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411 ROH Roundtable Preview: Deer Park & Edison – Race to the Top Tournament – 7/27 & 7/28

July 27, 2007 | Posted by Samuel Berman

Hello and welcome to another 411Mania Ring of Honor Roundtable Preview. This week we’re going to give you predictions and theories for Ring of Honor’s Race to the Top Tournament, live from Deer Park, New York and Edison, New Jersey. These shows will mark the first multiple-event tournament that Ring of Honor has put on since mid-2002. Following in the footsteps of other major Independent Tournaments like Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s Battle of Los Angeles and IWA Mid-South’s Ted Petty Invitational, ROH has the chance to use the Race to the Top Tournament to either further elevate an established star like Chris Hero or Claudio Castagnoli, or to give instant credibility to a newcomer like Erick Stevens or Jigsaw. Beyond the tournament action, there are also a number of other high profile contests taking place this weekend, including Jay & Mark Briscoe’s biggest challenge yet and a Four Way Fray for the FIP Heavyweight Title. Before we get to our thoughts, let’s take a look at this week’s contributing staff:

Michael Bauer, of the ECW Recap,

Ari Berenstein, of Column of Honor,

Brad Garoon, of our ROH DVD Review team,

Bayani Domingo, of Truth B Told,

And me, Samuel Berman, of The Independent Mid-Card.

Now that you’re familiar with the writers, let’s get right to our thoughts for this weekend’s shows. Cards are current as of Monday, 7/23.

RACE TO THE TOP TOURNAMENT, NIGHT 1
FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 – DEER PARK, NY

Race To The Top Tournament
Block A: BJ Whitmer vs. Pelle Primeau

Michael Bauer: I know these tourneys need to have a Cinderella story and BJ Whitmer hasn’t been able to buy a win as of late. But if you are to tell me that Pelle has a shot of beating him, I’d be throwing you in an insane asylum.

Winner: BJ Whitmer

Ari Berenstein: Bauer, get ready to throw me in the insane asylum. No way, no how does BJ win another match until he either turns heel and joins with Adam Pearce or completely snaps ala The Incredible Hulk. Do you believe in miracles Pelle? YES!

Winner: Pelle Primeau

Brad Garoon: I would love to see Pelle make it to the second round as his character is interesting and Whitmer has done little other than have temper tantrums since losing his cage match to Jacobs, but I don’t see it happening. Whitmer is at least making it to round two and since students will probably be put in the six man mayhem the following night it’d make sense for Primeau to be in there.

Winner: BJ Whitmer

Bayani Domingo: So it’s a BJ vs a PP is it? Well…I think we know how that is going to turn out? I don’t think PP has the stamina to outlast BJ. Probably blow his load a bit prematurely and he’ll be spent. I don’t think PP is hardcore enough to over come BJ. But hey, that’s just me.

Winner: BJ Whitmer

Samuel Berman: I’m in the camp that sees Whitmer’s losing streak as a potential good thing. I think that pairing him will Pelle is a good swerve in terms of putting BJ against an opponent he should beat (unlike when he faced Marufuji). An upset win for Pelle doesn’t kill the tournament and helps further BJ’s storyline.

Winner: Pelle Primeau

411 Staff Picks: BJ Whitmer (3-2)

Block A: Davey Richards vs. Jigsaw
Michael Bauer: I also know these tourneys are a great way to put over talent coming in from other groups. With that said, it won’t happen here. Davey Richards in my dark horse pick of this tournament, especially being in the weakest block, in terms of talent.

Winner: Davey Richards

Ari Berenstein: Jigsaw has tons of potential and some stiff moves, but Richards has the experience advantage in ROH as well as his new and improved vicious attitude.

Winner: Davey Richards

Brad Garoon: This is a pretty weird pairing. I don’t think ROH fans are familiar enough with Jigsaw to have him advance over one of ROH’s top heels. Gran Akuma and Richards had great chemistry in their FIP match and it would have been nice to see them go again here, maybe with a few minutes more. As it is I’m sure this will be fine as Jigsaw is more than capable, but his real potential will show when he’s in the 10,000 tag challenge.

Winner: Davey Richards

Bayani Domingo: How can Davey possibly figure Jigsaw out? Can he solve the enigma that is Jigsaw or will he fall pray to an intricate and deadly arsenal of moveset that Jigsaw has piece together? I say Davey will figure a way to work around the edges and take Jigsaw down from the outside in. At this point CHIKARA guys might as well be RoH Grad Students, they’re booked as such.

Winner: Davey Richards

Samuel Berman: As much as I personally like Jigsaw in the ring, I don’t think he’s going to advance here, if only because two upsets in the same bracket would seem a little excessive to me. Richards could use the credibility of a first round victory, if only to keep the NRC strong while Romero is gone and Strong is busy defending his title. I think Jigsaw will impress, though.

Winner: Davey Richards

411 Staff Picks: Davey Richards (5-0)

Block B: Erick Stevens vs. Chris Hero
Michael Bauer: Damn, that is a tough draw for Erick Stevens, who would seem to be the logical choice to go into the second round to build credibility to his resume. The problem: He is stuck in the toughest block of the tourney. Also, this has been the Summer of Hero and he has done most of it by winning tournaments like this. I have to imagine the trend starts to continue here.

Winner: Chris Hero

Ari Berenstein: As said previously, this is a tough draw for Stevens. It will be a good maybe ten to fifteen minute match and he will have his chances, but Hero’s talent level and conditioning are too much for any one man to beat.

Winner: Chris Hero

Brad Garoon: If I was booking the tournament I’d put Stevens straight through to the semi-finals at least. As it is he’s in there against Hero, which makes for anything but an easy first round. I actually don’t think the junior member of Aries’s stable is going to beat the driving force of Sweet N’ Sour International. Something tells me he and Strong will both be picked on the same team in the tag challenge.

Winner: Chris Hero

Bayani Domingo: Has Erick won a match since he got inducted into “Resilience”? I don’t even know. Besides, Hero has more guys in his entourage than Stevens has wins. Oh yeah, Hero will figure a way to get Even with Stevens.

Winner: Summer of Hero

Samuel Berman: Stevens is an impressive powerhouse, but Hero’s the veteran here and has tournament experience. I’m viewing this tournament as ROH’s last chance to book Hero properly, because since the early stages of the CZW war, he really hasn’t been portrayed as the dominating, conniving heel that he should be. Seriously, would a defining win over Nigel have killed them?

Winner: Chris Hero

411 Staff Picks: Chris Hero (5-0)

Block B: Delirious vs. El Generico
Michael Bauer: If any match will entertain my more than this while I’m in Deer Park, please point it out. Delirious just won a huge match against Roderick Strong in Japan and is on a roll. But El Generico, wow, I just can’t see him losing this early to anyone, as he still is the PWG Champion. This match will be a coin flip as both men could easily win.

Winner: El Generico

Ari Berenstein: This one should be fun and funny. Delirious is back on the winning way and El Generico is better served on the tag scene, so I go with the masked insane one. No, the one who babbles. No, the other one. No…the OTHER one. Sigh…

Winner: Delirious

Brad Garoon: Again I see the tag challenge telegraphing who will win here. Delirious and Strong have settled their issue, so putting them in that match together is pointless. One or both Briscoes could get drafted onto a team so their heat with Generico will probably be exploited there.

Winner: Delirious

Bayani Domingo: I was mistakenly under the impression this would be a verbal debate. I actually think Delirious and Generico both need the win…meaning NEITHER will win!! Actually I guess you can’t do that cuz’ it fucks up the brackets. Uh…okay…let’s go with Delirious. Only because I think Steen-Erico may figure into the $10K match.

Winner: Delirious

Samuel Berman: This should be off-the-charts entertaining, especially because Generico isn’t forced to be a hard-ass in a singles environment the way he is when he’s teaming with Steen (not that that’s a bad thing, I’m just pointing out the difference). I want to go with Delirious here because a borderline main eventer anyway, but something’s tugging me the other way. I guess I’ll go with him regardless, because I, too, think Steen & Generico will fit better in the Tag Challenge on Night 2.

Winner: Delirious

411 Staff Picks: Delirious (4-1)

Block C: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Hallowicked
Michael Bauer: Here is another spot where the non-dedicated talent could go over, but then you look at Claudio. Claudio has been getting super over lately and could easily be the one person who could stop the Summer of Hero and stop it soundly. Hallowicked has impressed, but I don’t see him advancing.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Ari Berenstein: HEYYYY! Some one is getting european uppercutted back to the pumpkin patch.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Brad Garoon: If the tournament was set up differently I’d say Claudio going over to face Hero later in the tournament was a lock. As it is however the only time they’d meet would be in the finals, and I don’t think Hero vs. Claudio will be the finals of this tournament. For one thing they have an upcoming match scheduled and for another I don’t see the point of having a personal issue overshadow the inaugural tournament. Even so I don’t think it’s likely that Hallowicked will go over. I see him being locked into the six man mayhem the next night instead. Not to mention the fact that Claudio has a title shot coming up at Death Before Dishonor.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Bayani Domingo: Yeah, uh…I think either Los Ice Creams would have a better chance beating CC.

Winner: HEY!! Double C.

Samuel Berman: Claudio is the next breakout ROH star, so there’s no way he’s losing in the first round. This will be a fun, CHIKARA-style match, though.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

411 Staff Picks: Claudio Castagnoli (5-0)

Block C: Matt Sydal vs. Mike Quackenbush
Michael Bauer: And just when you think Delirious and Generico is the closet match in the first round, we get this match. This match will absolutely be close, but I think the thought of Sydal going to TNA has to be in the back of everyone’s minds, which may keep him from winning. Quackenbush will advance, but be forewarned Mikey. I’m won’t be quacking at you like everyone else… I got a toy duck caller!

Winner: Mike Quackenbush

Ari Berenstein: I definitely agree that this is one of the closer brackets. I’m very tempted to give Quack the win here since Quack / Claudio always rules. However, Sydal is now represented by Sweet and Sour Inc. and recently beat down Claudio to do so. Claudio and Sydal have a major reason to throw down in night 2 and I think we’ll see that happen, rumors of Sydal to TNA or not.

Winner: Matt Sydal

Brad Garoon: Sydal has some steam due to joining up with Hero and his pals, but it’s Quackenbush who really needs a good showing in this tournament. He has a huge match with Bryan Danielson coming up so I don’t see him getting stopped here. Sydal would make a fine addition to either of the multi-person matches the following night, and his recent association with TNA tells me that’s where he’s going on Saturday.

Winner: Mike Quackenbush

Bayani Domingo: Is it just me or does “Quackenbush” sound like a phony gynecologist? Either way, Sydal may be on the outs soon if rumors are true and Quack is being booked as a real talent these days.

Winner: Quack

Samuel Berman: If they don’t give Quackenbush the win here, especially with his singles contest with Danielson right around the corner, then they have no idea what kind of talent and main event potential they have on their hands.

Winner: Mike Quackenbush

411 Staff Picks: Mike Quackenbush (4-1)

Block D: Jack Evans vs. Kevin Steen
Michael Bauer: Jack Evans is back and runs into the wall of Kevin Steen. Steen has proven many times that he can beat the smaller guys and be just as agile at times. Jack Evans is my boy and all, but I can’t see Steen losing in the first round.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Ari Berenstein: Like with El Generico, Kevin Steen is in a tag team program and I don’t see him advance in a singles tournament for ROH at this juncture. Evans is back on the scene and needs some major rehabilitation in order to slide him back into the Generation Next three way imbroglio.

Winner: Jack Evans

Brad Garoon: Much like Generico I see Steen losing here to have some sort of conflict with the Briscoes the following night. More importantly though Evans is my favorite to win the entire tournament. I actually think he’s above this tournament and is already a main player in ROH, but his lack of singles wins (you can count them on one hand) means he needs to rack up a few here. If nothing else, Evans is making it to the finals.

Winner: Jack Evans

Bayani Domingo: Once again neither man can afford to lose. Steen has to stay strong going into a big string of summer matches with the Briscoes, but Jack has just come off a big win in Japan himself and if he really expects to lead a “crew” he better step up like a leader.

Winner: Jack….and you know this…..maaaaaaaaaaaan.

Samuel Berman: I like Steen a lot in this bully role he’s been playing, but Jack’s the bigger name here. The fun thing here is that this matchup makes the bigger name the underdog, so it can still be considered something of an upset when Jack wins clean. Steen won’t lose anything in the fans’ eyes laying down for Jack, either, so that’s how I think they’re going.

Winner: Jack Evans

411 Staff Picks: Jack Evans (4-1)

Block D: Brent Albright vs. Matt Cross
Michael Bauer: Brent Albright and Matt Cross will be the hardest hitting first round match here, but Matt Cross is not ready to make that push to the next level. Albright wins in what might be the biggest squash of the first round.

Winner: Brent Albright

Ari Berenstein: Albright is going to squish Cross like a bug in this match. Squish, squish, squash.

Winner: Brent Albright.

Brad Garoon: While Cross vs. Evans would be a phenomenal high-flying exhibition, I think the six man mayhem will take care of the lucha quota for saturday night. Albright vs. Evans will be a great match up that… well, you’ll see what I have to say about it in my prediction of the quarter-finals. Also going for Albright is the fact that he has a title match coming up at Death Before Dishonor.

Winner: Brent Albright

Bayani Domingo: David vs Goliath. Actually…why hasn’t there ever been a wrestler called Goliath? Is the reason because they have to keep t hem away from David’s? Just in case. How many David’s are there actually? Not many, very few in fact…which also describes the number of people thinking Matt Cross is winning this match.

Winner: Brent Albright

Samuel Berman: I really like Matt Cross and think he has an unfairly bad rep with a lot of ROH fans, but liking him doesn’t mean that I think he’s going to upset Albright. Hopefully Albright gives at least a little away in this one, because Cross could use some more credibility and a good showing against the bigger, stronger Albright could help with that.

Winner: Brent Albright

411 Staff Picks: Brent Albright (5-0)

FIP Heavyweight Title, Four Way Fray: Roderick Strong © vs. Austin Aries vs. Jimmy Rave vs. Gran Akuma
Michael Bauer: Ok, forget the FIP Heavyweight Title being on the line and forget that Akuma and Rave are even in this match. IT’S THE IN RING RETURN OF AUSTIN ARIES AND IT’S IN MY BACKYARD OF LONG ISLAND! Sorry, had to mark out there. Austin will have this place in a fucking frenzy as it will no doubt come down to those two in this elimination match. And while having the belt defended in great for Full Impact Pro, logic says the title will not change hands.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Ari Berenstein: I’m not sure I like this being Austin’s first match for his return AND his first in ring encounter with Strong. I would have done it through another match style or have Aries fight someone else completely and build this one up. I usually stand by my “no FIP title switches in ROH” philosophy, but Aries stealing away what Strong find so valuable has a nice “payback” to get this feud really hopping. I don’t know for sure, but I think we’re going to see the unexpected happen here.

Winner: and NEW FIP champion, Austin Aries

Brad Garoon: It’s funny that for the first time the FIP title has a more focused feud in ROH than it does in FIP. That being said there actually is a small chance that Aries could win the belt here. He won’t however, as I think Mr. Sapolsky learned his lesson when he shot the title from Homicide to Danielson in January of 2006 at Hell Freezes Over. There’s no doubt that it will come down to Aries vs. Strong in the end, but this feud can’t end in a four way fray so Aries is coming up short here.

Winner: Roderick Strong

Bayani Domingo: Strong and Aries is the real feud here. My guess is Aries didn’t come back without a little something extra thrown in. Expect Akuma to take the 1st fall either way. Having the FIP belt actually change hands in RoH may be the closest thing to a real title change we see in months.

Winner: Austin Aries

Samuel Berman: I’d love a swerve here, like Aries eliminating Strong, but falling in an upset to Akuma, but I don’t think they’ll do anything crazy like that. Strong will probably retain, but won’t get the win over Aries. I think Rave will get that job done, leading to his inclusion in the NRC down the road as a thank you from Strong.

Winner and STILL FIP World Heavyweight Champion: Roderick Strong

ROH World Tag Team Titles: Jay & Mark Briscoe © vs. Bryan Danielson & Nigel McGuinness
Michael Bauer: This match will pit the four most over guys in the Ring of Honor today and that statement will ring true for the next long while. Jay and Mark have beaten every combination to be thrown at them, but they are not destined to lose them to a random combination, regardless of how good they are. I promise you that very few people will be sitting during this match.

Winners: The Briscoe Brothers

Ari Berenstein: THIS is going to be one hell of a main event. Expect lots of good wrestling and lots of bombs to be thrown. The Briscoes still have a hell of a ways to go as champions and their main feud is with Steen and Generico. Nigel and Bryan make for better rivals than teammates. A misunderstanding will do them in.

Winner: The Briscoes

ROH World Tag Team Titles: Jay & Mark Briscoe (c) vs. Bryan Danielson & Nigel McGuinness
Brad Garoon: With Nigel out of the World Title picture and Danielson in I see there being quite a bit of friction on the challenging side here. This match should be great, as Danielson tends to brings his A-Game to tag titles challenges. With Steen and Generico hot on the Briscoes’ heels it’d be pointless for them to lose here… so they won’t.

Winners: The Briscoe Brothers

Bayani Domingo: C’mon, RoH wouldn’t pull a WWE on us by having AmDrag and Nigel win, would they? Either way, having the Briscoes drop the belt to this team isn’t an embarrassment, but it also doesn’t do much for AmDrag/Nigel either since they are the only real “main event” guys RoH is pushing in house.

Winner: Briscoe Bros.

Samuel Berman: They can’t take the titles off of the Briscoes until (at least) their blowoff with Steen & Generico, so they’re getting the win. Now it’s just a matter of which major player they pin along the way. I’ll guess Nigel because he’s coming off of a title shot rather than getting one in the near future (like Danielson). No matter who they pin, Jay & Mark are going to have to pull out their big guns to do it (see: Spike Jay Driller or Legdrop/Cutthroat Driver combo). This could top their MOTYC with MCMG without a ton of effort, which speaks highly of all four guys’ talent.

Winners and STILL ROH World Tag Team Champions: Jay & Mark Briscoe

411 Staff Picks: Jay & Mark Briscoe (5-0)

RACE TO THE TOP TOURNAMENT, NIGHT 2
SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2007 – EDISON, NJ

Race To The Top Tournament
Block A: Whitmer/Primeau winner vs. Richards/Jigsaw winner

Michael Bauer: Like I said before, this block just doesn’t have a ton of talent in it and Davey Richards should cost through BJ Whitmer and into the semi-finals and the toughest block in the grouping.

Winner: Davey Richards

Ari Berenstein: For me its Primeau vs. Richards in the quarter finals and while again you could be tempted to say that Richards is going destroy the undersized underdog, I think some influence from Austin Aries and The Resilience may throw off Richards, leading to wacky mistiming and the upset win for young Pelle. Living the dream.

Winner: Pelle Primeau

Brad Garoon: So it’s Whitmer vs. Richards in a match that’s pretty easy for me to call. Much like I said about Evans earlier I think Richards is above this tournament and Whitmer is directionless. Richards has more to lose so he’ll probably beat Whitmer here causing BJ to have a temper tantrum.

Winner: Davey Richards

Bayani Domingo: Davey is the breakout star here and I see him going over in this bracket pretty easy. This actually ends up being the weakest block in the tournament so Davey will have a good showing, but probably won’t take the whole thing.

Winner: Davey Richards

Samuel Berman: Davey’s a drive-through winner here unless they’re pulling a big swerve and having Whitmer win the whole thing. That doesn’t seem likely, so it’s Richards in round two.

Winner: Davey Richards

411 Staff Picks: Davey Richards (4-1-0-0)

Block B: Stevens/Hero winner vs. Delirious/Generico winner
Michael Bauer: Chris Hero will emerge from this block as head to the semi-finals, but regardless of facing Generico or Delirious, he will not have an easy match on his hands. Expect major cockiness after beating Stevens soundly before this match.

Winner: Chris Hero

Ari Berenstein: Chris Hero vs. Delirious is a competitive match but not by any means impossible for Chris Hero to deal with. He’s smarter than the Green Machine that’s for sure.

Winner: Chris Hero

Brad Garoon: It’s Chris Hero vs. Delirious with Hero going over. Delirious may have just defeated Strong but the other big heel in the company won’t go down here. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sydal get involved here, as he has history with Delirious and is of course part of Hero’s stable.

Winner: Chris Hero

Bayani Domingo: Didn’t I already mention the “Summer of Hero”?

Winner: Chris Hero

Samuel Berman: Count me in on the Hero band wagon. At least for this round.

Winner: Chris Hero

411 Staff Picks: Chris Hero (5-0-0-0)

Block C: Castagnoli/Hallowicked winner vs. Sydal/Quackenbush winner
Michael Bauer: This is amazingly close to call as Claudio has got a great chance to win this whole tourney, but Mike Quackenbush might just be the one of two “outsiders” to really stand a chance as well. I’ll go with the home squad here again, but I wouldn’t be shocked if I’m wrong. This block is also pretty tough and either man will be lucky to make it.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Ari Berenstein: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Matt Sydal begins Claudio’s trek for revenge against members of Sweet and Sour Inc. Claudio and Sydal work well within the big man / little man concept and I expect a really good outing from both of them here.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Brad Garoon: Quackenbush has his Ted Petty Invitational rematch with Danielson coming up, but first he’ll have a Ted Petty Invitational rematch with Claudio right here. The former King of Wrestling will put Darkness Crabtree’s alter ego to bed here.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Bayani Domingo: Quack is good, but Claudio and Hero have a date.

Winner: Dub-C

Samuel Berman: I think they’ll go with Claudio, but I’d like to see them go with Quackenbush here. I think they could get a lot of miles out of integrating the Hero/Quackenbush issue into ROH, so let’s say that’s their thinking as well. Maybe Hero comes in and causes the loss. That’d fit both the character and the storyline.

Winner: Mike Quackenbush

411 Staff Picks: Claudio Castagnoli (4-1-0-0)

Block D: Cross/Albright winner vs. Evans/Steen winner
Michael Bauer: If Jack Evans is lucky enough to beat Steen, then maybe Brent Albright makes it to the second round. But there is no way in the world that Kevin Steen loses to Albright or Matt Cross. And while Quackenbush might be the one or the two “outsiders” who could win it all, Kevin Steen is the other and will actually be able to make the Semi-Finals.

Winner: Kevin Steen

Ari Berenstein: This block puts Brent Albright up against Jack Evans in another big man / little man match, but this time the little guy is once again the underdog. I don’t see Evans making it out of this round as Albright has too many weapons in his arsenal.

Winner: Brent Albright

Brad Garoon: So we’ve got Albright vs. Evans in a match that I think will be great. Albright will beat Evans for the majority of the match but Evans will pull out the win, leaving him in questionable shape for the main event. And then in the finals Evans’s performance will be even more dramatic.

Winner: Jack Evans

Bayani Domingo: I can’t imagine Albright losing here because he’s been booked so solidly since he began and Jack is over whether he wins the tourney or not.

Winner: Brent Albright

Samuel Berman: With Quackenbush advancing, I’m looking at this purely from a matchup standpoint. Evans would integrate better into that match than Albright, so let’s go with another “upset” for the little guy.

Winner: Jack Evans

411 Staff Picks: Jack Evans or Brent Albright (2-2-1-0)

Semifinal 1: Block A winner vs. Block B winner
Davey Richards vs. Chris Hero
Michael Bauer: If Davey Richards is the Cinderella of this tourney, the pumpkin hatches against Chris Hero, who will be able to escape that monster block. Nobody in Block A stands a chance of beating Hero or Generico and it is close against Delirious and Erick Stevens. The Summer of Hero rolls on into the finals and one has to wonder if they really are trying to setup a classic.

Winner: Chris Hero

Pelle Primeau vs. Chris Hero
Ari Berenstein: The semifinals begins with Pelle Primeau vs. Chris Hero. The supreme never say die guy vs. the supreme cocky self assured heel. You can’t get any better pro wrestling match up than that. However this time, the upset train gets derailed by Hero in what should be an easier match by far than the other finalist.

Winner: Chris Hero

Davey Richards vs. Chris Hero
Brad Garoon: This match is the only one I’m not sure about. Both of these guys are strong heels and a match between the two could be a disaster. This match up is the only defense one could have for Whitmer going over Richards in the quarter-finals. At any rate I think this will be kept short and Richards will advance to the main event to face his partner’s nemesis.

Winner: Davey Richards

Davey Richards vs. Chris Hero
Bayani Domingo: Gotta go with the guy who is poised on the cusp of RoH greatness. Either a singles run or a …no wait…can’t spoil it yet.

Winner: Hero

Davey Richards vs. Chris Hero
Samuel Berman: I’d like to have seen Pelle vs. Hero, but I don’t think it’ll happen. Hero wins this one, because a run to the finals is a good move for him and a major part in establishing his stable as a force in the company (rather than as a band of misfits). Hero survives a massive kick assault to out-heel Richards in a heel-heel matchup.

Winner: Chris Hero

411 Staff Consensus Matchup: Davey Richards vs. Chris Hero
411 Staff Picks: Chris Hero

Semifinal 2: Block C winner vs. Block D winner
Claudio Castagnoli vs. Kevin Steen
Michael Bauer: Kevin Steen is in a very physical block and will be put to the test, regardless of his second round opponent. That may be just enough for Claudio to get by Steen and make it to the finals. Claudio though has to most likely contend with Quackenbush, which is no easy feat either. While having an outsider in the finals is appealing, how could RoH turn down this final match?

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright
Ari Berenstein: The second semifinals in my mind ends up with Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright. Albright has been known to take a payoff or two and he’s had business with Larry Sweeney before. Sweeney could once again contract Albright to take out Claudio. Albright does damage, but this time Claudio has the know-how and finesse to get a roll up for the three and advance to the finals, hurt, but ready to take on his former friend and now enemy.

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Jack Evans
Brad Garoon: I see a lot of people (or really just Berenstein) guessing that this will actually be Claudio vs. Albright, but I really don’t think ROH would want to put one of them over the other just before a weekend that sees them both go after Morishima. As for Claudio vs. Evans, given how great Claudio performed against and with Matt Sydal I think he can do great things with Evans. Again, Claudio will dominate the majority of the match but Evans will squeak out a victory. The beauty part of Evans going over Claudio and Albright on his way to the finals is that he will have a claim at a world title shot after those two lose to Morishima.

Winner: Jack Evans

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brent Albright
Bayani Domingo: I want to say Dub-C comes out victoriously and faces Hero in the finals, faces his “demons” and comes out with a big win. But, something just tells me once Hero wins his match, he’s not going to want to face Claudio in the finals, even if that means taking on Albright instead. I would wager that someone out of Hero’s stable causes Dub-C the match here.

Winner: Brent Albright.

Mike Quackenbush vs. Jack Evans
Samuel Berman: Quackenbush stretches Evans into oblivion here, much like Alex Shelley and Bryan Danielson did before him. I’m hoping for the ROH debut of the Quackendriver II here, but that’s just because I think it’s like the most vicious looking finisher in the business. Quackenbush moves on.

Winner: Mike Quackenbush

411 Staff Consensus Matchup: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Jack Evans or Brent Albright
411 Staff Picks: Claudio Castagnoli

Finals: A/B winner vs. C/D winner
Chris Hero vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Michael Bauer: Yes, they are scheduled to face off in a few weeks, but how much sweeter would that be as a revenge match. The Summer of Hero has the easier of the two roads, as I have him beating Erick Stevens, Generico, and Davey Richards. Claudio’s road, as I have it, is Hallowicked, Mike Quackenbush, and Kevin Steen… yesh. Larry Sweeney will be the X-Factor in this match and that will tilt the scale in Hero’s direction while setting up some awesome rematch for August.

Winner: Chris Hero

Chris Hero vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Ari Berenstein: It’s the first singles match in Ring of Honor between Chris Hero and Claudio Castagnoli. This Kingdom is about to implode and Hero and Claudio are looking to take each other out. In the words of Optimus Prime, “one shall stand, one shall fall”. Unfortunately for our favorite Swiss hero…this is the Summer of CHRIS HERO.

Winner: Chris Hero

Jack Evans vs. Davey Richards
Brad Garoon: I’ve pretty much said all I need to about both of these guys in previous match predictions. Evans winning the tournament will mean more than Richards winning it, and could lead to a nice main event run for him; one that he more than deserves after improving his game so much in the last year.

Winner: Jack Evans

Chris Hero vs. Brent Albright
Bayani Domingo: When it comes down to it, I guess it comes down to me wishing more than predicting. But I would love to see Dub-C come down to “take revenge” on Hero, only to swerve everyone and take out Albright.

Winner: Chris Hero, followed by a KoW reunion.

Chris Hero vs. Mike Quackenbush
Samuel Berman: It’s a marquee matchup anywhere else in wrestling, so why not have it take place here? I think Hero winning does more for him in the long run, because he’s got a year of mediocre results to make up for. Quackenbush losing here doesn’t hurt him because by this point he’s had a number of matches to get himself over as a main event threat. I think the Kings of Wrestling reunion isn’t as crazy a notion as others do, and Claudio could easily come out and cost Quackenbush the match, and I almost hope they do something along those lines, because Hero can get even more mileage out of the idea that he ‘stole’ the tournament from an honorable competitor like Quackenbush. If they go with this one, it could be a classic.

Winner: Chris Hero

411 Staff Consensus Matchup: Chris Hero vs. Claudio Castagnoli
411 Staff Picks: Chris Hero

$10,000 Tag Team Challenge
Michael Bauer: I am normally very bad at picking these things, but let’s look at it logically for a minute. By my guesses, the following people are out: Davey Richards, BJ Whitmer, Chris Hero, El Generico, Claudio, Quackenbush, Kevin Steen, and Brent Albright. That does leave the entire No Remorse Corps (minus Richards) and all of Austin Aries’ Resilience, but that is too obvious. This is especially true when you also have Danielson, Nigel, and The Briscoes also in there. So let’s go for a wild gut shot here…

Team Captains: Nigel McGuiness and Bryan Danielson
Team Members: Nigel picks Austin Aries, Delirious, and Jay Briscoe. Danielson picks Roderick Strong, Jimmy Rave, and Mark Briscoe.
Winners: Team Nigel

Ari Berenstein: I think the obvious choice for team captains would be Nigel and Dragon after their falling out from the night before. The outside shot would be Aries and Strong, but that could just lead to the obvious Resilience / Delirious vs. NRC + 1. I think we wait on that one until August 11th. Danielson will draft Jay Briscoe but not want Mark and out of pride Mark will go onto Nigel’s team. Aries and Strong are obvious picks since they’re not doing any other wrestling this night. I could assume Albright would want in for the money, but would want all of it instead of a share and Danielson wouldn’t be down with that. Danielson has said on promos that he likes Rave and what he stands for, so choosing him wouldn’t be that much of a strech. Quackenbush is going to wrestle Danielson on August 11th and he and Nigel seemed to have respect for each other at A Fight at the Roxbury, so he is the last member of Nigel’s team and fans get a preview of the Quack/Dragon match. Ultimately I see Nigel’s team getting the win and Nigel in particular getting the pin, probably on his old “friend” Jimmy Rave, just to stick it to Dragon and end the show on a happy note for the crowd.

Team Captains: Nigel McGuinness and Bryan Danielson
Team Members: Nigel picks Austin Aries, Mark Briscoe and Mike Quackenbush, Danielson picks Roderick Strong, Jay Briscoe and Jimmy Rave
Winners: Team Nigel

Brad Garoon: Firstly I think the recently announced six man mayhem match will include Pelle Primeau, Gran Akuma, Hallowicked, Jigsaw, Jimmy Rave and Matt Cross. Then I think there will be a singles match between Matt Sydal and Erick Stevens. That leaves the pairings I’ve listed below. I just don’t think ROH will get too goofy with this match, and keep it between men who have actual issues with each other.

Team Captains: Bryan Danielson & Nigel McGuinness
Team Members: Nigel takes Aries, and the Briscoes, Danielson takes Strong, Steen & Generico.
Winner: Danielson, Strong, Steen & Generico

Bayani Domingo: Everyone is going with Nigel and Danielson as the team captains. But I gotta be the Black Sheep here.

Team Captains: Mark Briscoe, Jay Briscoe
Team Members: Mark – Roderick Strong, American Dragon, Kevin Steen
Jay – Austin Aries, Nigel McGuinness, El Generico
Winner: Jay’s Team

Samuel Berman: With the Six Man Mayhem having recently been announced, the teams here are even more in flux than they were, but I think they’re going to be smart and load this one up with the main event talent, rather than sticking the marquee players in a relatively meaningless spotfest. Danielson and Nigel are the obvious choices and Jay and Mark are the curious but interesting choices, but I think they’ll go a third direction, just to be ornery.

Team Captains: Roderick Strong and Austin Aries
Team Members: Strong picks Bryan Danielson, Matt Sydal and Jimmy Rave; Aries picks Nigel McGuinness, Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe
Winners: Austin Aries, Nigel McGuinness and Jay & Mark Briscoe

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Samuel Berman

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