentum.
Winner: Austin Aries
Ari Berenstein: It's The Resilience's top man vs. the NRC's low man on the totem pole. I'd say Romero does a straight job, but my guess is that the NRC will poke its nose again into Resilience business and again mess around some of the night's action. ROH fans may not like when unclean finishes occur, but with NRC in business, I'd expect a good deal of it for the near future.
Winner: Austin Aries (DQ win after NRC interference)
Matt Adamson: I'm guessing that if Aries wins the title Friday night that he won't be defending it here. In fact I'd be willing to bet on a change in the card. However, I do think Aries is going to win this match. Of course there is the distinct possibility that they play up some sort of kayfabe injury to Aries during Friday's match and he loses here, but I'm going with Aries for the win.
Winner: Austin Aries
Bayani Domingo: Logic dictates that Aries dominates, but since the NRC are the heels, let's assume some Davey shenanigans here.
Winner: Rocky
Brad Garoon: When it comes to both of these guys a midcard classic is always a possibility. Romero has pulled them out against guys like Chad Collyer and Aries with Nigel McGuinness and the like. With the added drama of the Gang Warz I think this could bring the quality. The Resilience needs to look strong going into the six-man tag on the following show so Aries will win this.
Winner: Austin Aries
Samuel Berman: Romero wins on night one, but he's not up-ending Aries in this one. This could potentially steal the show and it wouldn't surprise me in the least. Think Jay Briscoe vs. Davey Richards from the second night of the Chicago Spectacular.
Winner: Austin Aries
411 Staff Picks: Austin Aries (5-1)
Jack Evans vs. Roderick Strong
Stuart Carapola: Sadly, I haven't seen either of their first two matches yet, but I heard they were both great. Leading the No Remorse Corps is step one for Roderick Strong on to bigger and better things, and Evans doesn't even have a crew yet. What a punk.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Ari Berenstein: The final big match with the No Remorse Corps involvement. These two have great one on one match ups and this one should be no different. How about Aries returning the favor here by clearing out the NRC, allowing Evans to get the 630 for the win? I like the sound of that.
Winner: Jack Evans
Matt Adamson: Whatta Whatta? Sometimes I feel like I've seen a match before in Japan. Oh, I have seen this one before. That's a good thing because if I remember it, it was either really good or really bad. My guess is considering who's involved, this will be a great little match. Strong should be getting the win though.
Winner: Roderick Strong
Bayani Domingo: Damn, it seems like NRC might dominate here but something tells me Jack needs to have a strong showing if he's going to recruit some troops, no one wants to join up with a loser. Which explains why *fill in your least favorite 411 writer* is still single.
Winner: Jack Evans, Konichiwa bitches
Brad Garoon: Their match in FIP was great and their match in Detroit was phenomenal. I expect them to keep improving as that appears to be all Evans knows how to do. This isn't for the FIP title and Evans is in serious need of a singles win over a high profile opponent, so I think this match will go his way.
Winner: Jack Evans
Samuel Berman: I'm tempted to pick Roddy so that our staff prediction ends up a wash, but the truth is that I think Jack's going to win here and set up his stable elsewhere on the show. If their FIP encounter (as well as the reports of their match a few weeks ago in ROH) is any indication, this should be fantastic.
Winner: Jack Evans
411 Staff Picks: Jack Evans (4-2)
ROH World Tag Team Titles: Jay & Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin
Stuart Carapola: Sabin & Shelley sounded like a really out-of-nowhere combination when I first heard that they were getting a title shot, but I've heard that they're a really crisp team when they're not in TNA. I've heard them compared to the Midnight Express, and I think there isn't a better team in the world right now than the Briscoes, so put them together and we should be in for a hell of a match. However, I think we can rule out Shelley and Sabin getting the title because of the TNA Factor.
Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe
Ari Berenstein: The Motor City Machine Guns make their long awaited debut in ROH as a team. Alex Shelley's return has been awhile in coming, but I am very happy to see it. Shelley may be very motivated here as a result. I'm expecting a top notch tag match and a tough challenge for The Briscoes. However, Jay and Mark are currently ruling the roost in the division and I expect that to last until the summer.
Winner: Jay & Mark Briscoe
Matt Adamson: This match should be awesome. I think having Sabin in here is a great thing. I'm not a really big fan of his in TNA because I think he is a bit burnt out on their adrenaline rush 3 minute X Division matches. This will give him the opportunity for a little breathing room. He will have some of the best to work with too. Like I said in the last match, The Briscoe's just won the titles, I don't see them going anywhere soon.
Winners: Mark & Jay Briscoe
Bayani Domingo: The "Murder City Machine Guns" will own these belts at some point, sooner than later. But this is too soon.
Winner: Briscoes
Brad Garoon: I heard rumors about this match a few months ago. Then Samoa Joe announced he was leaving the company and the thought of TNA allowing this match to happen seemed to be more of a dream. Now it's official and from what I understand these four intend to steal the show. If I was booking this show I'd have it go on last, but its got some stiff competition in the form of the ROH title match and Cabana's farewell. Still I expect this to be the match of the night.
Winners: The Briscoes
Samuel Berman: I could write 1000 words on this match and not get tired, but in the interest of brevity, I'll just say that I've been talking this match up since it was announced and think it will hands-down be the best match of the weekend. Shelley & Sabin are AWESOME as a team and should mesh well with the Briscoes to create something really special. Oh, and for the record, ‘Motor City Machine Guns' is just about the coolest tag team name I've ever heard. Briscoes retain in an instant classic, though I'd be just as happy to have MCMG holding the belts.
Winners and STILL ROH World Tag Team Champions: Jay & Mark Briscoe
411 Staff Picks: Jay & Mark Briscoe (6-0)
ROH World Title: Takeshi Morishima (c) vs. Shingo
Stuart Carapola: Hang on, let's try this out. SHINGO: ROH World Champion. PFFFFFFFFFFFHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! You make me laugh, Mr Sapolsky!
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Ari Berenstein: This has been sold on the novelty of NOAH vs. Dragon Gate within the confines of an ROH ring. I expect the match to be okay in the ring, but perhaps more on the level of the BJ Whitmer defense and not on the level of the Nigel McGuinness defense. SHINGO will get close, but he will not get the win.
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Matt Adamson: It's funny thinking about this match as I wish they had done this one on the Friday Night show. I don't know why but I always feel as though the Saturday show is the big one. I guess they are trying to eliminate that stigma so people don't choose one over the other. I think Shingo has about as good a change of winning this as BJ Whitmer, who I never thought had a chance.
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Bayani Domingo: I'm just writing in here so I don't leave this section blank.
Winner: Morishima
Brad Garoon: This match is a pretty big deal, but with Shingo being as inexperienced as he is and Morishima being the next great hope in NOAH the result isn't really in question. Shingo just had a reportedly amazing match against Yamato Onodera in FIP, and I think he can bring that same quality here. This is probably the match in Morishima's reign that I'm most geeked for so far, so I hope it lives up to my expectations.
Winner: Takeshi Morishima
Samuel Berman: In Japan this is an inter-promotional dream match. In ROH is feeding another challenger to the big guy holding the belt. Not that I don't think the match will be good, just that the result isn't at all in doubt.
Winner and STILL ROH World Champion: Takeshi Morishima
411 Staff Picks: Takeshi Morishima (6-0)
Colt Cabana vs. Adam Pearce
Stuart Carapola: My theory was that Colt Cabana was going to finish out his final dates on his back until he got here. I'm glad that for once, a big departing star isn't getting an ROH Title shot on the way out, or even anything hugely spectacular. It's in his hometown of Chicago, it's with somebody he's good friends with, and he really seems to be having a lot of fun in his last few shots, so being that this IS Adam Pearce we're talking about here, I think Cabana's going to go over and put a happy ending on his ROH career. Thanks for the Good Times & Great Memories, Colt.
Winner: Colt Cabana
Ari Berenstein: This is the big goodbye for Cabana and Pearce aims to play the spoil sport in their shared hometown of Chicago. Expect some classic Colt shenanigans and comedy as Cabana unnerves Pearce on his way to picking up the win in his final ROH match. I'm sure the goodbye will be emotional and yet simultaneously hilarious. That's just Colt Cabana's way of doing things.
Winner: Colt Cabana
Matt Adamson: Colt's last hurrah in ROH before going to the greener pastures of limosine riding with the WWE. Well, at least to developmental. Colt has been a mainstay with ROH for so long I cannot imaging him losing this match. He is loved by the fans and his peers no doubt. This will be the last match Colt is going to have for a while where he isn't force fed his comedy lines. Be aware of that and enjoy it while it lasts. I hope the WWE sees what he can do on his own.
Winner: Colt Cabana
Bayani Domingo: Colt, you are the man. In the ring, after the show, with the fans, you are a true class act. I've never seen a guy so happily put on a show just to put someone else over. He's a true wrestling legend and entertainer in the ring. Here's hoping for a quick reunion with your straight edge straight man.
Winner: Colt Cabana, how can you pick otherwise?
Brad Garoon: As far as farewell matches go this one leaves something to be desired. Sure these two have a personal history against each other but in ROH there's been nothing to speak of. Also Pearce isn't really the main event player you'd expect to give an established guy like Cabana his big final match. On the other hand I've been really impressed with Pearce in big match atmospheres (as seen in great cage matches against Frankie Kazarian in PWG and Homicide in ROH) so this could deliver. I'd put it on right before intermission and let Cabana give his farewell speech then, since I doubt it will produce the same kind of emotion that Punk's final match did. I'm going to predict that Cabana goes out the same way his buddy Punk did, putting over a fellow Chi-Town native.
Winner: Adam Pearce
Samuel Berman: Colt Cabana is my favorite wrestler in ROH bar-none and I'm sadder than I can say to see him go. However, as a fan, I'm excited about the prospects of him on my television every Monday (or Tuesday (or Friday)) night. As for this match, I'm going to predict a Cabana win, if only because I think they'd use the rub for someone other than Pearce if Colt was going out on his back. Should be a fun, emotional affair for the wrestlers and the crowd.
